Tags: #amblogging, #Inspiration, Christian bloggers, Faith, finding confidence, God, His peace and confidence in Him, how to display God’s joy, how to live with confidence, John 16:33, Joy, living with confidence, living with peace, n Encouragement, Peace, True Success and tagged displaying confidence, where to find joy
Tag Archives: Faith
Do you live with confidence, joy, and peace? Answer these few questions to find out.
18 AprShare this:
My March Madness
19 MarOn the Porch
Onisha Ellis
I know now why March has been named March Madness and it has nothing to do with basketball! I don’t think I have caught my breath yet. I even set my alarm clock an hour earlier to pack more into my day. That is a big deal for me.
The disturbing part is that aside from doing first round edits on Rebekah’s upcoming release, Spring Dawn, I can’t tell you why is has been “mad.” Isn’t this how life goes most of the time, busy, busy, busy with little to show for it.
As I began writing this, the phrase “Be Intentional” came to mind.
.So I decided to be intentional as I think back on my March activities. I realized that I had accomplished more than I thought.
- Created a blog for my son’s travel business, Oasis Travel.
- Created and posted content to his blog.
- Searched for travel blogs to follow and connect with.
- Regularly maintain this blog and Rebekah Lyn Books.
- Edited fifty chapters of Spring Dawn.
- Actively participated in two book promotions.
- Then there is the every day routine of social media networking.
The best part was spending time and sharing laughter with friends and family. I think I will choose to be intentional and be thankful for the things I did accomplish and not fret over what I did not.
If you haven’t visited Rebekah Lyn Books stop by and see our new projects. On Sundays, DiVoran is sharing her serial novel, Go West. It is a historical western romance complete with original artwork. Wednesday is Promise Poster Day. You will certainly want to view them.
Rebekah Lyn Books is a part of an exciting book sale and giveaway March 16-20. One lucky reader will win over FORTY digital books and registration is very easy.
That’s all for now. Our time in Florida is over for a few months and while I will miss my precious friends and family, the beautiful western Carolina Mountains are calling my name!
PS I forgot to mention that Rebekah is giving away an autographed copy of Summer Storms. For a chance to win, leave on comment on the blog hop post.
Created this as part of my March Madness photo license free from bing images
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Jesus Talks to Children
16 MarMy Take
DiVoran Lites
Sunday, we had two princesses, a prince, and a beloved handmaiden in Sunday School. Before we even started singing one of the princesses was pouting because she wanted to go home. It was daddy’s day, but daddy had chosen to bring her to church. All I could offer was for her to go sit with him and his wife (whom she loves). She passed on sitting still and listening to the sermon for adults. I explained how a bad mood affects everyone and asked her to see if she could find a way to become happy about where she was.
For the lesson, I gave each child a sponge on a paper plate. I then explained they could slowly pour their drinking water into it pretending the sponge was their heart, and they were soaking up God’s love. We talked about how we can ask God to love people through us even if we didn’t like them very much. Teacher got to be the unlikeable one, and they squeezed some of the love-water into my sponge. After refilling theirs, they sat quietly and waited for God to say something to them.
We decorated our journal pages, then wrote what God had said to us. Each message was short, but you could tell the children treasured them. I was particularly impressed with one which said, “You will fulfill your goals in 2015.” I happen to know the child’s goal is to get an A in every subject this semester. She can do it too, especially now that she knows God is supporting her in it.
I felt a bit funny about my message, thinking it sounded like a cliche. “Jesus is the greatest.” I read. The children seemed surprised. We’ve discussed cartoon characters, Santa Claus, and Whitney Houston, so I suppose, “Jesus is the greatest,” was news to them. Good news.
Oh, yes, the sad little princess – when we drew titles of songs near the beginning of the class she got, “If You’re Happy and You Know it.” She started laughing even before she told us what her song was.
When the guardian of the other princess came for her, I gave her the sponge and said her child could wash dishes with it. The guardian was thrilled because just before the end of the service the preacher had said that children need to be taught to work. I’m sure this particular woman is already teaching the eight-year-old to work, and many other good things, but she liked the idea that the sponge fit the sermon so well. I did too.
God does talk to us. He talks to children, too. I’ve read that they don’t get a half-pint serving of the Holy Spirit, they get the whole bucketful, just as we adults do.
Jesus called them to himself and said, “Let the children come to me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.”
Luke 18:16
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Three secrets to knowing God’s will.
14 MarJanet told me that watching the video, “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” inspired today’s blog.
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The Red Light Will Change~Be Patient
13 FebFrom the Heart
Louise Gibson
We suffer when we are not in control.
It affects our very being.
“Lord, I really wanted a sunny day,
but fog is all I am seeing”
We are prone to create our own little world.
The old “normal” has to fall apart.
“We can’t go forward, Lord,
unless we have a change of heart.”
