A Sister Among You

Would you want the Cross that is Tailor-made for you?

2012-02-16T06:59:00.000-05:00

This morning at my prayer time, I was thinking about and praying for fractured families. I thought of others that I know in the writing communities that have painful issues with their children like Carol Kent and Eva Marie Everson. Carol learned a new kind of normal when her only son was sentenced to life in prison; Eva is presented with many challenges when emotional issues changed a daughter of her heart, overnight. I thought how we sometimes think that our own cross is too hard to bear and then the Lord reminds us of a sister, walking towards Him and with Him by faith. The happy ending hasn’t happened yet. The way at times is dark yet they press on and pay it forward, trying to bring help and hope to others in their journey.

I remember the story by Sarah Ban Breathnack that told of the crosses that others bore. The angel showed the person around and showed the behind the scenes stories that no one knew about and the woman decided to keep her own, personal tailor-made cross. It was the only one she was capable of carrying with the help of the Lord.

Lord, Jesus help us walk towards You today with joy that we can share in a small part of Your suffering and show us how to deny ourselves that we can follow Your path. It is unseen to many what we go through here and dark sometimes, but You are my bright light of Hope. You are dazzling in fact and the brightness that keeps me going.

Eva and Carole Kent’s books are available on Amazon.com and for more about Eva go: http://www.evamarieeversonssouthernvoice.blogspot.com/2012/02/fridays-southern-style-faith.html

Valentine's, Cool Day or a Painful Reminder?

2012-02-15T08:42:00.001-05:00

Yesterday my friend, Lisa updated her facebook about the anniversary of her husband, Rick's accident leaving him a paraplegic. It was 27 years ago. I want to post this in honor of their love and the hard holiday that Valentine’s is for them. I have to say Rick has the best attitude of anyone I have ever met whose wheelchair is a main mode of transportation! I am blessed to have them in my life.

I nominated her in the Resilient category and of course, she won. Thanks, Debra West from the Women’s Lifestyle Magazine. You always honored women and affirmed them in so many ways. I sure miss that magazine!

Lisa Triplett, the adoptive mother of two of my grandchildren is one of the most resilient women I know.
Years ago, while working her way through college she worked at a church daycare center. There she connected with Brandi Triplett, the daughter of a boy she had dated in high school. Rick had been her first date but her Mom felt she was too young at that time for a relationship with someone two years older, so the romance was short-lived. Rick married someone else after High School and was divorced soon after, a single father with a little girl. Rick was now in the Navy out of state and his daughter was living with his Mom and Dad.

Rick and Lisa reconnected through Brandi, seeing each other, writing and by phone calls when he went back to the California base.

In 1985 he asked Lisa to marry him. Plans were made for a December wedding as he was being transferred from California to Jacksonville, Florida. One month after the engagement, Lisa received the devastating news; Rick had been in an automobile accident and was paralyzed from his chest down! It was Valentine’s Day.

Lisa and Rick’s Mom flew to Jacksonville and from that moment to this, Lisa has rarely left his side for more than a few days at a time. In the first days at the hospital his heart stopped four times with Lisa by his bed in the dark of night. As alarms went off on the life-support machines, she prayed, begging God for him to survive. After several weeks he was stabilized and was moved to Hines, VA Hospital in Chicago, where the hours of rehab were agonizing for him. As a young man he had to adjust to a totally new way of life. As he lay on his stomach in a striker frame which caused pain in his neck, head and shoulders, Lisa would sit under his bed so he could see her and read, talk, play his music, and do all she could to help pass the time and accommodating him in any way possible.

The biggest decision lay ahead; what about the marriage? Lisa was told that seven years was the average length for marriage to a paraplegic and she had to go through counseling, learning how to totally care for his personal needs and more.

Easter Sunday, 1985, in the hospital chapel they were married. Rick, still in pain, still unable to sit up in his chair, was in a partial reclining position in his black suit, gazing at his beautiful, radiant bride.

Lisa’s sense of humor is a trait that helps her be supportive to her husband; she joked about spending her wedding night in a motel room with her parents in one bed and she and her mother-in-law in the other. “I’ll bet I’m the only bride in history to spend her wedding night sleeping with her mother-in-law instead of her husband!”

There were years of outpatient treatment that still continue now; Rick is bedridden but with Lisa’s help and care he loves to get out and about in his wheelchair and specially adjusted van. He is a strong, vibrant Christian man who never complains and is a blessing to many.

Because Lisa is always supportive of Rick’s needs she left her family and roots and moved from their home in Indiana to Florida, as the cold weather is too hard on Rick. They had already visited the area when she took him to a fishing tournament on Lake Monroe in Florida for paraplegics. They found a handicapped accessible house for sale in Edgewater. Lisa continues to encourage Rick by taking him to church activities, football games, baseball games, music concerts and more.

Rick just turned 48 years old and has a full life because of the resilient, accommodating, adaptable, cheerful, flexible, rebounding, and unsinkable character of his wife.

A few years ago, Lisa went back to college and graduated with a degree in Health Information Management; she juggled the boy’s and Rick’s care while maintaining high grades. Her parents moved down to give Lisa some much-needed support. But she is a supportive daughter to them and their needs also, when she isn’t caring for, loving, doing field trips, shopping for or playing with the boys.

Lisa won the Women’s Lifestyle SPIRIT award with this story four years ago, so the ages are wrong but everything else is pretty current.

Donna Collins Tinsley

Another year without Mama, as we put on her gravestone, "You were the best!"

2012-02-02T06:49:00.000-05:00

Reposting what I posted last year, a story I wrote a while back; I am posting in memory of my Mama, Linda Lee Wirth Reece Lewis who went home to be with the Lord, 14 years ago, today. Some of you may have already read this, but I hope it is a keeper!

Mama Said

I woke up from the dream weeping, "I want my Mama!" I am 58 years old and she has been dead nearly 12 years. Will the need to reconnect with the one who gave me life never end? Is the cry of grief endless?
I first experienced it on the day that she died. It is uncontrollable, inconsolable. Involuntarily, it came from my mouth. A piercing scream to match the piercing pain in my heart. But in my mind's eye, I flash back forty years. I heard that same scream coming out of my mother's mouth at the news of her mother's death. It is nearly a primitive sound.

I was assaulted with thoughts of things I felt I could have done or should have done. In previous months, Mama had stayed with us for a few weeks to recover from several surgeries. We were in close contact but the week before she passed away, my children had been sick and we didn’t get to see each other.

Our last conversation haunted me. We had always been close and I usually called to check on her every morning. It was about 8:10 AM. I was in the midst of Monday morning rush. “Hi Mom, I’m on my way to take the kids to school and thought I’d see how you are feeling and what you are up to.”
“I can’t talk now, the nurse is here,” Mama said. It was her routine house visit to check her post-surgery wound. How I wished I had said, "Call me when she leaves." Because of such a quick call I spoke no meaningful words and felt a lack of closure.

At her moment of death I thought I would be at her side. Although I reached the hospital before the ambulance got there with Mama she had already passed away at home in her own bed.
“Please let me go in,” I begged the nurse.

“A doctor has to check her first,” I was told. Assuming she was still alive, I waited; but Mama had died at home in her own bed the way she had wanted to go.

It was hard to accept not being with her at the end. I had always tried to be the "perfect daughter." As the oldest child wasn't that part of my job description? Yet I couldn't control the uncontrollable; there is a time to be born and a time to die.

Many times when I have a dream about her I wake up and try to think of all the happy times we had. Mama was raised in the Deep South and there was always an “old saying” coming out of her mouth. Mama used to say, "Men will go after anything in a skirt!" but I'm sure we don't want to go there. As a teenage mother, divorced two times, she was probably trying to keep me from repeating her mistakes.

It wasn't easy for Mama to raise four children under the age of nine alone when my stepfather was put in prison. Her own mother and father had already passed away, and she was left on her own when she bypassed advice to put us in a children's home until she could get her life together. Although, she was a high-school dropout she was smart enough to know it could take a long time, and she wasn't going to be without her children if she could help it. I will forever be grateful that we were kept together as a family. Just sixteen when I was born she was quite a survivor! She loved to dance and I remember thinking what a pretty Mom I had as she danced to "Be Bop A Lula;" she adored Elvis, Dick Clark and the American Bandstand, and Chubby Checker, "Everybody do the twist." And everybody did.
Even though we moved often, she always worked and made sure there was food on the table. She had a lot of common sense and was so generous you would think she was a rich woman. Her employers loved her because not only could she work circles around everyone else, she made them laugh while she did it.

She used to say "It's a great life if you don't weaken," "You have to laugh to keep from crying,” and "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

And Mama always said, "What goes around comes around." That is what I would like imitate. That is why I want to sow seeds of goodness, kindness and love because those are the types of things I want to come back to my family. Bless your children and they will bless you. Love your husband and see what a return you get. It is the principal of "sowing and reaping."
Mama also said, "Only the good die young." This must certainly be true. She died unexpectedly at age 62. Sometimes I try to imagine life with her still here. Many times I have gone over in my mind the things I wanted to do for her when she was alive. Whenever we have a family celebration or are eating at a restaurant, I am often wishing she were still alive and here enjoying herself. She loved to eat and used to say, "I'd rather die than not be able to eat what I want."
Diabetes helped that statement come true.
Mama, if I had you back for even one day, I would treat you like a queen. I would take you anywhere you wanted to go. I would make you whatever you liked for me to cook, carrot cake or the little fancy sandwiches for a picnic. We would find a “Po Folks” restaurant even if I had to drive you from Florida to Tennessee to do it. I would take you to a movie and to the flea market. I would rub your back with alcohol and then lotion and I would wash your tired feet with warm, scented water and my tears. I would pray a blessing upon you and show you how much I love you.
These are thoughts I have when I meditate on my mother. Our relationship had its ups and downs, but it is still the strongest bond on the earth, that mother-daughter connection. I will always remember the things my Mama said and it’s funny, but I seem to be saying a lot of them to my own daughters, now.

“Loving by Intervention”

2012-01-30T08:22:00.000-05:00

I’m writing and encouraging others to write and help the Substance Abuse Task Force as they go to Tallahassee to speak about addictions and how it affects families. Trudy Duffy has mentioned a new website FAMM - Families Against Mandatory Minimums http://www.famm.org/ with important information.
For those who don’t know what The Marchman Act is, it is a legal procedure (free) that someone can be involuntarily held for about 72 hours in a detox facility. It puts your loved one on a priority list that bumps them ahead in the recovery system. It is named after a wonderful pastor in our area Hal Marchman whose church and reputation are big in Recovery in the Daytona Area and now all over. I’m sure Stewart/Marchman is named after him also; I looked up where it was at his request that the Stewart/Marchman foundation was formed.

But is isn’t as easy or as fast as we may think it will be.
If anyone wants a copy of my free copy of my story,
“Loving by Intervention” Please sign up as a follower of my blog: http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/ and then email me at ThornRose7@aol.com with the subject, “Loving by Intervention” with your email address and I will work on getting you a free copy (for your personal use only) this week.

These "Tidings" will make your heart glad:) book review of Glad Tidings

2012-01-27T09:10:00.000-05:00

I have to admit the main reason I accepted the book review call by BookCrash for “Glad Tidings (The First Twenty-five Years of Flanders Family Christmas Letters) by Jennifer Flanders is a friend of mine had told me I needed to do a compilation myself along the same line. So although Christmas had passed I ordered the book that came surprisingly fast. The first thing I noticed when I finally got a chance to read it, (with Christmas clutter still abounding, I have to admit to losing it a few times) was this was not a one-page letter or poem as most of mine have been. This is a diary of a life well lived and a very large family.

Actually I see another book in the future not in Christmas letter form and more detailed. As I had been myself a homeschool mom for my youngest daughter, I also had some preconceived ideas of what this would be and was very happy to find that although this lady is definitely a “superwoman” mom, they were not an uptight family. She really did it in a way that I wish that I had been able to, but did not have the ability to take all those trips or have some of the resources that she had.
From the beginning of the book where it was just the two of them (and Jennifer’s husband is a real “superhero” himself) to the end you will fall in love with this family. It also seemed that Jennifer and Doug had found the Fountain of Youth, as they looked as wonderful in the last pictures as in the first ones. The pictures were a great addition to the book as well as some songs, scripture and a recipe. It is obvious that they all loved each other and loved spending time together. Should I say, “may their tribe increaseJ”?
They have extreme imaginations to do all that they set out to do and their children certainly have taken up the torch. You will “laugh out loud” at many of the antics of the children and although it was hard to keep track of them because there were so many, I loved each name and each little heart. It took me a bit to really get into to book but then I was won over and bowled over by their lives. The only thing that might need to be altered a bit was the perhaps overuse of italics, but that could just be me.
I don’t want to give away the story but these children were very well educated in the school of life and I love that. When they went to Jamestown in full costumes that their mother made, how cool is that? I see a sequel or better yet, let me know when the lifetime movie comes out!
Each letter ended with the love of the Lord and an invitation to follow him. That is the reason for the season and for the book and I know that each person who reads it will be blessed.

Donna Collins Tinsley

Naive Parents

2012-01-23T09:18:00.000-05:00

I thank Beth Patch from CBN.com for posting this recently: http://blogs.cbn.com/battlingaddictions/archive/2012/01/20/naive-no-more.aspx

If you don't have time to go there, here it is:
Naive No More

Sometimes as a mother and grandmother I find that I am just too naive about drugs and addictions so I decided to do something about it.
"Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:4-7
It was my first time at the Substance Abuse Task Force Forum. I soon found out that around the table sat people from all walks of life. Doctors, workers from the school system, people from the local drug treatment centers and people representing the Faith based community were all there. Addictions breaks down the barriers we sometimes feel about those in different walks of life. I was grateful to see a friend that goes to a support group for families who have loved ones with addictions and went over to sit by her.

The meeting was very well organized and well run. It became evident who was there in the professional capacity and who had been hurt by addictions personally, although they seemed at times to overlap. The people whose stories and input moved my heart most were the parents who had lost loved ones. Full of pain, anger and frustration these parents not only wanted help and resources in the community, they demanded it.

One mother said the cost of housing and providing an attorney for the man who gave her young son a lethal dose of methadone was much more than the cost of bringing NOPE* to our county. She was there to get the word out, to make sure that her beautiful son did not die in vain. She was there to help save other middle school students, if at all possible.
I remember reading about this young teenager earlier in the year, whose body was found after dumpster diving for drugs. As I read the newspaper article my heart went out to this mother. She was in my prayers. The man responsible has been indicted on a charge of first-degree felony murder in connection with the death.

The perpetrator told the children how to retrieve discarded Methadone bottles from the dumpster. The boys went into the dumpster and retrieved two large bags full of plastic Methadone bottles. The trio returned to a home where small amounts of Methadone from each bottle was extracted and shared with the two boys.

The boys later became sick and passed out. The woman at the forum's son never awoke and was discovered dead the next morning. This man used teenagers to get his high from drugs and now one boy is not alive and there is another grieving mother because of drugs. What a horrible thing to happen to a young child at the hand of his neighbor.
How heartbreaking for this mother, yet she was there to try and make a difference for another family, so perhaps they can be spared the pain she has experienced.

We all need to become more educated concerning what is going on in our communities. As Forums are provided within the community, take advantage of the knowledge and education provided. And then pass it on to others in need. I think "naive no more" will be my motto as I strive to "get wisdom."

The Message says it this way:

Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!

Don't forget one word! Don't deviate an inch!

Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;

love her—she keeps her eye on you.

Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!

Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!

Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won't regret it;

never let her go—she'll make your life glorious.

She'll garland your life with grace,

she'll festoon your days with beauty."

Dear friend, take my advice;

it will add years to your life.

I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way,

I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road.

I don't want you ending up in blind alleys,

or wasting time making wrong turns.

Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip.

Guard it well—your life is at stake. The Message Proverbs 4:5-9

Donna Collins Tinsley

Donna Collins Tinsley, wife, mother and grandmother, lives in Port Orange, Florida and has been included in several magazines and book compilations. Find her at Facebook, http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/ or join Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/119408188089314?id=244911885538943

Please email her at Thornrose7@aol.com /

*Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education http://www.nopetaskforce.org/

I Have a Dream, too

2012-01-16T13:33:00.001-05:00

An old poem revisited: A Mother who Dreams

Will I ever have the family

Of my dreams

Or will I forever be

As my friend called me

A mother who dreams?

I’ll never forget the day

I was discouraged.

She was cheering me up

She meant it in a special way, as if I was the mother of her dreams, a prayer warrior, faithful and kind.

