#SaturdaySpotlight is on Rebecca J Wetzler & Bread Box for the Broken Soul

Good Morning!

My regularly scheduled guest could not be here today so I'm filling in with a very special project. Rebecca Wetzler has shared thoughts and treasures with us, but today we get a peek into her book, Bread Box for the Broken Soul....

People don’t know me very long before they realize I have a strong faith in the Lord.  It’s not from my witnessing per se, I’m not that bold, instead it’s just a part of my normal conversation.  I will say things like ‘the Lord helped me with…’ or ‘I’m not sure how the Lord is going to work this out…,’ so I make statements about the Lord being at work in my life.  I am also an avid reader, including dreams of someday writing my own books.  Inspired by a Thanksgiving gift from my grandmother decades ago, a recipe box with 3 x 5 cards to record blessings upon, I decided instead to collect my favorite scriptures and write prayers based on each one.  Eventually it dawned on me this could be my book, a daily devotional.  Thus ‘Bread Box for the Broken’ was written over decades of finding scriptures that helped me with my life long struggles with loneliness, self-esteem, depression, and chronic pain from migraines and a permanently injured neck, and, recently added to the mix, unexplained heart failure.  So I know it’s true the Word of God gives strength today to continue the race when we feel broken by life and it humbles us to give thanks for all the daily blessings along the way that often go unnoticed because we are overly distracted by trials and tribulations. 

It’s important to note that the book is organized in sections named Broken Pieces, Bread of Life, Believe in Blessings, and Bow before Him.  I’ve been told by a couple of my readers that Broken Pieces, January through March, are pretty rough to get through.  That I show too well the raw despair of a suffering soul crying out to God.  That was by design, that’s why I called it ‘Broken Pieces’ – a fearful spirit striving for perseverance through the trials (read January 25th in Excerpts).  The next section, ‘Bread of Life,’ stresses more of God’s provision and power to save – the nourishing spiritual bread bringing hope (read April 13th in Excerpts).   ‘Believe in Blessings’ is filled with scriptures and prayers of faith, hope and trust (Read September 18th in Excerpts).    Lastly, ‘Bow before Him’ features themes of thanksgiving and obedience for His sovereignty (Read October 4th in Excerpts).  So it’s a progression from being broken, to being nourished, to feeling the blessings, and being thankful.  I hope when you read it, you let me know if you feel the progression as the first readers did.

EXCERPTS
JANUARY 25
PSALM 69:1–3 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. 
Dear Lord, I am sinking deep into the miry depths of depression—I cannot get a foothold to stop my descent. I am worn out calling for help—desperately looking about me for You to appear. Rescue me I pray, before I am engulfed completely by failure, by sorrow, by isolation. Pull me into Your protective, peaceful presence so I may rest amidst these storms that assail my soul. Restore me so I know my confidence is in You and not what goes on about me, nor my ability to deal with it. You are my strength, You are my portion; You feed and water my soul with Your Word, empowering me to follow the footholds of faith, until I am once again standing on solid ground with my Lord and Savior.

APRIL 13
PSALM 36:7–10 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Dear Lord, Your love is priceless, and free to both the high and low; those times when I feel high with needs and low in spirit. When the heat of battle is too much, I need Your soothing fountain of life to refresh me, Your continuous light to draw me forward along the path of righteousness. Thank you for guiding my heart in the direction of my eternal refuge as I seek to know You better and better each day. 

SEPTEMBER 18
 HEBREWS 11:1–3, 6 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Dear Lord, This truth is so simple, yet so profound. This definition of faith: sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see. I am so grateful to You that I have faith in You, in the Holy Trinity, in Your Words contained in the Holy Bible. It is simple—I believe You exist, by faith I understand You formed the Universe by Your command. You spoke and it came into being. I have faith in Your Son, my intercessor before Your throne for my eternal salvation. In today’s modern world, believing in the One True Deity is often considered narrow minded. Worse, men deify themselves, having their own version of spirituality that leads souls to being lost eternally. As for me, I earnestly seek You, growing in knowledge of You daily as You walk by my side. 

