ALLWEATHERGOD.COM

God Sent

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:57:07 GMT

As a snowflake flurries down to fall upon the ground
In hoards of softening, whitening frost it falls with but a sound
To cover up a world with white through whirling turns in flight
To paint a picture through the day or secret in the night

On Christmas morning I got out of bed and headed for coffee when I noticed a very slow, soft, and picturesque snowfall through the kitchen window. It was brief, but being a native of New England, snow on Christmas brought me back in time.

I recalled the day when I saw the largest snowflakes ever. It was on Christmas Eve; I was about 8 years old, and we were leaving my grandparent’s house to return home. To a young girl the experience was enchanting. Enormous flakes fell from the sky like wafers and I was in a picture perfect world.

Back in my kitchen with coffee in hand …I smiled. I was glad for the nostalgic interlude as it inspired me to write and actually finish a blog for the first time in over a year. Thank God for the ability to recall the blessed and better days of the past that so helpfully calm and stabilize the present.

Our family had been on a tumultuous journey. During my writing hiatus my sister faced her third cancer surgery. My mother and her husband returned to New England to be with the family and we constructed an apartment in our home where they now live. Shortly after relocating, my mom had a cancer-infected kidney removed. My father had a heart attack, a stroke, and open-heart surgery, and my husband, already dealing with physical disabilities, broke his neck in an auto accident.

While the years of childhood enchantment have gone, the wondrous gifts that drop from heavenly realms have not. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 55:10-11:

“Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of My mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do; they'll complete the assignment I gave them".

As our purposeful God commands the rain and snow to fall - so too He sends His Word to heal (Psalm 107:20). Happy New Year friends. Believing for a better 2012!

Psalm 107:20 NLT He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.

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Sticks and Stones

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 22:36:00 GMT

As children we recited the popular idiom, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me".

If only we could have remained in that state of unscathed innocence. Immature and uncontaminated we launched benign attacks with words like poo poo-head and stinky-feet.

Then we grew up and our naiveté was lost. The sweet youthful banter was replaced by malignant assaults of adult gossip, lies and slander. We learned that names do hurt.

As Christians we are called to submit our hearts, minds and souls to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. When in right relationship with Him, it is not difficult to keep our tongues from evil and our lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:13). We ought to strive to reflect His character by getting rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander and dirty language (Colossians 3:8).

Then why do such things persist? According to the scriptures, the words that flow from a loose tongue are directly related to evil in the heart. "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).

The issue of slander has become a serious one for the church. Author John Armstrong writes, "While Christians currently debate a host of ethical issues that are very important to the life and well-being of the church I fear that too few of us are willing to actually address a sin that destroys the work of the Spirit as fast, if not faster, than almost any other sin. I refer to the sin of slander".

Truly the wounds from the battering of sticks and stones are more easily treated than the damage caused by a reckless tongue. Whether couched in prayer, whispered in conversation, or openly declared, slanderous words launch a vile attack on the character and well-being of an individual. As Christians we must do better.

George J. Carroll wrote the following poem.

Those that slander you
with lies and deceit they say,
Show them mercy God

This is my prayer. May God teach us and show us mercy. Putting aside the sticks, stones and name-calling, as Christians we can do better.

James 1:26 NIV If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

Matthew 12:36-37 NIV But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

1 John 1:9 NIV If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Burden Light

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:09:00 GMT

Someone told me that allowing one’s self to grieve for 10 minutes a day can be beneficial and even necessary when the cares of life surmount. So I dragged my burdens before God, threw myself on His mercy and let the tears flow. With so much sadness, injustice, and destruction in the world, things can get weighty.

We studied the book of Genesis in our mid-week Bible study last year. Throughout those weeks I gained a deeper understanding of the physical, spiritual, and emotional damage created by the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The crushing consequences of that first sin resonate into the lives of people even today.

It is mind-boggling to think that Adam and Eve had been given reign over a perfect world where creation flourished in all its glory. But due to their sin, the earth and its inhabitants were set on a 180 degree course for ruin. Man had become subject to death, and the earth subject to physical deterioration, or de-creation.

Science and history attest to such things as environmental disturbances, increased disease, famine, and apathy toward societal atrocities. People continue to shock us with appalling acts of greed, self-interest, and violence. The more advanced the world becomes, it seems the less virtue humanity displays.

Oh how we needed a Savior to help us bear this ever increasing load! I thank God for sending Jesus. He was the sacrifice needed to turn the tables on our despair; Jesus brought hope ...with this my tears cease to flow.

