By definition, an evangelist is a Christian who converts others. They try to persuade others to become Christian.

Billy Graham is a well-known preacher. Recently, he talked about living a life of purpose in one of his daily devotionals.

“Each generation becomes more addicted to the sedatives of life, to dull the pain of living. Oppressed by a sense of triviality and thwarted purpose, men find no great goal or commitment to draw them, and no inner stimulation to give meaning to their existence. Christ can save you from the bane of boredom,” Billy Graham writes. “He waits to give you a fresh sense of direction and to take dissatisfaction out of your life. I talked recently with a man in my own community who was converted to faith in Christ. ‘I hadn’t known what to do with my leisure time,’ he told me, ‘but now I have a sense of commitment and purpose that I never knew before.’”

Going back to my friend who said I should go into evangelism, I told them that wasn’t my calling. I want to make a difference in the lives I touch. I want to share the experiences that have taught me wisdom.

My faith is my guidebook. The Bible is my instruction manual. It’s the underlying foundation that gives me a path to follow. If I’m looking for inspiration inside the covers of something great, then my faith drives my attention.

I’ve never had an agenda. I believe in Christ and I believe in the afterlife. Yes, my deep desire is to see my loved ones come to Christ. That is my hope to see them in heaven and to be with them in eternity.

If I’m sharing some inspirational message it’s because I want to give others hope. If I’m persuading them to seek Christ then I guess one could call me an evangelist.

I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly things in this life. I’m not looking to be a hero. I only want to make a difference.

So I reflect on Billy Graham’s message when he said, “Our days are numbered. One of the primary goals in our lives should be to prepare for our last day. The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. What preparations should we be making now? The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.”

If you’re reading this, I’d like to hear from you. What is it that drives you to do what you do? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? As I write these words and share these messages, I wonder if it even makes a difference. I wonder if it really matters to the readers.

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• Book Review: Nearing Home by Billy Graham (creativepreacher.wordpress.com)

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate and honor our moms. One of the biggest ways we honor our mothers is by giving her a greeting card. Along with flowers, jewelry and taking her out to dinner, expressing love to mom on Mother’s Day is done with an encouraging word.

My mom passed away a couple of years ago so I’m not able to share these messages with her. Yet in a way, I am. By posting them online for others, in some way I’m celebrating my mother. So here’s a toast to all the wonderful moms who sacrifice daily in order to teach, cherish and love their children.

There are no perfect parents but on Mother’s Day we overlook all her tiny faults and emphasis on the great things she does for us.

Enjoy these impromptu words and inspirational poems of expression.

To Mom: Today we celebrate You; for who you are and all you do. Because of your love, I am who I am today. You willingly sacrificed yourself to give me a good life. I know it wasn’t easy but you did everything to the best of your abilities. You encouraged me when I felt uncertain. You lifted me up when I fell down. You wiped my tears and bandaged my wounds. Your love opened my heart when I felt depressed. During my darkest days, you were there.

Because you loved, I am able to love. Happy Mother’s Day.

To Mom: You were there when I graduated high school. You cheered for me in the stands when I graduated college. You called out my name when I stood in line to get my diploma. Many smiled but I was not embarrassed because you were my biggest cheerleader. You were always proud of me. If I failed a test, you would point out my strengths. You were my encourager. I want to thank you for supporting me all these years.

I want you to know how proud I am to be called your daughter. Happy Mother’s Day.

To Mom: There are no words to say how I feel. Deeply loved and cherished by a woman who knew what tough love meant. I wasn’t always the best child, but you patiently waited for me to “grow up”. When I got into trouble, you listened and offered me advice. When I broke curfew, you would wait up for me until I came home safe. You watched me when I fell from grace and you were there to pick up the pieces of my shattered life. As the days passed you stood in my shadow. Always watching with a careful eye, I know you must have been praying for me. On the day I finally realized all the hurt I caused, you forgave me. You accepted me. You never gave up on me. You always loved me.

Thank you Mom for doing all those things. For today, I am a better person. Happy Mother’s Day.

A Poem for Mom:

Walt Disney inspired us to dream big. He talked a lot about having dreams and being courageous enough to pursue them.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” he said. “When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. And one thing it takes to accomplish something is courage.”

The great animation pioneer knew the hallmark of finding something great. He had a vision and he created a lasting legacy for future generations.

It all began with a mouse but today we go inside castles, fall in love with princes and make magic with wizards. Walt Disney still inspires us. “Animation offers a medium of storytelling and visual entertainment which can bring pleasure and information to people of all ages everywhere in the world,” he said.

There are magical holograms, 3-dimensional characters and traditional family values which inspire us in Disney movies.

Andrew Schmidt publicdomainpictures.net

In a place “Where Dreams Come True,” Disney’s grand theme parks are known worldwide and referred to as the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Why; because the beauty which sprouts Disney is for all ages; from the young imaginative minds to the older innovative generations.

People are encouraged by Disney.“You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality,” he said.