Yet I, knowing myself as I do, struggling at times to just keep my sanity,

heard it as what I truly am,

a “mother who dreams.”

I dream of sanity in our lives instead of chaos.

I dream of peace and right standing with God for all my children and grandchildren.

I dream of testimonies given of overcoming by God’s grace and the mercy He lavishes upon us each day.

I dream of happiness, wholeness and health.

I dream of restored relationships.I dream of learning to go down a different path and being happy to stay on it, instead of falling in the dark pits of familiarity.

And I dream of the day that all my children will be taught of the Lord and great will be the peace of my children

Heal our hearts, Lord

And may my dreams come true.

Donna Collins Tinsley

I dream and yet every day I am also doing this:

“I emptied myself of all my old ideas of what my life should be.” (From the al-anon book Discovering Choices)
Click on the link to see Dr. Martin Luther King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBx4vPr27fo&feature=related

Rewriting Your Story; Is There a Happy Ending Out There?

2012-01-15T08:02:00.000-05:00

If you don’t have time to read it all, this is the main thought that I am feeling: “If it were up to me…” and then the words pound desperate and hard, “I’d write this story differently.” (Ann Voscamp)

"If it were up to me,” yet I know we have to yield to the Lord's hand and people's choices. The whispers of the enemy can be so strong that the love of family and the Lord are silenced. But it won’t be forever, hold on! This story isn’t over yet.
I’m reposting something that is so beautifully written that it may help someone today. Actually I am also someone who needs to read and believe. Drink this word deep into your soul. Ann Voscamp says, “God reveals himself in rearview mirrors.”

She also says, “When it gets dark, it is only because God has tucked me into a cleft of the rock and covered me, protected with His hand? In the pitch I feel like I’m falling, sense the bridge giving way, God long absent. In the dark, the bridge and my world shakes, cracking dreams.

But maybe this is true reality; It is in the dark that God is passing by. The bridge and our lives shake not because God has abandoned, but the exact opposite; God is passing by. God is in the tremors. Dark is the holiest ground, the glory passing by. In the blackest, God is closest, at work, forging His perfect will. Though it is black and we can’t see and our world seems to be free-falling and we feel utterly alone, Christ is most present to us, I-beam supporting in earthquake. Then He will remove His hand. Then we will look.

Then we will look back and see His hand.” (Ann Voscamp)

She also wrote at a time that they were burying the second baby son of her brother and sister-in-law’s within a span of a few years: “If it were up to me…” and then the words pound desperate and hard, “I’d write this story differently.” (Ann Voscamp)
My dear ones, that struck my heart today as I think upon the sorrows that so many are going through. Losses through death, mental illness, estrangement, unforgiveness, bad health, financial losses, and addictions the list is endless. How I wish I could write each of your stories differently so you all get that happy ending that we sometimes long for. Yet think on those we admire and what their story cost them. Think of Joan of Arc, and Corrie Ten Boom to just name two. Their stories and pain have prompted many to live holy for Jesus. The Lord is weaving with golden threads the love story He is writing about each family. The dark times and threads only serve to make the gold and diamond threads He is inserting stand out stronger. Love, Hope (whose name is Jesus ) and prayers, Donna
It is said as Joan was burning she said these things:

Joan asking for a crucifix to be held level with her eyes:
"Hold the crucifix up before my eyes so I may see it until I die."

Joan of Arc's last words.

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!"

New Year Musings

2012-01-09T10:07:00.000-05:00

I know I am late with a New Year post. With Rosemary Upton (my writing mentor)passing away right before Christmas, and then the book review about As Good As She Imagined: The Redeeming Story of the Angel of Tucson, Christina-Taylor Green Roxanna Green (Author), Jerry B. Jenkins (Author) corresponding to yesterday's one year anniversary, I wanted to keep some of those posts up for longer. One of our ladies from our Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group lost her daughter this week and we all were devastated. I ask for prayers for their family.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/119408188089314/
But here is a little something I posted on FB recently:
Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
His ways are good even when we can't see for the darkness. His ways are good even when they aren’t our ways. His ways are good through the valley of the shadow of death. His ways are good when we are lonely because He will come to us. His ways are good when we are struggling because He can calm ...the struggle. His ways are good when our children have abandoned or forsaken us (and Him) or gone astray because He is the mighty shepherd who searches for the lost one. His ways are good in pain as He is the healer. His ways are good when the road is long and the journey seems too hard to travel for he travels with us.

His ways are good we will believe for this year. We can’t create, change or cure but His ways are good and He can. Think on your blessings, as that is the only way to overcome the darkness of this world. He is the light and His ways are good!

A Mother’s Tribute of Love for an Unforgettable Child

2011-12-29T11:23:00.001-05:00

As Good As She Imagined: The Redeeming Story of the Angel of Tucson, Christina-Taylor Green Roxanna Green (Author), Jerry B. Jenkins (Author) http://www.amazon.com/Good-She-Imagined-Redeeming-Christina-Taylor/dp/1617950122/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325174882&sr=1-1-fkmr0

This story written from a mother’s viewpoint will rock your world as you experience a part of the pain she felt in losing such a dear child.
Christina-Taylor Green truly did seem like an angel sent briefly to earth. From the birth date of 9/11 to the day of her tragic death her light shone so bright in a dark and sometimes painful world, it is hard not to weep through the whole book. Yet it was so sweet and touching. It reminded me at times of Carol Kent’s book ‘When I Lay My Isaac Down’ where there was a moment when life was so perfect and then their world was turned upside down never to return to that perfection. In saying that I also thought of the book of Job throughout.

The affect that young Christina-Taylor had on people seemed magical, even down to her relationship with her brother, Dallas. Although he had some special needs she made him feel so special and loved that it was a big part of his healing and he seemed to cope so much better with life after she was born. I adored the stories about Christina-Taylor’s relationship with her grandmother. I know they are happy to be together in heaven now.
The time-line of the shootings and the facts given about the tragedy were very informational. But being allowed to journey with this family through their personal grief was a wonderful contribution to the world. I also loved the small but poignant writings from the Dad especially in the last chapter where he said, “I love thinking about Christina-Taylor and will do so forever.” He also wrote a poem called “Faith:”
Christina-Taylor Green on one-eight-eleven,
Was laid to rest and went to heaven.

She left her mark in nine short years,
And we remain to shed our tears.
Mom, Dad, and Dallas will love you forever,
Awaiting the day we’re together again. (John Green)
The letters from friends and family added so much to the value of the story of a life that was much too short. It was good to read what the President said to encourage our nation at the State of the Union address shortly after the shootings. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was also wounded and Christina-Taylor Green was one of six people that were killed, with 13 people wounded.

Shattered in soul and spirit, this mother, Roxanna Green gave us such a gift in writing this book (along with Jerry B. Jenkins) and the heart of a loving mother was so evident. The focus on forgiving and not dwelling on the murderer was commendable.

Any thoughts I have now of Christina-Taylor make me smile amidst the tears. There are some that the book of Hebrews, chapter 11 speaks of, that “the world was not worthy of them.” Our world was not worthy of such a pure, sweet, kind angel-like spirit as Christina-Taylor Green was. We are so glad the Lord sent her for a brief moment of time to show that you can really live a life that is better than can be imagined. Unforgettable book about an unforgettable family!

Donna Collins Tinsley

A Decidedly Different Christmas Message: “You’re Such a Mother!”

2011-12-24T06:32:00.001-05:00

The word of the Lord: But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

“Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also) that the hearts of many may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35

“You’re such a mother!” she said as she put her arms around me. I was at a support group and my friend and I often would just look at each other and start crying. Sometimes it seemed we could feel each other’s pain. The pains of being the mother of people struggling in addictions, pains of being a part of dysfunctional families, and just the pain of living life in general at times was enough to make us cry. We knew members of our group who had lost loved ones throughout the years and we hurt for them.

Maybe it was just the relief of coming to a quiet room where we didn’t have to be strong for anyone. A room where we could just sit and listen, have peace and serenity, maybe that is what brought the stream of tears from our eyes. Sometimes when I saw my friend weep I would think of my own daughters. Hearing her share made me think how some of my own daughters just might be feeling the way she felt right then, broken and hurting, and thinking that their mother misunderstood them. It was always a prayer prompt and I would pray that there would be someone there for them, when I couldn’t be the one to help bind their wounds; another mother standing in for me to give them a hug and some mother’s love.

You’re such a mother!” Although being a “good mother” had always been in my heart I had failed at that endeavor early on. The funny thing is, though as much as I failed I would have people coming up to me in my later years, saying crazy things like, “Oh you’re a good mom.” Many times I have heard even people older than I was, saying “You remind me of my mother,” and it would be in a sweet way. When grown men that I barely knew started calling me "Mom" at conferences I realized deep in my spirit that it was the gift of God to me. His love and His hand can redeem that person who has failed miserably and still continues to fail. That He knows deep in my heart there is a "Mom" thing going on. That our Lord is the Lord of the second chance and third and fourth chance. That there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still (Corrie Ten Boom.)

Because of these things I created The Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group,” so that everyone can have the prayers of "somebody’s mother. "

A few years back a woman who had gone on many pilgrimages and is a woman of prayer laid hands on my head and prayed that I would receive whatever God had given her. She had a beautiful story to tell of a rock she had picked up on her journey that depicted the story of Jesus. She also had visions of Mother Mary and the pain she felt being the earthly mother of our Lord. Trust me if you are a mother you will endure pain of some sort along life’s way. I believe that she imparted somewhat of a mother’s heart to me that day and it is a worthy thing to obtain. But a mother’s heart can also be painful as it is broken over and over again. And the funny thing is, when God imparts such a gift to a woman she doesn’t even have be a mother to have this kind of heart. She can be a sponsor, sister, youth worker or a daughter but this heart can rise up in her to love and defend to the end those the Lord puts in her path.

“You’re such a mother!” In this day and age a statement like that can be profane, yet I choose to call it divine.

Prayer: Lord, you know how much we would like to hide at times from the pain of life, especially when it involves our children. Help us instead to steer them to the blessings that are in our daily lives and the Season before us.

Thought for the Day: Sometimes as parents we bleed for our children when we see them go through painful situations.

Prayer Focus: Families in pain during the holidays.

My friend Kim, Al-anon, Celebrate Recovery, The Addict’s Mom Facebook Group and most of all Jesus inspired my

“Decidedly Different Christmas message.”

Thanks to all of you and Merry Christmas!

Donna Collins Tinsley

Christmas 2011

You are welcome to join The Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group (on Facebook) if you haven’t joined alreadyJ

Or sign up to follow my blog at http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/

Christmas and The Gift of Prayer

2011-12-23T08:52:00.001-05:00

Christmas and The Gift of Prayer

It is said in the Bible that the only thing that is saved in Heaven from earth is our tears and our prayers.

Love, Hope (whose name is Jesus) and prayers is something I sign off with often on Facebook or in letters to others. It’s not something I can wrap up, or you can see visibly but I have to believe the gift of prayer is worthy of giving this Christmas and throughout the year.

Maybe you think it doesn’t take much effort, but the time involved in taking your needs, hurts and family situations before the Lord each morning may involve more than you realize. I was so blessed this year when a noted author, speaker and benefactor of scholarships to many told me that he would commit to pray for a member of my family for one year. I am touched with his gift to me, someone he barely knows, yet he could see that the burden I had for this one needed sharing. I am very grateful that he was so willing to be a part of my life in this way. Tears fill my eyes each time I think of this gift to me. Yes, it is priceless.

Things got even worse during the year for many months and I so wished the mercy of the Lord would come and make all things good for the one we were praying for. It hasn’t happened totally but I can now write this prayer partner and say, “Thank you for the gift of prayer you gave me for my brother. Things are better."

When I first walked into the Port Orange Winning Women Bible study taught by Anita Smith over 20 years ago, I was desperate for help and fellowship. I had one child holding onto my pants and one in my arms and I sat in the back as my kids weren’t used to going to a nursery. I was so welcomed 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 Moses’ 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.

It could be said that we are never so tall as when we are before the Lord on our knees. One reason I believe the gift of prayer is so important is I know there were many than prayed for me though-out the years. And sometimes I get prayer requests from others that I can literally feel the pain of the one reaching out for prayer. As a mother, I can feel a mother’s pain as she weeps for her children, as a daughter I can relate to how someone such as me can fail so miserably at life yet be extended mercy from the Lord. One thing I have asked the Lord to do is to remind me often of where I have walked in my life and remember to think of the painful shoes that others may be walking in. Shoes that He, my savior walked in first that we might have life and love

So this year my gift to you will be the gift that I treasure the most from others. Prayer. It is the gift that keeps on giving as we all pay it forward for Christmas.

May your Christmas be full of Jesus and love!

Blessings, Donna Collins Tinsley 2011

A Decidedly Different Christmas Message: “You’re Such a Mother!” Will be posted on http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/, Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group, The Addict’s Mom, Fractured Families, Friendshipline Ministries, GRG, Women United in Prayer, Prodigal Hope and my other support groups that I treasure probably tomorrow.

The Essence of Rosemary

2011-12-16T07:54:00.001-05:00

The Essence of Rosemary (Something I wrote some years back about Rosemary Upton, the best writing mentor ever:) She went to be with the Lord yesterday.

The Essence of Rosemary

She is as fragrant with the Lord’s essence as the name Rosemary itself, implies. My writing mentor has made such an impact on my life and the lives of many others, with her gentle words and encouragement. Yet there is so much more to this woman that few of us ever glimpse.

Only looking at her from afar I would’ve never known from whence she came. Yes, we all have a story, but how many of us dig deep or take the time to listen to each one? Even those we love sometimes get by-passed because we don’t take the time to listen to them or do the research.

I first met Rosemary at Winning Women where she was serving on the Board. Many of the ladies at our Pt. Orange Bible study were signing up for her Writing Strategies Course. “No, Lord, that is not for me, putting my life and thoughts on paper. I’m sure everyone else is more educated and talented and there is no reason for me to go," was my first response. Although I could see Rosemary was a talented and educated woman with such finesse, I bypassed the class.

But over the years the Lord was prodding my heart and at a certain time I decided to take the course. Procrastinator that I am I decided against turning in any assignments or attending the monthly Critiqueshop.

But for the Lord………..and Rosemary. As I read her books and came to know her, I was compelled to write and go to the excellent critique meeting each month at her home. She chisels her critique with kindness and encouragement that has helped me be tenacious in spite of my lack of education and many obstacles at home.

     The next year I was faithful to Critiqueshop, bringing my small, amateurish offerings. Among the people in my group consistently at that time, were an editor, a published author and speaker, a retired missionary doctor, a local professor and a published author who I’m sure must have a genius IQ. There I was, a homemaker who aspired to write. My education was in the school of life. What was I doing there? Didn’t I know I was out of my league? At times I had to force myself out the door of my home to go to the meeting. But Rosemary has always been my biggest encourager in the field of writing and the things I have learned in her presence will forever be ingrained in my heart.
      One of our dear Critiqueshop members, Kistler London has moved away but in correspondence I was able to glean some of Rosemary’s story.
      Rosemary was raised in a mostly Irish family, whose father worked with his hands. She and Hugh married at age nineteen and raised two children. She assisted her husband in a career that started with his working in his parent's one small motel that he eventually built into a business empire based on Christian principles. The development of their business ventures was directly tied to their discovering much more freedom in Christ than was "allowed" in their home church in a northern state. Hugh eventually rose to President of the hotel/motel association (state, maybe even national), and she was his gracious "first lady." Although Rosemary couldn't wait to get out of high school, where the thing she most enjoyed was leading her own troop of prize-winning majorettes, she later thirsted for more education, eventually getting her MA in Biblical Studies. She served as a counselor for CBN, watched her daughter go through partial lung removal surgery, saw her mother through eight years of Alzheimer's (and wrote a book that still helps caregivers), and has a generous and tender heart.

She played a considerable role in developing Sunset Harbor alongside her
husband, Hugh. These High School Sweethearts have been married over fifty years now and each supports the work of their mate. Rosemary credits her husband with helping her realize her gift of a writer long before she was officially published, when at a social function involving a lot of business people Hugh introduced her by saying, "This is my wife, the writer."
Rosemary has said, "My attitude is that any one I meet may be a better
Christian than I am," and that quote has captured my heart as the way we all should live. It shows a truly humble heart and I believe it is the essence of Christ and the essence of my dear friend and mentor, Rosemary Upton. I will be forever grateful to our Savior for the things I have learned in her presence.

