Tag: a2z meme

Do Christians Doubt

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

 

a2z: D is for Doubt

Are you someone who sees a new opportunity and instantly feels this could happen? No doubt for you, nothing but smiles, rainbows and dare I write it? Yes, unicorns.

Is your faith so strong that you have no doubt that everything will turn out fine?

That is not me. I have fallen into the big hole of doubt. I won’t even look at it. When a question comes up that suggests a good outcome I run because I think it’s not possible.

woman holding question mark

“Be merciful to those who doubt.” Jude 22 Click to tweet.

I’m not sure when this switch happened. I used to cling to the verse, “Everything is possible through Christ.”

I still belive that verse, it’s just that I doubt it will work out for me.

Now, don’t be sending me off for antidepressants or to seem my favorite therapist Marty Lintvedt (co-author of We’re not Blended We’re Pureed) I’m fine, really I am.

My doubt turns to fear–did you all know it does that? My fear is about the world we live in. Is it going to implode next week? Will the taxes in Illinois cause us to lose everything? I’m probably wrong, but I’ll be close enough–small businesses like ours pays 44% in taxes right now, that doesn’t include our personal taxes.

The world around me is changing so fast between terror attacks and out of control government I think surely the end of the world is in a few days, so I doubt I’ll get that next book written or the fridge cleaned out. (Yeah probably hoping for that last one a little too much.)

Then I look back at history and realize as far back as Genesis it looked like the world was done for and what happened? God saved us, over and over again until the only thing he could do was send his Son. And that’s what it’s really about, waiting for Him to return and take me home.

So doubt go away and please don’t return another day.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Is doubt an issue for you?

Do you think it’s okay for Christians to doubt? Please tell.

Yay! It’s blog hop day. Check out these amazing blogs and see what these authors come up with for the letter D.

a2z


Confidence: Do You Have It?

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

a2z: Confidence

 10 Ways to Build Your Confidence

1. Spend time with God: “The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” Proverbs 3:26

2. Work out doing something you know you can be successful at: walk, bike or toss a ball to the dog

3. Try something new–think like a cat, they tend to jump at new opportunities and feel they’ve done the right thing.

cabinet cat

4. Mentor someone who wants to do what you do–you’re a mom? Great there are lots of new moms you can help, find one at your church.

5. List your strengths–Yes you do have them. Think small to big: I make my bed everyday to I can fly a plane.

6. Set small achievable goals

7. Volunteer

8. Practice the skill that makes your confidence quiver–you don’t have to do this in front of people! Use your  video on your phone.

9. Correct each negative ‘brain talk’ with two positives about yourself. Click to tweet.

10. If you can’t get out of the low confidence mode don’t fear seeking help from a professional

And my favorite: find that inner two-year old

 

2 Year-Old Ballerina Crashes Mommy s Audition… and Steals the Show! from kidsarecute on GodTube.

 

What shakes your confidence?

This is a blog hop!

 

 a2z

Where Treasure Hides

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander Donley

a2z: letter “W”

 

Where the Treasure Hides
Good Read!

The historical genre for inspirational has opened up to include World War 2.  I’m grateful for that because fictional Where  Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander Donley is a treasure of history that we need to be aware of right now. We do not want history to repeat itself and through well written fiction like Where the Treasure Hides perhaps we will be more aware of what is happening around us.

The story line involves artist Allison Schuyler, sent back to Holland by her grief-stricken father to live with her grandfather and aunt. The family owns a well-known art gallery.

Allison loves art more than anything until she meets Ian Devlin on a trip to England. The war around them is escalating and Alison doesn’t want to love any one. She believes the family is cursed. If she marries Ian he will die. and with the war the possibility of that occurring is even greater.

As the story title implies there is treasure—the paintings created by the Masters. They must be hidden and protected but at what cost? Is it more important than a human life? These are decisions Alison must make.

Where  Treasure Hides is an excellent read and while there is a healthy dose of history it does not over-ride the story which I found pleasant.

 

Are you excited about finding a new historical set in WW2?

Diana



 

What’s Your view for 2013?

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

The View Ahead

a2z: the letter “V” for View

 

It’s here, the New Year 2013 and everyone is asking what are your resolutions? I prefer to ask what is your view for 2013?

I’m a visual person. I get more done when I visualize what I’m working toward.  One year I made a vision board slide show that I kept on my desktop. Every morning I watched it. That was a very good year for me.

My view for 2013 is centered around what God wants me to do. The problem for me is figuring out what that looks like. While I prefer to think God would like me to be comfortably well off-food, health insurance and a fat savings account, I have a feeling that’s not His vision for me.

So how am I going to figure it out?

I’m not.

I’m resting on this verse. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

But in case God needs a view of MY 2013 and the beach I’d like outside my door:

sandy ocean beach view
My View for 2013?

 

My View for 2013?

 

What’s your view of 2013? Tell me in the comments. I’d really like to know.

Diana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Nascar Dreaming

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

Rusty Wallace Race Day

a2z: the letter “n’ is for Nascar

copywright Diana Lesrie Brandmeyer
Race With Rusty Wallace

Last year I had a great idea for Ed’s Christmas/Birthday gift. He’s a New Year’s Eve child so combineing gifts is not new to him. Groupon sent out a deal that seemed perfect.

What man could resist 12 laps around the track in a Nascar race car? Not mine! So I bought it, along with extra insurance! 

What I didn’t know was that many other wives were buying the same deal, and all of our husbands would be driving the track at the same time. 

I should have read the fine print! If I had I would never have purchased this bucket list item for my beloved. 

I asked if I could return the gift. Ha! No!

copywright Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
Fire Proofed!

So he arrived, took a class and wore this fireproof suit.

Before he climbed in he took a ride around the track with a real driver. It was so fast I couldn’t catch it on my camera. He climbed out of the car beaming like a teenage boy.

Turns out there are no doors in these cars. 
No, I didn’t know that, or that the headlights are really stickers!
 

copywrite Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
Sliding in the Window

 
He’s in. He’s ready. 

My stomach is knotted with explantions I will have to make to friends and family if he doesn’t come back alive. 

Hey, I watch some racing! There are always crashes and burning cars!

copywright Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
Ready to Race

Here’s a badly shot video taken by a nerve wracked wife. I caught the take off’ and the wave after that my camera went in my pocket and my hands folded in prayer.

He came back safely!
This year I think I’ll give him socks.
 Have you ever given your spouse a gift you wished you hadn’t? 
Would you give your spouse a dream gift that scares you?
Diana