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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

http://www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com/

Bear's Inspirations, 1820 Wynnton Road, Columbus, GA (2026)

01/19/2026

Beautifully Stated

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. So send this to all of your friends (and me) in the next 5 minutes and a miracle will happen tonight

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

~anonymous~

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com

01/15/2026

Barber Shop

A man went to a barber shop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things and various subjects. Suddenly, they touched the subject of God.

The barber said: “Look man, I don’t believe that God exists as you say so.”

“Why do you say that?” – asked the client.

“Well, it’s so easy; you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be no suffering or pain. I can’t think of a God who permits all of these things.”

The client stopped for a moment thinking but he didn’t want to respond so as to prevent an argument. The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barber shop he saw a man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his cut and he looked so untidy.)

“You know what? Barbers do not exist.”

“How come they don’t exist?” asked the Barber. “Well I am here and I am a barber.”

“No!” The client exclaimed. “They don’t exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks in the street.”

“Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me.”

“Exactly!” affirmed the client. “That’s the point, God does exist, what happens is people don’t go to Him and do not look for Him that‘s why there’s so much pain and suffering in the world”

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page

01/14/2026

Let Go And Let GOD!

God never tells us that OUR need to forgive is contingent on another's genuine repentance. Christ didn't die ONLY for those who would be REALLY sorry. He didn't forgive ONLY those who could eventually prove their worthiness. And He certainly didn't set up a record-keeping system for tracking our screw-ups! Once forgiven, ALWAYS forgotten. And forgetting is the essence of true forgiveness: the sweat aroma that melts resentment and builds love.

Remember back to that first time you felt unconditionally accepted by someone who REALLY knew you. That acceptance could not have been possible if resentment had grabbed a foothold. Resentment amounts to hatred, and that resentment would have been against YOU!

I love that old maxim, "Let go, and let God." It's the things we can't handle that God promises to take on for us! WE don't have to learn to overcome or overlook someone else's shortcomings, that's God's job. WE are called to love. WE are called to forgive. Once we realize this, what a heavy burden is lifted from our shoulders!

If by chance, the FACT that you're right and someone else is wrong is your justification for harboring resentment, remember the principles of love in

I Corinthians 13: 4-8:

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last for ever."

With this in mind, dare we waste any more time harboring resentments and burying our heads, when we should be enjoying life, embracing love and living more fully? Let's do ourselves a favor - let's let go. and let God!

Steve Goodier, publisher of Your Life Support System

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com

01/13/2026

Everything Happens For A Reason

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there…to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would never realize your potential, strength, will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create whom you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things. Make every day count. Appreciate everything that you possibly can, for you may never experience it again.

Talk to people whom you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create you own life and then go out and live it.

Share this with anyone whom you believe
has made a difference in your life!

"If you take your eyes off your goals, all you see is obstacles."

~Author Unknown~

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com

01/12/2026

COME SIT WITH ME

You got hammered at the bar on Saturday but came to church on Sunday….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

You’re a drug addict but came to church on Sunday….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

You’re divorced and the last church you attended condemned you for it….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

You’ve had an abortion and it’s slowly eating away at your heart but you came to church on Sunday….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

You’ve been unfaithful to your spouse but came to church on Sunday….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.

Here’s the thing, people don’t come to church on Sunday for you to sit in the pew and quietly judge them because you feel that you’re somehow better than them.

People come to church because in their deepest, darkest, most painful moments they heard about a man named Jesus that could save their soul and they’d like to know him.

The man that just snorted co***ne off his kitchen table isn’t a bigger sinner than you who told your boss a lie on Monday so you could leave work early.

The woman that had an abortion 10 years ago isn’t a bigger sinner than you who flipped a man off in traffic last week because he cut you off.

The drunk man laying on the bar isn’t a bigger sinner than you who occasionally has too much to drink at home in private.

The woman that just got caught cheating on her husband isn’t a bigger sinner than you who had s*x with your now husband before you were married.

Stop judging others because their sin is different than yours.

Romans 3:23-24 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

There isn’t a person in this world too bad, too broken, too mean, or too damaged for Jesus to save.
Romans 10:13 says “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com

01/11/2026

Mending Fences

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother.

Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us.

Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn?

I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation.

Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge.

A bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other!

