Are You Ready to Take the Jump?

How many times have you wanted to do something different, but it was scary to make a change? Do you have dreams of going back to school, changing jobs, starting a business of your own, writing a book, moving to a new city that is beautiful and exciting that you have often thought of, or even taking a trip to some far away country; however, the thought of doing something different terrifies you so you stay right where you are and keep doing the same thing that you hate and lacks joy?

People stay doing what they have always done because of their comfort zone. It feels safe. Often the what ifs keep coming up in their heads. You know the little man called What If. He's the one that says what if this happened? Or, what if that happened if I did such and such? "I might Fail" is a common thought that occurs in the mind.

The following saying that I love reminds me of the the third Indiana Jones movie where Indiana had to step out into a dark nothingness to save his father's life. Once he stepped out, however, he discovered a solid path below his feet that allowed him to get what he needed. He had the courage to believe and just did it. It is a great movie and a great scene.

Become all that you dream of becoming. Make sure that what you do on your life's journey is joy-filled. Here's the little saying for you.

The jump is so frightening,
Between where I am and where I want to be,

Because of all I may become,
I will close my eyes and leap!

Have a beautiful day, and may you have safe traveling during the holiday month,
Rev. Donna

Your Magic Wand

Did you know you had one? We all do. Many just don't realize it. People can go through their whole life and not use it. In fact, they often use it wrongly. What a shame to waste such a gift!

What is it? It's your words. Your words are the most powerful force you have. They can build up or tear down, not only yourself but others, too. They can express fear, worry, and other negative emotions that stop you ...in your tracts unable to go forward.

If you have a mind filled with worry, you can't have a mind filled with faith and courage. They can't occupy the same space. Choose-choose wisely what you say with your mouth and the thoughts that run around in your head. Fear just brings about mental paralysis which will prevent you from taking the steps which can enable you to overcome fear. It becomes a vicious circle that only you can change.

Use your magic wand. Use it for good. Eliminate fear. TRUST your heavenly Father. Let go and let God without question. Learn to live in the mystery of God. It's a wonderful journey if you choose to accept it. Live and speak only love, joy, and faith.

God bless,
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

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

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

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

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

Abounding Health

If we continually see ourselves as frail, weak, or infirm, our subconscious mind takes hold of that thought, seizes upon the pattern that is sent, and builds cell structure accordingly. That is one reason why one, who is chronically thinking and talking of their ailments and symptoms or who is complaining and fearing, is never truly well. It is when we live half-hearted by worrying or fearing, vacillating between faith and fear, which always will bring unsatisfactory results in life and your health.

That is why it is so important to to believe, and picture yourself in your mind continually as well, strong, healthy, and active to furnish a pattern for the mind to follow. Give a positive suggestion to the subconscious so that it will begin to build cell tissue having the "stamp," if you will, of the force of healthy, vital, active life, which in turns means abounding health and strength for you. Whatever is pictured in the mind and lived in, the Life Force will produce.

It may take time. However, there is so much benefit to living in JOY, love, happiness, and faith-assured, un-vacillating faith. Live it. Feel it. Make it a part of your very being. Your cells will love you for it.

Stay happy, & God bless you,
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