While man may still be bound to a day of death, he is no longer destined to a hopeless fate. Through our belief in Jesus’ and His death in our stead, we have received the promise of a glorious forever in heaven! And while we remain on earth, He takes care to share our mortal burdens.

So friend, if you are like me and have a tendency to carry things too heavy for your size, I urge you to look intently to the Savior. He will meet you in those moments of grief, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light!

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

Romans 8:20-21 NLT Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.

More than Coincidence

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:01:00 GMT

Albert Einstein said that coincidence was God's way of remaining anonymous. Even this esteemed twentieth century brainiac knew that some things in our physical world could not be explained by science, law, or reason.

Throughout my years as a Christian I have observed with awe, God’s considerate and deliberate dealings with man. It is impossible to ignore His purposeful intervention with people and His tenacious endeavors toward accomplishing His will on the earth.

God does nothing haphazardly, so on those occasions when our physical and non-physical worlds function synergistically and deliver uncanny outcomes, it is more than coincidence; it is divine design!

I recently posted an entry called Place in this World. It concerned, Bella, our new baby grand-daughter who was adopted by our daughter and husband last month. Something extraordinary happened shortly after that entry was posted that I would like to share.

Our daughter-in-law, Michelle, told me that she had been searching for a black baby doll to give to Julianna, Bella’s new 4 ½ year-old sister. Bella is African American and her new family members are Caucasian, so this would be a sweet and thoughtful gift for Julianna. Michelle had visited some local stores and had not yet found the doll.

As she spoke, I remembered that I played with a black doll more than 40 years ago; it was special to me so I kept it. I immediately unpacked the doll from storage.

Similar to Bella, the doll had a beautiful face with dark curly hair, though her outfit was worn and her body needed to be cleaned. I intended to give the doll to Michelle so that she could fix her up as a gift for Julianna, but she said that she would continue her quest for another. She felt that since it was my personal doll I should be the one to pass her on.

So the next day I bought the doll some new clothes, washed her, fixed her hair, and proceeded to dress her, when I noticed the branding that was embossed on her back. I decided to read it and what I saw was undeniably divine design.

The name "Bella" was imprinted in quotes on the doll’s plastic body! I could not believe my eyes! I blinked and stared; I don’t recall for how long. All I could say was, “Wow …God …you are amazing”!

It didn’t take a genius to recognize the author of this outcome! God set something in motion years ago that He had just brought full circle. I grew up playing with a beautiful black doll and branded on her back was the name Bella! What a coincidence

Psalm 33:11 NIV But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Place in This World

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Tue, 25 May 2010 04:27:00 GMT

God, the ultimate Father, defines the way of each child’s life. Some children are born into families, while others are born for families. Bella Rose was born for ours!

Our 4 1/2 year old granddaughter held her new baby sister just two days after her birth. Bella was born across the country to a woman who was unable to care for her. She decided to give the baby up for adoption and our daughter and son-in-law were selected by the birth mother, and by God, to be her adoptive parents.

The family received the call at 4:00 p.m. on Monday evening, and they left for the airport at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. After spending a week and half in Bella’s birth state the paperwork was finalized and the new family of four flew home!

How quickly details can fall into place when God calls something into being. We could not have selected a more perfect child for our family, or orchestrated a smoother transition.

He is an amazing God; though imposing and grand, He delights personally in the purpose and placement of Bella's tiny life.

Psalm 139:13-16 says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

God knows us before we even become. He is intimately and passionately aware of us.

(Jeremiah 1:4-5 NLT) "The Lord gave me this message: 'I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.'"
(Galatians 1:15-16a NLT) "But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal His Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles…"

Before Bella was, God knew her and He had defined her place in this world. She was born for a purpose and for our family!

Psalm 68:6a NKJ God sets the solitary in families;

To learn more about Bella's story visit Adoptablog

The God of Grace

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 05:54:09 GMT

Some people have difficulty believing in a God who was killed on a cross.

In biblical times they thought, “This Jesus cannot be a king, and He certainly isn’t God; He is more likely a wrongdoer, a criminal. Crucify Him”!

Mankind is capable of considerable error. We fail, and we judge another’s weakness; we fear, and we judge another’s fate.

The religious minds of the day could not accept Jesus’ message because it did not agree with their belief system. He professed to be their Messiah, yet He did not establish the earthly kingdom that the Jews of that day expected. In fact Jesus became an offense to them by what He said and did.

