perspective

Messages From a Hope Filled Heart…

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Day 16

Sending Christmas cards seems to be a dying art, much like writing in cursive and sending a handwritten thank you. Call me “old school,” but I can’t seem to bring myself to stop the tradition. The format may change; maybe it’s a “family letter” one year, and maybe it’s a photo card the next, but it’s still a little note to those we love and care about to tell them we’re thinking of them. And maybe the cost of stamps and cards goes up, and maybe it’s not feasible for everyone to do the same. And that’s certainly okay, too.


But for this season that can get so chaotic and the meaning become lost in the gifts, wrapping, and extra parties, let us all take a moment to send out our love. Let us take a second to tell someone we’re thinking of them. Let us step back from our busy agendas and take a moment to reach out to someone, particularly those bereaved, broken, or alone, to tell them we still care.

Care doesn’t have to be displayed in lights and glitter. Kindness doesn’t have to be portrayed in extravagance or expense. Sometimes, it’s a hug, a smile, a gentle touch.


Our words matter. Our presence matters. And our thoughtfulness means even more. During this season, may we be the Body of Christ He’s called us to be. ❤️


Ps. Notice came: my cards are late…wouldn’t you know it? 🤦‍♀️🙄😂

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

Proverbs 31:26

He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:17-19

Messages From A Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Day 15

Finally got the ornaments on the tree (not pictured). Every piece is a memory, a moment, a milestone, a memento of a time passed, a person gone home, or the little lives we’ve raised who are now grown. This year, it took me longer to want to put them on the tree. Felt a little too melancholy everytime I thought about it, and I just waited till the day felt right. So, today rolling into the second week of December, I decided there’s no better time than the present.
Put on some Christmas tunes and got to work. Now sitting here by the fire before I go to sleep, Bing Crosby is singing, I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and it lends my thoughts to all the soldiers who are all over the world, away from their loved ones and their homes. I think of those in the war-torn areas, wondering if they’ll ever see home again. And I think of so many who have already had to say goodbye to family, friend, or foe and will never take another breath.
My heart is thankful for the goodness of my God. I am grateful for His grace, His love, and His peace. And I’m praying for all to come to know Him, to find healing, to find hope, and to find the eternal joy and peace that only He can bring. ❤️
…Share the good news with someone this Christmas season. You never know what a difference it might make…

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do theylight a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

Messages From a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Day 14

Becoming Me

Sometimes, we step into the dark; so, we can find our way into the light. It’s not that the dark was where we wanted to be; yet, because of the dark, the light was easier to see. And the light was more welcoming when we saw that we were surrounded by the dark.

When we’ve emerged from the dark, often we find a new person has come forth as well. The old is gone; sometimes, never to be seen again. And a new awareness, a fresh vision, and a whole different perspective has been born.

Not because we planned it this way, but when you’ve gone into the deep and survived, it changes you. You discover who you really are and who you are not.

And you realize who He is, and how much He loves you. You acknowledge how much you need Him and how with Him, you’ll never again be alone.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

1 Peter 2:9-10

Messages From a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 13

Be Like Sam.

Maybe the holidays bring undue stress and anxiety to your heart.

Maybe Thanksgiving doesn’t feel like much of a thankful time but rather a time filled with angry words and heartless deeds.

Maybe Thanksgiving is more of a forgotten time of year, just as you feel neglected, alone, and wearisome.

I challenge you to look up.

Look up beyond the turmoil and strife.

Look up beyond the discouragement of your heart.

Step into the great outdoors and breathe in the beauty. Stand beside a waterfall until the rushing roar is all you hear. Sit on the seashore with the wind against your skin until the sun’s warmth is all you feel and the salt air is all you taste.

There will be troublesome times and even worse, troubled people along your path.

But don’t let these stop you from your purpose and your destiny.

Strive to see more. Strive to be more.

And never give up.

It might be a shire that is your end, but with the right choice, an eternal eternity can be, and that is greater than you could ever imagine.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:20-21

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 7

They Say Silence is Violence.

Then, they want to rage when you speak anything other than with what they agree…

As believers in Christ:

Let us never remain silent when a life is at stake.

Let us never speak quietly among friends when the person in danger cannot hear our warning.

Let us never turn a blind eye when a child of innocence is in peril.

Let us never nod and turn our back to the helpless being attacked.

May we stand firm for Truth.

May we stand tall for Integrity.

May we stand solid in convictions.

May we stand unwavering in the face of persecution.

Our fight for Truth, freedom, and the preservation of everything good may not always be popular.

But let us never give in, never give up and never walk away from the fight of faith to which He has called us.

Lives are on the line and precious souls can be lost when we do.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Matthew 9:36-38

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 4

My thoughts for today…

What unsettles you? What brings you panic? What brings chaos to your mind?

What disheartens you? What brings you deep sorrow? What brings you guttural pain?

What creates apathy within? What brings aloofness? What brings neglect and avoidance to your soul?

The answers to these question can be found more in your actions rather than your words. As the old adage goes, “Words are cheap…. (But) Actions speak louder than words.”

Seek out those answers with passion. And then, turn to the One who can bring peace that surpasses all understanding. He can settle all that unsettles you.

…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Day 3

Where is your hope today?

Where is your promise?

Is it in the stock market, your bank account, or you job?

Is it in your friendships, your families, or your loves?

Or is it in your education, your wisdom, or your intellect?

All these things will pass away on this earth. All these things will be in vain.

If you will but trust in the One who created all things.

If you will but trust in the One who gave you breath and strength to breathe.

He will be all you need. ❤️

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:7-8

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Day 2

My thoughts for the day…
If we are to be Salt & Light, how salty and how bright should we be? Salt cures food from rottenness (dying). A light shines to dispel the darkness. If we are to be Salt & Light in this lost, dying and dark world, we may need to evaluate our hearts and our intent.

If our intent is to live without conflict, peace with everyone, never causing a stir, we may be serving the wrong God. Jesus was so bold and told so many of their wrong that they killed Him just to get Him to shut up.


Salt can bring life, flavor, and enjoyment to a midday meal. It can also be bitter, irritate and bring sting to a wound, but it will bring healing through the pain. Light can bring comfort, strength, and clarity to eyes in a darkened room. It can also be glaring, burning, and explosive to those same eyes when concealment is desired.


May we be the Salt & Light that brings life, that brings healing, that brings strength, and ultimately, brings redemption and hope to a lost and dying soul.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

Messages from a Hope Filled Heart…

/ The WheatandTares

Starting a new blog “series,” if you will, with thoughts and messages that I hope will stir your own heart. I hope these will challenge your thinking, convict your heart when needed, and deepen your search for truth. Our world needs hope, and I’ve found the One who can give it. I hope you will indulge me while I introduce Him to you… ❤️

Day 1

The message of my heart this morning…
To gloat or to groan today exposes the character of our heart. To have withdrawal or move toward action in this era exposes the intent of our purpose. Apathy, anger, or adoration toward our King in this moment exposes the very foundation upon which we stand.


May we, as Christians, be who He called us to be. We are to pray and to put our faith into action that many may know Him so that our God may be glorified. We are to pray for our city that it may prosper. We are to pray for our leaders that their hearts may be turned toward our King.


May we praise Him today for what He’s done, celebrate what He’s doing, and give Him glory for what He’s yet to do! He is a GREAT God who was and is and is to come!


Let us now not grow comfortable or neglective of the assignment He has given us. We are called to walk out our faith in action that our testimony may be evident to those who would believe. May we bust through the gates of hell fervently, and may we set the captives free by His power alone. We’ve been silent and distracted for too long. It is time for the Church to be the Church.


May we bless our neighbor, bless our nation, and bless our God as we join shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand to fight the good fight of faith!! It’s not time to take a break.
We’ve got work to do. ❤️🇺🇸❤️

Numbers 6:24-26:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Funny Friday

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments
For all my LOTR fans out there!