Donna Collins Tinsley 2005

If found a poem written by Rosemary in some of my files yesterday. It is called Sustained or Detained.
Sustained or Detained
If you don't mind, just let me be

I want to die in dignity

No life machines to breathe for me

No fancy drugs to set me free,

No hovering about my bed.

No tubes hooked up by which I'm fed.

For traveling has always been

An exciting, frenzied spin,

And this last rip to which I'm called

Must not be stopped

Or stayed, or stalled.

My master and myself agree,

I'm ready for eternity!

Rosemary Upton from Glimpses of Grace

Kistler London, an editor and writer, who was a wonderful part of our Critiqueshop for years, filled me in on information about Rosemary.

American Pen Women Bio-sketch

By Kistler London

Who¹s Who in Daytona Beach Branch (2001)

Rosemary Upton (Active, Letters) has been a member of the Daytona Beach
Branch since 1989 and has served as Chaplain, President, and Secretary.

She worked as a draftsman in her early career. Later she earned a BA in
Theology and an MA in Biblical Studies.

Rosemary¹s published short works‹stories, poetry, plays, skits, radio
commentaries, and articles‹deal with moral issues. Her first book, Glimpses
of Grace, A Family Struggles with Alzheimer's, was published by Baker Books
in 1990.

The Court and the Kingdom, released by Harold Shaw Publishers in 1993, was
republished by Guideposts Condensed Books in 1995 and again as Joanna
(Guideposts Hardcover) in 1997.

She uses her talents in communication as counselor, teacher, speaker, and
writer. Rosemary also read Glimpses of Grace for the audio version published
in 1998.

She hosted a monthly Critiqueshop made up of students from her courses,
Writing Strategies for the Christian Market and/or Building the Novel. She
is listed in Novel & Short Story Writer's Market and Christian Writers'
Market Guide.

All the Flowers Book Review

2011-12-07T18:32:00.000-05:00

Is "All the Flowers:" love story, a dysfunctional family story, a story of faith, and a heartrending story of war while viewing things on the home front or all of the above?
Tom Milton beautifully wove so many subjects into the story that could even be a history lesson to the younger generation about the Vietnam era, with the setting in New York in 1967. I remember that era well as it was the year I gave birth to my first child.

Those of us who have family members that served in that war, know that the ones who returned home have never been the same.
The love story that evolved between Teri Ryan, a hauntingly talented singer and Andre Malinowski, a gifted pianist is beautiful to behold. I was reminded of beautiful recitals that I have attended in my life, as my own grandmother taught piano and I loved thinking about the beautiful music interwoven in the story. Andre's character was a very loving, supportive man who gave up opportunities that would have enhanced his own career to always be there for Teri. She was also a leading basketball player on the college's team and has a twin brother. The story also portrays the great love Teri has for her brother and how she wants him to avoid going to Vietnam.

I was not too familiar with Catholicism and got a bit of an education with their beliefs and habits also. The characters of the nuns and their relationship with the students and involvement with antiwar activities were very interesting. I was surprised at the use of some profanity in the book but of course the subject matter of war is profane. I think it could’ve gotten by without it, personally.
There were times at the first half of the book that I actually thought there was a little too much dialogue if that can be possible. I felt that sometimes I wasn't sure who was speaking.

But I think something captured me especially in the last quarter of the book and made me a fan. The only issue I have was on page 246 when Andre imagined what had just happened with nothing saying if it was proven that was what happened by the Police. Tom Milton and All the Flowers brought me to tears several times with this story I was happy to find it to be about reconciliation of families and hope for the future in the end. I'll be reading more of Tom's books in the future. "I know my Redeemer liveth" a beautiful theme from beginning to the end of the book.
Donna Collins Tinsley, wife, mother and grandmother, lives in Port Orange, Florida and has been included in several magazines and book compilations. Find her at Facebook, http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/ or join Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/119408188089314?id=244911885538943

Please email her at Thornrose7@aol.com /
I received this book free from BOOKCRASH as part of their Blogger Review program. I was no asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Homelessness in our own back yard

2011-11-28T08:43:00.000-05:00

If you didn't see 60 Minutes last night, you should check this out. Hard times for so many yet I see survivor material especially in these kids. They show gratitude for their lot in life, even living in a truck.

We are among many who have been hit hard by the construction downfall in our area. But thank the Lord, Bill had already paid off our home by paying a little extra each month so we retired our mortgage early. We have not walked a mile in the shoes of the homeless but this program gave a good idea of the suffering that so many are experiencing.
I urge you to please watch this video and also rethink how you perceive the homeless among us. My husband Bill has always said many families are just a few paychecks away from the threat of this. Many of us have family members that have been out of work for months or even years. This is the reality of American families today. Pray, pray and pray some more and then count your blessings today if you have a real roof over your head.

I was in tears when I watched this one:

In our own back yard; http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57330802/hard-times-generation-families-living-in-cars/?tag=currentVideoInfo;videoMetaInfo
I think an old devo I wrote goes along with this.

Christmas Shoes
If you walk a mile in my shoes, you know how I feel, what makes me hurt, what gives me joy; and I, if I tried your shoes on would I say, “These aren’t so bad? These are nearly pain free, nearly a perfect fit?” But are they? Have I walked a mile in a widow’s shoes, as she longs for the familiar comfort of the one who used to lie beside her at night? Or a mile in the shoes of someone who has had the health stripped from their body and would give anything to have a portion of the quality of life I enjoy? Have I walked a tenth of a mile in a homeless person’s worn shoes as he endures the scorching heat coming up from the pavement and bathes in the cold water of public restrooms for lack of better?
Have I lived through losing family at the 9/11 tragedies or had my home demolished by the flooding waters of a hurricane? Looking over the local obituaries it seems that a higher number than usual of deaths are recorded. It seems to be even sadder when a hit-and-run driver takes one suddenly in their youth, as happened recently to some friends. Christmas coming dose not alleviate the normal pains of life that we go through.
We celebrate the birth of One qualified to know what it feels like to walk a mile in our shoes. Born lowly, he lived a life of submission to God’s will, and took what should’ve been our walk up a lonely hill to death on a cross. He has walked more than a mile and left a trail of tears; His tears intermingling with mine, we share sorrow, we share love, we share life.

Some Christmas’s are painful. When the tears I have cried are stored in His bottle, and I am drained, He becomes my Restorer, my Strength. When I complain, the way is dark, and not what I expected or hoped for; He shows me a new path out of the wilderness. A new path for the world-weary shoes that I wear-- that He wore first.

Thanksgiving and Complications

2011-11-21T09:59:00.000-05:00

I think the word for today is complications; families are complicated, hurting, sad, broken yet our Lord is Lord over the complications! This we will believe in our darkest night of the soul, in the most complicated issues, in the wildest storm, You Jesus Christ our God and Father are Lord over the complications. You know the beginning from the end, the Alpha and Omega, the beautiful pattern of tapestry. Why would we think we can go through life pain-free when you suffered ultimately? Though it doesn't make us feel good to go through things, we know we have fellowship with Your suffering. We will believe the report of the Lord today that this is the day that He has made and in that we can find some small thing to rejoice in. Everyone reading this has the gift of life, everyone reading this is able to find someone to bless in some small way, if not a large way, everyone reading this can be thankful for something today. If we have lost family members thank the Lord for those we have left, if we are in pain in one part of our body, thank the Lord for the parts that don't hurt, if we don't have an abundance of provision thank the Lord for what we do have. It is a "give thanks" day and we don't have to wait until Thursday for Thanksgiving

Does your burden exceed your ability to carry it?

2011-11-16T11:46:00.000-05:00

Matthew 11:30 "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Job 22:21 " Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you."
Do we agree that only by letting go and letting God we can have peace? Yet we still strive to have that control of our families to try to shape them into the family of our dreams. As we pray for our will instead of what may be the Lord’s will we just prolong the pain and the painful situations that have to come about so that each one will yield to the Lord and His desires for them.

Here is an old post from Ras Robinson, that I found in my files:

Your burden exceeds your ability to carry it. I have come to lighten your load, set you free and release the peace and blessings for which you have longed. Your answer is already written in your heart. Therefore, agree with your heart concerning this truth. Roll your burden over onto Me and I will carry it for you. But you battle within you that this is not right. That is a lie from Satan. Don't believe it. Now, raise your hands towards Heaven and give me the burden. Refuse to take it back. Watch and see that good will come to you. Don't forget to give thanks and tell your testimony. Ras Robinson July 28, 2007

And another good, but old word from What the Lord is Saying Today, it still works for me, years down the road:

You are salt and light in this time of darkness for so many. You have little idea of the power I placed within you to lift up the downcast and comfort the brokenhearted. But I tell you today, that I have sent you to help, that you might reach out and lift up heads. You are the very extension of My love and comfort. You are My hands, My loving eyes and touch. My desire for you is that you would be like Titus so that wherever you go, you spread comfort upon comfort. It is within you, stored up and ready for release. Now go and do it, in My name. July 26, 2007 Ras Robinson
2 Corinthians 7:5-7. "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more."

A different kind of post: CMA award night

2011-11-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

A different kind of post for me but I am a Southern girl by birth and my roots run deep.

Sugarland and Matt Nathanson bring hot to a new level and proves you don't have to take your clothes off to be sexy. (A really good pre-wedding night video.) They are too cute together. You notice she doesn't go anywhere in those stiletto heels but she gets the job done. They are dressed in regular clothes but it works for them. That song is going places:) Like my I-pod:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvdX5yMHvxc

Gordon and Norma Yeager; may their tribe increase!

2011-11-01T08:12:00.000-04:00

This story is so poignant because it seemed this couple just loved to be together. They took "Till death do us part" to a new level. I especially loved this part of the article:

Gordon died at 3:38. But people in the room at the time say they were confused when Gordon stopped breathing, but his heart monitor continued to pick up a heartbeat. That was when they realized that the monitor was detecting Norma’s heartbeat, through their clasped hands.
“And we thought, ‘Oh my gosh, Mom’s heart is beating through him,’” Dennis Yeager said.
Norma died an hour later.
“Dad used to say that a woman is always worth waiting for,” Dennis Yeager said. “Dad waited an hour for her and held the door for her.

What a beautiful thought of him standing at Heaven's gates, holding the door open for her. Would that there be more men so in love with their wives, that it could be said of them. And that her heart was shown beating through him was beautiful. Watch the You-tube with pictures; you will be blessed.
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2011/10/couple-married-72-years-dies-an-hour-apart-holding-hands.php#ixzz1cSF1lAsS

Winning Women for Christ Retreat

2011-10-21T09:38:00.000-04:00

I am grateful to be home from GA and the Winning Women for Christ Retreat at St. Simon's. The Lord was near to all and as always He showed me that there are so many hurting families that need His touch in a mighty way. Addictions, family disharmony, hurts and so many prayer requests abounded there and it confirmed my belief that there are no perfect families, just a lot of us as a work in progress. The highlight of the Retreat for me was hearing the beautiful, transparent testimony of Linda Froman. What a survivor she is! And as always attending early morning prayer led by my mentor, Anita Smith and attending the coolest mini-session ever by Kathy Sinex Thomas. I was just bummed that I wasn't able to attend Laurie Barker Copeland's session but since I was doing mine at the same time it was impossible. Sharon Jaynes was an awesome speaker with a lot to glean from; I'll be pondering those messages for a long time.
Thanks to my daughter, Shiloh for setting up the room as a type of construction zone and cheering me on, when I felt inadequate. I pray that the Lord will show me His next best plan for me and that I can do as this quote says, "The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." ~ Anaïs Nin

Love is a Verb Devotional and Winning Women Retreat

2011-10-13T10:09:00.001-04:00

It was so cool to get my contributor's copy of:
Love is a Verb Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring Love Alive [Hardcover] Gary Chapman (Author), James Stuart Bell (Author) I was honored to be included with so many others, including one of my favorite editors, Jeanette Gardner Littleton.
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Verb-Devotional-Daily-Inspirations/dp/0764209701/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318514159&sr=1-1

I will be leaving for GA in the morning to take part in a Winning Women for Christ Retreat. Here is part of my mini-session where I mention our somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group in “Dancing Through the Minefields of Life.” It is part testimony/part Bible Study:

As a family member we may feel like our problems are the worst ones anyone faces. The pain that our heart feels would indicate that, “Yes, they are the worst, no one knows what I am going through!” On the "Somebody’s Mother Online Prayer Support Group" we get letters every day of people crying out with so many problems. People in pain either in their body or their minds as they wrestle with family issues. So many of them deal with addictions and the addicts in their lives. Yet the family pain of your own children’s problems, even adult children, when they go through divorce, addictions and heartache can be overwhelming. As a parent you may want to shield them especially when you see your grandchildren hurting as a result; it is a most difficult dilemma.

Sometimes we feel like saying, "God take me, now, I can't bear it any longer!" or even better, "Come quickly Lord Jesus!" as Revelation 22:20-21 says: "He which testifies these things said, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

We have to put our loved ones Into His hands today and Pray (which is the #1 step) to be able to dance the dance of the survivor. The survivor dance might be likened to “The Stomp.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/119408188089314/

The Good, Upscale Doctor

2011-10-06T08:53:00.001-04:00

I believe this story is one that many mothers and fathers will relate to, and I dedicate it to the good work by Barbara Theodosiou founder of The Addict's Mom and her wonderful team.

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

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

Somebody's Mother (revised)

2011-09-28T07:41:00.000-04:00

I revised this poem in honor of The Addict's Mom site:)
Somebody’s Mother

Somebody’s mother is crying,

Fearing her daughter/son is dying.

Dreading the next phone call

Drugs may have ended of it all.

A beautiful life is no more

Cocaine, pills and alcohol opened the door,

Each time led to one time more,

Innocence, can you be restored?

Oh my child, cannot you see?

Your lifestyle affects more than me?

You try to cover your pain,

But it keeps recurring again.

There is another way out,

Oh yes, it makes me want to shout,

A savior to redeem the sin,

Who can make you feel clean again,

He can make all things new,

He loves and is waiting for you.

He gives you a chance for new life

He knows you are sick of the strife,

Of living in this Hell on earth,

He came that you would find true worth.

He sees not as others see,

He remembers the sweet little child,

Who made her mother’s heart whirl,

The songs you sang even in night

“Some day it’s gonna be all right.”

So don’t make her cry any more,

Turn and walk through a new door,

To wholeness, happiness and more,

You can reach a new level, I know

Today

Donna Collins Tinsley copyright 2002 7/11/02

9/6/11 revised version

Heart-Broken Mothers

2011-09-23T13:45:00.000-04:00

Heart-Broken Mothers; I know a few:) I found this old devo and I don't think I have posted it here, yet.

“Lord, why a broken heart?” was a question my Bible Study mentor, Anita Smith once asked in prayer. Her response from God seemed to be, “So you’ll have more pieces to give away.”

Have you, as a parent ever felt heart-broken? Maybe it is because of a physical ailment your child has or an addiction they can’t seem to overcome.

“God, please don’t break my heart!” may be a cry from your heart.

As a mother I have had my heart broken, many times over but how else doe the healing comfort of our Lord come to me, that I am able to reach out in turn and bring healing to others? I may never be able to lower myself to the depths of prayer that is needed to bring my children to the Father, unless pain of our life has brought me to a low and broken place.

Brokenness brings us to the depths of crying out, “Lord, without You, I have no hope or possibility of ever seeing my dreams for my family come true. Brokenness leads us to cry, “Have mercy!” Brokenness leads us to the depths of humbleness that we would not ever realize on our own. When things are going well in our lives we don’t have the quality of clinging to the Lord, of constantly praying and seeking Him that we do when things are hard. Ask the woman who lost her husband unexpectedly, the woman who has lost her sight and mobility to MS, or the woman whose child is in constant pain, or wrestling with extreme anxiety and depression about the nearness of the Lord that brokenness brings.

“Be broken, cries the Lord, “so you can truly hear, perceive and know Me and my purposes. I see you; I know you and your every teardrop. They do not fail to touch Me. I love you and the things that move you, move My heart also. It is not My nature to leave your family in devastation and pain. I will restore, I am a Mighty God of restoration and I change not.

You are broken for My purposes, which are that an outpouring of My spirit will flavor everything you say, do or touch. Draw near, broken wounded child, it is I who can bring healing and I will. It is what I do best….heal, love and restore the heart-broken mothers and their children. In My time.

He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right. Isaiah 42:3 The Message
Donna Collins Tinsley

"Deliver Me" will rock your world!

2011-09-18T08:54:00.001-04:00

Deliver Me: Hope, Help, & Healing through True Stories of Unplanned Pregnancy

Dianne E. Butts has compiled a much needed and encouraging book. Nearly every story I read I thought "this is my favorite" and then there would be another one that stole my heart.

There were so many stories of babies, mamas and dads that were struggling with delivering these children, and the decision of letting them live. The drama in each story was incredible. Deliver Me shows that there are so many families that have relatives that have had an abortion; There were so many good resources in this book. Those alone would be worth the price of the book. Pregnancy resource centers all over the country should stock it. If everyone that read this book decided to give their copy to a local pregnancy resource center many people would be helped. Also You might consider putting one in your local library.

In the part titled, "For, By and About Men" I really loved reading the stories written by men who realized too late that they weren't being a man by not protecting their unborn child. It started with a great story called, "Cowboy Up" by Scotty Vaughn. He writes:

"I've learned God doesn't call us to brokenness but through brokenness. Brokenness is a place on the trip but at the cross of Christ there is restoration. If you'll understand and embrace your loss then Jesus will go through that with you. Then He will empower you to help other people make different choices."

I also loved the stories of the Lord giving children to someone either naturally or someone stepping in to parent a child who had no father, as in the story called, "A Father After All."

Dianne's comments were timely and poignant. She aptly ended the book with a story about abstinence.

Deliver Me, is a great title and a great book. I pray that the Lord deliver all the families who deal with the pain of abortion, through the reading of Deliver Me.
Donna Collins Tinsley

A complimentary copy of Deliver Me was provided for review by the publisher through http://www.bookcrash.com/.
http://www.amazon.com/Deliver-Me-Healing-Unplanned-Pregnancy/dp/0983164908/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Authenticity through brokenness; A Key to parenting

2011-09-12T08:59:00.002-04:00

You Can Raise Courageous and Confident Kids: Preparing Your Children for the World They Live"
By Mary E. DeMuth

I was hooked on this book from the allegory at the beginning: "When he walked down the peopled street into the free, wild unknown, Jacob had no tools to navigate the world. He dropped his satchel and faced the confusing world lost and alone" to the very last page. Mary gives us the tools to use, so that our children will not have to feel lost and alone navigating the world.
I am a great fan of Mary E. DeMuth, both of her fiction and nonfiction. As I was reading this book, I thought how it would help so many people in the "Adult Children of Alcoholics" groups as they have had parenting at its worst. They sometimes talk about their childhood's and how they were parented. It is obvious although some have made great strides not to parent in the same way they were parented they could so benefit by Mary's books. When we have a "lost childhood" we sometimes don't know how to parent.
Many times as I was reading I wished I had grown up in the type of home that Mary is giving her children right now. Although she sometimes feels as we all do, that she fails her children at times. She has written some powerful, helpful things to steer us on in "You Can Raise Courageous and Confident Kids: Preparing Your Children for the World They Live"

Mary also gives questions for group discussions at the closing of the book that could be used as a personal Bible Study. Great addendum!
The story at the end of this book showed the very best scenario and I had tears running down my face as I saw what a beautiful send-off we can give if we really get the hang of raising courageous and confident kids. It would be a great gift to give at a baby shower.
Mary is a master storyteller but she shows authenticity through brokenness and for this reason I recommend this book.

Donna Collins Tinsley

I was very late getting this review written and for that I apologize:)
http://www.amazon.com/You-Raise-Courageous-Confident-Kids/dp/0736929711/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315832138&sr=1-10

Mentoring the Addicted Soul

2011-08-10T07:43:00.000-04:00

I was blessed to be included on the Battlling Addictions Blog again. Check it out:)

http://blogs.cbn.com/battlingaddictions/

You are going to Love "The Sights and Sounds of Enabling"

2011-08-04T07:57:00.000-04:00

"The Sights and Sounds of Enabling" Is the first ebooklet of the Putting the Spotlight On series, written by Diane Viere, Founder of Partners In Prayer For Our Prodigals, Host of The Prodigal Hope Network and Christian Counselor and Elaine Altman-Eller, Family Recovery Specialist.

If you have seen these ladies online, you might think they are just a couple of pretty faces but don't let those profile pictures fool you; they are a wealthy storehouse of wisdom. I could not stop until I read the whole e-book through and will be rereading it again. From the very beginning of the book where Elaine points out how "Enabling never creates the outcome we so desperately desire; it only creates an environment whereby we become part of the problem................. to where she says, "When we enable we join the darkness of their journey" the beauty of the words of this e-book pulled me in. She then points out how we can become a light in our child’s life; a beacon. What a wonderful picture of health! Isn't that what we all aspire to, being a light and a beacon to others?

Elaine gives clear definitions between helping someone and enabling, something we all need to know. She talks about entitlement calling it the monster that it is.
There are several case studies that were very in-depth. You feel like you have either been there or know someone who has.

Next in the book your E-Hope coach, Diane, is introduced and she has the most awesome remedies for your dilemma if you are an enabler. She reiterates; "There is a way out—we must stop enabling and begin empowering. We are not helpless; oh, it has seemed so, for we have been fighting an impossible battle—we have been trying to change what we cannot change. Real change is possible when we choose to stop enabling."

I also love her quote "When you love an adult child whose life is out of control, it is nearly impossible to focus on anything else. Unless and until you begin to understand that enabling only complicates every situation and causes further collateral damage, you will continue to be part of the problem."
Can you believe as an enabler you are creating damage and are part of the problem? Of course, we don't want to believe these things but Diane has nailed the problem, and it may be us, not just our loved ones.
Diane also mentioned: "Until parents relinquish the need to micro-manage everyone in their addicts life, they will remain entangled in the drama and continue to participate in the collateral damage of enabling."

She teaches about fear and how to turn that into empowerment. A great point is "After all, it is his right as n adult to behave differently than I would like."

In Diane's own words: The Sights and Sounds of Enabling puts the spotlight on the ineffectiveness and collateral damage caused by enabling. Discover why enabling never works and how you can stop enabling today. Step out of the darkness of your hopelessness today; step into your strength—learn how to love your addict effectively and become a guiding light for their recovery.

I identified with so many things written, as in "been there, done that" and am trying to not continue on that path. I believe this e-book can help us in so many areas of our lives.

You will not regret the money you spend on this e-book. It is way cheaper than a counseling session but I believe it is just as beneficial. Enjoy!

Here is a link to purchase the e-book:

http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/e-booklets.html

PartnersInPrayerForOurProdigals.com

©2011 Diane Viere, Partners in Prayer for Our Prodigals,

The Prodigal Hope Network, Elaine Altman-Eller

Words and Scriptures to hold on to today!

2011-07-31T07:49:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking about this scripture for days and wanted to share a bit about what it means to me and my hopes for the Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group.

For over 20 years Anita Smith, Ginny Long, Nancy Cox and the women from the Winning Women Bible study group have held my hands up as they prayed with me and for my family. Many have been the trials and hard times along the way but I always knew they were praying and it was what kept me going. As we pray for one another each day, know we are helping a sister or brother win battles that they could not win alone. The battle is the Lord's my friend, and they will be won by him in His time. Never give up!

Joshua obeyed Moses and went to fight the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites would win the fight, but when Moses put his hands down, the Amalekites would win. Later, when Moses' arms became tired, the men put a large rock under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands—Aaron on one side and Hur on the other. They kept his hands steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated the Amalekites in this battle. Exodus 17:10-13 New Century Version (NCV)

I'm inserting a paraphrase here: So Somebody's Mother Online Prayer Support Group defeated the enemy in this battle on earth called life.

Deuteronomy 1:29-31

Then I said to you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.

The Lord your God Who goes before you, He will fight for you just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes,
And in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God bore you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.

And you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. (of the Spirit, I'm inserting here)
Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall before you by the sword (of the Spirit and Word of faith through prayer). Leviticus 26:7-8,

These are words and Scriptures to hold on to today!

If you haven't joined us please do:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/119408188089314/

Into His Hands

2011-07-28T08:19:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Beth Patch for giving me the fastest acceptance of any submission I ever submitted; about 10 minutes:)

http://blogs.cbn.com/battlingaddictions/archive/2011/07/27/into-his-hands.aspx

Please click the link. I may put it on later for those who don't like to search:)

Grace Builders and Me

2011-07-24T08:24:00.000-04:00

Cecil Murphey wrote an article called, “Grace Builders” about the people who sometimes criticize us or rub us wrong. He gave several examples and each had been painful to his heart. Yet in the end he realized that those people were used by God to help him grow.

He talked about a 45 minute lecture he had received as a young pastor by some sisters that wanted to show him the error of his ways.

“As I walked out of the house, depression weighted me down. Their criticism hurt. I sat in my car for several minutes and prayed in deep anguish. By the end of the day, however, I had grasped one significant fact about those three sisters. They were God's grace builders in my life.”(Cecil Murphey)
Grace Builders is a beautiful name to call those who rub us raw sometimes in the name of Christian love and correction. Grace Builders! Do you have any? Maybe they belong to your family, maybe as Brother Cec mentions at the end, you yourself are one.
I have often thought how the scriptures talk about Paul and Barnabus and their parting over John Mark (Acts 15:39). I think about the apostles who would’ve just stayed together in the Upper Room instead of scattering to get the gospel out to more people, if they hadn’t had some Grace Builders around. I think about how we sometimes want to have a happy, close family but all that closeness and contentment may hinder the Lord’s true purpose of getting the word out of His grace to others who are dealing with family dysfunction. The word that His grace is sufficient for all things. Even dreams that don’t come true, at least not today. Never give up, though; Grace is coming through.

#11PublishingSecrets by @MaryDeMuth http://bit.ly/jRIh4d

2011-07-19T08:09:00.000-04:00

Mary is an awesome writer in all genres. As an Ebook, I thought for the price I would be getting about 24 pages, as that has been the case with similar buys. This was full book size. I love this comment from her, "If I ever figure out the secret to getting published, I will share it with anyone who is interested." Mary has shared her heart and soul and has the most giving spirit around. I have read many of her fiction and nonfiction books and she gives so much to so many. You will not regret buying this; it is a must-have if you are on your way to publication and I think even seasoned writers will be educated as well.

If you don’t want to be published, DON’T buy #11PublishingSecrets by @MaryDeMuth http://bit.ly/jRIh4d

I recommend that you buy it!

What Encourages and Inspires You?

2011-07-13T09:44:00.000-04:00

I’m rereading Janice Elsheimer’s book The Creative Call: An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit (Writers' Palette Book)
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Call-Artists-Response-Writers/dp/0877881383/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310564089&sr=8-1

I am trying to do the exercises that go along with the page readings. Here is one response. What encourages and inspires me?

Words encourage me, the Word, life, breath of truth, books encourage me. Lives inspire me, babies, beauty, children, people, faith, age, and kindness, sharing; all these inspire me.

Love inspires and encourages me to be a better me. Jaycee Dugard that lived 18 years of Hell without becoming bitter inspires me. Her mother and the hope that she held on to, inspires me. Little Caylee’s big brown eyes inspire me.

People who become better instead of bitter inspire me. The hope of happiness and reconciliation inspires and encourages me; the hope of it through Jesus Christ and Him only who will get all glory. My family inspires and encourages me but the love of Jesus is my chief inspiration and it will always be that way.

My take on Justice for Caylee

2011-07-08T08:31:00.001-04:00

How can we come to grips with what was deemed as Justice in an Orlando courtroom?

It certainly didn’t look like there was justice for little Caylee.

Having found this case consuming our thoughts and the media coverage, it is hard to get by without saying something about it.

I have all along asked for prayer for the Anthony family especially Cindy as I relate so to a grandmother who is grieving. Yet I know that the Lord loves and created Casey, also.

I have always said I wouldn’t want someone to judge me and I look to God to judge and bring justice and truth from the many horrible lies that have been in and around this family. There were so many times that I just prayed, Lord let her just stand up, say “I can’t take it anymore, Caylee drowned or ………, I admit I knew all along” and then take whatever consequences would come.

There are many Christians who are praying right now. One Youtube site said that Casey will be used of the Lord one day and that God told her that she was innocent.

I do know that the Lord has a plan for good and redemption for everyone.

I only hope that as portrayed years ago in a “Touched by an Angel” segment when little Casey was on her way to heaven there were angels holding, buffering and loving her.

I just reread a letter I wrote in 2009 to Cindy Anthony

One thing I said in the letter:

I just also wanted to let you know that I am not a judging person. I know the only thing you can do in your situation is just pray to get through the day. I only want to help lighten your load, if possible.

Pray and get through the day; that is our only option besides trying to fill our minds with what things that are good and encouraging.

I know Cindy loves her daughter regardless. That was evidenced by the comments that were made by her when she saw Casey for the first time after sentencing. Her remarks about how pretty she looked, a mother always notices those things and in her heart, Casey as well as Caylee has always been there. I think she feels that Caylee is gone, she is with the Lord. There is nothing she can do for Caylee now. When there was hope she was alive, she did everything she could. That time is past.
Who knows how this story will end? I have to say it is one of the saddest and most painful I have ever heard or read about in my life.

Romans 8::28
A good link from FOF http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/blogs/Finding_Home/2011/07/06/the-casey-anthony-verdict

I Loved Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson!

2011-07-07T08:41:00.000-04:00

What did I love about Chasing Sunsets? Everything! Having been, at one point of my life, a single mother myself for a time, I could really identify with Kim’s feelings on so many levels. The characters were well described right down to the clothes they wore, the places in Cedar Key were inviting, the beauty described on God’s sunrises and sunsets; awesome!

As I became engaged in the novel I so didn’t want it to end, yet found myself going back to it every chance I had during the day. With two more in the series to come, I am thinking someone should make a movie out of this one.
Faith was intertwined, but real subjects like alcoholism, addiction issues and child custody issues were touched on, also. I loved having someone talk about the denial in families where the disease of alcoholism shows up and the help that is offered by Al-anon and other meetings. It was well researched in every area. I wept, when Kim came face to face with the family secret.
Eva Marie Everson and Revell have taken novel writing to an even higher level than before. I can’t wait for the next one!

Donna Collins Tinsley

http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Sunsets-Cedar-Key-Novel/dp/080073436X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310041870&sr=1-2

God’s Waiting Room

2011-07-02T08:46:00.000-04:00

Because I am seeing so many mothers hurting, I’m posting a story I wrote back when my oldest daughter was in the midst of her addiction. I am proud to say she is nearly 3 years sober now and is working on making the rest of her life count, helping others along the way.

God’s Waiting Room

I’ll never forget the day my friend called me “the mother of dreams.” We were talking on the phone at that time. I was discouraged; she was cheering me up. She meant it in a special way, as if I was the mother of her dreams, a prayer warrior, faithful and kind. Yet I, knowing myself as I do, struggling at times to just keep my sanity, heard it as what I truly am, a “mother who dreams.”

I dream of the day when my daughter will be whole and not have to depend on illegal drugs to get through the day. I dream of sanity in our lives instead of chaos. I dream of peace and right standing with God for all my children and grandchildren. I dream of testimonies given of overcoming by God’s grace and the mercy He lavishes upon us each day. I dream of happiness, wholeness and health. I dream of restored relationships. I dream of learning to go down a different path and being happy to stay on it, instead of falling in the dark pits of familiarity. And I dream of the day that all my children will be taught of the Lord, and great will be the peace of my children.

“Then you will know that I am the LORD those who hope in me will not be disappointed."

Isaiah 49:23;

Yet amidst these dreams, as we are waiting, we often feel disappointed. Is it wrong to feel disappointed with God? Philip Yancey wrote a whole book on the subject. “Disappointment With God,” tells many stories of real people going through literal “hell on earth” and realistically examines their plights and questions. I would recommend this book and also his book “Searching For an Invisible God,” if you have ever felt like you don’t understand the ways of the Lord.

What I want to do now is to remind us to hope in God. I have started researching the word “hope” as found in the Bible. If you are in “God’s Waiting Room” you are probably in need of encouragement, and the word of God is the greatest encouragement I know of. Even a study on the book of Job will bring hope when we see the restoration at the end.

But so many of us in “God’s waiting room” may feel as though we have been forgotten, as so often happens at a doctor’s office. We may see people who came in after us, go in first, or when we finally get in to the inner examining room we still find ourselves waiting. We have been stripped down, perhaps cold and frightened about what the doctor is going to say or do, and worrying. I don’t know about you, but I find that a very frustrating experience.

For the Christian there are no guarantees on the outcome of a situation. As noted in Hebrews 11 the great faith chapter we don’t all see the conclusion of the things God has planted in our hearts. But we can still look with hope for the promise.

The book of Hebrews starts off with hope:

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. Hebrews 11:1

Yet even as I speak this word of encouragement I know that many of you have lost hope in your child, in your life even in your future. It is hard to hope in what you cannot see. But just take it a step at a time, a day at a time, even a moment at a time. Pray for the strength to just do the next thing that needs to be done. It may have nothing to do with the child that has gone astray. The next thing you may need to do is learn to take care of yourself. Maybe you have beat yourself up with guilt over the things you think you should’ve done or could’ve done that you are walking weary and wounded. Learn to be good to yourself. Treat yourself well. The commandment about loving your neighbor as you love yourself---you would be kind to a neighbor, so kindly take care of yourself and those that are right before you.

There are some of you in whom the Lord would say, “the world was not worthy of them.” He would say to you that He has seen your walk of faith through the pain of living in this world. He knows you are not perfect in your endeavors but He knows you have tried. He knows you love your child, and you, His child, are loved by Him with an everlasting love. He sees the big picture that we cannot see. He loves your child more than you can ever imagine, although as a parent yourself, you feel that no one could match the love you feel. He will draw a hurting parent close. He does not forget your labor of love towards your child and to Him your heavenly Father. The sacrifice of praise while we are in God’s waiting room is of great value to Him. You cannot change anyone but yourself. And only God can change a heart bent on going its own way.

Donna Collins Tinsley
If it costs you nothing, it's worth nothing! Endurance is the price tag of achievement. Listen, "We pray that you'll have the strength...not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the...strength God gives...that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy" (Col 1:11 The Message).

When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers

2011-06-27T10:26:00.000-04:00

Cecil Murphey has written a beautiful book for family and caretakers of those with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. It truly is a gift book that you will want to put into anyone’s hands that may be facing these situations.
Beautifully illustrated by Michal Sparks, the artwork was amazing and I could picture it as a book to leave out at condos.

You can use this book as a daily devotional as I had started to do or just pick it up and read it whenever needed. After starting it, the stories gripped me and I wanted to devour the book and find the words of comfort and get them inside me.

As someone who has known several family members and friends diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, I so wish this book had been written sooner.

Knowing the genetics link that is in my family can be a scary thing and I hope that the good ideas, hope and healing of the words will bring comfort to many people.

The Appendix, with helps like Take Care of Yourself, Communicating with Your Loved One, Expecting the Unexpected, and Help Your Visitors was a wealth of information that we all need.

I think you should do a sequel, Cecil, as there are a lot more stories out there, and perhaps do it as a daily devotional. Every family needs a copy of this gift book!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=When+Someone+You+Love+No+Longer+Remembers&x=15&y=15

Not A Hero

2011-06-25T08:34:00.000-04:00

We all want a Hero at times at times yet only Jesus can truly rescue, heal, restore and change our lives. An old poem revisited::
Not A Hero
I don’t want to be your hero.
I don’t want to rescue you.
I can’t take the place Of God in your life,
I can’t keep you from feeling blue.

I can’t deal with strong emotions.
I want peace in my life.
When I’m around rage and fighting
It cuts through me Like a knife.
We all need a savior,
To turn to when we’re mad
I can’t be your savior
Sometimes that makes me sad.
I’m just a human being.
In God’s likeness, the same as you.
I don’t want to be your hero.
A human one just won’t do.

Pray for Cindy Anthony

2011-06-20T14:38:00.000-04:00

There are many of us who pray for Cindy Anthony. She is somebody's mother and grandmother in a very painful position; the dilemma is her own daughter is on trial for the murder of her granddaughter. I would not want to walk a mile in her shoes.

Maybe my burden for Cindy is increased as I, too know the pain of sitting in a courtroom and seeing the daughter I love being brought in wearing bright orange jail clothing, in foot shackles and handcuffs. Thank God, it was only drug related charges which seem small now, compared to what Cindy is going through. I have had many times of thinking my dreams for my daughter would come true and then many times of hope nearly dying. If I was able to talk to Cindy personally I would say, ” God does love you and He will comfort you in the way you need to be able to make it through.” I know that to have to testify against he daughter that you carried in your womb must be the most devastating thing she can imagine going through outside of the death of her granddaughter. It is obvious that the whole family loved and doted on Caylee.

Sometimes we wonder why some stories seem to touch us more than others. The pictures of little Caylee draw us all into a love relationship with this little example of an innocent child. She is pure beauty and the joy of life sparkles from her eyes. If only those eyes could be open right now, if only she could be alive to give voice to the truth.

Many of us also pray for Cindy’s daughter, Casey and especially that she can get past her wounded soul and be honest with her family and the authorities. There are so many things that could’ve contributed to her state of mind but the real truth may only be known to her and God. If she was sexually abused as a child that is a scar that remains for years. I have watched many commentaries and Dr. Drew Pinsky said she does not display the characteristics of deep sexual abuse. But as a sexual abuse survivor myself I know that some people carry a little abuse and it creates deep pain in their life and sometimes someone could be majorly abused and become a true overcomer and role model. I also know that Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things for good, even though it is hard to believe.

I recently read about a disorder called NPD or narcissistic personality disorder that seems to be in play here, although bipolar disorder could also contribute to the lack of emotion that Casey displays at court.

John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach says this about NPD and it seems to fit Casey “…. but I will tell you this: One of the most common problems narcissists have is maintaining close, one-on-one relationships. In short, NPD is characterized by arrogant and manipulative behavior, a lack of empathy for others, selfishness, and a need for constant admiration. It’s for these reasons that it’s very difficult for these people to have normal and healthy relationships with other people.”

Regardless of how any of us feel about Cindy Anthony and Casey Anthony we must all agree that they are “wounded women.”

As a wounded woman, I have a personal trainer and his name is Jesus. He has been my Wonderful Counselor and I believe my wounds led me to God and equipped me to lead others to the Lord. It can dazzle the world to see what the Lord can do with a broken heart restored and healed by the blood of Jesus. Satan would like us to be quiet about our testimony but I stand on the scripture, “They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Revelation 12:11) NIV

Part of the healing Jesus brings increases as we reach out to others as He did. He was touched with the feelings of our infirmities. When we are touched by the pain of others we want to point them to a source of comfort. So I ask please join me in praying for the Anthony family and that justice comes for little Caylee.

Happy Different Kind of Father's Day! (An open letter to my husband)

2011-06-19T10:11:00.000-04:00

I never wanted it to happen to you, that same pain that I go through, hating Mother's Day, and now when you said "I don't want to celebrate Father's Day," I knew. I knew you had joined me in kindred parent pain. Hating Father's Day is common for many of us who grew up with none or worse than none.

And it's there today. I see it in your eyes, the eyes of pain, of regret, of wishing you could rewind and do it over. You did the best with what you had at the time you were parenting. As a father being too extravagant at times, was the biggest thing that affected your parenting. And because of being in 2 way-dysfunctional families you came to the job with not a good father image to copy. But they still called you a "two-time survivor")
That was then..............this is now.

You are a child of the most High God and worthy.

You are loved by Him and me and even your children,

Maybe not all of them all of the time but most of them most of the time. (Remember the old saying, you can't please everyone all the time?:):)

You are honored to work with guys in recovery and they respect and love you.

You have brothers and sisters who love you.

You have nieces and nephews who love and respect you

You are a teacher in the Body of Christ and have moved in many gifts.

You walk in pain that many do not know about.........yet get up and choose to walk another day. With the kind of weeks we have had lately I would have to say that is nothing short of a miracle!
Did I say that

You are loved?

You are.
By me!

Happy Different Kind of Father's Day!

The Ringing Phone

2011-06-18T07:57:00.001-04:00

When you have gotten that one phone call that shatters your life, you will never hear a phone ringing again without remembering. When you hear the news that your grandchild has tried to take her life you will never be the same. When you realize that she was sadder than you thought, more depressed, in pain and you just didn’t see it, you weep.
When all seems lost yet you know that you are not facing an open grave and looking at a casket, what can rise in your heart but gratitude?

Gratitude for a new day, a new dawn, and new chance for her, for her family and all those who love her. We must give thanks that the Lord has intervened, He has said, “It is not time for the enemy to triumph over this one, this daughter of Mine. I stopped the knife, I sent the help, I’m in the deep darkness of soul pain and hurt. I give strength, I give hope, I give new chances to make things right. I will give justice at My timing and I see all things. I am the “God Who Sees.” There is nothing impossible for Me. There is nothing impossible for Me. There is nothing impossible for Me. She is beauty as the dawn; she is mine.

You can’t control, change or create her life. Give her to Me as you give all the hopes, dreams, tears and prayers. Many will see and come to believe because of a life portrayed as Mine, through her.”

So we press on and hope. We press on and try to have faith, patience and love. We open the closed fists that try to hold on and release to the Lord Jesus those we love and treasure.

But when we hear the phone ringing we will always remember the phone call that changed our lives

Sometimes

2011-06-14T07:43:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the pain of life gets in the way of living. Sometimes when we see those we love hurt it is hard to bear. Sometimes there is nothing we can do. Sometimes all we can do is pray. Sometimes we pray for help, sometimes for healing, sometimes just to make it through the next day, hour or even minute. Emotional pain and hurts can be as painful as physical and sometime even more so. Oh for the balm of Gilead to soothe our wounded hearts. Oh for the comfort of the Savior's arms in a real hug that would take away the hurts.

Sometimes we forget the scripture:

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" Jeremiah 32:27 NASB

Sometimes we need to see with new eyes His plan and be grateful for all that we have been spared from going through. Sometimes we need to recount all the answered prayers and blessings we have received. Sometimes unmet expectations may be the most painful thing that we go through.
Sometimes we need to remember Hebrews 11 especially verse 13
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Later on it is spoken of people that "the world was not worthy of them."

Sometimes we need to remember that the Lord God Almighty sees. He is with us in our pain and has promised to never forsake us. Sometimes we need to believe His word.

Everyone should read "The Unfinished Gift."

2011-06-05T10:43:00.000-04:00

I haven't been up to date with my blogging as Bill's surgery and just life in general has gotten in the way, but I really wanted to post this about Dan Walsh's book, "The Unfinished Gift."
I guess I would have to say that I literally devoured this book. The little boy, Patrick, in the story is every parent's dream child and the story line and characters really drew you into the world back in 1943. Dan really did some research and I learned a lot about that era that I didn't know.
We have all met someone in our life that reminds us of the grandfather, a man who became bitter instead of better in his old age. Family dysfunction and forgiveness issues are so painful and I could feel the emotions as I read. I had not planned to finish the book so soon into my "fiction vacation" but it was really too hard to put it down. I actually saved the very end for today and finished it right after my quiet time which is not my normal reading time at all. Everyone should read "The Unfinished Gift." It is poignant and heartwarming.
Here is a link to it: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_7_19?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+unfinished+gift&sprefix=the+unfinished+gift

I would also suggest it as a great gift book, especially for Christmas; if you do your shopping early.
Blessings and love to you all:)
Donna Collins Tinsley

Of books, quotes and the unhurried life

2011-05-29T08:01:00.001-04:00

“On every level of life, from housework to heights of prayer, in all judgment and efforts to get things done, hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amateur,”Evelyn Underhill

It’s time for my summer fiction vacation and I’m starting with Dan Walsh’s book, “The Unfinished Gift.” I am already having a hard time putting it down, as it is very poignant. Dan is a fellow Word Weaver and I am looking forward to meeting him.

It’s times like this that I wish I could split into 2 people and be able to do what I need to do for my family and have one life to just read, read, read! I always remember when Mom Tinsley said nearly the same thing, but she wanted to be able to be a different person to be what she needed to be for her family (which I want to do also) and then another person to do her various charities and counseling work. Her daughter, Teresa said then, “I wish I could be 5 different people and they would all just have fun!”

I am also reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are and it is a keeper. There are so many beautiful quotes in this book that I wish I could copy them out for everyone to read. I had been thinking about how I at times am in such a hurry that I am not fully there for anything or anyone, even myself and she addressed those thoughts in what I read this morning.
She said it so well: Ann responding to the above quote by Evelyn Underhill says,
“The hurry makes us hurt.

And maybe it is the hurt that drives us on. For all our frenzied running seemingly towards something, could it be perhaps we are fleeing-------desperate to escape pain that pursues?

Whatever the pace, time will keep it and there’s no outrunning it, only speeding it up and pounding the feet harder; the minutes pound faster too. Race for more and you’ll snag on time and leak empty. The longer I keep running, the longer the gash and I drain, bleed away.

Hurry always empties a soul.” (Ann Voskamp)

Lord, help us to be fully aware of You and others this day and help us to give ourselves the gift of an unhurried soul. Let us be fully aware of those needs, hurts and the love that is right before us I pray.

Can you name "One Thousand Gifts" from God?

2011-05-22T08:47:00.000-04:00

I am reading this book by Ann Voskamp and love it. To be able to articulate words so beautifully is a dream of mine. Hopefully as we read books of this caliber we get fuel for our own fire. Lord Jesus give me Your flames of fire to write to inspire others and I will give you all the glory and credit as Ann has. What a work of art she is!

From Ann Voskamp, questions many who hurt ask:

Really, when you bury a child---or where you just simply get up every day and live life raw---you murmur the question soundlessly, No one hears, Can there be a good God? A God who graces with good gifts when a crib lies empty through long nights and bugs burrow through coffins? Where is God, really? How can He be good when babies die, and marriages implode, and dreams blow away, dust in the wind? Where is grace bestowed when cancer gnaws and loneliness aches and nameless places within us soundlessly die, break off without reason, erode away. Where hides this joy of the Lord, this God who fills the earth with good things and how do I fully live when life is full of hurt? How do I wake up to joy and grace and beauty and all that is the fullest life when I must stay numb to losses and crushed dreams and all that empties me out? One Thousand Gifts:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/ann-voskamp/

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It's All Good:)

2011-05-20T12:30:00.000-04:00

Turning 60 wasn’t too bad at all when you have a great Lord and Savior, great husband and family. We overdid it, with food, the get-together last Sat. and more.

How can I say thank you for way too many blessings? I hope to pay my blessings forward for the rest of my life. I hope to look beyond my own and my family’s needs and help others. I want to proclaim the mercies of the Lord and His help, hope and kindnesses to me. Romans 8:28 and Psalm 27, my life verses add up to “It’s all good and if it isn’t yet, then it isn’t over yet.”

Who's To Blame? Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-05-16T07:39:00.000-04:00

Who's To Blame? Daily Devotional CBN.com
It is so good to be reminded that our battles here, although seem in the form of flesh and blood or even family members are from the one who comes to kill, steal and destroy. There are no perfect families and we must put on the armor of the Lord to get through the day or even an hour sometimes. I loved the comparison of the 21st century bullet-proof vest. Excellent devotional as always!

Fail Your Way Forward Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-05-11T18:27:00.000-04:00

Fail Your Way Forward Daily Devotional CBN.com

I loved this word of encouragement especially where he writes: "God's plan, in God's time, with God's people always produces fruit, but that doesn't mean we won't stumble and fail our way forward. Our time in the desert is both necessary and ordained by God for it prepares us for His vision. The testing of our faith transforms us into a servant worthy of big dreams with bold outcomes. The trials demand we answer this question: “Will I trust God enough to see me through to the other side even when I can’t see the edge?” Isn’t that the question that haunts us as we breathe our final breath?"

A Mother's Day Prayer

2011-05-07T08:35:00.002-04:00

Lord Jesus I can only put my hopes and dreams in your hands; friends and family issues, all these I give to You. I can’t cope, deal, manipulate or change, create or run anything but somewhat of my own life and heart issues. I want a happy ending, wonderful relationships, warmth, love, affection and more. This seems unattainable at times, yet for You. I know You are a God of love and can do all things. Shine brightly Your life and light to me.
I pray for those who hurt as Mother’s Day approaches. Perhaps they have lost a dear child or are afraid that they may as they see things spiraling out of control in that child’s life. Perhaps Mother’s Day reminds them that they have no child to hold in their arms. Mother’s Day is really hard for those of us whose dear mother has gone on to be with the Lord, yet we know You called them to be close to You.

We thank You, dear Lord for this day and we will look for the good that You will give us. You give peace, love and joy when we stop and quiet our minds before You. In Jesus name I pray.

