Persistence, the main ingredient for life. We see it all around us. Our children and grandchildren continually apply it to get want they want from us. The other morning as I was getting ready to shave I noticed the reflection of the five light bulbs above our sink in the water. As I was troubled about starting a new day, I was reminded by the persistence of Thomas A. Edison in his invention of the light bulb. Something I had taken for granted every day never realizing the strong persistent attitude he had in which we and the world reap the benefits of this very day.
I have a garden and the plants in that garden must have water. The water helps them to stand up firm and develop and produce the fruit they were created to produce. Take the water away and no matter how much fertilizer and sunshine they received they will still wilt and die producing nothing more than a place in the compost pile. The same thing happens to us when we lack persistence. It is like taking water away from plants, we allow obstacles to gradually remove our persistence and our goals die quickly and so do our dreams.
Right now, you and I need to imagine a dream that we have or whatever we have always wanted to do then envision having an unwavering persistence that allows nothing to stop us. I can see my goal being accomplished. Do you also see it? What about your enthusiasm? Did it just kick up a notch? Mine did!
I believe in God and I believe in His word. I believe God's word is to help us in this life and also prepare us for eternal life with Him if we will allow it. We are shown in His word that we do have an enemy. An enemy that not only wants us to fail but along with the failure wants us to curse the very God that created us and die.
Is this enemy, Satan, powerful? You better believe he is. But most of his power comes in our minds, our thoughts, and we, with God's help, can keep him out. Always, Always, Alwaaays remember, "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31, NKJV)
We as Americans and Christians need to develop a persistence like our generation has never seen. That persistence needs to be fueled with desire, enthusiasm and purpose. God has given each of us a talent. Let's blend our talents and use persistence to make our country once again a nation with faithful persevering Christians.
Each week I will add enemies of persistence that we can discuss. I promise I will, "persistently", work on improving my writing skills. I need you to have a dream so we can together develop the persistence that we need together to see our dreams fulfilled.
Please send this blog address to all of your contacts.
Next time, I will discuss discouragement. I believe this is one of the major enemies of persistence.
Until next time, "think about it"
Rick
Please make comments or e-mail me at rhepler52@gmail.com
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
If I was told that I only had one year to live
If I was told by my doctor that I only had one year to live, I do not know what I would do or think. What would you think if it was you?
Breaking the news to my loving family would be very painful. Wondering how they would handle the news and how my wife, Debbie, would react. My first impulse would be the emotional pain that they would experience. I know we all go through this, but we still want to protect our loved ones from any kind of pain.
The only good thing about it would be that I would have a deadline (no pun intended) to get my life in order and prepare my family for when I am gone. I would utilize the accelerated benefit rider on my life insurance policy and get my finances in order. I would plan my funeral and purchase a burial plot. Everything that I could do to take the emotional pain from my family I would do. I would also go to the hospital and sign a living will to not place me on life support when the time came.
I would value my time differently in that year. I would not worry about my finances, the news, what I ate, or anything of a material nature that I used to cling to. Whether people liked me or not would not concern me. I would treat each hour of the day as very precious. I would each day read of God's promises in His Holy Word. I would thank Him many times through out the day for His blessings: the good childhood memories; never going to bed hungry in my life; having a beautiful christian wife; someone teaching me the gospel; the church where I am a member; having lived in the country on a farm growing up; having a beautiful christian family that loved me and most importantly His son, Jesus, who died for my sins. Reflecting over these blessings would make me realize that I had a successful life.
I have been a christian for several years. Calling myself a christian would now take on new meaning. Being Christ-like would be of utmost importance in my life. I would try to the best of my ability to show Christ living in me. I would to leave such an impression upon my grandchildren that they also would want to live a christian life. The thought of any of my loved ones living a rebellious life and dying lost is terrifying.
I would try to show my reverence to God each day and His love for all of mankind. Sometimes in the past I have made the mistake of getting a little self righteous. I am not worthy of His grace. I could never live in a way to justify myself before Him. I would try to show those of the world no matter who we are we all need Christ our savior.
In summary my life would change for the better. I would get closer to God, my family and my fellow man. I would over look the things that used to bother me. Each day would be filled with looking for opportunities to encourage or help someone. My last days, although sad, would be filled with love.
But what if the doctor called me and said the new medicine that he was giving me was healing me and I would probably live several more years. Reflecting back over the year all of this would have been for my good. I would have decided to continue living as if that was my last year. Each day I would always be prepared to die and I would be living a life not only pleasing to God but also to my family and fellowman.
You know, that sounds pretty good. I think I will start living as though this year will be my last. How about you?
Please be patient with me. I have not written anything since college. This is a work in progress. I welcome your help and also an opportunity to make new friends. Please contact me at rhepler52@gmail.com
Breaking the news to my loving family would be very painful. Wondering how they would handle the news and how my wife, Debbie, would react. My first impulse would be the emotional pain that they would experience. I know we all go through this, but we still want to protect our loved ones from any kind of pain.
The only good thing about it would be that I would have a deadline (no pun intended) to get my life in order and prepare my family for when I am gone. I would utilize the accelerated benefit rider on my life insurance policy and get my finances in order. I would plan my funeral and purchase a burial plot. Everything that I could do to take the emotional pain from my family I would do. I would also go to the hospital and sign a living will to not place me on life support when the time came.
I would value my time differently in that year. I would not worry about my finances, the news, what I ate, or anything of a material nature that I used to cling to. Whether people liked me or not would not concern me. I would treat each hour of the day as very precious. I would each day read of God's promises in His Holy Word. I would thank Him many times through out the day for His blessings: the good childhood memories; never going to bed hungry in my life; having a beautiful christian wife; someone teaching me the gospel; the church where I am a member; having lived in the country on a farm growing up; having a beautiful christian family that loved me and most importantly His son, Jesus, who died for my sins. Reflecting over these blessings would make me realize that I had a successful life.
I have been a christian for several years. Calling myself a christian would now take on new meaning. Being Christ-like would be of utmost importance in my life. I would try to the best of my ability to show Christ living in me. I would to leave such an impression upon my grandchildren that they also would want to live a christian life. The thought of any of my loved ones living a rebellious life and dying lost is terrifying.
I would try to show my reverence to God each day and His love for all of mankind. Sometimes in the past I have made the mistake of getting a little self righteous. I am not worthy of His grace. I could never live in a way to justify myself before Him. I would try to show those of the world no matter who we are we all need Christ our savior.
In summary my life would change for the better. I would get closer to God, my family and my fellow man. I would over look the things that used to bother me. Each day would be filled with looking for opportunities to encourage or help someone. My last days, although sad, would be filled with love.
But what if the doctor called me and said the new medicine that he was giving me was healing me and I would probably live several more years. Reflecting back over the year all of this would have been for my good. I would have decided to continue living as if that was my last year. Each day I would always be prepared to die and I would be living a life not only pleasing to God but also to my family and fellowman.
You know, that sounds pretty good. I think I will start living as though this year will be my last. How about you?
Please be patient with me. I have not written anything since college. This is a work in progress. I welcome your help and also an opportunity to make new friends. Please contact me at rhepler52@gmail.com
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