"HOLIDAY HUMPS AND HURDLES"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"HOLIDAY HUMPS AND HURDLES"

It's that time of the year when we are dashing to and fro, running willy nilly from pillar to post trying to find the perfect gifts for friends and family. 

Ahh, the family. For those of you who have the perfect family like "THE WALTON'S", this post is not for you.You have my permission to stop reading and go back to your Candy Cane Cocoa and Christmas cookies.

 For the rest of us, we are preparing for "Humps and Hurdles."

You know what I'm talking about. 

The awkward family conversations where you can't really talk about anything  because someone gets upset and offended. The problems, pain and past hurts we carry around like humps on a camels back. The hurdles we have to jump over in order to avoid arguments and keep the peace so war doesn't break out at the dinner table.

Real families have real issues. You might not want to admit it ,but it's true. If there is a perfect family out there I haven't met them. Every family has something. That family problem you are trying to hide or avoid is nothing new and you are not the only one who is dealing with it.

Family problems may include: jealousy, strife, quarrels, sibling rivalry, addiction, divorce, blended families,financial burdens, adultery, lying , cheating , stealing, greed, pride, pornography, unforgiveness, abuse, anger, depression, eating disorders, unconfessed sin,chronic illness, rejection.

With all the different personality and temperament types plus all the different ideals and opinions it can get a little sticky and uncomfortable. People get anxious, hurt feelings, upset, emotional and can lose tempers. We say things we don't mean and we mean things we don't say.

 The Hot Cross Buns at the dinner table can quickly become The Hot Tossed Buns! 

How many have ever witnessed or been part of a food, word tossing or worse at a Holiday celebration?

Things can get ugly and ugly grows. Ugly drives a wedge between people and families. Ugly becomes Humps and Hurdles that separate families. One word, one action that separates us from the ones we love for weeks, months , years or a lifetime.

Time we can never get back. Time the devil steals from us. Loved ones the devil steals from us. Joy the devil steals from us.

I know there are families out there that will not see their loved ones this Christmas because they got upset about something and stopped talking. They got offended and refuse to forgive. They are stubborn or prideful and won't let go. 

I know because I've been there, on both the giving and receiving side.

What a waste of time and life.

Please stop, get over the Humps and Hurdles and JUST LOVE THEM!

 Love them for who they are. Forgive them for what they've done.  Ask them to forgive you.

Even if you don't think you are wrong. Even if they hurt you, JUST LOVE THEM!

This doesn't mean you are condoning or agreeing with them it means you are refusing to live in bondage and pain any longer.  It means you choose to walk in Love and Liberty. It means you are taking back what the enemy has stolen, your loved ones, your joy, your peace.

Pick up the phone and call them.

Send them a text or E-mail.

Write them a letter.

Take the high road. Before it's too late. This may be your last chance.

Grandparents, parents, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, grandkids, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-family, in-laws and out-laws, co-workers, friends or foe.

JUST LOVE THEM!

God will take care of the rest. 

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32

"Make allowances for each others faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

1 Corinthians 13:7

PLEASE STOP! GET OVER HOLIDAY HUMPS AND HURDLES.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE ! JUST LOVE THEM!

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord and Share the Good News!

Donna Selma Lind

 

''THE FIRST CHRISTMAS"

By: Donna Selma Lind

When you hear the words "THE FIRST CHRISTMAS" what do you think of?  Of course we think of  the day our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born. The day when Mary and Joseph wished they had booked a room in advance with the TRAVELOCITY GNOME! 

After traveling for days through the desert on the back of a donkey, teenager Mary who was nine months pregnant and her carpenter husband Joseph got bumped into the only room available, a Stable full of  stinky animals. The FIRST CHRISTMAS took place in a Barn with a feeding trough manger substituting as a crib for Baby Jesus.

Mary wrapped her newborn baby in swaddling cloths and laid him in that manger. 

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14

And every year since that FIRST CHRISTMAS we celebrate in honor of Jesus Christ, born in a humble stable in Bethlehem. Light of the world who came to take away our sins. 

