How's your day?

Hello my name is Jasper, and I pray that all is well with you.

I woke up this morning feeling good, in a very positive mood, and as I started my day I started speaking to people as I rolled down the hallway. I live in a neuro rehab center so I see a lot of people (clients, staff, and visitors). I try to speak to everyone I meet and I like to project a happy feeling. Often times if I don't feel that good inside or if I'm feeling kind of crappy myself, I don't let others see it. I could be in one of those places where I don't want to be bothered by anyone, but when someone speaks to me or smiles at me I automatically put on that face. It doesn't take a whole lot for you to smile and say "hello", even if you don't feel like doing it or talking to anyone. Just smile or nod and say "hello". In other words, always be uplifting and encouraging to your brother. Sometimes you don't know what the next person is going through. You don't know what emotional state they may be in, and that simple smile or that "hello" would just bring them out of that self-pity. That hug that you give someone may be the only love that they've felt in a long time, you just don't know. When we show love to our brother (and that includes women), we're doing what God asks us to do. Jesus said "love ye one another as I have loved you". It's my way of being happy for myself, no matter what my condition is. When I look out and I see all the green trees, the beautiful blue sky, just being able to open my eyes and see anything is a blessing. I just look all around me and I see the beautiful portrait that God has painted for me. I think about each breath that I take, my eyesight, being able to breathe, and of course watching my family grow up. I've often thanked God for allowing me to live long enough to watch my babies grow up, and then watch my babies' babies grow up. Nothing feels as good as having your children around you, and you're holding their children in your arms. You can't help but feel thankful and blessed that you're here to do that. I didn't always live such a safe and comfortable life. I am a recovering addict, and I've been lost in darkness many times. So I look at where I am today and I know it wasn't me that got me here. I tried to self-destruct many times, I filled my life with misery, but God still had favor with me and He guided me through my wilderness. He brought me out and reestablished me. That's not to say I didn't go through some tough times. I had a wife that I had to bury, I lost many a job, never stayed in one place very long, and as I said earlier I live in a neuro rehab center because I'm a quadriplegic. With all that being said, I still know and believe in my heart that the Lord is with me. I don't worry about how my day, or how my week, or what's going to happen in my life. As long as I can do most of what the Lord wants me to do- if I can be at least half of what He wants from me, I know He's got my back. So I want to ask you, how is your day today? Are you thankful that you woke up? Are you thankful for what you're able to see? Are you thankful for everything the Lord is providing for you? Everyday that you live and breathe He gives you your daily bread. So once in a while give some of your time to Him. Your Father wants to hear from you, as any good father would. Spend time with Him, tell Him you're thankful, you love Him, and tell Him your problems and concerns. He hears you, and He will listen. Be patient, and He will respond. If you don't want to believe me, just ask around and you'll find that there are many, many people who have experienced the love of God. Why don't you?

Again, I'm Jasper and I'm a minister for the Lord.

What We Don't See

      Hello, my name is Jasper and I am a minister for the Lord. There are things that are happening around us all the time that we know about but we cannot see. Trees grow strong and tall, but we don't see them grow, or see the growth process that goes on under the tree. We can feel the wind brush across our face, but we can't see what propels it and moves it along. I am a quadriplegic and like many others, I know my limbs are there even though I can't feel them. Many things happen in our daily lives that we do not understand. I want to go somewhere with this and get you to see there are many things going on and we don't know why. As one person told me, it's kind of like a baby in its mother's womb. That baby rests instinctively safe, not knowing who feeds it, where the care comes from. It just knows it happens. There is a force or person outside of that baby's comprehension. It can't see its mother but somehow the baby knows she's there. When you think of it, it's kind of that way with a christian. No, we've never seen God, but we feel his presence at all times. We feel secure in the knowledge that there is someone much bigger than ourselves, much greater than ourselves, who sustains us. Scientists are men of logic but there are even some things that happen in life, nature that even they cannot explain. They have searched the ruins and found evidence that there was a man named Jesus who walked this Earth. No, we cannot see him today, but he wants us to believe in him anyway. I have seen evidence in my life of a higher authority, although I've never seen him. I could feel it inside of me that spiritual battle that goes on inside of me. I have had my mind set on doing something I know is right, but my mind convinces me to do the opposite and when that happens, there is a strange feeling I get inside as though I can feel someone saying, "See, I got you again!". Other times, when I have that battle, and I am thinking of doing something I shouldn't when I resist it, the feeling says, "I'm so glad I didn't". It feels as thought there are two people in a tug-of-war and I am in the middle of he rope. I'm being flung back and forth. Sometimes winning, sometimes losing. Just because I can't see this battle, or see who is doing it, does not mean it's not happening to the believer. We know this all too real. So, I have learned to do what is necessary to stay on the right side of the battle field. Let me ask you, have you ever decided to go one place and then "something" suddenly changed your mind? You say to yourself later on, "I don't know why I did that, I just did". Or, have you ever meant to say one thing that you felt was the right thing to say, but something else came out? You scratch your head and think to yourself , "why did I say that"? Well my friend, whether you believe or not, there are two forces working in your life at all times. You cannot see them, but if you pay attention, you can feel their effects. So I urge you to just try the holy way of life. For Jesus said, "be ye holy because I am holy". Be aware of the things you cannot see. Trust me, they are there. Again, my name is Jasper, may God bless.