There is power in giving thanks. Let this Thanksgiving Day become the kick starter for you to move into a life that is ever mindful to be grateful in all things.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

THE POWER OF GIVING THANKS

Angela

Today, think of each moment as a new opportunity to fulfill all of the possibilities that lie within you.  With each tick of the clock is a new moment– a golden opportunity to begin anew.  Do not allow yourself to become encumbered with the frustrations and disappointments of moments past.  Instead, choose in every future moment to take positive and purposeful steps in the direction God is leading.  Choose to make each moment a magnificent manifestation of what God has poured into you.

Start in this moment to press into God with boldness and renewed commitment, knowing that every moment puts you closer  to the realization of what has been planted in your heart.  Then, be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” — Ps 139:16-18 (NLT)

Dear Sister,

‘Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it.  Action has magic, grace and power in it.”             –Johann von Goethe

Today you need to make a conscious decision to just believe.  Other than Jesus, Peter was the only other person to walk on water.  Why?  Because he dared to believe and act on what he believed.  There were others in the same boat with Peter.  They too saw the vision.  But Peter was the only one who got out of the boat.  Why?  Because he simply believed and stepped out of the boat onto the water and began to do what appeared to be impossible—with his eyes on Jesus—he walked on water.

Now you already know, once you get out of the boat, the winds of fear and doubt will blow with a ferocity that is intended to derail you and blow you off course. In those moments all you need is mustard seed size faith.  Just that itty bitty inkling will be enough to trust Jesus anyway and keep to walking on the water.

God has shown you the vision. Now get out of the boat and put feet to your faith.  It doesn’t matter if no one else on the boat gets out. Don’t let the winds frighten you.  Don’t let the water deter you.  Peter has shown you that it is possible to walk on water.  And, it doesn’t even matter how deep the water is—you’ll be walking on it—not in it.

Be encouraged,

angela

Dear Sister,

Use wisdom when sharing your vision with others.  Everybody is not part of the plan.

Every smiling face is not a friend. Be mindful to protect the vision with which you have been entrusted and share it only with those the Lord leads you to share it with.  Remember, not everyone who shows up, even when they say they your kinsman in Christ, is coming for your good.  The enemy of your vision will send counterfeits who will covet, discourage, try to derail, and even steal your vision.

Rise up and be encouraged to move toward the vision knowing there is not a single strategy or person the enemy can use against you to stop what God has ordained.  Today you are yet another day closer to giving birth to the vision.

“ ^… Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.”  -Psalm 69:32

Be encouraged

angela

Dear Sister,

Just a note to remind you today that we serve a God breathes new life into dead dreams.  You may get discouraged, walk away and forget your dreams.  But, God does not forget.  Be encouraged today and draw strength from The One who planted those dreams in your heart.  He had the plan and resources to bring them to pass even before He gave them to you.

My prayer today is that you don’t lose heart and that you recognize that even now God is breathing new life into your dreams.  Just put one foot in front of the other knowing each step brings you closer to the fulfillment of what has been deposited in you.  The path is never straight or short.  It’s long, winding,  full of road blocks and detours.  Just stay the course, in faith, and WALK IT OUT.

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history.  Be alert, be present.  I’m about to do something brand new.  It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?” –Isaiah 43:18,19

Don’t let the old things behind you cause you to miss the new things in front of you.  Stay open to God’s still quiet voice and trust His timing.

Be encouraged,

angela

More than two hundred years ago, Thomas Paine wrote a collection of articles that together comprised a book entitled “The Crisis.”  In one of those articles he made a statement that has endured over time. Paine wrote, “These are the days that try men’s souls.”  Those words are as true today as they were then.

We are living in a time when we are grappling with the psychological fallout of a recession—high unemployment, home foreclosures, the stress of meeting the same monthly financial obligations with less, loss of retirement nest eggs, and the list goes on.  We, and others around us, live with shattered dreams, broken hearts, spiritual disillusionment, and enormous struggle in ordinary existence. Our outcomes will depend on which report we choose to believe. Our natural eyes will give us a report that will cause us to stare and shudder.  Our spiritual eyes will give us a report that will move us to stand with surety that God will breathe new life into our dreams, mend our broken hearts, displace our disillusionment, and turn our struggles into victories.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a river bank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.  Their leaves stay green and they go right on producing delicious fruit”.  –Jeremiah 17:7-8

Yes, these are indeed days that are ripe for the trying of our souls.  These too are the days that are equally ripe for the testing of our spiritual metal.  I don’t know your specific trial or trials, but I do know that God is faithful and His compassionate nature will not to let us be tried beyond our ability and strength.  During these trying times, we should not lose heart or give voice to discouragement. Instead, we should lift our voices to the Lord with words of thanksgiving and praise that will usher us into His presence. Because, it is in His presence that we will find all the strength we need and encouragement for every circumstance.

Be encouraged,

angela

Dear Sister,

I have been on hiatus for a while and for a reason.  I am writing to let you know that beginning October 15, 2009, I will be blogging again at www.dearsister.org. I have not been posting very much over the last year because I made a decision to “come aside” to allow God to teach me some things and purge me of some other things. I needed to sit at His feet and learn more of Him and to receive a fresh anointing for this new season we are in.  So, I did.  It’s been a bumpy ride. I have stumbled, grumbled, cried, and “died.”  It was all for my good.

We all have dreams, desires and hopes for the present and the future.  Too often those dreams are dashed, desires delayed, and hopes falter as we get “caught up” in everyday living.  In my time away from the blogosphere, one of the things I learned was to listen.  And in tuning my ears to my environment, almost everywhere I could hear the voices of discouragement, frustration, confusion, and struggle echoing from the sisterhood.  So, Dear Sister, while remaining true to its initial purpose, will for a period of time focus solely on encouragement.

Expect some new things.  One of the things I will start in November is something called “Sister Stories” that will feature women who are over comers.  And, you are invited to participate.  All you have to do is send a photo (if one is available) and share a story and about someone you know who rose above circumstances and emerged victoriously. That woman may even be you.  I believe that sharing successes is one way we can strengthen each other. If God did it for one, he will do it for another–He is not a respecter of person.

If you have a story to share, would like to add someone to the email list, or have your name removed from the email list, contact me at heartsong.media@gmail.com.  I look forward to hearing from you and I hope you stick around for the other new things that will be unfolding.

angela

Dear Sister,

Pain and disappointment visits us all regardless of age, economic status, or intellect. They don’t care if you are beautiful, about where you live,  or what you drive.  When days appear darkest and you can’t even imagine light at the end of the tunnel, let alone see it, there is someone you can turn to for comfort and consolation.  I found an article that may help you if you are having a dark day or dark season.  Maybe you are alright today.  If you are, then this article may be a comforting reflection for you tomorrow, next week or next year.  Dark times just have a way of coming–no one is exempt.

The Father of All Comfort – In Touch Ministries – Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

Posted using ShareThis

your sister,

Angela

Dear Sister,

You must have time in your day when you are in complete stillness and silence before God. This is the time when you can simply experience Him and who you are in Him. It’s the time when you can discover the path to the realization of divine vision for your life, and know the miracles of everyday life.

May there be miracles in your life today and every day. And, may you have the eyes to see them.

Because HE lives, I am

angela

Dear Sister,

Just a note to let you all know that I am still here. I’ve been allowing God to do some work in me so that I can come back with something fresh and powerful to speak into your lives. This has required that I be still and allow God to work on me for a while. I will see you all back here again soon. Remember me in your prayers.

angela