Hope Harbor

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Message (MSG) 24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.   These verses were quoted today on my daily calender dedicated to the theme of HOPE. It seems that there is a promise that when we bless others we can have the hope that we will receive a blessing.   I am reninded of a stately elder radio Bible teacher who would always close his program by saying: "Walk with the King today, and be a blessing!"

This is the quote on my calendar for today: I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.       - Charlotte Bronti

As the first month of the new year draws swiftly to a close, I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on the refreshing hope of "newness". In faith we can experience regeneration and become new creatures. (2Corinthians 5:16-19) One true promise in which I find much comfort is that the mercies of our faithful God are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:20-21) A new commandment Jesus gave is to love one another. (John 13:34) We can look forward to a new heaven and a new earth. (2Peter3:13) Here is a link to an encouraging song entitled All Things New http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Q3NrB_eHM May all our days be joyful and new.

Be on the lookout for mercies. The more we look for them, the more of them we will see.  Blessings brighten when we count them.

There is nothing but God's grace. We walk upon it, we breathe it, we live and die by it; it makes the nails and axles the universe.         Robert Louis Stevenson For in Him we live and move and have our being.          Acts 17:28 KJV

Today is my beloved dog Tanner's birthday. It's a nice time to reflect on how special he is, and how grateful I am to have him as an important part of my life. It's also a good excuse to "brag" about him and share some favorite pictures: This is when we first met. I can hardly believe it has been three years already! Tanner won my heart right away  He can be quite silly! Tanner loves to play... But he does his job when I need him - a very talented dog indeed! He closes the door                                                            Tanner turns on and off lights And we have even had the opportunity to teach children  about service dogs. Tanner is excellent at many th...

Today I found a message from a friend which she posted on my Facebook wall. It stated simply: "I miss the doses of hope." I regret to have disappointed her or anyone else who may find the inspirational quotes from my calendar to be helpful. I am also pleased to know that there are those who find the blog posts encouraging. So... in honor of my Facebook (and real life) friend, and with hopes that it will be a blessing, following are many quotes on the theme of hope taken from my daily calendar: If you had no winter the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.                         Keith Bradstreet The three grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love and something to hope for.                ...