Inspirationdaily

The Easter Season

2007-04-02T10:46:00.000-05:00

As we enter the Easter season, it's that time to lower our heads and give thanks for the gift God gave us through HIS son. Forgiveness.
Today, you have freedom from your sins, because of God's gift to you.
I hope today, you'll give thanks for everything you have. Easter is the time of year to celebrate the wonderful blessings you have in your life. Friends, Love, Children, Family and a God who gave them all to you.
As we near good Friday, remember to offer forgiveness to all of those around you and give thanks for these wonderful gifts.
Your Inspirational Friend,
Tim

A Friend

2006-01-06T13:17:00.000-06:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted to the blog. I am traveling in the dessert this week. I was reminded of today's story. So I thought I'd send it along. Always a good reminder to have.
Be Blessed!
Tim

The Potter's Hand

2005-06-21T13:03:00.000-05:00

A little wisdom and patience goes a long ways.
Today, I search for the holy spirit to move through me to use me for God's purpose. The story today talks about how God challenges us to step up to the plate. In the heat of a moment do we anger quickly or step back and respond as Jesus would?
That phrase that should guide you today fits here nicely... What would Jesus do?
In the heat of the moment today, be slow to anger. Take a deep breathe, step back and ask yourself, what would Jesus do?
Ask God for just 5 minutes of patience to make the "right" choice. At the end of the day, look back and see how God has made a impact in the life of others around you today.
Inspiring you to grow in your faith by touching your heart,
Tim

Father's Day

2005-06-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

In the month of June, I begin to focus my attention to that one Sunday a year that is my day to show my kids what being a father is all about.
In the vast library of stories I've collected over the past 8 years doing the daily stories are numerous stories of parents giving up their son. Just as God did for us.
Today's story is from my classics section and a testimony of how the choices and scarifices we make in our faith impact the future of other people's lives.
This is so true for me today. The many emails I've received from all over the world the past few days has humbled my heart. I am so amazed at how many lives the daily stories touch all around the world. How the words I send out everyday in the stories help inspire so many of you on a daily basis with your walk with God.
I am so thankful that God continues to use me to inspire you. How great it is to grow with you in your faith. As your faith grows, my faith grows.
I am so thankful to God for the many blessings he sends me, including you!
Your Friend in Faith,
Tim

My Grandmother

2005-05-31T21:55:00.000-05:00

My heartfelt thanks to all of you who took the time to write and share your thoughts. I am doing well and a little time will help heal my heart. I know I'll miss my grandmother, she was a great lady.
The service at the church was very moving today. Everyone who spoke talked about how she helped so many and gave so much of herself to others. She really worked hard to serve God and those people around her church felt God's presence when they were around her.
Thanks again for your emails, your words of comfort and your prayers. All are most appreciated.
In God's Love,
Tim

Old Barns

2005-04-26T10:40:00.000-05:00

Today's story comes from my good friend Bob in Memphis. The two of us are old barns. We've weathered well through the years, yet Bob and I know that we'll sparkle like little babies when we arrive home.
How about you?
Are you weathering well?
Is your heart prepared for where you're going?
Inspiring you daily, touching your heart,
Tim

Jazzfest

2005-04-25T09:08:00.000-05:00

Back from the Big Easy!
No inspirational message was sent on Friday. I was out of town in New Orleans at the 36th annual jazz festival. What a wonderful treat to hear such great artists and their music. As in the past years, I met so many wonderful people. God uses my life in so many ways to touch and inspire so many other people. I was fortunate to be able and share the Inspiration Daily ministry with people. To tell them my testimony of how God uses me daily to inspire folks all over the world. What a treat. Always warms my heart to see a smile on someones face when you share your faith with them.
Today's story, This Morning, is a favorite of mine. The story helps me keep my focus on God. So often, I allow myself to get so busy in my life, I fail to allow time for God. He has a way of humbling my heart when I forget it's not my life, but his. My focus should be on serving him. This story serves as a reminder for me to keep my focus on God, daily.
Have a wonderful day,
Tim

