It's Time to Shine!

by Kay Heitsch

Rise and shine and give God the glory! ~ It's Time to Shine Quotes

We have many opportunities to let God's love shine through us. When we are honest with ourselves, we understand that the goodness we show is a direct result of God's love shining through us.

Our Bible verse says, "In the same way your light must shine before people so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 GNT

We are to let our light shine! When people see God's love shining through us, they will give praise to our Father.

Rise and shine and give God the glory.

The Best Relationship

by Kay Heitsch

A personal relationship with God is the best relationship you can have. ~ Quotes ~

I have found that it is out of a personal relationship with the LORD that my life has meaning. Everything seems to go better. Even my relationship with myself and other people has improved.

Our Bible verse says, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 NLT

When we have a personal relationship with the LORD, our God, we will love Him. It is out of this intimate relationship that we will love ourselves in a balanced way and love other people.

A personal relationship with God is the best relationship you can have.

My Prayer Request

by Kay Heitsch

Many years ago, after reading Dr. Norman V. Peale's books, I prayed a prayer to meet him in person. I'll be honest, I had built Dr. Peale up in my mind. His books had changed my life.

In my prayer, I added this little line, "If I am going to be disappointed, please forget this request." I know that sounds funny, but I tell it like it is when I pray.

Since I was on Dr. Peale's mailing list, I received a brochure about a Positive Thinking Seminar that was being held in Ohio. Boy, I was excited because I lived in Ohio. I put this brochure on the counter in our kitchen.

Every day I would pray over this brochure. I thought this may be my opportunity to meet Dr. Peale. However, this seminar in Ohio came and went. I couldn't attend. I'll be honest, I was disappointed.

A few months later, I received a phone call from Ric Cox. He was the executive editor of PLUS Magazine. Ric conveyed to me that Dr. Peale was inviting me to his Positive Thinking Seminar in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Peale wanted to present me with his Norman V. Peale Award in person. Wow, this was amazing!

I could see that the Lord was answering my prayer. I was going to meet Dr. Peale in person. However, I was still wondering what he would be like. Would he be stand-offish? Would he be arrogant and self-righteous? I didn't know what to expect.

All of my questions were answered when Dr. Peale's eyes met mine. His eyes sparkled, and he had a glow about him. His kind smile lit up the room. It was obvious to everyone that God's love truly was shining through him.

Meeting Dr. Peale was one of the highlights of my life. After meeting him, I could see that God's love can shine through a person. I was not disappointed in any way. My prayer request was answered far and beyond what I expected.

Glow Wherever You Go

by Kay Heitsch

Brighten the corner where you are. Glow wherever you go. Let God's love shine through you. ~ Quotes

This morning I had the song "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" in my head." It has been years since I heard that song.

If we all brightened the corner of our world, what a difference it would make. When we let God's love shine through us, we can glow wherever we go.

Our Bible verses say, Let the light of Your face shine on us. You have put gladness in my heart. Psalm 4:6&7

I have met people who have God's love shining on them. Everything hasn't been perfect in their lives, but they still have gladness in their hearts. They glow wherever they go.

Brighten the corner where you are. Glow wherever you go. Let God's love shine through you.

Shine On!

by Kay Heitsch

You were made to radiate God's love to the world. Shine On! ~ Radiate God's Love Quotes ~

Can you imagine what the world would be like if every person, who is a Believer, allowed God's love to shine through them?

There are many ways to allow God's love to radiate in our lives. Being kind and compassionate to people in our everyday life would be a great start.

Our Bible verse says, "Arise, shine; For your Light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you." Isaiah 60:1

Let's arise and shine! Our Light has come! Now let's allow the LORD's love to shine through us.

You were made to radiate God's love to the world. Shine On!

Hope

by Kay Heitsch

Where there is hope, there is life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again. ~ Anne Frank

Hope is the one thing that can get you through your darkest times. Hope fills us with courage. We are strong and able to keep moving forward.

Our Bible verse says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13

God will fill us with joy and peace. We will abound in hope when we keep believing in Him.

Where there is hope, there is life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.

Take the Time

by Kay Heitsch

Look for the blessing in all situations. ~ Quotes ~

If we take the time to look for the blessing in all situations, I think we would be surprised what we would find.

