I've written posts about signs and wonders on this blog before, Here, Here and Here. So when I received Jamie's newsletter about the very same topic, I just had to invite her to share it with us!

Take it away Jamie...

One of my family’s favorite movies is Monte Python’s Holy Grail. In it, an animated God cartoon often appears in the sky giving King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table the guidance they need to find the Holy Grail. (See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-iWe4qXUD8).

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get direct communication like that from God (or from whatever form you accept as the Divine) all the time? But it doesn’t really happen that way, does it? In the case of Monte Python, though, it makes for great comedy.
 
So, if God is not hanging around in the clouds, how does S/He/it speak to us?
 
This past June, I opened one of my reference books that offers predictive guidance based on one’s numerological personal year in any given month. (Life Cycles by Christine Delorey).
 
This is not to say that I want to talk about numerology, it just happens that Delorey’s book gave me my first June "hit." (A "hit" is when an insightful aha grabs your attention.)
 
So, here I am, looking through the book, counting on my fingers to remember my personal year—I’m in my "one" year—and turned to the given month, June. Right away, Delorey writes something to the effect of, "Hey, don’t bother trying to push anything forward this month because, no matter how hard you try, there is no way it is going to happen. Just give it up. Have a nice day" (Okay, it's not quite that cheeky.)
 
Ummm. Okay. So, what should I do instead?
 
Delorey goes on to suggest that I use June to plan or "step into some learning" (my emphasis) about whatever I hope to fulfill over the next nine years. (Nine is the length of each numerological cycle.) That’s a lot of pressure, though. I mean, do I really know what I want to be doing in nine years? (Not a chance!) But I do have some ideas as to the direction I’m moving toward at least for the present year (kinda — I want to keep writing books, set up some YouTube training videos, and do some live Q&A sessions with my following).
 
I don’t always listen to random advice, but nothing was really going on otherwise in June, so I just took note of Delorey’s words and went on about my day.
 
Next, I opened my journal to start the new month. I began reading the opening for June, and guess what? It also began with a projection.
 
June, it said, would be a month of learning. (Yup.) It offered other suggestions as well, but seeing as I had just read the previous notation about June and learning, it struck a chord.
 
It’s common to think of two "hits" or mentions of a thing to be "noticeable," and three "hits" as a bullseye, good-enough-for-a-lottery-pick, you'd-better-sit-up-and-take-notice, confirmation. This was number two.
 
Not long after, maybe the same day, I opened my email to find a newsletter with the opening welcome right at the top saying, "Welcome to June! The theme for June is 'Connect to Learning.’"
 
Hit number three. Okay, maybe I’d better take notice.
 
I don’t know how many "hits" YOU need about something to consider it "a sign," but I took this repetitive message to heart. I first set aside time to figure out what my focus should be, and then I thought about what I might need to learn to bring it about. I made notes, then more or less set it all aside, because, well, life is busy.
 
The next day, while surfing YouTube, a video popped up about June. Guess what it said? (Which just goes to show that if you really need a talkin’ too, God (the Divine, your angels, guides) will find a way.)
 
And that is the message I want to get across today. Are you paying attention to the signs and wonders all around you? Are you grabbing up the guidance freely given and designed to help you achieve your highest and best? Are you taking notice of those subtle coincidences that seem to show up when you least expect them?
 
Recently, I came across Conversations with God, by Neale Donald Walsch. Most people were raving about this writer back in the 2000s, but I had never read his books. I didn’t find them interesting back then.
 
Walsch (or God, depending on how you look at it), says, "My messages will come in a hundred forms, at a thousand moments, across a million years. You cannot miss them if you truly listen. You cannot ignore them once truly heard. . . I will bring you the exact right thoughts, words, or feelings, at any given moment, suited precisely to the purpose at hand, using one device, or several."
 
So often, we ask for guidance, for help, for a "sign" but when it arrives, we ignore it. Maybe we pass them off as insignificant. Maybe we think we are imagining them. Or maybe we are just so busy and unaware that they flit right by us like an unwanted gnat at a picnic.
 
One acquaintance of mine would continually ask for a sign during her prayers. Her heart longed to know that her deceased mother and son were with her still and watching over her. One day while sitting on the edge of the bed praying, a nearby calendar flew off the wall. Not straight down as if the nail had given away, but forward, towards her. She asked, "Was this a sign?" While I didn’t see this happen, she later related the phenomenon to myself and a friend, we both asked, "How much of a sign do you really need?!" Maybe she wanted her mother and son to appear in an apparition like in the Monte Python movie?
 
How much of a sign do YOU need?
 
Another friend, after losing her job of 30-plus years, related how she traveled all over the country for a year, always hedging. She claims she would always say, if this happens or that, she would go to chiropractic school. (The signs, no matter what she asked, always said, "yes," go back to school) She finally acquiesced and went to chiropractic school at age 50. She could no longer ignore the signs. She happily practiced chiropractic for 20 years.
 
Are you paying attention to the signs and wonders around you or are you letting them pass you by as coincidence and speculation? What would happen if you gradually, quietly, gently, secretly, tested them out? What if you picked one or two and paid attention to what they were telling you to do?
 
In my book, Hatch — a Change Your Life Guide, I share the story about "eggs." While at the store, all signs pointed to buying some, but I ignored my intuition. Turned out, I thought about making brownies later that day, but couldn’t. No eggs.
 
Start with something easy. Maybe it’s to grab an umbrella, take a different way home, or an unusual job interview. Are you seeing any signs? Don’t worry if you are making them up. Just edge yourself forward and give whatever is nudging you a try. Let me know how it works out.
 
Will they all pan out as 100% true? No. Sometimes you won’t know if it made any difference at all. But the more you listen, the more your angels/guides/Divine know you are listening, and the more signs and wonders will appear.
 
Another of my favorite movies is Michael with John Travolta and an all-star cast. In this 1996 classic, a rag-tag team of Chicago reporters and others are called to a woman’s house in Iowa as she claims Archangel Michael is living there. Although they don’t believe her, they decide to check it out, and indeed, he is there. But then they realize the only way to prove it is to take him back to Chicago, thus beginning an unusual journey for the troupe, each learning their own lessons along the way.
 
My favorite part of the movie comes near the end where signs are shown in such a way as they often happen in real life. Subtle and hidden among the ordinary in plain sight. I won’t offer up any spoilers, but this shows in grand fashion how the answers we seek are all around us and within us if we but become open to them, listen, and follow them.
 
For some, these times are often chaotic and filled with frustrations that many times are not of our own making. We are dealing with AI, autobots, lost missives, incorrectly filled orders, and much more. What if by simply watching for and following the signs we are given we could make each day just a little easier? Let’s give it a try.
 
I don’t yet know where my learning endeavors will take me. You’ll have to stay tuned to find that out, just as I will. I do know without a doubt I got the message—and yes I followed it.
 
What answers are you seeking? Are you paying attention to the signs and wonders?
 
 *~*  *~*  *~*  *~*  *~* 
​
Jamie Linn Saloff assists those seeking relief from grief, pain, and strife by empowering their internal guidance system. She is a graduate of the renowned Fellowships of the Spirit in Lily Dale, NY. And the author of twelve books including Hatch – A Change Your Life Guide. Visit her on the web at https://www.MarvelousMessages.com.

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”

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!” ™

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" ™

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