OCTOBER 4
 PSALM 34:1–6 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
Dear Lord, At all times, in all circumstances, I give You the highest praise. In my soul I boast that I know the One True God as my Lord and Savior. As I struggle through trials, tribulations, temptations, remind me others who are afflicted are watching me; I must be an example who encourages them to glorify You, seeking You for deliverance from all their fears, no matter what they may be. And having been cleansed from the affliction of sin, I may lift my chin without shame, knowing I am keeping my covenant with you, my promise to love you with all my heart, soul and mind. 

My hope is by sharing my struggle with challenging the untruths of depression’s darkness that makes it hard if not impossible to see the blessings we all have in our lives, that it will reach others who are searching for strength and comfort.   Read more excerpts from the book at http://rebeccawetzler.net. Connect with Rebecca at her other social media sites, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. You may purchase the book at www.AuthorMasterminds.com/rebecca-j-wetzler or, of course, Amazon.   

Sounds like a wonderful book, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing.

Hope you enjoyed the spotlight friends and that you'll drop by often to see what we're up to.

Until next time take care and God Bless.

PamT

#TuesdayTreasures with Rebecca Wetzler

Good Morning from Alaska!

My dad and I flew up here on Sunday (12th) and will return to Louisiana on the 22nd. I am unplugging (no computer, writing longhand...) while on this vacation, but never fear, I've scheduled our guests posts for the duration.

Today's guest was introduced to you last month when she shared some thoughts with us so please welcome Rebecca Wetzler back to share something she treasures....

TREASURE YOUR FAITH

What is faith? Webster defines it as ‘allegiance to duty or a person; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust, something that is believed especially with strong conviction.’ What do you have faith in?  We can have faith in ourselves, in our innate abilities, in family loyalty, in the education system, in the country’s ideals, in those in leadership roles, or in a ‘Higher Power.’  There are things we have faith in that we take for granted.  We have faith in gravity to keep our feet on the ground; we believe the sun will come up in the morning, we know wind is a powerful force though we cannot see it.

Why do we need faith?  The faith pendulum swings from what we take for granted to what we need to survive. Unless a person knows what and why they believe, they can be swayed to follow the latest trend.  It’s not a big deal if we are talking about fashion sense, but it is critical to know what you believe to have a solid sense of self.  Everyone needs a sense of purpose and meaning for life.  Without faith in reliable truths, we can drift through life without direction, without achieving our God-given potential, and end up being persuaded to go places and do things we never intended.  Also, it is key we believe in reliable truths, not ones that will eventually deceive and fail us.

How can we grow faith?  I believe to have a sense of self a person needs to be nurtured spiritually.  My spiritual faith comes from the Lord, it is one of my greatest treasures.  He provides the true foundation upon which I base the essentials of my character, my morals, my ethics, and he governs how I treat others.  My faith grows continually through circumstances where he proves over and over I can trust him.  While, for example, I can trust the education system to impart knowledge, I do not necessarily have faith it will produce wisdom.  I can trust my wages pay on my bills, although I do not have faith money brings happiness. With God, however, I can trust that the end result of spiritual faith in him will bring growth in all areas of my life.  When we lose faith in others, in ourselves, in things around us, that’s when our faith in God can grow. He sustains my hope while I struggle in the valley of disappointments, and he celebrates my victories when I am on the mountaintop of success.  When life is not going my way, I know where to look for continual encouragement and direction; when life is going well, I know who deserves my thanks and trust.

So again, what is faith?  I like the Hebrews 11:1 definition: ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’  Substance implies materiality, something of weighty importance.  Evidence attests reality, something actually exists.  Spiritual faith is of utmost importance, a treasure worth so much more than anything of earthly material value.  It’s unfortunate that sometimes I reach rock bottom before I observe his outstretched hand patiently waiting, waiting for me to find a little faith, even faith as small as mustard seed, to take hold of his promises. Once I chose to believe, spiritual faith wells up from deep within my soul, it spreads a warm glow of hope throughout my being and re-establishes the tone of complete trust in the Lord.  Faith makes all the difference in my life, the difference to believe there is unseen evidence that he is at work for my good regardless of my circumstances. By treasuring faith, I have learned to find blessing in brokenness, joy after a night of mourning, peace while the storms of life rage.  I live by faith in God because I can sense his presence with every fiber of my being.  May your soul find and treasure such faith to bring more meaning into your life.

Rebecca Wetzler, originally a California girl, has lived in Alaska since she was eight years old.  The oldest of five children, she was often needed in the surrogate mother role; therefore, she matured quickly. From early in life she was an avid reader, and subsequently developed an interest in someday writing her own books. Her favorite school subject was English writing assignments. To support her two children, she completed an accounting degree, towing her interest in writing along by minoring in English. Her successful career included advancing from an accounts payable clerk to a financial analyst­—a far cry from the Christian author of her heartfelt dreams.    

She has been a believer from her earliest memories as a small child in Sunday School asking Jesus into her heart. As her life progressed, Rebecca has realized her faith gives her a steady spiritual regrounding to weather the drama of real life, and she wants to share the spiritual truths with others so they may also follow God’s light past the world’s darkness.  Bread Box for the Broken is her first book, and she has ideas for more devotionals, some Bible studies, maybe Christian romance fiction with mystery and suspense.  It is important for her to share that faith in Christ is her foundation for challenging and purposefully overcoming life-long struggles with loneliness, self-esteem, depression, chronic pain from migraines and a permanently injured neck, and finally unexplained heart failure. Forced to early retire, she really doesn’t know what the future holds, but she knows Who holds her future.

Rebecca J Wetzler

www.rebeccawetzler.net Holy Spirit Dove blog

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-j-wetzler-7b763a49/

https://www.facebook.com/authorrebeccajwetzler/?ref=bookmarks

https://twitter.com/rdove1919

Hope you enjoyed the post friends and that you'll check back weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Meanwhile, Rebecca's book, Breadbox for the Broken can be purchased at her website in print and Ebook as well as Amazon for Kindle and in print also!

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Guest post by Rebecca Wetzler

Good Morning Friends,

As always it is a great pleasure to introduce you to a new-to-me author and today's guest is no exception so please welcome Rebecca Wetzler to our blog.....

Rebecca Wetzler, originally a California girl, has lived in Alaska since she was eight years old.  The oldest of five children, she was often needed in the surrogate mother role; therefore, she matured quickly. From early in life she was an avid reader, and subsequently developed an interest in someday writing her own books. Her favorite school subject was English writing assignments. To support her two children, she completed an accounting degree, towing her interest in writing along by minoring in English. Her successful career included advancing from an accounts payable clerk to a financial analyst­—a far cry from the Christian author of her heartfelt dreams.    

She has been a believer from her earliest memories as a small child in Sunday School asking Jesus into her heart. As her life progressed, Rebecca has realized her faith gives her a steady spiritual regrounding to weather the drama of real life, and she wants to share the spiritual truths with others so they may also follow God’s light past the world’s darkness.  Bread Box for the Broken is her first book, and she has ideas for more devotionals, some Bible studies, maybe Christian romance fiction with mystery and suspense.  It is important for her to share that faith in Christ is her foundation for challenging and purposefully overcoming life-long struggles with loneliness, self-esteem, depression, chronic pain from migraines and a permanently injured neck, and finally unexplained heart failure. Forced to early retire, she really doesn’t know what the future holds, but she knows Who holds her future.

