tkbrownwriter.wordpress.com – Page 3

My Morning Do . . . “Faith”

old antique bible as an open book with sunlight bursting from the pages

~~ by tkbrown

Hebrews 2:9 — “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.”

In Hebrews 2:9, the scripture says when God created the Son of Man, He was created a little lower than the angels. In other words, when Jesus came to earth, He was demoted. Prior to that time, He had been in heaven with God, since the beginning, as His equal.

John1:1-3

1 — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
2 — “He was in the beginning with God.”
3 — “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

In order to taste death for everyone, He had to be “made a little lower than the angels.” He could not suffer death in our place as He was. So, in order to offer us eternal life in heaven with Him, Jesus became “a little lower than the angels.” God made His Son to also be the Son of Man so He could live on earth as a man and know all the weaknesses and frailties of man in a way God the Father does not. Thus, the Man Christ Jesus became Mediator between God and man.

1 Timothy 2:5-7

5 — “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,“
6 — “who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,”
7 — “for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle–I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying–a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

All these things happened that we might have eternal life through faith. Without faith that Jesus Christ is both the Son of God and the Son of Man as well as our Mediator, we will never inherit that home in heaven. Through faith we become sons and daughters of God and joint heirs with Christ when we obey Christ’s commandments.

Hebrews 11:1 — “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

I believe Jesus Christ is both the Son of God and the Son of Man. Joseph treated Jesus as his own child, because the world was to know him as such. Only those who inherit, jointly with Christ, that eternal home in heaven have the faith necessary to see it without seeing it.

My Morning Do . . . “Pleasant Words”

~~ by tkbrown

12 September 2020 — Soft words spoken, when harsh words are expected, are often visibly appreciated. The look of surprise alone can be fuel to continue using soft words rather than berating the offender. I have always been one to readily forgive an offence. It just was not typically worth the effort or the time it took to argue the issue. Now, I am not always the best of persons when it comes to my words of offense. There have been times when I argued the point to the nth degree, but mostly I have always tended to allow the other person his or her view on the topic.

One day, I was reading in Proverbs and came across some scripture to support this approach. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” (NKJV). It is so true. I thought on the times when I had argued the point. Either I or the other person left the discussion upset. Untended anger can be a detriment to health. It can cause elevated blood pressure, which in turn can cause myriad other problems if it is a frequent occurrence.

On the other hand, Proverbs 16:24 says, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones,” (NKJV). When I read these scriptures, I began making a conscious effort to not get angry without a truly just reason, and I began checking myself to ensure I replied with pleasant words. This scripture prompted a more in-depth study of problems associated with off-the-cuff comments and the unbridled tongue in general. One can create so many problems for self and others simply because the tongue is left unchecked. If a wholesome tongue is “a tree of life,” I wonder that this lesson is not taught more often.

Needless to say, these and other scriptures have taught me the importance of “thinking before I speak.” The good news is I do not have to make amends by apologizing for an errant tongue as often as before. This is a “major blessing” because I am so ashamed when I have to atone for this or that pain caused by my mouth. Also, others are not angry with me when I speak with pleasant words. Earlier in the week, I wrote about “gossip” and the harm done by it. Have you ever dealt with this in yourself or someone else? If so, would you please comment below and let us know how you approached the situation?

Just some food for thought as social distancing continues, and we are inside with family more.

Have a Blessed Day!

~~~~~~~~~~

Scriptures above are from the Holy Bible — New King James Version (NKJV).