Don't Let The Blues Get You Down

2005-03-30T12:13:00.000-06:00

Use these 10 things when you have or are feeling the blues.
Socialize And Think Positively!
Do Something Just For Yourself!
Give Something To Another Person
Rent Or Go See A Happy/Funny Movie
Volunteer Your Time
Get Out Of the Past And Into The Present!
Walk Or Mall Walk To Cheer Up
Call Someone You Like Who Is A Positive Person And Chat
Meditate Or Listen To Relaxation Or Ministry Tapes
Be Creative!

Amazing how a little stink'n think'n (thanks Zig) can ruin your day. If you've made a choice to be unhappy. If you've made the choice to have a bad attitude...
Then you can make another choice to do something about it.
What is your choice today?
Make it a good one!
Tim

An Ordinary Guy

2005-03-29T11:48:00.000-06:00

Everyday, God uses me to touch the live of someone. Most days, I never even know who that is. As my faith grows, I continue to open my heart to others. Never knowing when God is going to use me to touch their lives. I've found that only when I am focused on God (and not me) that I get used the most. How tough it is to set aside my needs (and desires) to let God use me. This is a on going struggle for me everyday. Then again, if I didn't struggle to serve, my heart and faith wouldn't grow beyond my limitations. Only God can challenge me to grow more than I can imagine.
Thanks to my favorite little sister for sending me the story today. Even though she is younger, she still teaches her older brother something new. I Love You!

Good Friday Evening

2005-03-25T17:38:00.000-06:00

The sun is setting here in Dallas.
Good Friday...
In my minds eye I try to picture the three crosses on top of the hill. I try to picture that sunset over 2000 years ago. The magnificent colors. I can only imagine the sound of Mary, crying. The way only a mother can cry at the loss of a child. The very sound piercing my soul at the core.
There is no way possible for me to feel what it must have been like. The sounds, the site of it all, the smell. Some two thousand years ago.
Just like I can't imagine what heaven will be like or how much love a God who sent his son to take my place must have. I can't imagine that Friday.
Thankfully, I don't have to imagine...
The rest of the story.
I've read the last chapter, the last page and the last word...
I look forward to hearing those words Sunday morning, at God's house.
How I treasure Easter Sunday in my heart.
Have a wonderful Easter. Celebrate the holiday by inspiring others around you.
God Bless,
Tim

Good Friday!

2005-03-24T16:14:00.000-06:00

Easter is only a few days away.
Today, I realized that I've been a little behind in my writing. From Spring break to work, I've been a little short of time for the things I love to do.
Today's inspirational story is a favorite of mine (great to have your own list some days ) for a long time. Always fun to share the classics with each other.
I hope that your Easter is a time of reflection, a inspirational time for you in your faith and most of all a time for you to draw closer to God.
Your Daily Inspirational Friend,
Tim

Easter Time of Year

2005-03-15T09:20:00.000-06:00

Hard to believe that it's Easter time again. How the time flies as you get older. The inspiration daily library is stock full of Easter stories and I look forward to sharing them with you over the next few weeks as we approach Easter.
I hope that you will keep your focus on God as we approach Easter.
Have a inspirational day,
Tim

Make A New Friend

2005-03-09T15:20:00.000-06:00

Today's poem comes from Friend week back in 2002.
This was one of the ideas I had to inspire readers to make a new friend. I hope that you will try this today. It so simple and I believe you'll be surprised at the results.
If you participate, please drop me an email and let me know how it went. If you did this in 2002, I'd love to hear from you and know how things turned out.
Your inspirational friend,
Tim

Special Friends

2005-03-08T09:01:00.000-06:00

You never know when you'll need a friend. You can never have enough friends in life. When you are blessed with a special friend, be sure to treasure them. Let them know how special they are to you. Let them know how blessed you feel by there friendship.
Thank you for being my special friend, God and I love you!
Your special friend,
Tim

Clean Up Your Life!