Rebecca J Wetzler

www.rebeccawetzler.net Holy Spirit Dove blog

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-j-wetzler-7b763a49/

https://www.facebook.com/authorrebeccajwetzler/?ref=bookmarks

https://twitter.com/rdove1919

So nice to meet you Rebecca! I'm anxious to hear your thoughts so please share.....

I live at the top of the world in the largest state in the union – Alaska.  With short seasons except for winter, summer is a very busy time for several industries including commercial and sport fishing, which are both dominant factors in Alaska’s economy. Thirty-five years ago I worked for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the federal agency tasked with managing fisheries within the 200 miles off the coast of Alaska.  While working there I learned first-hand about the local, national and international importance of our fishery resources. And besides family fishing outings, one of my brothers-in-law has operated a charter boat out of Seward, Alaska for years. Originally just for fishing, he has expanded to sightseeing, hunting, and surfing – uh, no, not me!  I have not surfed in warm water, let alone the frigid arctic waters of Resurrection Bay. But apparently there are plenty of people who do, much to my surprise, and my brother-in-law was one of the first out there in the North Gulf Coast.   Since I will not try arctic water surfing, it’s no surprise I much prefer summer to winter, though I know there is value in both. What I like most… its warmer! I have never gotten into Alaska’s winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or ice fishing – I do not like being cold. Now that I think about it, though, I am not active in Alaska’s summer activities either, such as camping, fishing, hunting nor hiking. When I was young my family went camping and fishing, but I did not learn enough to attempt it on my own in these later years. I have neither the skills nor the funds to go on outdoor adventures, despite occasionally wishing I could experience it again.  I wish I wasn’t quite SO clueless about it; maybe it is time I purposefully look around for outdoor educational opportunities. 

However, for as long as I can remember, I have purposefully striven NOT to be clueless about our Creator, who spoke our unique Alaska great outdoors into being. Staying with the topic of fishing, just as it is important to Alaskans, it was also important to the people in Jesus’ time. Matthew 4:18-22 tells the story of Jesus walking along the Sea of Galilee where he called his first disciples, brothers Simon Peter and Andrew and the brothers James and John, all who were fishermen. He commissioned them by saying, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And the Bible records two separate instances where the Lord miraculously fed thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread and some small fish, because the people did not want him to stop teaching long enough for them to go into nearby villages for food. 


Reading these biblical accounts, it gives me pause to think, have I ever been so deep into His teaching I would not put down my Bible long enough to eat? Rather shamefully I say rarely if ever; rather once I realize I am hungry, my concentration is broken, and I am rummaging around in the kitchen. I thought it humbling to note that Jesus did not forget the people needed physical sustenance even as he fed them spiritually. The Lord cares about our healthy well-being – spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.   As you escape in to summer with camping, fishing, hunting or hiking, look at the outdoor beauty around you with the spiritual lens that it is God’s Creation, entrusted to us because he cares about our well-being. While entertaining yourself with the bounty our country is blessed with, thank Him for His provision and generosity. With the prophet Hosea (6:3), “Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Wow! I'll be visiting my brother in AK next month, Rebecca...on Willow Lake...not sure how far that is from you but I'd love to connect and perhaps visit. Email me and we'll see if it'll work out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

Hope you enjoyed the post friends and that you'll check back weekly. 

Meanwhile, Rebecca's book, Breadbox for the Broken can be purchased at her website in print and Ebook as well as Amazon for Kindle and in print also!

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Random Ramblings

Good Morning Friends,

It's been so long since I've share thoughts or treasures with you I have no idea what to even talk about, so today is going to be one of those random rambling days and hopefully we'll discover something meaningful together.

Ever feel as though you're so off track with your faith, life, purpose you doubt you'll ever get back on?

Yeah, that's been me for quite a while now.

March was wrought with deaths in all branches of my family. From young to old, no age group was spared. Between that and traveling and Lent and Easter, well....I'm so out of sorts.

On top of that, seems my writing has come to a halt - Again.

