I am shocked it's been two months since I posted to this blog! So much has happened beginning with the launch of a new collection of short stories along with the promotion and all that entails. A Hint of Holiday Romance hit the shelves March 15th and is available at Amazon for Kindle and in Paperback as well as other online retailers.

Add to that, I've been working with a coach to launch A Novel Lunch™ writing course God put on my heart years ago. Alas, like many, I had numerous "reasons" why I couldn't do this. But no more! A Novel Lunch™ Beginning Writer course will commence on May 27th. So, if you or someone you know has been talking about writing a book but are clueless as to how/when/where to start. Check out the course HERE.

Amidst all of this, I started offering paid ad space on my book blog which has kept me busy and started doing bookkeeping for Edgemont Healing Center in Lake Charles where I host life coaching classes.

Oh, and don't forget tax season... I prepare tax returns for family members and friends. 

Anyhow, my goal is to get back to regular, or at least semi-regular, posting to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold. Prayers Appreciated!

​So, until next time, please ponder this article I wrote back in 2016 and I feel is still relevant today. In fact, it just might be one of the most timeless articles I've ever written.

​Enjoy!
PamT

Easter is behind us, Lent a quickly fading memory. After six weeks of sacrifice and penance, most of us are glad it’s over. We’re happy to be Lent free.

For many, Lent is a time of reflection and grace. We fast, spend extra time with God in prayer, and do more for our fellow man and/or the causes and charities we believe in and trust. For others, Lent is an obligatory penance we’ve been taught from childhood. A time during which we give up something (sweets, sodas, etc.) and attend church services more, but we’ve forgotten the real reason behind the six week period, and we’re just glad when it’s over!

But should we be?

Experts say an old habit can be broken and a new one cemented in thirty days. We’ve spent more than that during this time of year replacing our old routines with something new and meaningful. We’ve traded our poor eating practices with regular fasting and abstinence.

We look and feel better. We’re calmer, more centered and focused.

Why then are we anxious to throw away the benefits of Lent and go back to our previous ways of thinking, eating and doing/being?

Wouldn’t it be better to use Lent as a time of renewal and then continue to reap the rewards all year?

Think about this for a second!

Let’s say your Lenten observation consisted of spending an extra 15 minutes in prayer and meditation each morning and you’ve noticed a difference in your day. If recognized, you’ll connect the two and understand exactly why your entire life seems to go smoother. Wouldn’t it be wise to continue those moments of pure devotion throughout the year?

Or, you’ve given up sodas or sweets and/or fasted 1 day each week and notice you feel better… Less bloated, more energy, etc. Why then go back to those unhealthy pursuits?

Alas, we’re so conditioned to the observance of Lent without truly considering the full beauty and opportunity afforded us to start anew and pursue the kind of life we dream of.

So, if you’re one of those who is glad this particular season is over, if you’re happy to be Lent free, I urge you to examine that mindset and reconsider what Lent means (or can mean) for you in terms of living the life you desire and deserve.
​
Something to think about!
“Inspirational with an Edge!” ™

The whole purpose of this blog is to share with you authors, books and religious/spiritual/new thought leaders whom I admire and follow on a regular basis to aid in my spiritual quest.

Ever since reading The Secret and other books by Rhonda Byrne, I've discovered many teachers of the Law of Attaction and the power of the mind. Brian Scott & The Reality Revolution is one I discovered on YouTube and whose work I love.

He has recorded himself reading some of the most influential new thought leaders of our time, like Joseph Campbell, Catherine Ponder, Ernest Holmes, Napoleon Hill, and many more. His soothing, gentle, yet powerful, voice makes these books come alive.

With over 1000 podcast/video episodes, you're bound to find several to catipult your spiritual walk to a whole new level. 

Check out Brian's books, The Reality Revolution and Activate Your Unlimited Power on Amazon. You won't be disappointed.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT

Ever since I read her book, A Return to Love, I have been a HUGE fan of Marianne Williamson.

This woman writes with a deep sense of love and wisdom that I've found incomparable - and I read a LOT of spiritual nonfiction!

The Mystic Jesus: The Mind of Love is no exception.

Filled with nuggets of gold like: "Even the tiniest thought of forgiveness, of mercy, of love, can change the trajectory of our lives."  

AND

"The Mind of God is an infinite ocean of loving thought and when we think with love, we are thinking with God."

AND

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy, and the only way we can achieve that is if we learn to think as God thinks. Asking Jesus to hlep is a way to get there."

Isn't this an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G concept? When I think with love, kindess, mercy, etc. I am thinking as God thinks! With the "mind of Christ" as the Bible puts it!

I know it's so easy to get caught up in unloving, judgemental thinking in this crazy, angry world, but just imagine if we would take time out often throughout our day to consciously think in this way. How much more peaceful would our lives - and the lives of those we are in contact with on a daily basis - be? 

I, for one, am up for the challenge.

How about You?

If you LOVE Jesus and deep, spiritual truths, read this book! In fact, read any of Marianne's books. You won't be disappointed.

Something to think about!
Pamela S Thibodeaux
“Inspirational with an Edge!” ™
"Coaching in PJs" ™

If you’ve followed my spiritual quest for long, you’ll see I often refer to the Law of Attraction (which I consider the law of sowing and reaping, or faith in action)…Anyway, two of the Scriptures quoted in The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (a LOA book) are Matthew 21:22 and Mark 11:24 where Jesus says, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” AND “Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

If these are the words of our Savior, then why aren’t we receiving the things we desire? After all, Psalm 37:4 exhorts us to “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Now I know many will get off into semantics here, telling us there is more to the meaning of those scriptures than what meets the eye. They will tell us that our sin is what keeps us from receiving and that there are a whole lot of rules to apply before God will bless us. We will be filled with guilt and shame for asking and doubt and fear that God will not stand up to His promise and bless us.

Really?

I honestly believe this is where we mess up and why we don’t receive the things we need from God much less those we desire.

The Bible talks a lot about being worthy and there is a prayer in the Catholic mass that says, “Lord I am not worthy to receive you but say the word and I shall be healed.”

Is it possible we don’t receive from God because although He desires to bless us we don’t feel worthy?

Bottom Line: If you’ve committed your life to God, have asked for forgiveness of your sins and have received pardon from Him – You ARE Worthy!

Period.

So how do we get to the point of receiving?

#1: Realize you are worthy to receive from God.
#2: Ask for what you need.
#3: Find and stand on God’s promises related to whatever you are asking for.
#4: Believe you have received whatsoever you’ve asked for.
#5: Expect God to answer but understand He may not answer in the exact way you imagine. God always has our best interest at heart so trust He will bless you in the way that’s best for everyone concerned.
#6: Watch what you say! Just because you don’t get what you want, when you want, be careful not to get into negativity over God’s timing or ways. There’s no quicker way to negate your faith and block your blessings than that.

Sounds easy right?
Not always.

In the spiritual/LOA books I’ve read and all the things I’ve studied, feeling as though you already have whatever it is you desire is a big part of receiving. The catch is, feeling it with gratitude and not fear.

Gratitude draws, fear repels.

So how do we get from fear to gratitude?
#1: Be thankful in advance.
#2: Write or say affirmations such as, “I receive (fill in the blank) with grace and gratitude.”
#3: Make room for whatever it is you’re asking for in your heart, mind, and life. Asking for new clothes? Clean out your dressers and closets. Asking for a new automobile? Keep the other one in good shape, clean and well tuned. Looking for a new house? Clean, repair and/or refresh your current home. Wanting a new job? Appreciate the one you have, trusting God to open doors for your advancement. More than that work your current position with integrity and excellence!
#4: Learn to appreciate what you already have. Nothing opens you up to receive more than gratitude for what you already have! After all, God will not give you something else to complain about.

In her book, You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay says to sit with your arms open wide and say, “I am open and receptive to all of the good God/the universe has for me.”

Go a step further and say, “I am worthy to receive all of the good God has for me!”

Try these things and again, watch what you say. Negativity blocks so stay positive and remember faith is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes and keep in mind that all things are possible to them that believe.
 
Something to think about!
Pamela S Thibodeaux
“Inspirational with an Edge!” ™
"Coaching in PJs" ™

If you've read the "About this Blog" info in the sidebar, you'll know I've been on a spiritual quest for several decades now and that the purpose of this entire blog is to share with you, dear friends, books and podcasts, etc. that have inspired and helped me along my journey.

Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer is one of the earliest books along this path that impacted my thinking and life.

This book is filled with personal stories, scriptures, life lessons and wisdom the author has gained from her own life experieces and teaches you the power of our thoughts and words and the basics of taking every thought captive unto the mind of Christ, renewing your mind through the Word, and speaking positive.

Mine is an old version and was given to me from a wonderful lady who is still one of my BFF's today!

Now, there is a whole series of tools based on this book to help young people and adults with 100 Insights and a Study Guide​ to enhance your reading experience. 

If you or someone you love are bound by negative thinking, a pessimistic attitude or victim mentality, this book is another that will change your/their life!

I'd LOVE to know your experience in reading the books I feature on this blog so please feel free to contact me via email: [email protected] or the contact form here on the website.

Until next time take care and God Bless.
PamT