~~~~~~~~~~

Photo Above: by kangbch @ pixabay.com.

~~~~~~~~~~

My Morning Do . . . “Acceptance of Others”

~~ by tkbrown

10 September 2020 — Acceptance seems to be shunned in this day and time. The “going thing” seems to be disagreement, protests, and persecution. There seems to be a tendency to equate acceptance with agreement. This perception is not reality based. Acceptance does not necessarily mean agreement.

The news today is filled with disagreement. From domestic disputes to world organizations, disagreement seems to be the norm. While some disagreement is a part of everyday life, and while harmful values are never to be condoned, we–as Christians–are to accept the right of others to be different from us and to believe differently from us. During His life here on earth, Jesus encountered many who were different from Him, but He never ridiculed, persecuted, or punished anyone for being on a different path. He did express rage toward the moneychangers and the merchants in the temple because they were defiling His Father’s house. He did not disagree with “what” they were doing. He disagreed with “where” they were engaging that activity (John 2:13-16 — NKJV).

When He met the Samaritan woman at the well, He discussed aspects of her life–apparently in depth–but He never once ridiculed or persecuted her because of who she was. If He had gone off on a tangent, ranting, raving, and destroying her property, would He have made a positive impression upon her? Would He have made a positive impression upon any of her acquaintances whom she brought back to the well to meet Him? Through the entire event, no one fought anyone to get a point across. Jesus impressed the Samaritan woman and her acquaintances with His acceptance of who they were, not with anger and malice toward them. John 4:39 says, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did.'” (NKJV) Jesus impressed upon her that He did not agree with or condone her way of life, but He never harmed her in any way.

My mother frequently referenced the old saying, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” — Anonymous. She was right! That is what Jesus was impressing upon the multitudes as He delivered the Sermon on the Mount. He said, “‘Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,'” (Matthew 7:12 — NKJV). During His time here on earth, Jesus had many differences of opinion and fact with others, but He never once addressed the issue in a harmful, ridiculing, or disrespectful manner. His responses were always short, kind, and to the point.

In today’s world, there are many different cultures–much the same as the world was in Jesus’ time. As Christians, what is the best way to lead someone to Christ: By lashing out, ranting, and raving at the difference with which we do not agree, or by quietly discussing the difference in what we believe and what the other person(s) believe? Christianity is a program of attraction, not of repulsion. Violence, ranting, and raving does not attract those who love God. We, as Christians, are instructed never to treat someone differently than we would want to be treated if the situation was reversed (John 2:13-16 — NKJV). We are also instructed to love our enemies. Again, in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,'” (Matthew 5:44 — NKJV). The news today is filled with difference being addressed in many ways. The question we, as Christians, hold in our heart is: How would I want someone else to deal with me in this same situation? Food for thought in today’s world.

Have a Blessed Day!

~~~~~~~~~~

Scripture References are from the Holy Bible — New King James Version (NKJV).

~~~~~~~~~~

My Morning Do . . . “Coffee and Gossip”

~~ by tkbrown

9 September 2020 — Good Morning, I hope you had a Blessed and Peaceful day since our last communication. I was reading a peer blogger’s site this morning and the three words below popped out! So, let’s look at them and see what this is about.

“Coffee and Gossip. . . . “

. . . coffee break
a haiku ~~ by tkbrown

Morning coffee break,
water fountain milieu crowd
gossip and banter.
~~~~~~~~~~

“Coffee and Gossip. . . . “ said a blogging peer, and I knew what the topic of “My Morning Do . . . ” must be. I had already debated whether to write about this and was still unsure. After reading the comment, I knew–Yes, this is today’s topic!

In my haiku, I mention the water fountain, but coffee and gossip can be brought together in most any place and in most any time. The effect and the affect are still the same. Medical science has now shown that coffee is good for the health in some persons–so long as you do not partake of more than four cups per day. (Always check with your doctor before you imbibe.) When I was told to increase from one to two cups a day. I rejoiced because there was a time, I drank much more coffee per day than that, but I had been advised to cut it out completely. I did cease consumption for a few years, but eventually added one cup per day back. The gossip part–I tried not to engage; however, I am human and must enter the guilty plea for occasional infraction.

Today, I would like us to think on gossip a bit. I would like to engage your minds a bit with some questions about gossip and you:

Do you enjoy the thought of being the subject of someone’s gossip?
- I once thought long and hard on this question. The answer: No, I do not enjoy the thought of being the subject of someone’s gossip. If they cannot–or will not–say it to me, I believe they should not say it. So, I should not engage in gossip about someone–anyone–else. Jesus said, “‘Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,'” Matthew 7:12. Personally, I believe gossip is a form of bullying. Gossip is never of the positive nature; thus it is always harmful to someone.
Do you ever engage in idle gossip about others?
- While it is easy to say a particular negative behavior is never engaged, in all likelihood, it is engaged at some point–simply because we are human. We can never get it right one hundred percent of the time. I try extremely hard not to talk about others if I am not talking to that person. It is exceedingly difficult to maintain. I sometimes do not even realize I am gossiping about someone, then I catch myself–and I am so ashamed. I have prayed and asked God to help me not do this. So, I am sure it is He who shows me what I am doing–so I can learn to stop.
Do you believe your gossip has ever been harmful to another?
- For much of my life, I never thought about this. Although I was never one to talk about others intentionally, I did engage this behavior from time to time. I am sad to say on this day: Looking back, my discussions about others–that I do remember–were never of the positive nature; so, yes, they were harmful to others. Regardless of how innocently we engage the behavior, it harms another because gossip is never in the positive or affirmative realm of discussion.
Do you know what God says about “gossip”?
- Gossip is a topic rarely discussed in church settings. I wonder why. As Christians, it should always be foremost in our mind as a behavior to avoid. It is never pleasing to God.
  - Firstly, it does not please God because it is not what we would want others to do regarding us.
  - Secondly, Proverbs 17:9 says, “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.” Thus, any repeat of a transgression to another is harmful. I am separating myself from a friend when I do this. In many instances, the friendship will be no more.

