​Hello everyone…and a very happy Thursday to you all! Well…I have now hit the 61 mark…and some would say that they are getting old; but I see these many years, as times of new growth and a greater wisdom…a wisdom that can only be obtained through Jesus Christ our Lord. My prayer for you today; is that you too will come to experience this God, in the way that I have come to truly know Him over these many years of affliction…and that you won’t be taken down by despair; but that you will be lifted above it, by the One who truly has lifted me from despair…Amen!!
Last night, as I was preparing to end my day; God came to me in a very special way…and what a special time we had together. You know…every step that I have taken in life has walked me through one storm or another; but the light of God’s presence has ALWAYS been there, to safely guide me out of each storm I’ve faced…and some of these storms have truly been seen as unending; but even though I couldn’t see through the darkness of the blackened clouds that surrounded me at the time; God knew when and where they would end…for I truly came to see that He was waiting for me, on the other side of the storm.
No matter what we face…or no matter where we seem to find ourselves in life; there is a loving hand reaching out to us…a hand that can lead us out of these darkened moments…for I have seen and experienced that hand upon my life many times.
You know…there was a specific time in my life, when God had truly come to me…and this is what I would like to share with you today. Just after beginning the group counseling, for the sexual abuse that I experienced as a young girl, along with a very dysfunctional home life; I had felt led by God to take a trip home…over 2500 miles from where I now live, to hopefully find an end to these painful moments of the past and to also truly learn how to forgive my past.
After finally returning home, I took several trips to the cemetery…over a period of 10 days, to where my grandfather (my molester) was buried. As I left in the way I came, I was getting a little discouraged; because I knew that we would be leaving soon and it would be difficult and expensive for me to return; so I talked with Keith and we agreed to take one final visit.
As Keith and I approached the cemetery for the final visit, I could feel God working with me. He began to show me that I needed to mentally bury all the pain with the one who had hurt me, so I began to do so. As I began to bury every painful moment, I felt like a very heavy load had been taken off my back. For each moment of pain I buried, God began to replace the painful feelings with His peace.  From there, I knew that I would have to forgive my grandfather…which to be honest was the hardest thing to do. I came to see that day; that if I wanted God to forgive my sins, then I would have to find a way to forgive him too. From that moment, I started to feel pity for my grandfather instead of anger…knowing that one day, he would have to stand before God and be judged for what he had done. As I sat on a nearby stump…not far from his grave, I began to sing, “I surrender all…I surrender all; all to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” As I finished singing, I began to give all the anger and lack of forgiveness over to God, so He could nail all of my feelings to His cross, where once He died to set us free. As I got up from the stump, I slowly walked back to the van…never to look back again…and as I left the cemetery I cried; because for the first time, I had finally been set free, from the heavy burden that had become my life for so many years.
You know…one of the greatest things God has taught me; is that we do need to forgive those who hurt us…but not only by word; but truly from the heart. I believe that if I wouldn’t have forgiven my grandfather in this way; then the burden would still be there…haunting my life every day.
One thing I came to see that day at the cemetery; was that I was no better in the eyes of God; then the grandfather that had molested me…because you see, all sin is sin in the eyes of God…and no sin is greater than another to Him.
One thing we must remember every day of our lives; is to forgive with a true heart; for in Matthew 6…verses 14 & 15 we read… “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Today, as I celebrate 61 years of life, I thank God for the lessons learned along the way…and for the heart He has given me, while walking through the ashes of deep despair!
No matter what has taken place in your life, may I encourage you to get alone with God and let Him teach you how to forgive those who may have hurt you in life? One thing I know…the weight of each hurtful moment will be lifted from you…and you will experience God’s love and peace…a love and peace that will keep you closely connected to Him, rather than the painful moments of your past.
At the darkest moments in our lives…moments that make us feel as if the sun will never shine again…comes a presence…one who gives us the light we need, to walk out of these darkened moments of despair…and this is the hope we hold near to our hearts.