2005-03-02T15:06:00.000-06:00

How many times have you cleaned your house for company?
You'd probably be surprised at how much time you spend cleaning up. From 5 minutes a day to an hour. After a week, a month or a year how much time would that be?
5 minutes a day, is 35 minutes a week, is 2 hours 25 minutes a month or almost 25 hours a year.
It gets worse...
An hour a day is 365 hours a year. Almost 2 and a half months of work!
Just to keep the house clean. Of course if you are a bachelor, like me, 5 minutes a year is all.
Now think about how much time you spend a day making your life better. How much time you spend reading your Bible, praying and helping others. 5 minutes a day could change your life. 5 minutes a day could change someone else's life. Think about it...
Do you have 25 hours a year to give to God?
I know he has 8,736 hours a year for you. Or perhaps all the time in the world...
Have a great day. Spend the next 5 minutes wisely!
Tim

Smiles

2005-03-01T10:22:00.000-06:00

The most important thing to remember in life, be sure to laugh. I am just back from a long trip. In those last few hours before getting home, sleep has been in short supply and patience was at a premium. In those hours, I realize that only God can fill my heart with grace, love and understanding.
I am so thankful for the smiles and patience God gives me. I hope today's story put a smile on your face. A smile that lets others know, God lives in your heart.
Have a great day by inspiring someone else.
Tim

Jesus Loves Me

2005-02-24T09:51:00.000-06:00

Today's story (song) is for the church newsletters, newspapers and christian magazines that publish the Inspiration Daily messages.
For me, the song brought a smile to my face. As I "face" growing older, it's a comfort for me to read and know I am not the only one who feels this way. What a great way to celebrate another day.
As I live my life for God's glory, I treasure the thought of a huge smile on your face. I know it's contagious.
Keep on smiling!
Tim

Home Sick

2005-02-23T15:00:00.000-06:00

From the time when I was a little boy at summer camp, I remember those home sick feelings. Longing to be home in familiar surroundings and with my family. Funny how we are creatures of habit. Only comfortable in surroundings we know. Doing the same things over and over again. Starts when we are small and sticks with us all of our life.
Today's story made me start wondering about why we don't long to be home. You know, our real home. I think so many of us are scared death because we think it is the "unknown". I know in my heart that for me, it's really the real "known" and familiar. From being in church, reading my Bible and listening, heaven must be my real home. While I feel comfortable here, I know I should be longing to be home with my father. Since I am here, I am going to spend the short period of time serving my father, inspiring you and enjoying my time at Earth camp.
Hope you're having a good time here too!
Your Daily Inspirational Friend,
Tim

The Worst Will Never Happen

2005-02-22T10:44:00.000-06:00

How do we get so busy that we forget to stop and give thanks to God for all of the blessings in our life?
Today's message is from a lady here in Texas that puts it all in perspective for us. If only we would stop for a minute, focus on our blessings and say a prayer... Our lives would be so different.
Instead we let the day to day worries consume us, our thoughts and our lives. Before you know it, we have more worries than we can even think about. Then we start thinking about all the negative things and before you know it, our attitudes follow. The great and positive things that God puts in our life are taken for granted. We become consumed with the trivial and lose site of the greatest of all gifts, God's love for us.
About a year ago I was at lunch when someone asked me, "Tim, do you ever doubt your faith?"
I hadn't though about doubt in a long time. I had been so focused on God, my growing faith and inspiring others, that doubt didn't even exist in my vocabulary. Amazing as I sat and thought about it. Then I shared how to get rid of doubt. How to focus on the positive. How you may ask?
Simple, look up, give thanks for every give God has given you. If you spend enough time trying to thank God for everything in your life. You'll easily discover what I did. There isn't enough time in the day to give thanks for everything.
Grow your faith today. Inspire those around you with God's love.
His Servant, Your Inspiring Friend,
Tim

