The Most Interesting Feature of Worry

Ralph Waldo Trine once said, " The most interesting feature of worry, as well as the most astonishing when we examine carefully into it, is the fact that through it nothing is ever gained, but on the other hand, everything is lost."

What do we lose? We lose time, our physical well-being, mental well-being, and even our looks over worry. Lines appear on our face in the course of consistent worry. Is it worth it, especially when it is a fact that the majority of the things we worry about NEVER happen? What a price we pay!

Trust God, be joyful, have peace that passes understanding, and know that you are in good hands. He won't let you down.

Be happy, Donna

P.S. I am going to have to take a pause in posting for several days to be with my dear aunt who is in the hospital. So, till my next post-LIVE IN JOY!! God bless you.

Look at Obstacles as Stepping Stones

Have you ever had things come up in your life that seemed so overwhelming that you thought, "I just can't handle this"? I know I have.

Something that helped me was to think of the circumstance as flat stepping stones rather than boulders I would trip and fall over. Just as a seeds often struggle to push through hard soil to come up to greet the sun and grow, our struggles can be blessings in disguise to help us grow.

God works in mysterious ways. It's what the Bible tells us; that's just the way it is. If there is a struggle, greet it as a stepping stone to your growth. Know that God is with you, and what is happening is just a way to take you a step further on your path of life. Be assured that He'll carry you through whatever you're facing. Don't give up. Look at life joyfully, have faith, and walk on top of the stepping stones of life, one step at a time.

God loves you,
Donna

Be Undisturbed

God is waiting for you to say,"I am undisturbed by _____. I trust that You will take care of _____, and nothing-not a thing- moves me to be fearful or worry and doubt your eternal care."

That's what God was waiting for the Israelites to say when they first faced the "Land of milk and honey." However, in their eyes, they, also faced "giants" that they felt were too big and scary for them to go up against.

Oh, how things would have changed had they completely trusted God's strong arms to carry them through the perceived danger. He would have, you know. Instead, they were fearful and took themselves out of God's arms. The rest of the story we all know.

Don't deprive yourself of your land flowing with milk and honey. Trust and believe God. Nothing is impossible for Him. Jesus told us that. Be undisturbed by your circumstances: Let go and let God.

In love and joy,
Donna

The Golden Rule

Jesus wrote of the Golden Rule. Yes, it can be found at Matthew 7:12: "Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the law." It's so simple, yet so apropos for these days of turmoil.

There is a poem, What We Learned in Kindergarten. They were all those simple little rules to live by that we were taught that could carry us through our whole life, most of which told us to just be nice to one another.

Here's a little poem on this thought:

"If you'd help the world a bit,
Do as you'd be done by:
If you'd help to brighten it,
Do as you'd be done by;
If you have a blessing, let
Someone share it; don't forget,
Selfishness will bring regret;--
Do as you'd be done by.

So, simply do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. The Golden Rule is summed up in just one little word-Love.

In love-God bless you,
Donna

God's Got Strong Arms

There's a scripture in Deut. 33:27 which reads, "The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. and he will thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.""

The arm of God symbolizes protection for us. The scriptural words used was one way to help us to visualize His power. God's arm, also, symbolizes strength. If you can just realize that God reaches out to you to hold you up under all circumstances, you could then relax, let go, and let God. It's the ability to be like King Jehosophat.

The king and his kingdom knew great armies were coming against them, and so he prayed to God for direction. Jehosophat told God they felt powerless before the great multitude but that their "eyes were on Him." As they stood looking out over the approaching armies, God's Spirit through a prophet said, "Stand and watch the salvation of the Lord on your behalf. Do not fear or be dismayed for the Lord is with you!"

God literally took over. The enemies were defeated miraculously while the king's people gave thanks for God's lovingkindness and sang praises. Afterward, King Jehosophat sent his men down to collect the spoils. It is an amazing story that can be found at 2 Chronicles 20:12-25.

Can we stand back in faith and trust allowing God to work in our lives? Believe in God's power and be miracle minded. Ask for direction believing, and God's arms will lift and carry you through your problems to victory.

In love and joy,
Donna

Faith is Expectancy

I've posted on faith and Hebrews 11:1: "Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for though the evidence is unseen." Faith is expectancy of things hoped for without seeing the outcome.

Matthew 9:29 says, "According to your faith be it unto you." Another way to say this is : According to your expectancies be it done unto you. So, what are you expecting?

Are you expecting the worst consciously or even unconsciously? Are you one who says things like, "I don't know, it certainly looks bad."

Change your expectancies! Instead of expecting loss, failure, or lack, expect good, happiness, and abundance. God can make a way when there is no way. That's believing and having trust in your Heavenly Father. Get excited. God acts through our joy which is our strength. He sympathizes in our tears, but it's our joy and unwavering faith that, Jesus says, moves mountains!

