Archive for June, 2016

A New Day ~ A Good Day

June 26, 2016 at 7:50 am · Filed under Daily Encouragements, God's beauty, Good stuff, Inspiration, Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If we start our day worried and fearful about the myriad things life might throw at us in the coming day, we allow fear to rob us of God’s peace and joy. On the other hand, if we dive into our day knowing no matter what comes our way, God will be there to assist us, we will be filled with faith and gladness, and God’s peace and joy will be ours.

Too many times, we worry and fret over situations, only to find they work out just fine in the end. All we can do is the best we can do with whatever situations might arise.

Everything might not go exactly the way we want it to, but we’ll be at peace and be filled with joy, knowing it went the way God wanted it to go.

Be still! Be patient! Be faithful! God knows what He’s doing!

May 2019 11 2 (2) quote

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;Psalm 30:11

 

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My Wife Makes Me Feel Guilty

June 25, 2016 at 7:07 am · Filed under Daily Encouragements, God's beauty, Good stuff, Inspiration, Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Guilt is an awful thing, and I believe it is synonymous with fear. When we feel guilty about something we’ve said or done, it’s usually because we fear the consequences.

A man once told me his wife made him feel guilty. I spoke off the cuff (imagine that) and told him, “Your wife can’t make you feel guilty, you have to choose to feel guilty.”

I was in my late twenties when I made that statement, and it probably had more of an impact on me than it did on him. I’ve pondered the idea considerably over the years, and I’ve come to the conclusion it’s true of almost every emotion. Guilt, anger, sadness, happiness; they all come knocking at our door, and we decide whether to invite them in or bid them be on their way. We choose to have the feelings we have, and yes, we will feel every kind of emotion, but it’s up to us how long we allow them to stay.

Let the good ones stay—in fact, invite them in; choose to be happy, choose faith, not fear. And when the bad thoughts come knocking, send them on their way.

guilty (2)

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

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Doing the Right Thing

June 24, 2016 at 6:19 am · Filed under Daily Encouragements, Good stuff, Inspiration ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Many times, we worry and wonder if what we’re doing is the right thing. We start thinking our jobs or even our very lives are meaningless. It sometimes seems we’re just spinning our wheels in a world gone mad. Read the rest of this entry »

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What Do You See?

June 23, 2016 at 7:13 am · Filed under Daily Encouragements, God's beauty, Good stuff, Inspiration ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

party 9 - quote

Years ago, I remember folks talking about subliminal messages on television. I think they were actually happening, but I don’t know that for certain. The premise was that an advertiser would flash a message or image on the screen for a split second—one we didn’t even realize we’d seen—and we would react by wanting to purchase the product that had entered our subconscious mind.

Today, they’ve moved well beyond subliminal tactics and now blatantly advertise, and display in programs, every possible deviance and product. The trend continues to escalate, and it seems nothing is taboo. Sex, violence, and decadence of every kind is being shown on almost every channel. The worst part of this is we are becoming numb to it. What’s the solution? Don’t watch.

We are in charge of what we watch. A little mindless entertainment is one thing, but a constant diet of it is quite another matter. The old saying, “you are what you eat”, can also apply to our minds. As regards “entertainment”, we are what we watch. What we allow into our minds can shape who we are.

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5

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Saddle Up Boys!

June 20, 2016 at 4:43 pm · Filed under Good stuff, Some truth to it, the good old days ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

We lived in a little community on Lake Travis for ten years, from 2000 to 2010. I had a lot of fun there, but looking back, I don’t know how me and the boys stayed out of jail. And so, I was not surprised when one afternoon I walked into the local convenience store and found the sign below tacked to the bulletin board.

Last Round of the Season

 

I used to run with some good ol’ boys; wasn’t that long ago wanted poster

You’d find us mostly on the golf course, not at the rodeo

Made up our rules as we went along; lied and cheated a bit

Golf balls sailed all over the place, but seldom was anyone hit

 

We were never accused of workin’ too much

We just golfed , fished, & grilled, threw horseshoes and such

We’d jump in the lake when it got too hot

Then finish the round in our water socks

 

Yep, I used to run with a mighty  strange crew

Jaybird & Dano just to mention a few

Then life took a turn and I had to be leavin’

I said saddle up boys, it’s the last round of the season

 

Copyright © 2016 C Mashburn

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I Rest My Case

June 18, 2016 at 8:11 am · Filed under Daily Encouragements, God's beauty, Inspiration ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today 6-10-2016 quote 2Like the closing arguments of an attorney at the end of a trial, Paul powerfully pounds home his point in the last two verses of chapter eight of his letter to the church at Rome. I can envision him standing before the jury, straining forward with a look of determination, as he emotionally delivers these words.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

I have tested the presence and patience of God; I have ignored it, denied it, and tried to pretend He wasn’t there, yet even in times of deepest darkness, I could always feel His presence. There have been many times in my life when, though I did not deserve it, He has shown Himself to me in wondrous ways. In spite of me, in spite of my failure to love Him, in spite of my walking arm-in-arm with demons of all type, He stayed with me, His love never wavering, His arms ever reaching to hold me. He would allow nothing to separate me from Him.

I rest my case.

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Daily Encouragement – 6/17

June 17, 2016 at 7:13 am · Filed under Uncategorized

These days, it’s hard to focus on the good stuff, but it can be done, and the results are awesome!

Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God"

June 17

            Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. Psalm 90:15

            Our lives are a constant evolving of bad to good, good to bad, and everything in between. I’ve never considered the concept that God would even out the two basic ones. I don’t think He does, but it’s interesting that the Psalmist asks Him to. Do you keep score?

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Bubbles and Lies

June 17, 2016 at 6:59 am · Filed under Uncategorized

It seems to me the term “politically correct” has little or nothing to do with truth, and one day the bubble it is will surely pop.

Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God"

This is a poem I wrote last year, but it is quite obviously timeless. Truth seems of little value these days, and I sometimes get the feeling I am thought a fool if telling the truth leads me into the path of pain and/or hardship. Bubbles are harmless things, and the consensus among many these days seems to be that lies are harmless too… as long as you get what you want.

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Daily Encouragement – 6/16

June 16, 2016 at 8:38 am · Filed under Uncategorized

Yes, that day will come!

Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God"

June 16

            Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

            So much, in so few words. Where do I begin to speak of what this verse says?

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Daily Encouragement – 6/15

June 15, 2016 at 10:48 am · Filed under Uncategorized

A post from five years ago. The story is true and the message keeps on working for me. I hope it does for you, too.

Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God"

June 15

            Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Psalm 90:13

            This reminds me of a story I like to tell from my logging days. We had one of those surly bosses who liked to taunt, tease and intimidate us. Since he was a powerful and ferocious fighter, we were obliged to let him.

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