We may look at other people and think they never have to go through anything difficult, but we all go through different things. Some people have gone through devastating things that nobody knows anything about. Some people have learned the art of suffering silently. They know only God can help them, so they don't bother telling everyone they meet what they are going through.
It is not wrong to share our troubles with a friend or counselor, but the point is that we cannot assume others are not having challenges in life just because they don't look depressed or don't talk about their problems. We ALL get hurt at times, and we all have the same opportunity either to let it make us bitter or to let it make us better.
A word of encouragement can go a long way in strengthening hearts. Whether that word comes from a friend, a spouse, a stranger, or straight from God's own Word, encouragement has power. It lets us know we're not alone. We have a support group cheering us on as we go through life. God is our biggest fan. He wants you to succeed, and His help is just a prayer away.
Keep smiling (for God),
Dalinda
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Launch Out
The only way we can ever reach our final destination and succeed at being our true selves is to take many, many steps of faith. Stepping out into the unknown, into something we have never done before, can leave us shaking in our boots. Because of feelings of fear, many people never "step out," therefore they never "find out" what they are capable of.
I believe failing is part of every success. A person who refuses to give up will always succeed, eventually. Their real strength is not their talent as much as it is their tenacity.
Remember: failure is simply a detour on the road to success.
Do what you can do and God will do what you can not do.
I can assure you that taking the steps of faith you need to in order to enjoy a life of freedom is definitely not as difficult as staying in bondage for the rest of your life. We need to remember that God is our partner and realize that He has a part and we have a part. When we do our part, praying and stretching our spiritual muscles in faith, each time we confront fear, it becomes smaller and smaller.
Don't be afraid of making mistakes. You will never succeed without making mistakes and possibly many of them. Making mistakes is something we do as human beings, but we are still God's children, and He has a good plan for our lives.
Your pain can become someone else's gain. Your mess can become your ministry if you will have a positive attitude and decide to let everything you go through prepare you for what is ahead.
If you are feeling unqualified for something you believe God is calling you to do, don't let that stop you. He will be your trainer. Heaven knows, when God put it on my heart to start an encouragement blog I wasn't very confident that I could pull it off. But I did not have to be prepared to do the job by myself, I just prepared myself to do the best I could do and God does the rest.
Wonder what this world would be like if we all let our guard down and step out in faith?
Step out and find out!
Luke 5:4 says, "When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
Blessings,
Dalinda
I believe failing is part of every success. A person who refuses to give up will always succeed, eventually. Their real strength is not their talent as much as it is their tenacity.
Remember: failure is simply a detour on the road to success.
Do what you can do and God will do what you can not do.
I can assure you that taking the steps of faith you need to in order to enjoy a life of freedom is definitely not as difficult as staying in bondage for the rest of your life. We need to remember that God is our partner and realize that He has a part and we have a part. When we do our part, praying and stretching our spiritual muscles in faith, each time we confront fear, it becomes smaller and smaller.
Don't be afraid of making mistakes. You will never succeed without making mistakes and possibly many of them. Making mistakes is something we do as human beings, but we are still God's children, and He has a good plan for our lives.
Your pain can become someone else's gain. Your mess can become your ministry if you will have a positive attitude and decide to let everything you go through prepare you for what is ahead.
If you are feeling unqualified for something you believe God is calling you to do, don't let that stop you. He will be your trainer. Heaven knows, when God put it on my heart to start an encouragement blog I wasn't very confident that I could pull it off. But I did not have to be prepared to do the job by myself, I just prepared myself to do the best I could do and God does the rest.
Wonder what this world would be like if we all let our guard down and step out in faith?
Step out and find out!
Luke 5:4 says, "When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
Blessings,
Dalinda
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Consider The Opportunity Life Gives
Consider the opportunities live gives: a chance to be, become, do, achieve, give, receive, serve, laugh, and love.
If you are stressed out all the time, something will have to change in order for the stress to be relieved. It will not just go away as long as you keep doing the same thing. If you want different results, you have to change the ingredients.
Most of us are afraid of change. We want the safety of sameness. It is amazing to me how some people spend their lives resisting change while others thrive on it. Change keeps life fresh and adventurous. And most importantly, we grow through change...we become fully alive.
Life is like a flower. It needs both rain and sunshine as its buds open and blossom with time.