More tomorrow...Until then, be miracle minded.

In love and joy,
Donna

Don't Reason Too Much

People have a way of reasoning away their blessings. The reasoning mind and will often causes a short circuit in the path of receiving blessings. Most are filled with fear when there is nothing visible to hang on to.

Simply pray, believe, and TRUST. The trusting is the hard part that most people fail to do.

Remember: You needn't worry having God to back you up. Just trust Him

God bless you,
Donna

The Lord Is My Shepard-cont'd

Yesterday's post was regarding, "The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want," from the 23rd Psalms. When you get into the mindset that the Lord is really your Shepard, you will come to the full realization that your supply will be met.

Say that scripture to yourself and truly mean it. Say it several times a day. Feel the words. Don't let old Mr. Doubt creep into one thought you have.

When there is a need, is your first thought that of worry and fear? Or, is it complete trust that "I shall not want"? Put your faith thought out there first, not last. God never changes. He never lies. It all depends on our faith and trust that He is our Father, we are His children, and His love never fails. So don't allow Mr. Doubt into your life. Only you can stop him, and kick him out for good.

God bless you-Live in joy and prosperity,
Donna

Psalms 23:1, "The Lord Is My Shepard, I Shall Not Want."

I love the 23rd Psalms. More people have gotten comfort from this passage. There have been some people, however, that have been taught that the above scripture at Psalms 23:1, means that should not desire anything materially.

Upon hearing this, I had to post regarding this scripture. I have said before that I am passionate about word origins. And, when it says " I shall not want," want definitely means "lack," and we can substitute that word in the scripture and say, "I shall not lack."

Our Infinite Father wants us to live in prosperity or wholeness: Wholeness spiritually, physically, and materially. He said He would give us the desires of our heart. Humans were made to have the desires of their heart,made to dream, and to have dreams fulfilled. It's what makes life full and exciting. And, the word "shall" means absolutely or definitely without any doubt whatsoever.

Open up to the abundance of this life that is yours by divine right. Know that God loves you...
More tomorrow...

Till then, have a beautiful evening,
Donna

Earth Month

This post is dedicated to Earth Month and the upcoming Earth Day, April 22nd. I can't help but bring attention to this event. In order to truly Live in Joy on this beautiful planet we all call home, our home has to be the best we can possibly help to make it.

The scripture in Genesis 2:14, says."Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it."

That word "keep" is a very special word. It means to care for something so gently and so completely. It means to make sure that no harm comes to it, to cherish it. That was the command that God gave to man. That was man's responsibility, our responsibility.

Let's all take notice of the things that are happening to our "home" which is the only one we have, and do what we can to "keep it." What we do to the earth, we do to ourselves. By making sure we do our part, we will not only live in joy here, but we will give our children, grandchildren, and future generations to come a beautiful, safe, healthy world in which to live and enjoy life as we have had the priviledge of doing.

Here are some links to help you to Live Green in order to take care of our home:
www.fuelnews.net -Where you can get Solar Energy with NO System or maintenance cost! Adopting solar just makes sense! It's clean and always accessible.
www.skudabeck.myfti.biz - Where you can get an easy way to save up to 25% or more on your electric bills and reduce the hazardous EMF's in your home at the same time.
www.yourlifeandhome.wordpress.com - A blog to inform of the developments in environmental issues, more links, and tips.
emailto: adoptsolar@gmail.com - Contact us if you have any questions or comments. We'd love to hear from you.

We can stop Global Warming and keep the earth beautiful; however, we can only make a difference by working together and making changes NOW.

God bless you,
Donna

Count the Day Well Spent

If we sit down at set of sun
And count the things that we have done,
And after counting find
One self-denying act, one word
That eased the heart of him who heard,
One glance most kind,
That fell like sunshine where it went,
Then we may count the day well spent.

In a world such as what we have seen in the last week, give a kind word or deed to someone least expecting it so as to spread a glimmer of hope to them. Thousands of glimmers make a beam of light. Let's bring love, hope, faith back into the lives of those who so desparately need it.

In love & joy,
Donna

Inspiration

In these days of such tragedy such as we have seen at Virginia Tech, we have to build one another up, embrace one another, and send love to every person we meet. Love is stronger than hate, and love will triumph in the end. Here's a little thought for the day.

Inspiration

If I could climb to heavenly heights,
And beg one gift from the white-winged choir
I would not ask a greater boon
Than the power to inspire,
To lift by timely words and acts
The weak from day to day,
To point them to a higher life
To brighten all their way.

Inspire and life one another up. Let everyone see God in you.

God be with you,
Donna

Just a Little Word

If any little word of mine
May make a life the brighter,
If any little song of mine
May make a heart the lighter,
God help me speak the little word
And take my bit of singing,
And drop it in some lonely vale
To set the echoes ringing.