Every child dreams of a fairytale place where they can be anybody they wish. Disney brought these dreams to life. Nearly every child knows a Disney character and the magic it carries in this fantastic world of make-believe. For adults, perhaps it’s a world of escape which carries us away from our problems. We don’t usually look at our problems as opportunities. In fact, we would prefer to escape them and the obstacles that stand in our way.

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me,” Disney said. “You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”

Walt Disney started making animated cartoons in 1920. Since then the progress of technology and animation has turned simple line drawings into high-definition and 3-D models. Talk about illustrative purposes. To dream or not to dream!

Disney said, “A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding. But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive.”

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing,” he said.

Everyone has their own destiny. At some point a fork in the road will present itself. What do you seek? What will you find?

Robert Frost wrote this poem, “The Road Not Taken” in which he declared he was at a crossroads and though he dared to take the path, he chose the one less travelled by.

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could”

These are the significant times in life many refer to as moments of truth. When one is tested beyond anything they can imagine. When they ask, why did this have to happen? The metaphorical crossroads may require a decision, a choice, or an assessment.  Emotions and relationships play their part. Analyzing every scenario possible before a choice is made because they want to choose wisely.

Frost recognized this when he summed up his poem.

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Faithfully walking the path ahead, one exams the points in their life where their cries are heard in the shadows. Finding significance in this life with the rewards of an afterlife disqualifies any opportunities for self-promotion.

The 23rd Psalm of David is a well-known Bible passage. This beloved Psalm is meant to comfort those in grief.  Here is a portion of this famous verse found in Psalm 23:1-4.

“The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Placing this verse here seems a little unconventional however in the search for meaning; this is where it all begins and where it will eventually end.

This is the road less travelled, with far-reaching implications. Frost’s poem presents the traveler with a choice. Which road shall you choose?

We may ask ourselves, am I like that man?

As we reflect upon Good Friday and the prayers of the prophets, I’m reminded of these inspirational quotes and teachings from my prayers and sermons.

The Bible explains that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

Through the Old Testament into the New, the prophets foretold Jesus’ death. Through the coming Messiah, God sent the one would take the place for us because “He so loved the world.”

In Isaiah 53:3-5 we read, “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

As Easter approaches, I’m reminded of my own purpose in life. How am I living? What role do I play in this life? We may convince ourselves that we are smart enough, good enough, or brave enough to run with the wolves, but it’s an illusion.

On Good Friday, we become witnesses to the greatest sacrifice there ever was. It’s the day that Christ died in atonement for our sins. He became the living sacrifice which offers us a bridge to our Heavenly Father.

Who are we that He would love us that much?

Jesus came for a purpose. He came to die so that we may live.

In this knowledge, I’m fully aware that we are all descendants from kings. We have to live this life in such a way that we stand up to be who we are in Christ.  We each have a purpose in life; a reason for being.

As we enter this holy weekend and celebrate the death and resurrection of our Savior, we can embrace His truth.

“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44-46)

Dwight L. Moody once said, “The valley of the shadow of death holds no darkness for the child of God. There must be light, else there could be no shadow. Jesus is the light. He has overcome death.”

As long as I can remember I have searched for wisdom and knowledge. In gaining such wisdom, I crave more of it. With soul searching quotes, I seek what my heart desires. In simpler terms, the more I get, the more I want, and I want more insight to gain wisdom in this life.

My heart cries for answers to life’s biggest questions. What can it teach me? What are life’s lessons?

It’s hard to explain how this affects my decision-making and the paths I choose. Yet in everything I do, I analyze the moments. How will this moment affect my future? How is this memory affecting my today?

Alan Alda once said, “You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.”

I love theories. I love exploring truths and myths. In my search for purpose and my quest for knowledge, I measure where I’ve been. It’s like what Henry David Thoreau once said, “Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”

I believe that. It’s in our darkest hours when we are forced to face our demons. When we look into the mirrors of our souls, we discover our true self.

Knowledge (Photo credit: Mister Norris)

The good work of the soul transpires every day of our existence. As long as we fight against the knowledge our soul hungers for, we will be wasting our time. Each day we are losing that time; each moment cannot be given back. What once was will never be again.

It is with this knowledge I can understand that everything happens for a reason. Where I am today is because of where I was yesterday.

Plato said, “The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things most shameful and vile.”

Soul searching demands wisdom. Soul seeking requires a thirst for knowledge about one’s purpose.

There is a saying that man cannot live by bread alone. I like to think of that as food for thought. As by gaining wisdom, I may grow in character.

Then my life will have real purpose.

There are some days when life seems too difficult to bear. When the day seems to go from bad to worse and a person just feels like letting go.

Do you ever feel like giving up?  Do you desire to escape the wounds of hurt or the pains of yesterday? 

In the song by Jaci Velasquez, “On My Knees” these words say it best.

“There I am, before the love that changes. See I don’t know how, but there’s power, when I’m on my knees.”

• When life pulls you down, then fall down on your knees, and cry out to Him.
• When you have sacrificed everything you can, get down on your knees and thank God for the blessings He has coming.
• When the skies grow dark and fear creeps in the shadows like a mist, get on your knees and ask God for strength.
• Are you feeling defeated? Ask God for strength.
• Do you need encouragement? Ask God for wisdom.
• Do you feel alone or abandoned? God is with you and He still loves you.
• Pray to Him. He is listening.

