My Quotes of Encouragement

 
 

 

 

Greeting cards flatter with quotes of encouragement, but nothing says you love them like personal attention~ B. K. Hendricks

After nearly 38 yrs of marriage, Gene and I have decided to join the trendy date-night jet set. I’m excited. Naturally, I want to do this in godly manner. So I went to the Bible for ideas of what makes a woman attractive to a man and discovered the Song of Solomon chapters four and seven. This is what the wise King Solomon says and how I fashioned my accessories:

• How beautiful your sandaled feet,
• Your graceful legs are like jewels,
• Your navel is a rounded goblet
• Your waist is a mound of wheat encircled by lilies.
• Your neck is like the tower of David, on it hang a thousand shields of warriors.
• You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.
• Your hair is like royal tapestry with a flock of goats running down the mountains.
• Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel.
• Your eyes are doves and the pools of Heshbon
• Your temples like the halves of a pomegranate.
• Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon
• Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon;
• Oh this is embarrassing. I…Well, it is in the Bible, so excuse me…your breasts like clusters of fruit.
• Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn, coming up from the washing. Each has its twin.
• How beautiful you are and how pleasing, my love, with your delights!

What? You’re laughing. It’s because of my lack of lilies, right? Any ideas where I might find some?
 
Seriously, date night is a great way to cultivate a relationship with people we love, whether it be a spouse, a friend, a child, a parent, or a sibling.
 
What are some of the things we do on dates?
Eat, movies, bowling, quiet walk, shopping, museums, amusement parks.
 
What are some of our motives?

To become better acquainted, to rekindle our relationships, to focus on one another’s needs, to share dreams, to break the routine.
There are definite benefits:

Deeper knowledge of and love for one another, refreshes our countenance, relieves emotions, and quickens our spirits.
 
If we need to have date nights with family members and friends, how much more beneficial would a date night with God be?. What would that look like?
It would be more than our daily devotion time. While Gene and I spend every night together, our evening meals, and hashing over the course of the day, a date night is a special time to concentrate on us—not work, not our children/grandchildren or parents, or even our bad puppy antics—just us. It is a time of intimacy that we share with no one else to remind ourselves how important the other one is to us. And so a date night with God should be the similar in nature. An intimate time that only you and your Lord share. A time that you remind yourself how important Jesus is to you and who you are in Him.
 
Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts for your date night with God.

 

• Do sit quietly and recognize God for who He is
• Do expect God to speak to you. He will if you give Him time to do so.
• Do be open and honest with your emotions
• Do speak to God as you would your best friend. He is
• Do share your dreams
• Don’t bring your Lordy-do list
• Don’t talk to Him about the needs of others. This is your special time to rest in His arms.
• Don’t empty your mind…He never asks this of us and forbids it. He wants you to be fully focused on Him, who He is, and what He does.
• Allow Him to minister to you.

 
Through Jeremiah, God relates to us His desire to have a close and meaningful relationship with us. He says, “Call on me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
 
You know, the one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. What are you doing to enhance and to grew that relationship? How about marking a date on your calendar now?
 
Psalm 33:20-We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
 
Through Bible quotes we find encouragement for the day, but nothing refreshes our spirits like developing an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.
 
See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

Author/illustrator of the Bumbly Bee books
www.twosmallfish.org
www.oddducksociety.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: attitude, Christian Encouragement, faith, Faithfulness, lifestyle, love, Prayer, Quotes of Encouragement, Relationships, strength

 
 
 

 

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends ~ Jesus Christ.

May you find comfort and hope in the quotes of encouragement found within this video.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

author/illustrator of the Bumbly Bee books

Technorati Tags: Easter, Good Friday, Hope, love, Resurrection

 
 
 

Life moves along tracks of joys and sorrows often simultaneously.

 

While we welcomed our fourth grandson into our family, Jesus welcomed our niece, Melinda Lee Haines, into His home. She was loving, outgoing, and adventurous and will be missed by family and friends.
 
As a comfort to them, I present this video. The painting was done in memory of another young person who Jesus called home a few months ago. Matt and Mindi could not have been any different in physical appearance and lifestyle. Yet Jesus loved them both equally.
 
