The Snowball

There was a snowball growing inside my mind. Icy cold - a small negative thought that started to build and grow. It began as the distinct feeling that no one understood or even cared who I am, how I think and what I struggle with. Those who may express concern do so only when they think of it. Or, if I do or say something to bring my distress to their attention, they may briefly try to help.

The weight of more negative thoughts crushed and threatened to consume me. I was bowed down with the hopelessness of the seemingly sterile and futile life that loomed ahead of me. All of these emotions seemed so true to me. But all of these thoughts were based on my feelings and not actual truth.

As I dissolved into tears, I once again prayed for help. The scripture that rescued me this time is in the Second letter written to the Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 5 which says, in part, “. . . to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”So I brought the huge snowball of emotions and pain to Christ in prayer. As I did so, the warmth of God’s love reduced the intensity of the struggle and the agony of painful emptiness, much like sun melts away a snowball. In my mind’s eye, what remained was only a puddle of water with two ugly, small things in it: Fear and lack of trust in God’s care for me. There was no condemnation from Jesus for the feelings of fear and my failure to keep trusting in Him. There was, and is, only wonderful peace and love. Feelings are not sins, they are human, but they can become a trap.

Exposed to the light of Christ’s love; the warmth of His acceptance and the wonder of His great understanding, I was able once more to choose the blessed joy the Holy Spirit holds out to those who mourn, for those who grieve are promised a blessing, “For they shall be comforted.” (Remember? “Blessed are they who mourn . . .”.) You can come closer to the heart of God than you were before the tragedy came along.  That is, of course, if you seek the Lord for His help and comfort.

So, do not let that painful thought morph into a snowball of negativity of gigantic proportions, when God is waiting to enfold you in His everlasting arms with promised relief and bountiful love!    Doma

Bring On The Light

Darkness is nothing in itself. It is only the absence of light. The inky blackness of a cave or the occasional outage of electricity during a storm can remind us of how helpless we become when there is no light. It does not take much light to dispel darkness. Even the smallest spark illuminates an area for a brief time.

In darkness, many things with which we are familiar are hidden from our eyes. When we are walking in the dark, we are in danger of stumbling, becoming disoriented, or of falling even when we think we know the way.It is best to have some source of light with us. A small flashlight or penlight are vital when darkness closes in.

This world is often a very dark place. Violence and anger surround us on TV, video games, music, and in real life. Our own thought life may become dark and filled with uncertainty. We need to have a light source so we can perceive things as they truly are. We need light and truth to see clearly where we are going.

A flashlight illuminates only the area of darkness its beam penetrates. The one who holds a flashlight on a dark night is not easily discerned by the person on whom the light shines. For many of us, God is like Someone who holds a flashlight for us in the dark. We cannot discern who He is, we are just grateful for the little light for our path. But, Jesus Christ tells us He is the Light of the world. This old world could really use some light right now. "Out of the darkness there came a great light." To find your way you must seek out the one who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is not hidden from those who earnestly seek Him. 

Does the Word Forever Scare You?

Eternal, everlasting, forever, these words are so foreign to us, especially the idea of anything lasting forever. I remember lying in my bed when I was fourteen years old trying to sleep and wrestling with the concept of eternity. I recall being very frightened by anything that had no end to it. It seemed too formidable, too large to grasp, maybe too good to be true. I felt conflicted because so many things I had thought would last forever had failed to do so.

Everlasting love was a foreign idea, since my loving mother and my grandfather had died. Lasting relationships were anything but lasting; my dad and step-mother had divorced and remarried twice. Nothing really seemed to be permanent, certainly not love or the people I loved. I wondered about God and what He said about eternity in scripture.  I thought about time without end; never losing a loved one again and never hurting or being hurt. These were deep thoughts for a fourteen year old! I still often reflect on where I will be and where others will be when our time comes to step into the everlasting future.

If you were to ask the average person where they are going to spend eternity, they either dismiss the idea there is any such thing as everlasting life or they have no answer in which they have complete confidence. However, the scriptures speak often of eternal things. For example: God loves us with an everlasting love; Jesus came to give us eternal life and what about forever and ever, Amen? The idea of our souls living forever is evident over and over in the Bible. Where we will spend this unending time is really a matter of our choice. People can choose eternal life, as promised to those who believe in Christ and trust Him for salvation. Or we can choose our own way; everlasting death separated from God and anything we ever loved or ever made us happy or satisfied. Jesus said in John’s Gospel, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one can come to the Father but by Me.”