John 1:17 says, "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ". Jesus was the message of grace to a graceless crowd. They had only known the law. So His sentence and execution were easily justfied.

They tried to use the scriptures to discredit Him. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 states, “If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse ...”

This scripture was indeed written about Jesus, but as a matter of truth, not for purposes of condemnation. It was written about the amazing sacrifice that He would make. The sin placed upon Jesus when He hung on the cross did make Him accursed.

Even God the Father separated Himself from Jesus when He was on the cross. We read of Jesus’ distressing cry in Matthew 27:46 when He recognized the Father’s discontent; the Father was repelled and wrathful in the face of such vile and evil darkness.

As Jesus writhed on that cross He wrestled with all the powers of evil; something only God could do. The atmosphere must have been teeming with dark spiritual activity … and then, in probably the most powerful moment on earth, He died.

Jesus truly was the God who was killed on a cross! You can believe! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3)

Acts 15:11 NLT We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.

Romans 6:17 AMP For sin shall not (any longer) exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law (as slaves), but under grace (as subject of God's favor and mercy).

Keep Swimming

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:46:00 GMT

If you have seen the children's movie Finding Nemo, you are familiar with one of the main characters in the film, a female fish by the name of Dory. Dory had a mantra which she recited throughout her journey, it was “just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming”.

Dori lacked short term memory skills, and though her handicap made for some hysterically funny scenes, it might have been her demise if she had not found a way to keep herself in the flow of life. Fortunately, Dory kept swimming.

Having struggled with a bad cold for the past few days I woke up after a second restless night and told myself to, “just keep going”. There are times in life when putting one foot in front of the other is all you’ve got.

The same is true when we go through periods of worry or stress. In those times the mind gets clouded and it can be difficult to think. Creativity is stifled, physical strength depleted; again we just keep...

At some point in Dory’s life she must have made a decision to press on despite her limitations. I know that I am talking about a Regal Blue Tang cartoon character here, but please follow my drift.

Dory could have conceded to the fact that the people who make it in this world are the smart and quick-witted ones. She could have succumbed to a wake of popular opinions stating that she would never amount to much. But Dory stayed remarkably optimistic. She was faith-filled and just kept swimming; she chose to make her life count.

A quick internet search would give us a long list of people who, against all odds, kept their faith and overcame what appeared to be the impossible in their lives. The Bible tells us that faith is a belief in what we do not see, and the evidence of that faith is to receive what we have believed for.

Still there are those who lack faith in their purpose for being. Even Job who was a prayerful and holy man said, "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?"

Our economic, societal, and domestic problems can be tremendous. We can wish even to die, but the fact is every person on earth has been born for a significant purpose. Job ultimately chose not to give up and he was rewarded by God for his faithfulness. So too were Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Esther, Ruth, Nehemiah, Mary, John, and so many others; the list is endless.

Thomas Edison said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Our lives were meant to count. It says in the book of Proverbs that the godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

God gives His people divine buoyancy. So, when you face life’s torrents beloved, have faith in the One who made the waters and …keep swimming!

Psalm 95:5 NIV The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

Isaiah 43:1-4 NIV But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.

Proverbs 24:16 NLT The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

Not Going to Live Small

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:37:00 GMT

Although I am grateful for the thread of perpetual hope that God has been faithful to weave into the days of my life, the year 2009 was nonetheless a serious one for me. Looking over the events of those 365 days, I felt sad.

On New Year’s Eve I almost gave way to self pity, but remembered the passage in Proverbs 24:10 that says, "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" …I’m not going to live small; nope, not going there.

While my problems are real, they are small compared to the sufferings of others. The truth is, I know in a big way that life is not about us. God sees our plight and He cares about every hair on our heads. However, He is likewise concerned about the greater good. It’s about His focal and eternal purposes on the earth. This leads me to my next point.

In the normal course of most days I am drawn to consider the suffering of mankind - a necessary exercise for a deep-feeler like me. Before I learned of the power of prayer, I considered my emotions to be somewhat of a handicap. However, lifting the desperate needs of others up to God, the One who has the desire and power to visit and rescue people in their misery, has become my consummate duty, privilege, and comfort.

In 2009 alone I heard that we experienced close to 250 major disasters worldwide, endangering 58 million people. For example, in January, 200 people were feared dead when a passenger ferry sank off the coast of an Indonesian island during a storm. In February bush-fires in Australia rendered more than 7,000 people homeless and caused death and injury to hundreds. In March, a 28 year old man killed 10 people in the worst mass shooting in Alabama history.