Today's Bible verse says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28 NLT

We all go through things that are not good. However, we know that God causes everything to work together for our good when we love God. Let's look for the hidden blessing every day.

Look for the blessing in all situations.

Passport

by Kay Heitsch

A hopeful attitude is a person's passport to a brighter tomorrow. ~ Quotes ~

If you want to know what your tomorrow will be like, check your attitude. If we keep hopeful thoughts and expect the best, our tomorrows will be a lot brighter.

Our Bible verse says, "But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power..." Isaiah 40:31 Amp Bible

The Amplified Bible shows the word, wait, means to expect, look for, and hope in Him. I believe this means to keep a hopeful attitude as we wait on God's perfect timing. If we do, we will be energized with new strength and power.

A hopeful attitude is a person's passport to a brighter tomorrow.

Fearless and Careless

by Kay Heitsch

Be fearless when it comes to life. And careless when it comes to what people say and think about you. ~ Fearless Quotes ~

Sometimes we care too much about what other people say and think about us. We may want to step out and try something new, but then we wonder what other people will say or think about it.

Our Bible verse says, "Fear not, for I am with you." Isaiah 41:10 NLT

When we know that the LORD is with us, we can be fearless. We don't need to wonder what people will say or think.

Be fearless when it comes to life. And careless when it comes to what people say and think about you.

Fearless

by Kay Heitsch

"Once you become fearless. Life becomes limitless." When I read this quote this morning I thought of the Bible verse, "Fear not, for I am with you. Isaiah 41:10 NLT

We can step out into the unknown without fear when we really know that the Lord is with us.

What are we afraid of? God has an awesome plan for each of our lives. He tells us to fear not for He is with us.

To work the limitless plan God has for our lives we need to become fearless and keep in mind, "Fear not, for I am with you."

Little RED to the Rescue

by Kay Heitsch

I had finished shoveling our driveway when I noticed our neighbor, who lives on a hill, starting to drive down his. I could see he was way over to the one side. I knew why because a couple of days before, someone had run into his brick mailbox and knocked it over. I figured he didn't want to get too close to it as it was still next to the driveway.

The snow had really piled up on the side of the driveway. Between that and the snowplow dumping snow in his driveway, he got stuck. I saw him shoveling like mad as he must have been late to open his store.

Hearing the tires spinning, his wife came out to help. Since they are Korean, she's on the small side. I thought Little RED shovel and I better go over and see if she could use some help.

We both were shoveling with earnest. In between, we would stop and try to push the van out of the bank. No luck! Finally, we gave it one more try, and we pushed it out! Yay!

I had to smile because I'm only 5'1" myself. Here we were, two little ladies pushing a big RED van out of a snowbank.

Seeing Light

by Kay Heitsch

Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness. ~ Live Purposely Now Quotes ~

When we have hope, we can always see the light no matter how dark it gets. No matter what is going on in our lives we know that the LORD is our hope. We can live purposely now!

Our Bible verse says, "Let Your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in You alone." Psalm 33:22 NLT

With the LORD's unfailing love surrounding us, we can see the light in spite of the darkness. Let's put our hope in the LORD alone.

Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness.

Your Thoughts

by Kay Heitsch

You can not always control circumstances, but you can control your own thoughts. ~ Quotes ~

We may believe we can't control how we think, but we can. When some negative thought comes to our mind, we can immediately replace that thought with something else. We may need to do it more than once, but do it however many times it takes.

Our Bible verse is a favorite of mine. "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." Proverbs 4:23 GNT

It was a great day when I read this verse in the Bible. Believe it or not, I didn't realize the power I had over my thoughts. Once I did, my life began to change for the better.

You can not always control circumstances, but you can control your own thoughts.

Live with Confidence

by Kay Heitsch

Do something today that changes your life for the better. ~ Live with Confidence Quotes

Without confidence, we won't venture down a new path no matter how clear the road. We need true confidence to move forward and try something new.

Today's Bible verse says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

This is the kind of confidence we need. When our confidence is in Christ, we can step out and do something that will change our life for the better.

Do something today that changes your life for the better.

Little by Little

Kay Heitsch

A little progress each day adds up to big results. ~ Life Quotes ~

This quote stood out to me today. I've been out shoveling with little RED. Boy, do we have the snow! One little scoop after another made a little progress. Hopefully, by the end of the day, if we don't give up, we'll see a big result.