We celebrate the Savior who came to save us and give us his indescribable gift of eternal life. And because of, his love, mercy and grace, he took our place, shed his blood and Gave His life for us.  

THANK YOU JESUS ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! WE LOVE YOU!

Now I would like to talk to you about a different kind of FIRST CHRISTMAS. 

For many of us this will be The FIRST CHRISTMAS. 

The FIRST CHRISTMAS of one kind or another.

You may be facing a difficult and challenging or a wonderful FIRST CHRISTMAS!

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS:

Since your loved one Died.

Since you got Married.

Since you got Divorced.

Since you lost your Job.

Since you had a bad health  Diagnosis.

Since you had a good health Report.

Since you Moved to a new place.

Since you had a Baby.

Since you lost a Baby.

Since you Retired.

Since you or a loved one are home from the Military or War.

(THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!)

Since you were Hurt, Cheated on or Betrayed.

Since you or they are an Addict.

Since you've been Clean & Sober.

Since you are an Empty Nester.

Since you were Abused.

Since your Parents or Spouse had to go in a Nursing Home.

Since the Tragedy .

Since you Graduated.

 Since the Accident.

Since you lost your pet.

Since the Financial loss.

Since your loved one is in Prison.

Since you began following Christ.

Since _____________________________________________________

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS when your life seems to be missing something or someone. 

Whether you are starting over brand new or ending something old. 

You will get through this! You are going to make it! You are going to be okay! You are not alone! The Lord is right by your side. Emmanuel, God is with you! 

Whatever your FIRST CHRISTMAS is I pray you will be Blessed and that you will count your Blessings! 

I pray that you will experience the Love and Peace of God like never before! 

I pray that you will take time to Give of yourself the way that God has given to you. 

No matter what this FIRST CHRISTMAS looks like for you, you can follow the example of our Heavenly Father.

"For God so loved the world that he GAVE his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

GIVE. 

GIVE YOUR HEART TO JESUS!

AND THEN SHARE YOUR HEART AND THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS!

HALLELUJAH!  PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Donna Selma Lind 

🙋

Please share your thoughts with me in the "comments"section  by clicking below on the 

"HALLELUJAH HERALD"link, this will take you to the Full website page where you will have access to all my posts as well as the ability to comment on whatever "The FIRST CHRISTMAS" means for you.

Maybe you can help bless someone else by sharing your "FIRST CHRISTMAS." 👇 

"GIVE ME A BREAK!"

By: Donna Selma Lind

GIVE ME A BREAK! No, really. GIVE ME A BREAK! Sometimes I just need a break!
Do you know what I am talking about? It's like I go, go, go and give, give, give till I'm on empty and I have nothing left. I'm spent, shot,wiped, overdrawn, burned out, tapped,bushed, wasted, tuckered, drained, done in and worn out! Are you getting the picture? GIVE ME A BREAK!

I admit I have a history of pushing myself past the E for empty on my physical gas tank.
 I know I should stop and rest, BUT... and that's my problem, I HAVE A BIG BUT! ( for all of you who are pointing and laughing right now I only used one "t"in But! :)
Yes, my BIG BUT always gets in the way! I'm going to stop cleaning and rest, BUT first I'm going to finish organizing this closet. I'm going to stop working in the garden, BUT before I quit I am going to weed one more row. I am going to take time to exercise today, BUT I have to vacuum and make some phone calls first. My BIG BUT is always getting in the way of my taking time to rest and relax, so I go until I hit the wall and then it takes me a lot longer time to re-coup! Is there anybody else out there that has a BIG BUT that gets in the way of taking a break and enjoying a little R & R?

For me it started when I was a kid, always an overachieving working bee. Never wanting to appear lazy. I enjoyed working hard for what I had and nobody ever gave me anything that I didn't earn or work for.That is all fine and dandy but if not balanced out with rest and fun, it is only a matter of time before we, I crash and burn.

Even Jesus took breaks. Jesus stopped and rested. Jesus got away from the crowds. Jesus took walks along the shores of Galilee and retreated to the garden, he went fishing, he took a nap in a boat.
I imagine there were times when even Jesus thought to himself; GIVE ME A BREAK! 
(paraphrasing of course)

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

Genesis 2:2 "On the seventh day, he rested from all his work."

