Christmas 2013, a Day Late and a Dollar Short as my Mama would say:)

As usual I am a day late and a dollar short:)

Is that the sound of reindeer hooves or is it Presley and Willow pitter-pattering around while I am trying to have my quiet time? As usual I am running way behind, so for those that I didn't get a Christmas letter sent to, here it is:

 

Happy, Happy, Happy!

 or

Ho, Ho, Ho! It’s Christmas, Either Way

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV

Happy, happy, happy! I have to say I agree with those words from the Duck Dynasty clan and it sounds just as good as “Ho, ho, ho” for the season we are in right now. Happy is what I want our Christmas to be all about, but sometimes life just gets in the way of that. Sometimes, we want to be more of a part of someone’s life, but life gets in the way. We overlooked something, forgot a special date, and got too busy, life gets in the way. Christmas season gets hectic and we get behind with all those good plans we had and find ourselves at the point of the “tyranny of the urgent.” *

Christmas events heighten the urgency and our dreams of making it the perfect family holiday may bring more stress than happiness. We ruminate what we need to do, want to do, have to do and the tension that shows up in our physical bodies makes it hard to slow down and have the peace that Jesus is known for. Perhaps this is the first year that you are experiencing the pain and grief of losing a loved one and you are finding it hard to even smile this Christmas.  We are, in my family, and navigating a new kind of normal is not easy. We pray especially for those who have lost spouses or children. We are grateful for the memories that help us to bear the loss.

We look forward to the time in heaven when we will all be together, again. Memories of good times help us to smile as we remember the love we were privileged to share with them while they were here on this earth. I’m so proud of my mother-in-law, Edie, who is coping with loss and yet doing it with a smile on her face. I think giving someone a smile can sometimes be a sacrifice and the Bible says to give a sacrifice of praise as an offering. To do that when your heart is breaking is a beautiful and precious thing before the Lord. A smile can lift the spirits of those around us and sometimes we smile amidst tears. They may stream down as we think about the way we wish that things were, yet no one can steal that joy that abides because of Jesus and His presence in our hearts.   Happy, Happy, Happy! Or Ho, Ho, Ho! It’s Christmas, either way and I pray a great big blessing for your day.  Donna Collins Tinsley 2013

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT

*A booklet by Charles Hummel, Tyranny of the Urgent, describes that there is always tension between what we believe is important and what is right before us that seems urgent. My opinion is that usually the urgent wins, especially around the holidays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZBYa_YGE5Y

Navigating Christmas this year is hard with the loss of Grandpa Del Ce Cato. Many prayers are needed for Mom Del as they were married over 50 years. He was a very precious man and is sorely missed. I also ask for continued prayers for family peace. A day at a time, progress not perfection, keep it simple (I'm not sure how when I don't know how many I am cooking for?:) and "Let go and let God." He is the reason we celebrate!

First Christmas In Heaven

I wrote this poem the year my Mama passed away. It is a very simple poem, but it comforted me. The first holidays without your loved ones can be the hardest. It seems so many people near to me, have lost a family member. I pray that you will be able to have peace and blessings although there is that empty place at the table that could only be filled by them.

 

First Christmas In Heaven

 

It’s my first

Christmas in Heaven

And oh,

What a sight!

 

The angels are singing

This is not a silent night!

 

On the throne sits

The One who

Died for me

From the Pain

Of my body

I have been

Set free.

 

He’s not a babe

In a manger

Anymore

He loves you

He wants you

For your soul

He will war.

 

This life you live now

Is fleeting

At best

I trusted

In Jesus and

He gave me rest.

 

 

Donna Collins Tinsley 

 

 

Mrs. Toad's Wild Ride or Donna's Wild, Crazy and Blessed Day

Yesterday was one of the busiest days of my life but also one of the most blessed. Early morning after prayer and posts I stopped in and saw my oldest daughter Regina, who was helping at a garage sale for the Rebecca Schneider Foundation,https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Schneider-Foundation/223245997829912?ref=br_tf. This foundation is in memory of one of Aubrey’s friends, Rebecca Schneider, whose mother is paying her pain of loss forward to help others.

