Category Archives: Encouragement

Jul22

Pink Peace Reflection

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Victory Lake Sunset Reflection

Victory Lake Sunset Reflection

I captured this beautiful scene at sunset one evening in my neighborhood.  As I watched the vision unfold, I felt as though I were being tenderly swaddled a soft, pink blanket of heavenly peace.  God’s artwork never fails to speak to my soul.   Make time today to watch the sun rise or set and see for yourself!

Psalm 113:3

3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Jul13

Cling to God for your Help

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Psalm 63:7-8 (New International Version)

7 Because you are my help,
       I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 My soul clings to you;
       your right hand upholds me.

 

No matter what you may be going through, remember that God is your Help. Allow your soul to Cling to Him and His word for your guidance, wisdom, counsel, protection, provision, healing, deliverance, shield, refuge, fortress, and peace. He promises to be all these things and more for His Children.

Sing in the Shadow of His Wings!

Jun22

Everything

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This is an amazing song by Tim Hughes…I’ve heard it many times before, but this weekend I happened to focus on the words to the song.  Listen and Read the lyrics as you watch the breathtakingly beautiful photographs of God’s creation.  Let the words really sink in.  “Be my Everything!!” 

Jun22

Brand New Ending

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Though no one can go back and make a brand new start,

 

Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. 

~Author Unknown

 

22 “The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
      His mercies never cease.
 23 Great is his faithfulness;
      his mercies begin afresh each morning.
 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
      therefore, I will hope in him!”

Lamentations 3:22-24 


 

Jun19

How do you say Encourage?

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To Encourage:

 

E nhearten

N ~spire

C heer

O ffer hope

U plift

R ender favor

A nimate

G ive confidence

E mbolden 

 

MyPersonal definition of Encouragement

is “to inspire with Heavenly Hope.”

However you choose to define it, find a

way to encourage someone today!   

Jun18

Poem: Eyes that are Unseen

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Eyes that are Unseen

 

Let me see, with eyes that are unseen,

The window into my soul.

 

Let me love with a heart that does not feel

The scars from life’s battles.

 

Let me think with a mind that is wise

In lessons from above.

 

Let me hope with a spirit that is free,

And anchored in God’s care.

 

Let me shine with a heavenly glow

By reflecting the One who is Light.

 

cbrown.cooksey


Jun16

Kindness

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You cannot do a kindness too soon,

For you never know how soon it will be too late.    
       

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Apr10

The Light of the World…

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Universal Light by c.BrownCooksey

When Jesus spoke again to the people he said,

“I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of  life.”

John 8:12

When the backdrop of my life is darkest, the light of Jesus shines at its brightest.  I trust in His promise that I will never walk in darkness if I will simply follow Him.  He lights the path ahead of us so we can see how to live.  He removes the darkness of sin from our lives.  When we follow Jesus, the True Light, we avoid walking blindly through life.  The “light of life” is ever present and infused into my soul.  Is He the light of YOUR world?

Mar19

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands!

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seabird-over-lake-tahoe

 

For the Lord is the Great God…

In His Hands are the Depths of the Earth,

And the Mountain Peaks Belong to Him.

The Sea is His for He made it,

and His hands formed dry land.

Psalm 95: 3-5

When I read the verses above, I had to review them over and over again to try and fully grasp the magnitude of God.  Most of us have sung the song, “He’s got the whole world in His hands…,” but have we ever really stopped and thought about the real truth in those words?  These verses tell us that He has the depths of the earth in His hands.  In other words, the earth and EVERYTHING in the earth are in His hands.  The mountains and the sea and dry land belong to Him…He formed it all with His hands.  Sometimes my view of God’s greatness is limited to my human capacity to understand His attributes.  Even though I may not comprehend the amazing power and wisdom of God, I do know that He also has me in the palm of His hand…He knows my name, and it is carved in the palm of His hand.  He knows every intimate detail about me and has known me before I was formed in my mother’s womb.  The same God who created the Earth and everything in it, knows me and loves me with his ever-lasting love….truly, “The Lord is the Great God!”

Feb10

Reflections

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Chapel Reflection

As Water Reflects a Face,

So a Man’s Heart Reflects the Man.

Proverbs 27:19

 

This week I attended two Memorial Services on the same day….a first for me.  As I sat and listened at both services, I thought about the words which were spoken for each precious soul.  Both ladies were wonderful Christian people, and both served God throughout their lives in their own special ways.  Each ulogy reflected upon a life of ministry and love.  The first service was for a beloved 93-year-old grandmother, whose Homegoing was more of a celebration than a typical funeral.  Yes, there were tears, but at the same time, there was rejoicing over the fact that she was in her new Heavenly Home, reunited with loved ones and awaiting the arrival of those left behind.  Family members all spoke of the legacies she left for them.  Not material possessions, but things that truly matter like character, work ethic, hospitality, perseverance, loyalty and love. 

  The other service was for a beloved teacher and coach at my sons’ school.  Her life cut short by complications of surgery.  Though she never had children of her own, the evidence of her love for children was seen in the faces of the hundreds of students who attended her service and in the words of several athletes who spoke of her impact upon their lives.    She seemed to be the kind of person who made everyone’s life better, just by knowing her.   Although her life ended too soon, her legacy will live on in the students, athletes, family members and friends who were privaledged to know her. 

     After hearing about the positive imprint these two women have left on so many hearts, I began to think about what impressions I am making on those who are closest to me.  What legacy am I leaving for others?  What are  my heart and my life “Reflecting?”  After spending this extraordinary day traveling to attend two funerals, I feel the need to pause and take account of how I am spending my time, what are my priorities, in whom am I “investing,”  whose lives am I blessing, and what type of “inheritance” am I leaving for those around me?  Our days are numbered, and we have no guarantee of living a long, full life.  I hope to be making every day count and fulfilling the purposes to which I am called.  I hope to be “reflecting” things from my heart and life that will make other lives better for having known me.