The Fruit of the Messiah’s Grace

“What was the fruit of the Messiah’s grace? Rest—a rest pertaining to my existence, most assuredly superior to passing minutes of stillness or peace I may have experienced in meditation. I have come to appreciate that this new life is something Jesus wants for everyone, irrespective of race or religion. It is a unique and eternal boon available to everyone who turns to Him with confidence. So, today I walk on in gratitude.”
~ Sid Roth,
Founder – Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural! (ISN), Author, Talk Show Host & Telly Award (2010)  & ISN App

It’s Always ‘We’

“As successes come your way, remember that you didn’t do it alone. It is always we.”
~ Colin Powell
Politician, Statesman, Diplomat, United States Army 4-Star General (1989) & 65th United States Secretary of State (2001-2005)
~

America Will Always Remember

Header image (top of blog) is of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Harriet Ida Pickens (left) and Ensign Frances Wills (right) closing a suitcase after graduating from the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School (WR) at Northampton, Massachusetts, circa December 1944. They were the Navy’s first African American WAVES officers and graduated with the Northampton school’s final class.
Description courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command.  Image courtesy of Official U.S. Navy photograph now in the collections of the National Archives. Catalog#: 80-G-297441 . Post image (below) courtesy of Pixabay.com
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.  America will never forget their sacrifices.”
~ Harry S. Truman,
Politician, 33rd President of the United States (1945–53),
United States Senator (1935–45) & Vice President (1945)

