Hope & Faith

Bible reading

Two new words emerged in my daily scripture reading recently. These informed my thinking and encouraged me about God's confidence in what can be accomplished in my life.

One family went to extraordinary lengths to help care for and nurse a struggling barnyard animal back to health by letting it live in their house.

Animals are cute, cuddly and precious beings placed on Earth by the good Lord above. Some creatures – dogs, cats and even rabbits – are commonly kept indoors and allowed to move about the house as they please. However, others, given their size and need for space, are usually best left outdoors.

However, one family was so concerned about the health and progress of a baby horse that they let the animal take up residence in their home, according to a video posted on YouTube.

As the clip points out, the animal was born a month early. The baby horse had not eaten following its birth, and anytime the baby horse approached its mother, the animal would kick its feet at the small animal. The situation was dire.

“And within a few hours, we knew that she had to eat or she wasn’t going to make it,” the woman narrating the clip said.

So, the family started giving the animal bottles every 30 minutes, hoping to build up its strength. 

Days later, the family saw a big change in the animal’s behavior. It started getting to its feet all on its own. The horse even started sprinting across their yard. 

The animal also started to leave its mark on the family’s kitchen, where it was placed in the house. There was essentially nothing in the kitchen that did not pique the horse’s attention. The horse would chew and bite on everything. 

“Every noise I hear, I jump up to see what she’s destroying,” the woman said. 

The sweet baby horse connected with canines, becoming fast friends with two of the family’s adopted dogs. The baby horse and one dog, Marlin, became extremely close, almost inseparable. 

Proverbs 12:10 “An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evildoers are cruel.”

Audiobook narration of the short story, "A Christmas Legend" by Florence Scannell, performed by J.D. Sutter and also featuring the vocal talents of Bethany Baldwin. Editing and post-production by J.D. Sutter. www.jdsutter.me Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) 1. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 2. Magistar 3. What Child is This 4. Wish Background Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Tribute for my Mom who I lost on Thanksgiving Day and my son who I lost on his first birthday! We pray that this brings healing, comfort and joy to those who are hurting this Holiday Season!

Prayer For 2024 poem for anyone who needs comfort and healing as they struggle with world events this Holiday Season... Angelique & Dan Dee singing their healing Holiday Hit!

Joy!

A kind and caring young woman helps remind senior citizens that they aren’t forgotten and still matter by giving them socks at Christmastime.

Everyone, whether they want to admit it or not, enjoys receiving gifts during the Christmas season. However, it’s not just about the object that has been meticulously and intricately wrapped but about what the gift represents. It’s a sign of love. It shows that someone cares enough about us that they spent time and money purchasing and presenting us with a gift.

Elle Gianelli, a 17-year-old high school student, is doing just that for seniors with the organization she founded, Socks4Seniors. At Christmastime, she gifts “silly socks” to seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

The young woman admits that her aim with her philanthropic efforts is to remind the elderly that they matter and that someone is thinking about them.

“I know they have, like, Toys for Tots or things for kids, you know?” Elle said. “And we always seem to forget about seniors.”

But Elle’s sweet move was not something she recently thought up for this Christmas season. The clip posted on YouTube points out that Elle actually came up with Socks4Seniors as a 7th-grade student.

At the start of Socks4Seniors, Elle gave her “silly socks” to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in her town, Stockton, California. But now, years later, her efforts and reach have increased considerably.

She is now sending socks to more than 90 facilities in 48 of the country’s 50 states. As a result of her expanded efforts, Elle now has some pen pals, according to the clip. 

The loving and caring young woman admits senior citizens hold a special place in her heart.

“I’m a grandma’s girl,” Elle said. “I love, love, love my nana.”

What a terrific idea and effort! May God bless this young woman as she works to make senior citizens feel special and wanted. 

Philippians 2:4 “Not looking everyone to his private good, but keeping in mind the things of others.”

Two gifted musicians, Mat and Savanna Shaw, unexpectedly showed up at a woman’s door who lost her husband to cancer and treated her to a sweet, emotional performance.

Life can deliver some crushing body blows. These devastating and unforeseen circumstances can knock people down and change their world in an instant. But, during these times of hurt and pain, a little unexpected kindness can uplift and encourage someone struggling. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Mat and Savanna Shaw, along with a team of journalists, surprised Martha at her house. Martha, a music teacher, lost her husband to cancer. Mat and Savanna wanted to support her and show her some love during this trying time. 

Martha could not believe who had darkened her doorstep. 

“You’re Mat and Savanna Shaw!” Martha says.

Then it’s hugs all around, as Martha tells the father-daughter duo how much she loves and appreciates their music.

Later, Matt explained that he had heard about Martha's willingness to volunteer and the recent loss of her husband and offered her his condolences.

“And then we heard about the loss of your husband recently,” Mat said. “I’m so, so sorry to hear about that.”

Mat added that Martha had inspired him, and he and Savanna wanted “to come by and visit for a minute.”

