#ThursdayThoughts Taking Things for Granted

Good Morning and a Blessed day it is!

In my years of prayer, meditation and study, I've found that thoughts and attitudes have the power to change our lives...for good or not so good.

The Bible teaches us that "as a man thinks in his heart, therefore he is."

How much clearer can that be?

Yet we all have a tendency to think and speak negatively and to take things for granted....the simple things in life we've seldom (if ever) have had to do without.

This morning I discovered a guided meditation by Louise Hay and in listening, I realized there are many things I take for granted. There are thoughts and attitudes within me that could use polishing, changing or downright eradicating.

Needless to say, this really resonated with me.

May it do the same for you.....



Have a Blessed day and I hope to see you for Saturday Spotlight, this week and each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and more Saturday Spotlights!

PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: Prayer by Brooke Lynn

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Treasure.

Today we hear from Ms. Brooke Lynn on a subject that's near and dear to my heart: Prayer. So without much further ado...Here's Brooke.....

How Prayer Increases our Faith

Did you know it’s well with God if we pray for good weather, to get the stain out of our shirt, to help us lose weight, heal our disease, restore our relationships, or make our appliances last longer? We can pray about the "little things" as well as the "big things".

We are the ones who differentiate prayer. There is no prayer too small or too big for God. And nothing in our lives is insignificant to God.

Our God is not limited; our thinking is limited. Instead of over-thinking anything or worrying; prayer is a better choice that reaps great reward. It’s not easy to walk by faith and remain steadfast in prayer. It can be difficult to trust and believe God for something which seems unobtainable or impossible. It can be easy to allow discouragement to consume us and we can fall into a trap of ordinary complacency or fear. But when we waiver in doubt, one bad day can land us into the valley of despair. Doubts will come but we don't have to live in a state of hopelessness; we don't have to let the enemy steal our joy, peace and strength.

What increases our faith is standing steadfast in prayer and mediating on the word and promises of God. The word says; "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)  "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."(Romans 8:28) "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."(Isaiah 40:31)   

We may want to give up on prayer when we don’t see immediate results. But remember that “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)  The ultimate truth is that the dreams and desires in our hearts can be accomplished by God; and God alone. We can do nothing in our own strength and therefore we need to put our total dependence and faith in God. God will answer our prayers according to His will as He knows what’s best for us and sees the bigger picture. 

I never realized how powerful prayer was, until I witnessed miracles I never believed possible.

I'm so thankful that Jesus Christ Himself is a “Prayer Warrior”. He intercedes for us speaking directly to God our Father. We can be assured; secure and comforted by knowing Jesus is on our side and standing in the gap. If you feel like you are wandering around in the wilderness without answers to your prayers; be confident knowing that God is in control and your steps are ordered by the Lord. (Psalm 37:23) Your destiny is in His hands and nothing can keep you from it. God is with you and he will see you through.

When we trust God we will be filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding, our faith will increase and it opens the door for God to work in our hearts and lives to do mighty works.

“I believe God for things to come but yet I haven't seen. I believe God to make things come true that He’s given me to dream. I believe God is working and preparing the way; I believe God and I know He answers when I pray. I trust God and know He is King; I trust God because He is my everything. “ Amen!

 Amen, Brooke! Prayer and faith are definitely worth treasuring.

Something to think about.....

Pamela S Thibodeaux

"Inspirational with an Edge" ™

Brooke Lynn is a writer and a speaker who passionately lives — reaching others with God’s word and love. She is a survivor of abuse, sharing her past pain and recovery to encourage others with hope. Brooke resides in the Washington D.C. area, has been married for nineteen years, has two children and loves dogs.

Her book, “Raised by Strangers” is available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com

Please visit her website and connect with her on Facebook  

Twitter and Pinterest  

#ThursdayThoughts: Holiday...Joy?

Good Morning Friends,

Today is one of those rambling thought kinda days.... You know, one where I really have no idea what to say.

One thing that's been on my mind lately is Holiday Joy.

Go figure, right.

For so many this time of year is less than joyful. We get caught up in the stress of shopping, wrapping, visiting and just plain rushing that we forget what the season is all about.

Then there's the financial stress always added to our pocketbooks during this time of 'giving.'

Or maybe, the missing of our loved ones who are away from home or who've passed away steals the joy right out of our hearts.

