OK.. so I need to work on my Vlogging skills. I also need to work on my time management skills to make it so that I don’t only have time for one quick run-through of my vlog and I can re-record if I need to…
Anyway, if you don’t want to watch the video, the vlog talks about encouragement.
Tony was a great guy and an awesome encourager and, at his funeral, my Dad told this story:
Tony was a great encourager but sometimes he would see my Dad and want to impart some encouragement but have no inspiration as to what to say right then and there.
In those moments he would walk up to my Dad, lay his hands on Dad’s shoulders, look him straight in the eye and say “ENCOURAGEMENT” as forcefully, lovingly and encouragingly as he could.
For most of the people reading this, I don’t really know you. I don’t know how you’re feeling, what’s going on behind-the-scenes in your life, what’s hurting you, what’s preying on your mind, what your deepest needs and cries to God are – I don’t know anything except what comes out in your tweets and your blog (if you have one).
That doesn’t change the fact that I want to be able to be an encouragement to you though.
So, in whatever way possible through the medium of this blog post, I want to lay my hands on your shoulders, look you straight in the eye and tell you that you are appreciated and I want you to feel…
ENCOURAGEMENT!
Don’t ever forget that God loves you and that He is with you, always. Be encouraged today that God is with you, He’s in your corner, He’s got your back and that:
we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
It may not seem that anything good can come out of the situation you are in right now but rest assured that God will teach you something through this and He will work in it for the good of those who love him!
Be encouraged today!
I like to joke about "encouraging" people when I'm really instigating, but I do make a point of offering real encouragement to people who need it. Recently I have been the recipient from some of my students. It is really frigintastic to see them living what I have modeled for them. It might well be more encouraging than what they have said to me and others to build me up.
I had a tearful, mutually encouraging episode with a coworker today that left us both feeling God's powerful presence in my office. I'm sure anyone who walked by thought we'd lost it. She came in to thank me for supporting her through her surgery, chemo, and radiation, and I in turn just had to share what encouragement she had been to me throughout her journey. Funny how that works. Funny how God works. And sometimes not so funny, but I think I get it.
Great video, Peter. You could have used that awesome accent just to say you had a ham sandwich, and yes, I would have felt encouraged.
Good word, Peter! This is something I’ve been feeling very strongly today. Thanks for the confirmation! 🙂
You're welcome, Jason
Wow Peter I really felt your message your an awesome speaker.. Thank you for sharing this with me….
Aww, Thanks Terri!
You Rock!
I can't tell you how timely this was, Peter!
I was thinking today about the paralytic whose friends carried him to Jesus for healing. The crowd was so thick that they couldn't reach Jesus, so they lowered their friend through the roof to get him to Jesus. We all need friends who love us enough to carry us to Jesus. And who won't give up when Jesus seems hard to reach, but will find a way to get us to Him.
You be encouraged, too, Peter! God has given you great friends who are more than happy to carry you to Jesus when you need them to. And that in itself is a tremendous encouragement!
God has a wonderful way of giving us timely messages for each other even through the internet!
He's pretty amazing like that!
So wonderful – your choice to Vlog for this posting was powerful. I appreciate hearing/seeing your gentle and sincere video delivery in addition to the written words. It had a great impact – Thank you.
Thanks, Lori. That was very sweet of you!
Didn't read the post. Didn't listen to the clip. Peter you have ALWAYS been such an amazing encouragement to me. You are a great man whom I respect and admire. Thanks so much for all of the Kingdom work you do everyday no matter how tough it gets in the trenches.
Any blogger loves to read "I didn't read the post or listen to the clip" 🙂
Thanks, Mike. You're a great guy!
Aw, Peter. Thanks. You are always an encourager. Hope you are having a wonderful blessed day.
I didn't think I had anything to say. How could God use me? Then while reading I came across Haggai 1:13, " the LORD's messenger, with the Lord's message…" It was one of those times the Words jumped off the page. I thought to myself, this is it. The message I can preach to the world, with excitement for what would come next I read on…
"I am with you," declares the LORD."
Ugh – I thought it would be more than that. Now, I've learned that is more than enough.
It's not the words – not by power, not by might but by My Spirit says the Lord.
You are an encouragement. Obviously the words didn't matter by reading the comment from those who know you. – glad to find you – Mr Encouragement.
I wish I could say I was "Mr Encouragement".
Unfortuantely, I'm just a guy who tries hard but very often fails…
Peter, none of us knows this side of heaven the full extent of the way we affect others. You've often been an encouragement to me. I won't forget your prayers for me. I'm privileged to know you as a "Body-Builder."