Encouragement Boost

Welcome to my first Encouragement Boost!

I want my blog to not only be a place where I post my random thoughts, but a place of encouragement. Granted, I dont always have days that are filled purely with sunshine and flowers, but that's life. So you may catch a less than encouraging post here-and-there, but for the most part I try to post things that have blessed me, uplifted me or encouraged me.

So in the future, expect blog posts titled this. Life is full of ups and downs, but this particular series of posts are focusing on either the 'ups' or things that give us something to smile at when we are in the 'downs'.

Encouragement Boost- March 27:

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him for He live with you and will be in you."
John 14:16-17

Mightily Used Misfits

When God calls you to do something whether large or small, do you feel incapable? Do feel like, in the middle of your journey when things get unsteady and hard, He may just have chosen the wrong person? Do you want to curl up in a corner and cry? Do you feel weak? Maybe even unworthy?

I've been reading a very good book lately and the author of this book quotes something Rick Warren has said which I found beyond encouraging:

"Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahad was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan women had several failed marriages, Zachaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health and Timothy was timid. That's quite a group of misfits, but God used each of them in His service. He will use you too."

Funny to look at it that way, huh? I've never really seen it in that light. I've known different people from the bible to be... well, human, but just seeing it at a glance like that encourages me!

Dont look at your inabilities and dwell in insecurities. Look at the Almighty God. See this call as the opportunity to watch Him work in you and through you.

If you are feeling discouraged in doing what you believe God has called you to do, take heart! there's hope.

You Mustn't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest! if you must---but never quit.

Life is queer, with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won if he'd stuck it out;

Stick to your task, though the pace seems slow---

You may succeed with one more blow.

Success is failure turned inside out---

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt---

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit---

It's when things seem worst that YOU MUSTN'T QUIT.

Taken from The Book of Virtues by William Bennett

"While I'm Waiting"

I've recently found a new song. A new song that I love like nothing I've ever heard. Like I'm truly serious. You know that kind where you just listen for the first time and your jaw drops open?

Wait, wait wait... I want to start this off right: GOD IS INCREDIBLE.

There are recent things that have been revealed to me that confirms a lot of things inside me. I just feel like I'm going to be doing some waiting. A considerable amount. Things are going to come slow for me, I have a feeling. In what area of life that means, I have NO IDEA. With every confirmation recently, I've been tried. Guess it's just a hard pill to swallow.
I'm usually a patient person. Generally content all the time... but occasionally impatience comes in waves. During those times it's very painful and very, very hard. I'm sure you, reader, know what I mean... you've most likely had to wait for something(s) at some point.


Well this song that I found has been playing all the time. On the computer, my iPod, in my car... it's even stalked me in a recent movie. It's like a "whoa God, I get the picture" kind of thing. Yet the words (every single word) resinates in me. I feel like I could have wrote it!

I think I've found my personal anthem for this point in my life.


The song is called 'While I'm Waiting' by John Waller. It's from his album 'Blessing'. I have it on my playlist at the bottom of this page... so it should be playing when you read this. By the time you've read this far, it's probably half done. I'd go hit repeat.



Here are the words:

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait


I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting, I will serve You
While I'm waiting, I will worship
While I'm waiting, I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait


I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait,I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

The Best Type of Makeover

Something Special From YouTube

This is one of the neatest videos I've seen. What an incredible idea.
Take the 5 minutes and watch this!

One Day To Give

Hey guys, saw this one someone's blog that I frequent. It's that lovely little green icon to the right with the yellow flower. Click on it to see the full story.

I loved the idea.

But as Christians we should be doing this constantly--- constantly giving of ourselves in the Lord's name for His glory.... and only for His glory.

But I thought this was neat that she should set aside a day to go out of our way to do something giving, thoughtful and kind.

Be blessed~

A Recent Read

I recently finished 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven' by Mitch Albom. I enjoyed it greatly. It was a sad but... fulfilling book. Reminder of the bitterness of a long life filled with unanswered questions and hatred. Sadly this man wasn't able to reconcile with some of the people he had a grudge with until the end--- or beyond.

This story shows the honorable passing of a lonely man and who he meets in heaven. The people he sits with and encounters have somehow greatly influenced the course of his life. And how his existence somehow influenced their fate. He, and sometimes them too, never knowing it at the time.

After the book was finished it showed me how lives are constantly being intertwined whether we like it or not, or know it. Somehow everything I have said and done influences someone else. I am not the only one blessed,

or harmed, by the things I do. It's not all about me.

Holy Endorphins

Ha! Right? "What's up with the title Hannah?"

Well, I believe I dubbed this post appropriately.

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to bless life-long friends by going to their home and cleaning. They aren't able to do some stuff physically and then combined with a busy schedule, it's hard to keep up. We love them to DEATH so it's our joy to be able to serve them in this way.

As I was cleaning I just kept in mind how much I loved them and why they are so special to me... and how very much this blesses them. I am a giver. My Gift is giving. If serving is a way in which I am able to give something to someone then you'll see me at the front of the line. But while I was cleaning and thinking of them some words of Jesus came to mind, John 15: 13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." That kept resinating in my head. For some reason, up until this point I thought that Jesus meant it litterally--- that I should be in the greatest love possible if I physically had the chance to give my life and die for my friend(s). Well I wasn't quite sure how that was going to happen, but to be honest I really would do it. So I was somewhat bummed that I couldn't gaurantee that experience. SO> today it struck me differently. Giving of my life could also mean giving of my time. Time is exactly what life is... it's a never-pausing clock. A song I hear on the radio says it this way "Life is an hourglass glued to the table." Therefore, it's a precious thing to give a portion of that time, that slotted amount of life you will never get back, to someone in serving.

When you run or do some strenuous activity, you're generally worked up, sweating, tired but feeling good!! As I'm sure you all remember from your middle or high school biology class that the "feeling good" part after the workout comes from endorphins. The positive effect gives you a clear, upbeat mind and more energy.

On the ride home I was reminded out-of-the-blue of ''Greater love has no one than this, that he lays down his life for his friends." Well after an all day serving venture of cleaning for these beloved people, I left feeling a bit tired, but SO good. I had a light spirit and there was a bounce to my step! This did not come from pride, mind you... I think I can safely say that. But I felt Christ's words coming to life in my heart!

The Lord blessed me with ability to taste a small portion of that love, that joy He talks about in John 15:13.

I experienced Holy Endorphins. :-)

Today's 3 Things

I get these little magazines from the National Guard called 'Hooah' about every two months... interesting name huh? Still not sure exactly how to pronounce it. lol.
I've been getting hammered with stuff from The Guard over the last year... oh the joys of growing up. ;)



This magazine has some enjoyable articles in it! I really do like it. Last night I read one that said something about making your summer great--- one portion was on finding three things in a day that make it special. Chances are you wont have those three things together in a day again, because most of the time, that 24 hours is pretty unique. For me anyways.
Well I thought that I would list 3 things... however my day pretty much just started, so I'm not sure what good I can get from it--- Maybe I'll count on stuff that I know is planned and then it gives me something to look forward to. I'm that kind of person... it helps my attitude greatly if I have something to look forward to. Is that a good thing? Is that a bad thing? I'm not sure.

So todays 3 great tidbits are:

1.) Waking up this morning

2.) Having time to read

3.) Having a friend over for dinner!

Doesnt sound too bad to me! I think I'll start doing this.. though maybe at the end of the day as a reflection.