Well…it’s time for me to celebrate another year of life and God’s goodness! I wish I could have each of you with me in my home…for we would talk and share and enjoy a piece of blueberry cheesecake…something special I’m looking forward to today.
As you walk through this day, my prayer for you; is that you would truly come to experience a God of power…one that can break the chains that are attempting to keep you in a prison cell of despair.
Have a great Thursday…and I pray many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy Wednesday to you all! I hope that you are enjoying a beautiful summer day…and that even more, you will come to experience a power in your life like no other…a power that only comes from Jesus Christ our Lord…Amen!!
As I’ve been sitting here this afternoon…thinking on what God would have me share with you, as I prepare to press on and enter another new year of life; He began to open up a part of my life…and I would have to say that this was one of the most difficult times I’ve ever walked through; but at the same time, it was one of those moments, when I had truly experienced the wonder working power of God in my life.
As some of you may already know, I came to a time in my life, when I had truly fallen down to nothing emotionally. In fact…I was so far deep into depression; that I even found it very difficult to make a bed…or just do a daily routine around the house.
One day, as I continued to go deeper into these difficult moments of despair, I had decided to call up my Christian counselor and talk with him; but he wasn’t available at the time. I was so tired and drained from the depression that was attempting to take over my life; that the counselors secretary thought that I might have taken some pills and was attempting to commit suicide, which wasn’t the truth. Little did I know that God was once more heading me in a different direction; that would eventually be used to help me out of the depressing memories of the past.  
After hanging up the phone…I would say that within minutes, there was the sound of many sirens…and from there, a knock came at the door. As I answered the door, it was a policeman…and the moment I saw what was taking place outside my door, I fell down and began to sob uncontrollably. Within an hour or two, I found myself being taken to a local medical hospital. From there, I was admitted and checked by a doctor…and several blood tests were taken. The doctors found that due to a long stretch of depression…the fluid around my brain wasn’t enough to keep the brain functioning right; so I was placed on medication and was kept at the hospital for two weeks.
While I was in the hospital, I was assigned to several counselors…and the only one that was allowed to call me or visit was Keith, due to some of my problems being related to my family.
After being in the hospital for several days or so, I was given the option to get involved in an exercise class or a craft class. Since my legs weren’t doing well at the time, I chose the craft class…as I did enjoy that at one time. I guess the thing I need to say to you before we go on; is that when I took my first craft class, I still was pretty much down to nothing. I struggled to function or even shake my doctor’s hand.
Anyways…as I walked into my first craft class, the nurses were giving us a choice, as to what we would like to do. I will never forget this time, as I walked into a huge room with metal tables…tall stools and boxes and boxes of craft items.
As the nurse nicely walked me over to a table full of craft items; she began to ask me, as to what I would like to try and make. At the time, I just hung my head and didn’t even know if I had it in me, to do anything that day; but as she encouraged me and walked me over to the table, I began to get interested in decorating two mini brooms; that could eventually be hung on the wall at home. It wasn’t much of a project…just placing dried flowers and ribbons on these little brooms; but it was a humongous task at the time for me.
As I sat at the table on a tall stool, I just stared down on all that was before me for a few minutes…and then it seemed as if ideas were beginning to enter my thoughts. As each woven piece of ribbon went in place, along with all the beautiful dried flowers…something began to spark within me, for the very first time…in a long time. I actually began to feel a glimpse of light shine into the darkness, as I saw how I could still make something beautiful…and see it as something beautiful. Little did I know at the time; that this would be the beginning of a healing for me.
To this day, the brooms hang on my office wall…and when I feel as if life is taking me down again, I look at the brooms and visualize the moments, when beauty was truly brought forth, from the ashes of my despair.