Mark 6:31 " Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Psalm 23 "He refreshes my soul."

Psalm 62:1 "Truly my soul finds rest in God."

No BUT'S about it! The Lord offers us rest and restoration throughout His Word.
So before our BUT'S get any bigger let's stop and take a break!

STEP AWAY FROM THE WORK! 
STEP AWAY FROM THE STRIVING! 
STEP AWAY FROM THE BUSYNESS! 

Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

SLOW ME DOWN LORD 
by: Wilifred A. Peterson

Slow me down Lord!
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills....

Teach me the art of taking minute vacations- of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from the good book....

Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.

                                                        GIVE ME A BREAK!

HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Donna Selma Lind 

If these words have touched your heart please leave me a comment below . I would love for you to  share your thoughts with me. Thanks and Blessings! 💓

 

" DON'T GET YOUR UNDIES IN A BUNCH! "

By: Donna Selma Lind

DON'T GET YOUR UNDIES IN A BUNCH!

Can we talk? Can we talk about Anger Issues?

Do you ever have a problem with controlling your temper?

Have you ever been so irritated by someone that you felt like smacking them silly? Oh, don't get all "Holly Holy"on me now because you know you have, even if you don't want to admit it.

"For we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God."Romans 3:23

For most of my life I had a problem with Anger. I didn't know how to express or vent my anger because I was conditioned as a child to keep my emotions in. This continued throughout my first marriage which was very unhealthy for me because I was in an abusive marriage.

I stuffed my anger for over forty years and when I finally was free to express my anger it was explosive and caustic because I wasn't trained on how to control it. Once I let that anger loose I walked around with my undies in a bunch until I wasn't the only one irritated and uncomfortable!

"Anger is a universal, basic,normal unavoidable reaction of displeasure. It usually involves a significant portion of misunderstanding and has it's roots in our own unmet expectations." 

Paul Hegstrom

"Anger is a secondary emotion. It is a warning sign and an alarm to a primary emotion such as Fear, Hurt or Frustration."  

Gary Oliver

WHY ARE YOU ANGRY? {Fear-Hurt or Frustration?}

A - ANGER

N - NOT CONTROLLED

G - GERMINATES

E - EMOTIONAL

R - REACTIONS OF RAGE

Get a grip on Anger before it gets a grip on you!

IDENTIFY YOUR ANGER PERSONALITY

 When the heat is on in the kitchen are you a?

*CROCK POT- Stuff it all in savor and stew on it slow and steady.

*PRESSURE COOKER- Pressure builds up, then explodes!

*MICROWAVE- Heats up fast. Quick tempered. Always ready for a fight!

  RECIPE FOR ANGER :

*What are your parents Anger personalities?

*Were you allowed to express your emotions as a child? How?

*What made you angry as a child? What makes you angry now?

*Who pushes your buttons? Why?

*How do you express your anger now?

*Have you ever hurt someone because of your anger?      

Do you think now is a good time to apologize?

 NO MATTER HOW UPSET OR ANGRY WE ARE GOD GIVES US ANSWERS AND HELP ON HOW TO CONTROL AND OVERCOME ANGER.

"Be quick to listen,slow to speak and slow to become angry, for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." Ephesians 4:26

"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11

LET'S GET COOKING WITH NEW INGREDIENTS

1) TIME OUT- Take a break. Walk away. Cool Off.

2) TALK TO GOD- Pray. Quiet down. Breathe.Bless and Forgive.

3) TEMPER TRIGGERS- ID the cause: Hurt, Frustration, Fear?

4) TAME IT- Self control. Journal.Walk. Exercise. Yard work. House work. Call a friend.

5) TURN IT AROUND- What's my part? Share responsibility.

6) TRY AGAIN- Come back: Listen. Don't Blame. Open heart.Soft voice. Focus on a solution, not the problem.

 RECIPE SWAP : 

REPLACE ANGER WITH THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT! 

"Love, joy, peace,patience, kindness,goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and SELF CONTROL."Galatians 5:22

"Anger is one letter short of danger." Eleanor Roosevelt

 Get a grip on your anger issues, before they get a grip on you and you hurt the ones you love!

