“Lord, your blessings continue to make me (((((blush))))).”

Have you ever sat and thought of all of the wonderful things that the Lord has provided for you? Each time I think of all that the Lord has created and done for me, personally, it actually causes me to blush!

We are all a part of His plan! No one in my life could bless and provide for me in the way that God has and continues to do. He knows what is best for us even when we do not. Talk to Him every day, He is your eternal best friend. The Lord is our Savior and the One that Loves us unconditionally and eternally. God is the only One with power. He loans it out to His children to recycle His goodness.

God's Love and our prayers through Jesus Christ are true medicine for our soul.

God's blessings are constantly flowing! God is our ultimate protector!

Do you recall a time when you feel that God made you blush?

Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

“We all have a limp.”

We all have a limp (an emotional or physical limitation) which truly humbles us. Others may view these limps as blanketing our talents. Sometimes, it may be very challenging to accomplish our goals in life or even simple daily tasks.

It is more important to enjoy God’s journey in life for us rather than just reaching our own personal desired destination point. Developing a deep capacity of Love, faith and hope through prayer will provide the passion needed to remain in an intimate personal relationship with God.

I was driving through town one day and there was an elderly lady riding a medical scooter to the mall. She was lean, very dressed up and was wearing a nice coat, gloves and scarf. It was very cold and windy outside. She had a big smile on her face as she rode across the busy highway and onto the parking lot. She even had a headlight on the front of this medical scooter. You could tell this was her regular route to the mall.

I noticed her leg had been amputated at the thigh level. It was truly humbling to see this lady so happy and independent despite her "limp." Her generation knew how to be strong. She made such an impression and is still on my mind. We all have some type of "limp" and should learn to be happy no matter what life hands us.

Does your limp make you stronger or weaker?

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

Honoring all of our fallen HEROES (men and women) on Memorial Day, also known in the past as Decoration Day! Prayers for their families, and our nation.

Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

“Information is ammunition.”

Information is ammunition. Whenever you tell certain people your most personal details in life, they tend to use that information against you and to their advantage whenever things are not going well in the friendship/relationship.

People are unable to harm you verbally, emotionally or financially if they do not have the information to do so in the first place. Maintaining an element of mystery is good for any relationship because it tends to make you and your actions less predictable to other people. Protecting private information about yourself also prevents others from distorting their true image of you.

My daughter, Billie,  had a friend named Sarah that was very intelligent but proceeded to tell everyone in her circle of friends that she felt she had very little sense of direction. From that point on, Sarah's inner circle of friends, labeled her as "the one that you should not ever ask for directions."

Early in these friendships, Sarah divulged information that she felt she was terrible with navigation. Sarah revealed her “inner limp” to her closest friends.

None of Sarah's friends would have ever known or even cared that Sarah did not have a good sense of direction. Sarah exposed her privacy, and ultimately, was labeled by her friends.

Are you able to maintain a healthy element of mystery with friends and family?

Proverbs 2:11
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

“Your life is only as good as the people that are in it.”

Protect your goals and dreams by surrounding yourself with positive people.

Have you ever noticed that some people only want to think, talk, and behave in a negative fashion? Those types of people will always bring you down. Over a period of time, negativity can wear anyone down. I encourage you to examine the people that are in your life on a daily basis. These people are the ones that are most likely able to have some type of influence over you. Make sure that your inner circle of friends and family members are positive minded individuals.

If some of the people in your inner circle are negative minded, they will have more likelihood of draining your positivity than you will helping them lose their negativity.

It is exhausting to try to encourage negative people to see the positive side of life. People tend to want to clutch onto their old habits whether they realize or not that negativity is unhealthy.

When negative people have difficulty converting their positive friends into their way of thinking, they eventually go in a different direction. Negative people have difficulty being around positive people.

Do you have more positive or negative people in your life?

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

“Fast on gossip!”

My husband I taught our children to “fast on gossip!” 

We taught our children that when people gossip, it is because the person gossiping does not feel good about their own self.  This explanation really hit home with me! 

