Shirley

About Shirley

Shirley is the proud mother of two beautiful young ladies and is now an extremely ecstatic grandmother of the most precious little boy. Her family is her heart and soul, and she thanks God for blessing her so tremendously in this life. She is a: Child of God, Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, Accountant, Adventure Seeker, Lighthouse Lover, Horse Owner, Trixanne & Shadow's Fur Mama, Blogger, Blessed By God, Saved By Grace.

Posts by Shirley :

Does God Test Us?

Shirley Food For Thought, Inspiration 6

We have a very special guest contributor with us today. I have had the privilege of knowing Gregory Thompson for the past 17 years. We have been through it all together, although not side-by-side due to the distance in miles, but always heart-to-heart.

I tease Greg by saying that he is my little Indian boy, as he is part Native American. He was raised with his mother’s strong Native beliefs and fully embraces it. He is also in the medical field, as you will see from his writings below.

It is an honor to share his beautiful musings with the world.

Meet Greg

Does God Test Us?Why do people use the phrase “God is testing me”? Personally, I have never thought that God was testing me. I feel that we make our own choices as we travel down the path of life. Does God intervene? I don’t feel that God picks and chooses His spots to step in. I feel that He, and the people that we have loved and lost, are always with us. They are there trying to guide us and help us to make the best decisions in life.

Life is full of pot holes along the path. My own life experiences are what make me the person I am today: from a near fatal car accident, to experimental brain surgery, to a stroke.

The good things about seeing patients that I work with is that I get to witness their healing and walking — not being wheeled, but walking — out of the hospital. I also have the joy of seeing the faces of the children no matter what their diagnosis may be.

Could all of these be God’s intervention … or could it be just God’s creation?

We all have a free will to make choices to do the right thing … or not to. We are allowed to make those choices. We all have the guidelines of what we have to do to be a good person. My choices have always been to try to do anything I could do to take the pain or fear away from the patients that I have the honor to serve as part of their treatment team. Was it God’s intervention in my life to turn me away from a career in Marine Biology to a career in Respiratory Therapy and furthering on to Nurse Practitioner? Some may say yes, while others may say no and reason that it was simply what my interest evolved into. For me, though, I think that in some way, somehow, I was given the desire to help and heal. I can’t say that it was God … but I do feel that I want to make God proud and happy that I am utilizing the talent and putting the education to a good use and most certainly not to take advantage of it to only further my own self instead. I want to take the pain away and help bring them peace.

There are people that come into our lives that do that very same thing for us.

They may not even be doctors or nurses. They may be an accountant, a homemaker, or even a police officer. These people come into your life and bring such joy and peace. They make you want to be a better person, perhaps of the internal guilt you may feel for not always being the person you should be.

Is this God sending an angel to help guide you?

Angel
We have all of these questions with as many answers as there are stars in the sky.

I don’t feel that God tests us. That would imply a level of un-trust on the part of the Almighty. That’s not the Omnipotent Being that I envision! God, the Great Spirit, Allah, Buddha, call him (or her) what you wish. I just know that the Almighty is not there to manipulate our lives but to provide strength when we are at our weakest. In my opinion, God is there to pass that strength on when those around us, those we love most, are at their weakest.

During my recovery from the brain surgery, there was one person that gave me the strength – the will – to recover. That same person gave me all of the strength that she had while I worked my way back to some semblance of normalcy after my stroke. This person never asked for anything, never expected a “thank you” … she just poured encouragement and support into my recovering body. It was this person that, to me, enabled me to recover.

So, I’ll ask …

Does God, the Almighty test us?

Does He see the trials that we encounter and provide His angels to lend us strength and guidance?

Personally, I feel that He sent an angel to me. I only hope that as I progress down my path in life that I can prove to be worthy of the love, support, and encouragement that I have received from my angel.

You’re Not Broken. You’re Beautiful!

Shirley Food For Thought, God Is Close To The Broken Hearted, Inspiration 8

One of my most favorite things to do is take a stroll on the beach. When the weight of the world feels like it is on my shoulders, a quick escape to the sandy shores will sweep it all away. Just as the tide rushes in and brings new treasures with it in the form of seashells and sea creatures, the pull of the ocean takes things from the shore just as quickly as it was deposited mere seconds ago. It also does the same with me, only it restores my soul, revitalizes right to the core of my being, and refreshes my spirit.

The beach is no place for worries or concerns. Stress cannot exist with the rolling of the tide and crashing of the waves. Those sounds are far too soothing to provoke anything but relaxation and rejuvenation.