A Bible verse that has meant so much to me is found in Isaiah 43:19…and we read… “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
One thing I would like to say to you today; is that God can truly take the most hopeless moments and make something new and beautiful from it. I think that the place where we go wrong; is when we start focusing so tightly on what is wrong; that these moments begin to convince us that they will never go right again.
Listen…I have walked through what I have seen to be the worst form of darkness in my life…a time when I felt as if I was actually walking through the pits of hell; but one thing I can tell you today…God didn’t leave me there. Instead, He made a promise to me; that He would stand on His word and bring me out of that darkness of despair…and today, I can say that even though I struggle with my health or other forms of trials…He has brought me through…and continues to bring me through each day.
As we close, may I encourage you to stop focusing on the darkness of a circumstance and begin anew, by searching for the light of God’s presence; because there is one thing I know without a doubt…and that is this; when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him and He will come to us and unlock these prison cells of despair and set us free, just as He has done for me…praise Him!!
Have a great day…and I hope that you will come back tomorrow and help me celebrate life, as it will be my 61st birthday! Come and experience a God, who can breathe new life within you…just as He has done for me…Amen!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy Tuesday to you all! I hope that your day is going as well as mine has…and I pray that you will truly experience a real love in your life each day…one that only comes from a loving and compassionate God…Amen!!
This afternoon, Keith and I were having lunch together and we were talking on my life a little bit…and how far God has brought me over the years. In fact…when I look back on my life, I see the different roads that I once walked down…roads that have been truly well-traveled.
To start out…the first of many roads that I walked down, was the road of my youth…a time, when I was dealing with life in a very difficult way…and while traveling this road, I faced many lonely and depressing moments, along with sexual abuse and much loss. While other children were running and enjoying life, I spent many of the twenty-one knee surgeries in a hospital bed, with a long recovery later. As I sat recovering, after having reconstruction work on both knees, I could hear the sound and laughter of my siblings and friends outside the window. On this road of life, I not only experienced physical problems; but also emotional ones too, as I was brought up in a very dysfunctional home. Many times on Sunday, I would find myself…with my arms folded in my bedroom window, while starring out to nothing. This road was a difficult road to understand…and a road that seemed to place me in a world of my own, which made this road a very lonely one to walk down.
After traveling this road for quite some time, God seemed to be taking me off this road and onto an exit that led to a road of marriage…and what seemed to be the start of something brand new…for this was the time when I met Keith and married him. We first found each other at a laundry mat…never realizing that we would meet once more that night at the hospital where I worked. Even though I saw happiness at the time; later I came to see the reason for marrying Keith…a reason that would start a more intense journey with God.
The next road that God took me down was a road of loss…pain and great heartache…a time when life would mingle in with more surgeries and counseling, for a sexual abuse that took place at the age of 5. Believe me when I say…I actually didn’t think that I would make it on this road because this was the road that brought me down to the pavement…a place, where I could either look up to God for help…or a place where I could give up.
After finally pressing on, while becoming stronger along the way; God led me down another road…a road where I would begin to serve Him and use those many years of pain and heartache to help and encourage others. Maybe you are thinking about now; that I have finally overcome everything and life has been smooth sailing; but it hasn’t. To this day, I live with a rod in my right leg…a very bad left knee and two painful feet, along with tiredness each day; that attempts to slow me down…but you know what…I am here to testify to you today; that this God I serve is a very strong and mighty God, as He has brought me down roads; where honestly, I couldn’t see an end to them.
I will be sharing more in-depth stories, during these next couple of days; so you can have a more clearer view of all that has taken place in my life; but mainly what I want you to take hold of today; is that it doesn’t matter what we walk through…God is ALWAYS stronger.
You know…most of us know and have memorized Philippians 4:13, which says… “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me;” but do we truly believe what this verse is saying to us? In other words…do we believe that no matter what road we walk down in life; that Christ’s strength can help us to overcome all things? I remember a time in my life, when I thought I believed that; but actually, my actions weren’t showing it. I have come to see that we can read the whole Bible and memorize every verse possible; but until we believe its truth, these words will only remain dormant within our lives.