Globally, wars and natural disasters have killed thousands of people and left even more impoverished, in ill health, or separated from loved-ones. The fall-out from such trauma is far reaching.

There is more. Each year in the U.S. alone, almost a million children are victimized, and 1,500 to 2,000 of them die from physical abuse. Worldwide, women and children are kidnapped or sold for exploitation. Over the course of centuries the moral fiber of mankind has degenerated to such a degree that sex trafficking has become a gainful business.

Although disheartening, we must give attention to such realities if we are to function as a society. Human rights advocate, Gary Haugen said, "God has a plan to help bring justice to the world—and His plan is us."

We prefer to look away from these things because the truth is painful. But as responsible citizens of God’s kingdom and occupants of the earth, we must face and courageously uphold it. The convictions, passions, and love that God has placed inside of us exist for a reason. What are we doing with them?

Hebrews 10:24, says, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works". Diana Scimone has made it her mission to raise the awareness of child sex trafficking. I urge you to visit her website at The Born2Fly Project. Diana does not believe that she can stop the madness overnight because the problem is mammoth. However, she is doing her part to educate and mobilize. If enough people get involved, our efforts can make a difference.

By focusing on something outside of our problems that thread of perpetual hope that God weaves through our lives can be decisively grasped. At the end of the day we will have spent more time praying for, doing for, and concerned about God’s purposes, than our own.

So on New Year’s Eve I almost gave way to self-pity, but was reminded to think bigger than myself! May we all vow to reach well beyond ourselves in the year 2010. The outcome promises to be no small thing!

Proverbs 24:11-12 NIV Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?'

Matthew 25:35-36 NIV For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

The Success is in the Loving

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:26:00 GMT

Mother Teresa said, "The success of love is in the loving - it is not in the result of loving. Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of what we have done".

Imagine loving someone desperately, though the individual does not reciprocate the sentiment; this is unrequited love, love that is unanswered or unreturned.

In 1 John 4 we read that God is love; He is the originator, embodiment and essence of all that love is! He exists as love, passionately extending it to, and over us. Yet, His gestures are often unnoticed or ignored.

The Bible tells us that God said: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature." God purposely made us in His likeness so that He could have intimate fellowship with us; so that we could accept Him, and genuinely reciprocate His affection. Furthermore, He did this with the purest of intentions; evident by the fact that He gave us a free will.

He could have assured Himself of our life-long devotion. He could have been our addiction, our solitary passion! But true to God’s character, He chose instead to give us the freedom to embrace or to reject Him. The God who is love, wants our devotion to Him to be heartfelt, not mandated.

I listened to a teaching by Winnie Banov recently. She pointed out that love is a wooing experience, not a legal or lawful responsibility. If we really love someone we are drawn to them and we willingly abandon ourselves into the relationship.

God hungers for reciprocal love; He wants those abandoned and tender moments with us. Let us respond and return His sentiments, and experience the ultimate success of loving.

1 John 4:16 NLT We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them

Too Great to be Missed! ~ a prayer

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:28:00 GMT

God, You truly are my first love. Yet in the course of each day the cares of the world overshadow my worship. Responsibilities snatch me from the secret place where I wish to remain with You.

If I had my way in the Spirit, I would stay at Your feet. Your words would be my food, Your presence, my fulfillment. If I had my way in the natural I would spend each day speaking to the lost on Your behalf so that they would not miss the great gift of salvation that is freely theirs. I would not turn aside to other things, I would not allow earthly turmoil to blind me to the hope that is mine, and I would make it my mission to share that hope.

If my flesh was able I would not sleep, but I would spend the quiet hours of the night listening to every sound that You breathe in my direction. Being with You is more enlivening than a night on my pillow.

The world is laden with heavy hearts, problems are weighty, and people thrash about in desperation. As we enter into a new Thanksgiving and Christmas season I pray that the visible and compelling witness of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit shine brightly, bringing comfort, deliverance, and salvation to many. Lord, alert the sleepers, the lovers, the workers, the haters, the weak and the strong! Shine Lord, shine brightly!