Accept the present moment.
Be patient, the red light will change.
God uses those “waiting moments”-
Our circumstances He will arrange.
Religion is one of the safest places
to hide from God.
Ego wants to be in control.
Forget about rituals and man made rules.
Make communing with God your goal.
How comforting to know
God doesn’t love you because you are good,
God loves you because God is good.
That’s why I love Him so.
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Take Time for Pie With Friends
12 FebOn the Porch
Onisha Ellis
It’s Thursday again and I really( I have been editing so I MUST take out that adverb) don’t have much to write about. I had some thoughts this morning, but dealing with insurance company issues stripped my brain. So when my friend called and suggested going to get some pie, I went.
We nibbled our pie, sipped coffee and talked about all kinds of things from funny to serious. It was a blessed time and I am so glad we made the time for each other.
This morning I read the blog of my cyber friend, Lia. She loves the savior, as we do and is a wonderful author as well. She wrote about her lack of progress on her next novel. The final paragraph in her blog, touched me. She gave me permission to share it here.
When life gets in the way, and we take time to think about what it means, we become deeper, richer human beings. That will pour into our writing. If we give ourselves to others in service with compassion, that will show up in the pages of our blogs, books, poetry or journals. We cannot improve the world around us without improving ourselves, and we cannot improve ourselves without improving our message.
One doesn’t have to be an author to feel frustrated when we don’t accomplish our “to do” list. We may not be writing books, poetry or blogs, but we are writing the story of Christ in our lives. Mike and I have started Tai-Chi with a You Tube instructor. There is a move, that finishes with one pushing their arms forward and releasing their spirit to mingle with other people’s spirits. Well that is too “new agey” for me. As I exhale and push my arms forward, in my mind I say. “I am pushing the spirit of Christ that lives in me into the world, may His light shine through me.
Click here if you would like to read the rest of Lia’s blog. Is Life Getting in the Way? | Lia London Books.
This in not me. I needed a picture!!
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Reading the Bible Together
2 FebMy Take
DiVoran Lites
A few weeks ago our two adult Sunday School teachers sort of retired. After twenty years of teaching, it was time for something new. Our pastor’s wife said we were all saturated in the Bible, and it was true. At first we just talked, but to me it seemed we were saying the same things over and over. They were the best things you could say, full of faith and hope, but still…
Bill and I recalled a time when we were in a Bible study where we all sat in a circle and read the Bible aloud in segments – the reader might make comments. Anyone could comment. Nearly the whole church attended that study. It was a very small church; we turned on porch lights and read on porches or read in living rooms. We all loved it. One time when we were at our house it suddenly grew cold and not wanting to re-locate everybody I ran into the house and found sixteen sweaters for the men and women who had come.
The idea to read with the present group was one of those out of the blue ideas that just seemed right. When I presented it to the group, though, (there are six regulars) there didn’t seem to be much interest. I missed the following week because of a bad cold, but Bill said they wanted to discuss it after all. After quite a bit of discussion, they decided to begin with the book of Acts. Today was our first time of reading together. Most of us had read the introduction and the first chapter and were ready with comments. Bill said he’d read first, but Norma asked if she could share something first. I was astonished when she read, from the introduction, and I recognized the exact word she was reading. Here’s why: I chose to bring my J. B. Phillips New Testament translation. I have loved it since I first bought it (on Bill’s dad’s recommendation) in 1962. I had covered it several times, and although I had not thought about it for a while, I wanted to share the oh-so accessible translation with my friends. Strangely that was the same book Norma had chosen to bring as well. We have a lot of translations among us. I was so pleased that God was directing with what we sometimes think of as coincidences.
Anyhow, there were many such serendipities as we read and discussed. We all felt the ministrations of the Holy Spirit among us as we received new information, revelation and insight.
You probably already know this; I don’t know how I missed it all these years, but Dr. Luke, who wrote the gospel, also wrote The Acts of the Apostles. Apparently he was present for the experiences of Acts and took notes. Dr. Phillips said he might have planned a third book as well. I can’t wait to hear what else God has to share with us as we go along. The unity is so beautiful; we have no argument and no disagreement, just the sweet, sweet spirit.
“My dear Theophilus,
In my first book, I gave you some account of all that Jesus began to do and teach until the time of his ascension…” The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 1 verse 1.
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Communicating With God
26 JanMy Take
DiVoran Lites
Many years ago, when we attended Park Avenue Church a man came to speak. His way of doing things changed many lives – mine was one.
Mark Virkler teaches people to communicate with God, just as our Pastor Peter Lord always has and does. I’m so deeply grateful. The thing about communing with God is that He knows each of us as an individual. No one else’s knowledge of Him is ever going to be exactly the same as mine and vice-versa.