Later in the clip, they move into another room, stopping near a piano. Mat and Savanna treat Martha to her own, private concert. But the song they chose to sing is not just any song, as Mat explained.

“The song that we wanted to sing for you, we were just talking on the way here, it’s really, really special to us,” he said. “Because it’s the song that started this whole crazy music journey for us.”

Martha gets emotional, brushing away tears from her eyes as Mat and Savanna belt out the beautiful lyrics. 

What a wonderful and touching moment for a woman and a family hurting and going through a most difficult time. 

1 Corinthians 16:14 “Let all you do be done in love.”

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Christmas greeting from Pastor Dean and Dianna Lucas of Upper room church of God Salida Colorado

Surrendering to God's Will! Part Six "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10 In times of uncertainty, when the road ahead seems foggy, or when we encounter obstacles that shake our faith, let us remember that surrender is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. It is a continuous process of aligning our will with God's, day by day, moment by moment. It requires us to pause, reflect, and recalibrate our hearts toward His purpose. Each day brings new opportunities for surrender. Take a moment to examine your life and identify areas where you may be holding on tightly to your desires, plans, or ambitions. Ask yourself if there are areas where you have struggled to fully surrender to God's will, where you find it difficult to let go and trust His guidance. Psalm 37:5 says, "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." In those moments, breathe deeply and surrender those areas to God in prayer. Ask for His strength to release your grip on control and seek His discernment in aligning your desires with His. Trust that God will faithfully unveil His divine plan for your life as you surrender, stirring purpose and joy within your soul. Dear brethren, surrendering to God's will is not always easy, and it is normal to face resistance within ourselves. But when we choose to surrender, we are met with the abundance of His grace and the peace that surpasses all understanding. In surrender to God's Will, we experience true freedom, unburdened by the weight of our striving and embraced by the boundless love of our Heavenly Father. Amen. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved." Amen. Prayer for Today! May God's grace illuminate your path, offering reassurance and a sense of unwavering faith at any moment. With each breath, may you feel God's presence surrounding you, empowering you to withstand life's journey with unyielding resolve and endurance. In Jesus' name. Amen. https://maglife.org/

A sweet and touching commercial shows how powerful and impactful a stroll down memory lane can be for someone struggling.

The Christmas season is a terrific and joyous occasion. Family and friends gather to exchange gifts, enjoy a meal or two and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a perfect opportunity to create memories. Sadly, Christmas can also be a heartbreaking time, especially when a beloved family member is showing and experiencing the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

A Christmas commercial from Chevrolet puts this sad and heartbreaking reality, which too many families face, front and center. The nearly 5-and-a-half-minute ad begins with a family gathering on Christmas. 

The entire house is a ball of energy. Several are in the kitchen whipping up what is sure to be a delicious and delectable meal. Children are bouncing around the house, playing with their newly unwrapped gifts. However, among all this commotion, an elderly woman sits silently in a chair. She stares blankly off into space. 

A conversation, likely between a father and a daughter, indicates that the elderly woman has her good days and bad days but that “the love is always there.” 

A teenager who sits near her grandmother decides to act and attempts to rectify the situation. She grabs her coat and quickly guides her grandmother outside to a garage. Soon enough, the two of them are headed down the highway of a small, quiet and picturesque town.

As the teenager drives, she momentarily pauses at different spots and comments on them. The young woman’s sweet actions and kind words are a trigger. Her grandmother’s memories slowly come flooding back. 

The car eventually comes to a stop at an abandoned drive-in movie theater. The grandmother thinks back and remembers her very first date with her loving husband. She immediately requests to go back home to help Bill cook dinner.

The moving ad ends with the grandmother back at the house now enjoying the Christmas celebration with her friends and family. 

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”

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Believing in God's Promises! Part Five "May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2 May the promises of God serve as a steadfast anchor for your soul during times of uncertainty and doubt. May you find unyielding hope in His faithfulness, knowing that He is always true to His word. Let His promises strengthen your resolve and fill you with unshakable confidence as you navigate life's challenges and trials. May the assurance of God's promises guide you toward a journey filled with purpose, significance, and fulfillment. May they lead you to experience an abundance of joy that surpasses all understanding, and may His peace guard your heart and mind in every circumstance. As you place your trust in His unfailing promises, may your heart be lifted with courage and optimism, knowing that He who has promised is faithful to bring it to fruition. May these assurances bring comfort and reassurance through every season of life, granting you unwavering hope and unshakeable confidence for the days ahead. Amen. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "Christ's divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." Amen. Prayer for Today! Oh Lord, we ask for the courage and wisdom to walk boldly in the assurance of your promises, trusting that your word is true and unwavering. With open hearts and willing spirits, may we experience the transformative power of Christ's love as it manifests in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen

A mother of seven children has received two visits from a generous Secret Santa in just under a decade.

Unexpected kindness can change and brighten up someone’s entire day, week and possibly entire year. A simple act of care and kindness can bring hope to someone who is hopeless, augmenting their outlook on life. What may be small and insignificant to one person could mean the world to someone hurting and struggling. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, a woman received a second visit from a Secret Santa and a team of well-intentioned and cheer-spreading journalists. However, the six-and-a-half-minute clip begins with an apology from the mother of seven.

