I know many of my friends will worry that I not only read but am endorsing a book on Mediumship, but PLEASE, hear me out!

I discovered Suzanne Giesemann last year when Alex Ferrari of Next Level Soul interviewed her. Alex interviews many near death experiencers (NDEs), and it's only natural he'd interview a Medium. 

Like many, I hesitated on listening but something compelled me to and I am SO glad I did!

If you've known me for long, you know my beloved husband passed away in 2009. After his death, I had several "dreams" of interacting with him. I put dreams in quotation marks because I believe they were actual visits. All three were too vivid, as were their meanings, and I see and feel them clearly today.

I even had an encounter with my father after his death that I've shared with many family members and they, too, believe he communicated with me.

I also remember my mom telling me that her mother and grandmother - who died 13 days apart - had come to get her one night but she wouldn't go because we still needed her. She woke up on the floor beside her bed.

These are the reasons I've always been more fascinated by the spiritual realm than afraid. I have always believed in the afterlife and say all the time that the spiritual realm is "right here." As close to us as our next breath or thought or prayer.

If you've read some of my previous posts, you know I love stories like Heaven is for Real and Miracles from Heaven. Even Dr. / Reverand Dr. Jesse Duplantis shares his heavenly encounter as do many other pastors and laymen in the Church.

We all have instances in our life when we heard or felt God or our angels talking to us, so why can't we communicate with our loved ones?

Something to think about!

What I find most intriguing about Suzanne is not only her history (she was Asst. to the US Chief Naval Officer of the US during 9/11 and had a carrer as a Navy Officer for 20 years before) but the fact that she has been studied by Dr. Gary Swartz and is known as an "evidential" medium. Which means she asks for evidence that can't be found in a normal search from her client's loved ones. In her words, NOE (evidence of which there is "no other explanation" than hearing it "straight from the horse's mouth."

I've found her to be genuine and have read many of her books but this one, really snagged my interest. Mediumship: Sacred Conversations With Loved Ones From Across the Veil has a whole section of stories from others who've experienced "no other explanation" messages from their loved ones who have passed.

Whether or not you're interested in learning more about the afterlife, this book will give you hope in the midst of your grief.

I hope you'll suspend your doubts, fears and judgement long enough to check it, and Suzanne out.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT

As another Christmas has come and gone with all the gifts received, large and small, and the New Year is in full swing, I thought this would be an appropriate topic. I’m not talking about the size of presents you received from family, friends or even Santa.

​I’m talking about the gift you received from our Heavenly Father.

Now we all know Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger – a trough or box that normally held feed for the animals – but I’m not even talking about that box!

I’m talking about the different boxes we put God into… Y’know the Sunday Morning / Wednesday Evening box or the I can handle this box or the God has too much to worry about that box.

Oh and what about the Judgment box by which we point fingers, cast blame, or otherwise shun and ostracize our brothers and sisters in Christ?

We even use the bible, His holy word, to confine God in neat little categories.

Something to think about…. God created the universe and upholds it in His left hand while He upholds every living creature in His right ~ Therefore, NO box can contain Him.

So stop trying!

There is no-thing too big or too small for God to handle and He loves you beyond measure, so stop boxing Him in with your limited understanding and inadequate imagination.

Ephesians 3:19-21 tells us…Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…

So, break down your boxes, enlarge your borders, magnify your vision, and expand your imagination to cooperate with God to be the best version of You possible!

Pamela S Thibodeaux
Inspirational with an Edge! ™

Happy Thanksgiving Folks!
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Jesus teaches us that with God ALL things are possible and that all things are possible to them that believe (See Matthew 19:25-27, Mark 9:22-24, Mark 10:26-28).
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Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”

Why then do some things we desire, need or want seem impossible?

Is it possible this is because we block God’s blessings and talk ourselves out of miracles every day?

Is it possible we have deep-seated doubts and fears and feelings of unworthiness?

Is it possible the fire and brimstone preaching we’ve heard or experienced sometime in our life has caused us to fear God’s wrath more than believe in His love, grace, mercy and goodness?

Is it possible that we have so much guilt around asking God for what we truly desire that, even if He were to show up with that in hand as a free gift to us, we’d turn away?

Is it possible we’ve heard so many contradicting facts about who God is and what He can/will do that we just don’t know what to think anymore?

The Bible teaches us that the blessings of God shall chase us down and overtake us (see Deuteronomy 28:1-3), yet so many live in lack and poverty, sickness and disease!

Is it truly possible that if God said it and Jesus did it, we are supposed to live lives of abundance in every area?

I believe ALL of these explanations are possible and very possibly the root of our not receiving the gifts and blessings God has for us.

So how can we overcome these doubts, fears and negative concepts we’ve developed in our lives for whatever reason and open up to receive from God?

Here are a few ideas…

Pray. Don’t just pray for what you want, pray for God to open your eyes, ears, heart and hands so that you may see, hear, know and receive.

Listen. Often we pray/talk to God without taking time to listen for His response. Prayer should be a two-way conversation, not you talking to then walking away from Him.