Reading in the book of Hebrews, I clearly see that Jesus became a man for one main reason, so He could die. He came to share our infirmities, be tempted as we are and He chose to experience actual death in order to destroy death. The eternal Son of the Father, Jesus Christ, became time-bound just as we are. He experienced human life in the Roman dominated Jewish culture where struggles were many and yet He did not sin. It is mind boggling to imagine Almighty God, who has no beginning and no end, sending His only Son into this hostile temporary environment. As one who experienced eternity and knows what forever really means, Jesus came to reveal His love for people and His words still express a sense of urgency to draw people to His Father. He desired that we all know the forever love He experiences with God Almighty. Jesus does not want anyone to be lost forever. We can choose life; a life with no end by surrendering ourselves to Him. Today is the right time; we don’t have forever to make this choice! May God remove all obstacles and set a fire of faith in our hearts that will never be quenched.  Doma

Seeing the Big Picture

I do not know anyone who has not questioned their purpose for existing. Laments about why we were born and what we should be accomplishing come to mind many times during a person's life. There are some pat answers that are less than satisfying. One I heard lately says, "We are human beings and not human doings."

Wanting to really get my mind around exactly what my purpose is at this time in my life, I began some serious self-examination. I was wondering if other people do this too. Several activities really help me. Praying; talking the whole thing over with God was a good start, since He is the reason I am still here.
Another thing that may seem strange, but is helpful to me, is writing out my current family tree. It is also happens to be my daily prayer list.

As I looked over each name of my present family members, I realized that my life touches thirty-six lives on a regular basis. Combined with those people I contact in social situations weekly, there may be one hundred individuals whose lives are intertwined with mine.What a sobering fact and responsibility! This is a purpose for me, if nothing else, to make certain I do not disgrace the cause of Christ in my words or actions.

So my prayers have changed concerning the purpose for this life God has given me. I am praying that with His help I can live life in a way that will encourage, strengthen and show love to everyone I meet. Such a goal is only possible through the power of Jesus Christ in me. Therefore, my purpose is actually in line with His purpose. 

I realize I am stating the obvious, but when the enemy of our souls is at work, the truth can be hidden, distorted or buried under layers of emotion. So if you are questioning your reason for living, make a list, pray and talk it over with the One who knows the answers. Take stock of what is true and come against the lies that say you are useless and without any purpose. You have been placed in this world for this moment and for these people who await your response to God as only He can express Himself through you. Doma

Letter To God

Thank you for what you did in saving me in 1972, and how you have changed my life in the years since. Specifically, in saving me, you literally rescued me from sin and the brink of death. You recall, Jesus, how the enemy rode me like a beaten and broken old horse and reviled me continuously with his lies. I felt stressed to the point I was going to kill myself using the strychnine tablets we used in the dairy herd testing kit back then. Remember how I saved them up and how I believed the whole world would be so much better with me out of it? I actually believed I would be making room for a more productive person whose air I breathed; whose space I inhabited. What a terrible, horrible, filthy lie!

You showed me what your Son has done for me and convinced me of your great love and forgiveness LORD. You proved to me over and over how much I mean to you by answering prayers and even doing miracles. My rescue from depression was a miracle. You cured me of painful endometriosis and addiction to smoking. Hank’s deliverance from alcohol, from smoking, and cancer are just a few examples of your marvelous love and personal care in action for me.

Now, I am a changed person. You set me free from sin and guilt by forgiving me. You freed me from craven fear. You ended my useless search to be good enough; to have the right to live. Even now you are defending me with your victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10). You covered me with the Precious blood of Jesus cleansing me and keeping me safe from the evil one. You still keep me safe by your mighty power and the blood of the Lamb. You have given me a thirst for your word, the Bible. Now, with the death of my sweetheart, you have truly become my all and all. Praise and glory to your name forever! Please help me remain faithful to you and do your will, in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask and pray. Amen   Doma

The Widow

When you meet me on the street, in the store, or at church, you may approach me with one of two attitudes. Either way, I know I am calling the shots; that how I respond to you upon our first meeting after my dear one’s death is a very weighty matter.


You encounter me, either accidentally or intentionally, and I can see you are awaiting a response. I smile, and want to reassure you that I am ready to continue in the land of the living. Even though I am emotionally fragile, I can sense you need me to be strong. With God’s help, I am!

The other way I am approached is with your assumption that I am falling apart and need you to put me back together. This intention is far from helpful, but you don’t know that, and I understand. I must create space between us so you can see the God of all Comfort is at work in me, just as he promised. To do that, I will be brief in my response, cordial, but reserved.

