Bear's Inspirations

Bear's Inspirations This page is dedicated to the Inspirations done every morning on Kissin 99.3 in Columbus,GA with Be

09/03/2026

I Wonder

I wonder what I would have done,

Had I been there in that crowd;

Would I have spoken up for Him,

In a voice clear and loud?

Would I have walked beside Him,

Down that dirty, rock-strewn road?

Would I have tried to steady Him,

As He stumbled with His load?

Would I have let Him lean against me?

Would I have gladly borne his weight?

Could I have helped in any way,

To ease His great heartache?

Could I have said the proper words,

To comfort His aloneness,

To show I shared His sorrow,

To attend to His forlornness?

I wonder if I'd been there,

Would I have stroked His tear-stained cheek,

And kissed His bloodied hands,

And washed his bloodstained feet?

Would I have rubbed His aching shoulders,

Put soothing lotion on His back,

Tended to His open wounds,

And supplied the water that He lacked?

I know I was not good enough,

To volunteer to take His place,

But could I have helped Him bear that cross,

And kept the sweat from His dear face?

Would I have put my arms around His mother,

And hugged her to my breast?

Could I have shielded her from viewing,

Her precious Son's tormented death?

Could I have helped prepare His body,

And have bathed Him with perfume?

I wonder if I'd been there,

Would I have waited by His tomb?

No doubt that Easter Morning,

I would have shouted, "HE IS RISEN!"

And I know I would have thanked my God,

For that most joyous of occasions.

I'm so sorry that He suffered,

And I am sad it was that way,

But I know it was God's plan for man,

And because of it ... we're saved.

The only thing I could have done,

I suppose, had I been there,

Would have been to state my love for Him,

And tell Him I cared.



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

09/02/2026

It’s In The Valleys I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear, full of sorrow, troubles and woe.

Its then I have to remember that it’s in the valleys I grow

If I always stayed on the mountain top and never experienced pain,

I never would have appreciated God's love and would be living life in vain.



I have so much to learn and my growth is very slow,

sometimes I need the mountain tops, but it’s in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand why things happen as they do,

but I am very sure of one thing, my Lord will see me through.



My little valleys are nothing when I picture Christ on the cross.

He went through the valley of death,

His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord for complaining, when I am feeling low.



Just give me a reminder,

that it’s in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me Lord, and use my life each day,

to share your love with others and help them find their way.



Thank you for the valleys Lord, for there is one thing I surely know,

The Mountain tops are glorious,

but it’s in the valleys I grow.

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

09/01/2026

The Spoon

A pastor had dinner at the home of a couple in his church. After he left, the wife said to the husband, “I think he stole our spoon!” This bothered her for a whole year.

A year later the couple had the pastor for dinner again. Unable to resist, the wife asked, “Did you steal our spoon last year?” The pastor replied, “No, I put it inside your Bible.”



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

08/31/2026

Food For Thought

When I was a little boy, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad.

I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Baby, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to tell Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"

You know, life is full of imperfect things..... and imperfect people. I'm not the best housekeeper, cook or the best anything.

What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults — and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you the kind of relationship where a burnt biscuit is not a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship in fact – as understanding is the base of any relationship, but it a husband, wife, or parent-child, sister-brother, or friendship!





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

08/30/2026

The Land Of Hope



Today's Scripture



"I've pitched my tent in the Land of Hope" (Acts 2:26 Message).



Today's Word



Where have you pitched your tent today? What are you expecting to happen in your life? What kind of attitude do you have? If you're focused on what's wrong, or what's not working, it's time to dig up your tent stakes! It's time to pack up your belongings and move out of the land of discouragement. Move out of the "Not-going-to-happen" sub-division. Move out of "Can't-do-it-ville." It's time to leave "Self-pity Estates." Get out of those areas and move into the land of hope, faith, and expectation. Maybe you don't quite know how to get there, but now's the time to start looking for that new place. Open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to direct your thoughts and expectations. The Bible says that those who hope in the Lord will never be put to shame. You can trust God to order your steps. You can trust Him to move you from the land of disappointment to the land of hope today!



A Prayer for Today



Heavenly Father, thank You for ordering and directing my steps. Thank You for taking me to the land of hope! I release all my past hurts and disappointments to You today and ask that You fill me with Your faith and expectancy for a bright future! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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

08/23/2026

A Letter Home

My dear Family,



I am writing a special letter just to you.



I want to tell you not to cry, I've made it safely through. Please know that I am happy sitting here by Jesus' knee where all the hosts of heaven sing and worship God with me.

It's so beautiful in heaven and so peaceful here I know that even if I could come back, I wouldn't want to go.



The street is paved with purest gold, the trees forever green; the river flowing from God's throne is crystal clear and clean.

I have a mansion all my own; I'm filled with joy and praise.



I listen to sweet music and my voice in anthems raise.



My visions twenty-twenty and my ears hear every sound;



I see feet that once were crippled now walk firmly on the ground. The old are young and lively; there are no tears to fill my eyes. All the glories God has promised have come true beyond the skies. I have everything I need now, so dear family, don't feel blue. I'm writing you this letter just to say...I still love you.