I want to leave you with this thought: If you truly want to act as a Christian, ask yourself–“What would Jesus do?”–and ask God to show you how often you talk “about” others rather than “to” them. You might be surprised! I was!

A few other scriptures for your perusal at your own pace:

Proverbs 18:18 — “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.”
Proverbs 18:21 — “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
James 1:26 — “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”

All scripture above is from the Holy Bible — New King James Version (NKJV).

I hope all who are reading have a wonderful and blessed day! Be safe!

~~~~~~~~~~

7 September 2020 — National Buy a Book Day

~~ by tkbrown

I just learned, 7 September has been designated both National and International Buy a Book Day! So, if you have been eyeing that one certain book that will enhance your library–or your mind–just so, this is the day to BUY IT!! With all of the digital learning today, I worry that it will be relied upon to the exclusion of establishing personal libraries in our homes. Personally, there is no better feeling than to curl up in a corner with a book in hand and consume it.

Really though, if we neglect to establish a personal library in our homes, we are missing a great opportunity to let our families and other people know what we are about. Through physical books, we can leave a legacy of history that is lost when obtained in digital learning and reading. If you prefer the digital reading experience, that is all well and good, but think on what you have read–that which reflects the person you are–and choose some good books reflecting the same values to purchase. Your library will thank you for it, and one day your children and grandchildren will too!

I am all for digital learning, digital sharing, and for making that digital learning a shared experience with the underprivileged who may not have the means to access it. Digital libraries should be available just like physical libraries. Children today should be able to access any topic of interest and learn about it without it costing them. It does not cost to check out a book at the physical library–so long as it is either returned or renewed by the designated date. I believe digital libraries should offer the same. If we want our children to progress with the digital age, we must make it available to them–all of them! While it is necessary for parents to be aware of the content a child is accessing, it should be available. Just like healthy food is necessary for growing a healthy physical body, books and the reading of them–digitally or in hand–is necessary for growing a healthy and informed mind.

Sooooo, DO YOUR PART–BUY A BOOK TODAY!

My Morning Do . . . Morning Brew

~~ That first cup of morning brew . . .

~~ by tkbrown

The first, aromatic, energizing, cup of coffee is almost sensuously approached each morning by millions–maybe billions–around the world. How often is the first cup of coffee anticipated each morning with desire, need, and sleepiness while begging it to awaken and invigorate? There are a multitude of artworks depicting the need for coffee being first and foremost in most coffee-drinkers’ minds while blindly stumbling toward the coffee maker.

The earliest cup of brewed coffee, as we know it today, may have surfaced during the fifteenth century. Use of the brew quickly expanded with proliferation. Today, many countries around the world produce coffee with its aromatic beans which are roasted according to varying guidelines in order to achieve that perfect blend consumed with an almost lustful expectancy when waking to the brand new day.

Some like a strong, black, and robust flavor to that daily knock at cognition’s door. Others prefer a milder, damped-down flavor which awakens with less of a jolt; so, this group might add creams, flavors, or ice to create any number of specialties in the genre. Coffee houses around the world entice patrons with cappuccinos, espressos, demitasse, lattes, frappes–as well as the more recent cold brew.

The above list is just a sampling of the forms in which coffee may be consumed. In whatever form one likes it, one fact is very true: it is one of the most widely embraced beverages known to mankind. There are those who might fight their way through if hindered enroute to that first morning cup. Others are a bit mor mellow, but the eyes my need to be propped open with toothpicks until the morning ritual finally makes its way to the coffee. So, without further ado, I will quietly exit the room, leaving you to savor your morning brew.

