Be Careful

By Kay Heitsch

The thought you feed is the thought that grows. ~ Think New Thoughts Quotes ~

As we are about to begin a new year, it's essential to eliminate old negative thoughts and start the year with a new mindset. The thoughts we feed are the thoughts that grow.

Our Bible verse says. Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 GNT

If we want a positive life in a negative world, we must be careful how we think. Our lives are shaped by our thoughts.

The thought you feed is the thought that grows.

Encouragement

By Kay Heitsch

Use your words to build others up and encourage those who hear you. ~ Use Your Words Quotes ~

We need to think before we speak. Words are powerful! They can hurt or uplift. We should use our words to encourage ourselves and others.

Today's Bible verse says. But the one who proclaims God's message speaks to people and gives them help, encouragement, and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14: 3 TEV

I love this Bible verse! We will give people help, encouragement, and comfort if we speak God's message. I pray this coming year, I will proclaim God's message more.

Use your words to build others up and encourage those who hear you.

One Time Gift

By Kay Heitsch

Life is a one-time gift. Use it in the best possible manner. So, love, laugh, live, be yourself, be happy, and trust God. ~ Trust In God Quotes ~

We only go around once in life. It is a one-time gift. How we choose to go around is up to us. If we trust God, we can be happy, love, laugh, and be ourselves.

Our Bible verse says. The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trust in Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. Psalm 28:7

We can trust God with our hearts, knowing He is our strength and shield. The Lord helps us, and we are filled with joy!

Life is a one-time gift. Use it in the best possible manner. So, love, laugh, live, be yourself, be happy, and trust God.

Give God Your Problems

By Kay Heitsch

When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts. ~ Give God Your Problems Quotes ~

We all want to live in peace. We are not at rest or at peace when upset and worried. But when we believe we can put our problems in God's hands, He will put His peace in our hearts.

Our Bible verse says. Come to Me, all weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

When we come to God and put our problems in His hands, He will give us rest.

When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts.

Move Your Feet

By Kay Heitsch

Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you're unwilling to move your feet. ~ Keep Moving Forward Quotes ~

When I have a lot to do, I can feel overwhelmed. But the pressure goes away when I get busy doing one thing at a time.

This morning, I thought about the Bible story when the priests were told to step into the Jordan River, and when they did, they were able to walk through on dry land. They had to move their feet! (see Joshua 3)

That's how life can be. When we start to feel overwhelmed, we need to ask God to guide our steps and move our feet.

Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you're unwilling to move your feet.

God's Free Gift

By Kay Heitsch

God's gift of grace is free. And in His grace, we stand! ~ God's Gift Of Grace Quotes

I will never forget when I read in the Bible that God's grace was a free gift! This was a shock and new revelation to me. I had always believed we needed to work by doing our part to keep the 10 Commandments to earn our way to heaven. But God's grace is a free gift!

Our Bible verse today was the verse I found that changed my mind and also my life. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2: 8&9

"Not by works that anyone can boast" got my attention! God offers us a free gift of His grace because of what Jesus did for us. No one will stand before God and boast about what they did. We either accept His free gift or reject it. It's our choice.

God's gift of grace is free. And in His grace, we stand!

God's Purpose and Plan

By Kay Heitsch

Not all things that happen are good, but all things work together for good in God's purpose and plan. ~ Encouraging Quotes ~

God has a plan, and it's a good plan. Not all things in our lives are good, but God can work something good out of them.

It was not good that Todd died in a car accident. But God has worked many good things out of his untimely death. God's plan was to bring good out of the situation.

Our 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

I don't know what you have been through or may go through, but I do know that God can and will work something good out of it.

Not all things that happen are good, but all things work together for good in God's purpose and plan.

Think About What You're Thinking About

By Kay Heitsch

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. ~ Thoughts Quotes

This is so true! If you're having a bad day, think about what you're thinking! The same goes for whatever kind of day you're having. The quality of our thoughts will depend on the happiness of our lives.

Our Bible verse says. When your mind is renewed, you can move into the plan God has for you. Romans 12:2

If we want to move into God's plan, we may need to change our thinking.

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

What A Way To Live!