Growing up, our children felt free to discuss their feelings with us, as parents, rather than gossiping to other people. Our children also learning that people may choose to be unkind to you for no reason whatsoever.

People do not usually bring my daughter, Billie, gossip because they knew that she has zero interest in it. It is no fun to bring gossip to someone that will not participate.

Regardless of your opinion about or toward someone else, it is not our place to judge or gossip about others.

If someone truly Loves, respects and cares about you, they will squash gossip, the very moment it comes to them.

Gossip is toxic, destroys lives, and is something that we taught our children to fast on since their childhood. It destroys families, and all types of relationships.

If someone brings you gossip then they automatically disrespect you. Tell them to learn how to raise their gossip bar. 

Your life is only as good as the people you allow in it. It is always your choice to forbid gossip or not. 

Our entire team at work with my daughter, has a zero-gossip policy in our workplace. If you gossip, you lose your job. Kindness and dedication is our work style.

Gossip is wrong. The bible plainly identifies gossiping as sinful. Here are some scriptures that come to my mind about gossip:

Proverbs11:12-13,16:28,20:19, 26:20,10:19, 18:6- 7, 21:23,17:9,
25:9-10, 6:16-19, 10:18
Psalms 34:13, 141:3, 101:5, 50:20, 41:5

Ephesians 4:29 Titus 3:2
Exodus 23:1, 20:16 James 4:11, 1:26

1 Timothy 5:13 Leviticus 19:16 John 7:12-13 Romans 1:29-32 5-28-15

Pray for people that gossip, and those that rely on gossip for their information.

Are you learning to fast on gossip?

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

“Follow your heart.”

No matter what others say or do, follow your own heart. Listen to the voice of God inside your heart, and be obedient.

We all have visions for our missions whether they are domestic or international. Become determined to help others, especially people that seem disadvantaged. Often times, we are able to help provide opportunities for people in need. If that opportunity comes your direction, do not let it slip away without lending a hand to someone.

We cannot ever know exactly what the future has in store for us. The very person that you helped in the past may become the person that will lend you a hand one day in the future.

Are you listening to the voice of God inside your heart?

Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

“The first moment after you open your eyes from a prayer ... feels so peaceful.

Praying is peaceful, it always has been! When we seek for comfort and contentment, the first thing we do is find ourselves in prayer.

Prayers are our lifeline to God. It is the soulful connection that provides communication to our Almighty God in Heaven!

We pray through The Son, our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ, to our Heavenly Father.
Jesus died on the cross to save us from our past, present, and future sins. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation.

He forgave everyone that asked for His forgiveness. He even forgave people that did not ask. Jesus Loved the un-Lovable! 

Do you feel a sense of peacefulness after you pray?

Numbers 6:26
The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton

“Karen... our lifelong friend!”

Karen, our lifelong friend of thirty years, was called to her Eternal Home to be with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ and our Almighty Father God! She is in front of God, a soldier of the Light and covered in Glory! She was a skilled Registered Nurse, and lived her life celebrating others! Karen made you feel like you were the most important person in the world every time you saw her!

Over the years, Karen and my daughter, Billie, helped each other through the best and hardest times of their ives. She was a rare and unique friend because she truly Loved Billie unconditionally, very similar to the way my husband and I do. Their friendship was timeless, and had the mutual element of an epic Love! Our families even Loved each other!  Ann (Karen’s Mother), Loved Billie as if she were her own child. The feeling was mutual! I Loved both Karen and Ann, very deeply too!  Ann passed away a few months prior to Karen’s passing. Karen’s family, and our family, were all in a season of grief.

Many years ago, Karen dedicated the song entitled, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Dianna Ross to her friendship with my daughter, Billie. This was the final song that was played at her funeral service. It was beautiful because everyone was standing with their arms in the air celebrating her life as the song was being played. Karen lived her life Loving and serving the Lord!  Billie preached both Ann and Karen's funerals per Karen's sister (Donna's) request. Ann and Karen both would have been filled with contentment knowing that Billie officiated their services.

Is there a timeless friendship in your life which embraces an epic Love?

Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton