Archives for November 2010

A Winner…And Some Early Thanksgiving

Before I announce the winner of my Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway, let me say thank you, merci, and gracias to each one of my subscribers! I appreciate you guys so much. I appreciate your interest in Life Notes, and I’m deeply thankful that you’ve chosen to support me and help me along in my writing journey by helping to build my subscriber list. That’s a gift I don’t take lightly. So again, thank you!

Now for the winner of the $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble. The lucky subscriber is Heather H.! Congratulations, Heather! I’ll get the gift card to you as soon as possible. Hope you enjoy!

As we think about appreciation and gratitude today, would you join me in thanking the Lord for the blessings He pours into our lives day by day? His are gifts we shouldn’t take lightly, aren’t they? Be blessed by the reading of His Word:

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand 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 the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care…” Psalm 95:1-7

*Flickr photo by woodleywonderwork

*If you missed signing up for Life Notes, it’s not too late to get the current issue. Sign-up is to the right. Thanks!

The Grandstands

True to our own little tradition, Don and I went to the movies on Halloween. This year we saw Secretariat and joined thousands, past and present, who have watched victory unfold from the grandstands. Couple this inspiring story of a triple crown winner with the movie’s amazing and moving musical score, and you feel like you’re there, one of many pulling for the big, red horse to win it all.

I couldn’t help but notice one young moviegoer who was so engrossed in the story playing out before us that she nearly came out of her chair with excitement during the last race segment. Sitting in front of us and down a few seats, she rocked on the edge of her chair in time to the beat of Secretariat’s hooves. She was determined to help him win — as were the many who were really in the stands that day.

The energy and cheers of the fans undoubtedly provided Secretariat with the extra measure of inspiration and determination needed to gain the victory. And when the victory was won in such an amazing fashion, the grandstands erupted in unbridled cheers. Not only did the fans earnestly pull for Secretariat, they rejoiced wildly in his victory.

A scripture passage from Hebrews tells us that we, too, are surrounded by such a throng as we run the race of life. People are in the grandstands for us. Yes, folks are pulling for us. Not only those who know and love us, but the scripture refers to those who have gone on before us. What a powerful thought — the hosts of heaven pulling for us, willing us to do our best and then rejoicing in our victories.

Anyone in need today of an extra measure of inspiration and determination as you run life’s race? Close your eyes and envision the grandstands around you. Remember they’re filled with people who want to see you win. Do you hear the cheers? Let them spur you on to victory. Press on. Give it your best!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Flickr photo by Ryan Bjorkquist, Creative Commons License

*The Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway deadline is this Sunday. Details are in my Oct. 10 post and sign-up is to the right. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!