Tag: depression

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Ab Lincoln Given Cookies in the Oval Office by a Stranger.

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Here is a real teaser…There will be a huge announcement about our bookstore in about two weeks. That’s all folks!

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I have another excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” 

This book reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects.

This excerpt talks about giving is better than receiving. I talk about actual people who gave, and didn’t expect anything in return.

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Chapter 67

 

It Is Better to Give than Receive

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,

so you must love one another.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John13:34-35

 

Imagine what a heavy schedule of appointments President Abraham Lincoln had to keep day after day. Yet when an elderly woman with no official business in mind asked to see him, he graciously consented.

As she enteredLincoln’s office, he rose to greet her and asked how he might be of service. She replied that she had not come to ask a favor. She had heard that the president liked a certain kind of cookie, so she had baked some for him and brought them to his office.

With tears in his eyes,Lincolnresponded, “You are the very first person who has ever come into my office asking not, expecting not, but rather bringing me a gift. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

My personal dictionary calls this elderly lady a silent hero—someone who does many things for others and never expect anything in return. My Aunt Dollie was the same kind of person. Her goal in life was to make sure her family was well cared for. And she wanted to be sure she had something to leave her children when she passed on. She did just that. She gave a lot of love to her children and many others, and when she passed on she left her family financially secure. But, more importantly, she left them with memories of a woman who stood out as a person who led by example, relied on tough love to mold her family and became a silent hero to many that knew her.

This type of person is high on the Lord’s priority list of how His followers should act. This type of unselfish love is the cornerstone of what the Bible teaches about love.

My brother Dave is a silent hero to me. I didn’t know for over 40 years that he had done something for me that changed my life because he wasn’t out to impress anyone with his love for his family.

When my brother was a senior in high school he told our mother he wasn’t going to go to college because our family couldn’t afford two people going to college at once. He said he would support me and help me make it through so that one of the members of the family could get a degree. Well, it took a long time because of the military and three children, but I got that degree and went into teaching.

I didn’t know about his sacrifice until over 40 years later when my mother told me. That, my friends, is a true silent hero! My brother gave up his chance for a college degree so I could get mine. I will never be able to thank him enough for what he did, but he knows now that my love for him has grown deeper than seems possible between two brothers. I also have become a silent hero in his back pocket to make sure that he knows how much I appreciate what he did for me.

John13:34-35 says that we should love one another as He loves us. We can always think of what the Lord would do to help them and use that as a model for the help we give. Remember His unconditional love, and how He would do anything He could to comfort them and help them through any crisis or stressful situation. That is what silent heroes do.

 

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled,

and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Mathew23:11-12

 

“Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out”

—Frank A. Clark

 

Further Adventures

Look around you and list those you feel are your silent heroes. You don’t need to share your findings with them. Just know that they are there, and be happy knowing that they will always be there for you.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny how he who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses?

 

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If You Think You Are Perfect, Try Walking on Water.

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There will be a huge and exciting announcement about our bookstore in about three weeks. Why am I telling you so far ahead of time? (You will have to wait to even find that out!)

For now we have one book in the store that is a must read for those you know that may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects.

The book is called, “Signs of Hope: Ways to survive in an Unfriendly World.” Check it out, but clicking on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page.

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I have an excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” The topic is about fear, one of the afflictions I mentioned above.

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Chapter 66

 

If You Think You’re Perfect, Try Walking on Water

 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

Isaiah 43:2

 

While visitingHawaii, a group of us decided to go snorkeling. (You need to know that I am not a very good swimmer and even use a floatation device to help me stay on top of the water.) We got to the bay where we were planning to snorkel and proceeded to put on our gear; then we went to the edge of the water, put on our flippers and goggles; and slid down into the water from some rocky ledges. I was enjoying the beautiful fish and even saw a sea turtle! I was a little way out from the rocky ledge when I realized I hadn’t put on my floatation device! I was having a close encounter with God!

I tried to relax so I could still look at the fish below me, but the water was 40 feet deep where I was! I felt I needed to head for the rocks and get out in order to be on the safe side. I started kicking and headed for the shore when I got a huge cramp in my left leg. It was so bad I couldn’t kick with that leg anymore!

