Tag: Inspirational

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.

Jon Acuff on Creativity

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Embrace your unique journey! Jon Acuff reminds us: “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”
 
Every creative path is different, and comparing your early steps to someone else’s advanced stages can hinder your growth and joy.
 
Each artist, writer, and creator starts somewhere, and it’s important to honor your own progress. Celebrate your beginnings, for they are the foundation of your future successes. Focus on your growth, learning, and development without the weight of comparison.
 
Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Embrace your journey with patience and pride, knowing that your unique path will lead to extraordinary places.
 
Creativity meme Jon Acuff - "Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle." - from the book by Jon Acuff, "Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work That Matters"

Creativity is Rooted in Love

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Creativity is rooted in love, reflecting the essence of God as love, as stated in 1 John 4:8.
 
Christians see creativity as a beautiful expression of this divine love, mirroring the boundless compassion and creativity of the Creator. When we create, we channel this love, infusing our work with purpose, meaning, and beauty.
 
Through creative acts, we share a piece of our hearts, connecting with others and spreading joy and understanding. This sacred process allows us to participate in the divine act of creation, celebrating the love that flows through us from God.
 
Embrace your creativity as an act of love. Let it shine through your work, touching lives and reflecting the divine love within you. 
 
Creativity is rooted in love.

Creativity in Imagination

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Creativity embraces imagination and wonder, reflecting God’s divine creativity as described in Ephesians 3:20-21.
 
Just as God shaped the world with infinite imagination and power, our creativity mirrors this divine spark. When we create, we participate in this beautiful act of creation, letting our imagination and wonder transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
 
Through creativity, we tap into a deeper connection with the divine, exploring boundless possibilities and bringing new ideas to life.  It is a powerful reminder that we are made in the image of a creative God, capable of envisioning and crafting beauty in our own unique ways.
 
Embrace your creative spirit and let it flourish. Allow your imagination to soar, creating wonders that reflect the divine creativity within you. 
 
Creativity in Imagination: Creativity embraces imagination and wonder, mirroring God's creative imagination in shaping the world (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Calvin Miller on Writing

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Embark on the sacred pilgrimage of writing! Dr. Calvin Miller’s words illuminate the solitary path that writers tread yet within the solitude of the page, they discover a profound connection.
 
As you journey through the vast expanse of creativity, know that you are never truly alone. With each stroke of your pen, you forge bonds with kindred spirits—writers past, present, and future—who walk alongside you in spirit.
 
In the hushed sanctuary of the blank page, you commune with the divine, channeling inspiration from realms unseen. 🙏💭 Let the silence speak volumes, let the ink flow like a sacred river, as you navigate the depths of your soul and explore the mysteries of existence.
 
Embrace the solitude as a sanctuary, a space where imagination dances freely and the voice of the divine whispers its secrets.  For within the solitude of the page, you discover not isolation, but a sanctuary where souls unite and truths are revealed.
 
A writer's journey is a solitary one, but in the solitude of the page, they find companionship with kindred spirits and communion with the divine - Dr. Calvin Miller
 
 
Note: In early 1979 Calvin Miller entered my life. I was a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Miller spoke at a chapel service. The simplicity of his sermon  amazed me. I wasn’t sure if it was the storytelling or the beauty and relevance of his prose. I bought his Singer Trilogy. I remember thinking I have found the American CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. In the late 1980s I attended a writer’s conference at Ridgecrest, North Carolina where he was one of the teachers/speakers. He agreed to mentor me for a few months. The mentorship (at his suggestion) was simply agreeing to read my weekly newsletter column and give a few suggestions. The results were my church members noticed and commented on an improvement in my writing of the column. Dr. Miller’s best advice was do your best with everything you write, even a weekly church newsletter column. He told me how he had written his weekly pastoral column and his editor saw in it a a future book – The Phillipian Fragment.
 
 

Anaïs Nin On Writing

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Embrace the unique purpose of your pen!

Anaïs Nin’s insight unveils the profound responsibility of a writer: to articulate the unspoken, to give voice to the silent echoes within.

As you embark on your literary journey, remember that your role transcends mere words; it’s about delving into the depths of human experience and expressing truths that linger in the shadows. Dare to explore the realms of the unsaid, to unravel complexities, and to illuminate the nuances of existence.

With each sentence you craft, strive not to echo the common chorus but to resonate with the silent symphonies of the soul. Your words have the power to unveil truths, to provoke thought, and to ignite change.

So, embrace the sacred duty of your craft, and let your writing be the beacon that guides others through the labyrinth of life.

Anaïs Nin on Writing

 

Robert Frost on Poetry

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A poem is born from the depths of raw emotion—a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, homesickness, or lovesickness. Robert Frost, the celebrated poet and only four time Pulitzer Prize in Poetry winner, eloquently captures this essence. These profound feelings ignite the spark of creativity, transforming our deepest emotions into powerful, evocative verses.

When we experience a lump in the throat, it signals an overwhelming emotion that demands expression. It could be an unspoken truth or a poignant moment that touches the core of our being. This intense sensation often becomes the seed of a poem, urging us to put pen to paper.

A sense of wrong, on the other hand, stirs a desire to address injustices or express dissent. It’s a powerful motivator, pushing us to articulate our thoughts and feelings about the world around us. This drive can lead to some of the most compelling and thought-provoking poetry.

Homesickness and lovesickness are universal experiences that resonate deeply with many. The longing for home or a loved one can be profoundly moving, providing rich material for poetic exploration. These emotions are timeless, connecting readers and writers across generations and cultures.

Embrace these moments of intense emotion, for they are the seeds of poetic inspiration. Allow your feelings to flow onto the page, transforming your experiences into verses that capture the essence of your journey.

In this way, poetry becomes a powerful outlet for our innermost thoughts and feelings, allowing us to share our unique perspectives with the world.

Robert Frost on Poetry

Sylvia Plath on Creativity

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Crush the barriers of self-doubt and unleash your creativity! Sylvia Plath’s words resonate deeply, reminding us that doubt can stifle the spark of imagination.
 
So, silence the whispers of uncertainty and believe in the boundless potential within you. Embrace the unique visions and ideas that stir in your soul, for they are the essence of your creative journey.
 
Let each stroke of your pen or brush be a declaration of confidence, a defiance against doubt’s grip. Trust in your abilities, trust in your voice, and watch as your creativity soars to new heights.
 
Remember, you are a vessel of inspiration, capable of shaping worlds with your imagination.
 
Sylvia Plath on Creativity

Anne Lamott On Writing

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Embrace the journey of writing, imperfections and all!

Anne Lamott’s wisdom in “Bird by Bird” reminds us that every writer, no matter how seasoned, has faced the fear of writing poorly. So, banish the hesitation, silence the inner critic, and simply begin.

Trust that with each word you pen, the path will unfold, leading you to unexpected treasures of creativity and insight. Remember, it’s in the act of writing, in the courage to start despite doubts, that the magic truly happens.

So, let your words flow freely, knowing that within them lies the power to inspire, to provoke thought, and to transform lives.