Way Markers

My Pops had a habit of taking a road or hiking trail just "to see where it goes." He was never too worried about whether or not there were signs, maps, trail markers or directionals. He was gifted with a sense of direction that almost always got us to where we needed to go, albeit there were some interesting turns and twists along the way! There are quite a number of family stories that can be told as a result of these little jaunts and adventures and my brothers and I often laugh with remembering! His spirit of adventure and need to explore is a gift that he handed down to each of us.

Our lives are filled with way markers put into place by the different things we experience, people we encounter, family, mentors and friends. Our enemies, too, can put a way marker in front of us. It is how we choose to read these signs, and learn from them, that determines the directions our lives will take. We may choose a detour that helps us to learn a valuable or important lesson, or, we may choose to take a scenic route that takes us a bit longer to get to our destination, but restores our soul or enriches our lives with beauty.

If we choose to let God lead in our lives we will be able to navigate around and through all that comes before us. John 14:6 tell us, "...I am the way, the truth, and the life.." Invite God into your life each day. Study His Word and ask for His help to read the way markers. He will guide you on a journey "of a lifetime" that is guaranteed to be one of the most exciting road trips you will ever experience!

Just as my father's meandering about the countryside enabled us to learn and experience new sights, so will God's word be your map and travel guide. Be an adventurer, be willing to "see where it goes" with Him leading the way!

Source: http://MAWebb.blogspot.com

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2004-2006. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Please forward a courtesy email to the author including an active web link where it is posted.

Patience is a Virtue

Last week I travelled to the West Coast for my nephew's high school graduation. The weekend was wonderful, Kevin graduated with honors and our family had opportunity to spend some time together. On the return trip home, even though I enjoyed my time away, I discovered that like most of my fellow travellers, I was eager to get to my destination and home.

The first leg of the journey went very well. The airline left on time and we arrived in Chicago early. Wow! I was feeling pretty good and had a nice break on the ground before boarding the plane for the last leg of the journey into the Cincinnati International Airport. Not too long after the plane was fully loaded, the captain came onto the loudspeaker. Immediately we all knew that something wasn't quite right and that we probably were not going to like his message. Sure enough, he explained that the front tires of the airplane were worn and that we would have to wait to have them changed. And, unfortunately, the "NASCAR pit crew was not available..." so it was expected to take them 45-60 minutes from that moment to get the job done.

Well, not wanting to take off with bald tires on the front of the aircraft was understandable. Understanding why it would take so long is not so easy to comprehend, but we all settled in for a long wait.

Then, after a full hour had passed the captain comes back on the loudspeaker. Well, it was going to take us at least another 15-20 minutes to get the job done and then we could taxi out for take-off. Finally, we taxi out and then, we wait another 15-20 minutes. Our 1 hour layover ended up being about 3 hours in length and by the time we took off it was after 11:30 pm EST. We were all exhausted and cranky and the children on board were beginning to display behaviors more akin to little devils!

As I was sitting in my seat feeling sorry for myself, getting anxious and moving about restlessly my seat mate turned to me and asked if I lived in the Cincinnati area and proceeded to ask directions to one of the local hospitals. She went on to explain that she had been travelling since about 6:30 am that morning to be with her parents. Her father had suffered a major stroke earlier that morning and was not expected to live. In fact, they were not sure he would live long enough for her to see him alive again. Clearly the delay had been incredibly stressful for her and her husband!

It was at this point in time that I realized that patience really is a virtue, and something that I am not blessed with! I felt incredibly sorry for, and could empathize with this woman and her family. And, finally, after our arrival and during the journey home I was able to thank God for having blessed me for this seat mate. You see, I need to develop more patience and I had lost sight of what that meant, until that night. I was a bit embarrassed that I had been impatient, frustrated with the airline and stressed about the delay in time. Clearly any inconvenience to me could not compare to this person's anxiety.

This morning I prayed to God for this woman and her family, particularly regarding the health of her father and asked that God's will be done. Whatever the outcome I pray for peace and acceptance on their parts. Then, I thanked God for delivering yet another lesson and asked for his continued "fine-tuning" of my behavior and personality deficits. Isn't it amazing how God sends us these little reminders, when we need them the most, of his amazing power!

Source: http://mawebb.blogspot.com

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2004-2006. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Please forward a courtesy email to the author including an active web link where it is posted.

Blessed Are the Birds

This morning I was up just as the sun was starting to rise. I absolutely love this time of day. The red-orange streaks of light coming from the East were beautiful. As I stood in my backyard I was treated to a chorus from the many birds that live in the trees surrounding my house. The warblers, finches, cardinals, morning doves, blue jays and even the woodpecker treated to me a symphony of their own making. Standing there with the sunrise in the sky, the dew in the grass and listening to the birds was one of those moments that help balance a busy work day or soothe my own rough edges. Some might call it "a good thing" or even a "perfect moment." Whatever you call it, it was good!

There's a wonderful verse in the Bible, Psalm 84:3 that says, “Birds find nooks and crannies in your house, sparrows and swallows make nests there. They lay their eggs and raise their young, singing their songs in the place where we worship. God of the Angel Armies! King! God! How blessed they are to live and sing there!”