A fine piece of work, handrails and all, and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've got a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

-Author Unknown

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com

01/08/2026

Counting the Nuts
Galatians 5:25-26 – “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
There was as story recently in which some passengers on a major airline were complaining that the first-class passengers got more cashews in their snacks than rest of the folks. Somebody sat there and counted how many nuts of each kind he had. He didn’t think the mix of almonds, cashews, and other nuts was fairly divided. I hate to break it to you, but if you’re counting your nuts, you might be nuts. Happiness never comes from comparing your blessings to somebody else’s. That’s called envy, and it will rot your soul. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Maybe you don’t count nuts, but do you keep track of who has a nicer house or car than you? Does it bother you when someone else gets a promotion at work? Do you become jealous of friends having fun together and spending time together if you’re not there? The Bible says love doesn’t keep a count of the bad things, but rejoices in the good things. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.” (1 Cor. 13:4) Instead of getting upset when someone has extra, why not be glad for them? If you have to count something, count your blessings. When you concentrate on what you have, instead of what you don’t, you’ll be surprised how much more joy you’ll find. The things that really count in life are how much we love God, and how much we love and serve others. Everything else is just peanuts.

01/07/2026

Before I Go

When my life has reached its very end,

And I take that final breath;

I want to know I've left behind,

Some "good" before my death.

I hope that in my final hour,

In all honesty I can say:

That somewhere in my lifetime,

I have brightened someone's day.

That maybe I have brought a smile

To someone else's face,

And made one moment a little sweeter

While they dwelled here in this place.

Lord, please be my reminder

And whisper softly in my ear ...

To be a "giver," not a "taker,"

In the years I have left here.

Give to me the strength I need,

Open up my mind and my soul

That I might show sincere compassion,

And love to others before I go.

For if not a heart be touched by me,

And not a smile was left behind ...

Then the life that I am blessed with,

Will have been a waste of time.

With all my heart, I truly hope

To leave something here on earth ....

That touched another, made them smile

And gave to my life ... worth.

~ Author Unknown ~

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com

01/06/2026

Just Float

It is spring in South Africa and I was working in my garden.

I noticed that a little dove had fallen from its nest and into

our swimming pool. The bird was still alive, but only just.

It had been in the pool a long time. Its feet were stiff from

the cold and its little neck just hung limp. I took it out of

the pool not really knowing what to do.

Instinct jumped in. I wrapped the bird in a towel and blew

softly into the towel to warm it up. A couple of hours later,

the little bird made a full recovery.

As I was sitting and looking at this bird, I realized that when

I found it in the pool, it was just floating. Had the little

bird spluttered and flapped, it would have tired itself out.

Its feathers would have become completely water-logged and it

would have drowned. Instead, it just floated.

The lesson I learned is this:

When I am in a situation, I too should "float" instead of

flapping and splashing around. I should "float" in the arms of

the Everlasting Father who always will carry me and rescue me.

~A MountainWings Original by Sandy Lange, South Africa~

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com

01/05/2026

Always Watching

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. And he was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced, but he could never hit the target. So, getting a little discouraged, he headed back to dinner.

As he was walking back he saw Grandma’s pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved.

In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes."

But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper."

But Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Thought for the day: whatever is in your past, whatever you have done, and the enemy keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, debt, fear hatred, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, ...), whatever it is, you need to know that Jesus Christ was standing at the window, and He saw the whole thing.

He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the enemy make a slave of you.

The great thing about God is that He not only forgives you, but He forgets. Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share this with family and friends. And remember ¬Jesus is always at the window.

01/05/2026

LORD, PROP US UP
Every time I am asked to pray,
I think of the old deacon, who always prayed,
Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.'
After hearing him pray that prayer many times,
someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.
He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this...
I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time,
it's withstood a lot of weather, it's gone through a lot of storms,
and it's stood for many years.
It's still Standing, but one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit.
So I went and got some pine poles
and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.
Then I got to thinking ‘bout that and how much I was like that old barn.
I been around a long time, I've withstood a lot of life's storms, I've
Withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times,
And I'm still standing too.
But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time,
so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side,
'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning, at times}
Sometime we get to leaning toward anger,
leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred,
leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that
We shouldn't, so we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side,'
so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.
-— Author Unknown

12/18/2025

T’was The Night Before Christmas (Revised)

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE, AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,

A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE, NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,

JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND, ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS, A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,

I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,

CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR

IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER, NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM ID JUST READ?

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,

THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES

THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,

OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,

THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDNT HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE, I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE "SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,

I DON'T ASK FOR MORE, MY LIFE IS MY GOD,

MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP, I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP,

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL AND WE BOTH SHIVERED

FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE

ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT, THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE, WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,

IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT. "MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.

Mandi Collier
Bear's Inspiration Page
www.bearsinspirations.homestead.com

Bear's Inspirations

01/19/2026

01/15/2026

01/14/2026

01/13/2026

01/12/2026

01/11/2026

01/08/2026

01/07/2026

01/06/2026

01/05/2026

01/05/2026

12/18/2025

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm