Pressing On—Rain or Shine

April 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment

I admit it. I’d rather be out running around on a sunshiny day than dodging puddles and trying to keep my glasses spot-free on a dreary, rainy day. I’ve been known to avoid water rides at theme parks too. I guess I just don’t like getting wet.

But while I may stay holed up singing rain, rain, go away, I’ve noticed that our feathered friends don’t let a few showers get them down or sway them from their tasks.

As long as the weather is not severe and even though they may get a little wet-for-the-wear, I still see birds out and about, singing and faithfully taking care of business—flying, looking for food, eating, working, and patrolling their territory among other things. Yes, they continue on.

Could the same be said for us when the showers of life come raining down? Do we continue on or do we easily get discouraged and pull back or even pout and give up?

Let’s consider some things that might discourage us from pressing on with our work, our personal growth and goals, or our walk of faith.

The answers might be different for you, but for me as a writer, I’ve been tempted to give up when I experience rejection or when the things I must do to compete in the industry overwhelm me. I’ve also gotten derailed by the distractions and demands of life, burn-out, lack of support, and weariness or other physical problems. Just like anyone else, I’ve gone through periods of discouragement.

As I consider these culprits of discouragement to my writing life, I see that some of these same factors also hamper me in my personal and spiritual pursuits. It’s hard to stay enthused when I don’t feel well or when too many demands clamor for my attention or when I feel alone. On the spiritual front, I’m also impacted by feelings of failure when I sin or when the enemy uses ongoing tactics to defeat me. I bet you experience some of these same kind of struggles.

Will we let circumstances or setbacks dampen our enthusiasm and keep us holed up singing rain, rain go away, or will we faithfully continue taking care of business? Let’s not be afraid to get wet. Let’s press on—rain or shine.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV

*What do you do to battle discouragement?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash

Filed Under: challenge, determination, discouragement, enemy, faith, faithfulness, fighter, goal, growth, life, perseverance, rain, shower, temptation, trial, work, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Refreshing Signs of Life

April 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Spring has officially sprung. Signs of life are everywhere—and oh, how refreshing that is!

When looking for signs of life, naturally we notice the big ones first. Grass turning green, weeds attempting their annual takeover of our lawns, and leaves as well as a variety of beautiful blossoms adding color once again to the landscape of our neighborhoods. In fact, we get giddy over green this time of year. And, of course, warmer temperatures beckon us out the door every chance we get. Oh yes, delicious spring is here.

If we look a little closer, other signs of life are stirring as well. Have you noticed birds beginning their nesting rituals? After gathering as much dried grass as they can hold in their beaks or finding the longest straw-like weeds they can maneuver through the air, they take flight to the perfect spot they’ve chosen for their coming chicks. Just one more wonder of nature. Just another sign of life.

But no matter the season, signs of life are always around us. Even in winter, we spot smoke rising from a neighbor’s chimney. Someone’s living and moving and breathing inside those four walls. We know someone’s home. We see the evidence.

Unfortunately, sometimes we can see no signs of life. A plant or tree we’ve tended goes brown. We watch for green that never comes. A momma bird faithfully sits on eggs week after week, finally giving up and abandoning her labor of love that never hatched. The ER doctor, desperate to give the waiting family good news, works feverishly to get a heartbeat and see his patient’s chest rise with renewed breath. But alas, no signs of life.

Beyond the signs of life we see in our physical world, what signs of life should we see across the spiritual landscape of our lives? What evidence of the life of Jesus can people see in us?

Can others tell by simply watching us that the Lord is at home in us? Do they see him living and moving in us? Are they able to witness compassion, unconditional love, and forgiveness when they look our way? Will they catch a whiff of joy or gentleness or peace when they draw near?

When others stop to consider us, may they always find evidence of Jesus living in us. No matter the season, may they always find signs of life. Signs of his life.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

*How have you seen Jesus in someone lately?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo

Filed Under: appearance, change, color, creation/creative/creator, faith, forgive, growth, hope, joy, kindness, life, love, miracle, nature, new thing, peace, poem, refresh, shine, signs, spring Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Not Immune to the Enemy’s Schemes

March 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment

copyright paul.friel@gmail.com

*I wrote this post over a decade ago and am so grateful I’m not struggling in this particular area as much as I did then. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still susceptible to doubt at times. You too? Maybe this post will help some of us struggling today with any trap set by the enemy of our souls. May it be so, Lord!

After all these years of knowing and walking with God, you’d think I’d be immune. Immune to moments of doubt. Immune to thoughts that slither their way into my mind and whisper it all seems too good to be true.

Slither is an apt word here, isn’t it? After all, the author of those kinds of doubting thoughts is the old serpent himself—our enemy Satan. He likes to cause God’s children to doubt. He’s been doing it from the beginning, ever since he ensnared Eve in the Garden of Eden. Remember how he said, “Did God really say . . .” (Genesis 3:1 NIV)

Essentially that’s what he says to me when he plants insidious seeds of doubt in my mind. Did God really say he knows every bird in the mountains, that not one sparrow falls to the earth apart from his will? How is that possible? Did he really say he’s numbered the hairs of your head? How can he know billions of people on earth that intimately? Is he really preparing a home for you in heaven? Doesn’t everything you believe seem a little too good to be true?* (see scripture references below)

In truth, when I look at everything from my own human understanding, these things are too good to be true. I can’t wrap my finite mind around the vastness and power of God. I’m sure this is one reason we’re told in Proverbs to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to lean not on our own understanding (3:5). I don’t know about you, but I can get into trouble when I lean on my own understanding, limited as it is.

And so, as the Word exhorts me to do, I “live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV) I “remember the wonders he has done” (Psalm 105:5 NIV) and how he has shown himself real in my life. I trust that “All Scripture is God–breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV), and then I put on the armor of God and “take [my] stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11 NIV). I am not immune to the traps of the enemy so I must do battle.

Are there are other areas—traps other than doubt—where I’m still susceptible as well? Most definitely. I suppose as long as there is breath in this human body of mine, I will not be immune to falling into sin.

It helps to be on guard, though. It helps to know my weaknesses and to be ready for the unsuspecting darts of temptation the evil one lobs at me. I’ve also got to remember that he’s not above trying to trip me up in ways I’d never think I’d fall.

What about you? Are their areas of your life where you’re not immune? Are you on guard against the devil’s schemes?

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV

*Psalm 50:11; Matthew 10:29-30; John 14:3

*What are some ways you guard yourself against the enemy?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

Filed Under: encouragement, enemy, faith, fighter, growth, help, learn, life, old, preparation, protection, sin, temptation, trick, trust, Word of God Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Allowing Need to Birth Bravery

March 4, 2025 by 4 Comments

I remember one late February several years ago when I noticed our neighborhood cardinals needed an ice storm to bring out their bravery. I usually see them feeding only on the ground under my backyard feeder, but since ice covered the fallen birdseed that winter day, they were forced to take drastic action. They had to brave the feeder’s little ledges.

Cardinals have trouble balancing on such tiny ledges. It’s easier and safer for them to scavenge for food that drifts to the ground while smaller birds feed. They don’t often land on the feeder. They go straight for the ground. Straight to where they know they’ll find an easy meal.

But on the day of the ice storm, a sheet of ice and sleet covered their fast food. They still scoured the ground for nourishment but evidently weren’t satisfied. Their need inspired bravery. They ventured up to the ledges and hung on for dear life, flapping their wings wildly as they tried to balance themselves. Kudos to the cardinals for leaving the safe confines of their comfort zone to try a riskier solution.

Can you think of a situation in your life when need gave birth to bravery? I’ll never forget the time years ago when my mother-in-law’s life depended on getting her to the Mayo Clinic. The plans we had for her transportation fell through at the last minute, and since I was the only family member available to take her at the time, I was forced into drastic action.

I hated the thought of going alone so I talked my then-fourteen year old daughter Kelli into coming with us. So with an elderly woman—who could collapse at any moment—riding in the backseat and a teenager without a driver’s license riding shotgun, I pointed the car north and took off.

For the next two weeks, I not only stepped outside my comfort zone, I lived outside my comfort zone. I felt nervous and unsure of myself much of the time, but I had to meet the challenges head on. My mother-in-law’s need pushed me to bravery.

What about the needs in our lives today? Will we let them inspire us to boldness and bravery? Are we ready to take drastic action if that’s what’s called for? Is it time to push outside our comfort zones? Let’s do it. Let’s allow need to birth bravery.

“. . .‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. . .’” 1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV

*When has a need or desperate situation pushed you to boldness or bravery?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is FREE! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo

Filed Under: behavior, bravery, challenge, encouragement, fear, food, life, memories, nature, opportunity, snow, winter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Learning and Growing: Developing An Eye

February 18, 2025 by 2 Comments

One winter morning over a decade ago, I discovered something exciting. I was doing it! I was developing an eye for taking better photos!

How could I tell? Certain hallmark signs were there. I’d been spotting good light or noticing great vantage points. I’d been focusing on color but noticing backgrounds and striving for centered shots. I was giving attention to detail. (Notice the morning light and winter trees behind the icicles in the shot I took above that day? I didn’t even realize how cool that would look until after I took the picture. I was concentrating mainly on the icicles and got a shot with a bokeh effect before I even knew what that was!)

It’s important to note that developing an eye doesn’t happen by accident—in photography or other endeavors. By that winter, I’d invested time in taking lots of shots. I had endured the dross before the gold. And of course in the process, I had ended up with a lot more dross than gold.

At the same time, though, I’d benefited in several ways from taking time out for wonder while taking a host of photos. Not only was I becoming more adept at capturing better pictures, but I’d been energized by my new pursuit and had also grown more appreciative of the beautiful world God’s given us.

The concept of developing an eye certainly carries over into other areas of our lives as well. Consider the spiritual realm. Do we notice spiritual applications to things that we see or experience in our everyday lives? (Writing blog posts has helped me develop an awareness for this.) Do we spot God at work in people or situations or can we see him in the background? Do we notice when people are hurting or in need but also pick up on their joys?

If we don’t feel like we’re actively developing a spiritual eye, we can take steps to remedy that. Remember, developing an eye doesn’t happen by accident.

We need to invest time—time in learning to think in spiritual ways. We do this as we read, study, and meditate on God’s Word and as we talk with him. Talking with others about spiritual truths will also spur us on in our growth. And when we notice hurts or joys of others and interrupt our lives to share in what they’re going through, we’ll continue to develop that eye for spiritual things.

So what do you say? Let’s be people who continue to develop and grow in our lives, whether it be in our walk with the Lord or the pursuit of our interests and skills. Let’s continue to develop an eye!

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” 1 Peter 2:2 NIV

*What interest or skill are you developing an eye for?

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out earlier this month. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo

Filed Under: accident, advice, change, color, creation/creative/creator, determination, focus, growth, learn, life, light, perseverance, photo fun, preparation, signs, success, talent, time, victory, vision, winter Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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