A typewriter. A manual typewriter on top of it. Circa 1970's. Now there's a 50 year vintage antique! 

If you've used one before, do you remember the various parts: paper rest, platen, carriage return, roller knob, ribbon, strikers? 

Then there's the necessary accessories, such as correction tape or correction fluid (for example: Wite-Out or Liquid Paper), for correcting those inevitable typos. 

Life was simpler back then, or was it? 

From its origins in 1877 as a manufacturer of firearms, Smith Corona used similar mechanical processes and manufacturing techniques in the emerging production of typewriters, leading to innovations in typewriters, word processors and thermal labels. Being forward thinking and adapting to changing times, this company has remained in business and profitable for over 140 years. 

How about you? How adaptable are you? Can you "go with the flow", and innovate and change according to the challenges in your life? Do you seek God's help and guidance for your growth? 

Do you tap, tap, tap, return? Or walk, sprint, run, jump forward? 

TAGS: Inspiration, Story

Sending messages the old-fashioned way hearkens back to days gone by. Some people may not even be aware of a life without electronic or digital media, whereas others may happily remember times spent creating sidewalk art as a child. 

Saying "hi", drawing pictures, sending love can all be conveyed by a creative mind,  a piece of chalk, and a suitable palette. 

Messages to last or messages to inspire; all with something to say. 

Have you sent someone a worthwhile message today? 

TAGS: Inspiration

"But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." - Matthew 6:33 

There's one group of people who are fearful of entering into retirement because of fear that they will not have enough money. This often leads to working into their later years, taking part time jobs, or doing with less. 

Then there's another group of people who believe that God will provide. Regardless of the need or want, God will provide. And amazingly, He always does. 

The first group feel stressed, worried and anxious. The latter group feel confident with an exuberant faith. 

Which group are you in? 

TAGS: Inspiration

"For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 

Have you ever felt so down like you're in a chasm or deep hole that you just can't crawl out of? Are you feeling like the walls surrounding you are caving in on you, brick by brick, one by one? Do you wonder how you're ever going to get out of this "funk"? Do you need to put caution cones around you so that others will avoid you and not be the brunt of your depression and anger? 

Become childlike. Look up. Look beyond. See the God waiting for you with outstretched arms. Imagine your arms outstretched, reaching out to your mother or father waiting to hold you in their arms, close to their heart. 

Instead of looking at the bricks falling in, look at the bricks as building blocks to be constructed into a wonderfully-made work of art, created as you are by the God who loves you. 

Just remember: this too will pass. The pit you are in will be restored again, and patched over so that all signs of your present troubles will be removed. 

O Master Carpenter, patch over the holes in my life. Be my bricklayer to rebuild me anew in Your love. Amen. 

TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

“'Who will bring me down to earth?'” - Obadiah 1:3 

Have you ever known someone who is so stuck on themself? Seems like they walk around all day with their head in the clouds. "Smell me," we say about them. 

But has that "someone" ever been you? Have you ever been so "puffed up" after making a great play in a ballgame, hearing a thunderous ovation after a performance, getting a pat on the back after signing a tough business deal, or acing an examination at school? 

While those can be worthy reasons to celebrate, we must remember the source of the good that has happened to us. If not, we will, usually, inevitably, be quickly reminded of that source. 

God has a knack of bringing us down to earth in a flash. That great day you had yesterday turns into a day of disasters today. We've all been there. 

Enjoy the moment. Proudly keep your head in the clouds. But know your God brings you down to earth. Make the ride a smooth one. 

Father God, as you remind us through your Word: "Though you soar like the eagle, and your nest is set upon the stars, from there I will bring you down." (Obadiah 1:4) Thank you, God, for the ride. Amen. 

TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

"Do not abandon me in time of trouble, in the midst of storms and dangers." - Sirach 51:10 

They say the pandemic is easing and the COVID threat is decreasing. They say that the inflationary pressure on the economy is reducing. They say that Ukraine is regaining ground in the conflict with Russia. They say that the number of mass shootings is improved over the past years. They say the US southern border is secure. They say that a rising number of Americans believe that the US is on the right track. 

You feel great with all of this good news. Or at least you should. After all, that's what "they say." 

But how should, or do, you feel? Do you feel like crying out, "God, where are you?" Do you feel like God has abandoned us? Do you feel like God doesn't care? 

When the priest was asked about how to stop the mass shootings in the US and throughout the world, his reply was, "It's a simple but difficult question ... God help us." 

Let us turn over all of our simple questions to a God who never abandons us in time of trouble, or in the midst of storms and dangers. 

And let us pray: God, help us. Amen. 

TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

Fear looks down, 
Worry looks around, 
Faith looks to Him. 

Where do you find yourself? With so much happening in our lives, our country, and our world of late, it's hard to keep a solid perspective. 

Am I fearful and feeling down because there is so much out of my control? 

Do I worry when around me is so much chaos and uncertainty? 

Or do I have faith in God that everything is in His power and trust that He will make all things new? 

God can fill us with joy. Joy comes when we take our eyes off our circumstances and remind ourselves of God’s eternal goodness. Jesus said we were to look at the beauty of birds and flowers and see how they are looked after… they do not worry! (Matthew 6:25-34) 

When we have fear and worry, we focus upon the problem, but when we look to God in faith, He can lift us above our circumstances and give us hope and an inner joy, even in the bleakest of times. 

Fear looks down, 
Worry looks around, 
Faith looks to Him. 

Find yourself in Him. 

TAGS: Inspiration 

 Photo by todd kent on Unsplash

"He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'" - Matthew 16:15 

Jesus, I believe that you are the Christ, 
The son of the living God, 
Fully God and fully man. 
Sent to be my Redeemer and my best friend, 
To wash away my sins, 
To live in and know the deepest places of my heart, 
And to make me worthy of a life with You everlasting. 
--SOURCE: Reflection for 02/22/2022: “Who Is Jesus To You”, The God Minute 

So, who do you say that He is? 

TAGS: Inspiration

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS 
by Portia Nelson 

I 
 
I walk down the street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk 
I fall in. 
I am lost ... I am helpless. 
It isn't my fault. 
It takes me forever to find a way out. 
 
II 
 
I walk down the same street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 
I pretend I don't see it. 
I fall in again. 
I can't believe I am in the same place 
but, it isn't my fault. 
It still takes a long time to get out. 
 
III 
 
I walk down the same street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 
I see it is there. 
I still fall in ... it's a habit. 
my eyes are open 
I know where I am. 
It is my fault. 
I get out immediately. 
 
IV 
 
I walk down the same street. 
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 
I walk around it. 
 
V 
 
I walk down another street. 

© 1977 Portia Nelson, There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery 

It's simple math: repeating destructive habits + accepting responsibility = making a positive change. 

Is there a hole in your sidewalk that is writing your autobiography? 

TAGS: Inspiration