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🌅 July 14 – Today Is Still Full of Possibility 🌈

Motivational Blog by Dale Cantrell

It’s July 14, and maybe you woke up feeling like you’re running behind in life. Maybe you’re thinking, “I should be further along by now,” or “It’s too late to start something new.”

Let me encourage you: It’s not too late. You’re not too old. And today is still full of possibility.

🎯 Don’t count yourself out just because the journey has taken longer than you expected. Some of the greatest victories in life happen later than planned but right on time in God’s calendar.

📖 Scripture says:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

That promise still stands. God’s plan didn’t expire. If you’ve still got breath, you’ve still got purpose.

💬 Quote of the Day:

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

🌟 Don’t spend today regretting what didn’t happen. Use today to create what can happen. Whether it’s a fresh start, a small step, or a big decision—take it. This is your day. Own it.

Hope is alive. The clock hasn’t run out. And the best may still be ahead.

7/13– Can You Spare A Minute?

“If I should die before I wake. That is a children’s bedtime prayer that I used to say when I was growing up. In turn, I taught it to my children. I believe that in its simplicity, it is one of the greatest of all old time prayers. Next to the Lord’s prayer in Matthew six it is so powerful. I was saying it to my little boy who was about four or five years or so one night. My little girl about two years old was lying in a little bed next to him. She had never acted like she was paying any attention to our nightly ritual. That night as I started to leave the room she indicated she wanted to repeat her prayers. I began with now to lay me down to sleep. I would pause and she would repeat what I just said. Then we got down to the part where we said if I should die before I awake. She didn’t repeat that line but opened her eyes and said what? I really didn’t know how to respond but I managed to say never mind I’ll tell you later. How do you explain the concept of death to someone for the first time. I don’t recall how I realized the reality and meaning of death. I took care of the fear of death over forty years ago. I do not fear death today, but I do fear getting to death and have never really lived. I do fear getting to the end of my life and dying with my song, sermon, and love still in me.”

Excerpt from “Live First, Die Last” by J D Canter

Scripture:

Mark 10:13-15

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Humor:

5/5–Humor

Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had bat-infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said one, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but did nothing to the bats.” “I tried trapping them alive,” said the second. “Then I drove 50 miles before releasing them, but they beat me back to the church.” “I haven’t had any more problems,” said the third. “What did you do?” asked the others, amazed. “I simply baptized and confirmed them,” he replied. “I haven’t seen them since.”  

It’s July 13, and today is a good day to remind yourself: A setback is not the end of your story—it’s just a pause in the plot.

We all face moments when life knocks us down. A dream gets delayed. A plan falls apart. A door closes. But here’s what you need to remember:

Your current situation is not your final destination.

🛑 A setback is simply a setup for a comeback.

Your struggle today might be preparing you for strength tomorrow. Sometimes the detour is part of the destiny.

📖 The Bible says:

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” – Psalm 34:19

Yes, you may be going through something tough. But don’t give it the final word. God’s not finished.

💬 Quote of the Day:

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb

🎯 So today, shake off the dust. Get back up. Keep going. What you’ve been through isn’t wasted—it’s shaping you, stretching you, and strengthening you.

Your bounce-back will be greater than your setback.

You’re not defeated. You’re developing.

Some days feel like mountaintops—joyful, victorious, full of momentum. But most days? They feel like the middle of the climb. No big applause. No obvious progress. Just you, taking one step after another.

💭 Here’s the truth:

Mountaintop moments are built in the quiet, uphill days when nobody’s watching. Don’t confuse silence with failure. Sometimes God does His best work in the stillness.

📖 Scripture of the Day:

“Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

Even if it feels like nothing’s changing, something is happening. Muscles are strengthening. Faith is deepening. Character is being forged.

💬 Quote of the Day:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

🔥 So today, keep climbing.

Even when it’s hard.

Even when it’s lonely.

Even when it seems like no one else understands.

You’re closer than you think. Breakthroughs don’t shout—they often whisper.

🌄 Every step you take today is moving you higher. Keep going. The view will be worth it.

Mark 14:3. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

7/12–Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Quote:

Noah didn’t stop building the ark to explain himself to every doubter & hater.

KEEP BUILDING and let the RAIN DO the TALKING!

Story:

 

This is something that everyone needs, to be able to navigate the storms of life. Because no matter who you are you will have them. Concerning natural storms, they come up in everyone’s life no matter who you are or where you are at. 

Storms just have a way of finding us no matter where we are at. It does matter if it’s not a good time or if we are ready. There are no exemptions! 

The wise thing to do then, is to be ready. After all storms are always lurking and it is unwise not to prepare for them. 

I have heard that you are either in a storm or you just came from a storm or you’re about to go into a storm. So, that’s all the time. We cannot afford to ignore the storms! 

It is absolutely necessary that we learn to navigate the Storms!! When the media announces the approaching of storms, if you choose to ignore the warnings then you have to suffer the consequences. We would do everything we could to make sure we, along with our family and love ones, would be safe and prepared. 

How many reading this feel as though you still have hope?

Excerpt From “How To Navigate Life’s Storms” By J D Canter Available in Kindle Amazon:

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Scripture:

Acts 27:14-18

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

7/12– Can You Spare A Minute?

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground.  “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.  “

He’s a fine looking boy”, the man said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.”

Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?”  Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes.”  The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content. 

Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. “Time to go now?”

Again Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes.”  The man smiled and said, “OK.”  “My, you certainly are a patient father,” the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him. 

I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa.  She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get five more minutes to watch her play.”

Moral of the Story: Life as a student can be downright hectic but as long as your priorities are straight, you’ll be able to make the most out of your hard work. In the story, the man learned the hard way to prioritize his family on top of all others. No matter how busy things get, don’t forget to spend time with people that matters to you!