"JUGGLER FOR JESUS"

By: Donna Selma Lind

Ladies and Gentlemen Welcome! Allow me to introduce myself . 

I am "Dazzling Donna" world renowned  Juggler! 

What, you didn't know I was a Juggler? Well it's true, I have been juggling my whole life. Perhaps you've seen me perform at one of my many shows. 

I Juggle at being a Wife, Daughter, Sister, Stepmom, Grandma, Aunt, Cousin and Friend.

I am a Writer, Counselor, Life Coach, Minister, Bible Teacher, and Prayer Warrior.

I  am a Cook, Farm Hand, Housekeeper, Gardener, Painter, and Bookkeeper.

Most importantly is that I am a treasured child of the Most High God!

Yes I admit, like many others I have way too many things I am trying to Juggle at the same time!

Does anybody out there ever feel the same way?  

Recently we were watching the  TV show "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT" it  featured several Jugglers. It was fascinating and dizzying at the same time to watch the performers continuously tossing and catching several different objects up in the air all at the same time. After I watched for awhile I figured out that eventually they had to let go of  one of the objects before they could pick up another. 

When they tried to juggle too many objects at the same time they eventually got distracted, lost their focus and something came crashing down.

Aren't we just the same? Trying to multitask and juggle a million things at once? 

Hold on, I am preaching to myself now! Can I get a witness? Amen.

 We can only go for so long trying to keep all these things up in the air before they or us come to a crashing halt!

Can we be all or will we drop the ball?

The scripture says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."Philippians 4:13 

But I don't see it saying I can do all things at once and all at the same time. I think that's where I miss the mark. 

When I am working on too many things at once, I am dividing my time and dividing myself up. That means I am not giving a hundred percent to anything or anyone. Which means I am not giving my best. I had to learn this the hard way in life, usually I wear myself out by doing too much and then I do not enjoy what I am doing and I am not sure anyone else does either.  

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I have been given much so I know that much is required. Luke 12:36 

But I also know I have to pace myself and ask the Lord what He wants of me. It is too easy to say yes to others and miss what God has asked me to do.  

My focus needs to be on the Lord and then I won't wear myself out.

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30 

I am learning to focus on one thing at a time. "Martha, Martha, Donna, Donna," the Lord answered,  you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

One thing!  Not two, not five, not ten. One thing! That one thing is Jesus! 

Which means I have to let go of something so I can hold on to Jesus! Then when He calls me to do something if I can keep Him in the center and keep my eyes focused on Him and not pick up things He didn't ask me to, then I will be a Juggler for Jesus in a good way!

What do I mean by being a "Juggler for Jesus?" I mean: KEEP IT UP FOR JESUS!

LOOK NIGH! STAY THE COURSE! HOLD FAST! KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE! OCCUPY! 

"Occupy till I come." Luke 19:13

In other words the LORD  has given us each  gifts and talents to use for His Glory until He returns.

He has entrusted us to "do business" not "do busyness" until He comes again.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Are you Juggling too many things? Here are a couple of thoughts to help you know what to let go of.

1) Is what I am doing giving Glory to God or is it keeping me away from God?

2) Is what I am doing keeping me from my family and loved ones or are we growing closer to each other and God because of what I am doing?

3) Is what I am doing going to make an eternal difference or is it a temporary time filler and distraction from the enemy?

4 ) Why am I doing this? Are my motives so that I look good or so that Jesus looks good? 

5) What are my priorities? Am I out of balance? Am I too busy for God unless I am in a crisis? 

B.U.S.Y

Being * Under*  Satans *Yoke

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN'T JUGGLE IT ALL ANYMORE, 

GIVE IT ALL TO JESUS!

"THOSE WHO LEAVE EVERYTHING IN GOD'S HAND WILL EVENTUALLY SEE GOD'S HAND IN EVERYTHING." 

Source unknown.

HALLELUJAH! 

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA  SELMA LIND

"WAITING ON GOD"

By: Donna Selma Lind

                  Dear God, I'm waiting. Where are you?

There have been times in my life when I feel like I am in God's waiting room. Do you know the place? Have you ever been there? It's that in between place. That place that is neither here nor there. It's a place of pause and delay. A time between two acts. A holding pattern.

PLEASE STANDBY!

God's waiting room, the place where I sit and wait...and wait...and wait.

 What are you waiting for?  
Directions. 
Directions for where? 
I don't know. That's why I'm waiting!

