I can break the chains that bind you- Jesus

I think this song was written for me. I pray each day that the Lord will put our family chains back together in His perfect way. If you have ever felt alone in the battle for a normal family you will want to take these lyrics deep into your heart. They are truly God-written. The link to the song is at the end; it has some beautiful pictures with the music: Matthew West - Family Tree (lyrics) You didn't ask for this, nobody ever would
Caught in the middle of this dysfunction
It's your sad reality, it's your messed up family tree
And all you're left with all these questions

Are you gonna be like your father was and his father was?
Do you have to carry what they've handed down?

No, this is not your legacy, this is not your destiny
Yesterday does not define you
No, this is not your legacy, this is not your meant to be
I can break the chains that bind you

I have a dream for you, it's better than where you've been
It's bigger than your imagination
You're gonna find real love and you're gonna hold your kids
You'll change the course of generations

Oh, this is not your legacy, this is not your destiny
Yesterday does not define you
No, this is not your legacy, this is not your meant to be
I can break the chains that bind you

'Cause you're my child, you're my chosen
You are loved, you are loved
And I will restore all that was broken
You are loved, you are loved

And just like the seasons change winter into spring
You're bringing new life to your family tree now
Yes, you are, you are

Oh, oh, ooh
Oh, this will be your legacy, this will be your destiny
Yesterday did not define you
Oh, this will be your legacy, this will be your meant to be
I can break the chains that bind you

And just like the seasons change, winter into spring
You're bringing new life to your family tree now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-opi1Qre8Cc

My Book Review of "Love Your Husband, Love Yourself." by Jennifer Flanders, Happy Mother of Eleven!

Jennifer Flanders has done it again! How she is able to even have time to write books with eleven children and everything else she does, it is hard to even imagine.

With all the research on oxytocin, I see the homeschool mom within her and know that she is a teacher at heart. Looking at the pictures on the book back, it looks like she has found the fountain of youth.

I did love the story about her touring a home and seeing a certain phrase on the pillow in the master bedroom; she recreated that scenario but in a much, kinder way for her own home.

She is sweet, funny and has given us a brutally honest look at her life. The first sentences in chapter 11, where she mentioned her mother would never have imagined that she would grow up and write a book extolling the virtues of sex shows her humor once again.

I'm sure her husband adores her and most men would be jealous of him, if they were given a chance to read this book. I actually have a few people in mind to give the book to, as the topic is needed in this day and age of "over-scheduling" everything in life and leaving the marriage relationship to be last on the list. From what I hear from many the marriage bed is mainly for sleeping. Jennifer's thought on the time taken by many women to get out of having sex are very interesting but I'll let you decide for yourself when you read the book. 

This probably would be a good book to give as a wedding shower present. At age 60 I am a little old for some of the ways she suggests to "Love Your Husband, Love Yourself." but as always, she has done a lot of research and writes adding a lot of scripture to the mix. Jennifer is an adorable writer!  

Donna Collins Tinsley

http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/

The Soul Mender

I'm putting a link to an informative and needed article "Christianity and Cocaine?" from CBN.com. The more information we have about substance abuse the better we can deal with issues when they appear in our friends or family. We need all the help, support and prayer we can get as a nation that has so many people trying to find life in the use of drugs, whether legal or illegal. Many a mother is crying because they know their child or adult child is dying if they don't get help soon. I posted this poem before but it may be new to some of you.

The Soul Stealer

It stole my soul

Is what she said

Made me one of

The walking dead

Brought strangers in

To my own bed

The soul stealer

Got in my head

Changed my very

Personality

Into one that

 Was strange to me

Can’t get along

With family

That’s what cocaine

Did to me, it’s

A soul stealer

Cocaine, Cocaine

I’ve worshiped you

Lost self respect

And children, too

Release me from

This grip of death

Breathe into me

The Spirit’s breath

 Return my soul

Oh Lord, I pray

Help me to live

And not to stray

And You, alone

Will get the praise

The Soul Mender

Donna Collins Tinsley copyright 2002

RE: "Christianity and Cocaine?" This was well-written and interesting. I have always believed that it was reported that most people who use cocaine are instantly addicted and thank you for showing us the difference between how people use the drugs and what crack really is. Whitney's quote:"Crack is cheap. I make too much money to ever smoke crack. Let's get that straight. OK? We don't do crack. We don't do that. Crack is whack,” well, it does sound like something an addict who was putting herself on a different level might say. As many people who are addicted to prescription drugs feel like they aren't addicts since a doctor prescribed them, yet they can't go a day without those drugs. The scriptures quoted were perfect! I know the family still needs prayers especially the mother who grieves for the loss of a daughter, gifted but haunted with the demon of cocaine. It could be many a mother's story and sadly to say, it is. Please click on the CBN blog:

http://blogs.cbn.com/battlingaddictions/archive/2012/03/25/christianity-and-cocaine.aspx

A song and a prayer

1. A song and a prayer that the Great name of Jesus will carry us all through whatever we face this day; You don't want to miss hearing this song, it will help you ride out the day on angels wings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXH0MjGe10s
   A song and a prayer is what I offer today!

