Good Morning Dear Ones,

I started this blog to share my spiritual journey and people, books, movies, etc., that speak to me on a faith level. As you've noticed in the past, I occassionally posted something from a friend that was meaningul, beneficial, and fit into these guidelines. Today is one​ of those days and you'll see them more often as I've invited folks to share their spiritual truths with us. I hope you'll enjoy these visits as much as I do and welcome our guests.

Jill DeVille is a devout lover of Jesus, multi-published Author, Motivational Speaker, the Pastor of Gift Minsitry of Louisiana and my dear friend. In her latest book, This Holy Day: Be the Light in the Darkness, Jill reveals what the Lord showed her about being the light on even the "darkest" holidays and that every holiday should be a holy day.

I feel the same way! In fact, after Jill's book came out, I shared with her a poem I wrote years ago about this very subject. I'll share it with you now and then we'll hear from Jill...       
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Once I truly surrendered all to the Lord, I began reading the word of God a lot. Within four months, my bible looked like I’d had it for decades. I was seeking and wanted answers. Why did I feel like I could do some things that religion was saying, “no” to?

Why did I feel God saying, “you can be the light in the darkness”?

With my attempts to be the light, pastors or Christians would look at me funny or make comments when I carved a pumpkin for Halloween. Matthew chapters five, six, seven, and twelve stood out to me the most in regard to the Holidays. That is where God would take me. God’s voice sounded like this, “be the Light in the darkness.”

“How can I be the light in the darkness,” I would ask? Holidays look like the celebration of self or sin to me. I wondered and asked God, wouldn’t others think I am trying to have the holiday another way to please myself?

Then He would take me to Matthew six, in all things do it for Me so I can see you and I will bless you. Seek me first and my right standing then all will be added to you.

All and first stood out to me. All…So all things? Interesting, right? All things that would still honor and please the Lord, to be clear.

If we take all the things that God has given us access to and turn them for the good of God, others, and us, like He taught us, traditions and religion would change. Then when our children come into this world knowing the way, truth, and life of the Lord in our traditions, they will naturally follow Him in all things without feeling uncomfortable. It will be what they know and believe naturally. It will allow them to be the light in others’ darkness too.

Many will give up what appears to be the worst of sin. While they keep a death grip on a tradition like a sport event or holidays like Halloween or Christmas. They will pray, like I used to, for the Lord not to come each year during that season. Crazy right? I know!

Maybe I am the only one. Ha!
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Why not find a way to serve the Lord in all things and be that very light for others to see their way through it too?

This Holy Day: Be the Light in the Darkness can be found at Amazon and at The Charmed Page bookstore in Lake Charles, Louisiana & Gospel Book Store in Gretna, LA.
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​Pastor Jill Deville is the Speaker, Founder, and CEO of Jill Deville Ministries founded in 2023. Through Jill Deville Ministries, Jill is a speaker at conferences and events throughout the world both online and in person with God’s Girls and Book It! Conferences and Events.

​You will find her on Tik Tok, YouTube, Facebook and in your community. If she is not there then she will be, just ask her!

​Email Jill at:  [email protected]

Going through boxes of stuff I moved from storage, I found a trio of battery-operated candles that said Faith, Hope and Believe. The ‘believe’ one was bent and when I took it out of the box to set it along with its mates on a shelf, it broke. I taped it but it’s still bent and broken.

This started me thinking…

How often are our beliefs tested so strongly we wonder what we’re believing for anyway?

Have you ever had faith in or for something so long, you’re tempted to just throw in the towel and forget it all?

Have you ever gone off on a spiritual tangent, clinging to a certain promise (or promises) in the Bible until you know them so completely and yet…nothing changes despite the ‘belief in your heart and confession of your mouth’?

Ever ask God, “what do you want me to do in this situation, or to help this along?”

Yeah, me too. I’ve been so high on my faith and belief, especially when I feel God has shown me something or given me a promise of something to come, that I doubt I’ll ever come down much less be disappointed.

I’ve also believed and waited so long for some things, I doubt the visions or promises will ever come to fruition. So long that I’ve gone from hope and faith to doubt and despair and then something will happen, or I’ll hear a message and go right back around to believing again.