~~~~~~~~~~

Photo Above By: SI Janko Ferlic on Unsplash.com.

~~~~~~~~~~

. . . coffee break

— a haiku —

~~ by tkbrown

Morning coffee break,

water fountain milieu crowd

gossip and banter.

~~~~~~~~~~

Photo Above: by Nathan Dumiao @ Unsplash.com.

~~~~~~~~~~

Liebster Award Nomination #4

tkbrownwriter — Nominated By: chasingthemaximumlife — 24 August 2020

My blog family keeps growing and is so very supportive. I am honored to be a part of the group who have been standing by my side, holding me up at times to help get me off the ground. This is my fourth nomination for The Liebster Award. https://chasingthemaximumlife.wordpress.com is such a supportive peer. Many of our peers present this type of compassion, and it is steadily growing. I really appreciate everyone’s support. Chasing has an outstanding blog. Thank You, Chasing! I am so honored to receive this award from such an amazing and uplifting peer.

Chasing just completed her 50th post and is conducting a survey of her blogging peers. So, if you have not yet seen her blog, please check it out at https://chasingthemaximumlife.wordpress.com. Be sure to take her survey while you are there. It will help her decide what type of posts to create in the future. That is what this peer support is all about–helping each other.

The Liebster Award has been created as a way for bloggers to recognize relatively new peers who create posts they deem worthy of special notice, but it is not necessarily just for new bloggers. If you know someone who has been around a while and is worthy of recognition, nominate them.

This site: https://bloggingfilter.com/liebster-award/ tells us “Liebster” is a German word which means ‘sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, enduring, and welcome’. The encouragement I receive from my peers when nominating my blog as worthy of recognition is beyond description. Again, Thank You Chasing for this nomination. I really appreciate you!

~~~~~~~~~~

Rules for the Liebster Award:

Thank the blogger who nominated you and give a link to her/his blog.
Answer the 11 questions asked of you.
Nominate 11 other bloggers.
Ask ‘your nominees’ 11 questions.
Notify your nominees once you have uploaded your post.

~~~~~~~~~~

Chasing’s questions to me:

Where do you see your blog in a year’s time?
- My goal is to have a paid website within the next year. I have a lot I want to do with it and cannot do with this. I am working on new arrangement pages for some of my posts now. I really appreciate the availability of the free program WordPress offers, and I am learning a lot about the development and daily maintenance requirements. So, I can see I will need to expand to my own site in a few months, and am working steadily toward that goal.
If you could live anywhere on earth (and take whomever you wanted along), where would it be?
- I have been told Jamaica is 70 degrees basically all the time. That would be a dream come true because it would be not too hot and not too cold–exactly what I need and would love. Ultimate perfection would be accomplished if I could take my children and grandchildren along. Maybe they would enjoy those temperatures as much as I.
Would you rather lose the ability to read or lose the ability to speak?
- If I had to choose one or the other, losing the ability to speak would be my preference. I do not talk a lot anyway. I have been a ‘listener’ all my life. With my training in counseling, I could adjust. What I would need to say could be written. Reading is essential to continuing education and study of God’s word. Those, I cannot do without.
What’s that one negative thing you would get rid of so you can have a better life?
1. The apostle Paul prayed repeatedly for God to remove his ‘thorn in the flesh.’ He discusses this at some length; so, I will quote four verses below. He says it much better than I ever could.
  - 7 — “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a ‘thorn in the flesh’ was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I be exalted above measure.”
  - 8 — “Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.”
  - 9 — “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
  - 10 — “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong“
  - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (Holy Bible – New King James Version)
2. When I became disabled several years ago, I finally had the time to begin writing. I believe He has wanted me to write some things for many decades, but there was never time. Now, I write as a hobby and as a passion because He has given me the knowledge to do just that. I will not complain, because — like the apostle Paul — “when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Favourite thing to do when you’re sick?
- Read and write. Always, since childhood, I would read and write when I was too sick to be up and about.
Would you rather be a famous director or a famous actor? And why?
- I would rather be a famous director. I am very good at organizing and doing things behind the scenes. People know I am there if they need me, but I don’t have to be with each person all the time. I am not one wo likes to be in front of the camera. Family pictures were typically taken by me, not of me, and that is the way I like it. Just like ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive,’ — ‘it is also more blessed to be unseen but the effects of my presence be felt .’
Do you trust your own memory? Why or Why not?
- Yes, for the most part I trust my own memory. As with everyone, when one ages recollection and recall often slow and sometimes things are remembered incorrectly. However, this can be a problem for young people too. I have been told very few times and by very few people that I don’t remember things the way they happened. In fact, most have told me I have the memory of an elephant. Suffice it to say, I could sit now and write lectures from college classes more than two and three decades ago and not miss too much. It may not be worded exactly as they worded it, but I would get the big picture complete.
Favorite guilty pleasure food?
- Ooooeeeyyy, Gooooeeeeyyy, and/or Cheeewwwyyy, Chocolate, Chocolate, and more Chocolate. “Death by Chocolate Ice Cream” was invented for me, because I love all things chocolatey delicious. I don’t eat it often because it is the one food I would eat too much of. So maybe once every six months I allow myself to indulge. Other months I settle for an expensive Ice Cream Bar covered in Chocolate and Caramel — or I eat a Snickers Candy Bar. Otherwise, I am very strict with my deserts–opting for fruits mixed with my cereal, in smoothies, in salads, over French Toast, or by themselves.
Favorite appetizer?
- “Spinach Artichoke Cheese Dip” from “Top of the Rock Restaurant: eleven miles south of Branson, Missouri, take a right off Highway l65 onto Highway 86. The restaurant is right there, and the resort is about two miles further off to the right. When I lived in the Branson area, I would get some of this dip about once a month–that was my treat instead of chocolate. It goes good with crackers, bread, vegetables, most anything.
Your favorite genre? Why?
- I love to read — fiction, non-fiction, biographies–whatever is there. However, through the years, I have found I prefer historical fiction. It is based in reality and in something that really happened. That is why my novel is requiring so much research. It will be historical fiction.
What is your blog related wish for 2020? Your favorite genre?
- Hopefully, poetry and promotion of my poetry books, is part of the reason I will move to a paid site in a few months. Also, Spirituality is a strong component to my blog posts. I want to complete the series on Jesus Ministry while He was here on earth. It is too important to leave any of it out. I want to include some essays on several topics. As I coordinate my pages, posts, and menus in a more readable manner, I am hoping to create a more unified appearance..