SHARE THIS BLOG WITH SOMEONE YOU LOVE OR SOMEONE YOU DON'T LOVE OR SOMEONE WHO HAS MADE YOU ANGRY! ;-)

KEEP CALM AND DON'T GET YOUR UNDIES IN A BUNCH!

HALLELUJAH! 

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Donna Selma Lind

" FAITHING THE GIANTS "

By: Donna Selma Lind

"FAITHING THE GIANTS"

I live with Giants. Or should I say Giants live with me. Yes, every day I am facing some Giant issue or colossal problem that seems like an impossibility to overcome. Most of the Giants live in my head (the battlefield.) Many Giants never make it out of my head they just re-surface from time to time whenever I am confronted with people or situations that seem impossible, that is when the Giants rear their ugly heads and the battle begins. Anxious thoughts, insecurities and fears play over and over like a video in my mind reminding me of failures and battles that I have lost in the past. The Giants always seem bigger when they are in our minds because that is where the battles begin.

Some days I feel like a Grasshopper living in a land of Giants! {LOSER MENTALITY}

In Numbers 13, The LORD instructed Moses, "Send spies into the land I am giving to Israel; send one leader from each of the twelve tribes." The following is the report from ten of the twelve leaders:

 "There we saw the Giants; and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." Numbers 13:33

 Notice "we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."

THE ENEMY SEES US AS WE SEE OURSELVES! 

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF? WINNER OR LOSER? VICTORIOUS OR DEFEATED?

I must remember who I am in Christ and who Christ is in me!

If Jesus lives in my heart then; "Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world" 1John4:4

No matter how big the Giant seems, God is bigger! I said; "GOD IS BIGGER!"

"What seems impossible to man is possible with God." Luke 18:27

On days when I feel like I'm a grasshopper in a land of giants, I will tell the giants to Shut-up and I will ''SUIT UP." I will put on my big girl boots and my Armor Battle gear. 

"Put on the whole armor of God." Ephesians 6:10

I will not shrink back or run away, but I will stand tall when I am "FAITHING THE GIANTS!" 

FAITHING- My faith in action. If I want something different , I have to BELIEVE and  DO something different! It's a FAITH THING!

"Faith that does nothing is dead."James 2:26

Now let's hear what the other two spies Caleb and Joshua had to say when they returned from exploring the same land.  

But Caleb reassured the people as they stood before Moses. Numbers 13:30"Let us go up at once and possess it," he said "for we are well able to conquer it!"  {WINNER MENTALITY}

Gotta love that Caleb! Keep in mind he is in his eighties and perkier than a rutting Buck!

Caleb has no problem "FAITHING THE GIANTS"  he has no fear because he knows the LORD is with them. He is suited up and ready to go!

"Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." Numbers 14:9

"We will devour them." In other words,we will eat the enemy for lunch! 

Joshua and Caleb saw the enemy different than the other spies. In their eyes the enemy was a Loser- a tiny grasshopper that they saw crushed and defeated. Joshua and Caleb saw themselves as Winners with God. They were Giants in their Faith! 

Remember what I said earlier? "THE ENEMY SEES US AS WE SEE OURSELVES!"

So when you have a grasshopper day like I do, whether you are "FAITHING THE GIANTS" in your head or they are standing right in front of you, don't run from the giants! 

Don't be afraid, don't be dismayed!

 If you are Fed up then Get up. Suit up.Gear up.Cheer up. Rise up. Pray up. LOOK UP! 

Tell the enemy to Wake up, Shut-up, Listen up because his Time is up! AMEN. 

Whew! Glory to God that's good stuff! Somebody write that down!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

"For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." Deuteronomy 20:4

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ."

 1 Corinthians 15:57

WHO AND WHAT ARE THE GIANTS IN YOUR LIFE TODAY? 

 ARE YOU FACING THE GIANTS OR ARE YOU FAITHING THE GIANTS? 

WRITE DOWN YOUR GIANTS.

 SPEAK THE TRUTH THE WORD OF GOD TO THE GIANTS.

 NOW GIVE THE GIANTS TO GOD.

