Daily Signs of Hope

A place to find Hope

Category: daily struggles (Page 3 of 8)

When Life gives You Lemons, Make lemonade

September 23, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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It has been over week since I last posted. Sorry about that. I went with my two sons, and son-in-law fishing last Friday through Sunday. Then doctor’s appointments, and a trip to the coast wiped out the other two days I should have posted.

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Speaking of the fishing trip……..

We went to Diamond Lake, Oregon. It is absolutely my favorite place to go fishing. Beautiful mountains on both sides of the lake, and great fishing. We caught 28 trout in two hours the last time we had been there.

Well, we got to the lake on Friday night. The lake was quiet and beautiful. We ate dinner and did a lot of laughing to telling stories of yester years.

Then it cam Saturday. We rented a very comfortable looking pontoon boat that was big enough for several people.

However, as we went to get the boat it started raining. I mean real hard rain. We decided to go out on the lake anyway and try to fish.

That lasted 45 minutes only. Only one bite, and soaked down to our under ware.

We went back to our cabin and that was it for the whole weekend. It rained hard all the rest of the day Saturday. It did let up towards evening, but then the wind came and turned the lake into solid whitecaps.

So our whole weekend of fishing was for 45 minutes of drenching rain.

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Has that happened to you? Have you had plans for something and then have it disrupted with something that caused you to have to cancel it?

You certainly aren’t alone. The storms come into our life often, like it did on our fishing trip.

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We need to face the storms and make something good happen from them. In our case at the lake we had a wonderful time in the cabin watching football, eating great food, and joking a lot. It turned out to be a blessing for me to be with my two sons, and son-in-law. We were much closer by the end of the week.

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This is what you need to do as well. Make storms into special times, by adjusting to it. Let God provide you with a wonderful substitute like it did for my family.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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Is Your Life Just One Big Storm After Another?

September 14, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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In the book of Job from the Bible is a story of sadness, anger, tragedy, and death. Sound familiar?

God allowed Satan to do what ever he wanted to Job, but kill him. Job lost family, crops, cattle, friends, and many other things. He was tested to the max.

The outcome? Job never wavered. He stayed steadfast in loyalty to God.

I wonder what we would do if all that happened to one of us? We are in a time when many tragedies, and sadness are all around us.

There are so many reason to give up and die.

However, faith sees us through the worst of times. By the way… faith is not always wonderful. Our faith will be tested just like what happened to Job. We will think God has left us, and yet we know He is there for us 24/7.

Know that Satan never gives up. He will keep telling us that God doesn’t love us. He will cause many tragedies to come into our lives. Satan is doing exactly what he was doing to job.

Will we be loyal to God through all of it?

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Question God. Ask Him why so many things are going wrong for you. Jesus did that on the cross, “Why have you forsaken me?’ God listens and answers.

Never waver and stay true to God. Everything will be much better if you do.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never fosaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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We Struggle to Have Hope During Our Storms

September 10, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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I am having a problem writing this blog, because of my growing pessimistic view is getting larger.

I told my wife about my difficulties and she looked at me and said, “You have to have hope!”

That snapped me out of it, and I am ready to give out hope:

Helping those around you spreads hope.

Often things we worry about never happen.

Prayer helps you through any storms you may have.

Everyone needs to be loved.

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I went grocery shopping today, and I was amazed of how many people refuse to wear masks. I saw a couple, and the wife had a mask on, but her husband did not.

He looked like he wanted someone to challenge him. I just felt he had that right, but he was endangering others around him and himself.

Over 90% of the new cases of COVID have not had the vaccine. That is staggering. People who refuse to get the vaccine are dying by the thousands.

The hope we need to find here is that people will see the huge amount of unvaccinated people dying and go ahead and get their shots.

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Have you had some down time in your life lately? Do you fear getting out because of the virus?

Cling to the robe of God, and He will walk you through any storm you are having. He will be with you 24/7. He is the poster child for hope.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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Top Five Ways to Survive in a Not so Friendly World

August 11, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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I had my usual Physical therapy today. Went pretty smoothly. Getting stronger each visit.

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The governor of my state of Oregon announced today that we are going back to mandating masks for indoor events. The new Delta virus is causing havoc everywhere. We are back to where we were over a year ago.