Today

2011-04-26T07:27:00.002-04:00

Some days it is harder than others to look at the bright side of life.It is hard when your family is enduring hardships, finances are bad, and your prayers seem to hit the ceiling. Yet in my quiet time, the words to a song I heard on Easter kept coming back to me. "Sing unto God; shout Hallelujah! Sing unto God and call His name. Worthy is the Lord, worthy is the Lord our God!" Those words and that tune I will keep before me today by the grace of the ever-loving Lord.
T.D. Jakes says, "It's so easy to walk around feeling like darkness is engulfing you, pain is paralyzing you. But take heart my friend, for God hears your weeping and will wipe away your tears. No matter how broken you feel, no matter how many pieces your heart is shattered in, know that the Lord wants to lift you up and make you whole. Say yes to this healing power, and live from this moment on in this glory."

Your promise to God

In moments of darkness I will always seek the Light, for I know you are always with me.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10 (New International Version, ©2011)

Easter, a time of new beginnings.

2011-04-22T07:42:00.000-04:00

Easter is a time to think on the good things of your life, (Philipians 4:8) as the antidote to complaining and grumbling. It’s the old adage of counting your blessings.

As The Message puts it:

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

I read a book by Jay Adams recently about a good way to incorporate this into your daily life. When you find you are tempted to go over in your mind worries and problems instead of ruminating over them, have a plan. Write down 10 or 20 things to think about when your mind is tormented with worries and think on those things instead.

Think about how blessed you are to live in a free country, regardless of all the things that need to be improved in it. Think about how you can be part of the solution instead of the problem.

Think about those whose lives are in danger just because they spread the good news of the love of God and then spread that good news yourself.
Think about the gift of sight, hearing and mobility that you have that others don’t and remember Helen Keller who did so much in spite of disabilities.
Think about the ministries you love and want to be involved with and then go get involved.
Think about your children and grandchildren that are gifts from the Lord and say an extra prayer of thanks for them. Think about the funny things they do each day.
Think about laughing with friends.
Think about how quickly you got old and be grateful for each new day.

Think about Corrie Ten Boom who said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future

to a known God,” but my favorite quote is still "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still."
Think about those who in the Military who gave their life for you.

Think about Jesus dying on the cross and the wonder of His salvation.
Think about Easter and love, life and hope. But don’t forget it started on Good Friday. If you feel that you are stuck in a painful, Friday experience, remember, Sunday is coming!
May your Easter be blessed.
A great song to cheer your day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n4iytp_TCM

Got dysfunction?

2011-04-13T11:36:00.000-04:00

If the Judd’s put the fun in dysfunctional I’m thinking our family took the fun out of it. Anita Smith said any family not functioning under the headship of the Lord Jesus is dysfunctional.

I love hearing about families that are dysfunctional because I see we aren't the only ones. But family pain can hurt as no other can.

When I knew better, I did better, is a quote I love by Joyce Meyer. I use that one often, so I hope y'all don't get tired of it.

Got dysfunction? Get Jesus and live as best as you can, the way He lived.

Is There a Samaria in Your Life?

2011-04-03T09:20:00.001-04:00

Do you ever feel there is something in your life that you must or need to do? The scripture in John 4:4 where Jesus said, "And he must needs to go through Samaria." has been on my mind lately. He needed to go there because He knew there was someone who had need of Him. She didn't know it, at the time, but He knew well ahead of time what she needed, and it came in the form of a reality check.

How many of us need one of those? Can we handle them when they come in the words of a friend or loved one? A proverb says, ”Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”

Jesus not only needed to minister to that woman, but He needed to give her a reality check. She needed something to get herself out of the stupor of life where she just existed. She needed to know that there was someone who knew her better than she knew herself and loved her anyway. She needed to know that she was more than she had settled for, trying to find herself in numerous relationships instead of the one relationship that would bring her life, health and love.

"And he must needs to through Samaria" is such a beautiful phrase even though, the wording at first sounds a bit strange. Jesus not only ministers but is ministered to by doing what He needed to do, which in this case was bring life where there was death and darkness. Where the woman normally tried to hide herself from the community she went on to become a preacher of the good news of God. The news that someone can know everything about you and still love, want and desire you.

We can't change our past, but we can make it work for us and the Lord as wonder and awe forms when others hear what we have gone through. We give glory to the Lord who has helped us when we were too weak to help ourselves.

Many people are going through tremendous trials at this moment. Prayer requests pour in that would break your heart and the heart of the Lord. The only way we are going to make it is to cling to the Lord and listen to that small voice that tells us what we "need" to do. It might be something simple as giving a dejected person a hug, sharing some time with someone when you don't really have time of your own, calling up someone in ministry and telling them they are doing a great job. Look around you; that person that is your "Samaria'" may appear in a way or form you didn't expect. But the thought has always been there in the heart of the Lord who loves us all supremely and will go out of His way to go to your "Samaria.'"

Do You Know Someone Who Needs to Know They are More?

2011-03-26T08:54:00.000-04:00

Reach FM contest entry

“You are More” by Tenth Avenue North reminds me of many women we pass by each day. We sometimes forget about the unseen people around us, the hurting ones who feel invisible. Yet these beautiful lyrics describe a closeness that the Lord wants to give to all who have felt "unseen." I have at times, prayed to the Lord in desperation, "See me, See me!" perhaps as a small child might say. "Feel me and my pain, Lord." I know there is someone else right now praying these very words. She is a sister among you; you don’t know her, or her name. She may have been abused, used and tormented. She dreams but they turn into nightmares. She wants to open up and tell you about her life, but she is afraid you will cringe and turn away.

The things she has endured would not fit into your tidy world. She may be your friend but you really can’t share her pain. The cup she has drunk is too horrible to taste and it would cause you to hurt also.

She has seen perverseness in the eyes of men, and the hearts of women. She is a sister among you, who smiles to mask the pain.

“You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.”

Jesus said what you have done for the least of these, you have done for Me.

Only God can heal the hurts but He sometimes leaves the pain and the memories so we don’t overlook this unseen sister, lost in pain. Needing a Savior, needing a friend.

Needing someone to tell her “She is more!”

Donna Collins Tinsley

You Are More LyricsArtist(Band):Tenth Avenue North

There's a girl in the corner With tear stains on her eyes From the places she's wandered And the shame she can't hide
She says, "How did I get here? I'm not who I once was. And I'm crippled by the fear That I've fallen too far to love" But don't you know who you are, What's been done for you? Yeah don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it That she's been given new life But she can't shake the feeling That it's not true tonight She knows all the answers And she's rehearsed all the lines And so she'll try to do better But then she's too weak to try But don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done, But what's been done for you. This is not about where you've been, But where your brokenness brings you to This is not about what you feel, But what He felt to forgive you, And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade. You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade
. You've been remade.
You've been remade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3GOtpwITPQ

Try A Psalm and a Song

2011-03-17T09:24:00.000-04:00

I had been late to Bible Study the week before and evidently missed the homework assignment.
“Bring your favorite Psalm and an old Hymn to share,” Anita Smith, my Bible teacher had said. “Now Donna, you were here last week, so you should’ve known.” Only those that Anita considers one of her daughters, does she talk to like that, in her heavy Southern accent. Nobody was going to get away with not sharing today!
I noticed several women bringing in I-pods and cassette players for their songs and I thought, “Oh, no!” I hate homework, and I hate to unprepared for anything, although probably I would’ve gotten nervous about speaking in front of the group. So, the Lord knew that He had a plan, for me to learn to be spontaneous, If you ask my daughters they will tell you that spontaneous is not a word that would be used to describe me.
I knew immediately what my favorite Psalm is: Psalm 27. Picking between the old Hymns that have always ministered to my heart, that was a different story. And to sing in front of everyone acapella, well, I didn’t want to do it, but started brainstorming about the song. I found the words to “Victory in Jesus” stuck in my Bible and thought, “Well, I could go with it.” But it really wasn’t one of my favorites and when another woman sang it, I knew I didn’t want to use it. An old favorite is “It is Well with my Soul,” but for some reason the song “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” would not get out of my mind. Both Psalm 27 and the song were also favorites of my mother, so I decided to go with them. I thought mine might be a popular one and someone ahead of me might already read it, but Anita encouraged us to reread if we had the same one. Psalm 23 was a favorite to many and since Amazing Grace is a favorite also, Anita said we would sing it together at the end.
I knew the Holy Spirit was among as one by one each lady’s voice broke as they read their Psalm or sang their song. I wasn’t prepared though for the weeping that accompanied my reading or singing.

I encourage anyone reading this to click the link to listen to the song and to be spontaneous at your next Bible Study. Read a Psalm and a song; You will be blessed!
Psalm 27 A Psalm of David.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me

To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,

In this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the LORD will take care of me.
Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD! New King James Version (NKJV)

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

(lyrics; Isaac Watts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkx8WAycYAc&feature=related

What forgiveness is not!

2011-03-12T16:43:00.000-05:00

I have been trying for some time to articulate exactly what Linda Mintle, Ph.D. said in this article about what forgiveness is not. This really explains it in a way that I hope most people will understand:

RE: Forgiveness is NOT:
1. Reconciliation. This takes the cooperation of two people (Reconciliation, however, is the heart of God -Matthew 5:24).

2. Condoning wrong behavior.

3. Minimizing what was done that was hurtful.

4. Pardoning the person; that’s God’s job. Your job is to be released from the power of the offense.

I have four daughters and it seems they each were parented by a different mother in their eyes. There is a quote in the book, "Her Daughter's Dream" by Francine Rivers that sums up, I think, how many mothers feel.
‎"I love every one of my children and I did the best I knew in raising them. I just wasn't always the mother they wanted."
And I think it was Joyce Meyers who said, "When I knew better, I did better." I am grateful to the Lord that I have learned and am still learning how to parent in different ways than I did when I was a teenage mother. By God's grace and forgiveness I am a different woman than when I started out and He gets the credit for it. As you pointed out some people forgive but don't always reconcile. But the hope for that is always in His heart and a mother's heart, too, for her family.

What a great article by Linda Mintle, Ph.D.

http://blogs.cbn.com/familymatters/archive/2011/03/10/what-does-it-mean-to-forgive.aspx

A Reason to Write

2011-03-09T10:52:00.002-05:00

One reason I write is because there is a multitude of people out there who do not get "the happily ever after" ending. Who wants to hear from a woman who proclaims her life to be perfect and has not been touched with the infirmities of suffering? I can't relate to such a person and neither can the majority of hurting sisters and brothers out there. I think they want to see a pierced heart beat strong with the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord would say, “Beat on O pierced heart. Beat with My love, beat with My compassion, beat with My strength, just beat in time with the Music of My Soul. And you will be desperate no more.”

And just when you think you are never going to dream again, the Lord gives you a new dream.

Florida Christian Writer's Conference and me

2011-03-07T19:39:00.000-05:00

Just got home from the Florida Christian Writer's Conference yesterday! I can't even begin to express the grateful heart I have to the Lord for His favor and mercy for me to attend. I will be blogging and writing more as soon as I can, but for now all I can say is: awesome! Especially Dr. Calvin Miller who restores my faith in mankind by his very presence, his love for his wife, his father-heart, humor, wit and the way he has with words! I have never heard someone who can cover so many different subjects in such unique ways; I both laughed and cried.
Mark Mynheir moved my soul with his Fiction Workshop and I am in awe of his teaching ability and kindness to me, someone who has never written fiction before. I don't have time right now to say how much I enjoyed being among such a group of dedicated people because of course, I have been gone 4 days and need to reconnect with my family. It was so good to see their faces when I returned.

Everyone I met and connected with captured my heart from lovely Elizabeth Miller and Chaplain Barbara at the front desk to the faculty, other writers and many prayer warriors. I brought home prayer requests for many people and am grateful for those who agreed to pray for me.

But many thanks to Billie Wilson who puts on the best conference around, and also Anitra and REACH FM! You Rock!

I was blessed by Reach FM and FCWC

2011-02-24T20:01:00.000-05:00

To God be the Glory! many thanks to the Lord and Reach FM! Just when things seem the hardest and you wonder if the Lord is listening to your prayers, something wonderful happens. Many of you know from some of my blogs and posts that times are hard for many in my family. I have a wonderful family with a husband who works hard amidst intense pain, 4 beautiful daughters, 6 grandchildren and an extended family that I love so much! But as I have said before, we are not the Cleavers, Waltons, or Ingalls:) We are a work in progress and our only hope and anchor is the Lord Jesus!
The Lord knew it was the desire of my heart to go again to the Florida Christian Writer's Conference, but with work being slow for Bill, I just wasn't going to put that burden on him. He had said I could go for one day, but I felt there were other needs that were more important. Then lo and behold last week, I saw on the FCWC blog a contest. My Mama always said "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," and so, I decided to enter. It was put on by Reach FM and here is what it said:
SHARE YOUR STORY CONTEST

You've been inspired, challenged or encouraged by the lyrics of a song on Reach FM.

Now it's your chance to share your story.

Click here to submit your story before midnight on Sunday, February 20, 2011.

You could be selected to attend the Florida Writers Conference.

Well, lyrics of songs always stir my heart and I had several that I started thinking about. But “You are More” by Tenth Avenue North came through for me. I will write more about this and when it is allowed I will share the entry with y'all. Anitra Parmele from Reach FM called me yesterday and I am still on Cloud 9 but more than that praising the Lord who once again gave favor to one such as I, a woman who has never really known a father's love until I met Jesus. And I must say He is the best Father and provider around. He sees the hidden desires of the heart. He knows when we need a time of refreshing and study.

I am so grateful to Reach FM and the FCWC blog that posted the contest.
http://www.reachfm.org/
You've gotta listen to this song:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwtcwQwgdsA&feature=fvwrel

Of Roses, Thorns and the Pain of Blooming

2011-02-19T12:17:00.001-05:00

‎"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin
I love the above quote and wish I had written it! Years ago a friend who moves in prophecy said I was a rose whose thorns would prick the hearts of men. My goal is to be a sweet fragrance of the Lord but if I have to prick some hearts along the way to get the truth out, it is in God’s hands. We hope that His offer of love and support for our lives and the lives of our loved ones wiill get through and they will see for themselves that we can’t run from what He created us for. To give Him glory.
Some weeks seem harder than others. When those you love are hurting, when people you love unexpectanlty end up in the hospital, when it started off with one daughter in an accident, from last Friday until today seemed a bit long. Amber was operated on for back problems when she was just 18 and being rear-ended was no help in that department. Bill lives with chronic pain and the VA is very slow in helping.

Many problems in our extended family and being so far away from them makes me sad, that I can’t be there and give them a hug or comfort.
I’ve found that music is balm for the soul and I recommend playing happy songs, soulful songs, hippie songs and most of all songs of praise to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW_3kHHvk8M&feature=fvwrel
Sometimes we hurt so much for those we love that all we can do is weep with them and then pray. So, that is what I will do; I will agree to pray and love and press on. Why don’t you join me?

Not So Ordinary Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-02-18T07:15:00.000-05:00

Not So Ordinary Daily Devotional CBN.com

I especially like this part: "Oh, sweet child of God, don’t you see, we may feel like just a mom or just a wife or just a banker or just a teacher, but when we allow ourselves to be directed by the Master and we place ourselves in His hands, we become extraordinary.
When the Father looks at you, He doesn’t see what you see. He sees your potential in His hands."

The ministry of the "unseen"

2011-02-15T10:12:00.002-05:00

Have you ever felt like you have the ministry of the "unseen"? Many times when our prayers don't get answered we feel this way. Yet these beautiful words describe a closeness that the Lord wants to give to all who have felt "unseen." I have at times, prayed to the Lord in desperation, "See me, See me!" perhaps as a small child might say. "Feel me and my pain, Lord." I know there is someone else right now praying these very words. May the Lord bring His comfort to your soul.