THE GIANTS ARE ONLY AS BIG AS WE MAKE THEM!

GOD IS ALWAYS BIGGER! AMEN.

  HALLELUJAH!

 PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

        DONNA SELMA LIND

NO "SPANX" IN HEAVEN

By: Donna Selma Lind

No "SPANX" in Heaven

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." Hebrews 4:13

Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden and had just finished noshing on the forbidden fruit from the tree of good and evil. 

Genesis 3:7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Okay, so here's Adam and Eve, they are like little sponges all soaked in sin. They think they're going to hide their trespasses from God Almighty himself!  I can hear Eve now;

 "Come on Adam, trust me, just put on these "SPANX" they are like wonder underwear they conceal and cover everything! Look they even come in a nice Fig Leaf Camo pattern, I got them at the "Paradise Mall" at a BOGO sale!"

Isn't that what we do, we think we can hide our sins from God?

Let's be real. We know we stuff and push, cram, jam and squeeze into our 

Shapeware Girdles so that we give the outward appearance of looking good, being smooth and having it all together, but the truth is all our junk is still in the trunk! 
All our ugly lumps, bumps and wrinkles are still there. 

There is no hiding from God. He knows all and sees all. HE IS GOD.  He has X-Ray vision. When we stand before him he sees clear right through our "SPANX!"

8)Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Can you imagine what the sound of the LORD'S footsteps must have sounded like? Wow!

9) But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

10) He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

The first thing that happens when we fall into sin is the spirit of fear comes upon us. Why? Because we feel exposed, ashamed and guilty. Shame, Shame you know your name.

Then we try to hide. 

11) And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"

12) The man said, "The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."

13) Then the LORD God said to the woman,"What is this you have done?"

The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

Blame. We usually try to blame someone or something else, not taking responsibility for our own choices and our own actions.

We will never get better if we don't get real, confess, repent, and ask God to forgive us and help us, change us.

Ask God to create in you a clean heart and a new fresh start!

Who out there is ready to trade their Fig Leaf  "SPANX"  for Righteousness , Truth and Freedom?

Romans 13:14 "Instead clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh."

Galatians 3:27 "And all who have been united with Christ in baptism, have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes."

Luke 12:25 

"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." 

There will come a time when we will all stand naked before God.  Give him all your secrets, and all the junk in your trunk. Be Transparent. Get Real. Stop hiding and trying to  cover it up. Be bold! 

            LET'S GET NAKED AND UNASHAMED BEFORE                                                THE LORD!              

      There are no "SPANX" in Heaven! 

  HALLELUJAH!  

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

                                                        DONNA SELMA LIND

"PIGS AND PEARLS"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"PIGS AND PEARLS"

Strolling through the park the other day my husband said "Hey look at the cute little puppy!"

 Across the field of grass was a young woman walking her pup. He had on a snug blue harness with a matching blue leash. From a distance we watched the puppy zipping back and forth across the park frolicking in the piles of leaves. 

As we walked closer I elbowed my husband, "That is not a puppy, that is a PIG!" 

"Noooo! No way is that a pig are you kidding me?" was his unbelieving response.

We darted through the grass stepping on crunchy leaves and acorns along the way until we were face to face with the cutest little tiny three pound pig!

Yes! There was a Pig in the Park! Or should I say a Pork in the Park? I'm not Bacon this stuff  up! 

 I don't want to Hog up your time and Boar you with details, but this little piggy was quite a Ham! 

It was love at first glance. My heart began to pitter-patter and pine for this little Swine!

But I digress... His name was Humphrey. He was a six week old Teacup pig and his owner was a darling college student who was a Nutrition major (which assured me that she had no plans to eat Humphrey in the near future)!

While Humphrey was the cutest little piggy that I ever did see, there have been other Pigs in my life that were not so cute!

Jesus said in Matthew 7:6 "Don't throw your pearls to pigs. Otherwise, they will trample them and tear you to pieces."

Have you ever given your time, energy and gifts to someone who didn't appreciate you? 

Did you ever give your heart and share yourself with a person who used and abused you?