For Our God is faithful. He is who he says he is and does what he says he will do. After years of being invited and responding to his invitation to get to know Jesus Christ by reading his word, studying and praying, his presence has taken on a new dimension to me. He is with me now daily, in my grief. Jesus, the LORD of life, who is more real and precious to me in this pain than he has ever been in all my joys. Praise be to the name of the LORD Jesus Christ who shares our infirmities and comforts us. He who conquers sin and the grave is faithful and true. Amen. Doma

What Are You Seeking?

I am thinking about today’s reading from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers. As I do so, I think about people I know and love who are busy seeking self-fulfillment. Let’s say they do reach that goal of self-fulfillment – does that make them full of themselves? Very possibly. Might they think, “Look at me and what I bring to the table, world!” And perhaps, “Now I will make a difference in this generation.” They may even seek to become their own god. With the self as the focal point, that type of thinking seems a natural progression. Wanting to make the world a better place is admirable of course, but such thinking only goes so far and totally ignores the heart cry of the human spirit which self cannot fill properly.

Jesus knows how the human mind operates. He said, “Seek (you) first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” I figure He has the better plan. His words imply by pursuing God, His Kingdom and the righteousness He gives, He, Himself, will be the reward of the seeker. What good is an enhanced self? The LORD will fulfill the longing in your heart to be complete and whole by giving you all you need. Do not go by any experience anyone else has, but seek Him for yourself. The promises He made when you “ask, seek, and knock” are still good today.

 I have to say, as Chambers points out so well, “The more you fulfill yourself, the less you will seek God. “ Please understand that the one who seeks God will find Him and in finding Him, will be filled more and more with wondrous things like peace, contentment and joy right in the midst of life’s struggles.

I am telling you the truth.     Doma

End the Need for People's Approval

Find yourself being a people pleaser? I sometimes do, I admit it. Then I discovered the New Living Bible Translation of John’s Gospel, chapter 5: 41 & 42. Here is what it says: “Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you do not have God’s love within you.” (These are Jesus’ words to the Jewish leaders who criticized Him for healing on the Sabbath.)

How many times have you or have I looked to others for approval? We may do so unconsciously, not even thinking that we do not need man’s approval. Jesus is telling us that people who do not know or serve the Lord have opinions about us and our behavior that need not matter to us.

So we can pray not to be people-pleasers, but God-pleasers. We can take comfort that those who criticize us and do not have God’s love in their hearts should have no say in our lives. Be assured of God’s love and obey only the LORD. His “Well done, good and faithful servant” is going to be the priceless treasure worth waiting for at the end of your days.  Doma

An Amazing Prayer

As I was looking through the book of I Thessalonians today, I saw a verse, I Thess. 5:24, I have liked for a long time. It says, "The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." What God will do so faithfully is contained in the previous verse, (I Thess. 5:23). It is actually a wonderful prayer for the end times. We know from the signs we see and hear that any day could be the last day of life as we know it. So, this is a precious prayer. "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
This is what God will be faithful to do and it is reassuring to all believers. Let's thank the good Lord for His promises and provisions. Let us cast out fear of the future by the power of God's perfect love made known to us through His Son, Jesus!   Doma

What's Your Motivation?

Lately I have had to question the reason I do and say things. I started doing so because I realized my motivation is changing slowly, but surely. It is a good thing. Perhaps you can benefit from examining your motives as well.

When I was a teenager, I taught a religion class to children in the summer. I did it to get brownie points with God, plain and simple. It was as though God owed me something for doing a good thing. How very foolish! Scripture says of our good works, "...that men may see the good that we do and give glory to God." Not that men give us credit or praise. Of course that may happen, but if that was your motive, you are rather shallow in your devotion to God and a man pleaser to boot just as I was. (Still am to some degree.)

As long as I am examining past motivations for good actions, I can recall also doing some good deeds as a self-imposed penance for my sins, as though Christ's death on the cross was for nothing. Again, how foolish of me!

The point I am making is this; the reason you and I obey God, do good deeds, read scripture, go to church, whatever we do, say or think, must be in grateful, loving response to the perfect love and forgiveness given to us by the Father through His precious Son, Jesus Christ.

There, I said it, and put out a challenge for all of us who don't want to follow Christianity Lite or be satisfied to be cultural Christians. Doma

Go Along to Get Along

Go Along To Get Along Revisited:
I am reposting this entry from last year. I feel so strongly that this message is important now as never before.

What I want to say is my opinion. Many people gave their lives so that I and other people can freely express ourselves. What I am saying is neither inflammatory rhetoric or untrue. I want us to examine what we are becoming as a nation. History could repeat itself with a new twist. I believe an old and dangerous attitude can bring our country to ruin.

