IamForged

09/06/2025

Amen!

09/06/2025

09/06/2025

“Sometimes, thought Pooh, the world feels rather rainy, and no matter how hard you try, the cloud seems to follow you wherever you go. It can be a little lonely, sitting in the puddles with your fur all wet, wondering if the sun has forgotten you.

But then along comes someone who sees you—not the raincloud, not the muddle, but you. And they bring with them not magic to stop the storm, but something far better: a hand to hold, a smile to share, and an umbrella to remind you that you don’t have to weather the rain alone.

Christopher Robin didn’t chase the cloud away, but by standing there, by holding the umbrella steady, he made the storm feel smaller, and Pooh’s heart feel lighter.

And Pooh realized then that friendship is not about fixing every sadness, but about sitting beside someone in the downpour and saying, ‘I’ll be here until it passes.’ For even the heaviest rain, thought Pooh, cannot last forever, but kindness—oh, kindness stays, and keeps you warm long after the storm has gone.”
— Winnie the Pooh

08/26/2025

02/23/2025

Lord, "I thank You for sunshine, I thank You for rain, I thank You for joy, I thank You for pain..."

02/21/2025

Remorse without change is NOT repentance.

Let me say it another way...

Remorse + change = repentance

12/18/2024

Respect, contrary to popular opinion, isn't earned, it is given simply because people are made in the image of God. Respecting them, is respecting Him. People may behave in a way that encourages you to respect them more, however, respect given is a matter of the quality of YOUR character, not theirs.

As a mature adult with a solid character, you don't respond to unfair situations or circumstances, or unfair treatment of yourself by people with meaness and disrespect in childish retaliation. "He hit me first!" So what?! Life isn't fair. Your response should come from your character, not your emotions. If you allow the immaturity and ignorance of an "adult" to dictate your response, then you've given them the power to define you and what kind of person you are. Only God should be given that power.

If they are unkind, still be kind.
If they hurt you, still forgive.
If they are unreliable, still be reliable.
If they hate you, still love them.
If they have no compassion, still show them mercy.
If they are ignorant, still be wise.
No matter how they are, YOU be consistent, YOU love, YOU be a person of character.

11/07/2024

What makes a "good" Christian? Is it perfect church attendance or consistent tithing? What about not swearing, or smoking or drinking? Is it memorizing scripture or street evangelism? Maybe constant prayer and regular fasting? Of course, these are all solid Christian practices, but do these things, in and of themselves, make you a good Christian?

I think many would say yes. However, it's important to remember that the world says you are what you do but the bible teaches you do because of what you are, or better said, because of who your Father is.
Love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and blessing, you have received from God. By His hand you have seen what they look like and the power they have to transform lives. There is no partiality with Him and all these are offered to everyone. Therefore, if you are like your Father, you too will give love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and blessing to those around you. Freely you have received, freely give.

This is what makes a good Christian. This is what sets us apart from the world.

"...love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Luke 6:35-38; John 13:35

10/09/2024

Tomorrow isn't promised...

There's no promise that tomorrow will come, no guarantee of another sun,

What if those words will be your last? Did you say what's important or did you speak too fast?

Did you hug them tight before you said goodnight? Did you say, 'I love you' whether the timing was right?

Forgive and let go because you never know, when the sun may not rise to your surprise, and the sense of regret won't let you forget what you should've done or haven't said,

and now it's too late to reciprocate, no time left and now your bereft, so don't take too long or the time may be gone.

Hug them today, forgive, and say, I love you, your important, you brighten my day. You never know if tomorrow will come, so don't waste today like the habit of some.

So remember to laugh, love and forgive, today is a gift, so gratefully live,
Make the most of the time for the moments are few, and what you do with them is up to you.

James Santiago Kelly