Author Archives: madge

Strength Through Difficulties

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When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. Peter Marshall

Some day’s difficulties, well, they can just tear us down. While I often am the first to want to deny that I’m really spent and all washed up, I think these are the times I have the greatest opportunity of growth in faith and dependence on God – the One who knows all.

Recently I’ve had a number of health issues. I’ve been miraculously stable as a quadriplegic for so many years…this stability has been challenged by some nagging, so far undiagnosed, persistent, GI issues. The diagnosis is complicated by my mobility issues. Test after test reveal the same wonderful news, ‘No problems’, the medical professionals report, with their upbeat voices. My heart is conflicted as I’m grateful nothing ‘terrible‘ is discovered and I realize many people face challenging reports about their health, and family members’ health every day. In the past two days I learned about an 8th grade cheerleader who lost her leg, a young dad who had brain cancer and passed on, a friend’s dog who has terminal cancer, and a 56 year old Steve Jobs who lost his life due to complications from pancreatic cancer.

… it seems selfish, but I desperately want answers for my issues.

My personal scenario sparks an area of growth for me. It is an opportunity to hunker down in prayer, not only for myself, but for so many others who have serious and pressing issues far greater than I can imagine. It’s an opportunity to realize that hardships give birth to new things – fresh new things – which can often bring greater significance to our lives. I have a related favorite verse that I’ve held onto in recent months that I’ll share tomorrow, but for now, I’ll leave you with a little ‘faith’ challenge to think on in your time of need – let’s face it, we all have the tough times in our lives…

…Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Conquer

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“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it… that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.”

– Dale Carnegie

Carnegie’s principle got me before I believed it.  He had great insights in so many areas.  My initial appreciation for him came through his renowned bestseller How to Win Friends and Influence People.

Indirectly, I learned more from him than my mind realized.  My experience with facing my fear of public speaking through participation in Toastmasters had a profound impact on my confidence and competence in communications and relationships.

Conquering fear often requires some bravery to step ahead with the difficult emotion and do the very thing we fear.  My trust in God and reliance on Him and his word bring peace in the midst of fear.

Praying you conquer your fears today.  -Madge

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  Psalm 91:1-5

Techie Tuesday

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Our household is full of all kinds of technology we employ in our day to day lives. It’s never been a better time to live with a disability. There may be downsides to our fast paced technology driven information age, but our technologies have enriched and lengthened the lives of many disabled. I have a bird’s eye view as a disabled, middle aged chickadee. Although my father passed back in 1993, he was a geek, an engineer and a creative man.

He started very young himself….

…and he started everyone out young. This was taken in the late 80’s with my friend’s young boy.

I worked for over 20 years in a pretty geeky software development environment. My husband is a super-geek and technology guru – he never met my father, but I’m afraid if he had met him he’d still be tinkering in the basement with him and we might not be married!

My destiny is sealed to geekdom.

I guess one would expect my family’s daily life is filled with technogeeky things – and you are correct. If you don’t have any technical experience – get your kids or a young neighbor to help, or go to some training at your local college continuing education center, take online classes or read, read, read on the internet, watch youtube tutorials…the options are endless.

Take online classes if it is too inconvenient or difficult to go out. Some basic technical expertise is a must in today’s world. Don’t stop though…things advance so fast we have to stay current if we want to maximize the benefits technology offer today. Don’t be shy about online communications and learning. Your family’s future depends on it.

Cheering you on to geekdom… -Madge