Encouraging Words from Charlie Gross

Our encouragement today comes from just three little things I notices on a Sunday. These three little things reminded me to pay attention to other little things around me and notice more of God's rich blessings. May you be encouraged too!

Our encouragement today comes from two scriptures from Exodus. Both show some wonderful ways of working together for a larger, positive outcome. Listen, be encourahged, and then thank your existing teammates or build your own supportive team.

Our encouragement today comes from waiting patiently and sometimes impatiently on my cruise ship veranda for God's inspiration. Sometimes you have to let go of your desire to move forward until God guides and directs and inspires.

Our encouragement today comes from an old book I read titled, Do It Now and from using my gift of encouragement while on a 'do it now' errand. I hope that you can be doubly encouraged too.

Our encouragement today comes from thinking about the end times and how it relates to "TBD." It's a crazy intersection of ideas, but if you know me by now, you aren't surprised. Listen to my short episode and then be encouraged by what is TBD.

Our encouragement today comes from being called out by my four-year-old grandson, Jacob. It proves to me that the little ones notice EVERYTHING and sometimes speak up for what's right. Listen to my story and be encouraged.

Our encouragement today comes from a near catastrophic car wreck. It showed me close up the incredible, protective hand of God on my life. It made me reflect on many other incidents where God's intervention saved my life. Listen and reflect on your own life.

Our encouragement today comes from a visit from an inquisitive neighbor. She came to learn something from us and she came with a notepad and pen. This image encouraged me and made me think about learning and curiosity. Listen and be encouraged.

Our encouragement today comes from a beautiful picture of the seashore. Of course it started me thinking about the vastness of the grains of sand. This then started me thinking about the vastness of God's love for you and for me. Listen and be encouraged.

Our encouragement today comes from thinking about light. I'm not sure why I started thinking about it, but I did and you enjoy the ramblings as well as the providential irony in a sermon text I received when I started writing about light.

Our encouragement today comes from a rather random observation made after our vacation and from an act of generosity at Starbucks. I hope you're encouraged to do something fun for yourself and also challenged at the same time.

Our encouragement today comes from an interesting observation made while reading Ecclesiastes chapter two. It's really a beautiful nugget of truth for a fulfilling life. I hope you're encouraged and challenged at the same time.

Our encouragement today comes from my schedule today, which happened to include a bunch of slack time. Makes me want to build more slack time into my calendar. Listen and then think about where you could build in some slack time.

Our encouragement today comes from paying attention to the many unique roles of members of a symphony. I noticed how each one plays a unique role that harmonizes with others. They don't play all the time but contribute their unique gift at just the right moment in the right intensity.

Our encouragement today comes from a red Chevy pickup truck with the logo - Koinonia Guide Service on the side. It got me thinking about the various types of guides we use in our lives. Perhaps it will get you thinking about that too.

Our encouragement today comes from a random observation made about the state of the world. But, if you know me, this is fairly typical. I hope that it spurs you on to some creative thinking around your own situation. Let's think about less.

Our encouragement today comes from an observation made about my brown leather belt from Mexico. Yes, I know this is odd, but listen to my thinking about this belt. It may cause you you to pause and think about your own work.

Our encouragement today comes from another ride on the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. But this encouragement comes from what I didn't see. It made me ponder some deeper mysteries. Perhaps you'll be encouraced by this reflection and what you don't see.

Our encouragement today comes from a gorgeous sunrise on the way to the river trail. It brought back some childhood memories which then triggered some theological reflection. Listen up and be encouraged.

Our encouragement today comes from another insight on the Northwest Lancaster County River trail. I had to keep my mouth closed to keep the bugs out, which started me thinking. I then started to reflect on other times where keeping my mouth shut was a wise decision. Listen up and be encouraged.

Our encouragement today comes from another insight on the Northwest Lancaster County River trail. I had to downshift three times to climb a hill. But, I had anticipated it, so all is well. I then started to reflect on the concept of anticipation. Listen up and be encouraged in your own anticipation.

Our encouragement today comes from our speed along the Northwest Lancaster County River trail. It gave me pause to reflect on the categories with which we evaluate or assess our experiences. Hope you are encouraged with this very simple observation.

Our encouragement today comes from my Lynx point Siamese cat, Frank. Frank is our rescue cat and is a rather strange dude, but today, I realized that he could encourage me in a unique way. Listen and perhaps you'll be encouraged too!

Our encouragement today comes from my study of a parable in Mark 4:26-34. This parable delineates responsibility for what we do and what God does AND it takes the pressure off of you and me. We just plant the seeds we're given and then rest and sleep and wait patiently for God's growing activity.

Our encouragement today comes from a brief observation of nature, as I sat in front of John Wright's Restaurant in Wrightsville, PA! Listen to this short podcast on the serenity I felt by pausing to sit and enjoy the meandering flow river. I hope you get somne encouragement from this.