Mountains, oceans, fruit bearing trees, blue skies and rainbows all speak of You! Yet, so many still wander through life needlessly lonely and lost. You are too great to be missed! Bring them to the secret place. Awaken their senses!Open their eyes to see what I see; give them a glimpse of the sunbeams through the clouds. Let them hear what I hear; open their ears to the symphony of Your natural world. Let them experience the touch of the living God; renew their senses to feel the wind of the Holy Spirit against their faces, and feed them from the banquet of Your Word!

I love you! Be glorified on the earth during this holiday season and always! I pray this in Jesus name, Amen!

Acts 14:17 NLT but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.

Romans 1:20 NLT For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Just Like Him

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:40:00 GMT

If I had followed in my father’s footsteps I would have become a plumbing contractor, but my dad discouraged it. I eventually understood his reservations, as I was not wired for the job.

My father wisely discerned the dichotomy between the raw realities of his job and my developing aptitudes. It was not unusual for him to forge metal pipes, or to carry a bathtub up a flight of stairs on his back. I, on the other hand, spent my time riding horses, dancing, and writing poetry. There wasn’t anything about me that matched a plumber’s qualifications. I just wanted to be like him.

As an adolescent my desire to be like my dad meant taking on his profession and doing the job that he did each day. I later recognized the things that I most admired about him were character traits.

I observed how he cared for others. As a result people, even strangers quickly adopted him into their families, and they would rely on him for input or help with decisions or problems. People just seemed to feel better when he was around.

Author Maya Angelou wrote, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel".

It is not the good works that we do for others that matter most in our relationships, though these are both necessary and beneficial; it is our manifest belief in the individual that matters. This is a Godly principle that my dad understood. We are all created to fulfill a matchless destiny. Knowing that someone believes in our ability to fulfill that destiny is compelling.

Jesus was the absolute Master at this! Consider the sensational change in the life of Mary Magdalene … and what about the 12 disciples? Jesus’ investment in their lives was so believable, His confidence in them so empowering, that even after He was physically taken away, they went on to revolutionize the entire world!

Following in His footsteps, the apostle Paul wrote this to the Corinthian church. “I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles”. By caring about and believing in others we validate their personal worth. These are the sentiments that capture people’s hearts.

He learned this from Jesus … as he sought to be just like HIM!

Colossians3:10 NLT Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Matthew 4:19 NLT Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Hot or Cold

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:29:00 GMT

You may be familiar with the story, ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Alice is a proper young girl who traveled down a rabbit hole where she entered into a strange and unknown land. When in Wonderland, Alice spoke with a Cheshire cat.

Alice asked the cat, '"Would you tell me, please which way I ought to go from here?"　He responded, "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to."　Alice said, "I don't know where. . .", and the cat replied, "Then it doesn't matter which way you go."

When I read the words of the cat I remembered God’s statement to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:16. He said, "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth!"　

God wanted those in Laodicea to make an honest decision concerning their faith in Him.　He recognized as hot, those people whose commitment to Jesus was fervent, fiery and consuming, and He recognized as cold, those who willingly professed their unbelief. But the Lord’s strongest admonition was to the lukewarm; these individuals were self-deluded, unburdened and ambiguous about their faith.　He could not stomach their spiritual complacency.

To make His point God used the analogy of water, which was relatible to the Laodicean people. Just 6 miles north was the city of Hierapolis. Hierapolis was known for its hot springs with their significant medicinal qualities, and the nearby city of Colossae was known for its cold pure waters. But Laodicea’s water supply was mineral-laden and lukewarm. It was putrid, useful only as a means to induce vomiting.

Being the embodiment of life, breath, movement, and growth, the Lord admonished the Laodicean church to move out of their spiritually mediocre and lukewarm existence. He knew that a commitment to be hot or cold would present them with developmental opportunities.

Am I actually saying that choosing to be spiritually cold is better than remaining lukewarm? No, I am not saying that - God is saying that!　However, He is not advocating that a life devoid of faith is the best option. God would prefer that we were all decidedly on fire for Him, and all desirous to go to heaven. But if that is not the case, at least choosing to be cold defines our position. God can work with that.

Alice, not knowing where she was going, asked the Cheshire cat for direction. In the frame of this entry I believe that the cat’s response to Alice was quite appropriate as He did not make her decision for her. Alice’s journey, like ours, had to be defined by her own choices.

How do we know which way to go? ... Like the cat said, "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to."

1 Kings 18:21 NIV Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." ...
James 1:6 NIV But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Otherworldly, Powerful, and Strategic

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:01:00 GMT

The time that we spend in the presence of others is meant to be influential. After all, God created us in His likeness; since He is a relational God, so too are we relational beings.