Then, an appointment, ran back to the garage sale and home for a minute, just as Bill was getting Isaiah off to a party.  I wanted to go to Edgewater and see our grandson, Jordan play in the Edgewater Christmas parade with the New Smyrna Middle School Marching Band. But first I had to pick up Aryel in Daytona, though, so she could see her first ever Christmas Parade. When you view things through the eyes of a child, it is a beautiful thing. I have to say everyone around me was blessed by her joy and exuberance.  When we went to see Jordan and get a picture of him, we somehow missed Santa. We saw an empty sleigh later and I had to convince her he went back to the North Pole.

I have to tell you if you don’t know, that Aryel has had an autoimmune disease and has to have blood work every two weeks, and is on some heavy medication but she is my Christmas blessing. The Lord surely has made her very different from all my grandchildren but I stand amazed every time I am around her by her joy. Yes, she sometimes appears very wild and crazy but I am writing amongst tears as I realized anew yesterday what a blessing she is to me in a time that I need something to laugh about. She also may be my biggest fan and acts like she adores me all the time. I can’t tell you what a gift that is to be loved so unconditionally. I am very blessed to be her grandmother and thank the Lord for the complex genes He combined between Amber and Ryan to create this precious one.

I wish you could’ve heard her when we got back in the car saying, as only she could say, “WELL, SOMEONE FORGOT TO LET ME SEE SANTA CLAUS!”LOL! I actually thought we were going to see JordanJ

After running to Daytona to pick up Isaiah at the Skating Party, the other cool thing was them harmonizing, totally unintentional, on a song.  I love that! Then a short visit with my brother, Dale and little Levi:)

Home again and Isaiah got ready for the second showing of the “The Nightshift Before Christmas.” It was great and Aryel was so happy especially since I managed to find a Santa on the sidewalk across from church for her to tell about her wishes for a Minnie Mouse phone. Grandma Del Ce and Ashley joined us there. When we got home I even managed to make some of my Christmas Salad Dressing in gift jars so the season is officially open at my house. The tree still isn’t trimmed, (hopefully today) but the outside is the light show of the neighborhood, with an angel and a cross amidst streaming lights. The day ended with a message from Shiloh saying they will be home for sure on Christmas Eve. A good day, a blessed day and a peaceful day. What more could I ask for?

 

Got Tears?

Got Tears? We all do, and today we remember Sandy Hook families. Thanks for running my devotional and hopefully words of comfort to the grieving families.

Much love to the families at Sandy Hook Elementary

(On the One-year Anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy)

You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle... Psalm 56:8 NKJV

Looking over the local obituaries it seemed a higher number of deaths than usual were recorded near Christmas. It seemed even sadder when knowing a family personally. But as I view what happened in our nation in 2012, I grieved too. A horrible tragedy occurred with many school children murdered and a community shattered.

Twenty-six people -- 20 students and six adults -- were shot and killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012.

Christmas doesn’t alleviate the normal pains of life that we go through and a tragedy like this is certainly abnormal. We weep anew for them this Christmas season and pray their families are finding peace in the beauty of the season once again. The grief process takes time and we find comfort in the fact that the Lord sees our tears and bottles them in heaven.

Tears have always been a part of Christmas. Mary cried tears of awe at the thought of the holy seed implanted within her. Joseph cried as he felt betrayed by his betrothed before the angel of the Lord came to him. Yielding in submission, they each shed tears of joy at the high calling God had placed upon their lives, to raise the Christ-child. The pangs of childbirth brought tears that the baby’s smiles soothed. Prophetic words allayed the tears of the sword that would surely pierce her heart and soul. God feels our pain and gathers our tears.

In this day and age, we cry too. We weep for dreams that did not come true as we have memories of loved one who have passed before us. We cry our own tears of Christmas.

In the eyes of our Father in heaven the tears we cry may look like liquid diamonds. They are so precious to him that he stores them as jewels that He will uncover within us at the day of His coming.

Some Christmas holidays are painful. When the tears I have cried are stored in His bottle and I am drained, He becomes my Restorer, my Strength and my Hope. Got tears? Yes, we all do, but we will be amazed at the beauty of those glistening bottles waiting for us in heaven. Our tears will be there but our loved ones will be there as well. Trust that God has us close under His wing.
http://christiandevotions.us/?wpmlmethod=newsletter&id=660&mailinglist_id=0&subscriber_id=1709&authkey=d07e70efcfab08731a97e7b91be644de

Something New; Visual journaling

An Afternoon at a Visual Journaling Workshop

Six women in a room filled with words, works of art, pictures, art supplies and a wonderful leader, Penny Bragg, who took us on a visual journaling workshop experience for those who have experienced loss and grief.  Who knew that for three and a half hours the Holy Spirit would show up and minister and encourage and begin a healing process? Some were just beginning the journey; some had been with Penny for a while. All will forever be grateful to this woman of God who gives out of her painful experience of grief, beauty for ashes.

One page in her examples of visual journaling resonated with me and reminded me of this previous post on my blog:


Just write on my tombstone, "She was a prisoner of Hope." Not a prisoner or her past or living another day would be much too hard. Not of a prisoner of her accomplishments as only the Lord Jesus can take credit for those, not a prisoner of her beautiful children, grandchildren, husband or family for they are what they are by God's grace and mercy. I am a prisoner of Hope in Jesus that He takes all things and works them to my good; He takes flawed things and makes them beautiful.

Joel Osteen says this:


"Return to your fortress, o prisoners of hope, even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you" (Zechariah 9:12, NIV) Zechariah 9:12 says that we should be prisoners of hope. It's easy to give up. It's easy to get discouraged. But God wants us to be so full of hope, so full of expectancy, that we just can't help believing for the best.

When you're a prisoner ...of something, it's like you're chained to it. You can't get away from it. I know people who are prisoners of fear, prisoners of worry, prisoners of doubt. You've heard them. "Nothing good ever happens to me." "It's never changing, Joel. It's just been too long."

They are chained to despair and discouragement. Break those chains. Become a prisoner of hope. No matter how long it takes, no matter how impossible it looks, your attitude should be: "I just can't help it. I know it will work out. I know I will overcome. It may be taking a long time, but I know this too shall pass. It may be difficult, but I know that means I'm close to my victory." Joel Osteen

The page I made has the word hope plastered all over it. Hope amidst words of scripture;  hope amidst words of pain, hope amidst  “already cleansed for His kingdom, hope amidst  “reconciliation” hope amidst “let your voice be heard” and hope amidst “make me laugh.” I am a prisoner of hope.

Music and More to lighten your day; don't miss the links and Billy Graham

Music will help you through the day and be a balm for your soul; a song and a prayer that the Lord will go before and stir up the gifts within you:)

He said, "I won't give you more than you can take, I might let you bend but I won't let your break." Don't miss this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmi9IBP209s

 

Sunday, a day we dedicate to rest, peace and worship. Try all three, it will do your body good in more than one way:)

Remember if the enemy is trying to defeat you with thoughts of failure and fear that his day is coming and we know his end. Weeping may be for the night but joy comes in the morning. Your song and story are unique and the Lord is the final author. Feeling sad today? Give someone else a smile and it may lift your own spirits. Then there will come a day for Him to turn our mourning into dancing for Him. Hallelujah, what a Savior. I know of none other who can do that! And remember in eternity we are already all together in peace. Those who have gone ahead of us are with us, no more sorrows or pain.

A bonus of music from a band I just discovered today:

As seen on Huckabee this morning; a little bluegrass for the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI1IWLv0Db4

Here they are at day of prayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhWm6aAWofM

And a bonus:

This is my prayer; If you know me at all, even a little bit, if there is blood relation or any kindred spirit from our times on Facebook, that you will watch this gift of love from Billy Graham.
Favorite quote from the message; "Jesus lived the life I could not live and died the death I should've died."
I couldn't go see Beth Moore with the church ladies, but I can watch and share Billy Graham with y'all:)http://www.youtube.com/billygraham/?BA=3029&QR=168&SOURCE=BY13BVGYT&annotation_id=annotation_1870663097&feature=iv&src_vid=qfw_0VI_I4E&utm_campaign=MHANov&utm_medium=InStreamVideo&utm_source=Youtube

A Constant Image

 

I had a hard time wanting to post another blog as the “happy, happy happy,” of Duck Dynasty is so appealing to me. But because blogger is part of my “job description” I am putting a devotional I wrote on here until I can get really inspired to blog.

 

Sometimes the image in our minds of our past hold us back from the future. Sometimes it holds us in turmoil, holds us in pain and prevents us from pressing on to what the Lord’s true plan for our life or ministry. That is part of the enemy’s plan and he gets great pleasure from reminding us of our past, of causing great havoc and devastation in our families. For these things, though, we have Jesus. Let Him be the constant image in your mind.

A Constant Image

For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Galatians 6:14

The Message

"In the front of my mind

In the back of my mind,

 To the left and to the right,

There’s an image of a man on a cross."