Forgiveness

2005-02-21T10:31:00.000-06:00

Today's story is from 2001. I often read this story to remind my heart how big God's forgiveness is. The verse that starts out the story, helps to remind me to forgive others. To use God's forgiveness for others in my life. I know that the forgiveness I have is so tiny in comparison to God's grace.
I often tell others it's impossible to hug and love someone when your arms are full with grudges from the past. The only way to reach out to others, is to let go of the issues of the past. Today's story is the best example of that, at least the best one I've read so far.
Keep those emails and stories coming. We love to read them and use them to inspire others.
God Bless You!
His Servant, Your Inspiring Friend,
Tim

Living for the Moment

2005-02-17T13:47:00.000-06:00

Today's message encourages me personally. The message reminds me to keep my focus on God and enjoyt the moments he gives us. All to often we get so busy and wrapped up in our lives that we forget to keep our eyes and heart focused on God. Today's message, helps remind me to slow down and enjoy the moments that God has placed me in. To grow in the hard times, to enjoy the great ones and keep my faith in front of me.

When I do this, I've noticed my faith grow in ways I never imagined. I love those God moments.
Be blessed and inspire everyone else!
Tim

The List Lives On

2005-02-16T09:19:00.000-06:00

Wow!
Over 60 stories already since we moved the list to Yahoo.
The subscriber base continues to grow with over 300 new members in the last week.
To me, all signs that God is using the stories to reach and change lives. For me, that's exciting.
Thank you for forwarding the stories to your friends, for inspiring them in their lives and for your help in the growth of their faith. God is using you too!
Blessings,
Tim

Romantic Time of Year

2005-02-01T14:28:00.000-06:00

After much work, the group is finally secure. The daily messages are going through without a hitch.
I've started through the old email address list again. I started inviting former members to join the new list on yahoo. With only around 4,000 of the original 50,000 members that moved, I knew I needed to do something.
If you've just joined the group, welcome back. I hope you've found the messages I sent over the past month and a half in the group area on Yahoo.
My hope is that I'll no longer have to answer the many requests I get everyday asking for the stories sent out previously to the group. The archive is now public so that others can havve access to this area as well. This should give me more time to write again on a daily basis.
It's that time of year again...
Romance in the air. The group and the daily messages will take a "love" swing over the next week.
For you guys...
If you haven't ordered flowers for the big day, better get it done, today!
Look for the Afterglow radio program to air in the next week or so. I'll post the details to the group when I know the date. Stay tuned!
Have a blessed day,
Tim

Thoughts of Frustration

2005-01-25T20:10:00.000-06:00

Today's been one of those days when you wonder how someone with no faith gets through it. Full of challenges and bewilderment. If I didn't have such a huge faith and heart full of prayer, I know I'd go crazy.

I am continuing to call Yahoo management in an attempt to get this person Madhura Kulathunga off of Yahoo so that they can't send messages with Virus files attached to members of our group. If you can help, please let me know. I am in contact with Adrian Ellis (the assistant to COO Dan Rosensweig.
You can contact her on the Yahoo main phone number (408) 349-3300, dial zero when the recording answers. Ask the attendant for Dan Rosensweig's office (COO) or for Adrian Ellis. Perhaps if one or two thousand of you call her, she'll get the message.

Anyway, on to a bigger and brighter tomorrow. With God by my side (and in my heart) I know it's going to be a incredible day.
God Bless,
Tim

Growing Up

2005-01-21T13:30:00.000-06:00

The list continues to grow bigger. I am so thankful.

After being on the west coast for a business trip last week, I am begining to get caught up on my work and focus my attention back on the list.

I noticed today that the message section on Yahoo has grown to a second page. Amazing how time passes so quickly. I look back over the messages and see the many emails I've received about changed lives. I am so grateful that God is using me and my life to change yours. What a joy to witness the changes in other people's lives. To watch as they grow in their faith is a joy I can't describe in words.

Also, this week has been a challenge as the person in the razor group has posted a second message to our group. I've written a message to him asking him to stop. I also posted a message to customer support on Yahoo. I guess time will tell.