Whether engaged in deep conversation with a close friend, or simply overhearing a comment from a stranger in a checkout line, consciously or not, our minds will actively capture and process what we hear. And it is the trusted hand-pat on the back, or the sudden stab of an elbow on a crowded train that provokes an immediate response from us… it is natural for people to affect people.

A well known youth minister by the name of Doug Fields said, “We have souls that thrive in the warmth of kindred spirits…God wired us this way.” He uses the rub between people to communicate matters of relevance. And this is not only achieved through our casual contact with one another, but also through a divinely inspired plan that is otherworldly, powerful, and strategic.

God’s primary message concerns His love for people and He counts on a perpetual chain of human influence to convey His love throughout the world. He could have burned an image of His beating heart in the sky, or whispered of His love through sound waves carried by the wind. But instead, God thoughtfully chose to communicate the most vital message in the universe to us, through us.

Sometime between A.D, 85–95, John the disciple wrote, “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him”. John walked with Jesus. In fact, it was John who the Bible tells us laid his head on Jesus’ chest. He learned firsthand of God’s love.

John had been privileged to listen to the beating heart of Christ …and He was there when it stopped. He was persuaded through his relationship with the Lord to tell us of this great love. May we adopt this same sense of duty and purpose, because in all our relational endeavors there is no communication more powerful, or more relevant.

John 3:16 NLT For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:9 NLT God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal lift through him.

Some Things are Final or "Oops"

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:52:00 GMT

While lying at the foot of the bed, our puppy, Maggie, sat up twice in response to an unusual sound coming from the kitchen. I was nursing a stomach ache, so I chose to ignore her. I later learned that this was a mistake.

I had placed 3 eggs on the stove to boil earlier that day and left the kitchen to take a short rest. Unfortunately I forgot about them. Sometime later Maggie cried to go outside. We no sooner reached the front yard when I heard an explosion from inside the house.

Returning, I quickly realized that the water had boiled out of the pan and the 3 eggs had burst throwing their shells and innards not just onto the nearby stove, wall, and cabinets, but also across the room onto the table, under the table, and upon the ceiling. Maggie started to eat what was on the floor while I opened windows and prepared to clean the mess; not a fun task with an already upset stomach.

As I cleaned I remembered the childhood rhyme about Humpty Dumpty who was also a splattered egg. The rhyme goes, "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, and all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again"!

Spraying pieces of Humpty Dumpty with Windex and wiping his remains into the trash, I contemplated how final the end of a matter really can be. Humpty Dumpty fell to his death by foolishly sitting his rounded bottom on a high wall. The three eggs in the pan – well they simmered too long under hot and pressurized conditions. In such extremes, fatality is inevitable.

The rhyme points out that even the resources of kings could not unscramble the consequences of a poor choice. If we desire different outcomes, then we should make better choices, and the Word of God is available to guide us.

Here are a few examples: be self controlled and alert (1 Peter 5:8), live a godly life (2 Peter 3:11 ), settle matters quickly (Matthew 5:25 ), walk in the truth (3 John 1:4), forgive (Colossians 3:13), esteem wisdom (Proverbs 4:8), seek understanding (Proverbs 2:1-3), be humble (Ephesians 4:2), persevere in trials (James 1:12), love God and our neighbor (Luke 10:27), and put aside works of darkness while there is still time (Romans 13:12).

If you are reading this entry, you still have time! There is no need to simmer under pressure, or teeter in a precariously high place – come on down! God’s own Word is there to help, and He is infinitely wise! After all, He created the egg! Hmmm… or was it the chicken?

Romans 8:12-13 NLT Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

Stop the Bleeding

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:57:00 GMT

In the book of Genesis we read that God instructed Jacob to gather his wives, Rachel and Leah, and their children, and leave his father-in-law’s homeland. Laban had been unfair to Jacob over the course of several years and now God was sending Jacob to the land of Canaan.

As Jacob and his family were making their covert departure from Laban’s camp, Rachel took her father’s gods. It was believed that the gods carried prosperity and protection, so when Laban discovered that both his family and his gods were missing he pursued them. Jacob, not knowing that Rachel had the gods, challenged Laban to search his possessions.

Laban began his search, but before he entered the tent of Rachel she hid the gods beneath her saddle and sat on it. She lied persuasively to her father, claiming that she was in that time of the month and could not stand up. Thoughtfully, Laban believed her and departed from Jacob’s camp without his possessions.