By Kay Heitsch

If we put faith, hope, and love together, we can live a positive life in a negative world. ~ Quotes~

Living our lives with faith, hope, and love makes all the difference. These three help us rise above life's storms and find the sunshine.

Our Bible verse says. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT

Isn't it wonderful to know that no matter what, faith, hope, and love will last forever? What a way to live!

If we put faith, hope, and love together, we can live a positive life in a negative world.

Christmas Angels

By Kay Heitsch

One of my favorite Christmas memories was living in Dover, Ohio. My friend Ruth Ann, who has gone Home now, and I were in charge of getting "Angels" for the Christmas Eve service.

Several weeks before, we were busy calling teenage girls asking if they would like to be an "Angel" for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Each girl we called was excited to be a part of the service.

The church was beautifully decorated by the altar committee. Jo Schilling, who has also gone Home now, was in charge. Everything looked wonderful.

The night of the service, the girls gathered in a room, putting on white gowns with a halo of gold tinsel on their heads. Each girl was given a long white unlit candle to carry. After they were all dressed and ready, they gathered in the narthex, waiting to walk in.

The night of the service was so touching. Music played softly, and the lights were turned down as each "Angel" walked down the long aisle with their unlit candle. As they came to the front of the church, our pastor, Rev Jim, stood with the "Christ's Candle," and the girls lit their candles off of it.

After lighting their candle, they went to the end of each row and lit the candle of the first person in the row. Then, as that person had their candle lit, they would light the candle of the person next to them.

After a few minutes, every candle in the church was glowing. Then, our organist, Linda, began playing "Silent Night," and everyone sang as we raised our candles in the air. Tears filled my eyes, and I'm sure others experienced the same loving feeling.

I had never been to a candlelight service, so this experience was new. I loved the symbolism this ceremony told. As we go to Christ, we receive His light/love. After we do, we light/touch the people around us, and His light/love continues.

I'll always remember this special Christmas memory. It has stayed with me all these years. I pray we will let His light shine for all the world.

Be Still

By Kay Heitsch

In quietness and trust is your strength. ~ Be Still Quotes ~

There is something about quietness and trusting God that gives us strength. When we put our trust in God and sit quietly in His presence, He gives us strength to go on.

Our Bible verse says. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

When we know God, we will trust Him. Being still is a great way to feel His strength and presence.

In quietness and trust is your strength.

May Your Heart Be Joyful

By Kay Heitsch

Keep a song in your heart. ~ May Your Heart Be Joyful Quotes ~

An old hymn says, Keep a song in your heart, for the road is long. You will need it to make you good and strong. I know this is true. It's incredible what a joyful song can do.

Our Bible verse says. A joyful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22

There's something about staying joyful that is good medicine. If we want to remain good and strong, keeping a joyful song in our hearts will help us on our journey.

Keep a song in your heart.

It Came To Pass

By Kay Heitsch

When things are bad, remember: It won't always be this way. Take one day at a time. When things are good, remember: It won't always be this way. Enjoy every extraordinary moment. ~ This Too Shall Pass Quotes ~

In our journey through life, we will go through many things. We need to remember, "This too shall pass." Things come, and things go. We may not like some things, but we can learn from them. Take one day at a time. Always remember to enjoy the good times.

Our Bible verse says, And it came to pass. Matthew 26:1 & 2.

Things will happen; that's a fact! But things will not last forever.

When things are bad, remember: It won't always be this way. Take one day at a time. When things are good, remember: It won't always be this way. Enjoy every extraordinary moment.

Open My Eyes, Lord

By Kay Heitsch

Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people. A heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith. ~ Always Pray Quotes

Wouldn't it be great to always see the best in people? And to have a heart to forgive and forget? Best of all, we should never lose our faith in God.

Years ago, I sang a solo with the words, Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see You. If our heart is open to seeing the Lord, we will see the best, forgive and forget, and never lose our faith.

Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people. A heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith.

Fran's Silent Night

By Kay (Special Christmas Memory.)

I will never hear "Silent Night" and not think of Fran*. No matter where Fran was, you could hear her humming the first two bars of "Silent Night." This constant humming of only the first two bars of this beautiful melody could be annoying. Knowing that Fran had Alzheimer's helped me forgive her repetitive humming.