Everything happens for a purpose. How you react will either strengthen your faith or challenge it.

Whatever situation you may be facing, know that there is power when you’re on your knees.

If you’ve never prayed before, get on your knees and simply talk to God.  Prayer doesn’t have to be filled with special words or elaborate setups. Praying for strength can simply be praying to be strong.

“I can be in a crowd or by myself almost anywhere. When I feel there’s a need, To talk with God, He is Emmanuel.”

Cry out to God. He loves You. He wants the BEST for Your life.  You were designed for a great purpose. 

It is OK, to have a bad day. It is OK, to cry. It is OK, to talk to God.  He is listening. Get on your knees. Pray to your heavenly Father. He already knows your heart and every one of your needs.

There is power when you’re on your knees.

On My Knees by Jaci Velasquez

In words strung together to create a perfect blend of pictures, a writer inspires readers through the use of tension and imagination.

In the arts, with designs of visual beauty, inspiration intended by the artist is seen through their works.

In music heard over blended harmonies of instruments and vocals, inspiration is felt by the rhythms of the muse.  

Inspiration is all around us. In the beauty of nature and the works of God’s hands, nature captivates all its wondrous glory. The sound of a songbird singing outside a window can inspire. The visual works in photography and exemplified in movies can inspire one to dream.

If we look deep enough into the eyes of a child, we can see the inspiration of wonder. If we gaze at the love of our lives, we can feel the inspiration beating in our hearts.

We don’t have to be distracted by the tensions of this world to cause us to lose our sense of wonder. We can be inspired in our heart, our soul and our mind.

Inspiration is where one finds it. In the corners of our mind, in the dreams of our tomorrows, and in the visions of our soul, inspiration stirs us to be better person.

Writers are always seeking inspiration for their work. Artists are inspiring one another with the sharing of their creations. As philosophical discussions bring out inspiring minds, so too a person may become inspired by reading, listening, and developing their creative side.

As a wise person once said, inspiration may be where you least expect it.

Always be on the lookout for those discoveries which inspire. Be a source of inspiration to others who may follow.

Most of all, never give up on those dreams. The next inspiration may be waiting just around the corner.

You try one door after another, yet no one responds to your résumé. No university accepts your application. No doctor has a remedy for your illness. No buyers look at your home. Your marriage is over. Your kids have moved away.

You’ve had too many losses and it appears to get worse with each passing day.

Obstacles block your path. Roads are barricaded. Doorways are padlocked. Do you know the frustration of a blocked door?  You feel gridlocked, unable to escape.

In Max Lucado’s book, 3:16 The Numbers of Hope, he talks about the challenge of a blocked door. Lucado writes, “It’s not that our plans are bad but that God’s plans are better.”

God uses closed doors to advance his cause.

There is a familiar saying, “Do you want to hear God laugh, then show him your plans.” It’s not that God doesn’t want you to try or dream big.

He gives you the desires of your heart but His plans are bigger than we can ever imagine.

People look to fortune tellers and psychics to get answers. They want to know their future and what to expect. God wants you to trust Him. You don’t need a crystal ball for that.

Possibly that traffic jam saved you from a horrible accident. Perhaps that job didn’t call you back because it’s really not the right place for you. Maybe if you wait a little longer a better job opportunity is coming, and it is the right one.

When we struggle in life, our faith is tested. Learning to trust God is lifelong journey. There will be days your faith will be challenged. When doors will be locked and you have to wait it out.

Psalm 37:3-4 says, “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

God knows today, tomorrow, and all things that intertwine. We cannot see everything He sees and we cannot know everything He knows.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8–9

It’s not that our plans are bad but that God’s plans are better. God knows what you need. He knows your heart and He knows what’s best. Just hold on, it will get better.

Related articles

• Inspirational Quotes about Love and Life from Max Lucado (faith-dream.com)

Often times God will tear the things down that stand in His way. If we learn to let go and let Him, he will calm our fears and put us in a position to receive His blessings. Sometimes we just need to let the things of this world go dim, so we can see God in all His fullness.

By standing against the winds of change, our faith is strengthened. When we can become totally satisfied in Him, we learn to embrace His love fully. The Bible says in Philippians 4:6, “Do not anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

There’s no reason to fear the troubles that come our way, for God is in control. God says we do not need to fear for He promises to be with us. Fear is represented in the way one feels. They want to run away or hide. Jesus told us, “Fear not for I have overcome this world.”

When trials come our way, we do not need to worry. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

In life, we are bound to face problems of many kinds. How we respond to our problems reveals our character. It’s a testament of our faith. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Remember my dear friends, God is in control. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

God never changes. What He says He will do, He will do. Let God fulfill His purpose in your life which is to love you unconditionally. Allow Him to work in your life so you may be a vessel of His awesome power and love.

Whatever you may be facing, whatever problems come your way, trust God to bring you through them. Remember those footsteps in the sand? At those moments when you needed Him the most, He carried you. Hold on to that promise.