Tracing Our Liberty to the White Markers Like Arlington

“”Their sacrifice was great, but not in vain. All Americans and every free nation on earth can trace their liberty to the white markers of places like Arlington National Cemetery. And may God keep us ever grateful.” (2003)
~~~~

“Looking across this field, we see the scale of heroism and sacrifice. All who are buried here understood their duty. All stood to protect America. And all carried with them memories of a family that they hoped to keep safe by their sacrifice.”” (2005)

~ George W. Bush
Businessman, Governor of Texas (1995–2000) & 43rd President (2001-2009)
~

A Magic-Filled Day

Today, I am thankful for today!
“The easiest and simplest way to ensure that your day ahead will be filled with magic is to fill your morning with gratitude. When you incorporate gratitude into your morning routine, you will feel and see its magical benefits throughout the whole day. There’s no room for harmful negative thoughts when your mind is focused on looking for things to be grateful for.”
~ Rhonda Byrne,
Author, Television Writer & Producer

There’s Always SOMETHING to be Grateful For

“No matter how bad things are, you can always find something to be grateful for, especially as gratitude transforms every negative situation.”
~ Rhonda Byrne,
Author, Television Writer & Producer

We’re Designed for Special Purposes

“My Creator, my Maker, I thank You for designing me for a special purpose. I know that You have given me the tools and the competence to fulfill that purpose. Lord, help me not to be distracted or derailed from that purpose. Help me to keep my vision focused on Your greater plan. I accept Your love and Your grace, today, and every day. Amen.”
~ Jetola E. Anderson-Blair
Author, Entrepreneur & Bilingual SPHR Certified Senior HR Professional
~

Living in Gratitude

“My dad taught me that good health is all about living in gratitude.”
~ Mariska Magdolna Hargitay,
Joyful Heart Foundation – Founder & President, Actress, Miss Beverly Hills USA (1982),
Emmy Award (2006), Golden Globe Award (2005), Gracie Allen Award (2004, 2009, 2014),
Muse Award (2012), Prism Award (2007), Star on the Walk of Fame (2013)
 

True Heroism: The Urge to Serve Others

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”
~ Arthur Ashe,
Tennis Player, Grand Slam winner(3x)
Wimbledon Singles, US Open & Australian Open winner

A Tribute Never Equal to the Debt They Are Owed

“Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life. The men and women we honor here served for liberty. They sacrificed for liberty. And in countless acts of courage, they died for liberty. From faraway lands, they were returned to cemeteries like this one, where broken hearts received their broken bodies — they found peace beneath the white headstones in the land they fought to defend.
… The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory in the devastation of war. They also do not flinch from combat when liberty and justice are embattled. Ronald Tucker, Nathan Hardy and Mike Koch make clear, they do not waver — even in the face of danger.
And so today, here in Washington and across our country, we pay tribute to all who have fallen — a tribute never equal to the debt they are owed. We will forever honor their memories. We will forever search for their comrades, the POWs and MIAs. And we pledge — we offer a solemn pledge to persevere and to provide the security for our citizens and secure the peace for which they fought.
The soil of Arlington and other sites is filled with liberty’s defenders. It is nourished by their heroism. It is watered by the silent tears of the mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sons and daughters they left behind. Today we pray for God’s blessing on all who grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and comfort them today and everyday.
The soil of Arlington and other sites is filled with liberty’s defenders. It is nourished by their heroism. It is watered by the silent tears of the mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sons and daughters they left behind. Today we pray for God’s blessing on all who grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and comfort them today and everyday.
On this Memorial Day, I stand before you as the Commander-in-Chief and try to tell you how proud I am at the sacrifice and service of the men and women who wear our uniform. They’re an awesome bunch of people and the United States is blessed to have such citizens.
I am humbled by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that allow a free civilization to endure and flourish. It only remains for us, the heirs of their legacy, to have the courage and the character to follow their lead — and to preserve America as the greatest nation on earth and the last best hope for mankind.
May God bless you and may God bless America.”
~ George W. Bush,
Politician, Businessman, 46th Governor of Texas (1995-2000) & 43rd President of the United States (2001-2009)

‘Cross’ Humans: ‘X’ is a Cross on Its Side

God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect.
~ 2 Corinthians 22:33
New King James Version
~

Let’s Thank Him, in Advance, for the TRiUMPh!

Let’s Thank Him, in Advance, for the TRiUMPh (of President TRUMP)!
Now, thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ and Who maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place.
~ 2 Corinthians 2:14
21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God, everywhere.
~ 2 Corinthians 2:14
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
~

It’s Not the Load that Breaks You

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what’s positive and that it’s not worse, rather than the uncomfortable edges of bitterness and that it is not better.”
~ Lena Horne,
Singer, Dancer, Actress & Civil Rights Activist.

Life Has Been a Blessing

“It’s just a whole different thing, and it’s just that my life has been a blessing,
and I thank God every day for the gifts that He has given me and for my daughter;
and to be able to watch her grow and be a part of her joys and her excitement
and what she wants to do in life.”
~ Teena Marie
Singer, Songwriter Musician, Record Producer & Arranger
~

One of the Greatest Dreams Come True

“I would honestly say that with all the awards and all the other things that I’ve done in my life,
Dollywood is one of the greatest dreams that I’ve ever had come true –
I am so proud of that I can’t even begin to tell you, Dollywood is real special to me.”
~ Dolly Parton,
Singer-Songwriter, Instrumentalist, Record Producer, Actress, Author,
Businesswoman, Humanitarian, Grammy Awards (8X), Grammy Nominee (46X),
Academy Award Nominee (2X), Country Music Association Awards (10X),
Academy of Country Music Awards (7X), American Music Awards (3X), &
Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award

 

Every Day, One Day at a Time, is Thanksgiving

“I am grateful to have my life back and for the friends and family who never gave up on me,
for a God who was there when I was ready to find Him.
I am grateful for so much, that every day, one day at a time, is Thanksgiving.”
~ Andrew Zimmern
Culinary Expert, Chef, Restaurateur, Television Personality, Radio Personality,
Director, Producer, Entrepreneur, Food Critic, Journalist, Teacher, Author
James Beard Award for Outstanding TV Food Personality (4X) & Effie Award (2010)

Something We Should All Celebrate Every Day

“We’re getting ready to sit down at the table and have Thanksgiving,
and there’s people that are not with their families.
There are people that are in dangerous areas, putting their lives on the line
to keep our country free, and I think that’s something we should all celebrate every day.”
~ Guy Fieri,
Restaurateur, Author, Television Host, Hunt & Ryde Winery Owner & Emmy Award
~ Image via NAME HERE

Noticing Your Life’s ‘Good Things’

“If you are seeing good, you are seeing God. …
When something good happens, you’re seeing God.
Make sure you thank Him for it; make sure you give Him the credit.”
~ Joel Osteen,
Pastor – Lakewood Church, Motivational Speaker, Author & Executive Producer

Crises: Motivation for Innovation

“Crises provides the motivation for innovation. It is a call to change the way you do life.
The most important challenge will be to change yourself as well as to reinvent yourself in the process!
Go ahead! Make the change! Your future self will thank you!”
~ Juanita Bynum,
Singer, Author & Pastor

Appreciation for What They Do

“We generally can only work with the people we have.
I’ve learned through years that showing appreciation to all
for what they do goes a really long way.
Being thankful is not an event, it is a way of life.”
~ Tudor Bismark,
Pastor, Speaker, Author, Co-Founder – Jabula New Life Ministries,
Co-Pastor – New Life Covenant Church