Good evening everyone! I sure hope that you have been enjoying your day! As for me...I made myself take the afternoon off...and my husband and I ended up watching an early Christmas movie on YouTube...and also a Christmas cooking show. I know I'm a bit early; but today, I just felt like doing something out of the ordinary...so this was it...and I enjoyed it so00 much!
One thing I'm learning more and more in my life; is to not take the hand of anxiety and let it lead me to other things...like frustration, fear and doubt...for these things only take away our joy and the peace that God longs to give us. I have found over and over again...to walk beyond anxiety and have a good talk with the Lord. It's amazing, as to how these troubled moments can be instantly turned into a peace, which truly transcends all understanding.
I remember many times in the past, when I would never take hold of God, like I do now. Instead, I took hold of my problems...and boy did they take me to places that made my life so miserable. Over time, I did come to see that walking side by side with despair...would only take me down other paths of despair, while continually taking control of my life, which only made my problems seem endless and ongoing.
I may not understand what you are going through right now...but I know a God, who is waiting to listen to you...and all you have to do; is be willing to let go of your problems and give it all over to Him. One thing I know 100%...is that when we do this; then a peace does surround us...a peace that truly does guard our hearts and minds, from all evil. 
As we close another day together, may I encourage you to spend some quality time with God. Stop allowing your problems to lead you further into despair...and instead, take hold of the hand of God and let Him lead you by the still and quiet waters of life...and don't forget to thank Him...for when we give Him praise...this truly does become a message, from our hearts to His; that we believe in Him...and all He can do...to lead us through these overwhelming moments of despair.
Tonight, I pray that you will truly find God, to be the prince of all peace in your night! Take care...have a good rest...and I will hope to be with you again tomorrow!
God bless...and goodnight!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone...and a very "Happy Saturday" to you all! I hope your weekend is off to a good start...and that even more...you will experience the loving presence of God in your day! 
Last night, I sat up for a while and did some writing, which always helps me to feel deeply close to God. The lights were low...and all I felt around me was the presence of a great, loving and powerful God. I'll tell you...it couldn't have been any better!
Before writing...I poured my heart out before God and was talking with Him about my day...and even more...thanking Him for bringing me through the day. Then I began to open up about the difficult moments of pain that I had been experiencing the past few days...and through this time together, I came to see that even though God doesn't always remove the problem...for reasons that we may not always understand...He does sustain us and bring us through these times...but first, we must give it all over to Him; so He can do so. 
Last night...as I sat in those quiet moments before a powerful and loving God; I was reminded, as to how God had brought me through every moment of pain. You know...it's amazing how we can become so caught up in what is going wrong at the time; that we completely bypass the moments, when He is carrying us through those tough times. We can look back on the difficult times and say to God... "Where were you when I needed you"...only to later see that He was there...holding us up and sustaining us through it all. 
No matter what we face in life...and no matter what God's reasoning may be, for those difficult times; I have come to truly see that He isn't a God that just leaves us there...but He is a God who will make the way easier...and help us through those times, until He has walked us free and clear, of the difficult moments of affliction. 
Today, you may be feeling as if God has forgotten you. Maybe you are wondering how you are going to make it through the difficult times that are standing before you right now. May I encourage you to just pour out your heart before God...and let Him take it from there. One thing I do know...He will not walk away, as others do; but He will carry you over the ruts in the road, until you are back to smooth pavement.
As we walk through this day together, just know that you are not alone; but rather, the God who is allowing these moments in your life; is also the God, who has control of each moment you walk through...and once you humble yourself before Him...and admit that the way is too difficult for you; that is when He will lift you up and help you through these unbearable moments your facing.
Today, I pray that you will find the strength, to let everything go in your life, except for God; that you may come to see that life can become easier...even through the difficult times.
Have a nice Saturday...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 you had a nice day! Today for me, has been a mixed bag of everything...but one thing I can say...it wasn't boring...lol. Praise God...that He is there, to direct our footsteps, as we walk throughout a day!!
You know...sometimes we can have a good day and completely forget; that there may be others who are struggling or facing something unexpected in their day. We all long for good days; but sometimes that just doesn't happen. Even though we may face struggles and unexpected challenges in our day...isn't it good to know that there is a God we can run to...someone, whom we can take refuge in, until the storm passes by.
Whenever I read our verse for tonight, from Matthew 11:28...I truly find comfort in each word; because it doesn't matter what kind of a storm we are facing...there is a place to get away from the storm...a place, where we can find rest, from all the anxiety and overwhelming feelings; that can stem from a circumstance. 
When I was a young girl, I was watching some kind of a cartoon...and these characters were walking through the snow and freezing temperatures. Anyways...they found a little one room house to walk into, where there was just a bed and four walls. Outside...it was snowing hard; but inside, they were all huddled together...warm and snug, as a bug in a rug. Anyways...whenever I think back on this memory, from so many years ago; it reminds me as to how we can find shelter, during the stormy moments of circumstance....a place, where we can rest and get out of the wind and rainy moments of despair. 
No matter what you may be facing right now...may I encourage you to step out of the storm...into the loving arms of Jesus...a place where He will shelter you and give you rest...a place where you no longer have to feel the heavy weight of despair upon your back. 
As we close this day...and another work week, I pray that we all will leave the moments that have attempted to bring us low; that we might take hold of the peace and rest that God is so lovingly offering us....that we may truly find a place to begin again...a place, where everything can once more be made new...Amen!!
Have a great night of rest...take care and I will hope to be with you again tomorrow!
Goodnight...and God bless!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone...and a very "Happy Friday" to you all! I truly hope that your day is off to a good start...and that you will truly...truly experience the presence of God in your day!
One thing we are taught to do in Gods word; is to wait on the Lord...but you know what...sometimes that's all we find ourselves doing. In other words...there can be times, when we sit and wait...while never working with God, to show Him the desires of our hearts.
I remember many times in my past, when I continually found myself pursuing my problems more than God. It was amazing, as to how I knew more about what was happening around me, rather than focusing on what God could do through those difficult times. In fact...I guess I can say that I became close friends with my problems, which is not a good thing to do...believe me I know.
Each day, we need to stop and ask ourselves, as to what is going on within us...and if we find that we have become too caught up in the problem; then we need to shake the dust of that circumstance from us and begin anew, by pursuing God...and the things that can draw us away from despair...into His perfect peace. In fact...that is a good way to see if we are headed in the right direction. In other words...if we are filled with anxiety and overwhelming thoughts; then just maybe we have chosen to follow after the problem, rather than God...but on the other hand, if we are experiencing peace; then we can say that we have chosen to head in God's direction...and from there, we must continue to pursue the direction that we are headed in. 
No matter what we walk through today...may I encourage you to not get stuck...or sucked into the problem; for these moments will only lead you to further despair. Instead, why not shake the circumstance from you and pursue a God, who can lead you down paths of hope...a hope that will walk you away from the problem, while drawing you closer to the remedy of that problem...that you so desperately need.
Today, I pray that we will take the time to pursue God with all our hearts; that we may truly experience His perfect peace!
Have a great Friday...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 hope you had a nice Thursday! It's so good to be back with you this evening, after a very busy day! 
Anyways...I was thinking on the Bible verse for this evening and I came across this one in Joshua 1:8...and it became a reminder to me, as to how God has used His word, to bring me through many tough times in my life. Over the years, I came to see that meditating on God's word truly does keep us closely connected to Him...and even helps us to feel more distant, from the problems we may be facing at the time.
Quite a few years back, there were some moments in my life, when I was laid up quite often, from one knee surgery after another. While my husband was at work, I would get deep into God's word and even write, from what God had laid upon my heart. I also learned over time; that when I was meditating on His word; then there was no time to focus on what was happening around me. Before I knew it...I began to see the Bible, as my survival manual and as I look back on those times, I can actually say that God's word was what saved my life, during those hard and difficult times. 
In the past, I've had people say to me... "I wish I could have a connection with God, like you do?"...and I would respond... "Anyone can...but it's up to them." In other words...are we going to choose to connect deeply with God and His word...or the problems we're facing. We might as well realize that the problem is only going to keep us distant from God and His word; so I would say that we need to get deep within God's word and focus on what He is saying to us, rather than what the problem may be trying to convey to us. 
No matter how you may be feeling this evening...or no matter what you may have walked through in your day...just know that you can find a loving and compassionate God, who will care for you...simply by connecting with Him, through His word...the Bible. When we choose to look for the things that bring a good report into our thoughts...then one thing I know...the God of all peace will be there too...Amen!!
As we close this time together, I pray that you will find some quiet moments in your evening, to get alone with God...before heading to bed. Let His word sink deep within your heart...to heal, renew and restore you; to what He longs for you to be...especially during the difficult times!
Have a great night of rest everyone...and I pray that God's word will become a soothing remedy, for your hurting heart! See ya tomorrow!
Goodnight...and God bless!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone! I hope your day is going well! I just stopped by for a few minutes, to let you know that I won't be able to post a blog post this morning...but I should be back with you this evening...so I will hope to see you then!
God bless...and have a great Thursday!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
Diane

Good evening everyone...and how was your Wednesday!? I've had a great day, as God has blessed every corner I've turned this day...praise Him!!
You know...the past few days have been kind of rough on me. I've been living with a lot of pain...and even more tiredness than pain; plus, I needed to see what could be done, to make it easier on me, as I needed to go grocery shopping today. 
Last night...as I made myself go to bed earlier; I just laid on the bed and didn't say much to God. I knew that God was reading the tablet of my heart...and that He had already known about every struggle that I had been facing...so I just remained quiet and left it all with Him.
This morning, after getting up...I continued to wait on God and trust Him, in the best way I could. As the day began to take shape...everything...I mean everything began to fall into place...and get this; God led my husband and I to a cab service that was the very best...with very little waiting time, after the shopping was finished; and on top of that...the driver was a veteran, which made me even happier because I was able to help someone, who had served our country.
You know...there can be times when we feel as if we just can't take another step. Seems like our energy and the will to continue on goes down; but God has reminded me that sometimes we just need to be still and know that God is God...and that He will not leave us or forsake us. Today, I came to truly see that the moments, when we are the most quiet before God, also becomes a time when we are truly waiting on Him, which to me is also a form of trust. 
No matter what you are facing...and no matter how difficult life is for you right now...take a little time out and just sit quietly in the presence of God...and while you are there; He will be reading every heartfelt message that is found within your hurting heart. 
As we close this day...I praise God, for just being that strong God I ALWAYS need in my life...and I also pray that you too, will come to see that when you wait on God...He will also begin to work on your behalf.
Have a great night of rest...and may you truly experience the love of God throughout your night! See ya tomorrow!
God bless...and goodnight!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane

Hello everyone...and a very "Happy Wednesday" to you! I sure hope that your day is off to a good start! As I've been sitting here...looking out my window, I've been watching the leaves blow by on the ground...and even out of the trees. There was a time, when it was warm...and the patio was set up, for my husband and I to sit outside and enjoy our dinnertime; but now...a lot of the things have been stored away, while only a small remnant of summer remains behind. 
While sitting here...looking at everything around me, I have come to see how quickly time passes by. The leaves that once looked so lush and green on the trees, have now given way to a new season, as they fall to the ground. Soon, the trees will go to sleep, for a long winters nap, until another year brings back the memories, of what was once before me.
As I think on this today...I am also thinking on how the sand in the hour glass seems to be falling much quicker than it once was. As one calendar day turns over into another new day, can we say that the days that have passed, have made a difference in our lives? In other words...were there moments that stuck and became deeply embedded within us...which over time produced new growth? 
No matter what we may be experiencing or facing in life right now...one thing we need to think on; is are we allowing these moments, to become wasted moments...a time, when these moments of heartache and pain have only become a vapor; that only appeared for a short time, while leaving with nothing to remind us, as to how far God could have brought us?
I remember a time, when my husband and I drove along the Oregon coast. As I saw the ocean, for the very first time...my eyes took hold of the moments, when the waves came in and then went out...and as I focused deeply, on what I was seeing before me; it was a reminder to me, as to how quickly the moments of our lives come and go...never to return in the same way again. 
Today, can we say that as the moments leave...that they are actually leaving something behind...something that can cause us to experience even better moments to come? One thing we should always remember; is to live life to it's fullest...for once the sands of time have left the hour glass...they will never return in that same way to us again.
As we walk through this day, I pray that we will soak in each moment that God lays before us; that as these moments leave...something will be left behind; that will cause us to live even more...for the moments that lie ahead of us!
Have a great and blessed day...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...and how was your Tuesday!? It's been another great day here! In fact...it's been a beautiful sunny day, which has only allowed autumn to come alive, even more within me! 
You know...I've come to see...through a lot of pain and deep heartache, as to how much I truly need God in my life. It seemed like when I grew up as a young girl...I only reached out to God at meal times and for a quick devotional or when the pastor preached on Sunday; but now, I have come to see how much I need Him, every second...and every minute of the day...especially in the night hour.
Lately...it seems that as the years have pass me by; that I'm definitely not as young as I was 17 years ago, when this ministry first began. Over time, there has been different kinds of struggles and challenges, along with much pain and tiredness; but through it all...I can truly say that these moments have actually nudged me in God's direction and has taught me to lean and depend on Him even more. 
I wonder how many of us lie awake at night...with thoughts swimming through our heads, when we could be sleeping. You know...it's bad enough that we deal with these thoughts during the day...but the nighttime can be even worse, when a person just wants to get some rest. 
I don't know what it is completely; but I have found that the nighttime is the best time of the day to converse with God. Maybe it's because Satan is being a lazy bum, while sleeping through my talks with God...but no matter what it may be; there's something about talking with God, through the quiet and still moments of the night...and just like the verse says...He does give us wisdom in the night hour.
A few nights ago, I was dealing with a situation, in my own personal life...and I'll tell you; I felt like I was trying to get over an impassable mountain. Anyways...I decided to write...read God's word and even more...talk with God; so in my office...all alone, I began to spend time with God. As I talked...and listened for that still small voice of God within my spirit...questions were answered and a peace began to take over...where once was anxiety. By the next day, the problem was resolved...and it was only because I chose to seek God, rather than stay awake all night and focus on my problem.
No matter what you may have experienced today...and no matter what may be swimming through your mind; may I encourage you to get alone with God and let Him help you through it. One thing I know for sure...He will be near...and He will keep and sustain you through it all!
Tonight, I pray that God would help us all to leave the cares and the concerns of this day behind...to seek Him...that we may find His very best...even through these trying times in our lives.
Have a great night of rest...as you rest in the arms of God! Take care...and I will hope to be with you again tomorrow! 
Goodnight...and God bless!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
​Diane