So, what are we supposed to do in such situations?

In Mark, 9:23 Jesus said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

And in Mark 11: 23-24 He said, “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” AND “Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Eintein said, "imagination is the preview of life's coming attractions." 

Psalm 37:4 says that when we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart."

Know that if you truly, honestly, deeply desire something that will not harm yourself or others, you are worthy to receive it.

So, when you’ve done all that you can do, the only thing you can continue to do is just believe.

Believe and Wait for it with patience, joy and expectation. After all, Habakkuk 2:3 reminds us that the vision is for an appointed time. 

Don't give up and trust in Divine timing.

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™
"Coaching in Pjs" ™

In the wake of last week’s tragedies and the social media trolls bashing, cursing, blaming, celebrating and all the other nonsense that came along with the senseless murder of a young father, husband, son, sibling, and friend of so many, I have labored over whether to address this. But my heart, soul and conscience will not allow me to just let it go.

In the days since Sept.10th, I’ve had the following thoughts run through my head like a ticker…

What If…

What if when we get face to face with Jesus, He doesn’t say, “well done,” like many believe?

What if He says we’ve got it all wrong?

What if His words are, “What part of Love your neighbor as yourself did you NOT understand?”

I can hear us now. “But, Lord, the bible says… yada, yada, yada. I was only defending Your word!”

My Words were, forgive everyone, pray for your enemies and bless those who persecute you.

But, but…the bible says this and that and they are an abomination!

And, I said Judge not lest ye be judged for by whatever judgement you mete, You will be judged!

Have you even read MY Words? Have you followed My example? Where is it written in RED to maim, defile, slander, defame or murder anyone? Depart from me you cold-hearted, evil, wicked being.

But, but…Lord, I’ve worshipped you my whole life. Where is the mercy your word promises?

Where is it written in RED to worship me? I never said worship Me. I said worship God and follow me. Learn by my example. Do as I did. Do even greater. Are you doing this? Where is the mercy You’ve shown? 

And the list goes on and on of possible questions and rebuttals between a soul and its maker and Lord.

The ONE Truth that keeps coming to me is this: God is the all-powerful, all-loving, supremely intelligent being that created the universe and everything in it.

1John4:16 says, “God is love and he who dwells in love dwells with God.”

1Corinth13:4-8 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Honestly, I had no idea who Charlie Kirk was until my daughter texted me about what happened and asked for prayers for him and his family. So, for those of you who followed him closely and think you know him, ask yourself: Was he acting out of love? Was he debating with compassion and love or simply spouting some anti-anything-but-Christian/Judeo-Christian agenda?

A better question to ask yourself might be: How am I acting/behaving/speaking since listening to him or any person with a platform?

Ask yourself and be honest with your answers. You might not like what you discover but it will be the start of your healing and growth.

Besides, do we honestly, truly, deeply know anyone? I don’t. People surprise, shock and sadden me all the time but what I DO know is this senseless violence must stop!

Humanity as a whole has lost its ever-loving mind. When will it end? HOW will it end?

It will end when we think, study, and pray, FOR OUSELVES.

Not based on what a pastor, preacher, rabbi, guru, evangelist, teacher, professor, politician, public servant, or anyone says. Not from the rhetorical bullshit we are brainwashed with daily and have been spoon/force-fed for centuries says.

But For Ourselves.

How can we do this?

BE STILL. Get quiet and seek God, Wisdom, Knowledge, Truth within your heart, mind and soul. After all, aren’t we born with an inherent moral compass and an innocent love for everyone until we’re taught differently?

READ extensively something other than a book that has been dissected, dichotomized, edited and revised hundreds of times over the past twenty centuries. One that is quoted and misquoted, idealized, idolized and weaponized every singe day, all over the world. Read ministers outside your chosen religion or theology, read the mystics, read and study and pray but most of all do this with a pure intention. Not to prove anything to anyone except yourself.