We have to treat every single day as if it's opening night. Being a follower of Christ isn't easy. It carries much responsibility and my prize at the end isn't a trophy awarded by the people. It isn't seeing my name on the marquee. It isn't even rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. No, the prize is far greater than anything I can hold in my hands or see with my eyes. Serving God brings a prize with eternal value and significance. It brings a prize that shines brighter than the lights of Hollywood. It is a prize that goes beyond myself and changes the lives of those I come in contact with.
How sweet it is to seize life's moments while waiting for life's milestones.
Life's a gift from God, so unwrap yours and enjoy!
In Him,
Dalinda
If you are stressed out all the time, something will have to change in order for the stress to be relieved. It will not just go away as long as you keep doing the same thing. If you want different results, you have to change the ingredients.
Most of us are afraid of change. We want the safety of sameness. It is amazing to me how some people spend their lives resisting change while others thrive on it. Change keeps life fresh and adventurous. And most importantly, we grow through change...we become fully alive.
Life is like a flower. It needs both rain and sunshine as its buds open and blossom with time.
We have to treat every single day as if it's opening night. Being a follower of Christ isn't easy. It carries much responsibility and my prize at the end isn't a trophy awarded by the people. It isn't seeing my name on the marquee. It isn't even rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. No, the prize is far greater than anything I can hold in my hands or see with my eyes. Serving God brings a prize with eternal value and significance. It brings a prize that shines brighter than the lights of Hollywood. It is a prize that goes beyond myself and changes the lives of those I come in contact with.
How sweet it is to seize life's moments while waiting for life's milestones.
Life's a gift from God, so unwrap yours and enjoy!
In Him,
Dalinda
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
It's Not About Rules
God does not say He is looking for someone with perfect performance, but rather someone with a perfect heart--a heart that desires to please Him, a heart that is grieved over sin and evil, a heart that believes in Him and His willingness and ability to forgive and restore. God knows we cannot manifest perfection. It is acceptable to be needy!
I love having a relationship with the God who created me. I love knowing that I don't have to be perfect or "Pharisee-like" to come to Him. I love knowing that when I invest time and communication into this relationship, it grows. Religion doesn't grow. Religion is like a tight fitting outfit that doesn't stretch. It's uncomfortable and at some point you just want to take it off and throw it away. I'll choose relationship over religion any day!
I believe God would rather have a believer who has a good heart and less than perfect performance than one who has perfect performance but an impure heart. It is possible to be very religious and to keep all the rules but to have a heart that is far from God.
Jesus had much to say to the Pharisees of His day. They had a polished performance, kept the laws, followed all the rules and regulations, and were proud of it. They also had a judgmental attitude toward others, did not walk in love, and showed no mercy. Jesus called them whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones (Matthew 23:27).
Grace...because of a personal relationship.
Grace and peace,
Dalinda
I love having a relationship with the God who created me. I love knowing that I don't have to be perfect or "Pharisee-like" to come to Him. I love knowing that when I invest time and communication into this relationship, it grows. Religion doesn't grow. Religion is like a tight fitting outfit that doesn't stretch. It's uncomfortable and at some point you just want to take it off and throw it away. I'll choose relationship over religion any day!
I believe God would rather have a believer who has a good heart and less than perfect performance than one who has perfect performance but an impure heart. It is possible to be very religious and to keep all the rules but to have a heart that is far from God.
Jesus had much to say to the Pharisees of His day. They had a polished performance, kept the laws, followed all the rules and regulations, and were proud of it. They also had a judgmental attitude toward others, did not walk in love, and showed no mercy. Jesus called them whitewashed tombs full of dead men's bones (Matthew 23:27).
Grace...because of a personal relationship.
Grace and peace,
Dalinda
Monday, September 26, 2011
Measuring Your Day
When you wake up in the morning, your first thoughts are about the day ahead. You think of the things you need to do...and wonder if you are up to it.
Instead of measuring your day against what you think you can do, measure it against what you know God can do...which is anything! There is no such thing as a day too tough for God, not a test day, not a moving day, etc.
He already knows everything you will face today and He will help you face it.
God has planned a perfect plan for your life. In the distance you can see the mountaintop. That's our goal. We want to go straight to the top, but we tend to take shortcuts. But shortcuts can take you into dangerous places.