Our Lord said, “… I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2 KJV). This place is more than mansions in the sky or a room in our Father’s house. It is a place designed especially for us. Not only has He prepared that place for us, He has prepared us for that place. No matter how much of a misfit we seem to be here. No matter our sort comings, our sufferings, our abilities or disabilities. Jesus uses it all to create in us His likeness that we may be a perfect fit in His kingdom. Like a puzzle with a million pieces, it all comes together in the place Jesus has prepared for us.
 
Although this painting was created with another grieving family in mind, it was not a coincidence that it was completed a week ago. Nor was it an accident that I didn’t have time to post it before today.
 
May it be used as a healing balm to all those who have suffered the loss of a child, especially to Rusty and Peggy as they say their goodbyes to their beloved daughter, Mindi. My heart aches for them.
 
Lord Jesus, fill their void with your peace that passes all understanding today and always. May they find comfort in knowing that Mindi is enjoying her special place in Your kingdom and some day they will be reunited with her. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.
 
See you in a twinkling,
Brenda K. Hendricks

Technorati Tags: Christian Encouragement, Eternal life, faith, Grief, Hope, Quotes of Encouragement, Relationships

Dear Quotes of Encouragement

Here’s my story

I had my people-type mom and dad wrapped around my little crooked tail. You know what I mean? Anyways, all of a sudden like, they got the bright idea that they should be ahead of me in our pack order and commenced to de-alpha-dog me. Now they make me wear a funky blue collar with teeth and a ten-foot rope hanging from it—ALL DAY LONG! I take a step out of line, and they jerk that rope. Next thing I know I’m getting a pinch in the neck from that dump collar.

Before the collar, I had a social life. I could jump on anyone who entered our house. I could steal children’s toys or cushions off the couch and shake the living daylights out of them. I could ignore commands like sit, down, and stay and do exactly as I pleased.

Now, there are restrictions, disciplines, and a new world order. It’s mutt-any, I tell you. And I’m in the preverbal doghouse.

You got any quotes of encouragement for this poor pup?

Signed,

THE Hunter

Dear Hunter,
The current restrictions you are struggling with will bring a lifetime of freedom and safety. Listen to your people-type mom and dad. They only want what’s best for you. In a Twinkling QE

Christian Encouragement

My husband and I have set special goals for Hunter. In order to achieve them, we must restrict him and teach him to obey us without question or hesitation. He must surrender his will to us out of respect and a desire to please us. We, in turn, mix playtime with discipline. Eventually, we will all enjoy a sound relationship based on mutual love and respect. And Hunter will be able to walk off leash, chase a ball in the yard without restraints, and greet visitors courteously. He will enjoy more freedom than he ever knew existed.

While training Hunter, I came to understand God’s methods of instruction. Similar to our disciplining Hunter, God teaches believers to obey Him out of respect and willful surrender to His commands. He insists that we learn His precepts and conform to His laws for our own protection. When we disobey, He gives us consequences to draw our attention back to Him. Thus, the restrictions with which we struggle are the measures God takes to guarantee our freedom and protection.

Eventually, we enjoy a sound relationship with our Master… one of respect and love.

See you in a twinkling,
Brenda K. Hendricks

Author/illustrator of the Bumbly Bee Books
View and purchase them at My Books

What’s the Buzz, Bumbly Bee? is also available as an eBook.
View and purchase is at Brenda’s Books.

Technorati Tags: Christian Encouragement, discipline, Freedom, protection, Quotes of Encouragement, Relationships, restrictions, safety

Gene and I took a trip to the sportsman’s show in Harrisburg a few weeks ago. Instead of parking at the farm show building, we opted for the shuttle bus from the nearby Pro Bass Shop. We arrived at the show and traipsed around for several hours filling our minds with dreams of wildlife adventures. Our sore, tired feet convinced us that the time had come to depart so we made our way to the designated bus stop and waited. Forty-five minutes later, we boarded the bus and headed back to Pro Bass Shop. Night had fallen as well as a blanket of snow. The bus driver, perhaps due to the road conditions, took a wrong turn and had to enter a small parking lot to get us pointed in the right direction. He masterfully wheeled that large vehicle around a very confined space demonstrating his capabilities. Nevertheless, several of the passengers poked fun. I felt like standing and shouting, “who in this bus has not taken a wrong turn, let him or her issue the first driving ticket.”
The point is all drivers have taken a wrong turn at one time or another. The only difference is we didn’t have 55 witnesses.