We cannot help but look down at our feet as we walk along the shore, but not at the sand between our toes. With our heads bowed, we search for those treasures beneath us and all around us … seashells.

If you’re lucky, you will come across a perfectly in-tact beauty of a shell. It may even look as if it is flawless. But you’ll never know the journey of that one little shell and things that threatened it along the way. Just because it appears perfect does not mean that it did not struggle.

The majority of the time, though, you’ll encounter broken shells along the shores. Some shells look as if they have been crushed beneath someone’s feet, and they probably have. There are some people that don’t find joy in searching for shells as I do, and that’s okay. But, I wish they’d preserve them for those of us that do go there sometimes for that very reason, to look for those precious treasures that have washed ashore.

Some may reach down to pick up a shell that looks near perfect as it’s laying there in the sand only to find that it is broken and worn underneath. Most would toss it aside without giving it another thought. Not I. I hold it in my hand, grasp it between my fingers and feel the different textures of the shell. I examine the color, the shape, and imagine what it would have looked like if it hadn’t been beaten, broken, and parts shattered along the way.

We feel like those shells at times in our lives, don’t we? We feel that as broken as we are, with what we’ve gone through in life, that no one would ever want us. We fear that we’ll be tossed aside, disregarded, and sometimes as if we have no true value in the eyes of others.

Hear me now, friends. You’re not broken … you’re beautiful!

I’m not just talking about your outer appearance. It’s your true beauty that shines, and it comes from inside. It comes from your heart and soul. It reflects in all the different, special ways that you care for others.

I see you over there: nurturing, caring, and loving … doing everything within your power to help another soul. I see you struggling and yet pushing your cares aside to put others first.

I see your true beauty reflected on your face as you cast a warm smile at a little child as you take the time to hear them … truly listening to them and making them feel like they matter, too! Because they do! Just like you!

I see you encouraging others when you need encouragement yourself. I see you going out of your way to offer support in whatever way you can to those who are hurting, sick, feeling lonely, and lost in life.

We all face things in this life. I doubt that there is one person that will escape the feelings of being beaten, broken, and shattered at some point in their lifetime. Bad things happen to good people. We aren’t sure why, and it’s not for us to know. One day when you meet your Maker, you can ask Him yourself why you had to struggle so much. I know that His ways are not our ways, and while we can’t see the path ahead of us, He can. I know He loves us with a love that is so hard to understand. Unconditional love. Rarely do people love with an unconditional love, but He does … and always will.

I’ll admit that there have been times in my life that I’ve felt like the broken shell. I’ve experienced great heartache and pain in my lifetime. I realize that what I’ve experienced has molded me into the person that I am today. It’s been a painful process at times, but I’m still here and thanking God for the gift of another day.

There’s others that have endured life altering things on their path as well. They’ve endured unspeakable things that threatened to claim their lives. They’ve struggled and wondered if they would ever be whole again.

There are several people in my life that immediately come to mind as I sit here writing this out. They are very near and dear to my heart, and they have gone through completely devastating things in their lives. They have felt just like this shell, too!

They’ve wondered if they have any value left due to what they’ve been through in this life.

They wonder if anyone would ever want them with their broken pieces and shattered lives.

I’m here to tell you that I do!

I admire your strength and the way you’ve continued to fight. I applaud even your smallest achievements along the way.

Although you may feel like it, you’re not broken, sweetie. You’re beautiful!

It has taken such courage and strength. You’ve fought so hard for so long to keep from being completely crushed by the pounding surf. You’ve felt frightened and alone at times even. But the beauty comes from watching you overcome! You’re still out there on the sandy shores displaying your beauty … just like the little shells.

You’re not broken.

You’re beautiful!

You're Not broken, you're beautiful.

Friend – Five Minute Friday

Shirley Five Minute Fridays 4

Today’s prompt word for Five Minute Friday is: Friend!

I love when Fridays roll around as it’s an opportunity to see what goodies Lisa Jo has in store for us to write about this time. It’s writing with no regard to mistakes. No editing allowed. Just write for five whole minutes. The most important thing is to get those words out!

Ready?

Set?

GO!

Friend

Do you have that one friend in your life that no matter how long it has been since you’ve seen each other, it’s like no time has passed at all when you ARE together again?

I do!

It’s been almost ten years since we’ve seen each other face-to-face. Ten LONG years.

We’ve talked on the phone, sent messages, and all of that good stuff. Nothing could ever come close to actually being in front of them, though, looking into their eyes. Talking to them, watching their every move as they talked almost nonstop, but my not minding at all because we were there … together … within arm’s length so I could just reach out and hug at any given moment, and they wouldn’t mind. They would welcome it, appreciate it, and bask in the moment with me.

This is a very special friendship that has stood the test of time. Sure, there have been bumps along the way, there have been times we did not see eye-to-eye. We are different people from different walks of life, but when we come together, it is truly a beautiful thing. I appreciate, value, and respect our differences. It makes us who we are! And I would not change a single thing.

And so, after ten very long years, we have been reunited. We hugged, we cried, we held each other tight for an extremely long time when we saw each other after all of these years. It was very sweet, much needed, and soothing for the soul.

My best friend.

My forever friend.

My heart connected friend.

My I-love-you-to-the-end-of-time-and-beyond friend.

STOP!

Wear Your Red

Shirley Food For Thought 4

I know the topic on the blog today isn’t one that we would normally discuss as this is not a cosmetologist site. However, if you stay with me long enough, I promise to throw some inspiration in as I love to do.

What girl, lady, or woman doesn’t love being pampered. Whether it is by going to get a massage at the spa or having a manicure and pedicure, as women, we like to treat ourselves every once in a while.

One day many years ago, I stopped in at a shop to have some “me time.” It wasn’t something that I did too often. Actually, I rarely gave myself the luxury of such a gift. This time was different, though.

As I sat there with my feet soaking in the bubbling water, I could feel the stress leaving my body as if the drain at the very bottom would surely suck all of the stress down with the water when they pulled the plug. I tried to tame my thoughts and not allow them to run wild but to, instead, try really hard not to think about anything at all. Ladies, you know how that goes, though. In moments like this, you try and you try, but you end up going over a list a mile long in your head of things you need to do … like the laundry, cleaning the house, washing drapes, etc.

Then my thoughts were interrupted right about the same time as my toes still soaking in the water started to look like little prunes!

“Ma’am … what color ma’am?”

I was snatched from my “to do list” in my head and brought back to the reality of a little Chinese person standing in front of me asking what color I would like my nails painted.

I replied with a simple:

“Red”

The little Chinese person immediately began shaking their head as they said:

“Red … no. Red not your color, ma’am.”

I sat there for a second wondering if they really said those words to me or if my mind was playing tricks on me. Then I heard it again:

“Red not your color!”

Um, okay.

I have never been told that before in all of my life. Red … is not my color? But, I love red!

I sat there slowly withdrawing my feet from the soapy water as they pulled the drain to let the water out. I watched as the suds all but disappeared as they were washed away, like my desire to wear red and actually look good in it.

As they dried my feet and began their usual routine of clipping, trimming, and scrubbing, I sat there thinking about what they said.

How many times have you had your heart set on something only to have someone dash your hopes and dreams with their mere words?

It seems so small, the words that red just was not my color. However, it was their opinion, too, not necessarily the truth of the matter. Just because they did not think I would look good in red or that red was simply not my color in their eyes, their words did not have the power to stop me. Only I had that power. I had to decide at that moment in time whether I was going to allow a nay-sayer to take away my desire to wear red confidently ever again, or if I was going to go full steam ahead and insist on the red.

Can you guess which I chose?

The red, of course!

As they put their clippers away, then massaged my calves and heels, drying off my nails to prepare for the polish, they asked again:

“Ma’am, what color?”

With a smile forming at the corners of my lips, I simply replied with one word:

“Red!”

There it was! There was the voice of confidence that had gotten pushed aside momentarily by the negative words spoken over me. There was the voice that chose to rise above! There was the voice with great determination that she would not only insist on red but look good and feel confident wearing it.

And guess what? With their head shaking in disapproval, they did, in fact, paint my nails red. A firey red. A deep flame red, even. But red … my heart’s desire!

The point in this entire post tonight is not to let any one else’s opinion trump your own! Don’t let any one steal your joy either! Just like I started out on this journey to have some “me time” and enjoy myself to the fullest, this had the potential to very easily steal my joy if I had allowed it to. But you know what? I didn’t.

And you shouldn’t either!

While we wish that every one we come into contact with would have encouraging words for and about us or that they would choose to speak life over us, not every one will. The thing is NOT to allow someone else’s words to injure you.

Choose your red! Choose whatever your heart’s desire is in this life. Don’t let anyone change your mind. If you change it later on, that is fine, but be sure that it is because you had a change of heart and NOT because someone spoke negatively over you.

Hold your head up high and live YOUR dream. Be yourself. Do your own thing. Don’t let any one else influence your decisions in a negative way.

Fast forward many, many years later, and guess what my signature color has been since that day? You got it – RED!

With such determination, with such confidence, with my head held high, I wear my red polish proudly! The majority of the time you will find me with perfectly polished red toenails and fingernails, and loving every minute of it!

Wear your red.

Wear Your Red

Join us every Wednesday for inspirational and encouraging messages straight from the heart here … and at Holley Gerth‘s site as well!

The Gift

Shirley Food For Thought 5

Thank you for joining us today as my very dear friend, Tamela, shares her heart and thoughts on this past Easter weekend. It’s sure to inspire you.

Meet Tamela!

Tamela

Tamela Hyatt Jasmann was born in Rhode Island and traveled the Eastern Seaboard extensively as the young child of a Naval Intelligence Pilot. From Rhode Island to Key West, FL with forays into the Mid-West and upstate-New York as her father served two tours in Vietnam, Tamela has been blessed to see much of the country to which she is deeply committed. Her father perished in a plane crash months prior to Tamela turning 13 and this pivotal memory has guided most of her life; making sure her father/guardian angel in heaven would be proud of the daughter he brought into this world. Tamela is now a very active volunteer with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars; something she believes honors the memory of her beloved father. The cycle back to Dad is complete. Her devotion to veterans is so deep that she is her auxiliary’s president-elect for 2014-2015 and has been appointed to serve as the Legislative State Chairman for Arizona as well. Working with veterans, serving veterans – this is her life’s goal now; whether that be through promoting scholarships for our youth or working to pass veteran-beneficial legislation at the state and federal levels or bringing smiles to our veterans in the VA hospitals, treatment centers and homes, yes, home has been fully found again!

The Gift

I awoke today feeling refreshed, renewed. For me, because of disabilities, waking with a “glass half full” attitude isn’t always possible and so today, especially, I found the ease and comfort of the morning more than enjoyable – it was heart-opening. It felt as if God said to me – or I finally was able to hear Him in the stillness – “It’s time to know the truth,” while handing me The Gift. I need to share my joy if you’ll permit me!

It is my habit upon waking to prepare a pot of coffee, grab the phone and head to my backyard where I am most often greeted by birdsong, blue skies and a sense of peace and quiet that, considering I live in a big city, is remarkable. The time it takes for the coffee to be made is usually spent in spiritual introspection and having my morning chat with God, asking for His guidance throughout the day and to beam bright white light on those I love for protection, love, safety and their well-being. For me, my God does not reside in any one church or religion, He is all around me if only I pay attention. I also talk with Him about me and helping me but none of the above makes me too very different that anyone else praying or talking with God.

This morning as I sat outside and began my meditations with God, I felt an ease and lightness I had not experienced before. What I was aware of this morning is how I seem to take my troubles to God but forget to thank Him for all He does and has done for me other than my standard opening of, “Thank for your another day of travel on this path called Life.” This is not to say that I do not thank God regularly for the many blessings in my life but rather an acknowledgement that during that morning time, I seem to come from a negative space instead of being positive about His love, His light, and all the many gifts, small and large, that God leads me to and through. What I have come to realize is that God is in my head and not so much my heart. I intellectualize God and His Love as something to be examined and taken apart like I know better than He how life should run. I question Him when I could be more loving and accepting of what simply is…His Love.

At the ripe age of 53 (yes, I can be a bit stubborn!), I saw this morning ever so clearly The Gift of today, The Gift of Easter! It is not a day of solitude and reflection but one of righteous joy for on this day His Son, who died so my sins would be forgiven, was resurrected so that I may have eternal life! I finally see His Gift!! It’s like the very words, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting LIFE!,” have come alive in my heart and I sing from a place I’ve never known before! And that life is in the Kingdom of God and the pain and sorrow of being human will be shed and only love and forgiveness will surround me! It is God who gives me life and breathe and love…and ultimately forgiveness for someone like I who took so long to see. There truly are “none so blind as those who will not see.”

Today I am renewed, cleansed, thanking God for all HIs many Gifts, not the least of which is the gift of living long enough to finally see and feel The One True Light…beaming on me! “I was blind but now I see.” Today I know in my heart that each day is a gift to be celebrated, each moment a chance for gratitude and renewal, peace and forgiveness! It is not my job to seek out what is bad or wrong around me but to seek God and all the many ways He gives me life and ability. Today I know that I AM because HE IS!!

Enjoy the gift of today, the Gift of God’s Son in our lives, the joy of living each day basking in His Love. Seek love and gratitude. That is my hope and gift for today, I hope yours is equally as large and wondrous!

Change-the-World

Thank you, Tamela, for these beautiful words! You ARE a world changer. I am proud to call you my friend and sister of the heart!

The Trip That Was Never Supposed To Happen

Shirley Traveling 5

We have a special contributing writer on the blog today. Please help us welcome Susan Lawrence Choate! I first met Susan in our (in)courage group, Parenting Teens & Thriving. She inspired me with her posts, and I felt a real connection to her from the start. When she talked of her recent trip, I asked if she would share with my readers. Much to my delight, she agreed! I am thrilled to have her with us and hope she will join us again soon to share her beautiful words with the world. She gives God all of the praise, glory, and honor!

Meet Susan!
A beautiful child of God!

Susan

The Trip That Was Never Supposed To Happen“We write to taste life twice … in the moment and in introspection.”
-Anais Nin

We set our mind on things we will and will not do in life … and then life happens.

My husband was recently sent to Europe for a business conference, and I was grateful to go with him; but this was never supposed to happen, because Europe was not on the grid for us. Our life plan or bucket list didn’t call for a European trip. Many other trips, maybe, but not this one.

When we returned, Shirley asked me to write about my adventure; thus, the quote above from Anais Nin. I’d be overjoyed to live this trip again … because it was never supposed to happen.

In Psalm 37:4 we read:

“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

This trip was a gift from God that I didn’t ask for and my question time and again during my trip was:

“God, what am I supposed to do with this?”

From the moment we boarded the plane, the life lessons began.

Less is more.

I’m not an amateur at flying, but there are just some things an airline should not divulge to their passengers. When traveling at 644 mph at 6.25 miles high, the air temperature becomes -57 degrees F. Upon learning this news from the onboard television, my relationship with our Lord deepened significantly, and I began to nervously eye the emergency exit THAT IS DIRECTLY TO MY RIGHT for the next eight hours. Less is more when it comes to this kind of information.

Really, God, what was I supposed to do with that?

Don’t forget to look back and remember.

To my pleasant surprise, my husband’s boss, Naomi, asked me to sightsee with her while the others were beginning their meetings. I was excited about this because I was the only spouse that came along and I knew the rest of the week I would be sightseeing all by myself. As we started out on foot from the majestic Amsterdam Central Station, she startled me as she suddenly stopped, turned around and said:

“Wait! When I’m in a foreign land, I always turn around and look back so that I don’t get lost and I’m reminded from where I came. That way, I’ll always be able to find my way back when I need to.”

Yes, Naomi, some times we just need to look back and remember how far God has brought us, and sometimes we need to backtrack to get on the right footing again. Yes, Lord, thanks for the reminder. I know what to do with that one.

Look for the “i”.

Naomi, being a wealth of information, also told me (as we were in need of information):

“Look for the ‘i’.”

Universally, when traveling and in need of help, you look for the “i” and there should be someone there who can assist you. I likened this to the Word of God. Read the directions. It will save you so much trouble when you seek it out. Yes, Lord, I’m listening and continually looking to the “i”.

Relish every moment and then pay it forward.

As I walked into buildings older than my country, I was in awe at the number of people who may have walked this path before me. At home, I take so much in life for granted; things I think of as mundane or mediocre. I’ll do it tomorrow … I’ll see to it later. On this journey, I knew ‘later’ would not happen, so I relished every moment.

In the Cathedral of Our Lady, which took 169 years to build and was completed in 1521 A.D., I found myself touching the columns and bannisters, wondering who had passed this way before me. How many families had made it their life goal to see this church completed so that I could stand here today? What if the builders had not considered the importance of solid construction of this building (or their faith) to be passed down many generations? We are so very small in this big world. I especially sense this when standing somewhere that generations of families worked together to build and in which people have worshipped for almost 600 years before me. This was a reminder for me to take a deep breath and relish each God-given moment — and then share my faith with the next generation.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10 NIV.

Praise you, Father, that I’m learning to be still in your presence and relish every moment. Give me the building blocks (words and actions) to share Jesus with the generations to come.

Write like Anne.

Anne Frank received a diary for her 13th birthday, and on the first page dated June 12, 1942, she writes:

“I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support.”

Visiting Anne Frank’s House was the highlight of my trip. Unlike most American museums, you could personally touch the walls, doors, and yes, even the book case that hid the secret annex. I cannot fathom why the Holocaust had to happen, but I’m so grateful Anne had the foresight to write about it. I know it helped to keep her sane in an insane world. I have to agree with Anne as she writes on March 15, 1944:

“Yet, what’s nicest of all is that at least I can still write down my thoughts and feelings, otherwise I’d just totally suffocate.”

God gifts us with thoughts, feelings and words. He wants us to share them and to pass them on to generations, whether they be happy, painful or just mediocre.

Yes, Lord, yes! That’s what you want me to do with this!

Standing in front of the original entrance to the Anne Frank House

Oh, Susan! This post was absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, your heart, and God’s love as you re-lived this wonderful trip of a lifetime!

Arise, My Love

Shirley Easter 0

This is one of my most favorite Easter songs. The lyrics are below. Click here to view the video on Youtube.

Arise My Love
By Newsong

Not a word was heard
At the tomb that day.
Just shuffling of soldier’s feet
As they guarded the grave.
One day, two days,
Three days had past.
Could it be that Jesus
Breathed His last?

Could it be that His Father
Had forsaken him?
Turned his back on his son
Despising our sin.
All hell seemed to whisper
“Just forget Him, He’s dead.”
Then the Father looked down
On His son and said:

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
Has a hold on you
No more death’s sting
No more suffering
Arise… Arise… my love.

The Earth trembled
And the tomb began to shake,
And like lightening from Heaven
The stone was rolled away.
And as dead man, the guards
They all stood there in fright
As the power of love
Displayed its might

Then suddenly a melody
Filled the air
Riding wings of wind,
It was everywhere
The words all creation
Had been longing to hear
The sweet sound of victory,
So loud and clear.

Arise, my love.
Arise, my love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more death’s sting
no more suffering
Arise… arise…

Sin, where are your shackles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell has been defeated.

THE GRAVE COULD NOT HOLD THE KING!

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
Has a hold on you
No more death’s sting
No more suffering
Arise…
Arise…
Arise

Praise God, Almighty for sending His Son to die on the cross … He rose on the third day! Jesus bore all of our sins. We have been set free and promised the gift of eternal life, if only we believe in Him.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

As We Wait In Silence

Shirley Easter, Food For Thought 0

Yesterday was Friday, but not just any ole Friday. Every year we remember the greatest sacrifice of all time made on the Good Friday before Easter. It is the day that Jesus was beaten and humiliated, completely disgraced and broken for all of our sins. It is the day that He carried His cross, the one that He would be nailed to where His suffering would continue until He died.

For us.

For you.

For me.

Jesus did this ALL for us!

We sat through The Passion of The Christ a few years ago. With tears streaming down our faces, we watched all of it unfold before our eyes on the screen. How we felt could never, ever come close to the way that Mary must have felt seeing her Son treated in this way and ultimately hanging on the cross in agony.

It’s hard, in a way, to understand the greatest sacrifice of all time. It’s hard to grasp how God could allow His son to be beaten and die a horrible death. I know it was to forgive us all from the sins we have committed and to provide a way for us to have eternal life. It is through Jesus that we all can have eternal life if we only believe in Him and ask Him into our hearts. We can be assured of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus, if we only believe!

I do believe. I hope you do, too.

On Friday he suffered and bled. He hung on the cross, crying out in pain. He later died and was placed in a tomb. The stone was placed over the entrance of where His body was placed in the tomb. Everything was silent. I imagine that tears continued to fall as His mother mourned the loss of her precious Son, Jesus.

There was such violence, such humiliation, such distress, and such pain and suffering on Friday.

Then, there was silence on Saturday.

Ah, but Sunday’s coming …

Praise God, Almighty. Sunday’s coming!

God’s Love Revealed In All Things

Shirley Food For Thought, Traveling 24

We have a very special guest on the blog today. Please make Nicole feel welcome as she shares her adventure with us all. Thank you, Nicole, for being a contributing writer for Light Love Hope!

Here is a little bit of information about Nicole:

Hi, I’m Nicole. I enjoy singing, and I enjoy helping people. My dream is to become a professional singer one day. I am a Junior in high school. My best friend’s name is Jackie, (who you heard from earlier in the week). I plan to attend college to major in a therapy program as it is my desire to help as many people as I possibly can in life.

God’s Love Revealed In All Things

Recently, my family and I took a trip to see some baby goats. I love the old country roads and the scenery along the way. It’s always fun to go on trips with my family.

When we went to the lady’s house to pick up our goats, it was amazing. All of these mama goats and their babies came up to me. They were all so cute.

When I saw my goat, which I named Tony, I knew he was going to be fun to play with. He was so soft and fluffy, kind of like a pillow. He cried when I first picked him up, but then he cuddled with me.

On the way home, Tony snuggled into me and fell asleep on my lap. It was a long ride home, but it wasn’t too bad with Tony by my side.

It took about two days for the goats to get used to their new home. Every morning we go out to see them and to play with them. They just walk up and sit on my lap now.

These baby goats really got me to thinking.

They love me no matter what I look like. They love me just the same no matter what mood I am in, also.

They reminded me of Jesus.

They remind me of how Jesus loves me no matter what I’ve done in the past or will do in the future. Jesus loves me no matter what I look like or how I feel that day.

Just as the baby goats crawl into my lap and snuggle into me, Jesus wants us to crawl into His lap and be surrounded by His unconditional love.

His love will never fail.

Isn’t it amazing how God’s love is revealed in all things … all we have to do is open ourselves to it.

As You Reach Your Destination

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My family and I set out recently on a trip to look at a horse that was for sale. It was in another town that we hadn’t been to before, and so we quickly punched the address into our GPS so we could get on our way. The only problem is that my husband hates that thing with a passion. He will fuss and cuss at “her” (the voice of the GPS) the entire way to our destination. It is a constant struggle any time we go on a trip. It would easily zap the fun completely out of the trip if I allowed it to do so. However, I try to encourage my husband and ask him kindly not to say bad things! To me, it is an adventure! I like going where I’ve never gone before. I like looking at all the new things along the way. Why he can’t just enjoy the ride is beyond me, but I am reminded that we are two completely different individuals. He definitely likes to be in control, but the funny thing to me is that if he doesn’t know where he’s going, he is anything but “in control.”

As I have pondered this since our last trip, I couldn’t help but think of how God points us in the direction that He wants us to go. How many times do we ask for His help and His guidance? And how many times do we fight it the entire way when He lays the path before us that He wants us to take?

Are you like my husband? Do you fight every twist and turn? Do you mumble, grumble, fuss, and complain about every thing that God wants you to do? Remember now, you did seek Him first before you set out on your journey. You asked Him for direction, and He has given it to you.

It is definitely something to think about, now isn’t it?

For me, I enter the address into the GPS and trust that it will take me to my destination. No matter how many times it takes me places that I don’t understand, it does eventually get me there safe and sound. Until I reach my destination, though, I try to relax and enjoy the scenery along the way. Likewise, I trust God and cling to the following verse:

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,“ says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

I want to encourage you on your path. Your journey will look different than that of my own. God has plans for each of us. They may look like we’re setting out side by side initially, but God may send your life in a different direction than He sends mine. That is fine, as long as it is HIS plan.

I encourage you to pray and ask God what direction He wants you to take in your life. Where does He want you to go? What does He want you to do?

After you’ve prayed and have heard God speak, trust Him to get you safely to your destination. Surrender to Him and allow Him to guide you along your journey, your path, your walk of life. He will not lead you astray.

There may be times you’re walking in the deepest valley, and there may be other times that you’re on the highest mountain. Trust that He knows best. Have faith in His abilities to deliver you to your destination in life exactly when you’re supposed to arrive.

Trust Him as you reach your destination!

Join Holley Gerth and other writers like myself every Wednesday as we link up to spread encouragement all over the internet!

God’s Plan For Spiritual Battle Series – Conclusion

Shirley God's Plan For Spiritual Battle, Insights Into Books That Inspired Me 10

Today, we continue on in our series Gods Plan for Spiritual Battle: Victory over Sin, the World, and the Devil through Life Sentence Publishing, LLC.

Author Russell M. Stendal reminds us:

The war horse in the last chapter was trained for battle, snorting, stamping, and straining to hear the sound of the trumpet and the shout of the commanders. This horse is described by the Greek word, praus, or meek, because the horse is perfectly trained, perfectly submitted to its master, and can be relied upon to obey orders even in the heat and confusion of battle.

Then Mr. Stendal goes on to give another example of meekness in none other than Moses. He reminds us that Moses started out by taking the law into his own hands, killing an Egyptian, but God dealt with him in the desert. God prepared and trained Moses to do battle God’s way. Then Moses submitted to God. He became meek, and God used Moses far beyond what he ever thought possible. God sent Moses to confront Pharaoh after that, and although Moses was probably nervous, God empowered him!

Let’s stop right there and think of the possibilities … of all the things God could do with and through us if we would only submit to Him! God has equipped us with unique gifts which are to be used for His glory. Are you allowing God to use you to His fullest potential?

In this chapter, Mr. Stendal talks about a time in his life when he wasn’t very disciplined with his school work. He would goof off and just not get his work done. It wasn’t until he had a hunting accident where he accidentally shot his foot that landed him in the hospital that he was forced to slow down and actually throw himself into his studies. Prior to his accident, he has been asking God to help him to focus more on his school work. While this probably wasn’t the intervention he was hoping for, God allowed something to happen in his life that forced him to focus more on his studies. While he was recovering, he studied and ended up finishing his course on time and also scoring very high on his college entrance exam! Some people may say they will not commit their lives completely to God then if something like this happened, as one girl did say to Mr. Stendal after one of his talks, but Mr. Stendal asks the question of what if God hadn’t intervened in his life then? Had he not been disciplined every time he needed it, he would be a mediocre Christian, doing mediocre things completely incapable of facing the enemy, of winning a victory. Instead, he was now disciplined and able to be used for God’s glory in God’s army.

This book has really made me stop to think several times while reading through it. This time was no different. Having just had an accident on a horse, it makes me wonder what area I need to stop and focus on. What does God want me to do now while I wait in recovery mode? I can’t ride a horse at this stage of the game. While my hand and hip recover, I need to seek God more to see where he wants my focus to be. And … I will.

I don’t want to give too much of this book away in this series. I would like to leave you with a desire to invest in the book and, more importantly, into your relationship with Jesus through the tools offered in this book. Therefore, I will conclude the series with a teaser for the last half of the book which consists of:

Integrity vs. Hypocrisy

The Peacemakers: Those Whom God Identifies As His Sons

Putting Satan To Flight

Virtue: The Key To Activating God’s Promises

Rebuilding The Ancient Ruins

The Seven Woes

And finally …

Overcoming The Curse

Invest in this book to further grow your relationship with Jesus Christ and seek Him fully for what plans He has for your life. Equip yourself with Gods Plan for Spiritual Battle: Victory over Sin, the World, and the Devil through Life Sentence Publishing, LLC.

You won’t regret a closer walk with Him!

A Magical Visit to London, England & Paris, France

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Today we are in for a real treat as we have Jackie Toews posting as a contributing writer on the blog! We are so excited to share what impacted her the most on her Senior Trip to Europe!

But first, here is a little about Miss Toews!

Hey! My name is Jackie, I’m 17 and I’m a proud Canadian living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I’m an aspiring singer songwriter, but until that takes off, I’ll be going to college to work as a Health Unit Clerk. Before I left to Europe, Shirley had her daughter, and also my best friend, Nicole, ask me if I’d write a post for her website, and here I am!

A Magical Visit to London, England & Paris, France

From the moment I woke up on March 27, 2014, I knew I was in for the time of my life. And, was I ever right! London, England and Paris, France are two places that are for the dreamers. In each city, I felt surrounded by creativity and inspiration.

The journey to London was full of little interruptions, like an hour delay on top of the seven hour wait to board the plane from Calgary to London.

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By the time we got to London, we met up with our tour guide, Vanessa, who arrived all the way from Belgium. She has had a huge impact on my life. Hearing her story, about moving away from home at 17 and everything she’s been through to finally get herself to where she is now, really made me realize that just because things aren’t working out the way you want them to doesn’t mean that they’ll never work out. On the train from London to our hotel, which was a half hour out of the city, I overheard her talking to some other students in my group about how important it is to not rush into real life. She was saying how you should take all the time you need to find that career that you feel you 100% belong to.

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There was a girl in my group, let’s call her Taylor, that wants to be an author, and she said how she keeps hearing things like:

Oh, you’ll never make a living off of that

And Van said:

Don’t even worry about that.

Despite only knowing her for eight days, I feel a connection with her. I love Van for being such an encouragement when it comes to finding your place in this insanely big world full of possibilities. Even now that the trip is over, I keep hearing Van’s voice in the back of my mind telling me that everything I want to achieve is possible, regardless of those who doubt me.
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While my friend and I were walking through the streets of Paris during our free time on the last day of the trip, I couldn’t help but notice the outstandingly large amount of people living on the streets. See, where I live, we don’t have people sitting on every street corner. When I decided to give some money to this woman, her face just lit up, and it really surprised me of the fact that just a little bit of change, something that we take for granted, can give someone so much joy. We don’t always think about how a small act of kindness like that can make someone’s day just a little bit better.

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Going to London and Paris has always been a dream of mine, and now I’m beyond ecstatic that I can say that is has been a reality for me!

When I left, I kept saying how I’d never want to go home, but when I got home on April 6, 2014, it was a wonderful feeling to see my family again. The moment that made me the happiest to be home was seeing my one and a half year old niece come running to me. Seeing her do that was what reassured me that she didn’t forget about me.

The saying really is true. No matter where you visit …

There’s no place like home!

*Thank you so much, Jackie, for your wonderfully inspirational post about your travels! We appreciate you being a part of our team at Light, Love, Hope!

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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Shirley

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