In a conversation with Jacob just prior to leaving their homeland, Rachel and Leah spoke angrily about Laban. We read it in Genesis 31:14-16 as follows, "Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father's estate? Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us. Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children…" Laban’s daughters were hurt and offended by their father’s poor treatment of them, and they felt cheated out of their inheritance.

Rachel especially compounded her heartache when she found it within herself to steal and deceive. She let the emotional impact of her unresolved hurt predispose her toward a chain of self-justified sin.

Forward to this century and we see marked evidence of these same dynamics. Negative behavior, real or perceived, has had a degenerative effect on countless relationships. If unresolved, such conditions breed more hurt and these excessive emotions hemorrhage all over our personal worlds. The more that we let our emotions bleed, the more that these destructive patterns will form; the result being a succession of self-serving behavior. As they say, "hurting people, hurt people".

So how do we stop the bleeding? The answer is in the principle of forgiveness. You may shake your head in dismay saying, "You have no idea what has been done to me... are you kidding, I cannot forgive that person… how can forgiveness make this pain go away… and ultimately, why should I forgive, I don’t want to let the person off the hook!"

In my own journey toward forgiveness, I made these very statements. I know first-hand that they flow unreservedly from a wounded heart. But remember, the principle of forgiveness was established by God for our sake. He wants us to be whole, so He will see to it that our concerns and objections are addressed or overcome. Jesus gets it.

He chose to forgive those who humiliated Him, ripped the skin off His back, stabbed Him with thorns, put nails through His flesh and mocked His kingship. He knows what has been done to you and He identifies with your needs. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us, "We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin.

So let's walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. Rachel carried an emotional load into her future as disconcerting as the gods that she would forever have to hide. I urge you beloved, do not do the same. Apply forgiveness to your situation and with Jesus’ help you can... stop the bleeding.

Proverbs 20:22 NIV Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

Matthew 6:14 NIV For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Romans 12:18-20 NIV If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Managing Anxiety and Depression (podcast)

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:02:00 GMT

This podcast is a summary of the lessons that I learned over the years concerning the management of anxiety and depression. This particular message was delivered live and is "unedited", so please forgive any personal references between the speaker and the audience.

A great victory can be won just by understanding the truth about what we fight in the arena of anxiety and depression, and there is more. By applying our faith, and by using the various tools available to us, we can be free to live a joyful and abundant life. Please click the Media link above and take a listen. I pray that you will be encouraged and changed by God's power - through the truth that you hear!

Psalm 94:19 NIV When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Colossians 1:15-17 MSG He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Philippians 4:5-9 MSG Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Amazing Grace

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:14:00 GMT

Reverend Tom Ascol said, “Self-deception is an insidious condition. You will never meet a person who knows he is self-deceived. By definition, those ensnared are completely unaware that they are.”

The self-deceived are often used to defy truth and reason. They employ weapons of absurdity and irrationality, yet they believe in their causes as strongly as the righteous. But when lies are unshackled from the mouths of the unjust and truth is stomped by corruption, when the innocent are assailed and wickedness is endorsed, when faith is pretentious and God is mocked, sin will abound, and… we grieve.

There is a great uneasiness that comes to God’s true followers in the face of such senselessness. We shake our heads with wonder. We pray. We wait for His intervention and deliverance, but more… we learn.

We look to Jesus and learn of His grace. The Lord wants us all to make it and He is not only thoughtful, but He is proactive about it. Where the law identified and demanded punishment for sin, through our belief in Jesus’ extraordinary sacrifice on the cross, we obtain grace.

Grace is that wholly sustaining quiescent stay between where we are now and God’s unachieved expectation for us. Those who do not cling to vain beliefs or worthless idols will learn of it. God's amazing grace intensifies against the increase of sin; it powerfully liberates, and it allows endless opportunity for change.

So while the self-deceived may promote sin in our circles, families, government, and world, we gather our best intentions and our strongest prayers, and we bring our teachable-selves to Jesus. We go to the One who has given us strength, considered us faithful, and has appointed us to His service (1Timothy 1:12). We accept His amazing grace and … we believe. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Jonah 2:8 NIV "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs…”

Romans 5:20-21 NIV The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 4:16 NIV Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Ready to Live

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 04:21:00 GMT

She sat in a frozen-like position on her couch. Preoccupied and bewildered, she stared at nothing, but fearfully expected anything. Supposition rushed through her mind like frenzied traffic, terrifying and hollow. She was desperate to run anywhere, but stayed in fear of everywhere.
Her hands tingled, and chills and sweats alternately washed over her with every sound that she heard. Her body had become emotionally and physiologically reactionary; sounds were magnified and people were complicated, yet silence was stifling, and aloneness brought dread.

