Category: reflections

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Mother Teresa reflections religion United States world

Mitch’s Reflection: Mother Teresa’s “Do It Anyway”

I noticed the following poem on the wall at an office one day, and it brought many things into perspective. This poem has circulated throughout the world. I hope that the following words may be a blessing for you, too.

“Do It Anyway”

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

– Mother Teresa
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Bible God's sovereignty reflections United States

Mitch’s Reflection: Nature reflects God’s sovereignty

Less than 24 hours ago, I was enjoying a lovely, summer-like day. It was 71 degrees; I drove to a shopping center in another city. My car windows were down, music pumping. And everyone else seemed to enjoy it, too. Sandals, flip flops, short sleeves, shorts adorn those who walked from store to store, soaking in their daily dose of Vitamin D.

Today, however, is a different story. It’s not 71 degrees, the wind is howling, there are occasional power surges and snow is falling. Ice forms on the window pane. Many may ask, “Why is there a sudden temperature change, and why should there be snow on what is supposed to be the first day of spring?”
I ask myself that question as I laid awake this morning in bed, and my thoughts were interrupted with this idea – God is sovereign! “Sovereign?” I thought. What does that mean and what does God have to do with the change of weather?
According to Merriam Webster dictionary, sovereign means “one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere.”  However, according to Theopedia, God’s sovereignty is “the biblical teaching that all things are under God’s rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the counsel of His own will (see Ephesians 1:11).” 
There are so many biblical references that refer to God’s sovereignty, but these two stick out most in my mind: Psalm 22:27,28: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before Thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and he rules over the nations.”
Deuteronomy 32:39: “See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me; it is I who puts to death and gives life. I have wounded, and it is I who heals; and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.”
Incredible! Even in the midst of nature, God is in control. We may not understand the logic behind such changes (good or bad), but we benefit in viewing the wonders and power behind what is known as God’s majestic creation.
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Bible God reflections religion secret

Mitch’s Reflections: The Secret

The following poem was given to me at a Bible study group meeting, and it blessed me. Perhaps it will bless you, too. 🙂

The Secret
I met God in the morning
When the day was at its best,
And His presence came like sunrise
Like glory within my breast.

All day long the presence lingered,
All day long he stayed with me;
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed;
But the winds that seemed to drive them
Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With His presence left behind,

So I think I know the secret
Learned from many a troubled way,
You must seek God in the morning
If you want Him through the day.
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CD gospel jazz music reflections United States

Mitch’s Reflection: Bil Carpenter Presents “An Uncloudy Christmas”

If you’ve enjoyed the book “Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia” by Bil Carpenter, music journalist and co-founder of Capital Entertainment, then you will enjoy the compilation “An Uncloudy Christmas.”

The 12-track compact disc features artists Bryan Wilson, Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels, Ann McCrary, Candi Staton, Richard Hartley, Markas Nair and Carpenter ending things country style with title single “Uncloudy Christmas.”

Opening with “The Savior Has Come,” Wilson presents such a feel-good house of prayer shout band style that it’s hard not to clap your hands a few times. Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels presents traditional gospel style tracks “The Angels Watching Over Me” and “I Just Want to Thank Him.” McCrary brings a modern touch to the compilation with the jazzy “Remember Not to Forget Jesus.”

In “An Uncloudy Christmas,” there is a song to fit any fan’s musical taste or holiday mood, and each artist does a fine job of presenting the true meaning of the holiday season.

Editor’s Note: Review CD was provided by Capitol Entertainment.

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reflections

Mitch’s Reflection: All Things Are Possible

To address any storms that may be swirling in your life, I post this song for you today. It’s amazing to know that we have a Comforter to come to, who understands our storms and who can grant us peace.

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God prayer reflections

Mitch’s Reflection: A Prayer of Thanks


Saw this in a little devotional book I have called “Enjoying God Who Satisfies.” It touched me because in the midst of always asking God for certain things, there is a time where we all should simply give him thanks for the little things in our lives.

“A Prayer of Thanks”
Dear Lord God,
just as I am I come to you:
when my mind is battered with worries;
when my spirit aches with loneliness and hurt;
when my heart grieves for those I love;
when my body is weary with tiredness and pain.
I come to you.
You always receive me.
You shelter me in the storm;
you love and heal me;
you pour out your Spirit like rain on my dry soul.
You satisfy my every need.
Thank you, O Lord God.

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hymn reflections religion song

Mitch’s Reflection: “Yes, Lord”

I was viewing this video on YouTube and listening to the song “Yes Lord” took me all the way back to those times, singing acappella as a little girl at my grandfather’s church in the country. It’s a song that no way how one sings it, it was always heartfelt, linking generations to generations. I still get emotional hearing it. May this excerpt bless you today as much as it has blessed me.

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