Sunday, January 2, 2011

~~~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING~~~ NEVER GIVE UP

I've shared with you many times over the past couple of years my deep appreciation for the writings of Max Lucado.  I believe he's been blessed by the Most High as well as being given the gift of encouragement.  He never fails to lead me in a positive direction while gently reminding me that God will forever be faithful to His children.

For many the New Year brings with it continued promise for better days.  How grateful and thankful those of you must be who are in this place!  However, for others the future seems bleak and scary with no hope in sight for the situations pressing in upon them to improve.  And so, it is to you, the broken and afraid, the downhearted and afflicted that I share with you a short passage from one of the books by Mr. Lucado.

From "He Still Moves Stones"

"The God of surprises strikes again...God does that for the faithful.  Just when the womb gets too old for babies, Sarah gets pregnant.  Just when the failure is too great for grace, King David is pardoned...

The lesson?  Three words.  Don't Give Up...
Is the road long?  Don't stop.
Is the night black?  Don't quit.
God is watching.
For all you know right at this moment...the check may be in the mail...
The apology may be in the making.
The job contract may be on the desk.
Don't quit.  For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers."

Two-thousand eleven is a new beginning.  A fresh start!  A clean slate!  Think positive and press on.  You can make it!  You can!  I'm believing along with you the answer is on it's way and better days are ahead!  I've always heard that Prayer is the key to heaven but it's our faith that will ultimately unlock the door!

Blessings and love to you this first beautiful Sunday of the year.

25 comments:

Vintage Gal said...

What a lovely post ~ food for the soul..Thank you for sharing
Marianne

The French Bear said...

Happy New Year, wishing you lots of love......
Max Lucado is one of my favourite authors, I have his study bible. How true those words are, never give up!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Theresa said...

A New Year, A clean slate... a fresh start! Love it, I am starting mine out looking forward to what 2011 brings! I will be putting on my nice duds shortly and heading to Church! Can't wait to get that great feeling! Our Church was canceled last Sunday and I missed it:) Have a blessed day my dear friend! BIG HUGS!

The Rustic Victorian said...

Wonderful post, Amen and Amen.
oxo
Marcie

LindaSonia said...

Your blog is always so inspirational. Thank you for that. Love the Lord, love Max Lucado and love the forget me not postcard you posted.

Happiest New Year!!!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Rebecca,

Sure: Never ever give up!
With strong faith one can move mountains it seems at times.
On November 23 I did write about my first year on blogger... # 148 and that is living proof of what you say here.

Lots of love and have a peaceful Sunday!

Mariette's Back to Basics

Jan M said...

Thank you for such lovely and inspirational words. Happy New Year to you!

Caroline said...

Happy New Year Rebecca, I have the Max Lucado collection of childrens books. I've enjoyed them as much as my daughter has....such a wonderful message in all of them.

Julie said...

What a beautiful post. And I do love the words of the song you posted...If You Want Me To. I have always said I am not afraid to take the Hard Path if that is where God leads. Because we have to pick up and carry a cross most days in order to be the servants of Christ, most paths will be hard...:-) But I know, as you do, that HE is with me...and it is okay. Thank you for an inspiring post and I had hopped over here from another blog several days back and read about your son. I said a prayer for a fellow sister's child. My son had a close one too, and all is well. God's guardian angels are ever so vigilant, aren't they? A new year's Hug to you from a fellow bloggy sister who loves her Savior and Warrior King right along with you.

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Thanks for the lovely words Rebecca! We can all use lifting up every now and then.
I love starting a New Year and I am lucky in that I have dogged determination where life is concerned, never ever give up on dreams or give in to nay-sayers!
Have a wonderful day!
Tina xo

elizabeth said...

I found you at Jenny of Elefantz blog...lol...small world, I also live in Edmond, OK. Your blog is lovely and I will follow and return soon. It looks like an encouraging place to visit : ) Happy New Year!

Ana said...

Beautiful post Ms. Rebecca...I love Max Lucado's writtings too. Always so inspiring. Thank you for always being such a sweet and kind friend to me...You are the one who bless me. All my love and best wishes for a beautiful brand new year.

Much love,
♥Ana

NanaDiana said...

We like that author also- he is my husband's favorite. Take care and happy New Year! xxoo Diana

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Rebecca! What a wonderful post...I love it. We must never, ever give up and remember that God always listens to our prayers, thoughts and hearts. He is always there...

Peace and Love,
Lynn♥

~Let FREEDOM Ring!~

NickiLee said...

Thank you Rebecca for a beautiful and thought provoking post. I certainly enjoy coming to your blog as it always lifts my spirts.

Heaven's Walk said...

Rebecca - your post today couldn't have been more appropriate for my sister-in-Christ, Debbie at House at the Lake. I posted about her battle tonight on my blog. I hope and pray that she feels good enough this week to check out your beautifully worded post. There is strength and hope there for her.... Thank you, friend. ♥

xoxo laurie

Dolores said...

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors.....

Beautiful post!
Thank you!
Hugs,
Dolores

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Rebecca that was a fabulous post! I love your little Sunday inspirations. Thank you for throwing you hat in the ring on my giveaway, I would LOVE to win one of yours! I don't do them very often, I probably should as people seem to enjoy them. I have to say I have been incredibly lucky with winning.

Carol

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Rebecca, what a beautiful and inspiring post... thanks so much for sharing! Wishing you and your family a blessed and Happy New Year!!!
hugs~~~ Daphne

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

I have many of his books! Thank you for sharing this passage. It is very timely at the beginning of the New Year. My hope this year is for a more simple and peaceful New Year! Hugs!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

They say the power of positive thinking is a great and wonderful thing. I believe.
Happy New Year, dear friend.
Mona

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Thanks for that reminder, Rebecca. He is able, He is able, He is able...always.
God bless your clean slate,
Hugs
Jenny

Mari said...

AWWW SWEETIE, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL POST :) YOU ALWAYS INSPIRE ME WITH YOUR WORDS :) I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS ON BEHALF OF MY DEAR COUSIN CINDY!! IT MEANS SO MUCH TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY :)
WISHING YOU LOTS OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN 2011!!

BIG HUGLETS~XOXOX~MARI

Marianne C. said...

Rebecca, thank you for this post. So many times, both in my artistic and spiritual journeys, I have felt like giving up...but something within me keeps persevering again and again.

We all struggle with some sort of battle at some time in our lives; whether it be with our mind, our body, our finances, relationships.
We all need to be lifted up in encouragement. After all, isn't that part of our purpose...to lift up another, and in doing so lift up ourselves.

God bless you,
Marianne

Melissa/Piney Rose said...

A visit to your blog never fails to uplift me! Thank you for your sweet encouragement.

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