~~~~~~~~~~

My Nominees are:

My Questions to My Nominees:

What color best describes you and why?
What would be your dream vacation?
If you were writing a fictional novel, what genre would it be?
How has the coronavirus influenced the person you are today?
In addition to writing, do you paint, sketch, sculpt, etc.?
Is writing a passion for you, or just something to pass the time?
If you were on a deserted island with only one item, what would you choose?
On that deserted island, what would you do to survive?
Do you have a ‘number’ that seems to follow you? If so, what?
What was, or is, your favorite subject in school? Why?
If you are in the library, what section do you go to first?

~~~~~~~~~~

The Liebster Award is a way to be discovered but also to connect and support the blogging community. It is a great idea in promoting your own blog and those of others. Originally it was given out to blogs with less than 2000 readers, but this has slowly lowerd as the reward has gained popularity. It is now supposedly only 200 readers or less. It’s really not an arbitrary number. If you like helping other blogs, go ahead and recognize it regardless of size. This award is all about promoting and viewing other peoples blogs.

~~~~~~~~~~

Once again, I would like to send a great big THANK YOU to chasingthemaximumlife.wordpress.com for bestowing this honor upon me. Also, to those whom I have nominated, Thank You, for all you do to grow and support the blogging community. I extend a heartfelt thanks to each of you!

~~~~~~~~~~

When ‘Age’ Sets In . . .

~~ by tkbrown

When someone you love gets old
and can't do things they used to do,
especially when it's really hot--or cold,
how does that feel inside of you?

If grandma used to get down on the floor
to play and color and laugh with you,
maybe she walked with you out the door
to see the outside and what others do.

Maybe it hurts to see mom in pain
knowing she will ne'er be the same again.
That should not keep you apart from her--
spending less time will cause memories to blur--
when the time comes you can see her no more
you will wish you had piled up mem'ries before.

So, e'en though it hurts, go knock on that door;
make some good times, do things with her.
Play a card game, cook some food!
Write down her recipes when it's really good.

Talk about things she used to do
When her mom and dad were living too.
Talk about what she did in school.
Did she protest or obey each rule?

Ask how life was different then.
Would she want life to be like that again?
Write down what she says so you won't forget.
Someday you'll read them and won't have to fret
about not remembering things she said
of her young children or the day she wed..

What did mom do when she was young--
her hobbies, talents, and songs they sung.
How did she and her siblings act
when things went bad -- fiction or fact?

How did they learn what had been done--
in order to deal with the one
who was the true perpe'traitor--
leaving others guilty no more.

All memories--both good and bad--'
will, one day, be treasured and spread
forth for perusal tenderly
when mom is no more here to see.
Only then will you know how true
your heart was wrapped in loving hue.

Only then will memories held
be treasured, embraced--with you meld.