There will be difficulties along the way, for sure. But God will use them to bless you with courage and strength. At times it may seem that God is leading you away from the goal. Follow Him anyway.
When the path gets rocky and steep, when problems get in your way, hold on even tighter to His hand. Together you can make it to the top.
Keep the faith,
Dalinda
Instead of measuring your day against what you think you can do, measure it against what you know God can do...which is anything! There is no such thing as a day too tough for God, not a test day, not a moving day, etc.
He already knows everything you will face today and He will help you face it.
God has planned a perfect plan for your life. In the distance you can see the mountaintop. That's our goal. We want to go straight to the top, but we tend to take shortcuts. But shortcuts can take you into dangerous places.
There will be difficulties along the way, for sure. But God will use them to bless you with courage and strength. At times it may seem that God is leading you away from the goal. Follow Him anyway.
When the path gets rocky and steep, when problems get in your way, hold on even tighter to His hand. Together you can make it to the top.
Keep the faith,
Dalinda
Friday, September 23, 2011
Live Life On Purpose
All things are difficult before they are easy!
You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. It really doesn't matter how old or young a person is. If God calls someone to do something, and they have the confidence to do it, nothing can stop them.
Moses was 80 years old when he left Egypt to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. Confident people don't think about how old they are; they think about what they can accomplish with the time they have left. Remember, confident people are positive and look at what they have, not what they have lost.
It's amazing that those who have contributed so much to the progress of society have often had to endure tremendous criticism, judgement, and persecution in order to make something in the world better. This clearly shows how Satan fights progress of any kind. He uses all kinds of fears to try and stop people, but the confident person will keep pressing on and say "Yes" even when the world screams "No."
Remember, life's big chances rarely give advance warning!
Be unstoppable!
Blessings,
Dalinda
Please feel free to make comments or suggest topics that you would like me to do a blog on.
You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. It really doesn't matter how old or young a person is. If God calls someone to do something, and they have the confidence to do it, nothing can stop them.
Moses was 80 years old when he left Egypt to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. Confident people don't think about how old they are; they think about what they can accomplish with the time they have left. Remember, confident people are positive and look at what they have, not what they have lost.
It's amazing that those who have contributed so much to the progress of society have often had to endure tremendous criticism, judgement, and persecution in order to make something in the world better. This clearly shows how Satan fights progress of any kind. He uses all kinds of fears to try and stop people, but the confident person will keep pressing on and say "Yes" even when the world screams "No."
Remember, life's big chances rarely give advance warning!
Be unstoppable!
Blessings,
Dalinda
Please feel free to make comments or suggest topics that you would like me to do a blog on.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Be Yourself
The world is full of pretenders. People pretend to be happy when they are miserable. They try to do jobs that are way over their head just because they feel they "should" in order to be admired or to maintain a certain reputation with people.
People have many masks and can become quite adept at changing them as needed. I have heard people say, "I'll just fake it until I make it." You are being untrue to yourself. And not only are you being untrue to yourself but you are not being the person God created you to be and you are robbing yourself of God's best.
I believe that not being true to one's self is one of the biggest joy thieves that exists.
Be yourself and be all that God created you to be. That is living life to the fullest.
"On my own I'm so clumsy, but on your shoulders I can see....I'm free to be me!" I love these lyrics from Francesca Battistelli's song 'Free To Be Me'.
In His Amazing Love,
Dalinda
People have many masks and can become quite adept at changing them as needed. I have heard people say, "I'll just fake it until I make it." You are being untrue to yourself. And not only are you being untrue to yourself but you are not being the person God created you to be and you are robbing yourself of God's best.
I believe that not being true to one's self is one of the biggest joy thieves that exists.
Be yourself and be all that God created you to be. That is living life to the fullest.
"On my own I'm so clumsy, but on your shoulders I can see....I'm free to be me!" I love these lyrics from Francesca Battistelli's song 'Free To Be Me'.
In His Amazing Love,
Dalinda
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
We Can All Be Free If We Choose To Be
The outcome of our lives is not determined by what happens to us but by how we respond to what happens to us.
We will be affected by the circumstances of our lives. They will carve grooves into our hearts that will always be part of our experience. But those circumsatnces, horrendous as they may be, do not have the power to control the outcome of our lives.
As long as we believe that our happines and well-being are determined by what happens to us, we will always be victims, because so much of what happens to us is beyond our control.
Our only hope lies in realizing that we do have a choice about how we respond to life's circumstances, and it is those responses that determine the outcome of our lives.
The most important thing is not how we start, but how we finish.
We are who we are because of the circumstances in our lives and how we respond to them. They mold and shape us. We grow. We change.
Who would we be without change?
Humbled,
Dalinda
We will be affected by the circumstances of our lives. They will carve grooves into our hearts that will always be part of our experience. But those circumsatnces, horrendous as they may be, do not have the power to control the outcome of our lives.
As long as we believe that our happines and well-being are determined by what happens to us, we will always be victims, because so much of what happens to us is beyond our control.
Our only hope lies in realizing that we do have a choice about how we respond to life's circumstances, and it is those responses that determine the outcome of our lives.
The most important thing is not how we start, but how we finish.
We are who we are because of the circumstances in our lives and how we respond to them. They mold and shape us. We grow. We change.
Who would we be without change?
Humbled,
Dalinda
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Needing A Double Shot Of Faith?
If you are feeling disappointed today, be honest with God. If you are feeling weak, tell Him so. If you are feeling discouraged, tell Him so. If you are feeling hopeless, tell Him so. If you are feeling ashamed, tell Him so. If you are coveting someone else's blessing, wondering why God isn't blessing you, tell Him so.
We may be able to put on a good mask for everyone around us, hiding our pain and our anger and frustration. But God sees, and His desire is to love us through this hard time.
Choosing faith over feeling is a choice we have the power to make.
God sees our hearts, and when we are real with Him, He can become real in our life.
My desire is to live in the moment, the real life moment in front of me, and to not waste time worrying about why that moment doesn't always look like the perceived one I had rolling around in my head.
Practicing thankfulness is one of the most powerful ways of thinking to bring about a change in our circumstances.
Faith leads the way to answered prayer.
In His Magnificient Grace,
Dalinda
We may be able to put on a good mask for everyone around us, hiding our pain and our anger and frustration. But God sees, and His desire is to love us through this hard time.
Choosing faith over feeling is a choice we have the power to make.
God sees our hearts, and when we are real with Him, He can become real in our life.
My desire is to live in the moment, the real life moment in front of me, and to not waste time worrying about why that moment doesn't always look like the perceived one I had rolling around in my head.
Practicing thankfulness is one of the most powerful ways of thinking to bring about a change in our circumstances.
Faith leads the way to answered prayer.
In His Magnificient Grace,
Dalinda
Monday, September 19, 2011
My Internist Appointment
I have been having some health issues over the past few months and thought it was my thyroid. I have Hyshimoto's Thyroiditis which has caused me to be hypothyroid. The tests that my family doctor did showed that it is not my thyroid. So off to an internist I go.
I went in to see an internist this morning. Her main concern was the fact that my Dad had heart disease. So she had me have a heart scan today before I left. She is looking for calcium build up and clogged arteries. I also got tons of blood work done. She is also concerned with a few of my female issues. She wants me to have a ultrasound on my ovaries. My Mom had endometrial cancer so she is just covering all the basis. She is checking my endocrine gland and all my hormones as well. I also had the Berkley test. This will show if I inherited the gene for heart disease from my Dad. The test results for this test will not be back for 3 weeks. All other tests will be discussed when I go back in 2 weeks.
Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.
In His Grip,
Dalinda
I went in to see an internist this morning. Her main concern was the fact that my Dad had heart disease. So she had me have a heart scan today before I left. She is looking for calcium build up and clogged arteries. I also got tons of blood work done. She is also concerned with a few of my female issues. She wants me to have a ultrasound on my ovaries. My Mom had endometrial cancer so she is just covering all the basis. She is checking my endocrine gland and all my hormones as well. I also had the Berkley test. This will show if I inherited the gene for heart disease from my Dad. The test results for this test will not be back for 3 weeks. All other tests will be discussed when I go back in 2 weeks.
Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.
In His Grip,
Dalinda
Friday, September 16, 2011
Boast In The Lord
If I say I am confident, I don't mean that I am confident in myself or my abilities. I mean that I am confident in my leader, God, and the gifts, talents, and knowledge He has placed in me. Without Him, we are nothing, but with Him, we can be champions.