As she wrote in an email, she explained that she had meant to send this apology note for a while. She is sorry, as she mentions, for her lack of camera-ready response and for not making good TV for the group of journalists. 

She goes on to state how much her then-surprised gift of $2,000 helped to alleviate her and her family’s financial struggles at the time. It’s clear from her out-of-the-blue email that she put that money to good use. 

After unexpected correspondence, the team of journalists decided to pay that woman another visit, but this time they gave her an even bigger gift. They presented her with a check for $10,000!

During the second visit, the woman mentions that she and her family are in a much better place in life. Most of her children are out of the house - two are married - and she has recently started a brand-new job. She also goes into detail about how she used that $2,000 gift from years earlier to literally clothe her family.

“So, $2,000 at Christmas was, like, it paid our bills,” she said. “It put gas in the car. It, you know, gave my kids some clothes. Like, it was, I mean, it was just the little things, but it meant so much, but it was big to me.”

She once again expressed her gratitude for that money all those years ago. 

When she unboxed the second check, the one for $10,000, her reaction was much bigger. 

“No way!” she said. “Are you serious? That is amazing!”

Proverbs 11:17 “The man who has mercy will be rewarded, but the cruel man is the cause of trouble to himself.”

One man, a barber, has managed to cut out a unique business by creating and developing a barbershop that specializes in giving children with sensory issues trims.

No two people created by God are the same. All have their own specific set of skills, talents and gifts, ultimately intended to be used to bring glory and honor to His name. Also, everyone has their own fears and needs that are unique to them. Depending on the individual, these needs require a certain level of patience, kindness and understanding.

A video posted on YouTube explains how Billy Dinnerstein, a barber, has been able to use his unique experience growing up to help children with sensory issues. Billy’s barbershop, Your Kind of Cuts, located in New Jersey, specializes in giving haircuts to children with special needs haircuts.

In the clip, Billy explained how his childhood prepared him for a career in and to create a business that provides children with special needs haircuts. 

“I grew up in the foster system, you know?” Billy said. “I had, I was intermingled with a lot of different personalities, and all these strangers, whether I’m going to them or they’re coming to me. And I just, I think I learned a keen sense of, you know, judging characteristics.”

Billy, in the video, describes Your Kind of Cuts as a barbershop that is “sensory-friendly.”

Also, the clip shows Billy exhibiting kindness, patience and understanding as he works with his customers.

One part of the video shows Billy sitting next to one of his young customers, telling them how he operates and is willing to do whatever he can to help them. 

“If you’re nervous, want to cry and scream, go ahead,” Billy says. “But please, try to be brave, right? Because that’s what we’re here trying to do, trying to help you be brave and get a haircut.”

God bless this man and his loving and caring mission.

1 John 4:16 “And we have seen and had faith in the love which God has for us. God is love, and everyone who has love is in God, and God is in him.”

A British department store company, John Lewis, has found a unique and touching way to remind customers and viewers that Christmas traditions happen on their own, naturally and organically.

The Christmas season is filled with friends, family, traditions and other fun events. Whether those annual activities involve decorating the tree with loved ones, watching a favorite Christmas-themed film or eating a special meal, all those traditions became a thing on their own. 

Forcing a tradition or trying to get others to participate in some activity usually does not work. Instead of fun and creating precious memories, the result will probably look like something from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation." 

The cute and touching ad begins with a young man picking up a box labeled “perfect Christmas tree.” Inside the odd-looking container is a single seed. That little guy quickly becomes attached and invested in the plant, watering it and anxiously checking on the progress of the “perfect Christmas tree.”

Little by little, as plants and trees do, something begins sprouting and growing from the pot. Soon enough, viewers are introduced to Snapper, a mischievous but lovable Venus fly trap. 

The plant becomes a family member and a best friend to the little boy. They create and look at photos of Christmas trees together. Snapper even gives his best impression of a typical Christmas tree, standing still while holding a bright, yellow star. 

But the tree becomes too big and inadvertently starts causing destruction and headaches. Snapper soon finds himself outside in the cold, exiled away from the family. 

Despite the plant’s position and the issues caused, it looks into the house as the family decorates what most would consider a typical Christmas tree. Snapper is beyond hurt.

The boy, sensing that all is not right, takes matters into his own hands to include Snapper in the Christmas fun. Soon enough, the entire family follows the child’s lead. It may be an unconventional way to celebrate the Christmas holiday, but it was a tradition that literally sprung up naturally and organically.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brothers, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or our letter.”

Dwight's father was an abusive alcoholic. At a young age he became very angry and suicidal. But by God’s grace, his life began to change dramatically when he discovered Bible truth.

On the road with hbp. Daily Prayer and scripture. (Scripture Series 2) Morning prayer for busy people who don't pray like they should. This is the day the Lord has made.