I remember Fran when she first lived in the "Memory Care" unit. She was a tall, nice-looking woman. Like most residents, Fran often walked, humming "Silent Night." Fran had quite an eye for any man who came into the unit. I would always tease her and tell her to let me know if any "good-looking" guys came in.

Fran and I developed a special friendship. You never know how long the progression of this disease will take. For Fran, it seemed like she went downhill very quickly. It wasn't long before she stopped talking and only hummed the first two bars of "Silent Night."

It wasn't long before she was unable to walk. She went from a regular wheelchair to a wheelchair that would recline, as she was unable to sit up anymore. My heart would break to see her lounging in the chair, staring up at the ceiling but still humming the two bars of "Silent Night."

Whenever I walked by her, I would stop and give her a little kiss on her forehead. I would also give her hand a slight squeeze. There would never be any response.

About a week before Christmas, I walked over to Fran as she was reclining in the wheelchair. As usual, I kissed her on the forehead and took her hand. She turned her head, looked me in the eyes, and said, "I love you. And I like you too." I was stunned! Fran hadn't spoken in months. Tears filled my eyes as I told Fran I loved and liked her. The following day, Fran passed on.

I stopped by the funeral home for Fran's calling hours. Christmas was only a few days away. As I walked in, I noticed her family had a small Christmas tree sitting on a table. A note asked each person to decorate the tree with some tinsel they had in a box sitting on the table. The family said Christmas had been Fran's favorite holiday, and she always had a tree with tinsel on it.

I could not attend Fran's funeral, but her family shared with me that the carol "Silent Night" would be playing as people passed by her casket to pay their last respects. I know Fran would have been pleased, and I'm sure she was humming along in Heaven.

*Name has been changed.

Everything Is Going To Be Okay

By Kay Heitsch

Note to self: Everything is going to be okay. ~ Don't Be Anxious or Worried Quotes

I don't know about you, but I tend to get a little anxious this time of the year. My mind goes in a lot of different directions. I read a quote that says, "Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose." I like this quote.

Our Bible verse says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV

This verse tells us we do not need to be anxious about anything! We can put every situation in God's hands. Good advice!

Note to self: Everything is going to be okay. Don't be anxious or worried.

Inner Strength

By Kay Heitsch

If you're strong enough on the inside, you can handle anything that comes at you on the outside. ~ Joyce Meyer Quotes ~

If there is anything we need, it is inner strength. If we are strong inside, we can handle whatever comes on the outside. I believe this. We can pray for the inner strength to handle what life throws.

Our Bible verse says. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources, He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Ephesians 3:16 NLT

We can pray that God will empower us with inner strength through His Spirit.

If you're strong enough on the inside, you can handle anything that comes at you on the outside.

Feelings Come and Go

By Kay Heitsch

Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not. ~ C.S. Lewis Quote ~

Our feelings do come and go. Whether we feel like God loves us doesn't change the fact that God does love us. We may feel alone, but God says He is always with us. We can't always rely on how we feel. We need to rely on what we know.

Our Bible verse says. "I have loved you with everlasting love and drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

God has loved us with His everlasting love. This is a fact! He has drawn us with his unfailing kindness.

Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not.

Focus

By Kay Heitsch

Focus on what is good. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

We have many distractions in life. It's hard sometimes to keep our focus on what is essential. They say what we focus on grows. So, if that's so, focusing on what is good makes sense.

Our Bible verse says. Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Romans 12:9 GNT

Our journey will be better if our love is sincere; we hate what is evil, and we hold on to what is good.

Focus on the good.

Just Believe

By Kay Heitsch

Keep standing in faith. Keep believing. Keep moving forward. ~ Believing Quotes ~

We have a large plaque on the porch that says one word: BELIEVE. A few years ago, in December, I was very sick. Every day, I would go to the window and stand looking at this word. As odd as it may seem, reading BELIEVE gave me hope. No matter how bad I felt, I kept believing and moving forward.

Our Bible verse says, Don't be afraid, just believe! Mark 5:36

Just believing helped me not to be afraid, and it helped me keep moving forward.

Keep standing in faith. Keep believing. Keep moving forward.