I struggled to stay on top of the water. But the people on the shore didn’t seem to be worried; in fact, I don’t think they even noticed me. I was scrambling to get up on the rocks—and they just kept on walking! The waves beat me against the rocks, which were cutting up my knees. I was washed out a couple more times before I finally got a grip on the rocks and pulled myself out of the water. I was exhausted, and in just a couple more minutes I would have drowned. I had been left alone, and I really felt I was going to drown. I had made the mistake of not having a floatation device with me. I would have been fine had I put it on.

I consider that similar to thinking I can make it on my own without God. When we try to live without God, we eventually find ourselves thrashing in the water of life and getting pretty banged up.

We may have friends who are going through trials. They think that they are well off—doing OK—almost to the point they think they can walk on water. Or like a duck, they may look serene floating on the surface, but underneath, they’re paddling furiously. They may actually be struggling to keep above water and have many things dragging them down.

We need to check on them from time to time to see how they’re doing and look for signals that will let us know when they’re in trouble. They need our reassurance that the Lord will help them through troubled times. We can pray with them and let them know we’re there when they need us. That will be very comforting for them. They’ll know they won’t be out in the deep water with no one to help them climb the slippery rocks to safety.

Think of how strong Peter was in his faith, and yet when Jesus told him to walk on water, he got very fearful and started to sink. We probably have less faith than Peter did, so we must hold on to Jesus and let Him keep us on top of the water.

 

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked;

 for the Lord will be your confidence.

Proverbs3:25-26

 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

 

Further Adventures

  1. Call several of your closest friends, and just check in with them. You can probably sense what’s going on with them by the tone of their voice, or they may just go right to the problem and let you know without your asking. Help them know that you are there for them, and remind them that the Lord is with them always.
  2. Check your own family members and make sure they are on the right path of good health—physically, emotionally and spiritually. They aren’t always going to run to you with their problems. When I was a teacher, I lost a couple of students to suicide and the parents didn’t even know their child was depressed. Make contact with your family daily, and make sure they are in the right frame of mind.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny how we sometimes test the depth of water with both feet and sink?

 

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God Saved me from Committing Suicide

Thank you to those who have been signing up for the RSS feed to this site. It helps us move up on the Google Search Rankings. I will be starting a book give away, starting today, just for you who sign-up in the future. Here is how it will work:

  • Sign-up for the RSS feed to his site. You click on the icon right after the title to do that.
  • When you sign-up, you will be placed on a list of subscribers who are eligible for a drawing for a free book.
  • There has to be a minimum of 10 people who sign-up before there is a drawing. When that or a deadline is reached, a random drawing will be taken from that list and they will be notified of their winning a book.
  • The first give away will start today and run through April 30th.

The first book to be given away is a real winner. It is called: “A Positive Life: Living with HIV as a Pastor, Husband, and Father.” By Shane Stanford

Here is an endorsement by one of the top Christian authors on the planet:

” The HIV/AIDS pandemic doesn’t just affect millions; it affects them one at a time. Shane’s story will stay in your mind and more in your heart.”

John Ortberg

You could own this book for free just by signing up for the RSS feed to this site.

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You can own a book that is full of hope, and inspiring words today, but ordering, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” from the bookstore on this site. It is on sale right now. It is selling for $19.99 in the bookstore, but on this site, it is only $15.99. The shipping has been cut in half as well. Just click on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page to check it out.

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I can remember what it was like before I became a Christian. Talk about struggling in the muck and mire! I felt lost. I was full of fear, and didn’t want to face the world. I had an over whelming fear of failure. I even got to the point of feeling hopelessness, and was on the brink of committing suicide.

That is when God grabbed up in His arms and stopped me. It was like He was saying. “Come back to Me, I have always been here for you. Let Me carry you the rest of the way.”

I found that, “God Allows U-Turns.” (One of the chapter titles from my book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.”)

He never gives up on us. We give up on Him. If you feel alone even though you know God is there somewhere, guess who walked away.

Turn back to God and He will be waiting with open arms.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

Above all: Never, ever, give up!