I'll be waiting here in heaven for us to meet again someday and I pray that you'll stay ready to be quickly caught away. But until the trumpet's sounding and the sky is opened wide,

Please don’t cry for me, my loved ones…I am safe by Jesus’ side.





Dorthorea K Barwick 1994

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

08/19/2026

Small Miracles

Two years ago in downtown Denver my friend, Scott, and I saw something tiny and insignificant change the world, but no one else even seemed to notice. It was one of those beautiful Denver days. Crystal clear, no humidity, not a cloud in the sky. We decided to walk the ten blocks to an outdoor restaurant rather than take the shuttle bus that runs up and down the Sixteenth Street Mall. The restaurant, in the shape of a baseball diamond, was called The Blake Street Baseball Club. The tables were set appropriately on the grass infield. Many Colorful pennants and flags hung limply overhead.

As we sat outside, the sun continued to beat down on us, and it became increasingly hot. There wasn't a hint of a breeze, and heat radiated up from the tabletop. Nothing moved, except the waiters, of course. And they didn't move very fast, either.

After lunch Scott and I started to walk back up the mall. We both noticed a mother and her young daughter walking out of a card shop toward the street. She was holding her daughter by the hand while reading a greeting card. It was immediately apparent to us that she was so engrossed in the card that she did not notice a shuttle bus moving toward her at a good clip. She and her daughter were one step away from disaster when Scott started to yell.

He hadn't even gotten a word out when a breeze blew the card out of her hand and over her shoulder. She spun around and grabbed at the card, nearly knocking her daughter over. By the time she picked up the card from the ground and turned back around to cross the street, the shuttle bus had whizzed by her. She never even knew what almost happened. To this day two things continue to perplex me about this event: Where did that one spurt of wind come from to blow the card out of that young mother's hand? There had not been a whisper of wind at lunch or during our long walk back up the mall.

Secondly, if Scott had been able to get his words out, the young mother might have looked up at us as they continued to walk into the bus. It was the wind that made her turn back to the card -- in the one direction that saved her life and that of her daughter.

The passing bus did not create the wind. On the contrary, the wind came from the opposite direction. I have no doubt it was a breath from God protecting them both.

But the awesomeness of this miracle is that she never knew.



As we continued back to work, I wondered how God often acts in our lives without our being aware. The difference between life and death can very well be a little thing.

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

08/18/2026

Six Ears of Corn

One day I needed to make a quick run to the hardware store. I gathered my four sons, who had been playing in the dirt, and we drove off in our old faded green Plymouth. The boys looked pretty grimy and I didn't look much better, but I wanted to get to the store before it closed.

On the way home, I noticed a weathered man and his plainly dressed wife selling vegetables out of the back of a beat—up station wagon that looked even older and junkier than our Plymouth. But the corn looked fresh and tasty, so I stopped. Their hand-lettered sign read, "Homegrown —— 8 ears for $1.00." I realized I had spent nearly everything at the hardware store. All I had were a few coins. Undeterred, I asked, "How many ears can I get for sixty-one cents?"

"How many do you need'?" the man asked.

"Well, there are six in my family, but I'm a little short here," I replied.

"It's a deal," he said and stuffed six big ears of corn into a used paper bag.

After we got home my kids showed me a paper sack on the floor by the back seat. Inside were several beautiful tomatoes, two cucumbers, a couple of green peppers, and some beets. Surely the man and his wife needed the money that could have come from the sale of those vegetables. Why had they done it?

Then it dawned on me: old car, dirty kids, no money. The couple had assumed we were in need and had responded with compassion. Their generosity was humbling because they had given from what little they had.

That night as we bowed our heads and said grace, I gave thanks and a special prayer. "God, if others can give out of so little, help us always to do the same."

~Howard Urband~

Las Vegas, Nevada

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

08/17/2026

You’re the Perfect Type

The world might say there are many reasons why God wouldn't want to use you or me. But don't worry....just remember:

Moses stuttered.

David's armor didn't fit.

John Mark was rejected by Paul.

Hosea's wife was a pr******te.

Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.

Solomon was too rich.

Abraham was too old.

David was too young.

Timothy had ulcers.

Peter was afraid of death.

Lazarus was dead.

John was self-righteous.

Naomi was a widow.

Paul was a murderer..... So was Moses.

Jonah ran from God.

Miriam was a gossip.

Gideon and Thomas both doubted.

Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.

Elijah was burned out.

John the Baptist was a loudmouth.

Martha was a worrywart.

Mary was lazy.

Samson had long hair.

Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul...well, lots of folks did!



But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses because He's more our Dad than our Boss. God doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our needs. As much as we try, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people, and still not be...wonderful. Satan says, "You're not worthy." Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what we did. If it's repented sin, it's not even in the record. Sure, there are lots of reasons why God shouldn't want us!

But if we are utterly in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like.

Today, consider taking a step out in faith...Step out of our limitations into the illimitable nature of who God is.

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

08/03/2026

The Fence



There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence…

Finally the day came when the boy did not lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.

A verbal wound is a bad as a physical one. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.



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

Address

1820 Wynnton Road
Columbus, GA
31904

Opening Hours

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

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bear's Inspirations posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Bear's Inspirations:

Shortcuts

Share