Obey. Many times, we pray and listen but when God asks us to take action we disregard that part of the entire time of communion. The Bible teaches us we should be willing and obedient yet most of the time we are willing but not obedient or vice-versa. If you feel in your heart God is asking you to take some kind of action in order for Him to fulfill your desires and His plan, take it! Even if that means stepping out in faith despite your doubts and fears.

Meditate. A lot of folks shrink at the thought of spending time in meditation thinking they just don’t have hours to spare, but meditation can be as simple as closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths while opening your mind and heart to the Holy Spirit. Better yet, pick a Scripture that deals with one of the current situations or needs in your life and repeat it over and over in your mind while taking those deep breaths and watch God work.

Express Gratitude. I know, I know you are grateful but how often do you say it? How often do you say a simple “Thank You” to God or to people? Better yet, how often do you spend 10 minutes, an hour, or a whole day in an attitude of gratitude? Try this: For one hour write, “I am so happy and grateful that (or for) ---fill in the blank). If you don’t have an hour, write 1 page a day or 10 items or whatever, just do it! Once you’ve gotten into this habit, challenge yourself to keep gratitude uppermost in your mind for the day and see what doors open for you. After all, God’s not going to give you something else to complain about.

Sing. Yeah you heard that right. Sing a song about being happy. Find a couple songs and play them over and over in your vehicle and in your mind. Here are two that come to mind: Happiest Girl in the Whole USA by Donna Fargo, or Happy by Pharrell Williams (here’s the song/video on Youtube!) I dare you to listen to this and not be in a better mood! Better yet, make up a silly little ditty to express your own happiness, gratitude and praise to God. After all, the Bible tells us to make a “joyful noise” unto the Lord (Psalms 66, 81, 95, 98 & 100) and that God inhabits the praise of His people.

Try one (or all) of these simple exercises and see God work in your life. Now I’m not saying this is the cure-all for every problem in your life, but even if all these exercises do is make YOU feel better for an hour or a day…what can it hurt?

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

*©2014 Previously published as Pamela's Ponderings April 2014

As I’ve mentioned before I’ve been on a spiritual quest for most of my adult life. In 1989 I recommitted my life to Christ and since that moment have been asking, knocking and seeking, in all manner of ways, to know and experience more of Him.

Some may ask what He means to me and the long & short answer is: EVERYTHING.

How can I describe that which is indescribable?

Now many will look at some of the books and spiritual leaders I refer to and say that I’m not “Christ centered” or that I don’t have the “love of Christ” within me.

That both saddens and infuriates me.

Jesus said, “Judge not lest ye be judged.” So I challenge anyone to really look into my heart and tell me that!

True, I do read books other than the Bible and those written by ordained ministers.

Why?

Because I never want to miss a fresh anointing on the Word!

Yeah, but what about those ‘new age’ books like Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life & There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Dr. Wayne Dyer, A Return to Love & The Law of Divine Compensation by Marianne Williamson, The Secret & The Magic by Rhonda Byrne and other such works by people I admire?

I can only speak for myself but it is all part of my soul journey.

What? What?

A soul journey?

Yeah.

I believe we are all here for a reason and one of main purposes is to not only learn how to live as Christ but, like Him, to be an expression of God’s goodness in the earth. Each of those books mentioned, and numerous not mentioned, have opened my heart and mind to understanding God and even scripture in a deeper way.

In the book E-squared by Pam Grout, she covered the subject of God/Jesus and mentioned that Jesus never said, “worship me” but “follow me” and there’s a huge difference in the two statements.

This made me wonder so I did a bible search on the phrase “worship me” and you know what?

She was right!

Only 4 Scriptures showed up with that phrase, 2 referred to Jesus being tempted during His 40 days in the desert (Matthew 4:9 & Luke 4:7) and the other two referred to worshipping Him in vain by “teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9 & Mark 7:7).

These, in turn, led to the question of how much of what our preachers, teachers and ministers of “Christianity” tell us are actually just that… the teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.

Which do you think God/Jesus prefers…someone who adheres to the doctrines of men (even if they are biblically based) OR someone who loves Him and seeks Him with their whole heart, mind, & soul, regardless of the books they read?

After all, Jesus did say that God is “spirit” and those who worship Him will worship in spirit and in truth, and let’s face it, not everything we see and/or hear in conjunction with “Christianity” is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth…Nor the only truth.

JMHO of course.

Something to think about….
​
“Inspirational with an Edge!” ™

*Originally published as Pamela's Ponderings ©Feb 2014

I own a television but since I have neither cable, streaming services, nor an antenna, I watch a lot of movies. YouTube offers many older films free or free with ads and I've rewatched some real gems.

Heaven is for Real is one of them.

This 2014 motion picture is based on a true story (my favorite kind!) of Colton Burpo who visited heaven during an emergency surgery to remove and clean up his appendix which had burst. 

What inspires me the most about this story is the absolute certanity and innocence of this child in recounting his memories of this visit and how that convinced his father, who is a pastor, and changed the lives and impacted the faith of many in their community.

An inspiring movie all around so if you haven't seen Heaven is for Real, look it up. If you have, watch it again and let your own faith be renewed.

Until next time....take care and remember what the bible says about a little child leading us.

PamT