~~~~~~~~~~

Photo Above: by Cassandra Ortiz at Unsplash.com

~~~~~~~~~~

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

I would like to thank my friend at https://chasingthemaximumlife.wordpress.com/ for nominating me for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award!” It is a special honor to be recognized by my blogging peers recognizing the inspirational quality of my work. Our sources of inspiration vary from person to person. I am pleased and humbled to know my posts inspire other bloggers to keep pressing forth. Thank You, so very much for this honor.

If you have not visited her blog, hurry over to https://chasingthemaximumlife.wordpress.com/ for a special treat on fashion which is going on as we speak! The tips are amazing! I am sure you will agree. It will inspire you to “take it to the limits” when you next dress to go out on the town.

~~~~~~~~~~

Rules for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to his/her blog (see above).
Answer the questions asked.
Nominate up to 9 other bloggers and ask them five (5) new questions.
Notify the nominees through their blogs by visiting and commenting on their blogs.
List the rules and display the “Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award” logo.
Provide a link to the Award Creator–Rising Star at https://idealinspiration.blog.

This is: **“Ideal Inspiration Award Nomination” X2**

The Ideal Inspiration Blogger award is a non-official award created by the members of Team Ideal Inspiration and is given to bloggers by bloggers as an acknowledgment of the inspiring work published on their blogs. The award reflects the positive impact people can have on one another in life. It is a recognition of bloggers by bloggers as a means of further inspiring aspirations to positively impact the artistic expression of other bloggers.

The Ideal Inspiration Award was introduced by Rising Star from “It’s all about inspiration” @ https://idealinspiration.blog. Thank You, Rising Star for seeing the benefit of such recognition being focused upon other bloggers. Thank You for creating this award. It is humbling to know others view my posts as worthy of peer recognition. You have created a way to help bloggers recognize other bloggers who inspire them to keep pressing forward. I am honored to be nominated for this award by https://chasingthemaximumlife.wordpress.com.

~~~~~~~~~~

Questions from chasingthemaximumlife:

Who/what is your biggest source of inspiration?
1. My faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, would be my greatest source of inspiration regarding matters of faith and daily living. My sincerest desire is to be “like Jesus” in all interactions. He set the perfect example of how to live and treat others.
2. My biggest earthly source of inspiration is “reading.” Oftentimes I am reading something through the course of a normal day, and something stands out to me as if it has been printed in large bold letters. It may inspire something closely related or something that seems to not be related at all, but the inspiration was triggered by what I read.
What is your biggest fear in life?
1. I don’t really have any major fears other than fearing God–which means I honor, respect, and rely on Him for all strength and guidance. I would not want to displease Him. He is my refuge and my strength. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” (Psalms 46:1).
What is your superpower?
1. My superpower–or my greatest strength–is my ability to listen and relate to others and what they are going through, then to empathically empower them to search out a solution to the problem pressing in on them.
What is the “most proud” moment of your life to date?
1. This is hard to answer for: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” (Proverbs 16:18). Thus, I try not to allow pride to enter into any of my endeavors. However, there are many instances in my life from whence I have gained a better understanding of myself and of others. These would be about as close as I would allow myself to enter into “pride’s realm.”
What quality in humans do you detest the most?
1. I detest the tendency, in anyone, to abuse children or to abuse anyone unable to defend himself or herself against the abuser.

~~~~~~~~~~

My nominees:

~~~~~~~~~~

My Questions to My Nominees:

Who/What is your greatest source of inspiration?
What do you hope to inspire in others through your blog?
Through what artistic means do you express your inspirations?
When you need to “rejuvenate,” do you tend to need the company of other people, or do you need to spend some time alone for a bit?
When you see someone “hurting” emotionally, do you respond, and if so how?

~~~~~~~~~~

Again, I would like to thank chasingthemaximumlife for nominating me for this award. It gives me the opportunity, once again, to recognize some of my peers who aspire to inspire others. Thank You so very much for providing me this opportunity.

~~~~~~~~~~