I hope all my prayer partners read this whole message from Reeni Mederos but I am posting my two favorite parts:
http://warriorsinternational.org/reeni-mederos-cry-of-intercession/

“It is the ministry of the unseen that I have called you to,” says the Lord, “It is what I have consecrated you for. This is the place I have set you apart for Myself. I have been jealous over you and I have not allowed man or the enemy to take away the glory of the precious gift I have placed inside of you. I have chosen you for such a time as this. I have held you dear to My heart as sometimes you have been rejected and you have felt robbed and stripped in your heart, but I have never left you or forsaken you and I will recompense everything that has been stolen from you if you will forgive those who have used you and bless those who have persecuted you. Let me heal your heart and your cause will become a legacy for generations to come who will learn from your example and endurance and love.”
You Have Been Blessed With A Burden
I hear the Lord is saying to these precious ones, “You have been blessed with a burden and I have blessed you with the weight of my Spirit that is precious in my sight, to release the plans and purposes of My heart in these last days. I have burdened you to carry the torch of intercession for this generation and I am building a lasting legacy within you for those who will come to remember you as I have named and called you, 'Faithful, Loyal & Steadfast.' Is it any wonder the enemy has tried to put out your fire and to take your very life from you? Lift up your voice and take your rightful place and be free to come to Me with every supplication, every burden and every heart cry, for I will hear you and not reject you or turn you away as others have,” says the Lord.
Reeni Mederos
Warriors International, Inc.
http://www.warriorsinternational.com/

3 Steps to Spiritual Contentment - Guideposts

2011-02-13T08:02:00.000-05:00

3 Steps to Spiritual Contentment - Guideposts

A great Article from Guideposts, with these 3 points as the key to contentment:
1. Recognize the roots of bitterness and anger. The first step toward fighting an enemy is recognizing it. If you are developing a bitter attitude toward someone or something, then you need to identify it. You may even want to write down or journal what is simmering inside you and why you feel the way you do. If you find yourself grumbling, complaining, or rehearsing a pity party, it is time to recognize it and determine to move in a new direction.
2. Change your perspective. Determine to stop focusing on what is wrong. Quit playing the "I am hurt" tape in your brain. For that matter, quit trying to make sure the other person knows how much they hurt you. Do not play the blame game of pointing the finger and saying it is all his or her fault. This is negative, unproductive thinking and will only keep you in a pity party prison. Choose to change your focus on what is good. Focus on the hope in each person and every situation. God has not left you. He can bring hope out of seemingly hopeless situations. It is your choice what you will dwell on.
3. Ask God to give you strength and direction. Seek God's help in forgiving others and moving forward. The Bible reminds us that we must forgive others, because we have been forgiven of everything (Colossians 3:13). Dear friend, as we look to him, we begin to see a loving God who is able to help us forgive and move forward. Moment by moment, ask God for direction, strength, and help to move past the anger and toward a whole new attitude. Ask him to replace your hate with love and your anger with forgiveness. He is able to weed out the roots of bitterness in your life as you seek his help. By Karol Ladd

Still Not the Cleavers!

2011-02-12T08:52:00.000-05:00

We are still not the Cleavers! Still trying still failing but thank God Jesus loves, forgives and upholds us anyway. If you wonder what I am talking about I am rewriting and reposting my Christmas blog; it works for everyday stuff, too:)
Gladness for the Dysfunctional Family
At our house, I have a saying, “We’re Not the Cleavers, But That Never Stopped us from Wishing We Were.” The Cleavers, the Walton’s, the Ingall’s, we would be happy to have any resemblance to those families. You might find us listed at “Dysfunctional R Us” or on Facebook with the tags: painful childhood, loss of loved ones, overcoming addictions and trauma, or we might remind you of the old Hee-Haw song, “Gloom despair and agony on me,” If it were’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at allJ. Did I make you smile yet? But for Jesus and His Word that is ever living in my heart, soul and life we would go under! And perhaps your family would also, as you wonder what has happened to your "normal" life with the economy spiraling downward, sicknesses, accidents, and natural disasters abounding.
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,

That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!

Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,

The years in which we have seen evil.

Let Your work appear to Your servants,

And Your glory to their children.

And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,

And establish the work of our hands for us;

Yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:14-17 (New King James Version)
I love these verses in Psalm 90, I was so astounded that the Lord would actually take the days of pain and affliction that we have gone through and make us happy according to them.
Is it possible that He would give joy as He allowed sorrow? Isn't that the premise of Romans 8:28 when it is said that He will work all things to our good?

What encouraging words and what a wonderful prayer to pray today and every day. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. ASV

Oh that the Lord would fill us with love and joy as we seek Him in the morning. It truly would give us a song to sing and a story to tell to our families and friends. How many of us want to proclaim His greatness to our children and grandchildren? Most of us do and we can by reminding them of these precious words from the Psalms.
It is okay to ask the Lord to treat us well and give us success. In my life I have felt afflicted with abuses, hurt and losses but I can prevail by focusing on the good that will come eventually. If I had not endured these things I would not be the person I am today. I was on the road to being a spoiled brat as a young girl and then my world was rocked by pain and I learned to look outside of myself. I learned that others are more important than myself. I learned about self-sacrifice from a mother who worked so many hours a week at forty-five cents an hour for years just to feed her children as my sweet Mama did. I learned that my brothers and sister were overcomers in life as they just did what they could to enjoy what little we had. We all learned that we had a lot more than many others. We learned to share what we had and that it is not material things that count but strength, maturity and kindness that will prevail all the days the Lord gives us. We learned that life isn’t about what material things we have but it is about faith, family, friends and remembering we have an awesome Saviour. One whose life was not perfect, either.
My message may be different than most people's, but I guess the slant He gives me fits some families. You know: the dysfunctional, but trying ones, the funny, but forgiven ones, the once hopeless but now Hope-filled ones! To God be the Glory! Affliction to gladness; it's the way of the Cross and the way our own Saviour took. I believe it is the way to hope for this life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that we can be glad according to Your Word and the promises You give. We may always see evil around us but You will give us joy.
Thought for the Day: We have seen years of trouble.

Now give us as much joy as you gave us sorrow.
Prayer Focus: Dysfunctional families and the ones who love them.

Here are some other versions of the scriptures:

Fill us with your love every morning.

Then we will sing and rejoice all our lives.

We have seen years of trouble.

Now give us as much joy as you gave us sorrow.

Show your servants the wonderful things you do;

show your greatness to their children.

Lord our God, treat us well.

Give us success in what we do;

Yes, give us success in what we do.

Psalm 90:14-17 (New Century Version)

Oh! Teach us to live well!

Teach us to live wisely and well!

Come back, GOD—how long do we have to wait?—

and treat your servants with kindness for a change.

Surprise us with love at daybreak;

then we'll skip and dance all the day long.

Make up for the bad times with some good times;

we've seen enough evil to last a lifetime.

Let your servants see what you're best at—

the ways you rule and bless your children.

And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,

confirming the work that we do.

Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do! Psalm 90:12-17 (The Message)

Redemption’s Ring Valentines Devotional | CBN.com

2011-02-11T07:27:00.000-05:00

Redemption’s Ring Valentines Devotional CBN.com

This is a story of redemption from my friend, Kathy Thomas! She always bring such humor to the sad stories of life and I so appreciate her sharing her life, family and the love of the Lord with us.

You are going to love the story about the engagement ring!

I kept thinking of the Faith chapter 11 from the book of Hebrews, especially verse 13-16: "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."As it says in the end of Hebrews, there are those that God loves that the world is not worthy of. I would say Kathy's name is on that list!

Finite Minds Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-02-03T07:54:00.000-05:00

Finite Minds Daily Devotional CBN.com
A great devo by Beth Patch about faith and doubt. She encourages us to have the faith of a little child; full of trust:

In memory of my Mama, Linda Lee Reece Lewis who went home to be with the Lord, 13 years ago, today

2011-02-02T11:58:00.000-05:00

A story I wrote a while back; I am posting for a short time in memory of my Mama, Linda Lee Reece Lewis who went home to be with the Lord, 13 years ago, today. Some of you may have already read this, but I hope it is a keeper!

Mama Said

I woke up from the dream weeping, "I want my Mama!" I am 58 years old and she has been dead nearly 12 years. Will the need to reconnect with the one who gave me life never end? Is the cry of grief endless?

I first experienced it on the day that she died. It is uncontrollable, inconsolable. Involuntarily, it came from my mouth. A piercing scream to match the piercing pain in my heart. But in my mind's eye, I flash back forty years. I heard that same scream coming out of my mother's mouth at the news of her mother's death. It is nearly a primitive sound.

I was assaulted with thoughts of things I felt I could have done or should have done. In previous months, Mama had stayed with us for a few weeks to recover from several surgeries. We were in close contact but the week before she passed away, my children had been sick and we didn’t get to see each other.

Our last conversation haunted me. We had always been close and I usually called to check on her every morning. It was about 8:10 AM. I was in the midst of Monday morning rush. “Hi Mom, I’m on my way to take the kids to school and thought I’d see how you are feeling and what you are up to.”

“I can’t talk now, the nurse is here,” Mama said. It was her routine house visit to check her post-surgery wound. How I wished I had said, "Call me when she leaves." Because of such a quick call I spoke no meaningful words and felt a lack of closure.

At her moment of death I thought I would be at her side. Although I reached the hospital before the ambulance got there with Mama she had already passed away at home in her own bed.

“Please let me go in,” I begged the nurse.

“A doctor has to check her first,” I was told. Assuming she was still alive, I waited; but Mama had died at home in her own bed the way she had wanted to go.

It was hard to accept not being with her at the end. I had always tried to be the "perfect daughter." As the oldest child wasn't that part of my job description? Yet I couldn't control the uncontrollable; there is a time to be born and a time to die.

Many times when I have a dream about her I wake up and try to think of all the happy times we had. Mama was raised in the Deep South and there was always an “old saying” coming out of her mouth. Mama used to say, "Men will go after anything in a skirt!" but I'm sure we don't want to go there. As a teenage mother, divorced two times, she was probably trying to keep me from repeating her mistakes.

It wasn't easy for Mama to raise four children under the age of nine alone when my stepfather was put in prison. Her own mother and father had already passed away, and she was left on her own when she bypassed advice to put us in a children's home until she could get her life together. Although, she was a high-school dropout she was smart enough to know it could take a long time, and she wasn't going to be without her children if she could help it. I will forever be grateful that we were kept together as a family. Just sixteen when I was born she was quite a survivor! She loved to dance and I remember thinking what a pretty Mom I had as she danced to "Be Bop A Lula;" she adored Elvis, Dick Clark and the American Bandstand, and Chubby Checker, "Everybody do the twist." And everybody did.

Even though we moved often, she always worked and made sure there was food on the table. She had a lot of common sense and was so generous you would think she was a rich woman. Her employers loved her because not only could she work circles around everyone else, she made them laugh while she did it.

She used to say "It's a great life if you don't weaken," "You have to laugh to keep from crying,” and "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

And Mama always said, "What goes around comes around." That is what I would like imitate. That is why I want to sow seeds of goodness, kindness and love because those are the types of things I want to come back to my family. Bless your children and they will bless you. Love your husband and see what a return you get. It is the principal of "sowing and reaping."

Mama also said, "Only the good die young." This must certainly be true. She died unexpectedly at age 62. Sometimes I try to imagine life with her still here. Many times I have gone over in my mind the things I wanted to do for her when she was alive. Whenever we have a family celebration or are eating at a restaurant, I am often wishing she were still alive and here enjoying herself. She loved to eat and used to say, "I'd rather die than not be able to eat what I want."

Diabetes helped that statement come true.

Mama, if I had you back for even one day, I would treat you like a queen. I would take you anywhere you wanted to go. I would make you whatever you liked for me to cook, carrot cake or the little fancy sandwiches for a picnic. We would find a “Po Folks” restaurant even if I had to drive you from Florida to Tennessee to do it. I would take you to a movie and to the flea market. I would rub your back with alcohol and then lotion and I would wash your tired feet with warm, scented water and my tears. I would pray a blessing upon you and show you how much I love you.

These are thoughts I have when I meditate on my mother. Our relationship had its ups and downs, but it is still the strongest bond on the earth, that mother-daughter connection. I will always remember the things my Mama said and it’s funny, but I seem to be saying a lot of them to my own daughters, now.

The Treasure Within and what is better than a Hallelujah?

2011-02-01T13:03:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it is hard to figure out what the Lord is up to in our lives. That's where the Lean not on your own understanding verse comes in. And of course the Hebrews chapter 11 that has so much encouragement: All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

And especially: the world was not worthy of them.

Remember the vision the Lord has given you, my friends and prayer warriors. The world is not worthy of the treasure within you but the Lord has chosen to use it not abuse it. May we live to ever praise Him in the midst of tears, pain, heartache, family dilemmas, hardship, lost dreams and broken hearts.

I love the lyrics to Amy Grant's song that I am including:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOHJghBU0XA
Better Than A Hallelujah lyrics
God loves a lullaby
In a mother's tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes
God loves the drunkard's cry
The soldier's plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah
The woman holding on for life
he dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes
The tears of shame for what's been done
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing
Better than a choir singing out, singing out
We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

(Better than a Hallelujah sometimes)

Better than a Hallelujah

(Better than a Hallelujah sometimes)

Songwriters: Hart, Sarah; Hartford, Chapin;

A Fly in the Ointment Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-31T07:12:00.000-05:00

A Fly in the Ointment Daily Devotional CBN.com
We need to be a sweet fragrance to the world!

When God Turned Off the Lights: Spiritual Life in God

2011-01-28T20:56:00.000-05:00

When God Turned Off the Lights: Spiritual Life in God
To see light, to be a light both of these are important. Cecil Murphey has shown light and is a light to me and many other aspiring writers. May his tribe increase!

The Fullness of His Power Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-27T08:44:00.000-05:00

The Fullness of His Power Daily Devotional CBN.com
Another great devo from CBN.com! Would that we all live in the Fullness of His Power. The prayer at the end is awesome:
Heavenly Father, thank you for proclaiming your Son, Jesus Christ as the One and only power that saves us! And with that, we have been justified by Him. We now seek your guidance during the sanctification process and ask that you reveal everything in us that offends you. Take us to the next step in recognizing that evil has been conquered. No longer does it have dominion over us. And knowing that should empower us each time we are tempted. We can boldly say, "I have dominion over that temptation!" We can depend on Jesus to grant us the ability to win the battle waged against us. Turn our lives around as a tribute to Him and honor Him not only for what He has given us, but for Who He is. Amen!!

A View from Eternity Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-24T13:11:00.000-05:00

A View from Eternity Daily Devotional CBN.com
If we could only keep our eyes on the view from eternity we would get through the day so much easier. Enjoy!

My take on “Lead Me” by Sanctus Real

2011-01-23T08:02:00.000-05:00

A wife’s heartache, a child’s plea, a husband’s cry for help, it is all there in this beautiful song. A lyrics award should go to this couple for truth and honesty; they portray the hurt and pain that are in so many families. To be fair, though, many husbands just haven’t had the role model to be able to truly lead their families. That is why they would rather work or try to fill their own emptiness with hobbies or anything that will pacify the pain. Most men feel it is their job to “fix” their family and when that is easier said than done, they retreat. It truly won’t be fixed until they do as is said at the end of the song, yield to the Lord:
So Father, give me the strength

To be everything I'm called to be

Oh, Father, show me the way

To lead them

Won't You lead me?

No one can do it alone and thank God through the Lord Jesus Christ, we don’t have to.
Here's the lyrics: Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life

Almost perfect from the outside

In picture frames I see my beautiful wife

Always smiling

But on the inside, I can hear her saying...
“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes

They're just children from the outside

I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine

They're independent

But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength

To be everything I'm called to be

Oh, Father, show me the way

To lead them

Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands

To stand up when they can't

Don't want to leave them hungry for love,

Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight

And give them the best of my life

So we can call this our home

Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lead+me+sanctus+real&aq=0

El Elyon Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-22T08:11:00.000-05:00

El Elyon Daily Devotional CBN.com

El Elyon is a name of God we are not familiar with but must all come to believe in eventually. He is the Most High God and so in charge of all we go through, even those things that hurt us. He allows for our growth and benefit that Romans 8:28 will come alive in our lives. This is a great quote from the devotional by Kay Arthur:
“..if God is not sovereign, if He is not in control, if all things are not under His dominion, then He is not the Most High, and you and I are either in the hands of fate (whatever that is), in the hands of man, or in the hands of the devil.”

Happy Birthday Shiloh!"

2011-01-20T08:04:00.001-05:00

Good morning and Happy birthday to my Shiloh, my daughter, sister and friend.

I hope you always find the love of the Lord faithful through the trials of living for Him and following His ways always. You will never be disappointed if you let Him fill those needs that earthy parents, and family can't. I pray He will give you the very best husband who will treasure you and your gifts and enhance your life for the days you have together. (I know it will be in God's timing) I pray that you have a career that will be pleasing both to you and the Lord and He will use your gifts to His glory. Travel, love, healings, words of knowledge, prophecy and more are in store for you oh lovely one in Jesus name.
I will always love and treasure you!
Mom

No Need To Hide Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-19T07:46:00.000-05:00

No Need To Hide Daily Devotional CBN.com
Have you ever felt like hiding? Ever felt like giving up? I love this devo by Wally Odum especially where he says, "Jesus has been where we are, but without sin. He invites us to approach Him boldly in our weakness and failure. He is able to sympathize and heal us. His throne is a throne of grace, not condemnation. What a relief to stop hiding and covering up. What joy to find the grace that helps us in our time of need."