RESEARCH what you read. Nearly every spiritual book I encounter sites other texts from which they – with prayer and contemplation – base their beliefs on. And almost every author leaves the interpretation of what they know and believe open for growth and expansion. Which leads me to my next suggestion…

BE OPEN minded and open hearted when you read, study or speak to someone. Listen to their heart not just their words. Ask and allow God to speak through you and if God knows nothing you can say will change a person’s heart or mind, ask that your mouth be sealed shut. Do NOT get into an argument or make war with anyone over your beliefs vs theirs.

RESPECT: Everyone else’s right to speak their truth as long as it’s done respectfully and without malice.

Walk AWAY when you feel uncomfortable and then Pray and ask for wisdom and understanding.

STOP jumping on the bandwagon of someone else’s opinion or “truth.” NO One has a monopoly on any truth except for the TRUTH that Love is the answer. Love created the universe. Love holds the universe together. Love is always growing, always expanding just as the universe is. Love is big enough to hold space for diversity. I’d be so bold as to say that Love loves diversity. Otherwise, we would all be little robots walking around saying the same thing, wanting the same thing, believing the same thing… You get my drift.

STOP letting the political and immoral propaganda floating around the stratosphere shake your foundation so that you waver in the wind like chaff and don’t even know what you do believe anymore.

CHOOSE peace instead of anger, love instead of hatred, compassion instead of disgust or disinterest.

PRAY for an open mind, soft heart, bridled tongue, and let everything you do or say be done in and with LOVE.

Finally, remember Mother Theresa said, “It is never between you and them, it is between you and God.”

Therefore, BE the change you want to see in the world. After all, change starts with and in You. God cannot and will not change anyone until You allow the change you’re wanting “them” to make or be, take place in your heart, mind, thoughts and beliefs about them first.

The world cannot go on like this, folks. If there isn’t a major change of heart, change of dynamics between humans, God, and nature, we’re going to self-destruct.

I would say, like so many do, “God” will destroy the world and start over, but I don’t believe that’s true. We will spiral into extinction and another, more loving, more intelligent being will rise out of the remnant and create heaven on earth as we were supposed to do.

Something to think about.
“Inspirational with an Edge!” ™
“Coaching in PJs”

As Christians we are encouraged to become more like Jesus, but how is that possible in a world where hearts have grown cold and mutual honesty, integrity and respect is almost nonexistent?

In his book, Just Like Jesus, Max Lucado offers us numerous examples. I own this treasure trove of encouragement and have read it numerous times, but I must say, loving as Jesus loved/loves and living as He lived, is not easy!

Sometimes it seems as though Life sets out to prove just how difficult a task this is. Not wanting to get into particular situations here, let’s suffice by saying I have never considered myself capable of emotions strong enough to actually hurt—I mean physically—hurt someone. But I have. I’ve experienced anger, so deep, so raw it nearly rendered me incapable of feeling basic kindness much less compassion.

I’m not proud of it and am certainly not advocating acting on those feelings! But there have been a few times in my life I can honestly say I’ve experienced something so fierce, so strong… so dangerous that it actually scared me.

I’ve seen social media posts that say when asked WWJD remember that turning over tables and taking a whip to someone is not out of the realm of possibilities.

Yeah, there are times when I’d like to do that.

Or worse.

Without a qualm.

Hard to believe, right? Especially for those who know me personally.

Hard for me to believe too.

Thankfully, I haven’t felt such intense rage like this often or in a long time.

So how can we be more like Jesus when we have such undesirable emotions?

Scripture gives us the answer… “But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:44 and Romans 12:14: “Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.”

So that’s what I did and continue to do: Pray and trust that God has the entire situation under control and will show Himself strong on my behalf, help me see the people/circumstances in a different light, or change my heart completely. I’ve prayed, “Lord, I’m willing to forgive and I surrender this situation and these emotions to you, but only YOU can make the forgiveness true in my heart.”

Three other prayers have proven beneficial when faced with something like this…

• Ho'oponopono, the ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, meaning "to make things right." I’ve studied and practiced this prayer and am a Certified Ho'oponopono Practitioner. With this prayer you take full responsibility for your emotions by apologizing to and asking forgiveness from the perpetrator(s), saying “thank you,” and ending with, “I love you.”