One thing I can say to you today…and I hope and pray that it will encourage your heart; is that if I wouldn’t have applied God’s word to my life…and if I wouldn’t have been willing to let Him travel with me through these long, hard and difficult times of life; then I know without a doubt that I wouldn’t be writing you today.
You know…God’s word has a way of giving us a “wow factor;” but if we don’t work with God, to put those “wow factors” into effect; then what purpose do they serve. In other words…it’s good to believe in God’s word; but putting them into action is what brings them alive within our lives, while helping us to truly experience the wonder working power of God.
As you walk through the hard and difficult times of this life, may I encourage you to not only read God’s word; but also let His word become a survival manual…one that will walk you out of despair…and into a life brand new…a life that can free you from the past…just as it did for me.
Have a very blessed day…and I hope that you will come back and join me tomorrow…and on my birthday (Thurs.), for some very heartfelt stories on my life.
God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
PS…if you would like to read the story on my life, I have an e-book/book on Amazon, titled… “My Journey with God: Walking thru Endless Moments of Affliction with a Love that Would Not Let Go.”

​Hello everyone…and a very happy Monday to you all! Well…here we go again…another new week; but let me give you the best news ever about entering a new week. I have come to truly see over time that when I enter a new day or a new week; then I am also entering a time of new possibilities…for all things are being made new by God…Amen!!
Some of you may have noticed on my previous writing that my birthday is this Thursday, July 30th…and if you read the “PS” at the bottom of that writing; then you would have seen that I was giving you an invite to my birthday writing on Thursday. Anyways…as I was sitting here this afternoon, I thought that maybe I would do a series of writings that will bring you to the grand finale on Thursday…so here we go…
Most of you may not know this but I no longer ask for birthday gifts on my birthday; not even from my husband; because this is a very special time between me and the Lord. In fact…I see this day, as a time when the greatest gift was given to me…the time when God brought me out of the depths of despair, to experience a brand new life with Him; so on my birthday, I do celebrate my birthday with Keith to an extent; but even more, I celebrate this time with God.
As I look back on my life, I remember many years when I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday; because during those times, I didn’t feel good about myself or I just didn’t really know the reason for feeling the way I felt at the time. Between all the surgeries…pain and counseling, along with a heart that was so shattered, I just couldn’t see any good reason to celebrate life.  In fact…during those difficult times, I only seemed to be in tune with dim lights and dark colors, which I found out later was a sign of depression for me.
Anyways…as I was sitting in my living room the other day…talking with Keith, I found out why I didn’t want to celebrate life during those times…and that was because my birthday only took me back to many bad memories of the past, along with all the physical problems I experienced with my knees. Also…this time of the year became a constant reminder to me, as to the time when my grandfather molested me. After experiencing so many trying times in my life, I just felt that forgetting my birthday would also help me to forget what took place in my life.
As many years have passed by, I have truly come to know Jesus…to the place where I talk with Him all the time. You see…He has become my very best friend…one that I can trust to keep His word…and One that will listen to me and truly care about the needs of my heart.
Through these many years of getting to know Jesus…the memories of the past have faded more into the background of my life, as Jesus now becomes my focal point each day. Because of this, I have truly found a reason to love life again and to love myself. You see...Jesus is not looking at the way I have my hair fixed…or if I’m wearing make-up or not...for the only thing He seems to be interested in is my heart…and I don’t know about you; but that’s the kind of friend I need in this life…One who cares more about me as a person, rather than any other thing.
A Bible verse that has helped me to truly see life in this way is found in I Samuel 16:7…and we read… “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Maybe right about now, you just haven’t felt that good about yourself…and maybe you feel as if you have to live up to these artificial standards in life. If so, may I encourage you to make Jesus your friend; for He will walk way beyond the outward appearance, to see your heart…and even more…you will experience a love that is perfect…one that can be trusted and one that will help you to see life in a brand new way…just like me.