   Lord, we pray especially that You, our Great God will be with that one who is hurting the worst today. Only You know who that is and what they need. Be with the hurting parent that feels that they can't go on, be with the hurting child that never really wanted to go that far into addictions but now they can't seem to live any other way, but in the mess they have made of their life. Maybe they didn't mean to hurt their loved ones, maybe they don't know that they are only hurting themselves. Maybe they need Your Hope. And for those who are blessed with a "normal" life and family, may your tribe increase. We hope to join you someday:)

Facebook or Face-to-Face?

Facebook or Face-to-Face?

They say if you have social anxiety issues putting yourself on Facebook will help you get over them to some degree.

But it seems sometimes that having a social network can work the opposite at times, isolating people even more. Sometimes it is easier to interact from a distance but studies have also shown that emails can often be mistook, as the words sometimes sound more abrupt, leaving people with hurt feelings.

I’m sure we would all like a message from God on our Facebook page. Sometimes it feels like it would help to have real, concrete instructions for our day. But the Lord is a face-to-face God. The words to the song go through my head,

“The sky shall unfold
Preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him
With thunders of praise

The sweet light in His eyes, shall enhance those awaiting
And we shall behold Him, then face to face"

(Lyrics from  http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/sandi_patti/#share)

Lord, on this day may we behold You and find what we need for our journey. We thank You, that You will not leave us or forsake us and we can look forward to that day when all tears, will be wiped away.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I am adding an Irish prayer that is surprisingly similar to The Serenity Prayer:)

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been
the foresight to know where you're going
and the insight to know when you're going too far.

Out of my Hands and into Yours

At age 60 I am old, but I believe in the wisdom of the aged. Through many painful years part of the strength I have found to press on has been through the Port Orange Winning Women Bible study taught by Anita Smith. Over 21 years ago I had heard about this Bible study and someone had promised to take me to it. But I got so desperate for help and fellowship during this time, I found it by myself. I walked in to that blessed church and had one child holding on to my pants and one in my arms. I sat in the back as my kids weren’t used to going to a nursery. I was so welcomed by Anita Smith and Nancy Cox that day that I knew I had found my home, my tribe. During this time I felt that these women held my arms up as helpers held Mose’s arms during times that his own strength was failing. By prayer and fellowship my battles have been won as I listened to the Word of the Lord and acted on it.

 In the song, “Out of My Hands” by Matthew West we see a true portrayal of letting go and letting God in these situations.

It's out of my hands
It's out of my reach
It's over my head
And it's out of my league
There's too many things
That I don't understand
So it's into your will

And it's out of my hands*

 Yesterday I once again asked for a special prayer request and my much older Bible Study ladies begged with tears and travail that the Lord intervene in my family. My advise to all who read this is find you someone with skin on, that will pray for you. Our online support groups are here for you but never to replace the love and fellowship you find in the Body of Christ.

A prayer and a song is what I offer you today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4uNWd7_P84

Florida Christian Writer's Conference 2012

Eva Marie Everson, our CWG Word Weaver Volusia mentor posted a question about what was our "BEST experience" at the Florida Christian Writer's Conference? I have to say when Cec Murphey jumped up to hug me and said "Donna!' as if he was so happy to see one such as me, that was my favorite moment. As for "BEST experience" I have to agree with the guys, there are always too many to choose from. I adored spending time along with  Channah and Mark in Bryan's workshop as he and I were in a group together for years and I miss that fellowship. I was really moved by the stirring prayer that Eva prayed on Sat. night for Shelly's son. Moments like that are what prompts me to try to go back to the best conference ever:)

Re-posting what I posted online when I got back:

What a wonderful day I had Saturday commuting to the Florida Christian Writer's Conference! I am always blessed by the wonderful people I meet while there and especially getting to spend some alone-time with our FCWC Chaplain angel, Barbara Ann Eddings. I always learn so much from the classes and Cecil Murphey is so energetic and assessable that he makes even the most introverted person feel like they might become an extrovert someday! I have a lot to ponder and I especially thank all those dear ones who helped me in Manuscript CPR, for really giving of their time. The icing on the cake was to meet Beth Patch from CBN.com and she was just as sweet and Southern as I thought she would be. As I write I keep thinking of others I would like to thank so this may be updated at some point.

From Colossians 3 we read: "Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
A song, and a prayer is what I offer today, How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doiiH2FkIO8

Florida Christian Writer's Conference, here I come

I've got The Florida Christian Writer's Conference on my mind. I am hoping to make a day trip there tomorrow. This is an old "What The Lord Is Saying Today," but sometimes just rereading the words of hope and comfort again is what I need for the day. Hope it helps someone else, also

Be of the same mind as King David; determine to rejoice in your time of affliction.  The Lord has seen your condition and He does not walk away nor turn His head from you.  He has watched as troubling things have happened to you.  Even in all this, the Lord did not allow you to be taken over by the enemy.  He has protected you.  Not only this, but the Lord, my Lord, has chosen to elevate you to are large place in His Kingdom.  You have been give freedom to be you.  His favor has fallen upon your beautiful feet as you rejoice in Him in this season.  The season is changing.  Brace yourself f for the Lord is about to exalt you and make you glad in Him.  Rejoice.
Psalms 31:7-8 (NASB)  "I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, because You have seen my affliction; you have known the troubles of my soul, And You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place."  Ras Robinson February 27, 2010.  

"What The Lord Is Saying Today," © Fullness In Christ Ministries, Inc., www.fullnessonline.org 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)