 

These are the words to a song written by Dallas Holm that really moved my spirit. This is how I want to live my life, with the Lord in the front of my mind and in the back of my mind. As I go to the left or the right, may his image never leave me. May this picture in my mind help me to walk differently in the world I live in. I need to walk worthy of the calling God has put on me.  Let me walk in a way that would not shame the one who is my Lord and Master. Jesus was born in a stable---yet He is the King of Glory.

     He lived a simple life. He amazed His mother, confounded his neighborhood, (could anything good come from Nazareth?) called together a group of outcasts to disciple and write about His story.

     He carried a heavy cross on which He was crucified for my sins and yours, years before we were ever conceived. He knew what pain was like. He understood how it felt to be rejected by friends and family alike. He wept. He understood what it was like to lose a loved one. But for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross. That joy was giving life to us.

Prayer: Lord, please keep the picture of what You did on the cross for us, ever before us.

Thought for the Day: What I allow myself to think on may control my day for good.

Prayer Focus: The Cross of Christ and his compassion towards His body of believers.

I’m ending with a new favorite quote; I borrowed this quote from my daughter, Regina's page:

"She could never go back and make some of the details pretty. All she could do was move forward and make the whole beautiful." Terri St Cloud

If your past wasn’t pretty, join me in trying to move forward and make a beautiful life. Someone out there needs you.

They’re not the Waltons but They Make Me Smile Or How Some Crazy Duck-calling Family Won my Heart

Happy, happy, happy gets my attention as that is what my main dream is for my own family. To be happy, happy, happy.

Then the title “A Dynasty Built on Family and Faith” also got my attention and I figured I needed to find out how the Duck Dynasty family got so happy. It is a story in Guideposts magazine written by Korie Robertson about their life.

Along the way to a happy, happy, happy family I have taken a long detour. Maybe you have, also. What got in the way of your happy family? What came in and took your dreams. What stole the heart of your children and perhaps even your grandchildren?

Did addiction rear its ugly head and everything that you thought your adult child would become just seem to vanish one day? Did you lose a loved one, a spouse or a child and think you will never be happy again. Does someone in your family wrestle with mental illness and you wonder if all hope is gone? Did cancer invade the body of someone you love? Do you have a loved one in prison?   Life can seem anything but happy at times like these.

What can you do to get your mind into a mode of happiness again?

My first and best answer would be to find a word of hope to hold on to from the Bible. You know the kind, a scripture that just jumps out at you; instinctly deep within your heart it seems as if it was written just for you. Written for such a time as this. While you are searching for a word of your own, find one for your children or that adult child that is breaking your heart. We have to know and believe that the God who created them has a plan and it is an even better plan than you, as a parent, could even dream for them.

“O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
 All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:11-13

My next thought for happy, happy, happy,  is give it over to prayer. Perhaps you are saying, I do that, I pray. We all have had to come to the point of not only praying but then letting go. Let go and let God is more than a slogan said at recovery meetings. It is the real deal. As a mother, though, I have to admit, I sometimes have to let go again and again, but that is OK as the Lord looks at the heart. He knows exactly the timing that we can yield that burden to Him. He is a protective God and He knows what we can deal with and when and He won’t push us or shove us to dealing with something when it is too painful for us. He deals the same way with our families.

I’ve found that what might make me happy, happy, happy will have the opposite effect on my husband or children. Sometimes I want to scream, “Let’s just all get on the same page.” But the story written from one person’s viewpoint will have a different slant and timetable in another family member’s life and so I must yield again.

What does all this have to do with the Robertson family and their Duck Dynasty? Take a comedy break as often as you can and watch their programs and reruns. It will do your heart good to see people interacting in a loving and kind way. The way families used to interact. No they aren’t the Walton’s, they don’t live in Mayberry, but they have something to teach us. 

The main lesson is God first, and then family. In my view that is a winning combination. No, my family isn’t the Walton’s, the Griffith’s or the Robertson’s but I can learn to lighten up, smile more, listen more and embrace the unique family that the Lord is building, one day at a time. My favorite quote that I say is “There is enough love to go around.” Our family is a work in progress but one day I know I will be “Happy, happy, happy” just like the Duck Dynasty family.

http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/inspirational-stories/a-dynasty-built-on-family-and-faith?page=full

 

 

My Heart Cries out for the Breath of Heaven

My heart cries out today, for me, for you and for our children and grandchildren.

I find myself doing it all over again. Looking to something or someone to do what only the Lord my God can do for me and in me and in my family.

I see that I still want my own timetable for healing and relief and that peace that only comes from the Lord. In my mind, I can fix it. As the firstborn daughter that was part of my job description for so long, fixer/caretaker of the family. When the fixer got weary, things needed to change, I needed to pull back; I need to pull back even now. No fixer or caretaker lives forever. Sometimes as with the case with my mama, the Lord seemed to have taken her early, perhaps to spare her from some acute pain, both physically and emotionally in her life. The Bible even has a verse that says He takes those early to spare them. It is His mercy yet we at home still grieve the loss of her love, her humor and her hearty laugh.

I repent once again Jesus. I repent of wanting a counselor to fix my family. I repent of looking to the world for what only You can do. I repent of getting weary in praying and wondering if You hear me? Do You see me still? Will You send an angel as You sent to Hagar; she named You the “God who sees.” See me, Jesus; see my hopes, dreams and aspirations. See my children that I love and have failed in so many ways, but yet I am blessed to have had the privilege to bring them forth for You and give them back to You. Thank you for each one and for some wonderful grandchildren. As I look to this day, knowing I have given it over to Your hands, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will rise up strong in me, that I can face the day, future and even the dreaded hour, that I can get through anything by Your strength and power. The old song, “Where Can we go, but to the Lord” has been in my heart since I was a young girl and knew I needed a savior so much. One thing I have always known is You are the one who holds the words of life, the only one I can constantly go to, my source of peace. You are the One who holds me. You will get all glory and praise. You are my heart’s desire. Live through me this day.

The lyrics to this song can apply to others than Mary, “Breath of Heaven”

I am waiting in a silent prayer

 I am frightened by the load I bear

 In a world as cold as stone

 Must I walk this path alone?

 Be with me now, be with me now

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

 Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

 Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

 Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

 Breath of Heaven

(Read more: Amy Grant - Breath Of Heaven Lyrics | MetroLyrics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW2OBT-5qfc

The Good Upscale Doctor, This is dedicated to the members of the Substance Abuse Task Force (Daytona) and all Addict's Moms groups

As we talked about painkillers on Friday at the Substance Abuse Task Force meeting, I still struggle with the good, upscale doctors who prescribe heavy painkillers so frequently. Now we find out they are making it easy for the elderly to become addicted. May the Lord have mercy on the families who have lost loved ones because of these issues. I pray for them daily.

I am doing a repeat of this blog today. This is dedicated to the faithful members of the Substance Abuse Task Force.

The Good, Upscale Doctor

"18-year-old son died of overdose, Grieving mother pushing Oxy ban,


RX for trouble: Painkiller abuse plagues society, Falling short in fighting addiction," these all were either headlines or editorials recently in our local newspaper. They say in the State of Florida 7 people die daily from overdoses of prescription meds.


Until it hits home in your own family, headlines like these will not affect you. It will be somebody else's child, not your own; it doesn't affect you. You can put down people like that, thinking they may be the scum of the earth, not even realizing that some of those children started off like your own kids. Just living their life, going to school, thinking about college and their careers. Then the tragedy of addiction hits the family.
It may have been a legitimate pain issue, they may have had surgeries young and pain issues that seemed beyond control. You as a parent may have questioned the expensive upscale doctor, wondering aloud to him your concerns. "Why such high pain killers so soon? Aren't morphine patches something given to hospice patients? Will my child still need these medications if they have surgery? "
He immediately tried to pacify you, "It isn't addictive, and it is something they can take their whole life through if necessary."


You weren't convinced, yet who were you? Did you have as many degrees as this doctor? Isn't he noted in the community for his work? Wouldn't he do the same for his own daughter or son if in your shoes? It wasn't long before the teen that was in pain was of legal age to continue with the doctor without your consent. And sooner than later the things you were concerned with came about. That is why we have painkiller abuse in our society. I don't have to name names; there are legions in our State and country that are writing prescriptions with no concern for the long-term outcome, which in most cases is addiction.


Prescription medicine addiction is a real dilemma in our society and it isn't getting any easier to decide who is right and who is wrong. Of course, I can understand when someone is in dire need of medications that they shouldn't be denied. I am not against doctors who truly must help those who suffer with chronic pain; I am all for good medical care. Yet the utmost scrutiny should be given to doctors that write painkiller prescriptions, too many, too soon. Look at the recent celebrity deaths and the doctors that were a part of each one! We have become such a drugged up nation; sometimes I wonder if anyone knows real people anymore or are they just someone either doped up or a facade of that person you used to know and love.

