In writing I have tried to be genuine, humble, and open to listening and learning from God. I also try to put the advice into practice by God’s grace and power. As a reader I hope you approach these notes the same way. I pray they bless you and inspire you to become all God has designed for you to be and to do for his glory. He believes in you and wants the best for you. So do I. The most valuable gift I can give is to build you and others up and to help you draw near to God through Jesus. In time I hope God becomes your closest friend, your brightest future, and your deepest love.
Your friend and teacher,
Greenelsh
041 Choose Jesus
It never ceases to amaze me how God causes things to grow. He gives us the ingredients like seed, soil, sun, and water, we put in some work, and he creates something good, beautiful, and beneficial. Jesus told of this agricultural process in a parable to challenge...
040 Give Up Everything to Gain Life’s Treasure
When my grandmother passed away a few years ago we held several garage sales to find new homes for her belongings which didn't go to family members. Some customers at the garage sales were just looking as a hobby and pastime and some shopped with the intent to resell...
039 Learn from Trials
I recently saw a cute and encouraging animation, titled "The Present" by Jacob Frey. The video is well done and it has a touching story. The boy and the dog both experienced difficulty, but they grew from it. I'm hoping the same for you. C.S. Lewis, the well known...
038 Rely on God in Prayer
Do you pray much--for yourself, others, your relationships, your education, your future, or your walk with God? Prayer from those who trust God is powerful and effective, because God works through it (James 5:16). He changes hearts and circumstances in response to...
037 Rejoice in the Middle
I'm headed to the California Mid-State fair today. I haven't been by for years. People there know me as R.C. and B.B. But really it stands for Ranchero Caballero and my side-saddle chihuahua, Baked Beans. It's always a special moment to hear our names announced in the...
036 Be Assured
At various times I share scripture passages which have helped me at different points in my life. Here is another one that has been meaningful. Hopefully it will encourage you right now. Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. It speaks of the love...
035 Fly Sure
Are you like a butterfly? Strong and beautiful in many ways, but also fragile. Fragility seems like a weakness, but it can be a good thing if you are open, available, teachable and rely on God to let his power work through your weakness. Like a butterfly rising...
034 Pursue Life, Liberty, and Happiness in God
I don't know if you have to work today or not, but I hope your fourth of July is going well. Although our country faces many challenges and we have a lot to improve, we still have much to thank God for about America. I think one thing that makes our country great is...
033 Know That God Is Able
I didn't get a chance to finish one more thought related to my text yesterday about letting God drive. One of the wonderful aspects of trusting God in faith is that he is able to take care of us no matter what. (In fact yesterday he spared us from being too close to...
032 Let God Drive
Right now we're crawling in bumper to bumper traffic on interstate highway I-5 on the way to San Diego for my niece's wedding. Sometimes life feels like traveling a highway (remember the song in Pixar's Cars? I haven't seen Cars 3 yet). Sometimes we drive so fast we...