If any little love of mine
May make a life the sweeter,
If any little care of mine
May make a friend's the fleeter,
If any lift of mine may ease
The burden of another,
God give me love and care and strength
To help my toiling brother.

Your words and deeds can lift another person high above his cares. Help someone today to build his faith in God and mankind, and yours will be strengthened, also.

Love to you,
Donna

Prayers for Virginia Tech

Yesterday saw great tragedy in loss of friends and family of many at Virginia Tech. I am saddened and shocked, as everyone is, that such a thing has happened.

I send my deepest condolences and prayers to all who have lost those dear to them. I hope the sentiments of James Whitcomb Riley will be of some solace.

Away

I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead. He is just away!

With a cheery smile, and a wave of his hand
He has wandered into an unknown land

And left us dreaming how very fair
Its needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you--oh, who the wildest yearn
For his step, and the glad return--

Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There, as the love of Here.

Think of him still as the same, I say,
he is not dead--he is just away.

God bless you and keep you all and them in His most tender care.

With much love,
Donna

Rule for Happiness

This poem is so simple. Written by Kant, "Rule for Happiness" couldn't have been said any better:

Something to do,
Some one to love,
Something to hope for.

Happiness doesn't come from the outside. It comes from within. We don't have to have a specific reason or receive something material to be happy. True happiness comes from a continual inward state of joyousness and contentment and a bright outlook as we greet every new day with hope. More often than not, it takes some time to develop that happiness from within but it is so worth the effort. Be patient with yourself in the process, because then no matter what occurs in life, that inner happiness is always there to light your way.

Stay happy; live in joy,
Donna

Cheerfulness Brings A Better Tomorrow

There's wisdom in having joy despite outward circumstances. Scripturally that is what we are encouraged to do. It's part of having faith: Standing instead of giving up. Here is a poem that exemplifies this:

Thank God for the man who is cheerful
In spite of life's troubles, I say;
Who sings of a bright tomorrow,
because of the clouds of today.
His life is a beautiful sermon,
And this is the lesson to me--
Meet trials with smiles and they vanish;
Face cares with a song and they flee.

Have joy in the Lord for it's our stength.

God bless you,
Donna

Make Each Morning A Fresh Beginning

You know each morning is a fresh beginning in life. In a sense there is no past, no future. Wise is the person who takes today and lives it, and tomorrow when it comes, but not before it comes.

The past is of no value except by the values and lessons it has taught us. If we learn anything, learn that there should be no regrests or crippled energies that result from regrets. Too many live in the past, always looking in the rear view mirror of life.

If we have stumbled or made mistakes, remember that all have done so at one time or another. No one's perfect. Don't allow yourself to be discouraged in the face of them. It's the person who gives himself time to recognize the cause of his mistakes, who quickly learns his lesson, and who then picks himself up and goes on without wasting even a moment on regrets who is wise. After all, sometimes it is through the stumblings that we learn the most, and your stumblings can actually become an asset to you. Keep a goin' and don't look back!

In love and joy,
Donna

Do Good for Others

Joy can be had from simply doing good for your fellow man.

John Wesley said it best in the following poem:

"Do all the good you can
By all the means you can,
in all the places you can
At all the times you can,
As long as ever you can."

Have a great day. It's getting a bit chilly and windy in many places. So stay warm and dry wherever you are.
Donna

Footprints on the Sands of Time

Lives of great men all remind us,
We may make our lives sublime;
And, departing, leave behind us,
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another
Travelling o'er life's solemn main:
Some forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, may take heart again.--Longfellow

Have a great day,
Donna

Faith Is...

Several have written me expressing doubts about faith. I have heard, "I pray, but nothing happens."

You know the scripture in Hebrews 11:1 says,"Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for though the evidence is not yet beheld." That is just one translation's rendition.

Faith is believing though the outcome is not seen. It's trusting without evidence. If we could see the outcome, it wouldn't be by faith, would it?

The secret is to really let go and let God. It's not by praying and then worrying. It's not by praying and then taking the problem back into our own hands, or trying to figure the problem out ourselves after we've prayed. If we do that, we might as well say, "You're not big enough to take care of me, God."

Take the problem to God and then rejoice, thanking Him. Praise Him, and know that all is well. Have a sweet night's rest free from worry. "Feel" at peace and cared for.

God loves you,
Donna

Good Advice from A Well-Known Author

We are all familiar with the writings of Louisa May Alcott. This author had some good advice when she wrote this so many years ago:

"It's part of my religion to look well after the cheerfulness of life, and let the dismals shift for themselves, believing, with good Sir Thomas More, that it is wise to be 'merrie in God.'"

Let your "dismals" fade away. Stay cheerful and "merrie in God" so that your days will be on the brightside of life.

Have a good day,
Donna

Meet Trials with Smiles

There was a saying years ago that holds true for all of us today:

Thank God for the man who is cheerful
In spite of life's troubles, I say;
Who sings of a bright tomorrow,
Because of the clouds of today.
His life is a beautiful sermon,
And this is a lesson to me---
Meet trials with smiles and they vanish;
Face cares with a song and they flee.

Just be joyful. And, the more you are joyful, the more good things will come your way.

In love & joy,
Donna

Happy Holiday to You

Wishing you a safe, blessed Easter/Resurrection Day wherever you are.

God bless you,
Donna

Magic of A Song

"Sing and the whole world sings with you." Do you remember those lyrics? When you feel down, let your spirit soar by singing a song. Don't worry if you can't carry a tune. God and the angels don't care. Every one of our songs is beautiful to them. So sing your heart out and do so with joy-Rejoice!

Now don't forget, when things go worng,
To try the magic of a song.
A cheerful heart, and a smiling face
Pour sunshine in the darkest place.

God loves you, and so do I,
Donna

Keep a Goin'

Whatever you're facing; whatever you're problems, as this poem says, "keep a goin'" and don't give up. It's usually right when we feel like quitting, that we're so close to having everything work out. Remember, God's in charge. He Loves you, so Keep a Goin'!

If you strike a thorn or rose
Keep a goin'.
If it hails or snows,
Keep a goin'.
'Taint no use to sit an' whine,
When the fish ain't on the line,
Bait your hook an' keep a tryin',
Keep a goin'.

When it looks like all is up,
Keep a goin'.
Drain the sweetness from the cup,
Keep a goin'.
See the wild bird on the wing,
Hear the bells that sweetly ring,
When you feel like sighin', SING,
KEEP A GOIN'!

In love and joy to you,
Donna

Do It Now

Today-Your "today" is the most important day to you. Live each day as it comes along with as much gusto and joy as you can possibly give it.

Now

If you have hard work to do,

Do it now

Today the skies are clear and blue,

Tomorrow clouds may come into view,

Yesterday is not for you;

Do it Now!

If you have a song to sing,

Sing it now.

Let the notes of gladness ring

Clear as song of birds in spring,

Let every day some music bring;

Sing it now!

If you have kind words to say,

Say them now.

Tomorrow may not come your way,

Do a kindness while you may,

Loved ones will not always stay;

Say them now!

If you have a smile to show,

Show it now.

Make hearts happy, --roses grow,

Let the friends around you know

The love you feel before they go;

Show it now!

God bless,

Donna

Everyone Can Give This Gift Everyday

"If, instead of a gem or flower, we could cast the gift of a lovely thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give."-George McDonald

Everyday you can send someone a lovely thought. It doesn't cost anything; however, it will mean so much to them.

God bless,

Donna

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Pass It On

Do you remember a movie that was made not too long ago, Pay It Forward? If you do, I have a poem that I hope you'll enjoy.

Pass It On

Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on;
'Twas not given for you alone,
Pass it on;
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another's tears,
Till in heaven the deed appears---
Pass it on.

Did you hear a loving word?
Pass it on;
Like the singing of a bird?
Pass it on;
Let its music live and grow,
Let it cheer another's woe;
You have reaped what others sow,
Pass it on.

Be not selfish, don't show greed,
Pass it on;
Look upon your brother's need,
Pass it on;
Live for self, you live in vain;
Live for Christ, you live again;
Live for Him, with Him you reign--
Pass it on!

Pass your love around,
Donna

Squeeze A Laugh

To go along with yesterday's post, here's another to remember about the importance of laughter:

Why in the world do you want to carry
Things that annoy and harrass and harry?
Stop them and drop them, a new day is here,
Squeeze a laugh from it instead of a tear.--Herbert Kaufman

A wise man from the past said that "man was meant for laughter, not tears." There is great wisdom in those words since laughter is nature's medicine for the soul. We stay healthier and have more mental fortitude by being happy and joyful, and by turning the lemons of life into lemonade.

As Byron wrote:

"Always laugh when you can;
It is cheap medicine.
merriment is a philosophy not well understood.
It is the sunny side of existence."

Stay joyful.

Love,
Donna

A Recipe for Sanity

Sometimes our days can be a little stressful. As we go into a new week, I hope that this little poem will be brought to mind when you get into situations that tests your patience.

A Recipe for Sanity

Are you worsted in a fight?

Laugh it off.

Are you cheated of your right?

Laugh it off.

Don't make tragedy of trifles,

Don't shoot butterflies with rifles--

Laugh it off.

Does your work get into kinks?

Laught it off.

Are you near all sorts of brinks?

laugh it off.

If it's sanity you're after,

There's no recipe like laughter--

Laugh it off.

Have a great week,

Donna