Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Finding My Lost Perspective


If you have a family member serving in the military, you understand the emotions that can roll over you on any given day. Edie Melson offers an experienced mom's view in her newest book, While My Soldier Serves. Edie is my guest today. Be sure to leave a comment to be eligible to win a copy of this wonderful resource for military families.


http://www.whilemysoldierserves.com/


I remember those days following our son’s choice to enlist in the Marine Corps. It was a daunting time, filled with pride and a bit of fear sprinkled in. I was proud of my son’s decision to serve, but in the back of my mind lay a fog of fear about what that service might demand from him.

Over the next few months, as our son began his many months of training, I settled more and more into a sense of pride and excitement. He was following his dream and doing it well.

Then came his first of two deployments. Those were difficult times, and that knot of fear unwound, taking over my entire world.

As I struggled to gain a measure of peace, I took a drive. We live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and that was where I fled. I pulled out of my driveway at dawn, and God surprised me with a glorious sunrise reflecting off a sky full of puffy clouds. Everything about it held the promise of great things to come.

But as I got closer to my goal in the mountains, those clouds that had made the sunrise so gorgeous descended and fog engulfed my car. I was forced to slow down—almost to a crawl at times—because it was so thick. Discouragement returned, and I almost turned around. Something inside urged me on though, and I kept going; climbing higher into the peaks I loved so well.

I continued up the steep road and just yards from my goal, the clouds parted and the sun appeared, bathing me in it’s warmth. I took a deep breath and the tension that had crept in from diving in such perilous conditions disappeared, and peace returned. I parked and got out to fully appreciate the magnificent view before me.

The clouds that had hung so low, obscuring my path to the top, just added depth and a new perspective to the beauty of what I saw now. I stopped as inspiration struck. I’d been so wrapped up in what was happening, I’d lost my perspective. (Click to Tweet)

My drive was so much like what was happening in my life. The fog may seem like it’s going to last forever, but it’s not.  (Click to Tweet) Even more than that, it’s not a matter of the sun returning, it’s always there, whether I can see it or not.

I could have chosen to park, waiting for the fog to dissipate. I could have turned around and gone back. Instead, I kept going, driving up toward the sun.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. No matter what fog engulfs my circumstances, if I keep my mind focused upward, I’ll find that God hasn’t moved.

What have you found as a reminder that God is always present? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Blessings,
Edie


http://www.whilemysoldierserves.com/
While My Soldier Serves
Thousands of families send loved ones off to fight on a daily basis. These families spend a lot of time living in a world out of control. This kind of stress can take an incredible toll, but there is hope. When we feel helpless, we can take our fears to the One who loves us more than anything and holds the universe in His hands.

In this book you’ll find the words to usher you into His presence. These prayers are a place to visit again and again as you take your own fears to God. They’re just a starting point, written to help you find your own voice as you call out on behalf of the one you love.



Finding my lost perspective
BIO:
As the mother of a frontline infantry Marine, Edie Melson lived this book before she wrote it. Edie understands what it is to face adversity and come out triumphant on the other side. Her years as a wife, mother, and ministry leader have given her a unique perspective to reach out
to others facing the same struggles.
She's the Military Family Blogger for Guideposts.org, social media director for several writing websites, and a popular ministry and conference speaker. Connect with her on her blog, The Write Conversation, Twitter, and Facebook.


Monday, April 27, 2015

Signs of Spring

Signs of spring

The sun's warmth and the angle of its rays are welcome after winter's icy hold.

Signs of spring



The flowers have already appeared in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard... Song of Solomon 2:12


The bird also has found a house,

Signs of spring





signs of spring


And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young…Psalm 84:3








signs of spring
For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; 

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.  Isaiah 61:11


signs of spring


He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, 






signs of spring

and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; Psalm 104:14






So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.  Hosea 6:3

signs of spring
image courtesy of Morguefile.com


In you He will cause new growth to spring forth and grow deep.

Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD. Great is your faithfulness and deep is your love. Wide are your outstretched arms to all who will come. You are the Creator of life and the author of seasons. How great is your faithfulness over us.


Spring has come (Sigh) and it is good,


Jeanne



How does the emergence of spring speak to you?

Here in New England we still have winter temperatures overnight as spring wrestles to take hold....we barely broke 40 degrees today. Tell me about your end-of-April weather.


Photography by Jeanne Doyon

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Digging Gems from our Garbage - Finding the Promise of Peace


Digging Gens from our Garbage - Finding Promises of Peace

I just returned from speaking at Singing Hills and we had a sweet time in God’s presence. 

The ladies inspired me with their creativity and humbled me with their expressions of love for one another.

Digging Gems from our Garbage - Finding the Promise of Peace

We dug for gems, seeking to find a shimmer of promise in the middle of the hard places. We dissected God’s word in Philippians 4:6-9 and discovered the precious promise of peace.

Paul writes this letter to friends and commands them (and us) to:

Rejoice in the Lord always

Let your gentle spirit be made known to everyone

Be anxious for nothing, but in (not for) everything with prayer and praise, bring your requests to God

And peace that will baffle the world will settle over us, and guard our heart and mind.



