Life comes with decisions

 Some things I believe in...

Respect

 Thought for today... 

People usually don't look good when they are down, during struggles of any kind. Failure is an example. When a person figures out what to do, transforms their career, leaves struggles behind and emerges victorious, that is to be respected. Respect is complicated.

He who has never failed somewhere, that man cannot be great. Failure is the test of greatness. – Herman Melville
(https://philosiblog.com/2012/08/01/he-who-has-never-failed-somewhere-that-man-cannot-be-great-failure-is-the-test-of-greatness/)

Failure is another stepping stone to greatness. - Oprah Winfrey
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/538954280399843166/)

When we’re recovering from a spiritual fumble, we must realize everyone does stupid stuff. No one is exempt. An occasional misstep doesn’t brand us as stupid—it makes us real. God loves us regardless of our mishaps. After a fumble, do as any good football player would. Fight to recover what you lost, get back into the game, and let the Creator turn your loss into a gain. With Him, in spite of our fumbles we can rise to great heights.
― Jake Byrne, First and Goal: What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up 

I Trust

 I am up early today. I thank God for a new day. I will be going to the library in a few hours.

Two very, very good gospel songs I am listening to:

My God Is Awesome - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YJ4vddbJJo  

"Why He is awesome: He's mighty, He's holy, He's great" 

He Knows My Name - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60 

"He knows my name, He knows my every thought ... And He hears me when I call" 

 

Today June22

 Hero is a theme today. An inspiring song together with two movies.

Hero (the song) 

Good Deeds

The Spy Next Door 

 Both movies now available 'Free with Ads' on YouTube.

You may also find my playlist 'Difficult Times' useful (Hero is one of the selected songs). The playlist is available at: https://www.youtube.com/@FahmeenaOdettaMoore/playlists).

 

 

 

 

 

God's Characteristics

 Some of God's characteristics:

The Lord is holy and perfect. He does what is right and just. He is a God of justice. He rewards the righteous and promises punishment for the wicked. It is interesting that He is slow to anger. This suggests lots of patience.

Trusting

 I have good reason to trust in Almighty God. God is altogether wonderful. I studied and loved his characteristics (what he is about, what he stands for, and so on). Lord, my days are in Your hands.

Good Friday

 It is Good Friday. Christians think of the crucifixion of Christ especially on this day. I was once told that the most important verse in the Bible is John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. God gave his son Jesus Christ of Nazareth for the benefit of the world - for the atonement of sins. Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the perfect and final sacrifice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

God is working in my life

 Is God working in my life? Sometimes I am not sure. There are times I can only say things turned out well because of God. Take the papers I worked on when away from school contemplating my future. I cannot believe ambidexterity fits so well. I was able to report cases of ambidexterity not yet known in academia (see screenshot). The marketing paper is another example. The paper came together after careful thinking about my experience (a special assignment) at a previous employer. I was assigned to the Testing/Quality Assurance department with a "special" assignment/task to improve the quality of requirements prepared elsewhere (Testing does not prepare requirements).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian

 I was reading God's Word (the Holy Bible) since childhood. I remember I had a copy of the New Testament. A church member gave it to me. It was blue and it was small - nice for a child. It is available for sale on Etsy, which is surprising. I preferred to read my book of Bible Stories.

Reading plan

 Here is the link to a personal Bible study I completed over 7 years ago. I found the Bible reading plan/challenge on Pinterest. I liked it. I was pleased to find such reading plans online. They are usually in published books or on cards.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z5J9zgx7lmNDyqsxxLZz8rWf8hooIXYGyFNPGktZgi8/edit?usp=drivesdk

God In Charge

 I keep myself sane in a lot of ways. Interesting guidance from the Bible:

The information reminds me of the song 'Take It To The Lord In Prayer'

