A New Day, A New Way

Don't Lose Hope

Wow, it has been a long time since I wrote last! I have had some breaks in my blog writing before, but I don’t think that any have been this long.

Fun Surprises With Daughters Visiting

So, what is going on? In the day to day events, I had a birthday for which my husband, Daniel, planned some incredible surprises! The first was having our middle daughter, Deanna, fly from Florida to see me and surprised me at our favorite coffee shop, Rendezvous! That was quite a surprise and a great encouragement. We hadn’t seen her since before Covid started. It was her first time here to visit us in Missouri. Thankfully, the weather wasn’t too cold and we got to do some fun things.

My next surprise was that our oldest daughter, Stephanie, and her 2 children arriving and met us at another restaurant in the area. It was quite amazing having all 3 of our daughters, nearby within a week of each other, but not all at the same time. We need to work on that more.

Next, while Stephanie, Christian and Elena were here, everyone except me managed to have a stomach virus. I have no idea how I escaped this! Daniel then got sick with an upper respiratory virus that carried on for a week or so. I did catch a small bit of that.

We did have a meal with all four of our grandchildren too, as our youngest daughter lives in our area with our other two grandchildren. I can’t complain though. I got pretty spoiled!

A Time To Learn And Grow

So, beyond the daily events, I have asked the Lord many times what He wants to teach me. I wondered if my motives and what I am doing regarding my writing is still what He wants for me. It was time to take a break and seek His face and learn from others. I hadn’t been taking time to read books from other authors who could show me some things that I needed to learn. My insecurities and pride get in the way at times and I needed to re-prioritize and make sure that I was following His lead. I continue looking to Him for guidance. I know that this is the only way that He will use me as He sees fit to.

Because He Lives

Today, we have the opportunity to celebrate Christ rising from the dead. He is the only God who is alive. Not Buddha, not Muhammad, or any other person or god that people follow. He is the only one who has the power to work in our life today. Only He is able to change circumstances and people. For He died specifically because He loves us but He didn’t stay dead. He came back to life because of His power and desire to work and bring every one of us to Him if we chose to have a relationship with Him.

Changing Lives

Right now, we hear of terrible things happening in our world and the enemy, Satan, is going full force trying to destroy lives. Many of us are hurting with anxiety, depression and panic and don’t know how to live in victory in these hard and hurtful times.

I attended a women’s conference a few years ago that specifically helps women who hurt and don’t understand how to work through the difficult circumstances that they face. The ministry Fearless Unite, began in the area that I live in, around eight years ago by a woman who was diagnosed with a panic disorder. Christy Boulware, the founder, learned a lot through her experiences and the Lord led her to begin a ministry to help other women who need to gain victory in their life as well. This coming Tuesday, April 11, 2023, Christy Boulware’s first book is available on Amazon. She named her book Nervous Breakthrough. Here is a link if you would like to pre-order or order when April 11th arrives: Nervous Breakthrough by Christy Boulware

For more information on the Fearless Unite ministry, the link to their website is: Fearless Unite

Take Time And Remember He Is Our Hope

A verse that I am regularly reminded of is to “Be still and know that He is God.” Psalm 46:10. It is ok to stop and “be still.” I used to constantly rush around and stayed busy. I tried to write in order to impress. It isn’t what the Lord wants from me or any of us though. The Lord used an illness in my life to realize that I should stop and settle down.

The song that I am leaving you with today is “Sunday is Coming” by Phil Wickham. It is special and important as we celebrate Easter, that we are reminded day after day that His death “wasn’t the end.” Here are a few key lyrics that impacted and touched me. Really, this whole song is so meaningful! Sunday is Coming lyrics

A perfect man would have to die

And only He could pay that price

He is alive! He is alive!

Hallelujah He is alive

“Don’t lose hope, Sunday is coming.”

“And He is coming again.”

Friday is good cuz Sunday is coming.

Oh church arise, He is coming soon

When I am tempted to fear, be stressed, anxious and/or depressed, I have the Lord to turn to. He is all powerful and has won the victory over sin and the grave. I say this not because I have already achieved this though, as Paul says in Philippians 3:12.

 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. (Philippians 3:12 NLT)

Don’t lose hope, cuz Sunday is coming! He Is Alive!!!!!!!