In moments of intense fear she would whisper the name, "Jesus". His name was her entire prayer.

The woman described above was me. For some of my adult years I struggled with anxiety, depression, and finally panic attacks. I was in emotional bondage; dying inside, but desperately wanting to live.

Everybody has their own version of happiness. Mine was to understand and liberally embrace the life that Jesus died to give me. So, even in the dark times when I could not see beyond my fears, I fumbled and reached in God's direction. Thankfully He was there.

The Bible tells us that God would dwell in a dark cloud. So even in our most desperate times, He is with us. He became a very personal help in my time of need. He showed Himself strong when I was weak, and He embraced me with a love that radically transformed my spirit, soul and body.

I still pray the name "Jesus", but not out of fear, as I am no longer the woman on that couch. One day I looked up and HIS light had undeniably pierced my dark cloud. I was thawed, calm and unafraid; ready to live that life that He died to give me!

2 Chronicles 6:1 NIV Then Solomon said, "The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud…"

Psalm 46:1 NKJV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Attain the Crown

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:42:00 GMT

On July 4, 2009 in New York Harbor, after an eight year hiatus, hundreds of people climbed the stairs to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Public access to the crown had been prohibited for nearly a decade after the September 11, 2001 attacks because emergency evacuation down its narrow, double-helix staircases did not meet safety codes.

Additionally, certain areas of the 354-step climb to the crown are so ominous that some visitors have been overcome by claustrophobia, panic attacks, and heat exhaustion. And for those having such difficulty, the winding and constricted stairs allow no option to turn back.

The English Poet, Francis Quarles wrote, "He that hath no cross deserves no crown". The challenging ascent into the statue’s crown is an illuminating example of man’s mounting journey through life; the higher the calling, the more arduous the climb.

Some years ago I experienced a personal struggle with anxiety and depression. Unable to change my circumstances, I became iimpeded and could barely function day to day. I was emotionally stuck enroute . . . yet, I knew that I must advance.

Fortunately, the climb is not to the swift, strong, or privileged, and it is not about skill or technique. So I dragged myself through each second, minute, hour, and day. My ascent was slow and clumsy, but by wholly believing God’s Word, and by earnestly applying His principles, I was able to make my upward step-by-step journey a triumphant one.

Lady Liberty continues to welcome the tired, poor and homeless, and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Both structurally and symbolically, she represents a hopeful call to all people to come up higher. Regardless of your cross, attain the crown!

James 1:12 NIV Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

2 Timothy 4:8 NIV Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

A Forever Friend

donnad@visitude.com (Donna M Dougherty) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:15:00 GMT

It felt like my heart cracked when I read the email that Doris died, and I cried over her loss. I met Doris about 15 years ago when she came to work in our business. She was a tall, stately, German lady who always wore a smile, and invested 100 percent of herself into everything she did.

Her personality was loving and refreshingly child-like. Meeting Doris for the first time, she would embrace you as a forever friend, and she would make it a priority to celebrate you whenever possible. She had an arthritic condition, but as a skilled seamstress and crafter she would indomitably work her crooked fingers to create amazing gifts for people. Doris' thoughtful and generous ways were inspiring.

Throughout her bout with cancer she had the support of devoted family and friends. But Doris' most supreme comfort and strength came from her Savior. Her relationship with Jesus was intimate and ingenuous.

As I began to process her death, I shared her story with others, but it seemed that those who heard barely acknowledged my words. I was disheartened by their lack of emotion, so I examined my expectations.

It did not take long before I realized the obvious. They didn't know Doris personally, so they simply could not relate or empathize. No matter how much I reminisced I could not bring them to where I was. Hearing was not the same as knowing.

I applied this observation to the most important relationship ever; that of God and man. Again, just hearing about Jesus is not enough; there is no relevance without personal knowledge. We must know Him.

While I can no longer introduce you to our dear Doris, I can introduce you to Jesus. The Bible tells us that He stands at the door of your heart and knocks. If you invite Him in, you will know Him; He will become your Savior, your Comforter, and your Forever Friend!

Revelation 3:20 NLT Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Psalm 116:15 NLT The Lord cares deeply, when his loved ones die.