Good evening everyone...and how was your day!? I had a great day, with a mixed bag of everything that needed to be done; but the thing I want to talk about this evening; is a special moment that I spent with God...before going to bed last night.
Yesterday...most of my day went smooth; that is until later in the day. As I look back on these moments, I can't help but think that it was only because I had a good day and you know who wanted to spoil it for me. 
Anyways...after watching God bring me through these difficult moments...I didn't know if I wanted to stay up and do some writing or if I should just go to bed. As I sat on my daybed in the office...I just sat there quietly. The night before...God had given me some beautiful thoughts to write; so I thought that I would look back on those. As I did...words began to come...and within a short time, I had already written 4 pages of beautiful words...from God's heart to mine. 
Before going to bed...I decided to do something different...so after putting away my journal of writings; I just laid back on the bed...and outside my office window, I can see everything lit up at night, due to a yard light...near the back of the yard; so I just decided to lie there and look out to the trees and all the beauty that shown within the darkness of that night and talk with God for a while. I shared everything...and I mean everything. I talked with Him about the writings...and everything I enjoyed in my day. I talked with Him about others, who had asked for prayer...and even more, I began to share every feeling; that still seemed to be hanging onto me from the early evening. I'll tell you...after about 15 minutes or so, I began to feel emptied out from the day and before I knew it, I was ready to rest. 
​Later...as I closed my eyes, I asked God to be close to me and allow His presence to be ever near. During that time alone with Him...I came to truly see that He had been the light that had shown through some darkened moments of my day...and as His light exposed every work of darkness; that had attempted to ruin a good day...I began to feel the weight of those moments leave me...as a peace and loving spirit took their place. 
No matter what you may have felt or experienced in your day...may I encourage you to invite God into those moments. Let it all go and allow the light of His presence, to expose and illuminate the works of darkness; that you too may experience God's peace and loving Spirit throughout your night!
I truly pray that your night will be a good one...completely blessed by God! Take care and I will hope to be with you again tomorrow!
Many...many blessings on your night!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane 

Good morning everyone...and a very "Happy Thursday" to you all! Well...we are now on that downhill climb towards another weekend, which should help us all to see that no matter what we have walked through this week...we are making it with God...PRAISE HIM!!
You know...this week I was focusing on one main thing...and that is how we all find it so easy to read God's word and even say we know it; but then when it comes to living it...we seem to fall short of the words we once read.
Do we realize that when we read God's word and finally take hold of the words we're reading...but never really act on them; then we have truly put up a road block, where God cannot work in our lives? Many seem to be waiting for God to do everything...as that is how they feel it should be; but through a VERY hard and difficult life, I have come to see the complete opposite...for working at our needs, involves a two sided relationship with God...not just God alone; for how else are we going to learn and truly take hold of these truths; that they may become embedded within our lives? 
We might as well realize that we just can't read God's word and go "wow;" but yet never put it into practice. What we see with our eyes...and what we hear with our ears, should truly be brought to life within us. When we choose to only listen and see what is within God's word...but never act upon these times of learning; then that is where we become stuck, in what I like to say is the muck and mire of despair. In other words...we know that there is a way; but it's not taking us anywhere, because there is no action. For example...if you were being given a map to a hidden treasure...and you studied that map and knew everything you needed to do, to find that treasure; but yet, you never put it into practice; then would you ever find the hidden treasure? No...because you held the answers, to where the treasure was within your hands; but yet you never acted upon it.
​As we close our time together, my prayer is that we will not only read...listen and think about what needs to be done within our lives; but that we would truly put those things into action; that we may be able to truly see and experience a God, who can take every effort we put forth and crown it with success...praise Him!
I pray that you will have a very blessed Thursday...and that you will come to truly see how great God can be within your life...just by putting every thought and word into action...Amen!! 
May God truly bless your day with His best...take care and I will hope to be with you again this evening!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
Diane

Good evening everyone...and how was your Wednesday? I truly hope it was a good one! Today, has been another day of writing for me. In fact...last night, I stayed up until almost 12:30...writing and spending time with God...and what a great time it was! Just as I was finishing...to lay my head on the pillow and rest...it seemed that my time with God wasn't finished, as more words came to my thoughts...that just had to be written down...before going to sleep.