(One caveat – I must be willing to launch myself into the water and swim with my imagination. Later I can read it back, or if I’m feeling insecure, I can read it to someone I trust spiritually and see if they confirm that it was God speaking. Also, of course not all my or your communications will be about praise or music. They will be about anything you or I, or the Father wish to discuss.)
God: Beloved, I’m building a road right through the ocean and through the pounding waves so that you may walk on dry land. Forget about what has happened, don’t keep going over old history. Jesus already knows all about your weaknesses and has set them aside as healing projects for the two of you to do together.
Be alert. Be present. I’m about to do something new in you. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? It has to do with your learning to praise me and also with your being able to accept my praise of you and of what you do for me. Yes, what you do counts, and yes, I acknowledge it. I don’t just keep asking more and more of you. It’s like a beautiful dance, and it goes on all your life.
Me: Father, is there anything you want to tell me about your new plans for me?
God: Stand by. Whenever you begin to feel your weaknesses as you did yesterday, just remember that I have already forgiven you, and you need to forgive yourself for all imperfect acts and thoughts. The best way to do that is to praise me. I need and want your praise as much as you need and want water to drink. You need my praise, too.
Me: Please will you give me motivation and inspiration to please you – perhaps a small routine – something to trigger my memory and get me going.
God: You may play the Gaither sites on your Pandora stations more. That will be a big help to you. Those singers and musicians are part of my praise team, and they have spent their entire lives praising me in the very best ways possible. They are my modern-day beacons and examples of what I want and what I want you to do. Do you recall the times I have asked you to sing the songs I’ve given you?
(Reader, remember, this is my message, yours will be different. He wouldn’t expect you to follow music in your private life that doesn’t resonate with you.)
Me: Yes, knowing you want me to sing thrills me.
God: All right now, my dear, just put on any praise stations you like and sing along. It will be good for your breath – your inspiration and fine for your muscles and energy tone – your motivation.
Me: It’s strange, Lord, but I think I got away from praise songs because they seemed to jazz me up too much.
God: They can do that. I don’t mean for you to stay over-stimulated all the time. There is a time for action and a time for rest. Don’ worry you won’t lose control.
Me: Oh, ha, ha, Lord, I see what you mean. I’m always afraid that if I get excited and too happy, I’ll make a fool of myself or disgust somebody. You know that, don’t you?
God: Of course. I know everything about you. I’m not the one who got after you about being, “a lady.” The world did that to you. You are well-disciplined – don’t worry. Don’t worry about your singing voice, either. Don’t worry about being thought, “loud.” Wouldn’t you enjoy singing with the Gaither’s?
Me: Yes, indeed, I would. I’m looking forward to the new plan. Thank you, Lord.
God: You’re welcome. Thank you, too.
If you’d like to know more about communing with God check out http://www.cwgministries.org/
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When I Wake in the Morning
23 JanFrom the Heart
Louise Gibson
The natural flight of the human mind is not from
pleasure to pleasure,
but from hope to hope.
Samuel Johnson
Lord, when I wake up in the morning
my first thought is of you.
This day is truly a blessing-
What would you have me to do?
The day may be disguised as ordinary,
but extraordinary things happen with you.
You are our reason for living, Lord
We find our purpose and strength in You.
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My Dreams for 2015
12 JanMy Take
DiVoran Lites
It’s all right to have dreams; plans, hopes, God gives them to us. We’d be lost without them.
I always like to have something to look forward to, don’t you? Sometimes in life we may have big events to go for and sometimes we let our expectations settle into the daily round. Something about the year coming to an end and a new one beginning made me jot down the things I’m looking forward to this year.
I’m not looking for changes in my life. I’m deeply satisfied with what’s going on now. This minute I see Bill in the backyard spotlighted by sunshine as he moves the garden hose.
The foliage he’s tending to grows to at least twelve feet tall and he has planted a long hedge of them. They’ll yield large, bright-yellow, daisy-like flowers next spring.
One of our cats just braced herself on the chair to ask me to feed her. I’ve just been around Facebook and caught up on people I care about. Our food is good, and our health is remarkable for our ages.
This year will hold a lot of good books for me to read. I’m looking forward to two I ordered from Communion with God. One is about teaching children to hear from God, and one is a journal where a man hears from God. This is an organization for which I have always held the highest regard and from which I have continued to learn and experience satisfaction in hearing from God for myself. I plan to read health books, too, and I believe we will stay healthy for a long time to come.
Of course, I most look forward to times with the people in my life. I’m not taking classes or joining any new organizations, but I do like my church and the activities there, especially the two Sunday Schools we’re involved in, adult and children’s. I love special times with family members, and I meet new people frequently and have little chats with them.
If unexpected things happen, if they are unsavory and unlovely, I know God will see us through, but God is likely to bring happy challenges into our lives no matter what. Whatever happens, He will see us through. How dull life must be without Him.
Let the New Year begin.
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Old Things R New 