Have you done and given everything you have to help someone until you are completely drained and spent, only to be attacked and stomped on from the very ones you gave it all to?

Well, now we know how Jesus felt and now we can understand when he warned us:

 "Don't throw your pearls (your time,energy and gifts) to pigs(scavengers,unappreciative,ungrateful people.) Otherwise, they will trample them (take advantage,walk all over you) and tear you to pieces (attack,mistreat,use and abuse) ."

If you have been a victim of "Pigs and Pearls" then it is time to pray for Discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to show you who the "Pigs" are in your life and stop sharing your "Pearls" with them.

Jesus continued his message in Matthew 10:14 " Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that place, shake the dust off your feet."

Time to clean out the Pig Pen!

"You don't need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of."

"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."
 Proverbs 12:26

"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs 13:20

"Do not be misled:Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33

Share your "Pearls" with those who celebrate, respect and receive the good that you have to give!

             HALLELUJAH! 

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

                                                          

   Donna Selma Lind

"DETOUR"

By: Donna Selma Lind

There we were traveling down the highway doing about 70 mph, the GPS warned us ahead of time to stay in the left lane. I repeated  the warning loudly to my husband "STAY IN THE LEFT LANE." Suddenly the GPS screen went goofy. It started to scramble up on the screen, the map and directions were blinking on and off and the arrows and road names were jumping up and down on the screen like an EKG readout after downing a pot of coffee! I repeated "STAY IN THE LEFT LANE."

The GPS changed her course and announced turn right at the next Exit.

"DON'T LISTEN TO HER" I instructed " STAY IN THE LEFT LANE!"

My husband snapped "The GPS said to turn right at the next Exit!"

"DON'T LISTEN TO HER, I HAVE THE MAP STAY IN THE LEFT LANE!"

Not being able to listen to two women shouting directions at the same time (me and the GPS) he chose the GPS and turned right at the next Exit!

A thunderous discussion ensued as we drove around lost for the next 20 minutes.

 (Have you ever had a thunderous discussion with your spouse when you were lost?)

 The GPS straightened out and we finally got back on track and on road we were supposed to be on. Traffic was backed up and we saw a bunch of flashing lights and emergency vehicles ahead of us. There had been a multiple vehicle accident. Tow trucks, Fire engines, Police cars, and Paramedics were racing to and from the scene. 

We looked at each other and realized if we had stayed in the left lane like the GPS and map originally directed us, we would have likely been in the middle of that accident! 

But for the saving Grace of God go us.We immediately began praying for all of  the people involved in the accident.

We have no explanation as to why that GPS suddenly went crazy and took us off our charted course. Nor can we explain why we could not find another exit to turn around and get back onto the highway, or why we had to drive around lost for 20 minutes, except for the hand of God and  his hedge of protection!

"For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go." Psalm 91:11

How many times has God protected us from danger? How many times has he given us another chance? 

How many times has he provided a way out?

Life is a journey. We travel down the road and many times we are not reading his Guidepost's along the way. We don't listen to his voice when he is warning us that we are going the wrong way. We end up lost on roads that are dead ends and we feel like we have no way out.

Sometimes it's a relationship, a job, a place,a thing. Either we end up on the path because we chose it ourselves, or we hitched a ride on someone else's wagon.

 The only road I want to be on is the road that leads me to the Lord! 

"Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow." Psalm 25:4

I have spent too much of my life going down the wrong roads. Wasted too many years choosing my own path or following someone else's. I want to live out the rest of my life on the road less traveled walking hand and hand with my savior. 

If he says "Go" I will go. If he says "Stay" I will stay. Wherever he goes I  will follow. 

There are going to be bumps and Detours on the Journey, some are Divine Detours that God places in our path in order to protect us or teach us something along the way. Some bumps and Detours God places in order  to slow us down when he is trying to talk to us and get our attention.

Just like when God re-routed our path so he could protect us from the accident ahead. Thanks be to God!

Let's all make sure to tune into the Holy Spirit's GPS for: Guidance. Protection. & Strength.!

You are not alone on this journey.God is with you. Even if you are lost, He is with you. If you took the wrong road, he is with you. It is not the road behind you but the road ahead of you that counts! 

