From Surviving to Thriving

We have sure had the opportunity to be tested, tried and sentenced over the last few months. How is it looking for you? Would you have been convicted of giving up, throwing in the towel, quitting, sulking, murmuring and complaining about it all? Or would you receive glowing testimonials from your family and friends about being tenacious, relentless, determined, staying optimistic and being grateful for the blessings in your life?

No one is judging – certainly not me! I’ve come to realize that I don’t want to have gone through these times with an attitude of regret and remorse because I couldn’t take the heat. No one should blame anyone who got a little cranky over the last few months. And, for good reasons. But, wait just minute, Mr. Postman! We have so many reasons to be thankful and be boasting about our God Who has kept us, protected us and provided for us. We’re still here! We have survived! Psalm 27:13-14 says “I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait on Him and take courage.”

I AM living in this land of God’s goodness and mercy following me (Psalm 23:6). I believe it and speak it. My daughter runs a non-profit outreach called EMwomen that exists to rescue and restore women who have suffered through some of life's most difficult challenges – many of whom were homeless, jobless and hopeless. But, what does God do right in the midst of this pandemic? Every single one of those women now have homes, great jobs and are “living in the land of the living”. Because they had an attitude of gratitude, God’s goodness was magnetically drawn to them. Maya Angelou said: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

I have seen men and women rise and shine, accelerate, and go to a whole new level in their faith, confidence and trust in God during these times. They say with all-out fervor: "Bring on the heat! I was made for this. God power-packed me to win. I will come out of this heat and not even smell like smoke!”

The three Hebrews, Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego, not only survived the fiery furnace, but they weren't even singed and their clothing wasn't scorched. They didn't even smell like smoke! And that will be our story, too! As we praise and trust God Who causes us to triumph, we will come out of our “furnace situations”, alive and well. So what can we do to turn it all around from just surviving to thriving? Praise God. Our praise will jack up our faith. It’s time to step into the thriving circle of praise. Let's have some flash backs about what God has already done. When our hearts focus on the right place, we will more than survive – we will thrive!

This is the surviving to thriving scripture proof: "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." Ephesians 3:20
That power working in us is the Holy Spirit and His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." THAT is thriving!

There’s a Whole Lotta Shaking Going On

Have you seen "The Chosen", a new series about the life of Jesus released during Holy Week? Oh my! It started out as a media project to raise the funding to create it, but as it turned out, it has become the largest crowdfunding project after 16,000 people invested over $10 million into it. The first season of eight episodes is available now online. I promise you, your eyes will be shifted from the brief explanations of Christ’s journeys in the Bible to expanded thought-provoking scenarios. The Chosen has an authenticity to the biblical narrative like nothing I’ve ever witnessed in faith-based media. The Bible's brief picture of Jesus’ first public miracle at the wedding of Cana is expanded to a beautiful story of what it might have really looked like then.

Director Dallas Jenkins told Fox News that now it’s been viewed by over 20 million people around the world — and that's when they knew it was a project of biblical proportions. Seriously, you MUST watch this first series. This SHIFT and this SUCCESS has happened during this pandemic. Just type: The Chosen Episode 1 in your address bar, and then, for the next seven episodes, type Episode 2, etc. The Director will give you a lot of supporting info, but you can fast-forward through that part.

My title for today’s blog is “There’s a Whole Lotta Shaking Going On”. This pandemic has certainly shaken things up in our world. You don’t need me to detail it – the changes are everywhere. It's easy to get discouraged and wonder why it happened. I believe the shaking isn’t to stop us but to shift us into a new way of thinking and living. In fact, with the right attitude it might be the trajectory for success that we've been hoping for. Like “The Chosen” project – we’ll shift into a greater awareness of creativity. God works all these shakings for our good -- IF we but believe in our DIVINE Shaker!

Let’s not go back to the same ways we used to do things. I think the reason God allowed the shaking is to shift us into something better. None of this has been a surprise to God. He’s the DIVINE Shaker-Upper. Maybe He shook things up so He could give you a better position with better benefits in a better environment. It looks like a setback, but really it's a setup.

God is still on the throne. The shaking going on isn’t to defeat us but to promote us. We might be on the brink of a miracle -- better than what we could have ever imagined. So, don’t listen to the voices that tell you your child will never get back on course or that you’re not going to get well or this virus is ruining you financially. On the contrary, let's SHAKE-UP the enemy by choosing to look at the exceeding abundance that is up ahead – that is if our Source is God! Ephesians 3:20 says: “Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us," It's time to POWER UP and kick our praise into high gear! We shall overcome!

They Gave Me a Blank Check

My children were heading out of town. I needed to oversee some contractors that were painting their home while they were gone. They left a few blank, signed checks for me to give them when they finished. Aw! Blank, signed checks! Good thing I'm honest and dependable because it could sure have been tempting to use one of those checks to get me to Tahiti and beyond!

If there were ever a “blank check” verse in the Bible, this is it:
Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." I have so many of those "exceeding abundantlies" in my life. The one I am most grateful for -- that I even spoke of to my children in my early morning text message to them is the joy of the Lord that is in my heart. Seriously, I could complain about so many things. I just won't. A joy that is exceedingly abundantly has superseded any doubt, fear, loneliness, or any other negativity, is down in my heart.

A tangible "exceedingly abundantly" I recall was when we were in a season of financial crisis. We were still strong believers in the "blank check" principal of "God will do exceedingly abundantly according to the power that works in us." We did believe, and put our absolute trust in our faithful God. My husband, a man of faith, found a 6,000 sq ft spec home in a nearby subdivision, convinced the builder we should move into it and help him market that home and other homes and lots he had for sale. The builder said, "I don't know why I'm doing this -- but, okay -- let's do it!" So we moved into that home. Ron sold three homes and 13 lots within six-short months and not only did he continue to have success there, we purchased that 6,000 sqft home and made it our place of business and ministry for years. God did the exceedingly abundantly for us because God's power was working strong in us. We did not limit our "exceedingly abundant" God.

Maybe there are things that you need, but are afraid to ask and believe God for them. Just know that He is able to do far more than you could even dream of. I’m a pretty big dreamer. God says, “Donna, think of the greatest thing you could ever dream of, the greatest thing you think I could do in your life. Guess what? I can top that.”

If there were tears in Heaven, it would probably be because we would get there and realize all the things that we could have done if we had just believed God a little bit more. I think I'd shed a few tears -- to see everything I could have accomplished if I had just believed God more. But there are no tears in Heaven and God gives us everything we need right now to accomplish what He has planned for us. I challenge you to dream big about your relationships, your marriage, your family, your career, and your ministry to others. Your faith can turn those dreams into reality, because God is able to do far more than we would dare to ask or even dream..

Faith turns God-given dreams into reality. Nothing happens until somebody starts dreaming! The Bible is full of people who had God-given dreams. Abraham dreamed of being the father of a great nation. Moses dreamed of setting God’s people free. Joseph dreamed of saving a nation and his own family. If we'd look around us, we'd find many dreamers who refused to quit. They stirred up God's power in them and saw the exceedingly abundantly in their lives. Why not you?

God’s Wide Open Door

When I lived in Tulsa, I held a weekly Life Group in my home. I’ll never forget the night when one of the gals told us that her job was being discontinued and she was very concerned about her future. While we were encouraging and reminding her of God's faithfulness, I remarked “This situation is no surprise to Him. So trust Him that as one door closes, another door will open." At the same moment I was speaking to her about the open door, the front door of my home gently opened with only the sunlight coming in. (See below photo!) We chose to believe that in our conversation about HIM, we heard His voice, and invited HIM into the door of our hearts.....and, indeed, HE came in to confirm that what we were speaking in faith....was true!

Yes, we got goosebumps and were in awe. Some would say "That was just a coincidence. The door wasn't closed tightly when the last lady came in." But, we said what God's Word says, "As your faith is, so be it unto you." In a matter of days, an open door for a new job appeared for this young woman. Yes, she had to do some “knocking” on doors for that new job, but soon the door opened.

Have you ever felt like you were knocking on God’s door and it just seemed nobody’s home? You know He’s in there. You have His blessed assurance that He is there. You continue to pound away at the door – pleading, begging, seeking, knocking, but the door just doesn’t open.

We've all felt that way. Here we are at the Christmas season when we'd love to give to our family and others but there's just so little or nothing at all to be a giver. You may be looking for a job or a better job. You know how thrilling it is for children at Christmas, which makes you desire to conceive and have a baby even more. You may be suffering from a tormenting illness and the thought of Christmas makes you say "humbug" because you so desire to be freed to embrace the joys of this season. Maybe you just want to experience joy again and truly be able to sing "Joy to the World" with fervor. It’s in these times that our loving Father, on the other side of the door, gently whispers to us “Be still and know that I am God. Be still and listen.” All we can see is the closed door, but God is working all things for our good on the other side of the door. He’s repositioning circumstances and people for an answer to our prayers (our knocking). Very soon that door will swing wide open and He will do a quick work. In the meantime, He’s getting things in order for us.