Oh, I've penned a few stories that have yet to find a home.

But I find, I, just plain don't have the drive, ambition or even concern.

Part of me wants to work on something.

The other part just doesn't give a damn anymore.

UGH, not a good place to be.

Alas, the last couple of days the excitement is returning so maybe my drought will soon be over.

This feature was intended to be an uplifting one. Every time a guest asks what they should talk about I say - anything - as long as it is uplifting. So how can I turn this rant into something positive for YOU to take away?

I guess by saying that no matter what life throws at you or how low you feel, learn to go with the flow. Keep an open mind and grateful heart and your world will right itself in time.

Depression is a sneaky bastard so if you find your efforts to rest and recharge don't have the proper effect - see a doctor!

I don't advocate drugs for the sake of them, but sometimes anti-depressants are necessary, but try natural means first. Rest, Relaxation, Meditation, Prayer, change up your routine or toss it completely for a while. And remember (make it a mantra if you have to) .... This too shall pass.

Meanwhile here's a pretty picture that bring me peace. Take a few deep breaths while gazing upon it and have a wonderful, blessed day!

Hope you enjoyed today's random ramblings and you'll stop by weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time.....Take care and God bless.
PamT

ThursdayThoughts: Holiday Depression

Good Morning and Merry Christmas!

You might be one of the millions who are saying... "What's so good about it?" and/or "What's there to be merry about?"

Believe me I understand!

Statistics show one out of ten people will suffer depression at some point in their life. It can be as simple as a case of the blues or drastic enough to induce suicide, murder, or the attempt of either. For many, depression is a debilitating, degrading, disease; an evil spirit that roams about like a roaring lion seeking that which he may devour. It causes loss of appetite, loss of self-worth and loss of self-esteem added to feelings of anxiety and fear or just plain not giving a damn about anything or anyone in your life.

Is it any wonder the word depression begins with the same letter as death?

It is all too common to hear someone say "this situation" or "that person" is driving them crazy. Most of the time they haven’t a clue of what they’re talking about. Unless you experience depression which lasts more than a day or two, or even a week, you have no idea of what you’re saying.

I’ve experienced depression to the extreme twice before in my life. The first time resulted in the death of my marriage. The second ended with the termination of a seven-year career. Both were the direct consequence of another person imposing –forcing – their will upon mine until I couldn’t breathe or think or function. Many were the days when I’d look at a sink of dirty dishes or a load of laundry that needed washing and think, “what’s the point? Who the hell really cares anyway?”

All I wanted was for the world to stop and let me off.

Caused by a chemical imbalance, depression is a real illness, not a sign of weakness and has nothing to do with your faith! As told to me by a therapist; the brain doesn’t differentiate between physical and mental pain, it just knows you are hurting and the reaction of the body comes from the same area of the brain. There are different types and degrees of depression. It can be inherited or genetic, caused by physical stress, hormones, trauma, or "situation induced." 

Pelican Book Group/Harbourlight title Chasing Christmas deals with this debilitating illness, so I thought it appropriate to share it with you today.....

Steeped in depression, entrepreneur Teddy Whitaker hops aboard a freight train through the Ozark Mountains to escape his past and his problems.

Startled by a mysterious stranger who appears to him in a boxcar, Teddy discovers that in order to defeat the darkness and reclaim his life he must learn three lessons before Christmas morning.

If he succeeds, he will become a new man. If he fails, he will lose his life.

Yet, deep in the thick woods of Missouri stalks a certain evil; an evil determined for Teddy to fail. 

Read an excerpt of Chasing Christmas HERE.

Please remember....Many times the person who is depressed doesn’t even realize he/she is that bad off!

So, if someone you love is hurting and you don’t know what to do or are afraid of what they might do, get them to a doctor.

It is my prayer that the light of His love and the peace of Christ will forever guard your heart and mind against the powers and principalities of darkness.

Forever in His grace,

Pamela S. Thibodeaux