Digging Gems from our Garbage - Finding the Promise of Peace

Every time we saw a gem glimmer in the garbage, we added another gemstone to a dish on our centerpiece. 

We discovered that we need to deliberately seek out the positive in order to guard against despair and discouragement. And, like Jehoshaphat we need to put praise out in front to protect us from the enemy. (2 Chronicles 20)

We asked the question, “What if I don’t see anything good?” (Click to Tweet) because sometimes there is nothing that looks remotely like a gem.

Even when we don’t see the true, lovely, excellent, or worthy of praise yet—God has given us His promises to hold onto and His character is trustworthy.


God is the substance, my friends. He is the reason for our hope. He has been faithful in the past and will be faithful again.

Digging Gems from our Garbage - Finding the Promise of Peace

Psalm 138:8 says, "God will accomplish everything that concerns us."


I appreciate you praying for our weekend. I saw the burdens lift from the women's shoulders as their praises rose to the Lord who loves them. Their faces shone with His glory. 

Your prayer and God’s power accomplished it!

All for His glory,


Jeanne



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Digging Gems from our garbage - Jeanne Doyon
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Photos by Jeanne Doyon



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Sunday, April 12, 2015

Walking for Life - Will You Help?

Walking for life - Will you help?

It's time to walk for life. Supporting our local pregnancy center is important to me and I'd like to invite you to help.

I will be walking on May 30th to benefit Caring Families Pregnancy Center here in Connecticut. 

Caring Families provides FREE pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, medical care, parenting classes, baby items, and support to moms, dads and babies. 

They don't receive any federal or state funding. So they exist and do what they do solely on the donations of people like you and me.

That's why I commit to gather sponsors and walk each year. Because they do amazing work in the lives of people in crisis every day.

I am the walk captain for my local church. And we gather with other churches and groups to make a difference.

If you would like to participate, we need:

People to pray for Caring Families and for the walk event on May 30th.

You can register to walk if you live locally.

You can sponsor me for the walk by donating online or contacting me to find out how to send a check. 

I have set a personal goal to raise $1500. Will you help? They depend on the money raised to provide all that they do. 

No donation is too small!!





Help me to make a difference in the lives of men and women who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy.

Thank you!!!

Jeanne

Images courtesy of Morguefile.com

Monday, April 06, 2015

Thank you for praying - Sharing Gems from Garbage

I am speaking at a women's retreat in New Hampshire this weekend. Will you pray for us as I share a message entitled:


Gems from Garbage (Click to Tweet)

Thank you for praying - Sharing Gems from Garbage

We will look at Philippians 4:6-9

Paul writes these words through the lens of JOY. 

Though written from prison, Paul's message is that our immediate circumstances should not determine our outlook.

The words JOY and REJOICE are used sixteen times in this letter.


Worry robs us of peace and joy.

It's my hope that this weekend, we can encourage one another to receive this message...because in the midst of life's garbage there are precious gems to be discovered.

Will you pray for us?

What precious gem have you found in the midst of your garbage? I'd love to hear what you have discovered.


Jeanne

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Sunday, April 05, 2015

Jesus is Risen - Rejoice in His Victory

Happy Resurrection Day!

Jesus is Risen - Rejoice in His Victory

Jesus died once for all.
There is no more sacrifice for sin.

He rose on the third day, defeating Satan's hold over sin and death.


For by grace you are saved through faith, not because of works that anyone could boast.

Because of what Jesus did - we are able to have life in His name.

Do you know Him as your Savior and Lord?


Ask Him.

Happy Resurrection Day!
Jesus is Risen
Jesus is Alive

Jesus is risen - Rejoice in His Victory

He has conquered the grave with His grace.

If you know Him, share what this Easter has meant to you.

If you haven't embraced what the death and resurrection of Jesus means to you personally- will you consider the question: 

Who do you say Jesus is?  (Click to Tweet)


Jeanne


Max Lucado has written a book to help you to see all that Jesus did for you!



Images courtesy of Morguefile.com

Friday, April 03, 2015

He Did This For You

He did this for you
Photo by Jeanne Doyon


He did this for you

The soldiers had whipped Him, beat Him, Spit on Him, mocked Him
And placed a crown of thorns on His head.

He did this for you


The sky grew dark

He cried, It Is Finished!
And, He died.

He did this for you

They put His body in a borrowed tomb and the soldiers sealed it and stood guard so no one would steal His body.


Are you thinking about what He did for you today?

Jeanne

Images courtesy of Morguefile.com

Max Lucado's book is available as you think about all that Jesus did for you!

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Get Your Hopes Up! Joyce Meyer Offers a Hope Check-up


I know many who are sick, depressed, discouraged because they have lost hope…

Get Your hopes up! Joyce Meyer offers a hope check-up

It’s one thing we all need—hope for today—hope for the future. Hope gives us a reason to go on and the energy to keep-on, keeping-on.

Do you lack hope?

Do you see life through a negative lens?

Are you surrounded by people who cast a dark cloud over anything you mention or aspire to?