Fulfilling Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream Spiritual Life | CBN.com

2011-01-17T19:11:00.000-05:00

Fulfilling Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream Spiritual Life CBN.com
This is a great post for the day. It includes part of the original speech, "I Have a Dream". I have always loved this speech and know that the Lord will not let the pain his family endured be wasted.

…I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."…
- Maritn Luther King, Jr., "I Have a Dream" (1963)

True Character Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-17T08:04:00.000-05:00

True Character Daily Devotional CBN.com
This devo will get you thinking on this Monday morning! May the Lord bless your day and week.

Adonai Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

Adonai Daily Devotional CBN.com
Who's the boss in your life? Do your control issues get in the way of letting the Lord be over all in your life?
Another great devo from CBN:)

Is Your Silence Golden? Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-14T08:47:00.000-05:00

Is Your Silence Golden? Daily Devotional CBN.com
This devo makes me think of "The Tyranny of the Urgent." We all need to slow down and be silent:)

Broken People

2011-01-13T07:53:00.000-05:00

Many people are broken and hurting and need love, prayers and support groups. I belong to several groups and find hope and healing in each one. The Winning Women Bible Study group where the ladies held me up in prayer for years, was the first group. Several years ago I joined another group as mentioned in the article and I now am happy to be a part of Celebrate Recovery. My husband, Bill, teaches a recovery message at Men of Destiny in St. Cloud, FL. Recovery is alive and well in the State of Florida:)
Thanks to Beth Patch at CBN.com for including me, today. There are some great resources on this site for hurting and broken people!

King of Hearts Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-11T07:54:00.000-05:00

King of Hearts Daily Devotional CBN.com

This is a beautiful devotional about the pardon that comes from the King of our hearts. As I was reading it and the example she gave about the Queen of hearts, I realized for the first time that woman must've been bipolar! Read and enjoy!

In Case of Emergency, Exit! Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-10T07:49:00.000-05:00

In Case of Emergency, Exit! Daily Devotional CBN.com
Sometimes just facing another week can seem like an emergency and we may want to exit when panic sets in. But take a deep breath, pray and proceed. Have a happy Monday!
It is possible with Jesus:)

El Shaddai Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-08T14:35:00.000-05:00

El Shaddai Daily Devotional CBN.com

It is really amazing what you can find out on Facebook. It can be a tool for blessings and information. Consider this devotion from CBN.
One reason I post devotions is so others can be blessed by what I read. Also, it is a long shot but I posted a comment to some people in Chattanooga Valley, Flintstone, GA area today to try to find out about my father's family. I haven't seen him in about 51 years. I got a reply and hopefully will have some news at some point. People say Facebook brings conflict but to me it has been a blessing.

This was my post:

If any of you Chattanooga or Flintstone, GA dwellers have any information about my family I would be happy to hear any of it; the good, the bad, the ugly. I lost a lot of family when my Mama Linda Lee Wirth (then Collins Reece Lewis) moved ...to Daytona Beach, FL. I don't know anything about my father, William Donald Collins (haven't seen him in about 51 years) or my grandparents or family on that side. My maternal grandparents were Charles Fredrick Wirth and Mary Ethel White Wirth. She used to teach piano from her home and play for the Flintstone Baptist church. One of my great uncles owned a little store I think in St. Elmo. I know it is a long shot to get information this way, but I'll be 60 soon and wouldn't mind having some knowledge of my roots. Thanks to Sarah Smith for filling in some blanks and connecting me to this FB page and Beverly Collins who we are pretty sure I am not related to, but she has been a great blessing and help to me. Just email me by Facebook:) Thanks and blessings and have a great day

Heavenly Contemplations Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-07T07:52:00.000-05:00

Heavenly Contemplations Daily Devotional CBN.com
Another great devo from CBN!
TGIF!

Reaching Your Full Potential Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-06T07:42:00.000-05:00

Reaching Your Full Potential Daily Devotional CBN.com
If you feel like your life is full of pain, there may be some pruning going on. Let go, and let God is the only way to release the pain and face the future.
Romans 8:28 will always ring true. Claim it for your New Year!

Waiting on God for the Promise of the Father Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-04T16:28:00.000-05:00

Waiting on God for the Promise of the Father Daily Devotional CBN.com
Another great devotional from Andrew Murray.
Many of us are waiting on the promises of God, for ourselves and our families. Lord, have mercy and come quickly!

Tug of War Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-03T07:44:00.000-05:00

Tug of War Daily Devotional CBN.com

I have about 20 minutes to myself before we get back into the normal Monday groove of Aryel coming over. Isaiah was not a happy camper to get up for school. Read a great devo story by Sandy Cathcart this morning and here's another one to start the day with:)

Is your family sometimes described as a dysfunctional, motley crew?

2011-01-02T10:18:00.003-05:00

Think about this:

I decided for the New Year I would reread my New Testament, The Message version. Yesterday I noticed for the first time, that in the linage of Jesus they always named the father but only named a few mothers. It was interesting that the only mothers mentioned other than Mary, were women of questionable reputation.

Tamar had to use deceit to get her rightful heir, Rahab was a lady of the night, Ruth an outcast who was so faithful to her mother-in-law that she obtained blessings, and Bathsheba was noted as Uriah's wife (since she was married to him, when King David called for her.) And little, pure Mary had rumors about her as she and Joseph were not married at the time she conceived our King. What sacrifices have been made for us to have salvation!
So, don't feel bad if your family line is somewhat a dysfunctional, motley crew. You are in good company.

Live Your Life's Story Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-02T08:17:00.000-05:00

Live Your Life's Story Daily Devotional CBN.com

Looking For God Daily Devotional | CBN.com

2011-01-01T08:34:00.000-05:00

Looking For God Daily Devotional CBN.com

About Corrie quotes, the New Year, and CBN devo

2010-12-31T08:00:00.001-05:00

I am so grateful to the Lord for getting us through this year. I pray a special blessing on my friends and family.
Remember as Corrie ten Boom said, "There is no pit so deep that He (Jesus) is not deeper still."
I'm posting a link to a Corrie quote site, but some of these are just too good not to post myself. I love that woman!

Read and enjoy!
"Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."
— Corrie ten Boom
"Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness....And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself." — Corrie ten Boom (The Hiding Place)

"Do you know what hurts so very much? It's love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill that love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel."
— Corrie ten Boom (The Hiding Place)
"This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see."
— Corrie ten Boom (The Hiding Place)
"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open." — Corrie ten Boom
"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest." — Corrie ten Boom
"Happiness isn't something that depends on our surroundings...It's something we make inside ourselves."
— Corrie ten Boom
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/102203.Corrie_ten_Boom
Also I am posting a daily devotional link. It is CBN writers, and I'm hoping one day to be included in their site.

One of my favorite devotion writers on their site is Kathy Thomas; you should check her out:)
http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/index.aspx?cpid=EU_SPL_2010_365

Linking to great devotionals

2010-12-30T07:25:00.000-05:00

I'll be posting these devotions on the main blog until I figure out how to put them on the side as a link. If any of my friends know how to do this and want to give me some pointers, I would appreciate it. Have a great day!http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/index.aspx

Daily Devotional Spiritual life in God | CBN.com

2010-12-29T12:26:00.000-05:00

Daily Devotional Spiritual life in God CBN.com

The Best Celebration of Christmas this Year

2010-12-26T17:14:00.001-05:00

My favorite part of the Holiday Season was helping to feed the needy at Hollyland Park with Jane and DOC. Makes me think of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN7Xl6uh9Ww
"Mercy in Me" by Todd Agnew; awesome! What great lyrics!

Christmas Gladness for the Dysfunctional Family

2010-12-26T08:59:00.001-05:00

I’m a little late posting my Christmas message but most people are too busy to get online and read on Christmas anyway:)
At our house, I have a saying, “We’re Not the Cleavers, But That Never Stopped us from Wishing We Were.” The Cleavers, the Walton’s, the Ingall’s, we would be happy to have any resemblance to those families. You might find us listed at “Dysfunctional R Us” or on Facebook with the tags: painful childhood, loss of loved ones, overcoming addictions and trauma, or we might remind you of the old Hee-Haw song, “Gloom despair and agony on me,” If it were’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at allJ. Did I make you smile yet? This is not my normal Christmas message! But for Jesus, the real reason of the Season and His Word that is ever living in my heart, soul and life we would go under! And perhaps your family would also, as you wonder what has happened to your "normal" life with the economy spiraling downward, sicknesses, and natural disasters abounding?

Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
The years in which we have seen evil.
Psalm 90:14-15 (New King James Version)
I love these verses in Psalm 90, I was so astounded that the Lord would actually take the days of pain and affliction that we have gone through and make us happy according to them.

Is it possible that He would give joy as He allowed sorrow? Isn't that the premise of Romans 8:28 when it is said that He will work all things to our good?
What encouraging words and what a wonderful prayer to pray this Christmas season. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. ASV

Oh that the Lord would fill us with love and joy as we seek Him in the morning. It truly would give us a song to sing and a story to tell to our families and friends. How many of us want to proclaim His greatness to our children and grandchildren? Most of us do and we can by reminding them of these precious words from the Psalms.

It is okay to ask the Lord to treat us well and give us success. In my life I have felt afflicted with abuses, hurt and losses but I can prevail by focusing on the good that will come eventually. If I had not endured these things I would not be the person I am today. I was on the road to being a spoiled brat as a young girl and then my world was rocked by pain and I learned to look outside of myself. I learned that others are more important than myself. I learned about self-sacrifice from a mother who worked so many hours a week at forty-five cents an hour for years just to feed her children as my sweet Mama did. I learned that my brothers and sister were overcomers in life as they just did what they could to enjoy what little we had. We all learned that we had a lot more than many others. We learned to share what we had and that it is not material things that count but strength, maturity and kindness that will prevail all the days the Lord gives us. We learned that Christmas doesn’t mean getting gifts but it is about family and friends remembering the birth of an awesome Saviour. One whose life was not perfect, either.
My Christmas message may be different than most people's, but I guess the slant He gives me fits some families. You know: the dysfunctional, but trying ones, the funny, but forgiven ones, and the once hopeless but now Hope-filled ones! To God be the Glory! Affliction to gladness; it's the way of the Cross and the way our own Saviour took. I believe it is the way to hope for this Christmas Season.

Merry Christmas from Donna and family 2010
Thornrose7@aol.com http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/

The Cup of the Lord

2010-12-19T07:43:00.001-05:00

It's funny how something you wrote several years ago rings true on the very date it is featured in a devotional book:)
Here is an old Christmas devotional for the day:

The Cup of the Lord
“Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?" John 18:11 NLT

With the Christmas holidays approaching many will be serving different brews. There are many new designer teas, hot cinnamon apple cider and more coffees around than Juan Ortiz ever dreamed of when Starbucks opened. My personal favorite is a hot steaming cup of Columbian coffee. With the theme of cups I think of my growing collection of them: my best friend forever brought one to me from Greece, I have a beautiful gold-trimmed teacup my sister-in-law gave me from her own collection, a cup from Cracker Barrel that my husband bought me and assorted collections of china cups. One favorite is a mug that my mother gave me when I gave birth to my second child (twenty-one years after my first child) that said, “I’m a new Mom!” At age thirty-six, I felt pretty old to be new but now that Mama is gone, I treasure it.
What is the cup the Lord has given you this year? Has the brew been warm and sweet as the coffee that is handed to children, filled with milk and sugar and only a hint of the brew inside? Was your year fragrant as peppermint tea? Was it spicy as the hot chili my Mama used to make? Was it bitter as a hot medicine that you knew you must choke down to relieve the symptoms of a sore throat?
I still remember the year we had one of the best Christmas’ ever; it was nearly picture perfect. I thank the Lord for that gift.
But lives are not always picture perfect and the reality of life is that only Jesus satisfies. The cup that He has allowed in my life this year is bittersweet. But I still believe that He can bring our lives full-circle to His will.

“Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" Job 2:10 NL
I choose to accept the cup that the Lord offers me as His gift in my life. It may not come in the gift-wrapping that I would choose or fit my picture perfect plans. But the brew He bestows will help me to grow to His image of a child of God. And His touch will stay on my life as I yield to His hand.
Donna Collins Tinsley

This was included in the compilation book:

A Cup of Comfort Book of Christmas Prayer: Prayers and Stories that Bring You Closer to God During the Holiday [Hardcover] Susan B. Townsend (Editor)

http://www.amazon.com/Cup-Comfort-Book-Christmas-Prayer/dp/1440500517/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292760503&sr=1-2

Remembering a Young Man's Life

2010-12-04T19:54:00.002-05:00

Today I attended a celebration of a wonderful young man's life, Bruce Robb the beloved son of Mark and Christina Robb.

There wasn't a dry eye in the packed church, with standing room only. He was killed by a hit and run driver this week. What a tragedy!
Yet what we saw was a testimony of the light and love that the Lord bestows in a life. Only 19-years-old it was said he was an old soul and loved the young and the elderly. Always smiling and shining a light and love on others. I know his parents are proud of him and the Lord only takes those young whose lives will bring so many others to the grace of God.
A Celebration of Life is what those who know Jesus as Saviour have when they leave this earth.
Please join me in remembering his family in prayer as even though they have assurance he is in Heaven, the grieving process is a very real thing and is a daily process.
I have admired this family and their work for the Kingdom from afar and send much love and blessings.

Lord, we don't understand this but yield the loan of our children to your great Father arms. We know that you work all things to good as your word says in Romans 8:28. We ask that you show us the good that comes from this pain.
And wrap your arms around the Robb family and those who love them, I pray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNXpMylnhcA&feature=related

Worship, Sick Boys and Cat Fights

2010-11-15T09:07:00.000-05:00

Before I could even bask in the awesomeness of the session of worship and praise at Immerse, last night the enemy was on the move at my house. Well, I call it the enemy, anyway. something to distract, change your plans or try to take your serenity away.
Isaiah threw up it seemed every 15 minutes for 5 hours took a 2 hour break and then again at 4:25. I slept on the couch so I could be near him. Well, it wasn't sleep. The cats hissed at each other all night near me. I thought they were going to jump on me fighting. One did jump right above my head and I knocked her off and then covered my head with the blanket. Isaiah threw up a little more a while ago. I think it is settling a bit now. Please join me in praying that there will be a swift healing. I've got a lot of comforters to wash although he did his best to use the bucket or make it to the bathroom. He is very sweet when he is sick, and kept saying, "I hope I'm not going to die." I'm hoping it was something he ate (although Ashley got sick also) and not the flu that Jordan had recently that was so bad.
I can't leave without saying how it "Does a mother good" to hear words of prayer and prophecy over her daughter, Shiloh, at the Immerse event. Pastor Ray ministered to the whole music team and it was so inspiring. The Spirit of the Lord was so sweet and I know that the Lord will continue to draw forth gifts of creativity in Shiloh as she has given her life to be used for Him. Influencer for sure and a calling to speak forth His words.
I join FWC in praying a blessing on the Music Ministry with Pastor John at the top of the list. It was a great night. There were many prayers of agreement and praise abounded.
Shiloh, I am so proud of the way you let your light shine through your ministry in music and as a Youth Worker.
Shine on!

Happy Veteran's Day!

2010-11-11T17:27:00.001-05:00

Yet even in saying that I know there are a lot of Veterans who may not be having a good day. They may feel forgotten, alone, in a financial bind or feeling physical pain.
After years of trying Bill has finally gotten some help through the Veteran's Administration . Yet, every time I go with him to a VA hospital, although we are amazed at the kindness of the workers, I find myself looking at the patients coming through the doors. To me, they look beat down and nearly hopeless. I pray a blessing on all these people because of all people in our country they deserve better.
Some things I don't understand is why when someone is in chronic pain and needs appointments and attention, they are told that the first available appointment won't be until next year? If you feel you can't wait until then you must just go and sit and wait hoping that you can be worked in. Bill, (my husband and favorite Veteran) will be doing that tomorrow and I pray for favor from the Lord and the VA that he will be seen.
I ask for your prayers, also. Not just for Bill but for all the Veterans in our great country.
Give a Veteran a hug. They deserve it!