Here are some scary statistics. Two of the biggest cities in our nation have had a tremendous increase of deaths from the virus. In one of the cities 95% of the deaths were not vaccinated. In the other city it was 94%. Pretty clear facts that shows everyone needs to get their shots now.

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I don’t know about you, but I am struggling with all the turmoil that is going on all around us. Fake news, rioting, racism, lying by politicians, bad decisions by congress, and a president that doesn’t even know how many people live in our country.

I sat down and tried to figure out how I could face all of this mess. Here is what I came up with:

  1. Time to wear blinders like horses do. Only look straight ahead to the future.
  2. Only believe facts. not fairy tales.
  3. Do not blame people around you for problems, look in the mirror.
  4. Reach out to help those who are confused and depressed.
  5. Rely on your family and friends to see you through the storms.

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If you are overcome with all the turmoil. Make you own list of survival ideas. Live by them every day.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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The So Called Movements Are Corrupting the Minds of People

August 9, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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I have been learning about what justice is through my church. It has been a theme for several weeks.

The Pastor’s definition was : Loving what is good and hating what is evil.

Makes sense to me.

One thing we need to remember is that God’s purpose for justice differs from OUR pursuit of justice.

His purpose for justice is purification and restoration. We get that in one place. It is on the cross.

When we try to take on the world alone without Jesus we tend to be corrupted. It can catch us when we are unaware. The Black lives matter movement, and the anti everything groups darken our view of what is right and wrong.

One thing we must never forget is that everyone needs compassion and forgiveness. Even the anti groups.

Never let the dark side sway you into thinking in negative ways.

Take courage; hold on, and be strong.

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If you are getting caught up in the turmoil of the rioting, and people attacking the government, stop now and know that God is in charge. He knows what is going on, and He will correct everything when he is ready.

As for you and I. We need to pray for God’s guidence, and be open to His suggestions. Life would much more livable if we let God take charge of our lives.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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The New Virus is making Us be Locked Down Again

August 6, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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It has been quite a week for me. I am showing tremendous improvement with my problem of shortness of breath. My cardiologist gave me a new drug and it has completely changed my life. The shortness of breath has been cut down tremendously.

To be able to breath normal is a life changer for me.

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Factors that keeps me thinking positive, are:

  1. I know God is always there for me.
  2. I know that Jesus is only a prayer away.
  3. My health has improved greatly.
  4. My family has been so supportive.
  5. My wife takes such good care of me.
  6. I have many friends who care.

All of those add up to a life that is manageable.

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I am still grounded from being able to go to church in person. I have to be there through online. There are blessings in every wall we face. Because I am not able to go, the church has asked me to be a person who is there to answer questions on line. I am called a host, and people can ask for prayer, or just ask questions.

I have many wonderful experiences with that. I have been able to help people who need prayer, and I have made many new friends I wouldn’t have had if I wasn’t online with them.

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How are you doing? Are you on lock down again, because of the new virus? Do the days seem to drag on?

My suggestions:

  1. Take up a new hobby. Something you have always wanted to do, but didn’t have time.
  2. Get some new books to read. I have three waiting for me.
  3. Call friends just to talk.
  4. Go for walks in an area where there aren’t many people.
  5. A book to read? The Bible. It is true story with many happy moments.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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The Opinions, and the Turmoil is Dragging us Down

August 2, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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Our pastor used the word, “Behold,” Yesterday. He explained that it meant to wake up and listen. This is important, and you better get this right.

We as parents use different words to try to get point across to our children. But, just for a second let’s see how it would work to use “Behold.”

Behold, your room is a mess. Clean it.

Behold your curfew is 10:30pm

Behold Get better grades.

I am not sure how well that would go, but it may be interesting.

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The reason our pastor was talking about behold was because when we see the word behold, it means this is important and pay attention. I remember seeing that word at many places in the Bible, and it woke me up to knowing something was coming.

Isaiah 42: 1-9 uses it several times. The Prophet Isaiah was trying to wake the people up about the wrong doings they were doing. Idolatry, Sexual living, Coveting others wives.

He warned them that things will go wrong if they didn’t change.

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In our day and age, we should be listening to Isaiah. We need to change. We need to stop listening to the crowd who wants rioting, cries of racism when there is none.