Are your knuckles red from pounding on heaven’s door? Are you discouraged because no matter how hard you pray, all that you see is a door that’s got a deadbolt on it? I have such good news for you! Remember Jesus walking through the walls to the disciples? He doesn’t even need a door to show up for you. Stop and listen. Be still in His presence and let Him assure you that He is working behind the scenes to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!” (Ephesians 3:20)

Be encouraged by Matthew 7:7 "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

My Heart AND My Tummy are Full

Please indulge me that last day of birthday celebrations then I'm done for another DECADE! It was said of God by St. Paul in Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…..” That is God Who exceeds our greatest expectations and that was my sweet family this last weekend with a 70th birthday celebration that was above all I could have ever asked or thought. I've been giving a brief overview of my weekend's celebrations, topped off with the finale yesterday morning when they wouldn’t let me come downstairs until the festivities were ready to continue at a breakfast fit for a queen: cream gravy and chocolate gravy, biscuits, eggs, bacon, and fruit, followed by gifts and “special plate” times of hearing words from each and every one of my family sharing what I meant to them. To say I was humbled and a blubbering Nana puts it mildly. Then we had a sweet time of praise and worship as Staci led and Payton played the piano while we sang “Good. Good Father” and “God’s Reckless Love” followed by prayer. I was so thrilled that we gave God thanks for the many things He has done for me and for us, as a family. Then we headed to a local historical site for family photos followed by Flores Mexican Food. The pace didn't slow down as we headed to the bowling alley for family bowling and back home for the 70-candle salute on the cake that we thought was almost out of control before I could get them blown out. It was a sight to behold.

And, SUDDENLY……

My word for today is SUDDLENLY: quickly and unexpectedly, immediately, instantly, without warning

Meet Red Gerard. Talk about SUDDENLY!!! On Saturday, 17-year old snowboarder, Red Gerard, from Colorado was sitting in last place heading into his third and final run. He was hoping to just get a good run and 4th place. But when the pressure was on, he delivered. During his run, Gerard's creativity was on full display, as he repeatedly used features of the course that other riders were ignoring. Red scored 87.16 from the judges, putting him in first place. The top competitors failed to exceed Red’s scores. Red received the first gold medal awarded to the U.S. team at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics AND he was the youngest snowboarder to ever win a gold medal and the youngest male athlete to win a Gold Medal since 1928 in a Winter Olympics. SUDDENLY Red's life changed forever.

I remember another SUDDENLY. Small town of Checotah, OK and the small town girl raised on a farm there -- Carrie Underwood, who just decided to try out for American Idol. Out of all those competitors she won the grand prize and SUDDENLY her life changed forever. We still love to follow her because she represents the SUDDENLIES that can happen to any who are willing to pay the price of going for their dreams.

How do we deal with the SUDDENLIES in our lives? SUDDEN illness, SUDDEN financial loss. Sudden wealth. Sudden fame.

Last week I was at a very prayerful night with others, when all of a sudden, I heard a gal who was looking at her phone exclaim “Oh, my God, NO! The stock market has crashed!” SUDDENLY, her world turned upside down, at least for that time being.

Now, let’s consider our God – Who is a God of surprises AND SUDDENLIES. And because He is God – he usually doesn't work the way we want or think. But this one thing I’ve come to know – His SUDDENLIES, for those who are His devoted followers, are filled with His power, His grace, His mercy, His love AND have learned to wait for His perfect timing. God's SUDDENLIES happen with our best interests at heart.

God always operates in a place above what we can think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). That’s because His thoughts and ways are so much higher above ours (Isaiah 55:8).

Just when we think we're boxed in on every side, God SUDDENLY provides a way of escape. Just when the last penny is spent, God SUDDENLY surprises us with a bonus. Just when we thought we were going down for the last time, God SUDDENLY shows up in a boat or helicopter. The lesson? Three words. DON’T GIVE UP!

Is the road long? Is the night too black? Are you in last place? Don't stop. God is watching. For all you know -- right at this moment -- the check may be in the mail. Opportunity could be knocking at your door -- right now! The SUDDENLIES in our lives can bless us – whether they are overwhelmingly disappointing or overwhelmingly over-abundant blessings. The point is – embrace the SUDDENLIES. They are part of the MASTER Plan of God to get us from Point A to Point Z. Don't quit. For if you do, you may miss the answer you've been waiting for!! Expect surprises. Expect SUDDENLIES!

"Knock Knock" But No One's Saying "Who's There?"