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We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in 2008. Our children helped us celebrate with an all expense paid all arranged vacation In Hawaii.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
I have known the heights of joy and the depths of despair. The thing that kept me on my feet was the words of encouragement.
As a child, teen, college student, young married, young preacher, old preacher--all along the way, the encouragers were there lifting me up, encouraging me on.
I feel the same is true of you. Hopefully it is. However, sadly there are some in life who either are not encouraged or for some reason they are unable to respond to it.
I have made up my mind that in my final season of life I am going to be an encourager. The world needs encouragers.
My wife, my children--other family members encourage me.
Blogging friends I have never met--encourage me.
One such friend living here in the Phoenix area wanted to hear me preach. When she heard I would be preaching in September she made plans to hear me. The churche's schedule changed and I didn't preach.
At Christmas time I sent her a CD of an old sermon from the past. She sent me an email telling me that she cried when she read the note I included. She sent another email the next day saying she listened to the sermon and then later another email that she had returned to it again. Her kindness warmed an old preacher's heart and encouraged me.
I have been writing about those who have encouraged me. But what I really want is to encourage you to be an encourager. Just do it. You will always be glad you did. It's a good thing to do!
Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him
to stay strong in his faith in God.
1 Samuel 23:15
Think of ways to encourage one another...
Hebrews 10:24
24 comments:
Good post, Clif. You ARE an encourager! I pray that I am and will continue to be.
Blessings,
Joan
You are so right, Clif. The world needs encouragement. I am glad God has called you to minister to others in this way. God bless your caring heart!
Hi Cliff...you are an encourager..I've found that and I want to do that too. Mostly b/c He did that for me. Have a great weekend.
We always need encouragement to be an encourager. Thank you. I think it is a forgotten art.
Always worth the time it takes to build one another up.
A great reminder. Thank you.
In this light, let me encourage you.
You are the ultimate encourager! Thanks for the gift of encouragement you share through your blog. Your messages are inspiring, challenging, and a blessing to me!
I always have to stop and read what you write because it has such substance and value.
Much Blessings,
Virginia
What a great post, Cliff. I haven't been able to visit for quite some time, and to stop by and find this post was such a blessing. I try to be an encourager as much as I can because I, too, believe that encouragement is so necessary in today's world. There is so much negative in the world, positive encouragement is a blessing.
Clif,
You are an encourager to me, and I like to be an encourager, too. Thank you for this post!
Wow. I glimpsed this post out on FB earlier -- then had to leave. I jumped in the car, turned on the radio -- and here's that wonderful song Celion Dion dedicated to her parents:
"You saw the best there was in me."
I wonder how many times I've failed to share an "encouraging word" if someone's post contains dozens of comments ..or more -- and I presume they don't really need another?
You're right! This world needs more "builder-uppers" and lots less "presumers"!
Blessings to you and Charlotte!
Cliff, this is such an encouraging post! And you are so right, we are to be encouragers to those who are discouraged. I have a friend that every time I talk with her, she lifts me up, no matter if I am down or just sharing my heart. We all need to be that way. Thanks so much for sharing this great message.
Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com
Oh this is such an important message, Clif...I didn't know that the Bible tells us to encourage one another...wow!!!
Wishing you a Happy Sunday!
What encouraging Bible verses about encouragement :) Such a blessing, and a great reminder for us all on this sweet Spiritual Sunday. And even, dare I say it, a great encouragement for us :) :) :)
Yes, the world DOES need encouragers. I wish more people would make the decision to be one. So glad you are. I strive to be one in my circle of influence also.
I think if there is one word to describe what we need beyond love it is encouragement. It keeps us going...we need to give to others and allow others to give it back to us..then they also recieve a blessing.. My first husband discouraged and my soul hurt. My now husband encourages and my heart is healed.. God bless.
Hi Clif,
I think it is far better for me to encourage someone than to speak words that offer no hope. You're right, we all want to be encouraged.
I pray that the Lord will give me the right words to say that encourage someone.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
What a lovely post. My sister, Karen @ Lily Valley, and I always enjoy the uplifting, encouraging words of both you and Charlotte. We were fortunate to have Godly, encouraging parents. Through blogging, and especially through Spiritual Sundays, we are meeting new folks who encourage and pray for us through the good and the bad times. Thank you for the prayer, time and thought it takes to keep your blog and comments up. I greatly appreciate your insight.
This is beautiful advise. You and Charlotte have always encouraged Wayne and I both,thank-you for that.
God Bless,
Ginger
"I have made up my mind that in my final season of life I am going to be an encourager." I just love this...what a wonderful thing to pusue. I'm going to be thinking about this one for awhile...thank you.
Thank you for your words of encouragement through your blog. Im new here and found you through Spiritual Sunday hop. Im so excited to find this place and to read your blog as well as many other up lifting and encouraging thought provoking words from the heart of each blogs I have had the delight to fall upon this beautiful Sunday evening. I look forward to reading your blog some more. Ble blessed and thank you for your words.
Thanks for that great post, Cliff. Blessings ~
So wonderful to be encouraged by someone but sweeter still to be used by the Lord to encourage another.
Blessings to you.
You call it encouraging, I call it sheltering...same action, different name. It's my passion and my life work. You have sheltered me with your words in the short time I have been reading your blog.
That is so sweet. We should all be an encourager.
Awwww! How wonderful that you took the time to send your friend the CD of your old sermon.
Thank you for sharing.
Oftentimes we respond to another person, during a conversation, not realising that we have encouraged them in someway.
May the fruit of our lips, encourage and edify others, daily.
God Bless
Amen! The world does indeed need more encouragers. Your post has encouraged me. You have encouraged me to be an encourager:)
Thank you!
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