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By Daneen James
When life gets in the way, you're challenged, conflicted, fatigued, and your faith fades. Remind yourself, God has already decided, you win!
When you feel challenged, conflicted, fatigued, faith fades. Remind yourself what God says. Use His power to persevere and persist in His ways, regardless of circumstance, consequence or convenience.
Let these verses fuel you! Is God telling the truth, does that truth apply to me and my situation?
Time has passed, I’m older, can God redeem this situation?
Overwhelmed by all the good stuff happening or feel like you can’t withstand one more bad thing?
Wonder when you’re breakthrough’s coming, when’s it your turn?
Will this life of faith pay off?
Thank you for reading, I hope this post encouraged you! If what you read or saw added value to your life, please take a moment and share this website with family and friends. Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media. Want more? Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/daily-dose-nope-not-today
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By Daneen James
Yes, you read it right! God means for us to have fun! Not just now and then, but regularly and often. Could it be that trying new things and finding the fun in life, not only helps us care for ourselves, but also cultivates connection with our creator?
Enjoy this Facebook live video for a more interactive experience. Don't do facebook? No problem, click here to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNPECSybjDA&feature=youtu.be
More, Please.
God's goodness isn't confined to religious programming or hymns. God is alive in all that feeds and fortifies us. Finding joy in the world around us, using His creations to care for and connect with ourselves and those around us glorifies God. It's praise in the truest sense. If you find yourself thinking, is this all there is? Feel like you're running really hard but not getting anywhere? Want to do something "crazy", because the routine of life is wearing your down? You want more. That's to be expected, the desire for more comes from God. Very often those feelings of discontent are a call to "change it up", a signal to connect to all that is possible. Because more is available to us and intended for us through life with God. More Than a Feeling. When you find it hard to center yourself. Life feels more like a burden than a blessing and each day feels like the last. You feel like you need a break, a real change. We're tempted to do something drastic or have the tendency to reach for something or someone to "distract" us. Food, alcohol, drugs, a relationship, anything that helps us release and/or escape. What if we took a more proactive approach? Find ways to introduce the fun, even silly, into the every day. It doesn't mean you disregard the responsibilities of life. But it does mean, acknowledge each of us is mind, body and spirit. Commit to engage all three aspects of who you are. Joy opens the door. If it makes you smile and isn't contrary to God, go for it! It's not always the big, grand gestures that make the biggest difference. Sometimes it's the subtle shifts that make the most impact. Give It a Try! Here are a few ideas to enrich everyday life and freshen the familiar. Try with friends, family, or as a way to refresh yourself.
Try one of these or improvise. For you it might be something more personal, like a change in hair color, growing or removing a beard, painting a room in your house, cutting your hair or wearing it longer. The possibilities are endless, encouraging you!
Thank you for reading, I hope this post encouraged you! If what you read or saw added value to your life, please take a moment to share this website with family and friends.
Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media.
Want more? Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/daily-dose-nope-not-today
By Daneen James
Enjoy a more interactive experience with this Facebook live video. Don't do Facebook? No problem, click here to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWcP-zrha3Y&feature=youtu.be
3 QUESTIONS to Spark Gratitude...
Ask yourself these questions, to help you see the people, circumstances and experiences in your life differently. 1) What do I have that I didn't before? 2) What do I know that I didn't before? 3) What am I doing that I couldn't before? Apply these questions to the "whatever" of life. The irritating and unexpected as well as the surprising and wonderful. Gratitude creates consciousness. Consciousness connects us to our creator and helps us recognize how He works. The more aware we become about how God works in our lives, the easier gratitude becomes. The life we want is within our reach, when we connect to the God within us. Reflect
Thank you for reading, I hope this post encouraged you! If what you read or saw added value to your life, please take a moment to share this message with family and friends.
Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media.
Want more? Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/daily-dose-gratitude-more-than-words God gives us just what we need, hope this meets a need today. Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. Subscribe and enjoy previous DAILY DOSE episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihR688-4gEdyIThvEtIJ1g Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Sign up for the newsletter, receive ongoing inspiratation and updates: https://www.daneenjames.com Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html By Daneen James Do spiders "creep" you out? They're not my favorite creature either, but there's something about spiders that fascinates me. Even in the strongest winds and hardest rains, spider webs don’t falter. Though tossed and blown, they don’t break. Somehow, amidst the harshest circumstances, spiders find a way to sustain themselves. They persevere and even thrive despite their environment. Oddly enough, if you think about it, spiders represent the resilience life requires.