You know...when we truly have a heart to heart relationship with God; that connection really does help, during a time of need...because when we feel as if the deep waters of circumstance are about to overtake us...we have someone to connect to...One, whose power will keep us lifted high and above these moments that can seem disastrous. 
I remember a time in my life, when I truly felt as though my circumstances had thrown me into a troubled sea. As the wind and waves roared around me, I began to feel as if I was going to go down beneath these troubled waters for good...but as you can see...that never happened. 
These moments that can become overwhelming to us...as if a tall wave is about to come down and smack us in the face, can truly convince us that we will be defeated in the end; but I have come to truly see that when we walk through the deep waters of despair...God is there with us; and when we walk through the fire of oppression...God is there; and when we are about to be consumed by these moments...God is there...and will never allow us to drown or be burned.
The thing I think that we struggle with; is believing more in the problems that stand before us, rather than the God who is much greater than these problems. Just think what life would be like, if we were to become connected into the awesome power of this great and wondrous God...just like we do, when we find ourselves caught up within every detail of a weak problem. If we would only choose to reverse our thoughts and allow ourselves to become more deeply connected to God, during these difficult times; then instead of feeling as if we are going to drown; I truly believe that we would find ourselves reaching up to God, with a hope that would truly take us high above these difficult times.
No matter what you may be facing right now, may I encourage you to get your focus on God and don't allow yourself to be caught up within the storm. Remember Peter? When he focused on Jesus; he was able to walk on the water...but once he took his eyes away from Jesus and focused on the stormy sea; that is when he began to sink. 
Let's face it...we all are going to walk through the deep waters of despair and the fiery moments of oppression; but that doesn't mean that it has the power to overtake us...so don't feed into a power that is only displaying itself as something greater than God, when really it's only a weak circumstance.
Tonight...as we close this day together, I pray that we will allow God to step in and remove the thoughts that are attempting to convince us of defeat; that we may truly experience a power that far outweighs any so-called power of circumstance!
May you truly find peace in your night...and even more; may you experience the loving presence of God throughout your night! Take care...sleep well...and I will look forward to another visit with you tomorrow!
Many...many blessings on your night!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone...and a very happy Wednesday to you all! So how is your day going? I truly hope and pray that you will have a great day...and that you will experience the depth of God's loving care for you, as you walk through this brand new day!
How many times do we become caught up, in the thoughts that we should never suffer as God's children? I think that this is one of the hardest things I went through, while facing much pain and heartache in my life. In other words...I just couldn't see why this loving God, would allow so much to take place in my life...things that truly made life difficult and hard to overcome. 
Later...as God kept walking me through the dark moments of affliction; I did come to see that every little thing He was allowing me to go through, was for a specific reason. In fact...I see a lot of my past, as a spiritual boot camp...a time, when God was allowing one painful moment, to be replaced by another sprout of new growth...one that I needed, to make me less of a prey to weakness, while preparing me, for what still lied ahead within my life.
After going through 21 knee operations...the loss of many things in my life, including children...and the heart breaking moments of a past sexual abuse; I began to see that God wasn't out to torture me; but rather, He was allowing many moments of affliction, to turn me around in His direction and make me into the person He had planned for me to be. Even though I went from one bad moment to another...I can truly say that He has been there to walk me out of it all. Now, I have come to see the good that is now shining through those difficult times...and the wisdom that has truly brought about spiritual growth within my life...something that I never expected to have happened.
No matter what you may be walking through right now; you may feel as if God is against you...rather than being for you; but that is because you are only seeing the beginning, of what is yet to come. Remember one thing...if God leaves anything unfinished in our lives...or allows us to be defeated; then that makes Him a defeated God too, which just can't be...for He did not send His only Son to the cross, to die for the sins of this world...only to turn around and do the complete opposite and forsake us. 
As you walk through the difficult times of life...remember the words of this verse in Psalm 34:19... "MANY are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord DELIVERETH him out of them ALL," which is the hope we live with...that even though these difficult moments come our way...they too shall pass...AMEN!!
Today, I pray that you will be able to see the difficulties in life, as stepping stones...stepping stones that are about to lead you to better things within your life! Have a great day...and just know that God will never leave you or forsake you, during the difficulties of life! I'll see you later this evening...God bless!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Good evening everyone...and how was your day? I sure hope that it was a good one! I have been  spending the afternoon writing, which I just love to do! What a relaxing time...just me and God...and what peace I find, as I connect one to one with Him!