Hope your life is going well and your faith is growing.
May God's joy be a blessing in your life.
Tim

Let It Go!

2004-12-28T13:58:00.000-06:00

Today's message is about getting rid of all the things taht keep us from being better, growing in our faith and serving God.
Funny, how some days we just keep "garbage" in our hearts, mind and soul. Since this is the time to reflect on the past and set our goals for the future, toaday is the day to let it go and start a new.
Clear your heart, clean out the garbage from your mind and let God have control in your life and soul.
I hope you'll print out today's story, put it some where you can read it everyday to remind you to...
Let it Go!

Today's Story

2004-12-15T15:16:00.000-06:00

The Geese and the snowstorm was requested yesterday by a reader. This story first appeared on the list during Christmas 2001. A favorite amoung many, the story never seems to generate as much email as the story from last week, My First Christmas in Heaven. The "heaven" story always generates many emails from readers. Especially those who have lost a loved one in the past 12 months.
My friend Paul, a pilot in Columbia, MO. and a childhood friend I grew up with, recently lost his infant son. I know this holiday season has been very difficult for him and his wife Carmen. I hope you'll join me in praying for Paul and Carmen over the next couple of weeks as they struggle with the loss of their son.
Tim

Having Fun During Christmas

2004-12-14T10:52:00.000-06:00

Thanks to everyone who has posted a reply to my daily messages. I am so excited about our new sponsorship of Don's radio program. I'll ask his permission to post the show for everyone around the world in mp3 format so you can give his show a listen. I am afraid that this might not be possible because of ownership issues with the music and the program.
Perhaps I can get Don to make some CD's of the program we could send you for a small donation. I'll check with Russell at Got Life (he does something like this every month) and let you know what we can do.
Christmas is only 11 days away. I need to finish my shopping for everyone on my list.
Looking forward to reading more from you.
Tim

Afterglow

2004-12-13T14:49:00.000-06:00

Today, I am announcing that inspirationlist.com will be sponsoring the radio program Afterglow, featuring Don Johnson. The first show we will sponsor, will premiere on the Salem radio network (over 1200 radio stations) in January. I'll post the air date of the program as soon as Don gives it to me.
The program will feature 7 - 8 of my favorite songs along with a story from the inspiration list.

Christmas Time!

2004-12-10T10:27:00.000-06:00

That time is here, the time of year that gets everyone so busy. Running around, shopping, parties. Seems so easy to forget the simple things in all of our bustle. Remember to stop and say hello, spend time reading your Bible and call someone who might be lonely. During the holidays, so many people who are alone really need to hear your "smile" and your voice. Won't you take a minute to stop by and see them?
If they are a long way from you, pick up the phone and call. I know they'll love to hear from you.
Have a blessed day and Holiday season.
Tim

The Group grows

2004-12-09T11:22:00.000-06:00

After about 24 hours since the last invite was sent out, the inspiration daily group is around 4000 members. We sent out almost 40,ooo invites (50 at a time) so this only represents about 10%. I know that about 20% of the old Inspiration List subscribers are in South Africa and don't have web access. So I had thought that we would have a much higher number of group members by now. Guess I need to sit back and relax, let God take care of the growth and be thankful for having a place to move the list to.
I've been thinking about using the instant message portion of the Yahoo group area. Perhaps we could have a monthly message session with me online answering questions and talking about the messages. Leave your feedback and let me know what you think.
God Bless and merry Christmas,
Tim

In The Beginning

2004-12-08T15:55:00.000-06:00

After much work, the new Yahoo group is up and running. You can now subscribe, change your email address, unsubscribe your email without the need for our help. (you could say I'll be getting a lot more sleep now)
The Yahoo group will also allow us to have monthly chats with members from all over the world. More on that next month.
I want to Thank Katherine Coder for all her help with this over the past 7 months. I couldn't have done it without you!
I wish you the best in New York!