Life Matters And So Do You!
Every weekday morning at 7:40 a.m. on our local radio station they share a message from a pastor. He ends his message the same way by saying, “Life matters … and so do you!”
Think of the impact that this phrase could have on people every where!
What if someone was really depressed and feeling as low as they could possibly go, and then they hear a message such as this?
They may be feeling as if they do not matter to anyone so what is the use anyway. Maybe they are consumed with lies from the devil, yet they hear the truth that they DO matter. That is life changing right there if they allow it to soak into their being and see the truth instead of listening to the lies from the enemy!
People do need to hear this and know deep down in their hearts that they do matter. They are important! What they have been through and are going through is important, too! It is a part of their story, and their story deserves to be told!
How can you impress upon someone today and let them know that they matter? In this cold, cruel world, how can you impact another person’s life with a positive message? Think on it and then put action behind it and actually do something about it.
Compliment someone. It might make a difference in their day and in how they view themselves, especially if inside they have a negative self image.
Treat people with respect. You would want that, so give to others that which you desire as well.
Listen with your ears but also your heart. We rush through our days often times not really hearing what people are trying to say to us. Listen intently and then allow your heart to show that care, concern, and empathy. Some times what means the most is when people are allowed to talk about what is bothering them when they know they have someone that is listening and cares! Give them your full attention especially at times when they are opening up and beginning to pour their hearts out to you.
YOU can make a difference. You know why? Because life matters … and SO DO YOU!
Are You Who You Want To Be?
As I was listening to RDIO.COM at work this morning, the song I’m A Survivor by Reba McEntire came on. It was a popular song a few years ago and was the theme song for her self-entitled television show. But, have you ever really stopped to consider what this song is actually saying?
She was born too early and wasn’t given much of a chance, but she is a survivor and will keep on living. In the song, she’s a single mother with two children that works really hard and loves her children so much.
Something that really struck me are the words of the song: Who I am is who I wanna be …
It got me to thinking, and so I pose this question to my readers today. Are you who you want to be?
Think on that for a few minutes.
If you are NOT who you want to be at this stage of the game, what is stopping you from being all that you can be? Is there a way that you can make a change that will lead you to where you’d like to be? Would you consider setting a goal and then putting steps into place for you to achieve this goal?
It doesn’t have to be any major life changes, just little things that you can work toward. It is possible. Just don’t think you can make a change over night. Give yourself time to think on this, pray about it, and seek God in ALL things. Then, set your plan into motion.
You CAN be who you want to be … and love every fiber that makes you who you are!
Equestrian Ministries
If you have been with us for any length of time, you know that we have a special fondness and love for gentle giants, aka horses! These massive creatures leave us in awe each time as we watch them in all of their greatness and marvel at these gorgeous animals that God has given us.
Here at Light Love Hope we strive to share the message of God’s light in the dark world that we are living in, His unconditional, never ending love for us, and hope for a future and for eternal life in Heaven with Him!
Last year we became horse owners. It is something that we have always dreamed of and had an interest in, but we hadn’t taken that step. When we did, though, we jumped in with both feet into horse ownership and now have two paint horses, a dark bay quarter horse, a pinto pony, and a Shetland pony. We feel we have a good mix, and oh boy do we love to gaze out at them in our yard as they are grazing.
During this past year as we’ve adjusted to life on the ranch tending to our beauties, we wondered if there was a way to incorporate the two things that our family is passionate about: Jesus Christ and our horses. After researching this topic, we found that there IS a way to do both, and so we have just recently joined the Equestrian Ministries in our state!
What, exactly, is the Equestrian Ministries and what do we do? We are a nonprofit, nondenominational organization consisting of individuals and fellowships throughout the state that have united under a mutually agreed upon statement of faith for the purpose of fellowship and ministry to our local communities. We believe there is one God who exists in three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the Bible and the words that God has given us to live by. We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, that He walked the face of this earth and lived a sinless life. We believe He performed miracles, and we believe that He died on the cross for all of our sins so that we may have eternal life through Him. We believe that He rose from the dead, is now in Heaven, and that one day soon, He will come back for His children. We also believe that we were made in the image of God, but we have been corrupted by the sin in the world. However, there is still hope for lost souls if they believe in Jesus, have faith in Him, and ask Him into their hearts. Their sins will be washed away, and they will have the gift of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ!
We are very excited as we embark on this new journey with the Equestrian Ministries. We ask for prayer as we reach out to those in the community. Everyone needs Jesus, even people that ride horses! Why not try to reach as many people as we can, in whatever ways that we can? That is what we are here on this earth to do – to share Jesus with lost souls.
Joining the Equestrian Ministries wasn’t just a move to ensure that we get to go trail riding. No, no, no. It’s a much bigger picture than this. Sure, we love trail riding like the next horse person, but it’s about believers coming together to share the message of Jesus. Do I like the fact that we will be camping out and riding the trails with people of faith? Yes! Absolutely! I don’t have to worry about what my ten year old will be subjected to while on a trail ride now, nor do I have to worry about conversation around the camp fire. I have the assurance with the company that we will be keeping that there won’t be anything that her little eyes shouldn’t see or her little ears shouldn’t hear.
But, there’s more.
My daughters will get to share in this with us as much as they would like to be involved. We will use our horses not just for pleasure, enjoyment, and the thrill of the ride. Now we will be using the strong and mighty creatures that God has given us for His Honor and His Glory as we try to lead people to Christ.
Pray for us as we embark on this new journey.
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After writing this post, I saw where Karen used the prompt word “Dream” for Tuesday At Ten. It seems to fit right in with our post, so I am sharing it on her blog as well for the link up today. Join us!