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord and share the Good News!

Donna Selma Lind

*Click below and enjoy the Journey with Third Day MOUNTAIN OF GOD*

"CONQUERORS OF CLUTTER"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

It's that time of the year. The time when I get into my Fall nesting mood. You know the mood, when we swap out the summer clothes for warm knitted sweaters, scarves and boots. And summer beachy home decor for comfy quilts, toasty fires and  pumpkin spice coffee, candles and everything else pumpkin!

It is also the time of year when I like to become a "CONQUEROR OF CLUTTER!" 
Spring and Fall at my house are the two seasons that I like to do a thorough cleaning of  everything in our home. I get what I call "The urge to purge." This involves de-Cluttering every room in our house from top to bottom.
I do an inventory of all my stuff and then I make three piles: KEEP. SELL. GIVE AWAY.
No Rocket Science here, just basic CLUTTER CONQUERING 101.

I have discovered that :THE MORE STUFF WE HAVE, THE MORE THE STUFF HAS US!

Stuff leads to clutter, clutter leads to confusion, confusion leads to stress and anxiety, which leads to unrest and no peace!
When we have too much stuff  it not only clutters our home, it also clutters our mind.
It costs us more time because when everything is a confusing mess we can't find anything. When we can't find our stuff it also costs us more money because we go out and buy things that we already have but can't find at home in all our clutter!
Clutter and disorganization steals our time, money, peace and joy!

All that stuff is a heavy weight that keeps us in bondage. 
TIME TO CONQUER THE CLUTTER! 

"We must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that distracts us."
Hebrews 12:1

A big thing that keeps us chained to the STUFF are all the sentimental memories that are attached to our things. I get it. I can look at a dish or a chair and a flood of memories hit me of a family holiday or a special person who something reminds me of and suddenly I have a tight grip and I am not ready to let go of that object.
But I learned a little trick years ago that helped me to let go of some things. Since just  looking at the things transported me back to the memories, I found if I took a photo of the object it had the same effect! I was able to let go of alot of STUFF but keep the memories alive by looking at the photos! The memories are in my heart not in the stuff!
It doesn't mean I have gotten rid of everything but I have been able to get rid of a ton of stuff that was weighing me down.
I know it can be overwhelming for so many of you out there that are living under a mountain of clutter. You know who you are. In fact right now you are looking around your home cringing at the thought of where to even begin to start the process.
Well take a deep breath, understand it is a process and it takes time, but YOU CAN DO IT! Repeat after me: "I CAN DO IT! I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR IN CHRIST JESUS."

Do you want to live clutter free?

Here are a few ideas that work for me.

I RESIST BUYING AND BRINGING STUFF HOME! (Window shopping is still free! )

Use it or lose it! Have I worn or used this in the last year? 

Do I love this ? Does this give me pleasure? 

Am I holding on to this out of guilt or obligation? (This applies to relationships too!)

Whatever is tucked away in a box , closet or in storage and I haven't seen it, used it or worn it in a year, it is time to get rid of it!  

Can I Bless someone else with this?

I Organize and Label everything! 

I keep things in the same spot so we can easily find them. (Keys, phone, purse, backpacks, etc)

Communication Boards. ( Family Calendar/Schedule. Each family member has a dry eraser board for reminders and chores.  

I heart Baskets, Bins and Bags! ( I like a place for everything and everything in it's place! ) 

If something is keeping me from my time with God then I need to limit it or get rid of it! 

If  I had to choose and limit the things in my home that bring me joy and I use on a regular basis what would they be?
 (My Bible, Husband, Laptop, Label Maker, Fuzzy Socks, Books & Animals.)


There are a ton of organizing ideas on Pinterest that you can get ideas from. 

Pick something you can stick to and get started- one file, one pile, one mile at a time!
I hope this inspires you to get going. Just think of the freedom you will have to do things that you love instead of being tied down to taking care of things!

"Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

 YOU CAN DO IT!  YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR OF CLUTTER!

Write to me in the COMMENTS box and share your ideas and Victories with me.
 I would love to hear from you!

HALLELUJAH! 

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA SELMA LIND