Adapt Don't Abandon How many times are we rejected; told we don’t fit. And that what we have to offer isn’t valuable. People often dismiss and even destroy what they don’t understand. When you’re criticized, don’t let it derail you. Treat criticism like a shopping trip. Look for something you can use, if you find it, keep it. But whatever doesn't fit or can't help you, leave it on the shelf. By Daneen James  When Dreams Don't Come True You can be whatever you want. If you believe it you can achieve it. Dreams come true. If it’s to be, then it’s up to me. If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again. The race is not given to the swift, but to the one who endures to the end. I’m sure you’ve heard some, if not all of these phrases. Motivational marvels meant to encourage and propel us forward. As time passes, however, they can become piercing reminders of what wasn’t done and the dreams that weren’t realized. We may still repeat the words, even say them to others. But we secretly think, that ship has sailed. Making Space Now that I’ve sufficiently sucked all the air out of the room and created such a positive and upbeat mood…let me explain. Life has a way of beating you up. We start off hopeful, blooming with potential. Brimming with the beauty of possibility. Then little by little we lose our luster. Disappointment and disillusion can replace our optimistic outlook. We can become frustrated and resentful that the life we wanted, even deserved, may be out of reach. We’d could never stand to admit it and instead camouflage our feelings in pretense and indifference. Resigning ourselves to a routine existence that never allows us to want or expect more. My Life, But Not For Me I can relate. Life seems cruel and limited unless we understand that our life is not for us, but for the one who made us. We’ll stumble around flustered and angry until we’re willing to forgo what we had in mind and accept His plan for our lives. I tried to do it my way. Never really considered or recognized the importance of asking what God wanted from me. But after continually coming up short, I was just tired of fighting. There had to be another way. Open and willing to try life differently, I was ready to say yes to God. Yes, Means Progress Saying yes to God means He has the final say in everything I do. Whether I want to, feel like it or disagree, I follow Him. It means trusting that He loves me, without exception. No matter what it seems like, I know He always acts to make me better, stronger and bring me closer to Him. Because the closer, I am to him, the more fulfilling my life will be. When I let Him lead my life, I experience His promises, which far exceed anything I’ve read or heard. They sustain and elevate me in ways I could never imagine or create on my own. Many of us are frustrated because of what our life is not. But if we’re willing to shift our perspective and open ourselves to ask, God what do you want from me and my life? We’ll find our way to the significance we crave and the fulfillment we seek. Reflect
For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Watch a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM Connect and sign up to receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/live-your-light By Daneen James  "When we were utterly helpless, God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. We have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ. Our friendship with God was restored by the Son." Romans 5:6-11 (NLT) I read that scripture and I am overwhelmed. God, what made you do it? How can you love me like you do? What am I that you consider me? Despite my best efforts, I’m not always good or righteous. I disobey and disappoint God. I know better but don’t always do better. I mess up and miss the mark. Yet every day God shows me new mercy and extends His grace and gives me another chance. God sees us and knows our inner thoughts, nothing is hidden from Him. He sees the ugly, the selfish and the dark. Yet it’s in our darkest places that He shines His light. His Spirit won’t let us be. It works with His grace to refine us. Even when you walk away, God never does. He wants you. He decided long ago that you are worth it and won’t throw you away. He offers you life, the chance to change and grow. Oh, the possibilities when you listen for and obey His voice. Each time we choose Him, every move we make toward Him, we stand more in His power. This was God's plan all along. There's a song I remember singing as a Kid in church, “I Just Want To Thank You Lord.” Though I haven’t thought about that song in years, this morning I woke up with its words on my lips. “Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. You’ve been so good. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. You brought me out. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. You saved my soul. I Just want to thank you Lord.” I even watched a performance of the song on YouTube. As I listened to the lyrics, my eyes began to water. On Good Friday, the day we commemorate the death and crucifixion of Christ. I am overcome with awe and appreciation. Father, I just want to say, THANK YOU. For more inspiring messages: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Connect and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Shop the Sparksaflame Store: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/in-his-absence By Daneen James  This is an interesting time in our world. Even if you’re not experiencing financial hardship, or facing a health challenge. It’s not business as usual. Your life has likely been altered in some way. Many among us have real and immediate concerns about the days, weeks and months to come. What will happen to their lives, livelihood and families? None of us can predict when we’ll return to work or control the government’s response. No matter how many models or trends we use, there’s no way to anticipate the global impact of the COVID -19 pandemic. But there is something each of us can do. Fight. When feelings of doubt, fear and dread flood your mind and threaten to overwhelm you. Fight to stay expectant of positive outcomes. Resist the urge to be overtaken by despair. Challenge every negative, nonproductive thought and feeling, don’t let them go unchecked. Push yourself to recall positive moments and experiences. Use them as encouragement to keep going. Inherent in every situation is opportunity, this one is no different. Is