A Death

Death.

How can a person find inspiration when someone you love dies?

Last Wednesday night, my husband died in front of my eyes.  I tried to revive him.  "Come back! You come back right now, damn it!!"

You'd think a person would listen with someone like me screaming in their ears.  He couldn't.

We'd been married nineteen years.  We shared experiences, memories, and raising a child.  He was my soul mate.  We had made plans.  We anticipated every day together.  We had dreams and goals...

Gone!

Crush.  Numb.  Hollow.  Those were the only feelings I experienced while watching my darling husband die.  What's left????

"He will swallow up death forever.  Adonai Elohim [God] will wipe away the tears from every face" (Isaiah 25:8).

My husband is with Jesus.  Heaven must be magnificent for him, and he's not suffering anymore.

That's God inspiring, right? 

Bye for today, J.P.

p.s.  Cherish every moment you have with loved ones and friends.

National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

Peanut Butter, PB&J, Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Butter Rum Cookies...

It's all Peanuts today 'cause today is National Peanut Butter Lover's Day.  Come read all about it...

Did you know, 90% of the U.S. population eats peanut butter?  And we spend almost $800 million on peanut butter a year.  You you ever asked the question: how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll?  You might also ask: How many peanuts does it take to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter?  540 is the answer.  A walloping 540 peanuts! Think on that the next time you lick the last lingering bits off that sticky pea-nutty flavored spoon.  To find out more about this delectable holiday, follow this simple link:  National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

 Today, I also find myself contemplating the exhaustive supply of God's love and how He satisfied my soul: 

"With you, I lack nothing on earth" (Psalm 73: 25-26).

Have a God-inspiring great day.  J.P.

9 Leap Year Traditions

But first, if it's your birthday today...

a really good happy Leap-Year birthday to you!

Photo courtesy of:  www.Quotesgram.com

For centuries, people around the world have bestowed nine superstitions on Leap Year.  After reading these, you might want to indulge in them or forget them, however! February 29 happens only every four years, so here goes those nine traditions-superstitions.  Are ya ready?

1)  A woman can ask a man to marry her today!  If the man says no, he has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves.

2)  People in Greece say it's unlucky to get married today.

3)  Today, "Leap Year, Gloomy Year," say the Italians, or "anno bisesto, anno funesto."

4)  If you're Russian, you're extra cautious today because you believe you have a higher chance of dying and the weather's going to be extra freaky.

5)  If you live in Taiwan during this month, because of the greater risk to the parents’ life during this time, a married daughter should return home with pig trotter noodles for her parents – to wish them good health and good fortune.

6)  In Scotland, “Leap year was ne’er a good sheep year.”  So pay extra attention to your farm animals.

7)  In northern Italy, they believe it's whales' year.

8)  In southern Germany, there’s a tradition of boys putting up a small May tree in their love interest’s back garden during the night before May Day.  In leap years, the girls put up the trees.

9)  There exists a "Leap Year Capital of the World."  See more about these superstitions by following the link:

Leap Year Traditions and Superstitions

I'm still inspire by this true fact:  "God, in you I take refuge" (Psalm 7:1).

Superstitions are all around us, like fearing black cats and shattered mirrors.  No fears when we have God in our lives guiding us.

Have a God-inspiring day.

Follow the link to my book that has 366 Days of inspiration--one for today, February 29...

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

Bye for today!

National Tell a Fairy Tale Day

Grab a seat or gather around an open fire ...
Today is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day.

Photo courtesy of: www.mamawriteswords.wordpress.com

What's your favorite fairy tale?  I like Snow White by the Brothers Grimm.  In German, the title is written "Schneewittchen."  I remember reading it in high school German class.  I know most of you probably don't speak German, but I love the first sentence of this story written in German.  Don't fret!  I'll translate it after I give you the German words.  The story goes like this:

"Es war einmal mitten im Winter, und die Schneeflocken fielen wie Federn vom Himmel herab. Da saß eine Königin an einem Fenster, das einen Rahmen von schwarzem Ebenholz hatte, und nähte."

Here's the translation:

"Once upon a time in the middle of winter, when the flakes of snow were falling like feathers from the sky, a queen sat at a window sewing, and the frame of the window was made of black ebony."

It's pretty easy to see some of the German words that appear to translate naturally into English.  Let's take a phrase as an example:

"Die Schneeflocken fielen wie Federn vom Himmel herab" means, "The snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven [the sky]."

There's alliteration with the repeated "f," and "h".  So beautiful!

If you'd like to read both the German and English versions side-by-side, you can follow this link:  Snow White

Yet, so many times it's hard to interpret--translate, really--the things people say and do.  Sometimes, I find myself standing back in a conversation and asking myself, What did he/she mean by that?  Words can have so many meanings, right?  In Greek, the word for "love" can be "eros," "philos" or "agape."  They each have different meanings.  So when you tell someone in Greek, "I love you," you're being specific about which "love" you mean.  "Eros" is romantic or attraction; "agape" is sacrificial love, and "philos" is brotherly love.  Wow!  But at least you know what you're dealing with if someone is specific, wouldn't you agree?  

When Moses asked God who He was, God told him:

“Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be]" (Exodus 3:14).

God doesn't change.  That quality about Him is in his name.  "I am, will be what I am, and will always be."  What does that mean?  We can count on Him.  He's listening to us, knows our situations, and is walking with us through our trials.

Bye for today, and have a God-inspired day.  Maybe you can use this day to write your own fairy tale, or tell one of those classic tales to a child.

J.P.

Today in 1964: Sunny Liston Brawled with Muhammad Ali

He was born January 17, 1942 as Cassius Clay ... 

photo courtesy of: www.mirror.co.uk

He could "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee," as the popular saying of the day portrayed him.

I remember a little of that famous fight that occurred today in history in 1964.  It's the year Ali also changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali.  He was 22, and he won the world heavyweight championship.  At 22!  Amazing, right?  You want to know the sad thing?  He suffered great adversity.

On religious grounds, he objected to enlisting in the Vietnam War.  The government arrested him, and boxing officials stripped him of his title.  But he appealed that drastic judgement; and in 1971, they overturned his conviction. Still, bad press and hostile public opinion kept him from boxing for four years.  Four years absence as a boxer is detrimental to a boxer's career!

Isn't it something when we let people, situations, opinions, and judgements keep us from our dreams?  Many people quit under the pressures of criticism and hatred.

Muhammad Ali didn't!  In 1974 and 1978, he came back fighting and won the world heavyweight title again.  He was, and still is, a man of God.

"Love Adonai your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your strength.  This is the greatest and most important commandment.  And love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39).

Have a God-inspired day!

J.P.

National Tortilla Chip Day

Eat 'em while they're hot, 'cause today is ... National Tortilla Chip Day!

You can eat them with salsa, munch on them with corn relish, dip 'em in various sour cream mixes, or enjoy them with tacos.  Here's an simple recipe for tortilla soup if you follow this link:  Easy Tortilla Soup Recipe .

Where did this national day begin?  In the 1950s, Rebecca Webb Carranza invented the tortilla chip.  She and her husband owned the El Zarape Tortilla Factory in Los Angeles, and they were the first to mass produce the product when Rebecca refused to discard the "rejects" but instead called them "chips."  The rest is history, especially since 2003 when Texas proclaimed the tortilla chip the state snack.  You can include this wholesome food in your diet plan today.

And God has a plan.  He is love, and He works in great ways for you and me.

"I know what plans I have in mind for you, plans for well-being, not for bad things so that you can have hope and a future. When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly" (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

This is great news, wouldn't you say?  Bye for now and have a God-inspired day!

J.P.

Celebrate National Banana Bread Day!

Today is National Banana Bread Day,

and Dog Biscuit Day,

and Spay Day USA,

and, today is the last Tuesday in February...

Photo courtesy of:  Banana Bread Recipe by Justine Marie @ www.midnightcrafting.com

I've discovered all kinds of banana bread recipes.  In my own recipe file, I unearthed twenty-seven of them!  Some recipe cards are peppered with brown stains and partial fingerprints from bygone years when my stepmom and I would measure all the banana-bread ingredients and the house smelled of cinnamon and bananas.  Those memories still linger so strongly that my mouth waters at the sight of those old tattered recipe cards.  Maybe you have some of your own such cards ... and it's been ages since you pulled them out of storage to bake with them.

If you're diabetic like my husband, follow this link to find a diabetic-friendly banana bread recipe!  Banana Bread Recipe for Diabetics

Or, maybe you're too busy to bake, but you have a pet.  You can feed your little darling a tiny treat for Biscuit Day.

Whatever we do today and are busy with, we can know that our Maker is standing alongside us all the way!

 "God, please let me succeed today; and show your grace" 

(Genesis 24:12).

Have a God-inspired day--Banana Bread Day!

J.P. Osterman