Our confidence must be in Christ alone, not in ourselves, not in other people, not in the world or it's systems. The Bible states that we are sufficient in Christ's sufficiency (Philippians 4:13), so we might also say that we are confident through Christ's confidence.
When we have confidence in God and His love and kindness, we can progress to living confidently and enjoying the life He wants for us.
In His Mighty Hand,
Dalinda
Our confidence must be in Christ alone, not in ourselves, not in other people, not in the world or it's systems. The Bible states that we are sufficient in Christ's sufficiency (Philippians 4:13), so we might also say that we are confident through Christ's confidence.
When we have confidence in God and His love and kindness, we can progress to living confidently and enjoying the life He wants for us.
In His Mighty Hand,
Dalinda
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Fear Not
Fear seems to be an epidemic in our society. The lists of fears that people experience can be endless. Satan never runs out of new fears to place in any individual's life. At least until he/she firmly makes up their mind that they will not live in fear.
Our worries come from fear. We try to control people and circumstances due to fear. We let people control us because of fear. People who are afraid of becoming poor become greedy and stingy. Someone who is afraid of not having friends pretends to be someone they're not. We get into wrong and harmful relationships due to the fear of being lonely, and the list goes on and on.
I believe we can conquer fear if we make time to understand it and see fear for what it really is...Fear is the master spirit that the devil uses against people. A spirit that has no place in a life turned over to Christ.
Fear may present itself as a feeling, but if we refuse to bow down to it, that is all it is...a feeling! My feelings are not me. I am greater than my feelings and so are you. I can decide to go forward in faith. Going against your feelings is not always easy because feeling are frequently strong, but standing against them until you enjoy freedom is much better than continuing to let them ruin your life and hold you in bondage.
Fear is: F-alse E-evidence A-ppearing R-eal.
Faith is not necessarily the power to make things the way we want them to be; it is the courage to face things as they are.~Ronald Dunn.
Lord, I choose to not live by my feelings today or let them hold me in bondage. I put my faith in You and will serve you with all my heart. You are the constant in a life full of change. For me, that's enough. Amen
Blessings,
Dalinda
Our worries come from fear. We try to control people and circumstances due to fear. We let people control us because of fear. People who are afraid of becoming poor become greedy and stingy. Someone who is afraid of not having friends pretends to be someone they're not. We get into wrong and harmful relationships due to the fear of being lonely, and the list goes on and on.
I believe we can conquer fear if we make time to understand it and see fear for what it really is...Fear is the master spirit that the devil uses against people. A spirit that has no place in a life turned over to Christ.
Fear may present itself as a feeling, but if we refuse to bow down to it, that is all it is...a feeling! My feelings are not me. I am greater than my feelings and so are you. I can decide to go forward in faith. Going against your feelings is not always easy because feeling are frequently strong, but standing against them until you enjoy freedom is much better than continuing to let them ruin your life and hold you in bondage.
Fear is: F-alse E-evidence A-ppearing R-eal.
Faith is not necessarily the power to make things the way we want them to be; it is the courage to face things as they are.~Ronald Dunn.
Lord, I choose to not live by my feelings today or let them hold me in bondage. I put my faith in You and will serve you with all my heart. You are the constant in a life full of change. For me, that's enough. Amen
Blessings,
Dalinda
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A Godly Attitude
It doesn't matter what happens to us, but what happens in us!
Every time something didn't go right for the Israelites in the wilderness, they complained, criticized, tried God's patience, and exploited His goodness. When we don't open our mouths and give thanks, but instead complain and murmur, we are exploiting the goodness of God.
How many doors do we open for the devil in our lives through murmuring? How many times do we ask God to give us something and after He gives it to us , we start complaining because we have to take care of it? This kind of wilderness mentality keeps us living in the wilderness when we could be living in the Promised Land.
In Philippians 2:14, we are told to do "all things" without complaining...THAT MEANS EVERYTHING!
We can accomplish anything and always be a winner as long as we have a godly attitude and exercise control over our mouth daily.
Victory is not the absence of problems; it is the presence of God's power...Walk in victory today!