Addiction itself has been described as cunning, baffling, and powerful by AA and Al-anon groups. That means to me that the person becomes so cunning in taking care of their addiction that it is second nature to them to use any form of manipulation to get their source of relief. It baffles the ordinary person to find this such a powerful influence in our loved one. The person you once knew and loved seems to be gone from you forever and you can only hand the problem over to a loving God who alone can bring help for the true pain; the pain that painkillers will never cover
Try not to judge harshly; statistics say addiction hits all families and social-economic groups before long. You wouldn't want to walk a mile in the shoes or the grieving mother or father, rehash in your mind what you could've or should've done, or be in the body of the addict who became addicted following doctor's orders. Yes, the good, upscale expensive doctor is of no help now. Only the healing hand of the Great Physician can have mercy on this kind of hurt.


We go to the Word of God for help and comfort.


Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,


for his compassions never fail.


They are new every morning;


great is your faithfulness.


I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;


therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 (New International Version, ©2010)


I see in this verse that God truly started the “One day at a time” movement long before Bill W. came up with it. We wait on His compassions and healing for our families!


Another version that might help:
I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,


the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.


I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—


the feeling of hitting the bottom.


But there's one other thing I remember,


and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:


God's loyal love couldn't have run out,


his merciful love couldn't have dried up.


They're created new every morning.


How great your faithfulness!


I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).


He's all I've got left.


God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,


to the woman who diligently seeks.


It's a good thing to quietly hope,


quietly hope for help from God.


It's a good thing when you're young


to stick it out through the hard times.


When life is heavy and hard to take,


go off by yourself. Enter the silence.


Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions:


Wait for hope to appear.


Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face.


The "worst" is never the worst.


Why? Because the Master won't ever


walk out and fail to return.


Lamentations 3:19-33 (The Message)
We have a faithful God to whom we can trust our family’s problems and issues. But as mothers, it still hurts. And good upscale doctors may be the ones that help bring about the hurt.


By Donna Collins Tinsley

This is dedicated to the faithful members of the Substance Abuse Task Force and all the Addict's Moms groups.

Please send your prayer requests to the Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group:)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/119408188089314/?id=281112801918851

Jericho Project and praying for single moms and their kids

Sometimes life just gets too hectic to blog. So today I will just blog some of my facebook posts and try to put a video about a great, new project in South Daytona that Bob Langford and some volunteers and churches are sponsoring. The cute redhead in the video is our Isaiah:)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QwZneXkfdA

Today my prayer burden is for single parents. I was one for a few years and it brings many challenges to the table. I only had one daughter at the time and even though it was hard, there were some good memories of that time alone with her. Many in our groups have three and four children, mothers raising them alone and my heart goes out to you. The Lord steps in to be a father to there fatherless; lean on Him for wisdom.
I pray that all who are discouraged today will find their peace in the Lord and we ask that a blood covering be over all our loved ones in Jesus name.

Do you have a fractured family? Is your family tree messed up? You are in good company then and Jesus is our hope. Sometimes it may not seem that way but we have to get our eyes off our circumstances, look up to the Lord, find a Word from Him and claim it. Then pray, pray, pray! Prayer is a true working tool to peace and acceptance. A lot of our turmoil in life is not accepting the things we can't change; We sometimes have to accept that things are the way they are for a reason. I'm sure Joseph, during his days in prison and slavery felt forgotten by God as well as his family but he went ahead being the best he could be in those circumstances. The Lord caused him to rise above them and to rise in favor. Don't look at things the way they are but look at them through eyes of hope.

Jesus is the answer to all our problems and our strong help and that will always be the case. His ear is open to our prayers for help and hope. He is such a creative God that He brings forth beauty and grace and gifts within us that we never thought were there. He can bring the dormant seed to life. We praise His name and ask that He cover our families today. We thank You, Lord Jesus ahead of time for Your great blessing and favor towards our loved ones.