David was so right when he made this observation and, today, I was blessed by the beautiful music made by the birds who live in my yard. Sometimes I get so busy and so caught up in the mundane parts of my life that I forget the simple blessings that God has given me. Little reminders, even if it comes from a tiny little finch who is singing its heart out, are everywhere and give us an opportunity to worshop God and all the blessings and opportunities He has given us.

My hope for you today is that you hear a bird sing and are reminded of God's goodness. When you do, stop and take a few moments to thank Him for our feathered friends and their wonderful songs of praise.

That reminds me ... I've got to go fill the bird feeders! See ya!

Source: http://mawebb.blogspot.com

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2004-2006. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Please forward a courtesy email to the author including an active web link where it is posted.

Out of Adversity Comes ....

In October, 2005 I moved across the country. There were a number of "good" reasons for doing so, but at the time of the move I was confident that after I arrived in my new home that I would find a great job, meet lots of new friends and just "love" the change. I should have known better, but it did not turn out quite like I had envisioned.

The good news is that it has not been all bad either, thankfully! But, the great new job, lots of new friends and everything turning out perfect in a rosy-colored world didn't materialize. Today I still believe that the move was blessed by God and that, for some reason still not yet known to me, I was supposed to come here. If adversity, challenges, trials and difficulties are supposed to make us better individuals and children of God, then I have been in the boot camp for those in distress!

David, who certainly had his fair share of distress, said in Psalm 4:1, "God you have enlarged me in my time of distress." Here is what I am learning from David:

• God never "wastes" a trial or challenge on us. He uses this to help us to grow and build our faith.
  
• Just as with any sport or physical challenge, resistance builds strength. To grow and make the best of a difficult time we must resist the devil and all his sneaky ways to make us stumble or fail.
  
• God's Word, the Bible, is our map and guidebook. We need to read and use His Word to help us to understand our situation and to help us build our faith and trust in God's plan for us.
  
• Develop a good attitude filled with positive thoughts and gratefulness for the blessings that we do have AND for being entrusted with the challenges before you. We should pray and sing God's praises for the blessings in our lives.
  
• Trust that God is on your side and that He has every intention of giving us a life that is filled with happiness, success and good things!
  

I hope that as you go throughout your day that you will take time out to thank God for His goodness and blessings and to not forget that He is helping you to grow by giving you challenges and life experiences that require us to exercise our minds and attitudes.

Source: http://MAWebb.blogspot.com

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2004-2006. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Please forward a courtesy email to the author including an active web link where it is posted.

Inspiration

A couple of weeks ago I was channel surfing on TV, looking for ANY program that had some sort of value. I happened across a public television channel when I saw Dr. Wayne Dyer. His new book and lecture series is all about finding inspiration in your life. He shares with his readers and audience people who have inspired him, and his introduction of Immaculee Ilibagiza was so thought-provoking that I went out and bought her book. NEVER have I read a book that has been as thought-provoking and inspirational as this one!

The author, Immaculée, shares her story of how she survived during the Rwanda genocide in 1994 when she and seven other women were crowded together, in silence, in a tiny little bathroom of a local pastor's home for 91 days! Her story is not only captivating, but it also discusses the awesome power of prayer, building a lasting relationship with God and an incredible sense of forgiveness and unconditional love and understanding. Immaculée's ability to forgive those who so cruelly slaughtered her family, friends and neighbors is truly remarkable and certainly God-given!

If you have not yet read this book, you must get it! I found my copy at my local bookstore in the biography section. Please share your thoughts and comments about it too, by adding a comment to this post for others to read. Feel free to share personal thoughts, how the book or author inspired you, how reading it has helped others, etc. Books like this one should never sit on a shelf to collect dust. I hope to hear from you soon!

Title: Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust

Author: Immaculée Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin

Publisher: Hay House, Inc., Carlsbad, California

Year Published: 2006

Website: http://LeftToTell.com

Source: http://MAWebb.blogspot.com

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2004-2006. All Rights Reserved

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Please forward a courtesy email to the author including an active web link where it is posted.

How Wonderful It Is ...

"How wonderful it is
that nobody need wait
a single minute before
starting to improve the world."

-- Anne Frank

New Year's Resolutions

After the New Year's revelry has died down, we are bombarded with setting resolution's and ways to change our lives "for the better." According to Kimberly & Albrecht Powell, in Your Guide to Pittsburgh, PA, here are the top 10 New Year's Resolutions in 2006:

1) Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.

2) Fit in Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

3) Tame the Bulge

Fifty-five percent of adults in America are overweight, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

4) Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

5) Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years.

6) Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.

7) Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

8) Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. Challenge your mind in the coming year, and your horizons will expand.

9) Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, these nonprofit volunteer organizations could really use your help.

10) Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and links should get you started on the way to a more organized life.

Information used from: http://pittsburgh.about.com/cs/holidays/tp/resolutions_p.htm

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2006. All Rights Reserved

Source: http://MAWebb.blogspot.com

PUBLISHING AND REPRINT RIGHTS: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.