#WednesdayWordswithFriends Hope or Hurt?

Good Morning Friends,

It's no secret 2020 was a rough year on everyone. Covid-19 presented challenges we never expected. Add to that, 2 hurricanes six weeks apart from which many people still haven't recovered. Then along comes 2021 with an Ice Storm/Freeze in Feb. and historic flooding in May.

To say Lake Charles is "the most weather-battered city" (as The Weather Channel put it) is an understatement.

These events have left many people struggling to keep their heads up and look at life in a positive light in lieu of negative, pessimistic.

Which brings me to the title of this post.

While talking with someone who was hit hard and is still grieving the losses borne of the hurricanes, as well as the death of loved one's over the last 10 months, God spoke through me and said....

"Grieve the loss but at some point, you've got to let go and nourish the hope instead of the hurt."

Deut. 30:19 says, "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." AND Prov. 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Both of these Scriptures support the advice I gave to my friend, therefore I knew it was God who spoke through me that day!

So no matter what you may be going through, look up! Put your eyes on Him and His word in your mouth regarding His promise(s) to you and nourish hope instead of hurt.

Thanks for visiting. Hope to see you again for Saturday Spotlight and Wednesday Words with Friends.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends

Good Morning Friends!

Well, my guest today was unable to participate so you get to hear from me again. Since nothing much has happened in a week, I thought I'd share with you an article I wrote years ago for The Wordsmith Journal (now TWJ Mag) in my Pamela's Ponderings column....

The Quest

I’ve been on a spiritual journey since the day I recommitted my life to Christ in 1989. Back then I attended the Catholic Church. Although I love and respect the heart of the Mass, I always felt there is so much more to God and Christ than what can be found in doctrine and the traditions of organized religion. 

Scriptures that said “the same Spirit that raised Christ is in you” and “let the mind of Christ dwell richly in you” and “that you may know the fullness Christ” backed by Jesus’s claim that the works He did I should do also and more, sparked a burning desire to know Him more fully, more intimately and that the fullness of Christ be evident in my life.

Thus began my quest.

I listen to Christian music, watch and listen to various teachers of the Word on radio and television--absorbing their messages, and I read voraciously books by ministers and spiritual leaders of all denominations as well as some who profess no religious beliefs – only the true nature of God (of Love).

Sometimes I feel as if I’ve grown in the past thirty years, and yet, at other times I feel like a babe in the woods.

Alas, spiritual growth and maturity is a continual thing, an ongoing journey to my highest vision of God and the grandest version of who I am in Him.

Over the next few months (or years as God deems) I’d like to share with you some truths I’ve discovered about who God is to me and how those truths have illumined my mind, opened my heart and changed my life.

Some may be articles I’ve written for other publications, others may seem like random thoughts. Many of the things I share will resonate with you, others will seem whacky or far out or like ‘new age spiritualism’ or worse, heretical. But I assure you, at the heart of all these lessons and every question is to know Him, to be like Him and to reflect His teachings and His truths in my every thought, word and deed.

Hopefully these ponderings will make you think, question and search for your own truth about what God means to you, who He is in your life, and how you can become more like Him….more like Christ and more like the great spiritual leaders of all time whose message is, was and remains….God is love and he who dwells in Love, dwells in God.

Well, friends, I hope you enjoyed this post and that

Although I haven't contributed in quite a while, the column is still up at TWJ Magazine. I hope you'll check it out and that you'll join me later when I share more Pamela's Ponderings. And of course return weekly for Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT

#TuesdayTreasures The Forgotten Way by Ted Dekker

Good Morning,

Well, Easter is over and we're in a brand new month. Things have been .... IDK....interesting (I decided to stop saying 'crazy' LOL!)

The insurance office I work in has been under renovations, I'm in Nacogdoches, TX house/dog sitting for my son and sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going.

Alas, that's the story of my life since 2009.

Anyway, as you all know, I'm very much a seeker of God and a voracious reader, therefore it's no surprise when I bring a book to your attention.

I must admit, I've never read Mr. Dekker's fiction novels, although I'd heard a LOT about them (I'm sure that'll change in the near future though) but when I first heard of The Forgotten Way, I was intrigued. One thing that's stood out for me from the book is the edict, "love holds no record of wrong."

I'm a firm believer in the power of affirmations and that people will rise to our expectations. Problem is, most of the time, our expectations are based on past performance and experiences instead of what we know these folks are capable of.

This hit home for me in more than one instance with more than one person who I love with all of my heart when I tried writing a page of positive affirmations about them and couldn't! 

I found this fact both heart breaking and mind boggling.

That's where The Forgotten Way has struck home.