Christian Encouragement

As we have all taken wrong turns while driving, we all have sinned. Some people commit sin openly and have many witnesses, while others are more subtle. Whether a thousand people have identified you as a sinner or not a soul has witnessed your secret sin, God sees it all and condemns it. So where’s the encouragement in this quote? Simply this, although we cannot hide our sins from God, we don’t have to live under condemnation. He desires for all of us to come to repentance and seek salvation through Jesus Christ.

Technorati Tags: Christian, criticism, encouragement, lost, wrong turns

Tracy Krauss, author of ‘edgy inspirational fiction’, is launching her book  PLAY IT AGAIN on Feb. 21. You can help her achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at amazon.com TODAY – and receive all kinds of cool free gifts while you’re at it!

Here’s how:

1. Go to the Landing Page on Tracy’s Website

2. Buy the book at amazon.

3. Go back to the Landing Page and fill in the form with your name, email and purchase number

 

It’s that easy! You’ll be directed to your free gifts and all you have to do is choose which ones you want.

About the book:

An unlikely duo meet in Play It Again, a story of love, life and faith. Sparks fly when an ex-rock and roll junkie and a stuffy accountant rendezvous at a local resort, but neither are prepared for the emotional entanglements, family complications, and threat from the past that unexpectedly resurfaces. Set in the 1980s, this story brings two opposing forces together in a clash of romance and danger, while its musical undertones highlight the theme that God can turn anything into beautiful music. Play It Again is the much anticipated prequel to Tracy’s debut novel And the Beat Goes On. Find out where Mark Graham’s journey began in this, the story of his parents.

 

What others are saying about PLAY IT AGAIN:

“This is one of the best contemporary novels I’ve read all year. . . Not only was it well-written, but it was edgy in that the story dared to be honest. . . I can see this touching a lot of people who have thought about God but have been afraid to move forward.”

-  Michelle Sutton, author of more than a dozen inspirational novels

“This book is hot property, and grabs your interest from page one.”

-   Yvonne Pat Wright, author of From Spice to Eternity

 

Author bio:

Tracy Krauss is a high school teacher by profession, and a prolific author, artist, playwright and director by choice. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has gone on to teach Art, Drama and English – all the things she is passionate about. After raising four children, she and her husband now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests. Her first two books were both nominated for the ‘Indie Excellence Book Awards’ for religious fiction in 2011.

FREE STUFF:

Here’s just a sampling of the FREE e-gifts from generous supporters:

-          An e-copy of Lisa Lickel’s award winning novel Meander Scar

-          Sample chapters from The Promise of Deer Run by Elaine Cooper, Warring Spirits by April Gardner, and The Right Person by Stacy Padula

-          Beautiful downloadable art cards by author and artist Brenda Hendricks

-          A free subscription to ‘PixApple’

-          You copy of Frazzled No More by Shelley Hitz

-          A cool ‘Daily Scheduler’ developed by author Janalyn Voigt

-          And much more!

All if you buy your copy of PLAY IT AGAIN at amazon.com on Feb. 21!  All links will be operational on the ‘Landing Page’ at www.tracykrauss.com/

 

DISCLAIMER: This ‘Best Seller book launch’ has been coordinated with the help of the ‘John 3:16 Marketing Network’ and many other generous supporters. The free gifts are deliverable electronically over the internet or by email by individual authors and supporters. They are not in any way associated with, nor deliverable by, amazon.com  

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: authors, Christian Fiction, Good Reads, inspirational books, novels

That no good groundhog challenged me to a Farmville showdown. Kept me up all night just to stop me from predicting the weather. No matter! Any human that’ll trust a scallywag like that will believe the moon’s shadow counts.
We’ll definitely have six more week of weather. Now back to Farmville.

Technorati Tags: humor, Punxsutawney Phil, Skunkatony Stu, weather

Rules are made to be broken

is a quote of encouragement for those who feel rules restrict their fun.
 