there a lesson to be learned, perspective or growth to be gained? Take a step back. Regardless of circumstance, look for and embrace the opportunity to learn and grow. It builds character and fortifies faith. Some days you’ll feel stronger than others. Yes, there’ll be moments when you won’t be motivated to move forward. Days that you won’t want to be encouraged. You’ll certainly encounter circumstances that cause you to question and doubt. You’ll likely have instances where you want to blame others and throw yourself a pity party. You might want to throw in the towel. But even when you face situations that drain your energy and tax your spirit. Faith falters and you're caught up in a sea of negative thoughts and emotions. Don’t just give in and throw your hands up in surrender. Reach for hope. Remember nothing in life lasts for all time. You have faced crisis before. You’ve overcome adversity in the past. Though pressed on every side you were not defeated. You’re still standing. You will get through this. Not just survive but thrive. Encourage yourself daily. Every day act to feed your faith. Overtime you’ll create a reserve that feeds you when you need it most. You may sink, but not as low as before and you won’t stay as long. Here are a few ideas to help feed your faith:
Faith feeds faith. The more you do the thing you know is right. The more you’re convinced that what you’re doing is right. Get more on this and other topics: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Connect and receieve updates about Daneen's upcoming book: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Feed someone’s faith with a card: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/keep-it-fresh By Daneen James  In the wake of the COVID 19 global crisis, we're more aware than ever, life can change in an instant. Suddenly, the life we knew has been suspended, indefinitely. What we planned, wanted and hoped to do must be deferred or at least altered. Yet, inherent in every crisis is opportunity. This crisis is no different.
Inevitably, during this time, most of us will likely take some time to reflect, assess and examine our lives. When you look closely, you'll see a crossroads. An opportunity to make decisions that can be a turning point in your life and our world. What will you do? How will you choose? After reading the stories below, you may think differently(https://www.marcandangel.com/2015/08/19/30-quick-stories-that-will-make-you-think-differently/). Life Lesson On his 27th birthday a young man wrote a suicide letter. He was ready to go through with it, when his girlfriend showed up at his apartment and told him she was pregnant. She saved his life. Suddenly he felt like he had something to live for. Today, that young man's pregnant girlfriend is his wife. They have been happily married for 19 years. And the baby, his daughter, now a 21-year-old college student, has two younger brothers. Every year on his birthday, the man re-reads his suicide letter as a reminder to be thankful – thankful he got a second chance at life. The Heart Goes On Nearly five years after her husband’s death, a woman receives an unexpected knock at her front door. It was a beautiful couple and their three kids. The man smiled and said, “Your husband was my heart donor. He saved my life. Not a single day has gone by that I don’t pray for him and think of you. Thank you! " From Where I Sit There was a group incoming freshman on a tour of their "soon to be" college campus. Amongst the group was a young man in a wheelchair. He was exceptionally friendly and never stopped smiling. His positive energy was absolutely contagious. The group learned after the tour that he had a scholarship to play basketball before a car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. When asked about the accident, he responded, “It didn’t ruin my life, it just changed my circumstances. I’m happy to be here with you right now, with so many opportunities in front of me.” What matters most A woman rushed to the hospital after getting a call from her twin sister. After being in a coma for almost a year, her sister was still weak but surprisingly coherent. The siblings spent the entire night together, talking and laughing. The woman was elated to share the holiday season and enter the New Year with her sister back at her side. You'd never know a month before the accident, the twins got in a ridiculous argument and didn’t speak to each other for that entire month. Today, neither one of them can even remember what made them so angry. Joy from Pain During a conversation with his daughter, a 71-year-old dad talked about living and growing through adversity. He said, “It’s been my experience that most people aren’t truly happy until they’ve had many reasons to be sad. I believe it's because it takes all of those bad days and hardships to teach us how to truly appreciate what we have. It builds our resilience.” The Best You A woman recalls the relationship advise her grandfather gave her more than two decades ago, “Honestly, the moment I stopped trying to find the right woman, and started trying to become the right man, your grandmother walked up to me and said, ‘Hello.’” The Truth of Life While interviewing a terminally ill woman for a school project, a high student tentatively asked “What is it like to wake up every morning and know that you are dying?” “Well,” the woman replied, “What is it like to wake up every morning and pretend that you are not?” This life is not forever, every moment we get is a gift. God willing, though unprecedented and uncharted, this time will pass and fade into memory. In the meantime, there are lessons to be learned. Lessons of how to live and love differently, better. Reminders to pursue lives that reflect our purpose more fully. Lessons of how compassion feeds and elevates our spirit in such extraordinary ways. Here are a few ways to make space for the lessons of this time:
Get more on this and other topics: Book Daneen as a speaker: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Sign up for her newsletter, get notified when Daneen’s latest book is available for purchase: https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html Brighten someone's life with a card: https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. You might also enjoy: https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/in-the-light-of-hope |
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