Our Bible verse says, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I know this verse isn't talking about shoveling snow. But if we keep shoveling and don't give up, the driveway will be cleared. Bill is out with the snowblower now. We'll get it done!

A little progress each day adds up to big results.

Rule the Day

by Kay Heitsch

You may not be able to control every situation and its outcome, but you can control your attitude and how you deal with it. ~ Rule the Day Quotes ~

We all go through situations we may not like. It would be nice if we could control the outcome, but many times we can't. However, there is one thing we can control. We can control our attitude and how we deal with it.

Our Bible verse says, “God has given us the power to remain calm in times of adversity.” Psalm 94:13

God has given us the power to remain calm in times of adversity. We have the power to control our attitude no matter what situations we have to deal with.

You may not be able to control every situation and its outcome, but you can control your attitude and how you deal with it.

Who Loves You?

by Kay Heitsch

God loves you! He wants you to succeed. He wants the best for you. ~ Dr. Norman V. Peale ~

Thank you, Dr. Peale! It was a wonderful day when I came across Dr. Peale's books at the public library. I was searching for something to fill the void in my life. Dr. Peale opened my eyes to a life worth living. He helped me see what a personal relationship with God would be like.

Our Bible verse says, "God loved the world this way: He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life." John 3:16 GWT

I was searching for something to fill the void in my life. I found it when I accepted the gift of eternal life through my belief and personal relationship with Him.

God loves you! He wants you to succeed. He wants the best for you.

Be the Person

by Kay Heitsch

Rise up and be the person you were designed to be. ~ Quotes ~

If there is anything I want, it's to be the person I was created to be and to do the work God created me to do.

I truly believe God has a unique plan for all our lives. No two people are alike. We are all different, and we all have certain things we are created to do.

I love these Bible verses.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

"And I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6

"There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives the ability to all for their service." 1 Corinthians 12:6

There ya go! God has a plan, and His plan is for good. He is the one who has begun a good work in us, and He will finish it. God gives abilities to do the work we're created to do.

Rise up and be the person you were designed to be.

Give & Take

by Kay Heitsch

Life is full of give and take. Give thanks and take nothing for granted. ~ Be Thankful Quotes ~

When we start our day with a thankful heart, it can turn our whole life around.

Our Bible verse says, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!" Psalm 100:4

Let's be thankful and say so!

Life is full of give and take. Give thanks and take nothing for granted.

I Give Up!

 by Kay Heitsch

I had always been a strong-willed person. I didn't feel I needed God in my life. No matter what I had been through in the past, I was somehow able to deal with it. Then Todd died!

You don't know how you will react when you hear your child has died. I would have thought I would have fainted, screamed, or at least cried. I did none of these things.

Immediately, when I heard the tragic news that Todd had died in a car accident, I went into shock! Everything was hazy. I could see things going on, but I didn't feel like I was a part of it. I was so numb for a while I merely went through the motions of daily living.

Slowly, the numbness started to wear off. As the numbness wore off, I began to sink into depression. I was familiar with depression. I had several relatives who struggled with it. I did not want to live my life like this! I even had a few relatives who ended their own lives. This thought crossed my mind too.

One day this all changed. I had gotten Brandon, who was around 2 years old, and myself dressed. Once again, I was going to try to go to the grocery store. I had forced myself to get some groceries the week before. However, I never brought any home. While in the store, I reached for something Todd liked. When I realized I didn't need that anymore, I started to cry. I immediately grabbed Brandon out of the cart, left the cart in the aisle, and drove home.

I started to feel shaky as I thought about attempting to go to the grocery store again. Where was my own strong will I had always relied on? I was trying, but my own efforts were not working anymore!

I finally realized I needed God's strength to go on. I knelt down and admitted I needed help! I asked the Lord to please bring something positive out of Todd's death. I also said I was available if He could use me to do it. I give up! I had come to the end of myself.

As soon as I had prayed this prayer, I had a feeling of liquid love flow through my entire body. It was an amazing experience! I knew now I had God's strength to do whatever I needed to do.

Today, I came across a quote. When our strength runs out, God's strength begins. I found this to be true in my life.