In His Mighty Hand,
Dalinda
Every time something didn't go right for the Israelites in the wilderness, they complained, criticized, tried God's patience, and exploited His goodness. When we don't open our mouths and give thanks, but instead complain and murmur, we are exploiting the goodness of God.
How many doors do we open for the devil in our lives through murmuring? How many times do we ask God to give us something and after He gives it to us , we start complaining because we have to take care of it? This kind of wilderness mentality keeps us living in the wilderness when we could be living in the Promised Land.
In Philippians 2:14, we are told to do "all things" without complaining...THAT MEANS EVERYTHING!
We can accomplish anything and always be a winner as long as we have a godly attitude and exercise control over our mouth daily.
Victory is not the absence of problems; it is the presence of God's power...Walk in victory today!
In His Mighty Hand,
Dalinda
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Beyond Our Feelings
YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL CONFIDENT TO BE CONFIDENT! To live in victory, each of us must learn to go beyond our feelings. I have learned that I can feel wrong and still choose to do what is right. I have also learned that I don't have to feel confident to present myself in a confident manner.
God responds to our faith not our fears. Self-doubt is fear ~ fear that we will make mistakes or do the wrong thing. I have discovered that doubt is a thought planted in our heads by the devil. He uses it to keep us from enjoying life and making progress in God's good plan for us.
Today, by God's grace, I am free from fear, negativity, and self-doubt. This doesn't mean that these feelings never try to visit me, but I have learned to say "NO" to them just as easily as I can say "YES." When negative thoughts or conversations come up, I am reminded by the Holy Spirit that being negative will not help anything or anyone, and I decide to change.
When fear knocks on your door, answer with faith. When self-doubt knocks, answer with confidence!
God-confident,
Dalinda
God responds to our faith not our fears. Self-doubt is fear ~ fear that we will make mistakes or do the wrong thing. I have discovered that doubt is a thought planted in our heads by the devil. He uses it to keep us from enjoying life and making progress in God's good plan for us.
Today, by God's grace, I am free from fear, negativity, and self-doubt. This doesn't mean that these feelings never try to visit me, but I have learned to say "NO" to them just as easily as I can say "YES." When negative thoughts or conversations come up, I am reminded by the Holy Spirit that being negative will not help anything or anyone, and I decide to change.
When fear knocks on your door, answer with faith. When self-doubt knocks, answer with confidence!
God-confident,
Dalinda
Monday, September 12, 2011
Do Something About It
Many of us have lost the confidence God wants us to enjoy.
I have learned a lot in my journey about what "true confidence" is and about overcoming my need to please everyone. His desire is that you be bold, courageous, confident, respected, admired, promoted, sought after, and most of all, loved.
Those who are addicted to approval of others frequently get "burned out." For them there always exists the danger of attempting too much. They so desperately want to please that they do everything they feel is expected of them and then some. Sometimes they say yes just because they cannot say no, not because they think their actions are the will of God. They burn out for lack of discernment or because of unwarranted guilt. And then their anger builds.
We become angry when we feel all used up and pulled in every direction. Burnout makes us angry, because we recognize deep down inside that this is not normal. We become angry with the people pressuring us, when in reality we are allowing ourselves to be pressured. To avoid pressure form others and from ourselves, we must take control of our lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Once when I was complaining about my heavy schedule, I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Dalinda, you are the one who makes your schedule. If you don't like it , then do something about it."
What in your life do you need to "do something about"?
Humbled,
Dalinda
I have learned a lot in my journey about what "true confidence" is and about overcoming my need to please everyone. His desire is that you be bold, courageous, confident, respected, admired, promoted, sought after, and most of all, loved.
Those who are addicted to approval of others frequently get "burned out." For them there always exists the danger of attempting too much. They so desperately want to please that they do everything they feel is expected of them and then some. Sometimes they say yes just because they cannot say no, not because they think their actions are the will of God. They burn out for lack of discernment or because of unwarranted guilt. And then their anger builds.
We become angry when we feel all used up and pulled in every direction. Burnout makes us angry, because we recognize deep down inside that this is not normal. We become angry with the people pressuring us, when in reality we are allowing ourselves to be pressured. To avoid pressure form others and from ourselves, we must take control of our lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Once when I was complaining about my heavy schedule, I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Dalinda, you are the one who makes your schedule. If you don't like it , then do something about it."