May you have a very blessed day…and please come back, as I share something brand new with you each day…right through my 61st birthday, on July 30th!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Praising God in the Midst of the Storm
 
“And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
 
Hello everyone…and a very blessed Sunday to you all! I pray that your day is going well…and that you will truly experience the perfect peace of God, even in the midst of a storm…Amen!!
Today, some of us may find it difficult to see anything good or worthy of praise, due to the Coronavirus or a present circumstance…or even due to the loss of someone that was once very close to us. The weight of a difficult trial can make us feel as if the heaviness of a heart that is so broken; can’t even begin to find the strength to raise hands to the God of this universe. 
Through my own long and drawn out moments of affliction, I eventually did come to see that praising God in the midst of a trial does serve a purpose. For one thing…when we can truly praise God in the midst of a trial; then we are acknowledging a God whose power is greater than the trial…and through those thoughts, we come to see that this is the greatest opportunity to experience the powerful hand of a mighty God upon us, which in the end gives us a reason to praise Him.
Second…when we can praise God in the midst of difficult times; then this heart of praise becomes a weapon that can destroy the works of darkness. Think of it this way…when Satan afflicts us…what kind of response do you feel he is waiting to hear? Could it be a heart of complaint? One thing I’m sure of…Satan is not waiting to hear us praise God in the midst of a trial.
When I was younger, I remember watching… “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” If you remember…the Grinch had a plan to steal all the Christmas gifts…goodies and decorations that were up for Christmas in Whoville. After doing so…he went back home and decided to see if he could find joy in seeing all their disappointed faces; but to his surprise, the people of Whoville began to sing and dance and celebrate Christmas anyway. In a similar way, this is Satan’s plan…for he longs to not only afflict us; but to also take away the joy we once had for living…and even more, the joy we have for God.
No circumstance we face is ever going to be easy to walk through…believe me, I know; but one thing I’ve come to see over time; is that even though Satan may afflict us...that doesn’t mean that we have to allow the circumstance to make us distant, from the God we need the most…and this is exactly what we’re doing, when we let the circumstance pull us down and away from God.
There is one thing that has helped me for the longest time; and that is to look at my situation and ask myself, as to how Satan would want me to respond to this time of affliction. Most times, I’m convinced that he would want me to complain and lose heart; so instead of allowing that to have preeminence over my life; I choose to praise God in the midst of the storm. I find that when I have a real and true heart of praise for God during these difficult times; then no matter what has come my way…it will never be able to steal the joy that God has placed within my heart…and instead of being brought down to a lower level…I find that God takes hold of my hands of praise and lifts me to a higher plateau.
No matter what you may be facing right now…stop…take a deep breath and rethink the situation all over again…and I’m sure that you too will come to see that praising God will not only lift your spirits, while facing these difficult times; but I also think that you will come to see how praise can truly become the most power weapon, to ward off the works of darkness!
Blessings so much on your day!
​It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
PS…I will be writing during the week; but I invite you to join me on Thursday…July 30th, as I celebrate the goodness of the Lord in my life and my 61st birthday! It’s been a long journey; but God has been good! Come and let’s spend some precious moments together, as I share a little bit of that journey with you! Hope to see you then!

​Hello everyone…and a “Happy Friday” to you all! Praise God…we made it through another week and I don’t know about you; but I’m sure glad that God is right there, when I need Him the most!
Well…I have to tell you that Satan has tried everything he could try, to stop this writing today. Let’s see…first of all, our neighbor was outside around 10:00 last night…building something in her backyard; then after going to sleep, the pain in my body began to increase, which woke me up and then Satan tried to use everything he could to keep me from doing the things that needed to be done before this writing; but he didn’t succeed…and why? Because I don’t just see God as “God;” but instead, I see Him as a powerful God…One that can lift me up and over anything that Satan may put in my way.
You know…today we need to ask ourselves one question…do we only know of God and what we have read in the Bible…or do we truly know Him? I have come to see how easily we can quote Bible verses…pray and even speak eloquent words to God; but do we truly believe in who God is and what He stands for?
This afternoon, as I was seeking God for a Bible verse or two, to share with you today; God led me to a few verses in Job 26:1-4…and we read… “But Job answered and said, 2) How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength? 3) How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? 4) To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?”
What a great response from Job in this 26th chapter! In other words…Job is saying… who can understand or fathom this great and mighty God, due to such awesome power. Just think…who is the One who helped you through a difficult moment, when you just knew it wasn’t you? Who is the One that gives you strength, when all you feel is the need to give up; but yet you don’t? Who is the One who gives you just the right words to speak and who is the One who shows you how to accomplish something that you couldn’t have done on your own? Where do our thoughts come from and the words that we speak to others? Many times I have thought on this…and the thing that I’m always reminded of; is that we could never experience such awesomeness, when we choose to only think of God as “God.” In other words…His name truly becomes what it stands for, when we quit seeing our circumstances or any other thing, as more powerful than God.
You know…sometimes, I just like to look out my office window while I work…and it’s amazing how nature can draw a person into a clearer view of who God truly is. I know I have said this before; but when I see a small bud on a tree, turn into a large leaf…one that seems too big for that bud, I feel the power of God come alive within me. I just wonder how our faith would react to moments such as these. Maybe that’s what we all need right now…to just sit quietly in the presence of God and focus on who He truly is and what He stands for. I think that if we were to do so; then just maybe, our problems would seem much smaller in the presence of this big and awesome God.
No matter what you may be facing right now…or no matter how your heart and mind is reacting to this virus; may I encourage you to not let it become greater than this great and mighty God. In other words…use these experiences in life to get to know God for who He truly is…and I’m sure that you will come to see a different view of God…one that helps you to truly know Him, rather than just knowing of Him!
Have a great weekend…and many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and how are you doing on this fine day that the Lord hath made?! I truly hope that your day is going well…and that you will discover God to be even more real in your life today than yesterday…Amen!!
It seems like lately, I have been hearing a few people talk like this… “I know that God can help me; BUT being human…” In other words…their faith starts out strong; but then a heavy wind must come along and allow that faith to waver a little. Do we realize that thoughts and words such as these can put a halt to our faith in what God can do within our lives?
As I was thinking on this yesterday, I came to see how the word “but” can truly get in our way and become a road block; that keeps us from going after the desires of our hearts. In other words…the word “but” sometimes has a way of bringing us to a sudden stop… where we tend to sit and think on whether we can follow through with where our faith was once taking us.
This afternoon, as I was thumbing through God’s word; He led me to a few Bible verses in James 1:6-8…and we read… “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7) That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8) Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
As we spend this time together today, let’s focus on how the word “but” could actually make life worse, rather than better. The first thing I see happening; is that this word actually makes us appear as weak and unstable before Satan; because this word is no longer making us seen as strong and steadfast in the Lord. In other words…the confidence that once brought our faith alive and above the problem; now has stipulations attached…just in case God doesn’t follow through with an answer to our need, which in turn brings us closer to the works of evil, rather than the works of God.
Second…a sentence that starts out with faith and ends with doubt allows us to waver back and forth. In other words…it’s like we want to believe that all things are possible with God; but yet we seem to lose focus in God and get caught up in a worldly way of seeing the problem, which causes our faith to weaken.
How are we ever going to see God work within our lives, if we are allowing the word “but” to block our way, from receiving God’s very best? One of my very favorite Bible verses are found in Psalm 112:7-8…and we read… “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8) Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.”
We must remember that when our thoughts are fixed even more on God, rather than what we are facing; then our faith will become a steadfast faith…one that doesn’t fear, waver or require any “buts” to get in the way of receiving the best that God longs to give us. We need to also remember that it’s not God that brings His will to a halt; but its thoughts and words such as these that get in the way and places a halt on all that He longs to do within our lives.
You know what…maybe it’s time to gather up all the “buts” that have become roadblocks between God and ourselves and start making the way clear for Him to meet us at the need of the problem. Once we can truly rest in Him, with a faith that is steadfast and strong, while remaining focused on Him above all else; that is when we will find it easier to face our foes, which in turn will lead us to the best He longs to give us…Amen!!
Have a very blessed day in the Lord!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very “Happy Tuesday” to you all! I hope that your day is going well…and even more, I pray that you will experience the depth of God’s limitless power in your life today…Amen!!
Recently, I have been thinking on how easily we can limit the power of God in our lives. We tend to look at life from a human standpoint, rather than through the eyes of a God, whose power goes way beyond what we could ever imagine or think.
The other night, as I was talking with God before bed…I was about to ask God to take away the heat that has been aggravating my health lately…and before I even spoke a word, I began to think on His power and through these thoughts alone, I came to see that we don’t always have to have it easier in life, through the absence of danger or any other thing that we may facing at the time; because even though God may allow us to endure certain things in our lives; He does have the power to sustain and carry us through these trying times.
Yesterday, after finishing my ministry work, I decided to catch up with a few things in our living room. It was definitely hot outside and all I had to work with were some fans, which I am very happy and thankful to have. I know that some of you may be thinking that Diane needs an air conditioner…and Diane would love that; but I have to tell you…the pain in my knee joints don’t get alone with air conditioners that well; so that’s why we use fans in our home.
Anyways…the project that I had decided to do, ended up being more than what I had first thought; so I was on my feet a little longer and in the heat a little longer.
As time passed…the pain in my feet was becoming more intense…and I have to admit that I was about to give up at least two different times; but after asking God to be with me, I began to feel as if He was actually nudging me through this time and holding me up…for when I began to think about quitting…the project actually seemed to become easier, which helped me to not give up.
Later…after thinking on my day, I was once more reminded about God’s limitless power…a power that can step in and kick into overdrive, when our strength seems to be no longer there…and even though my feet were hurting…my heart began to come alive, as I began to think more on how God had not only been with me; but also, on how God had truly had His hand upon me during that time…praise Him!!
So many times, we as humans feel that the problem has to be totally gone, before we can rise to our feet and press on; but that just isn’t true…for we must remember that even though these difficult moments we face, may seem defeated and impossible to us…with God; all things are possible, even though we may be walking through the worst of storms…for Jesus says in Mark 10:27…“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Through all the most difficult times of my life, I have come to see that if I wouldn’t have let God work through the storm; then these writings would have never happened…and even the things I do around my home. You know…Satan longs to not only afflict us; but he wants to use these difficult times, to remove us from life and even more from God. One thing I know…life isn’t easy; but I have come to see that it can be easier, when we choose to invite God into the circumstance…for these truly are the times when we learn and grow in Him…and truly come to experience a limitless power…One that can fill us with hope and help us to keep pressing on through life…Amen!!
Today, I pray that you will have a blessed day with God…and that you will come to experience a power that you have never experienced before…not a limited power; but rather one that allows God to truly be God within your life…Amen!!
Many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very “Happy Monday” to you all! I am so glad to be back with you today…and my prayer for you; is that Christ will become even sweeter in your life, with each day you walk through…Amen!!
The other day, while getting around for my evening; God was taking me back to a moment in time, when I had fallen as low as I could go emotionally. While receiving counseling for a past sexual abuse, along with a very bad dysfunctional home life; I never truly saw how much I was giving up on life…that is until God used my counselor to help me see that.
After being hospitalized…the nurses that were being used to help me were actually counselors. One day, after leaving a session of counseling, I went out into an open area, where the patients could sit and watch TV or just relax. As I sat on a couch…all to myself…I remember just feeling numb to life.  
As my counselor was leaving the glass cubical, where we had just had a session of counseling; I remember seeing her from the corner of my eye, with an arm full of papers and files…and as she approached the place where I sat…all of a sudden, everything in her arms came crashing down to the floor. Within a second or two, she called me over there to help her. I said…“ok;” but yet I still remained on the couch. As she saw me still sitting there, she said…“now Diane,” which actually got me off that couch. At the time, I thought she was being kind of rough on me; but as I look back to those moments; I see that she was using that situation, as a means of getting me back into life. Oh how God works in ways that we don’t always see at the time.
Anyways…when I am having a rough day of pain or tiredness…I remember those words she spoke to me…and they become a constant reminder, to never give up on life.
A Bible verse that truly touched my heart today is found in Galatians 6:9…and we read… “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
The other day, as I was thinking on these past moments in my life; God was helping me to see how easy it is to give up on life, due to the Coronavirus or any other thing that may be taking place at the time. We must remember that Satan afflicts us; but he just doesn’t stop there. In fact…I have come to see that he longs to use the affliction to wear us down…to the place where we feel the only way out is to give up.
You know…I’m not saying that life is easy to overcome right now…because it isn’t; but instead of listening to the deceptive voice of evil; we can find so much hope and a reason to keep pressing on, when we listen for the words of encouragement that God longs to share with our hearts.
Just like me…we can become so caught up in what is going wrong at the time; that we don’t even realize how much we may be giving up on life. This is why we need a close and loving relationship with Christ…and not only talk with Him; but also listen for the response that He so longs to share from His heart to ours. In this way, we will truly come to see that we aren’t so caught up in what is happening around us; but rather, we are more caught up in the hope He is longing to give us…a hope that will help us to get up…shake the circumstance from us…and press on!
Have a great day everyone and remember to keep pressing on; for just at the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessings…so never give up!
Many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone! I truly hope and pray that your Sunday is going well…and that you will truly experience God above all else in your day!
Today, I thought I’d post a great God inspired writing, from one of my favorite pages… “A Journey of Thoughts from God’s Heart to Yours”. My prayer for you today; is that this God inspired writing...from His heart to yours, will help you to trust the Lord completely, as you blindly walk down the uncertain and unknown paths of life…Diane
 
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6) in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
 
Trust can sometimes be a difficult path to follow. It's a path where the blind have to depend on someone greater than themselves, to walk them through the unknown moments that lie ahead of them. We all experience moments such as these, where we learn that the only way to make it through life; is to follow the One who knows the way.
Sometimes this path can mislead us and separate us from the One who is guiding us down the path; but that is only due to a lack of trust. Seems like we become caught up in the darkened moments we're experiencing, along with the fear of the unknown; that we find our hand slipping from the only One who knows the way.
When we are willing to trust the Lord completely and allow ourselves to fall behind the One who knows the way; then He will direct us through life and be the eyes we need, to safely walk us through these unknown and blinded moments of life.
You know…this path of trust...that we sometimes struggle to walk down can definitely seem as if we are crossing a game board of life. As moments of evil surround us and attempt to remove us from the path we're on, we find that the only way we are going to survive these times; is to listen to the One who is our guide through life. The more we listen for that still small voice...and the more we choose to walk in His ways, rather than our own; the more we learn to trust the One, who is here to safely guide us through life. It's when we choose to follow His lead; that we are directed through an unknown territory of evil. As we put each effort forth, through steps that choose to trust His ways; then in the end...each effort and each step put forth, will be crowned with success.
​Through these thoughts, we come to see that working together with God, not only builds trust...but also a closer and deeper relationship with Him...One that will always carry us through life...Amen!!
Have a great day in the Lord and I will see you soon! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
PS…For more of these God inspired writings…check out “A Journey of Thoughts from God’s Heart to Yours”!