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

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

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

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

Climb the Mountains

John Muir once said, "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you like sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."

We have to climb the mountains, raise our faith level, to see clearly all the majesty that God has for us. If we stay in the lowlands, all we can see are the cares that surround us.

So rise above those cares, throw your burdens on Christ and leave them there as He tells us to do, and climb the mountains to receive good tidings and the peace of God.

Have a beauitful Sunday,
Donna

Give Him A Lift

Here is a very poignant poem about helping our fellow man.

Give him a lift! Don't kneel in prayer,
Nor moralize with his despair.
The man is down, and his need is great
Is ready help---not prayer and creed.

One grain of aid just now is more
To him than tomes of saintly lore;
Pray if you must, in your full heart,
But give him a lift--give him a start.

The world is full of good advice,
Of prayer and praise, and preaching nice;
But the generous souls who aid mankind
Are scarce as gold and hard to find.

Give like a Christian---speak in deeds.
A noble life's the best of creeds;
And he shall wear a royal crown
Who gives 'em a lift when they are down.
Amen

When someone's in need, no matter race or creed, help them. Blessings will come from above.

Love to you,
Donna

Unconditional Love

It was President Lincoln who gave us a wonderful summary of life when he said,"After all, the one meaning of life is to be kind."

That's really very simple. Love, fellowship, empathy are all things that are the very foundation of a civilized, happy, ideal life and what makes us truly human. It is the very balance wheel of life itself. It gives us genuineness and simplicity in voice, in look, and in spirit that is so instinctively felt by us all, and to which every person universally responds. It is like the fragrance of a flower--the emanation of the soul.

If everyone displayed those characteristics, it would certainly solve a lot of the complex problems in all lines of human relations and endeavors where solutions seem nearly impossible, and it would bring order and sweetness to vast number of instances. They are the healing oil, so-to-speak, that can make everything run smoothly and effectively if taken to heart whether it be in family, business, community, or other relationships.

There is an interesting quote by Christine Rossetti which was: "One whom I knew intimately, and whose memory I revere, once in my hearing remarked that, 'unless we love people, we cannot understand them.' This was a new light to me." What a profound truth.

When we truly love others, we will be open to understand them and accept them as they are. That is true unconditional love, agape' love, of which Jesus spoke.

In love and joy,
Donna

Fear and Lack of Faith Go Hand in Hand-Let Go and Let God

I talked about worry in my last post. Worry has a twin which is fear, and fear can be so crippling to an individual.

Fear and lack of faith go hand in hand. The one is born of the other. We have to look at what Jesus taught His followers to get a perspective as to how we should view fear. Jesus taught the All-ness of God: the Omnipotence, the Omniscience, the Omnipresence, and the Unconditional Love of God.

If we truly follow Him, there can be no room for fear or worry. If we have fear or worry, is that not a denial of the All-ness of God, and a denial of His infinite power? That is something to think about.

The great underlying principle, indeed the sum and substance of not only Christianity, but all the major religions is the "consciousness of God in the spirit of man." If we actually live in this consciousness, if we open ourselves so that this Divine Guidance and Power can work in and through us, what place is there for either fear or worry?

Lock the door to these two unscrupulous enemies which rob us of our joy and burden us with ill health, stress, unhappiness, and so much more. Say as the Psalmist did at Psalms 27:1-5:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life. Whom shall I dread?...
Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear;
Though war rise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident...
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle,
In the secret place of His tent He will hide(cover) me..."
"Amen."

Be determined to live a life filled with joy and faith. Let go and let God. Allow God to be your strength and shield.

Living a life of faith is, also, a great legacy to pass on to your children. Make no mistake. They observe how we react to the circumstances we encounter as the years go by. You can show them by your joy that fear and worry need not be part of their lives, and that they can live a life filled with courage and hope.

Till next time...

Stay joyful,
Donna