If I can't find 1 page of positive affirmations around my loved ones then my "love" isn't as unconditional as I thought. My love isn't "holding NO record of wrongs."

My goal is to not only overcome these blocks to love in myself, but hopefully to teach others to do the same.

I hope/plan to do this with prayer and meditation, focusing my heart and mind on their strengths and positive qualities, and yes, writing those down in an affirmative way and to "die" to my old way of thinking, talking and feeling about them.

Isn't this what Jesus did when He looked past the actions and into the heart and offered love, forgiveness and healing?

Hopefully this exercise in Love and holding no record of wrongs will result in my loved ones rising to a new level in their own lives by rising to my new expectations of them.

We'll see!

Did you ever have blocks to love in your relationships? How did you overcome them? I'd love to hear your comments!

Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll drop by weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

Thursday Thoughts: The Heart of the Matter

Good Morning Friends!

Today I'd like to share with you what's on my heart and that is....the condition of your heart.

Tuesday I talked about the power of gratitude to change your life and circumstances. I'm still a firm believer of that, but gratitude is a byproduct of something much deeper.

A pure heart.

Now many may think they can't achieve purity of heart but I do believe that is a lie straight from the pits of hell!

We can have a pure heart but in order to do so we have to tap in to the root of our thinking.

Consider this... a child is born with/in absolute purity. So many times we look at the fruit (circumstances) instead of the root (heart).

I did a keyword search on Bible Gateway on "pure heart" and came up with 10 scriptures. My favorites are....

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." and 1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,"

So how do we do this?

First recognize that nothing or no-one outside of your SELF can achieve a pure heart. You must long for purity and that begins with your thoughts!

Our hearts are born pure, the rest is learned behavior.

Second, realize that no person, place, drug, surgery, relationship (other than one with God) will make you happy, produce purity nor change the condition of your heart. Only you can do that and it begins with your thoughts.

You may still wonder how to get away from the negative circumstances in your life, how to feel more positive, loving, grateful, etc., etc., etc.

Philippians 4:8 tells us how.....[ Meditate on These Things ] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

A pure heart will emerge when you purify your thoughts and as I mentioned Tuesday, gratitude is one way to begin doing so!

In my column, Pamela's Ponderings, I spoke on the Art of Love (Feb) - and mentioned taking love breaks throughout the day. Try this, it really works! One thing I'd like to add though is this....Before you can fully love someone else, you have to love yourself.

So take some time to connect with the Source of Love (God) and dwell deeply in the wells of love within you, then let that love flow outward into the lives of everyone you come in contact with.

Something to think about.....

"Inspirational with an Edge!" (tm)

Tuesday Treasure - Dreams & Miracles by Ann Spangler

Good Morning Friends!

I recently finished reading this book and just had to share it with you!

I received this as a gift many years ago but didn't recall ever reading it. Unusual because in most instances I can read a few pages and know whether or not I've already enjoyed (or not) a particular book.

Anyway, as one who has been on a spiritual quest for nearly half of my adult life, I am truly blessed to have this book on hand. I do believe in the power of dreams to guide, warn or reassure us.

The Bible talks about God speaking to us through dreams....

Job 33:14-15 says... “For God does speak, perhaps once, or even twice, though one perceive it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night (when deep sleep falls upon men) as they slumber in their beds.” 

Joel 2:28 says... "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."

This wonderful book by Ann Spangler tells stories of people whose lives have been changed by a dream and is accompanied by a "Dream Journal" in which one can write down a strange or reoccurring dream.

Although this particular edition of "Dreams & Miracles" is no longer available, a Kindle version is.

If you believe in dreams and their power or spiritual implications, do yourself a favor and read this book!

PS: Speaking of dreams and books...check out my novel Tempered Dreams (book 2 in my 4 part --maybe one day 5 part-- series!)

Dr. Scott Hensley (introduced in Tempered Hearts) has built a wall around his heart since the death of his wife and parents.  Katrina Simmons is recovering from scars inflicted on her as a battered wife.  Can dreams be renewed and faith strengthened?  Can they find joy and peace in God’s love and in love for one another? 

 Available on Kindle & Nook!

For more on my spiritual quest, check out my column Pamela's Ponderings in The Wordsmith Journal Magazine!

Thursday Thoughts on Peace

Good Morning Friends!

Last Thursday I shared with you some thoughts on Love. Today I'd like to share with you some thoughts on Peace.

The Bible talks extensively about peace. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you."

St. Francis of Assisi prayed that he would be an "instrument of Thy (God's) peace."

When I researched the word "peace" on Biblegateway I found 17 pages and 420 scriptural references to peace, therefore I must consider that PEACE is imperative!

These things make me wonder if peace is directly related to spiritual power. 

I believe it does.

I mean, think about it. In the narratives about Jesus being tempted in the desert, or any other situation for that matter, we don't see HIM getting all bent out of shape, do we?

No, HE calmly speaks the Word and things happen!

I know this much, I am much more comfortable when in a peaceful state of mind. I get a lot more accomplished, find my joy is more complete, and am happier all around.

How do we maintain an attitude of peace in such a volatile world?

By centering our thoughts and heart on peace every chance we can and by offering peace to others. Another idea may be to send thoughts of peace and love into every situation and before answering every phone call.

I've often told my children, breathe in peace, breath out stress.

Try it and you'll be amazed at how much smoother your life will flow.

Something to think about!

Have a Peaceful Day!
PamT

Thursday Thoughts on LOVE

Well Friends, it's time for another edition of Thursday Thoughts but to be honest my heart is so heavy with the events of the past couple of weeks (see Tuesday Treasures post) that I can't hardly think. So, I am sharing with you some thoughts on LOVE.....

Love experienced on the spiritual/emotional level is the truest, purest form of love; then and only then can it be expressed on the physical level ~ through word, deed and action

You must feel love and let love envelop, empower and overwhelm you to the point where love has only one place to radiate – outward – into every situation you encounter and every life you come in contact with.

Perfect love casts out fear – ask God to fill your heart and mind with Himself who IS perfect love.

Don’t allow the world outside and around you poison the beauty within.

God is love and he that dwells in love, dwells in God (1 John 4:16) – What does this mean? When we release the love of God in every situation, we release the power of God to change us and how we perceive that situation.

Guard your heart for out of it flows the issues of life – When we allow only positive, loving, pure thoughts to dominate our mind then we are guarding out hearts and the issues of life which is actually the Spirit of God (Christ) within us.

Love heals. Take any situation from your past that haunts your present and threatens your future; in your mind see that situation covered with the Blood of Jesus. Now lift every person involved in the situation up to God and proclaim… “I love you, I forgive you, and I release you to God.”  Ask God to heal and deliver you from the negative thoughts and emotions attached to that situation so you may see it from HIS perspective – you see it with love.

Let nothing but love be the driving force by which you live, breath, move and act.

Love is the source from which all good things come. Do you need something good to happen today? Then lift that need up to God who IS love and in love receive your blessing then release your blessing back into the world and watch miracles happen!

Our attitudes and actions can sabotage the good God is trying to get to us. Sometimes we have to ask ourselves if our attitudes and actions have anything to do with the circumstances in our life.  If this is the case, then change your thinking. Focus on love and your life will reflect the change in you.

Why is it we find it so much easier to focus on the bad, the negative instead of focusing on love when LOVE is the only true emotion and the one thing that uplifts, heals, renews and restores?

Why do we say “easier said than done” instead of just surrendering to God and let HIM do what’s necessary to raise us to a higher level of love consciousness?

God uses people, places and circumstances to enrich our lives that we may, in turn, be used by HIM to bless the lives of everyone we come in contact with.

Love is eternal, therefore, true love never dies – it simply returns to its source, God who IS love, to be strengthened and then sent back into our lives through another of His vessels.

When we fail to see the darkness in ourselves (anger, un-forgiveness, selfishness, greed) either through pride or arrogance (which is another form of pride) – we hinder God’s work in our life which is to lift us to the highest level of love consciousness – so that we, with like-minded people, can be His instrument of healing to the world.

What do you do when the platitudes and clichés, though peppered with faith and belief, fail to comfort? What do you do when your mind understands and spirit KNOWS the truth but you just can’t wrap your heart around the facts and circumstances of your current situation? To whom do you run? To whom do you turn? CHRIST

Tuesday Treasures - Family & Friends

Most people take for granted that everyone treasures their family. Well, we can look at the divorce and abuse statistics and know that isn't true. We all have people in our lives that get on our nerves and whose lifestyle we may not approve.

That is NO reason not to love and treasure them!

People are a precious commodity - so precious that God sent his only Son to redeem them ALL.

The bible teaches us that we should love our neighbor and honor our parents and that parents should love their children and not provoke them.

This past week my family lost two members unexpectedly. One, a 72 yr old uncle who, until the sudden illness that took his life was relatively healthy. The second, an 18 yr old cousin.

To say we are devastated by these losses is an understatement, and yet there are some who will not put aside their love of self to support those closest to these.

This is not how it should be!

God gave us each other to love and to cherish, to honor and respect.

Mother's day is a few days away, Father's Day next month - I'm challenging you to make EVERY day Mother's Day & Father's Day and your children's birthday!

(Happy Birthday to my son - TJ!)

Make EVERY day a celebration and take every opportunity you can to tell the family and friends you have how much you love and appreciate them!

Be the one to take the first step. Be the peacemaker. Be the change you want to see in your life and your family.

May God Bless you ALL!
PamT

Thursday Thoughts...What If?

What IF.......

               .......That never ending spiral of thoughts that don't ever seem to get resolved....


What if such and so hadn't happened?
What if this or that happens?
What if he/she hadn't said that
What I'll say if......

Jesus taught us to pray "give us this day our daily bread." He told us not to worry about the future .... what good does worrying do, does it add one more hour or one more day?

And we know worrying will never change the past.

So what are we to do?

What if...for just one day we live in the moment...this moment, this day. Let us take captive any thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (love) and eradicate it from our mind (2 Corinth. 10:5) and in it's place let us consider not only our blessings, but how we may bless someone else.

Often times we think of blessing someone as giving them something... What if the only thing you can give is a heartfelt prayer on their behalf?

Seems like such a small thing. But what if that small thing...multiplied by millions of people...actually changed the world we live in?

Let us not despise the little things we can do to bless and honor our God and His creation! 

Until later remember....Don’t allow the world outside and around you poison the beauty within.
 PamT

Tuesday Treasure - Meditation

Good Morning Friends!

You may be wondering how on earth Meditation can be a treasure. Well let me explain.....

Like many, I've wondered at the benefits of meditation and balked at what seems like an incredible waste of time. I mean, after all, who has hours (or even minutes!) a day to sit in silence and think nothing? Is it even possible to think nothing? Have no thoughts? What's the use? I've got so much to do, just thinking of thinking about nothing is a stretch of the imagination! (No  I'm not going to try and say that again LOL!)

Isn't it funny how we get all bent out of shape thinking about sitting around and doing nothing? And yet....yet...isn't that what we do when we embrace the quiet and sip a cup of coffee or hot tea? Isn't that what we do when we sink chin-deep into a hot bath or Jacuzzi? Isn't that what we do when we immerse ourselves in a good book?

Meditation has the same benefits of all the things we do to relax. The main difference I've found is between relaxing and letting your mind wander or center on the bliss of the moment or bliss in your life compared to 'focused' or 'intentional' meditation.

We've all enjoyed those moments of pure relaxation, pure bliss where you heave a huge sigh and just be still and listen to the quiet. Focused or intentional meditation has the same effect but a different result because focused meditation makes an impression or cements an idea into your subconscious mind.

The Bible talks extensively about meditating on the "law of the Lord (which is LOVE)."

The dictionary defines meditation as "continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation and spiritual introspection."

Focused or intentional meditation is taking a simple thought or word, (mantra) and keeping it uppermost in your mind. This can be done in the traditional way (sitting quiet, low or no lights, soft music, etc), but here's the good news! It can also be done any time, any where, for ANY length of time! Even mere moments throughout the day is beneficial.

How?  Simple.

Write your intention down, carry it with you and keep it in front of you throughout the day. Every chance you get, breathe deep and repeat the intention. Keep it simple - a single word or short sentence. If possible begin your sentence with "I AM" (ie; I am love, I am blessed, I am healthy).

Visualization is another form of meditation as is writing affirmations. Meditating on Scripture strengthens faith. Meditating before bed induces better sleep.

Want to experience the benefits of meditation but don't know where or how to start? Here's a couple of great CD's to check out.....

Prayer of the Heart - Meditating to the "Jesus" prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me."

I Am Wishes Fulfilled - tuning forks subscribed to the letters in I Am set to soft, lyrical music.

Well known wellness expert and spiritual leader, Deepak Chopra has several CD's and often does a 21 day FREE Mediation challenge.

I hope you'll check out some of these resources and find your own special form of meditation because the peace and well-being that results from doing so is truly a treasure to behold.

Until later...take care & be Blessed!
PamT

Pamela's Ponderings & Preview the Book

Hello!

In my last post I said that due to time constraints, I would be posting regulary at Pamela's Ponderings, however there is something going on over there that I'm not sure about, but my last few posts have not been updated.

I know that Tina (owner/moderator) was revamping everything about The Romance Readers Room so maybe that's the whole deal, but I've decided that until things get going again over there, I'm going to be blogging here!

My last post at PP was to tell everyone about a new way to find books!

Preview the Book is a new venue where book lovers can preview new artists via book trailers and maybe pick up a new favorite or two!

So, if you're looking to find new authors, run over and check 'em out!

Until later....take care, stay in touch and remember....teaching your children to read helps them develop good imaginations!

Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!"