 
Which isn’t easy when our ego mind screams, “yeah, but…!!!” One thing that helped me was to add, “I forgive you and I release you to God,” at the end of my prayer. Another was to write the prayer in full using the person/people’s names. In her book, The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity, Edwene Gaines suggests writing your forgiveness statement 35 x twice a day for 7 days (70 x 7). I have this book and will discuss it at a later time. I want to re-read it first. 😊

Surrogate Tapping for those involved helped too.

• The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi and the Amni Christi are wonderful too because both help you focus on emulating Christ.

 
Have these things made me more like Jesus?

Maybe, a little, but I know there’s always room for me to learn, to heal, and to grow.

Something to think about...
PamT
​
“Inspirational with an Edge!” ™
"Coaching in Pj's" ™

​I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts so leave a comment!

This was brought home to me on a deeper level while reading Happier than God by Neale Donald Walsch. This book combines the best of Neale's conceptual truths uncovered in his nine book series, Conversations with God.

I'm not going to review the book here or try to break down everything Mr. Walsch says. Suffice it to say this is another great read and, IMHO, everyone should grab a copy.

What I am going to do is explain in my own way and give you a couple of ideas on how you can figure out what happiness means to you ​and how to infuse joy into your everyday life.  HINT: it's nothing outside of you!

In the world of "manifestation," and "creating your own reality," joy, bliss and happiness are fundamental principles. Even the bible talks about joy being our strength. Granted the scripture says, "the joy of the Lord is my strength." (Neh. 8:10).

What does 'the joy of the Lord' mean?

I believe this means that God finds joy in everything He creates, especially in us. And if God finds joy in us, we should find joy in ourselves as well as the life we co-create with Him.

How can we do this when there is SO much negativity in the world?

By understanding that you are the only one who can control your emotions! You have the choice to be positive or negative, happy or sad, etc. and happiness, or joy, or bliss, is an inside job.

True, there are any number of triggers outside of us that can send our emotions into a tailspin, but one thing I've come to know is that there is a pause between the trigger and my/our reaction. If we learn to lean into that pause, we can decide how to respond instead of reacting in our normal way.

And, as Dr. Joe Dispenza puts it,  "those strong, negative emotions are not loving and nurturing for your body."

But how can we change lifelong patterns of flying off the handle or spewing anger and frustration every time we're triggered?

Here are a few ways...

• You've always heard cout to ten. I'm telling you to count backward from five or ten if necessary Why? Because the brain is used to counting forward. By counting backward, you interrupt the normal pattern in the brain. Mel Robbins's is a huge proponent of the 5-second rule and I've that found counting backward from five or even ten makes a huge difference in my response.

 

• Take a breath. Or two or three. Not sharp, shallow breaths, but a soul deep inhale and slow, deliberate exhale - like blowing air through a straw. This too, calms the flight, fight or flee response that kicks in when someone pushes our buttons.

 

• Practice heart coherence on a regular basis by placing your hand over your heart and taking those deep breaths described above for 3 minutes as often as you can throughout the course of your day.

 

• Tap your way through it. Depending on who/what/when/where the incident occurs this may not be an option immeditely but, utilizing EFT practices as soon as possible will help move any residual or stuck energy out of the body.

These ideas will help when you are triggered. Below are a couple of ways to fill or replenish your joy/happiness well...

• Make it fun! No matter how mundane the task, find a way to make it fun. Sing in the shower and on the drive to work. Be silly with the kids while you get them ready for school and invite them to be silly with you. Hum your way through that stack of work piled on your desk. Dance your way through the house as you clean. Life is meant to be enjoyed not ploughed through like an old horse in a field.

 

• Pray your way through your day. Pray for yourself, your family, friends, coworkers (especially those who irritate you the most!), complete strangers, your community, state, the world at large. 

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• Keep a running dialoge going on in your mind of what you're grateful for, or better yet change that to, what you love and appreciate. Love and appreciation are higher vibration emotions. It's been proven that positive emotions counterbalance the lingering effects of negative, and on an energetic and spiritual level, our joy helps heal the planet.

I guess this all boils down to the fact that, just as stress starts in the mind, so do peace, joy and happiness!

Something to think about...
PamT
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“Inspirational with an Edge!” ™
"Coaching in Pj's" ™
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Find out more about EFT by reading these articles.