Inner Strength

by Kay Heitsch

You are only as strong on the outside as you have allowed God on the inside. ~ Inner Strength from God Quotes ~

I have found this to be true! When I have God's strength on the inside, I feel confident and strong on the outside. Somehow, I know it won't matter what's going on around me when I lean on God's strength inside of me.

Our Bible verse says, "And do not be worried, for the joy of the LORD is your strength and your stronghold." Nehemiah 8:10 Amp.

We don't need to worry when the LORD is our strength and stronghold. He will give us His joy on the inside!

You are only as strong on the outside as you have allowed God on the inside.

Perfect Peace

by Kay Heitsch

When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts. ~ Focus on the Lord Quotes ~

I don't know anyone who has never had a problem at one time or another. Even when we experience problems, when we put them in God's hands, He will give us peace.

Our Bible verse says, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!" Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Now, this is the way to really live! When we put all of our trust in the Lord and fix our thoughts on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace.

Hope

by Kay Heitsch

Trust God! When we trust God the future always holds hope. ~ Hope in the Lord Quotes ~

When we put our trust in the Lord, the future always holds hope. We know that God will fill us with joy and peace as we put all of our trust in Him.

Our Bible verse says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

What a great thought to be overflowing with hope! When we put our trust in God, we not only can have hope for our life now, but for our eternal life too.

Trust God! When we trust God the future always holds hope.

Adjust Your Focus

by Kay Heitsch

When life gets blurry, adjust your focus. ~ Life Quotes ~

Life does get blurry at times. It may be blurry looking through tears because we just can't see how we can go on.

Our Bible verse says, Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. Hebrews 12:2 GNT

When we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and off of ourselves, He will increase our faith and help us to move forward.

When life gets blurry, adjust your focus.

Good Morning Todd

by Kay Heitsch

It was Saturday, February 6th a cold day like today, the last time I saw you. I watched you walk to the backdoor and give Brandon a little hug.

Do you remember, I was standing at the sink, trying to defrost a frozen chicken in cold water? You said you wanted baked chicken for dinner that night.

I looked over at you going out the door. You smiled, pointed your finger at me, and said, "Later Mom." Little did I know then how much later that would be.

It was about an hour after you left when the phone rang. On the other end of the line was one of the friends you had gone sledding with. He was calling to tell me there had been an accident.

At first, I thought you had had an accident on the sled. I asked where you were. The caller gave me the location, but I had no idea where that was.

I called your dad and gave him the location of the accident. Next, I called Shannon, who was over at the neighbor's house. Then you know me, I started to vacuum.

A few minutes later, the phone rang. It was Judy. Since she knew you had taken the car, she asked if I needed a ride to the hospital. I said yes, and asked her to send Shannon home to watch Brandon.

Todd, when I walked into the hospital ER and gave my name, no one asked for my insurance card. I thought that was odd. I noticed other people were standing around. When I said my name, they all looked over at me. When I looked at them, they seemed to look down. It wasn't hard to read body language that day. I knew something was seriously wrong when the nurse asked me to wait in a small room where a doctor would come and speak with me. I knew you were gone.

As I walked out of the hospital that day, the sun was shining. I didn't know how it could. Now I do know! God was going to bring some amazing things out of the tragedy of that day. I want to Let the SON Shine! in your memory. This year I gave a friend the book Have a Great Day Every-Day! that has the letter I wrote Dr. Peale in about you.

I will always love you and thank the Lord for the good times we had together. You are thought of and loved by many people Todd.

Stronger Than Your Excuses

Kay Heitsch

Be stronger than your excuses. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

If we really want to do something, we'll find a way. If we don't, we can usually find an excuse. We need to be stronger than our excuses.

Our Bible verse says, "A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can't make up his mind about anything." James 1:8 GWT

It's important to be strong in our thinking. If we want to do something, we need to have a made-up mind and find a way to get it done.

Be stronger than your excuses

Quiet Moments

by Kay Heitsch

Today take a few quiet moments and be thankful for all that you have. ~ Quiet Moments Quotes ~

I believe it's important for our mental, physical, and spiritual health to spend quiet moments all during the day thinking about things we are thankful for.

Our Bible verse says, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 118:1 NIV

Taking some quiet time to give thanks to the LORD for He is good and His love endures forever would be a great way to help our mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Today take a few quiet moments and be thankful for all that you have.