There are nearly three hundred references in the Bible in regards to waiting. 
The Heroes of the Faith chapter in Hebrews 11 contains an All Star line up of folks who waited on God for something. Noah, Moses, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, David and many more spent a "time out" in God's waiting room.

We are not the only ones that have endured a period of waiting. A test of  time requires an unwavering faith in a God whose ways are not our ways. 

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." Isaiah 55:8

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans to prosper you and not to harm you,to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

What does your waiting room look like?

Are you waiting for test results from the doctor?
Are you waiting for a new job or promotion?
Are you waiting for someone to love or someone to love you?
Are you waiting to know if you should stay or go?
Are you waiting for a financial miracle?
Are you waiting for your marriage to be restored?
Are you waiting for an addiction to be broken ?
Are you waiting for a divorce to be final?
Are you waiting for a prodigal child to return home?

What are you waiting for? Whatever it is God has not forgotten you! He loves you and if He is allowing you to wait it is for a reason! Trust Him!


 The Bible has given us some very clear answers and promises to ponder while we are waiting.

SEEK HIM:
"The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." Lamentations 3:25

BE STILL:
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him."Psalm 37:7

BE STRONG:
"Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" 
Psalm 27:14

HOLD FAST:
"Hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God." Hosea 12:6

PRAISE HIM:
"I will praise you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name for it is good in the presence of the godly." Psalm 52:9

I love the lyrics to John Waller's song from the FIREPROOF Movie:

Click on this video below, turn up the volume and ENJOY!

"But they who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

WORSHIP WHILE YOUR'E WAITING!

HALLELUJAH!   PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA SELMA LIND

"JESUS LOVES ME"

By: Donna Selma Lind

My husband and I went for our weekly visit to the Nursing Home to see  Daddy . We arrived just in time for the Morning Devotions and Sing-a-Long. There was about a dozen or so residents gathered together in the sitting room. All eyes were on the Activities Director as she read the daily Bible verse, told a few stories and sang a couple of old songs.

I felt a bit discouraged as Daddy just sat motionless in his wheelchair.  

The Parkinson's disease has robbed him of  his voice and ability to communicate. Most of the time now he is unable to speak.  Every once in a while he tries to whisper something and I will lean in and put my ear next to His lips in order to hear him.

Today he sat quietly listening to the Director sing . There was only a couple of the folks joining in while the rest of the group sat still, frozen and unresponsive. 

I gazed around the room surveying  each person who was there wondering what their lives were like before they came to live out their last days here in this home. I know that one lady was a School Teacher, there is a friendly gentleman who was a Salesman, Daddy was an Iron worker and his roommate was a Pastor.

Each one had God given gifts,talents and a purpose for their lives. They have families, spouses, children and grandchildren. Some are war heroes and some are everyday heroes. All from different backgrounds and walks of life yet somehow now they have become a family to each other in this final season of their lives. 

The Leader continued her schedule of songs and most of the people remained still and detatched. She turned the page of the songbook and sang out six words that changed the atmosphere. 

"JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW."  

Suddenly, as if someone flipped a switch, the residents sat up in their chairs and came to life! They all chimed in "FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO." 

"YES , JESUS LOVES ME, YES, JESUS LOVES ME."

 I felt like I was watching a scene from the movie "COCOON"and they had all just been  bathed in the "Fountain of Youth." 

"But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of  water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

  Every person there was alive and vibrantly restored as they sang the words "JESUS LOVES ME." 

Somewhere buried in the depths of their hearts and souls they had tucked away this song, these words and the promises of God. 

"Thy word I have hid in my heart."Psalm 119:11

Instantaneously they were transported back to their childhood and the happy memories they each recalled. Remembering not only the lyrics and melody but the sweet and blessed assurance of  their Savior. 

Now everyone in the room had a smile on their face. They were singing and clapping and dancing !  Just knowing that Jesus Loves them ignited within their hearts the reason for their hope!

Looking over at my Daddy, I reached out to hold his crippled hand, and for those few sacred moments in time his posture seemed to straighten up , he smiled and with tears in his eyes he whispered the words:

 "JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW . FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.  

LITTLE ONES TO HIM BELONG, THEY ARE WEAK BUT HE IS STRONG. YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES,  JESUS LOVES ME. THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO."

When Jesus is invited into a room  He brings Love! He brings Joy! He brings life!

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17

HALLELUJAH! 

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA SELMA LIND