In Nazi Germany, when some people became aware of what was happening around them, they chose to ignore it. Their thinking was: “Go along to get along” with those around them. As we now know, horrible atrocities were perpetrated upon innocent people at that time in Hitler’s Germany and elsewhere. Sadly, many people just went along with it. It is interesting to consider that had enough of them spoken out, the results might have been different. There would have been certain risk for sure, but if large numbers of people at all levels of society had loudly and persistently objected, who knows what might have happened? I do not presume to sit in judgment upon anyone. I was not there, and I realize that self-preservation is a very strong motivator.

I bring this history to our attention so we can consider if today the same mentality exists as an undercurrent of cultural thinking in our country. Although many people do know what the scriptures say about sin, they choose to go along with it. They sit on their discernment, afraid to use their brains and express their opinions freely. Cohabitation, sex outside of marriage, fornication ( by both hetero and homosexuals), adultery, drunkenness, gluttony, selfishness, greed, all of these behaviors are scarcely ever mentioned or objected to by preachers or anyone. Why? It is because we have to “ Go along to get along” or we will be called bigots, narrow minded freaks ,politically incorrect, homophobes, and other nasty labels. It’s easier to go along . . .It’s necessary to get along. Or is it?

Even academia does the “Get along” thing. They believe everyone has to “be a winner” so they dumb down school text books and courses and alter grading so everyone can succeed. This creates an artificial sense of acheivement for students who are, in reality, just mediocre at best. Of course, everyone’s self esteem is a top priority. In reality, everyone cannot win and some days are just hard on our esteem. People learn from failure and rise above esteem issues when they have real goals, clear values, self discipline and motivation. In other words, when they know who they are in relation to the great God of the universe who loves them and gave His son for them.

When will this trend of being out of touch with God’s truth, and out of sync with God and His commands ever stop? Who will speak out against it? The church? Christians? Peter spoke to an endangered early church when he said, “We ought to obey God and not men,”(Acts 5:29). When we ignore what God says in the Bible, we are putting ourselves, our families, and our country at risk of great destruction like ancient Rome. Will violence and wanton sexual debauchery continue to feed our minds via the Internet, movies, TV and video games? Will we be over run by barbarians who respect no one and have no rules like Rome was? There can be no other result. Are you willing to “Go along to get along”, or will you stand up for what you believe before it is too late? Doma

The Power of Gratitude

The greatest lesson I have learned lately is how being grateful can change my perspective. I have marveled at the way I now see events that have come into our lives. A great example is what before was viewed as a trial, a life interruption and a struggle, (namely dialysis three time a week), is now seen as a blessing.

A life preserving procedure, the transfer and cleansing of the blood from my husband's body and back again involves hours where he is connected to a large machine. It also means we spend lots of time traveling back and forth to the hospital and conversing with each other. I am learning more and more about the wonderful man I married and about myself too. We watch television and laugh and comment on what we see while he sits in the dialysis center's recliner.Sometimes I bring my Bible study and work on it while he doses off.

With gratitude came the humbling realization of God's great and faithful care all through my husband's medical journey. From Cancer to renal failure, to stent changes, heart and lung tests to multiple surgeries to put in a heart catheter and also to create a working fistula, our God has been so amazing in His care. In countless ways I can tell you about God's grace abounding in and for us.

Please allow me to explain a little about stents and fistulas, just so you know how fantastic God is when He works through modern medicine and doctors. The stent goes into my spouses' body at his stoma, the opening created to expel urine into a bag (urostomy). It then proceeds up into my husband's diversion, a fake bladder made from a section of the ileum or small intestine. This diversion connects to my husband's remaining kidney so that organ can drain. This stent is changed every seven weeks to keep it open. The fistula joins an artery and a vein which creates a site where the blood can be cycled out and in during dialysis. A working fistula means the heart catheter does not need to be used for this purpose. My hubby has had three heart catheters implanted, one became infected which was a real 911. Infection in a heart catheter has the potential to kill you! Using the heart cath lowers his blood pressure to a very danger level and stresses the heart, so we are so blessed when the fistula works well.

Further evidence of our gracious God at work is the fact that there was no need for the morphine pump or pain pills after my spouse's five hour cancer surgery where he lost his bladder, prostate and right kidney. He felt no pain despite a long, deep incision from his groin up to his right side. This fact indelibly impressed my mate of God's power and individual providence in his behalf. He loves to relate this fact in conversations with anyone who will listen.

So can you understand how looking at all of these events and struggles with a thankful heart can make it bearable and even more amazing, give joy because of the proof of God's love and care. I hope you will try a little gratitude. It humbles you, but it opens your eyes too. God's blessings to you friends. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you! DB