What in your life do you need to "do something about"?
Humbled,
Dalinda
Friday, September 9, 2011
Perspective Is Everything
Stress is everywhere. People stress out because they know today is the tomorrow they worried about yesterday! Most of our stress is self-imposed.
What happens when you think you are winning the rat race and along come faster rats?
Stress may be a given factor, but your attitude can change the way it affects you.
Stress is nothing but psychological pollution.
Accept what you can't change, and don't dwell on your own or others' shortcomings.
God has promised to turn your "hours of stressing into showers of blessing."
We all have things in life we have to do, but we can choose how we want to do them. It's up to each of us. I can tell you this, though. There's only one way to have joy...by doing everything "as unto the LORD."
Perspective is everything.
Keep the faith,
Dalinda
What happens when you think you are winning the rat race and along come faster rats?
Stress may be a given factor, but your attitude can change the way it affects you.
Stress is nothing but psychological pollution.
Accept what you can't change, and don't dwell on your own or others' shortcomings.
God has promised to turn your "hours of stressing into showers of blessing."
We all have things in life we have to do, but we can choose how we want to do them. It's up to each of us. I can tell you this, though. There's only one way to have joy...by doing everything "as unto the LORD."
Perspective is everything.
Keep the faith,
Dalinda
Thursday, September 8, 2011
His Undeserving Grace
Good things do happen even when life seems hard. Good things, like Jesus.
We all mess up. We all make mistakes. We get distracted and take our focus off of what is important. We deserve to suffer the consequences, but instead, we are given grace.
Grace-because of a personal relationship.
We get off scot-free from sin when we are in Christ. We do not deserve His grace, yet He gives it freely. It is not warranted, but saves us from a life void of joy and peace. It was not expected, but His sacrifice saved us from an eternity apart from Him.
God takes pleasure when we approach His throne in need of grace. The kind of grace that invites us into Heaven, scot-free. And for that I am eternally grateful!
Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda
We all mess up. We all make mistakes. We get distracted and take our focus off of what is important. We deserve to suffer the consequences, but instead, we are given grace.
Grace-because of a personal relationship.
We get off scot-free from sin when we are in Christ. We do not deserve His grace, yet He gives it freely. It is not warranted, but saves us from a life void of joy and peace. It was not expected, but His sacrifice saved us from an eternity apart from Him.
God takes pleasure when we approach His throne in need of grace. The kind of grace that invites us into Heaven, scot-free. And for that I am eternally grateful!
Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
What's Your Real Address?
We fuss so much over our earthly homes, paging through magazines in search of the perfect decor, or just the right paint color. What short-sighted vision we have!
Heaven is our real home. The most glorious place of all.
The home you've always wanted , the home you continue to long for with all your heart, is the home God is preparing for you! Imagine it: One day, in the dream home of My Father's House, everything will be brand-new!
In Heaven, there will be nothing that separates us from each other or from God. Ever!
There will be: No divorce or death, no sickness or weakness, no fires, no famines, no floods, no religions or polls or denominations, no wars or refugee camps.
We will enjoy perfect health and harmony and unity and unbroken times together!
In our heavenly home, there will be no darkness at all. No one will ever stumble or be lost or unable to find his or her way.
Everything--including our heart, mind, emotions, psyche, and memories, past, present, and future--will be made new.
It's the home of your dreams!
Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda
Heaven is our real home. The most glorious place of all.
The home you've always wanted , the home you continue to long for with all your heart, is the home God is preparing for you! Imagine it: One day, in the dream home of My Father's House, everything will be brand-new!
In Heaven, there will be nothing that separates us from each other or from God. Ever!
There will be: No divorce or death, no sickness or weakness, no fires, no famines, no floods, no religions or polls or denominations, no wars or refugee camps.
We will enjoy perfect health and harmony and unity and unbroken times together!
In our heavenly home, there will be no darkness at all. No one will ever stumble or be lost or unable to find his or her way.
Everything--including our heart, mind, emotions, psyche, and memories, past, present, and future--will be made new.
It's the home of your dreams!