The only thing to listen to is the word of God. That never changes.

It’s not our feelings. It’s not popular opinion. It’s not what presidents or politicians say. God’s word is the only standard of truth. We cannot align with the rising opinions rather than the Bible, we won’t get justice.

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Do you feel emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained, because of all the turmoil going on around you? You have carried this burden too long on your own. You should not bear it alone.

Turn to God. He has big shoulders to lean on. Pray for His love and protection. He will be there for you through the storms in your life.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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What Can We Do to Survive the World we Live in?

July 30, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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“Another day, another dollar.” That was the saying when I was a kid. Many people only made a dollar a day. Now you can hardly survive when you are making $15.00 an hour. Times change and so does the cost of living.

I missed my post on Wednesday. My apologizes. Just a bad hair day for me. I actually am felling better today. A new med is helping me a great deal with my shortness of breath.

To be able to breath better has changed not only my health, but my mental state.

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I have thought of many things that are important to me:

  1. Being with family.
  2. Having coffee with some buddies.
  3. Writing emails to those who need company.
  4. Fishing with my boys.
  5. Enjoying each day God has given me.
  6. Spending time with my bride.
  7. Sitting on my deck listening and seeing the birds.
  8. Going on walks.
  9. Reading.
  10. Reaching out to help others.

I bet you could have a list that is even longer than mine, and it will make more sense to you. Try it.

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I keep seeing how our country is going quickly in the wrong direction. Inflation is out of control. Gas prices are soaring. The pandemic is coming back in full force. People are angry and pushing back.

I wonder what we can do to survive this bad trend:

  1. Remember, God is in charge.
  2. All things work for the good of those who believe in God.
  3. God will never give you something that is too hard to handle. It is not Him doing it if it happens.
  4. Never feel you are unworthy of love. That is one of the most disheartening things that happen to us.
  5. Take each day, one at a time.

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How are you doing through the turmoil we are facing these days? Is it hard to get up in the morning to face the world?

God loves you! He made you in His own image. He wants the best for you. Lean on Him through prayer and He will guide you through the muck and mire of life.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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Forget the Bad Days Concentrate on the Good Days

July 14, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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I am pretty sure you guys are tired of hearing about my physical issues, but I had two tests in the last two days and they were both great. So we are back to the beginning still trying to figure out why I have such a shortness of breath. I see my primary doctor next week. I will see where we go from here.

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President Biden still doesn’t have any plan for getting the Afghanistan interpreters out of harms way.

They will certainly be slaughtered once we leave. Just put them all in planes and bring them to the United States. They served us well.

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I have been so frustrated with the way our country is moving these days. Christians are getting the bad wrap. More people hate us than ever before. I wonder why that is happening?

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So how are you doing? Do you worry about each day and what it may be for you? Are the days hard to face?

I certainly hear you. I have been struggling myself.

I have tried to cling to the promises that God has given us. He will not forsaken us. He will not allow us that have more problems than we can handle.

He is our fortress against the darkness. Go towards the light of Jesus.

I can do all things through Christ!!!

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all… never, ever, give up!

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You Are Right or You Are Wrong, Who Decides?

July 12, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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Society seems to have a standard as to what is right and what is wrong. When I was young there weren’t too many high standards set by society. Now, however, people condemn you if you don’t rise to their standards.

Deciding if you are right or wrong is set by our peers.

Righteousness and justice are not to be separated.

The justice that people push today are not righteous or justice. It is not even love and kindness.

In a perfect world there is no race, gender, all equal. We have drifted far away from that.

+there is only one spot we can find justice. It is when we truly seek God.

We should hate evil and love good.

+ Justice is based on a clear distinction between good and evil.

+True love comes from above.

Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.

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What I have been sharing is about justice. I see justice going in the wrong direction very fast in our world. People who should be punished for what they do haven’t even been arrested. (Rioters)

The defunded police are over whelmed and can only handle the worst of crime.

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This seems a little overwhelming right? It is for me anyway. I know that I have to hang on to God’s robe very tightly, or I may be pulled down into the muck and mire. He is our fortress against evil. Turn to him with your prayers and fears.

He listens to every prayer. Be strong with him by your side.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

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