Tag: Friends

Writer’s Log – June 6, 2023

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“Hey there, fabulous people! Happy Tuesday, June 6th, 2023! 🌞✨ I’m feeling energized and ready to seize the day! 💪💃

This morning kicked off bright and early for me. I jumped out of bed, got all dolled up, and made sure to take my important prescriptions. Health first, am I right? 💊😊 Then, I hopped into my trusty car and zoomed over to the tax office like a boss. 💨 I paid off all my property taxes for the rest of the year! 🏡💰 In my state and county, they’ve got this awesome perk where you can pay quarterly with no interest if you’re 65 or older. Super convenient! So, I went ahead and took care of the whole year. Woohoo! Mission accomplished! I only had a 60-minute wait before they called my number. 🎉

Oh, and guess what? I also swung by the pharmacy to pick up two heart medications. Can’t forget about my precious health, right? ❤️ Gotta keep that ticker in top shape!

Before diving into my day, I had the pleasure of catching up with my buddy Les on a quick phone call. It’s always great to connect with friends and share some laughs! 😄❤️

Now, I’m cozied up at my favorite coffee shop, ready to conquer some serious writing. ☕📝 Words flow best when accompanied by a warm cup of joe, don’t you agree? Writing is my passion, and this morning is the perfect time to let my creativity soar! 🚀✨

Later on, I’ve got Milestone Electric swinging by to do a routine service on my HVAC unit. A little preventive maintenance goes a long way in keeping things running smoothly and extending their lifespan. Gotta take care of those appliances, people! 💡💨

Somewhere in between all the excitement, I plan to squeeze in a refreshing walk and indulge in some quality reading time. It’s all about finding that balance, right? 🚶📚 A little me-time never hurt anyone!

Somewhere along the way I also need to eat. I must keep up my strength.

Well, my lovely friends, I better get back to my writing session. Time to let those ideas flow onto the page! Wishing you all an absolutely terrific Tuesday! Stay amazing! 😘✨“

Happy Valentine’s Day

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A Sunday Letter

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Dear Friends,

My hope is my letter finds you well and enjoying your Sunday morning.

As we start this day, I wanted to encourage you to make the most of it. Foremost, take a moment to enjoy your coffee and savor the moment. Here in North Texas there is a cold front with rain moving through. Stay warm and cozy. Don’t forget to check your outdoor faucets and pipes to make sure they’re protected from the potential freezing weather that’s descending on much of the USA.

Besides taking care of your physical comfort, consider your spiritual health as well. Attending church in person or streaming it can be a great way to connect with your faith and community. Spending time with your family is also a wonderful way to connect and strengthen relationships. God made humankind to fellowship with Him and others. He even said in

Genesis 2:18, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; …”

Don’t neglect your companionship with friends, your relationship with family, and don’t leave God out of your life. Maybe respond to that email a friend sent you that you’ve not made time to answer or call that cherished friend.

As you enjoy your Sunday, why not take the time to read a book or some poetry? This can be a great way to slow down and reflect on life. Life doesn’t have to center on the sporting events on television. Great instrumental music can play in the background as you read and meditate. And don’t forget to get some exercise, even if it’s just a short walk around the block.

I encourage you to make the most of this Sunday. God blessed you with getting to live today.

Whether it’s taking care of your physical, spiritual, or emotional well-being, or taking the time to enjoy the simple things in life, make the most of this time and cherish it.

Remember, the words of the Psalmist from

Psalm 118:24 in the Holy Bible, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and a blessed week ahead!

Best regards,
Jimmie A. Kepler

 

How To Be A Better Friend

Posted in Blog, Devotions, Friendship, Jim Kepler, Jimmie A. Kepler, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler8 Comments

How To Be A Better Friend

“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” – Proverbs 27:19 ESV

Six Marks of Friendship

1 – I Must Be Committed

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24 ESV

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” – 1 John 4:20

2 – I Must Be Considerate

“What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.” – Proverbs 19:22 ESV

“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.” – Philippians 4:5 NLT

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9

  • Friends don’t rub it in, they help rub it out!

3 – I Must Be Confidential

“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” – Proverbs 11:13

“Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another,” – Proverbs 25:9 ESV

4 – I Must Be Candid

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” – Proverbs 27:5-6

“Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.” – Proverbs 24:26

  • Compliment in public, correct in private
  • Correct when they are up, not when they are down, depressed or despondent.
  • Never rebuke a friend unless you are open to allowing them to rebuke you.

5 – I Must Be Constructive

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

“On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.” – 1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV

  • Build up each other.
  • Be a cheering section for your friends, spouse, and children.

6 – I Must Be Considerate

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs  17:17 ESV

“Not given to wine, not combative but gentle and considerate, not quarrelsome but forbearing and peaceable, and not a lover of money [insatiable for wealth and ready to obtain it by questionable means].” – 1 Timothy 3:3 ESV

“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. “ – Romans 5:11 NLT

Photo Source: Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

How to Have a Friend

Posted in Blog, Coffeehouse, Devotions, Hope, Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Jimmie Kepler, MemoirLeave a comment
As I write this post, it’s a Tuesday morning. I’m writing at my favorite Starbucks. I love Tuesday’s as this coffeehouse has a little more traffic than usual this morning.

 

The reason for the increased customer traffic is a running club meets here on Tuesday and Friday. They’ve come here for over twenty-five years. A number of them are good acquaintances. A couple of the members attended my wife’s funeral last spring. They always ask how I am doing, what I am writing, how my book sales are doing, and share what they are reading. They ask what I’m reading as well.

 

This morning I asked one how loves history what he’s reading. His face lit up with joy. He shared his excitement on the latest book he is dipping into. He also commented he had found my blog, Kepler’s Book Reviews. 

 

He said I should have told him about it.

 

I replied I simply post reviews of some of the books I have read and liked. I stated I write a short review on what I read and post some of them.

 

What’s my point?

 

Even the Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:24a (KJV), “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:”

 

Not into the Bible? The writer/poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”  The poet Rod McKuen penned, “Strangers are friends just waiting to happen.”

 

The post’s title is “How to Have a Friend.” The answer is to be one!

 

Why not add at least one new friend, even a casual one to your circle? You will both be blessed.

Photo Source: Pixabay