Humbled and undeserving,
Dalinda
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
His Standards of Beauty vs Our Standards
His standards of beauty are completely different from the world's. He doesn't care whether our culture's standards say we should be tall or short, light-skinned or dark-skinned, skinny or rounded. It's irrelevant to Him whether curly hair or straight hair is "in," or whether we dress fashionably or plainly. What matters to Him is that He created each of us to be different, and we therefore each embody a unique facet of His creative artistry. To Him, that makes us beautiful and glorious.
In God's way of reckoning beauty, being gorgeous doesn't necessarily have anything to do with being 5'10", blonde-haired, blue-eyed and size 4(unless that's the way He made you). As expressions of God's creative brilliance, we're beautiful even if we're confined to a wheelchair or bald from chemotherapy or we never had braces. Our bodies are good and perfect gifts that come from above, because they are the ones He wanted us to have.
Our culture may try to convince us that there's only one way to look beautiful, but God says otherwise.
For His Glory,
Dalinda
In God's way of reckoning beauty, being gorgeous doesn't necessarily have anything to do with being 5'10", blonde-haired, blue-eyed and size 4(unless that's the way He made you). As expressions of God's creative brilliance, we're beautiful even if we're confined to a wheelchair or bald from chemotherapy or we never had braces. Our bodies are good and perfect gifts that come from above, because they are the ones He wanted us to have.
Our culture may try to convince us that there's only one way to look beautiful, but God says otherwise.
For His Glory,
Dalinda
Friday, September 2, 2011
Are You Normal or Are You One of "Those People"?
I don't want to be normal, if normal is living with fear, doubt, dread, anger, bitterness, selfishness, or strife. I DON'T WANT TO BE NORMAL! If normal is accepting the world as it is, I don't want to be normal. If normal is financial problems, broken marriages and dysfunctional families, I don't want to be normal.
I want to be more like Jesus and a lot less like the world!
So go ahead and call me strange, call me out of touch, weird or a Jesus freak. Call me one of "those people".
I want to see Jesus everywhere! I want to pray about everything. I believe that God is in control so I don't have to be. It's all about Him, for Him, and because of Him. I don't believe in luck, coincidences or chance. I believe in God! So yes, call me one of "those people".
I am very proud to be one of "those people" because I am one of "His people"!
In Him,
Dalinda
I want to be more like Jesus and a lot less like the world!
So go ahead and call me strange, call me out of touch, weird or a Jesus freak. Call me one of "those people".
I want to see Jesus everywhere! I want to pray about everything. I believe that God is in control so I don't have to be. It's all about Him, for Him, and because of Him. I don't believe in luck, coincidences or chance. I believe in God! So yes, call me one of "those people".
I am very proud to be one of "those people" because I am one of "His people"!
In Him,
Dalinda
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Do Something Today
Life is an exercise in problem-solving. The question is not whether we will encounter problems; the real question is how we will choose to address them. When it comes to solving the problems of everyday living, we often know precisely what needs to be done, but we may be slow in doing it--especially if what needs to be done is difficult or uncomfortable for us. So we put off till tomorrow what should be done today.
The words of Psalm 34 remind us that the Lord solves problems for "people who do what is right." And usually, "doing what is right" means doing the uncomfortable work of confronting our problems sooner rather than later. So with no further ado, let the problem-solving begin...now!
Perhaps your troubles are simply too big to solve in a single sitting. But just because you can't solve everything doesn't mean that you should do nothing. So today, as a favor to yourself and as a way of breaking the bonds of procrastination, do something to make your situation better. Even a small step in the right direction is still a step in the right direction. And a small step is far, far better than no step at all.
Problem-solving 101: When it comes to solving problems, work beats worry. Remember: It is better to fix than to fret.
For His Glory,
Dalinda
The words of Psalm 34 remind us that the Lord solves problems for "people who do what is right." And usually, "doing what is right" means doing the uncomfortable work of confronting our problems sooner rather than later. So with no further ado, let the problem-solving begin...now!
Perhaps your troubles are simply too big to solve in a single sitting. But just because you can't solve everything doesn't mean that you should do nothing. So today, as a favor to yourself and as a way of breaking the bonds of procrastination, do something to make your situation better. Even a small step in the right direction is still a step in the right direction. And a small step is far, far better than no step at all.
Problem-solving 101: When it comes to solving problems, work beats worry. Remember: It is better to fix than to fret.
For His Glory,
Dalinda
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