Living a life of purpose

 I really do believe that because I am alive when so many of my friends are dead, I should make the most of the time I have left (hopefully it is decades). I should try to use time wisely, live a good life, maybe carry on the important work others left behind. I must ensure that my living is not in vain. I have no children. I can ensure my living is not in vain in other ways. I found three interesting poems on ways to ensure your life is not in vain:

If I live my life fully and my purpose I attain, I shall not live in vain.
If I can inspire someone to rise and prevent them from falling again, I shall not live in vain.
If I can live without hurting anyone and ease someone's pain, I shall not live in vain.
If I can wipe someone's tears and make them smile again, I shall not live in vain.
If I can release someone from bondage and make them fly again, I shall not live in vain.
If I can live in a heart with a love that forever remains, I shall not live in vain.
If I can leave the world a little better from the time when I came, I shall not live in vain. - Jyoti Prateek 

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain. - Emily Dickinson (https://www.yourdailypoem.com/listpoem.jsp?poem_id=2330)

If I can help somebody, as I travel along / If I can help somebody, with a word or song. / If I can help somebody, from doing wrong, then my living shall not be in vain. / No, my living shall not be in vain. - Lyrics to song by Mahalia Jackson (https://www.daytondailynews.com/ideas-voices/voices-if-i-can-help-somebody-then-my-living-shall-not-be-in-vain/TM4CZOKUKZA7HALFVNNAPCSKGY/) 

I also found this interesting poem:

In Life's Garden
by
Dixie Willson

Count your garden by the flowers,
Never by the leaves that fall—
Count your days by golden hours,
Don't remember clouds at all.
Count your nights by stars, not shadows,
Count your life by smiles—not tears—
And with joy through all your lifetime,
Count your age by friends—not years. 

The Bible has this interesting verse on work that is with purpose (not in vain):

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV).

I am publishing a lot of articles and poems, and so on. I will be remembered for all of this.

God's Love

 If God is for us who can be against us...Nothing can separate us from the love of God...

Life is difficult

 Life is difficult for a lot of people. Some are facing layoffs, some have health issues, and so on. Sometimes it is difficult to escape problems. Trusting in the Lord helps.

Here is an interesting video I found on how a company usually handles a layoff:

https://youtu.be/Uv2Azn93mLs?si=XX3LaBsVRZeZ51-v

Life Lesson

 Question: What's the hardest lesson you've had to learn as an adult, and how has it shaped you?

One of the hardest things I've had to learn as an adult is that life isn't fair (the most unfair things happen when you least expect it). I have seen many times that people don't always get what they deserve, horrible things happen to good people, and so on. It taught me that I had to fight for what I want. It also taught me I should trust in Almighty God.

Scarf

In yesterday's post, I wrote of comfort in the hospital. I had a flood of memories after that post. I should have mentioned my scarf that provided comfort when I was at the rehabilitation center. I wish I had it when I was at the hospital (prior to rehab).

While at rehab, I wore my prayer/biblical scarf around my neck all day every day. I wore it when I visited the gym to exercise and "practice" walking. I wore it while I ate. I wore it at night. That scarf was comforting (and it warmed my neck a little but I was not overheating because of it). I think it reminded me that God was in charge. It was like I was asking for God's presence for him to "do his thing." The scarf has a Bible verse on it so it was like I was continually praying too. I had my Bible with me but the scarf was like a Bible that I could wear. I guess that piece of long, flowy fabric around my neck meant a lot to me (and I am not sure why I told one of the rehab specialists that I just felt like wearing the scarf when she asked if it had special meaning). It was probably a little weird, but I felt so much better because I was wearing that scarf. I am happy that no one asked me to take it off. They just let me wear it.

After rehab, I put the scarf in a safe place. Now that I am thinking of the scarf again, I want to wear it. But, it is too hot for the scarf now. I will wear it again when it cools down.

It is a really nice scarf. I attached a picture of a very similar scarf below. I had that scarf for a long time (for over 10 years). I didn't wear that one much.