A song and a prayer about the Family Tree:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-opi1Qre8Cc

Family Tree
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 now 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 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've 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, this will be your legacy
This is 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
(Matthew West)

May you have a peaceful day filled with love:)

Paying it Forward

I admire people who take the pain of life and pay it forward in wonderful ways to help others. I have always said one woman can make a difference; in this case it is four wonderful women, check out:
"Family charities keep memories of loved ones alive"
http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130901/news/130839857

She's "Somebody's Daughter," this and that about Miley Cyrus from others

I once took to heart the theme of "Somebody's Daughter" years ago when traveling north on 1-95 and seeing all the billboards advertising adult clubs with pictures on them that would break a parent's heart. All I could think was "She is somebody's daughter; what if she were yours?" I hope it is OK to post these links on my blog as I don't think I can say it better than this:)

 

This is a great blog I borrowed from a post on Shelly Beach's blog. It is written by someone who works with women to bring help for them and that organization is called "Somebody's Daughter."

http://shellybeachonline.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/guest-post-from-steve-siler-on-miley-cyrus-at-the-vmas/

It may seem like people are overreacting but do we really want our granddaughters to grow up and be like this? I think not. Here are some other thoughts:

 http://annieblogs.com/2013/08/26/how-do-we-help-miley/?utm_source=%28in%29courage+Email+Subscribers&utm_campaign=cd64f3b85e-INCOURAGE-RSS-EMAIL-CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_215aa6cf1a-cd64f3b85e-5000049#.UiJRo8bD-72

http://www.cwfa.org/content.asp?id=22534

 

http://www.cwfa.org/content.asp?id=22539

Book Review; The Gospel According to Les Miserables: 30 Devotions to Inspire Faith Paperback by Selena Sarns

I only wish I had gotten “The Gospel According to Les Miserables” before I rented the movie. I know I would’ve gotten so much more out of watching it if I had the titles of the chapters in this book to ponder.

A 30 day devotional is something we all can use at one time of our life or another. I like being able to feel that I am reading something that is not a big project like a yearly one is, at times.

My first thoughts about “The Gospel According to Les Miserables was of giving this book in a gift basket. It would include the original book by Victor Hugo, popcorn and the new movie added as an addition. I don’t know about you but I would love for someone to give me such a gift basket. Add some Milk Duds and you’ve got a movie night and the devotional lends towards starting the day in a good way.

There were timely quotes such as “With God, mistakes can be corrected and any life, no matter how difficult, can still glorify Him.” Also “When we realize that running from God is futile and empty; we can know that being open before God is true joy.” One devotion title was “No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed” which sounds like something my mama might have said, although life doesn’t always seem to work that way.

I love the concept of this devotional because the characters and story from the original book are so deep, rich and loved. Ending with “The story of  Les Miserables is not so far removed from Christian’s life. Each one of us faces similar temptations and conflict that impact who we are in Christ,” gives us all food for thought.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of The Gospel According to Les Miserables through BookCrash.com

When We are Broken People in Need of Healing

 

 

There are some weeks that are harder to get through than others. Young people dying of overdoses, family friends having bad reports from medical tests, little children being threatened in schools, suffering is all around us.

Sometimes the only thing that we know for sure about our lives is that we are broken. We who have been affected by addictions in our loved ones are broken people who love broken people. We sometimes have to remember as pointed out in the AA Big Book that our loved ones are sick. And sometimes, we are sick, also.

We pray that those among us who are suffering will find the hospital of the soul, where Jesus is the Great Physician and He will bring them through the pain of recovery. We pray that their scars turn to stars in the kingdom of God. We pray for family reconciliation in whatever form that can come, knowing that it may not look like what we thought it would look like. My picture and dream has not turned out like I thought that it might, but I am not the wise Creator, weaving behind the scenes to make the very perfect ending. I still believe that He can and will.

We need the powerful armor of the Lord to protect us each day. We sometimes have to physically put it on by the prayers of our hearts.

Lord, we pray, heal our hearts, heal our souls, and make us whole. Glow through us, expand Yourself in us, heal us, and heal me. Lord, there doesn’t seem to be joy in living for many of your people right now. We need strong intervention and help from the throne of God. We are at Your mercy with a broken, frayed rope that can only be held together with Your cords of love. Heal us, help us, I pray once again and when I can’t pray another word then I say, Jesus, lover of my soul, bind our wounds and make us whole.  We all stand in need of healing at times. This is my time Lord.

Donna Collins Tinsley


Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

Be a three-strand cord to someone today by joining in prayer with us.

Praying at Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group;:https://www.facebook.com/groups/119408188089314/permalink/676697812360346/