Fun comes in different packages

with different levels of excitement and risk. The greater the fun—the greater the risk of bodily harm; and the greater the risk—the more rules applied.
 
For example, skateboarding brings tons of fun and exercise into the lives of children. Many of them participate in competitive events across the country where they perform amazing, gravity-defying feats. As with any organized sport, rules govern the play. Usually only one or two people display their abilities at a time. They must stay within the perimeter of the pre-established arena. And above all else, knee and elbow pads and helmets must be worn.
 
The inconvenience of safety gear opens the door to heated discussions between parents and their children, I’m sure. But I know one boy who probably won’t argue with his parents about it any time soon.
 
My grandson, Zach, joined in the skateboarding fun at a local gym a few days ago. He enjoyed showing off his skills until he collided with the floor. He sat up. The room spun. His head throbbed. His vision blurred.
 
Later that evening, his vision still hadn’t corrected itself. His dad took him to the emergency room where Zach was diagnosed with a slight concussion.
Thank God, the boy was wearing a helmet at the time of the fall.

Christian Encouragement:

Throughout our Christian journey, we take some falls as we succumb to temptation. We, therefore, suffer the consequences of our actions. Yet because of our trust in Jesus, we seek and receive forgiveness. Thank God, He has sealed us in the Holy Spirit who protects us and prevents injury that is more serious to our souls.

See you in a twinkling,
Brenda K. Hendricks
Author/illustrator of the Bumbly Bee Books
View and purchase them here
Bible Studies
Writer Helps

Technorati Tags: Christian Encouragement, fun, Holy Spirit, lifestyle, protection, Quotes of Encouragement, rules, safety

</a">

The Lily

The Creator works behind a dark veil to transform His beloved granting her newness of life.
The wonders of His labor proceed undetected by the human eye.
Yet, His twisting and probing
His snipping and stretching
His molding and polishing
Of these elements, she is painfully aware.
Gradually, He adds a hint of color—a promise of more pleasant things to come.
Green to remind her of spring-like rebirth though darkness presses in dimming the view
Yet hope from despair
Strengthen in weakness
Joy in sorrow
To these promises, she clings.
For light overcomes darkness proving the Designer trustworthy.
However without warning, an awareness of sin brings unexpected regrets to the subject.
Yet pauper to princess
Filthy rags to gown of white
Earthly poverty to heavenly rewards
Of these benefits, she reaps through the scarlet thread now woven.
Finally, the Sculptor whispers sweet and low, “It is finished, my beloved. Come forth.”
Reaching for His hand, she cautiously obeys, trembling as she emerges.
Yet crying to laughing
Groaning to singing
Mourning to dancing
With these expressions of gratitude, she ascends praising her Creator.

Technorati Tags: Christian Encouragement, Hope, Inspirational, Quotes of Encouragement, Reasons to believe

A cluttered desk is a sign of genius.

Few quotes of encouragement strike me like this one. I thought it was a sign of laziness or carelessness until I talked with some artists and writers who confirm that it is definitely a sign of creativeness. Seems we creative types neglect filing our work in fear of forgetting it. Not so much that we wouldn’t know where we put it, although for me, that is a possibility; but we fear forgetting about the project altogether as we move onto the next one.

Now that I cleared up that matter, I wonder what it means when the desk spills over into the entire office.

I decided it was time to clean out, shovel out, and throw out. So, I hired an office assistant of the furry, four-

legged variety who was willing to work for food. While sorting out my first drawer, I discovered he doubles as a paper shredder. What a bargain!

However, my OA didn’t quite grasp the throw out concept. I put three sheets of paper into the trash bag, and he pulled one out, said he could do better, and demonstrated his shredding skills all over again. It took almost as long to clean up his “help” as it did to sort out my drawer.

I think I’ve created a monster by letting Hunter shred paper yesterday while I sorted out my desk drawer. He just got into my good computer paper. Luckily, I caught him before he transformed into supper shredder.

You got any quotes of encouragement to help straighten out this mess?

See you in a twinkling,
Brenda K. Hendricks
Author/illustrator of the Bumbly Bee books
www.twosmallfish.org
www.oddducksociety.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: Airedale Terriers, creativeness, encouragement, humor, lifestyle, office assistant, Quotes of Encouragement