You know...one thing I've been thinking on lately; is how Satan not only afflicts us...but also on how he attempts to get us so deeply connected with that affliction; that our minds and hearts cannot be where they should be at the time...which is with God.
Many times, I have told my husband that pain can be one of the most controlling things to go through. We not only feel the pain within our bodies...but that pain also affects the mind, until all the mind is receiving, are the pain waves that seem ongoing and never ending. 
There was a time in my life, when I felt trapped within the circumstances of the past...but I found out later; that it just wasn't the circumstance alone that was attempting to have control; but rather, it was how I was allowing my mind to be governed by the flesh at the time; that kept me imprisoned within those difficult times...and this is how Satan operates. Just like pain...if he can get us so caught up in what is happening; then he can also get us caught up in a fleshly way of thinking on what is happening at the time, which in turn...only allows us to fall deeper into despair.
No matter what Satan brings our way...and no matter how difficult it can be to overcome; we must keep our minds on Jesus and the help He can give us, during these difficult times of need. Focusing on how bad a situation is; will only allow us to see how much worse it can get. Remember...the fleshly way of thinking, will only open us up to more of the problem; but a Godly way of responding to the problem, will lead us to the path that can walk us away from the problem. 
May I encourage you tonight, to not fall into a trap...set up by evil...just by the way you think and react to a problem. In a time of need, we should be seeking shelter in Christ...not the problem...and once we choose to do that; this is when we will find the right path that can free us. 
As we close another day together, may I encourage you to let go of the thoughts and cares of the day and focus on a God who can fill you with life and peace...a peace that can help your thoughts to remain distant, from the fleshly ways that only long to take you further down, into the muck and mire of despair. 
May you truly have a night of peace...as you rest in the presence of God! Take care and I will hope to be with you again tomorrow!
Many...many blessings on your night!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone...and a very happy Tuesday to you all! I hope that your day is off to an even better start than yesterday! Praise God...that no day is ever the same; for as each new day becomes a page in the book of life...new things are written, which  allows us to experience something new!
You know...we all have days, where we struggle to make it through the moments that are standing before us. Many times, we come to see how human we really are...but no matter what we fall prey to through weakness; we know that there is One who truly understands these moments. 
Lately, the struggles of keeping this ministry going, has been quite the challenge...because I not only have the work of the ministry; but my home life too. Fortunately, my husband is retired and does help me a lot; but the load can seem overwhelming at times, as I also deal with chronic pain. 
There can be days, when I can barely find the strength to open up my thoughts and feelings before Jesus...but no matter what I say or don't say...somehow, I know He truly understands my heart...and mostly, I think it's because He has suffered much more; then what I will ever experience in this life. 
Many times, I have found that when I am just myself before Him...rather than attempting to remain tough, with words that aren't real...that this is when He reaches deep within my heart to say... "Diane, I see the pain...I see the tiredness...and I understand...because I too, have experienced the pain and tired moments of dying for the sins of this world." 
One thing I have truly come to see within my life; is that I have a friend who understands me, even more than I understand myself. No one will ever compare to the One, who has truly been there for me...so many times in my life. 
No matter what you may be facing today...just know that Jesus does understand. Even though He may be allowing these moments into your life, for reasons that you may not fully understand...trust Him; because He will be there to love and care for you, just as He has for me. 
As we walk through the moments ahead...moments that may not be easy to walk through...just know that Jesus is there for you...and He does understand what you are going through...for He has gone through much more, than what we will ever face in life. Turn to Him today, for He is a God who can be trusted to see us through the difficult times...believe me, I know!
Today, I pray that your day will be truly touched by the presence of One, who longs to love you through the difficult times of life! Have a nice Tuesday...take care and I will hope to be with you again this evening! 
Many...many blessings on your day!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Good evening everyone! I sure hope that your Monday was a good one! Lately...everyday seems to be a challenge for me...no matter how much rest I get on the weekend; but I have come to see many times; that when I don't think I can make it...I do...and that is only because of a strong God that's living within me...for every part of my being is strengthened by the almighty strength that He holds within Himself...praise God!!
You know...there can be times, when the circumstances we face, can make us feel alone and abandoned in life. Fear can creep in and attempt to cripple us deep within, while we are convinced that we can't take one more step forward. If we could only turn to God, during these times...when everything seems to be out of control; then one thing I know...God would be there to help us.
You know...we were never promised that life would ever be easy. In fact, it says in God's word that we would face many troubles...but then we read verses like this in Isaiah 41:13...and we are reminded that we have nothing to fear...because God will help us through these times. 
Sometimes, I wonder if we have truly given everything over completely to God. Could it be that we are holding tightly to one thing...always feeling the need to have control? One thing I know for sure; is that until we are willing to take hold of God's hand...and let go of the hand, of that one thing; then we will never receive the help that we so desperately need.
One thing I've come to see for sure in my life; is that saying we trust in God and living it; is two separate things...for words are so easy to spew from our mouths; but when they hold no meaning; then they remain powerless before us.
No matter what you may be facing today...may I encourage you to take a chance on God and reach out, for the hand that is reaching back at you? When we are willing to admit that we can no longer make life work on our own...and when we come to the place, where we are truly willing to trust God; then that alone will give us the strength to let go for good. The choice is up to us! 
One thing I can tell you for sure tonight...and that is this; the struggles and challenges we face in life can be so overbearing at times. They can drain us, of whatever hope may remain within us...and they can even make us want to give up on life completely...believe me, I know; but on the other hand, I have come to experience a power that ended up being much greater than the power that tried to take me down...and the only way I was able to see and experience this, was when I was willing to reach out to God for help...and truly trust Him with my life. 
Tonight...you may be facing something in your life that seems so much more powerful than anything you've ever been through. You may be reading this...and at the same time...you may be feeling as if you are about to go down under the troubled waters for good. May I encourage you to reach up through those troubled waters...to a God, who is already reaching back to help you. One thing I know for sure...if you do this; then God will take hold of your hand and He will help you through this storm in your life. 
As we close...I pray that no matter what may be happening in your life right now; that you will find the strength to let go of the circumstance...and reach up to a God, who longs to help you so much!
Many...many blessings on your night! See ya tomorrow!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
Diane

Hello everyone...and a very happy Monday to you all! It's so good to be back with you today...and my prayer; is that we will allow the presence of God to walk close beside us...throughout each moment of this day...that we may truly come to experience a power that is greater than any other thing in this world!
This morning, as I was preparing to come and share my heart with you...I was talking with someone on the phone, who has been a little discouraged...mainly about the unknown moments that lie ahead of him. After encouraging him, I began to read the Bible verse that God has given us all for today, which is found in Lamentations 3:25...and I began to think on how many times, we can find ourselves in unknown moments; that haven't even been brought into existence. In fact...I wonder how many times do we worry about moments that haven't been created yet by God...only to find out later; that what we were worrying about never even happened...which to me is a form of needless suffering.
In my own life, I have come to see that this journey I'm on, hasn't come to me all at once...and why? Because God longs for me to learn along the way. So many times, we just want everything to happen all at once, so these moments of uncertainty can leave our minds; but I have come to see numerous times; that God wants souls that will wait on Him and seek Him along the way. In this way...we come to trust God, for each step we take. 
Maybe you too are facing a lot of what seems to be uncertain moments. Maybe you are afraid of what could happen, in the days that lie ahead of you. May I encourage you to remain in the step of today, until God has walked you into the step of tomorrow. In this way, you will come to trust Him, for each step or day you walk into, which will allow the thoughts of uncertainty to be left behind; so you can truly lean on a God, who will never leave you or forsake you. 
In one of my Bibles, I have a quote that goes like this... "Safety isn't found in the absence of danger; but rather, safety is found in the presence of God." In other words...we can't find safety, hope and peace...just because the problem isn't there anymore...but we CAN find safety, hope and peace...just knowing that God is standing with us...in the midst of the problem. Let's face it...we can't avoid the uncertain moments of life...but I KNOW a God who will be with us during these times...and once we are willing to walk one day at a time with Him, while waiting on Him and seeking Him...for what lies ahead; then He will ALWAYS be there, to walk us through anything we might face in this life...Amen!!
As you continue to walk through this brand new day, I pray that you will stay in sync with God and live...for just the moments you have stepped into; that you may always experience God's very best, as you journey with Him! 
Have a great Monday...take care and I will hope to be with you this evening!
Many...many blessings on your day!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Good evening everyone! I hope that you had a very blessed Sunday! This afternoon...after spending some time with my husband and God, I laid down and passed out for several hours, which truly made a great day for me! I'm so glad that God always knows what we need! What a loving and caring Savior He truly is!!
You know...how many times do we try to stand strong and tough on our own, when life feels as if we can't take one more step forward. I remember many times in my past, when I tried to hold tightly to life, as a means of keeping myself moving forward...but I found over time that I just wasn't strong enough to do this anymore. In fact...I actually collapsed emotionally and found myself in a place, where I just couldn't get up and continue on. 
After falling deep, into a pit of despair, I came to see that all God wanted me to do; was to let it all go and fall into His arms. Eventually, I came to see that when I did this; then while I was resting in the arms of God...He was working on my behalf, to make all things new again.
Sometimes, I wonder why we hold so tightly to life? Is it that we are afraid that if we let go; that we may never be able to get back up again...or is it that we are afraid that these difficult times are only going to worsen...to the place, where we cannot stay strong, in the way we once were? No matter what the reason may be...one thing I know; is that life doesn't have to be difficult, even while facing the difficulties of life...for when we choose to let go of everything, except for God; that is when life will seem easier...even through the difficult times.
As we prepare to begin another new week...I pray that no matter what may come our way; that we will find the strength to lean on God...instead of remaining strong on our own...that we will truly come to see and experience a VERY loving and caring God...One who longs to be everything, for everything we need!
Have a great night of rest...take care...and I pray that we all will come to see tomorrow as a new beginning, rather than dreading the start of another week! Remember to hold tightly to God...and one thing I know...He will ALWAYS hold tightly to you! See ya tomorrow!
Many...many blessings on your night!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone...and a very happy and blessed Sunday to you all! You know...lately, I have been struggling with a lot of pain and the thoughts of what could go wrong with these legs of mine...and if we are honest with ourselves...moments like these can truly become a difficult struggle or obstacle to get over in life. 
As of this year, I have been dealing with knee and leg problems, for about 50 years of my life. When I was younger...I never thought about what life may be like with these legs as I got older. Seems like I'm experiencing more pain and leg problems, with the more mileage that is put on these out of alignment legs. 
I have no cure, for what I was born with; but lately, God has been reminding me of His grace. Just like Paul...I still walk with the thorn of affliction everyday of my life...but also like Paul...God has shown me that even though there are no answers for my problem in this world...there is grace; to help and sustain me through the difficult times. 
For quite some time, I have wondered why this powerful God I serve, hadn't chosen to heal these legs of mine. Could it be that I lacked faith? Could it be that something was also out of alignment in my life, which could stop Him from working? No...I have come to see numerous times; that just like Paul...God allowed these difficult moments, to keep me at a level where I would always be in tune with that still small voice of God...the voice that would speak encouragement through me...to others in need. 
I remember a time in my life, when it seemed as if the pain was going away. I was so happy...thinking that finally everything was going to be better. After several weeks of this; I found that the pain was gradually coming back. As I looked deep within myself, I came to see that I wasn't as in tune with the ministry or the writings, as I had been during times of pain. You may not always know this; but many times, I have entered my office with pain and extreme tiredness; but I also rose above it, to do whatever God had called me to do for the moment. After sitting in pain...and rereading a writing that He had placed upon my heart to write; I could see how the writing came out of those painful thoughts and feelings.
So many times, we choose to give up on God. We think that life should go this way or that way for us; but I have come to see that this isn't always true; because God does take these difficult times...and He does use them for Him. Maybe we don't always experience life, in the way we feel it should be...but no matter what...I have truly come to see that God's grace is sufficient...and we do experience His perfect strength through weakness...that is, if we are willing to give Him a chance to work in that way.
As we walk through this day...I pray that we will be able to live with a peace...knowing that God's grace is sufficient, for whatever we may be facing at the time! May your day be filled with the presence of God...and may you ALWAYS come to see that God's grace is more than enough, to see you through the hard and difficult times of life...Amen!!
Have a great and blessed Sunday...and I will hope to be with you again this evening!
Many...many blessings on your day!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane