Tag: Help

Election Reflections

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Jim Kepler Reflection on 2024 Presidential Election Results
Jim Kepler Reflecting on the 2024 Presidential Election Results

Election Reflections

If you were in favor of the reelection of the former president, I know you’re happy.
 
If you were hoping the vice-president would ascend to office, well … it didn’t happen. And so goes life. Ups and downs. Thrills and disappointments.

God Still Reigns

Remember, our God reigns and is ultimately in charge. Even if someone doesn’t believe in God, that doesn’t change the fact that He’s still there, still in charge, and His will be done. That’s how I can accept any election results.
 
Remember, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. Genesis 1:1.
 
The stock market seems very happy with the election results.

What The Bible Says

While these verses are from the Bible, I borrowed the verses from an excellent article by my writing friend Dr. Katherine Passour. All other content in the post is my original content.
 
 
Here are a few versers that help me through each day as I reflect on the government and our leaders.
 
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1
 
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Hebrews 13:17
 
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-15
 
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28
 
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:10-11
 
And so goes the week and must trust in God.
 
 

 

What I Learned From Time Change Sunday

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Psalm 121:4 "Behold, He that keepers Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."
Lessons Learned From Time Change Sunday

 

Time Change Sunday

It’s “time change” Sunday. Last night we moved the clocks back one hour. For most people, that’s a big deal.

Moving clocks forward and back for time changes have become routine because of my travel. On my trip to the British Isles, France, Portugal, and then returning to the United States via a transatlantic cruise, I changed time zones eight times.

Last fall when I did a transpacific cruise I crossed sixteen time zones. The trip was from Dallas, Texas, USA to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Yes, I’m fortunate to travel. An interesting lesson learned was God was always with me. I could read His word and pray to Him in Scotland or Paris as easily as I could in Tahiti or New Zealand. I could be still wherever I was and know He is God.

A Lesson From the Bible

In the Bible, we read in Psalms 124:1 King James Version, “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” It reminds me that my God is all powerful. He keeps watch over His chosen nation of Israel. And, He never sleeps or slumbers. He’s always there for them and He is always available anywhere for me, regardless of which time zone I’m in.

J.K. Rowling on Writing

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“Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic,” says J.K. Rowling.
 
With just a few words, we can create entire worlds, inspire dreams, and connect deeply with one another.
 
Words hold a transformative power that knows no bounds. Each sentence, each carefully chosen phrase, has the ability to transport readers to far-off places, stir their emotions, and leave a lasting impact.
 
Whether you’re crafting a novel, writing poetry, or sharing a heartfelt message, remember that your words carry immense magic within them. Words can be magical.
 
Embrace the endless possibilities of language. Let your words work their magic, touching lives, sparking imagination, and shaping the world around you.
 
Words are a gift—use them wisely and powerfully.
 
 

Nolan Bushnell On Creativity

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“Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has had an idea,” says Nolan Bushnell.
 
But it’s not just about having ideas—it’s about acting on them.
 
The difference lies in what happens next: the person who steps out, dries off, and takes action turns those ideas into reality. It’s easy to dream, but the real impact comes from doing. Whether it’s starting a project, writing that first line, or taking the first step, action is what transforms ideas into something meaningful.
 
Embrace your ideas, and then act on them.  Make a difference by turning your thoughts into reality, one step at a time.

 

Monet on Art

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“Colour is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment,” said Claude Monet.
 
For Monet, the pursuit of capturing the perfect hues consumed his every moment, bringing both profound joy and intense challenge.
 
Color was more than just a visual element; it was the heart of his art, the essence that breathed life into his masterpieces. Every shade, every tone was a reflection of his passion and dedication, driving him to explore the depths of beauty and emotion.
 
Embrace the power of color in your own creative journey. Let it be your inspiration, your challenge, and your joy. Through color, express the full spectrum of your artistic vision.
 

W.S. Merwin on Creativity

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“I learned from my own work that the poem is a way of seeing and feeling both at once,” said W.S. Merwin, a poet whose influence resonates deeply.
 
Merwin’s poetry invites us to experience the world through a lens that merges vision and emotion, offering a profound connection to both the inner and outer landscapes.
 
As a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and U.S. Poet Laureate, Merwin’s words transcend mere language. His work embodies a rare spiritual presence, much like Thoreau’s, capturing the essence of human experience and the natural world.
 
Embrace poetry as a means of seeing and feeling simultaneously. Through your own writing, discover the power to reveal truths that touch the soul and awaken the senses.
 

 

Anne Lamott on Writing

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“Don’t be afraid to write badly, everyone does,” says Anne Lamott in *Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life*.
 
The fear of imperfection often holds us back, but remember that every writer faces this challenge. The key is to start, to put pen to paper, and let the words flow.
 
The magic happens in the process.
 
As you begin, the words will come, and what starts as a rough draft can evolve into something beautiful. Writing badly is just the first step toward writing well.
 
So, take that leap and just start.
 
 

Kurt Vonnegut on Creativity

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Kurt Vonnegut

“To practice any art, no matter how well or how badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. So do it,” said Kurt Vonnegut.

Whether you’re a master or a beginner, engaging in creative expression nourishes your spirit and fosters personal growth.

It’s not about perfection, but about the joy and fulfillment that comes from simply creating.  Every stroke, word, or note is a step toward expanding your soul and connecting with something greater.

So, do it—embrace your creativity with all its imperfections. Let your soul grow through the act of creation, and discover the profound impact it can have on your life.

Steven Pressfield on Creativity

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“Creative work is a gift to the world and every being in it,” says Steven Pressfield.
 
Your creativity is a unique contribution that enriches and inspires those around you. By holding back, you deny the world your invaluable gift.
 
Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Share your talents and ideas generously. Your work has the power to touch lives, spark change, and bring joy and understanding to others.
 
Embrace the courage to create and give us what you’ve got.  Your creativity is a precious gift that the world needs.

Bob Dylan on Creativity

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“Creativity is a funny thing. When we’re inventing something, we’re more vulnerable than we’ll ever be,” says Bob Dylan.
 
In these moments, eating and sleeping fade away, and we enter a state of “Splendid Isolation,” much like the solitude Warren Zevon sang about and Georgia O’Keeffe embraced in the desert.
 
To be truly creative, you often need to be unsociable and intensely focused. It’s not about being violent or ugly, but about being unfriendly and distracted, immersed in your own world. This self-sufficiency allows you to stay focused and channel your energy into your work.
 
Embrace this solitude and vulnerability. It’s in these moments of deep focus and isolation that true creativity blossoms, allowing you to create something unique and powerful.
 
 
Picture source:
Alberto Cabello from Vitoria Gasteiz, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons