When God Puts You On Hold
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Hello Fellow Sojourners!
Sometimes it seems like it takes forever to accomplish something you desire. I've been trying to get a good picture of a Dark-eyed Junco for years. They only come here to Central Virginia in the winter time when our yard is covered with fallen leaves. They seem to blend right in and the contrast is awful on photos.
They are so dark that it's hard to get the lighting right to be able to see their eyes. Their cute pink beak is a delight against their slate coloring, but a head with a beak and no eyes looks less than appealing.
We had a recent dusting of snow and it seems to have provided a perfect backdrop for a great shot. I actually have a few good pictures that I like out of 45 that I've taken this winter. The blessings of a digital camera! Some things take awhile, but if they're worth waiting and hoping for, I'm not going to allow myself to get discouraged.
This mailing will go out on the day we will be flying back home from our Southern California trip. Hopefully we won't have to be in any holding flight patterns on this trip (see article below). Right now as I write, it's cold in VA, so I'm looking forward to high 60's and lots of new sites to see and friends to visit. There should be some photos up on the site in our Travel Album Photo Gallery. I'll have them all there and tell you more about the trip in my next mailing.
Hugs and Blessings!
Donna
Today's Featured Article
When God Puts You On Hold
by Donna L. Watkins
If you've ever flown, you know that sometimes the airport runways are full and your plane has to circle around the city waiting for instruction from the tower that it's your turn to land. Sometimes, it feels like God is too busy to address our needs and we're in a holding pattern of waiting.
This bluebird in the photo reminds me of me at times when I stretch my neck skyward and say, "Is anybody up there?"
Prayer gets discouraging because instead of hearing and seeing a YES to our prayers, we perceive that God doesn't care because it's not happening the way we're praying. We are fortunate that God doesn't always say "yes" to our prayers. We don't see the future so we can't take the whole picture into consideration when we ask for something.
You wouldn't want that plane to land while the runways were full of other planes. If given a choice, seeing the whole picture down below, you wouldn't want the pilot to demand a spot on the runway by heading in for landing. Planes always carry enough fuel for these holding patterns and we need to carry enough spiritual fuel to carry us through the waiting.
Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Verse 13 says, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
Trust Him. Have Faith in His providential will for our lives and know that what we cannot see is being seen by the One who knows all. By the One who has our best interests at heart: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
When all seems hopeless and the Heavens seem silent, God is working. He's still thinking about you and working everything out for good.
Have you seemingly prayed 'forever' for a prodigal child, lost husband, more finances, a healthy body, a life partner, or a peaceful environment? Don't give up. Control your thought life. What you sow, you will reap, so don't think negative, hopeless, defeated thoughts. The best way to keep your mind from wandering to dark places, is to memorize the Word.
Here's a good one to begin with:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all my iniquities; who heals all of my diseases; who redeems my life from destruction; who crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies." Psalm 103:1-4
Although it seems long, it's an easy one to memorize since it repeats things and it has a good flow to it. If you replace the negative in your mind with the positive of God's Word, you will go a long way in having the patience to wait. That patience will build other good qualities into your life that you will appreciate in trials and tribulations that we all have and will continue to have.
If you read through this verse and expect all of it to happen as soon as you finish memorizing it, you will be in a negative realm, because the devil will tell you it's not happening in your life, so stop thinking on Scripture and think on reality (which is the evil he creates around us). Don't be swayed or tempted to believe the Enemy instead of God.
As you truly absorb Scripture, it will become part of you and you will become part of what it says. Reading something or quoting it a hundred times won't make it happen in your life. It's not about the little red engine trying to get up the hill saying, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." Thinking right is the first step, but believing is the key. Jesus said it was all about believing and David knew that also in Psalms 119:11: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee."
When life puts you on hold, choose what "music" you're going to listen to and what "message" you will hear over and over again. It will define whether you are depressed and hopeless or delighted and hopeful.
Forward To A Friend
Forward this article to a friend by email or by sending them a link to the blog:
www.theherbsplace.com/AHMblog/ahm.html
More Spiritual Articles
You can view previous articles that have been sent in "A Healing Moment" on our website. Find More Articles Here
Complimentary Email Newsletters
The Herbs Place offers several newsletters with topics such as natural health, essential oils, pets, nature, and frugal living. Read more about these newsletters.
Copyright and Reprint Information
© 2007 Donna L. Watkins
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and link:
This article originally published in "A Healing Moment" was reprinted with permission. The Herbs Place provides a free email subscription to "A Healing Moment." Visit the author's website for more articles and other free newsletters available. http://www.theherbsplace.com/ahm.html
Hello Fellow Sojourners!
Sometimes it seems like it takes forever to accomplish something you desire. I've been trying to get a good picture of a Dark-eyed Junco for years. They only come here to Central Virginia in the winter time when our yard is covered with fallen leaves. They seem to blend right in and the contrast is awful on photos.They are so dark that it's hard to get the lighting right to be able to see their eyes. Their cute pink beak is a delight against their slate coloring, but a head with a beak and no eyes looks less than appealing.
We had a recent dusting of snow and it seems to have provided a perfect backdrop for a great shot. I actually have a few good pictures that I like out of 45 that I've taken this winter. The blessings of a digital camera! Some things take awhile, but if they're worth waiting and hoping for, I'm not going to allow myself to get discouraged.
This mailing will go out on the day we will be flying back home from our Southern California trip. Hopefully we won't have to be in any holding flight patterns on this trip (see article below). Right now as I write, it's cold in VA, so I'm looking forward to high 60's and lots of new sites to see and friends to visit. There should be some photos up on the site in our Travel Album Photo Gallery. I'll have them all there and tell you more about the trip in my next mailing.
Hugs and Blessings!
Donna
Today's Featured Article
When God Puts You On Holdby Donna L. Watkins
If you've ever flown, you know that sometimes the airport runways are full and your plane has to circle around the city waiting for instruction from the tower that it's your turn to land. Sometimes, it feels like God is too busy to address our needs and we're in a holding pattern of waiting.
This bluebird in the photo reminds me of me at times when I stretch my neck skyward and say, "Is anybody up there?"
Prayer gets discouraging because instead of hearing and seeing a YES to our prayers, we perceive that God doesn't care because it's not happening the way we're praying. We are fortunate that God doesn't always say "yes" to our prayers. We don't see the future so we can't take the whole picture into consideration when we ask for something.
You wouldn't want that plane to land while the runways were full of other planes. If given a choice, seeing the whole picture down below, you wouldn't want the pilot to demand a spot on the runway by heading in for landing. Planes always carry enough fuel for these holding patterns and we need to carry enough spiritual fuel to carry us through the waiting.
Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Verse 13 says, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
Trust Him. Have Faith in His providential will for our lives and know that what we cannot see is being seen by the One who knows all. By the One who has our best interests at heart: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
When all seems hopeless and the Heavens seem silent, God is working. He's still thinking about you and working everything out for good.
Have you seemingly prayed 'forever' for a prodigal child, lost husband, more finances, a healthy body, a life partner, or a peaceful environment? Don't give up. Control your thought life. What you sow, you will reap, so don't think negative, hopeless, defeated thoughts. The best way to keep your mind from wandering to dark places, is to memorize the Word.
Here's a good one to begin with:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all my iniquities; who heals all of my diseases; who redeems my life from destruction; who crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies." Psalm 103:1-4
Although it seems long, it's an easy one to memorize since it repeats things and it has a good flow to it. If you replace the negative in your mind with the positive of God's Word, you will go a long way in having the patience to wait. That patience will build other good qualities into your life that you will appreciate in trials and tribulations that we all have and will continue to have.
If you read through this verse and expect all of it to happen as soon as you finish memorizing it, you will be in a negative realm, because the devil will tell you it's not happening in your life, so stop thinking on Scripture and think on reality (which is the evil he creates around us). Don't be swayed or tempted to believe the Enemy instead of God.
As you truly absorb Scripture, it will become part of you and you will become part of what it says. Reading something or quoting it a hundred times won't make it happen in your life. It's not about the little red engine trying to get up the hill saying, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." Thinking right is the first step, but believing is the key. Jesus said it was all about believing and David knew that also in Psalms 119:11: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee."
When life puts you on hold, choose what "music" you're going to listen to and what "message" you will hear over and over again. It will define whether you are depressed and hopeless or delighted and hopeful.
Forward To A Friend
Forward this article to a friend by email or by sending them a link to the blog:
www.theherbsplace.com/AHMblog/ahm.html
More Spiritual Articles
You can view previous articles that have been sent in "A Healing Moment" on our website. Find More Articles Here
Complimentary Email Newsletters
The Herbs Place offers several newsletters with topics such as natural health, essential oils, pets, nature, and frugal living. Read more about these newsletters.
Copyright and Reprint Information
© 2007 Donna L. Watkins
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and link:
This article originally published in "A Healing Moment" was reprinted with permission. The Herbs Place provides a free email subscription to "A Healing Moment." Visit the author's website for more articles and other free newsletters available. http://www.theherbsplace.com/ahm.html
posted by Donna at 10:17 AM
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