So what can we do to alleviate the emotional turmoil?

Here are a couple of ideas....

Pray. Yes this goes without saying but God is on your side and Jesus is the Prince of Peace so take time out to spend with Him.

Meditate. So many believe meditation takes twenty minutes to an hour to be effective but that's not true. Just as several 10 minute walks have the same health benefits as 2 or 3 longer workouts, daily 10 minute meditation breaks can do wonders for your peace of mind. Better than that, two or three deep breaths where you inhale peace and exhale stress helps!

Put on some joyful music and dance!  Think about it... a song is 2 or 3 minutes so taking a short dance break benefits you physically and emotionally.

These are simple but effective ways to help manage holiday stress so take time to take care of yourself and you and your family will be better off for it!

God Bless!
PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: Being the Vessel by Donna B Snow!

Good Morning Friends,

Welcome to the last edition of Tuesday Treasure for September 2014. 

Seriously?!! Where has this year gone?

Today it is my pleasure to share with you some thoughts by my dear friend Donna B Snow on being a vessel for God.....

You know, oddly enough, I have no advice. Well, of course, that’s not all true. We all have advice…well, opinions. Yeah, that’s what it is, opinion, and yeah we all have one, can’t help it. I think it’s one of those chromosomes we all carry that’s planted on us when we’re born. (Sure wish some of us didn’t have it…I wonder if they can be removed?)

Anyway, I am no expert – on anything, although I am certainly happy to share the words that God puts on my heart from time to time. If they were all my own words, well, then they would be pretty worthless, but I know when He has something to say because I just can’t hold the words back, can’t keep them in. Sometimes it’s a song I have to write, sometimes a story to share, sometimes words I actually have to speak…yeah, those are the hardest.

 And then sometimes it’s prayer. There are no greater words, no more meaningful messages than the ones that touch your heart and have to be lifted up. I don’t understand why, but I know that God puts people/situations/places on my heart and it becomes so heavy that I just have to lift it up to Him. BUT HE PUT IT THERE!!

…and I’m grateful…grateful to be called on, grateful to be used, grateful to be deemed worthy of being the one to come before His throne. So when you feel that burden, don’t hesitate. Don’t doubt for a moment, just let Him use you as the vessel you were made to be. You see, He made you, perhaps for just that moment, or many more like it, whatever, but you are the one He chose. Don’t miss the call! Don’t leave a gap! May His Spirit find you ready and willing to be the light.

Donna is a native New Englander and has lived there all her life except for a year in northern California (which reminded her of home). She  loves the change of seasons and the beauty each one brings. and says there is no place else that will ever feel like home.

She's been married for 20+ years and has one daughter in college. 

An active member in her church, she is a member of the choir (along with her daughter), and she writes not just stories, but her own music as well (that she hopes to get published also).

Now here's a peek at Donna's book, Precious Embrace....

Laura Senton loves running her own kitchen at A Piece of

Heaven along with her best friend Trina. When her teenage crush appears she tries to hide from him as well as her own feelings which have never died.

Sean has no idea why Laura tries to avoid him but he’s very determined to rekindle their relationship of years ago.

Both covet the memories of their time together, but sins of the past can be a tough hurdle to get over.

Excerpt:

Laura went straight into the sanctuary, not stopping until she dropped to her knees near the altar.

            Oh God, I know You’ve forgiven me, but I don’t understand how. How can I forgive myself? I don’t understand how You can forgive me for the things I did…for destroying the life that was growing in me. It was just as bad as having an abortion. Tears rolled down her face. I knew I was pregnant and I didn’t care! The drugs and drinking and…oh God, You know everything I’ve done. I don’t deserve Your mercy or Your grace. Laura jerked when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Dee, the pastor’s wife, knelt beside her. She wrapped her in a hug and started praying.

Laura just listened to the kind, caring words and let them flow through her. She could feel God’s love, could hear His words, His message to her to let go of the past, that all was forgiven…that she didn’t have to understand how.

Wow, a perfect example of the power of prayer and being a vessel!

I pray you enjoyed this Tuesday Treasure and will come back often for more as well as Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight!

Until later...take care, God Bless and remember.... When the going gets tough, the tough get on their knees.

Pamela S Thibodeaux

"Inspirational with an Edge!"