Elegant Doves International

Remember Who YOU Are

2012-01-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

The thought came to me today that as we remember who we are, the stronger we are able to stand against the lies thrown towards us about who we are not.

During my training when I worked as a bank teller we are taught to recognize actual currency; studying the qualities of authentic, genuine monetary bills. By doing this our eyes were trained to spot the counterfeit instantly.

As you remember who you are you will remain strong and valid, regardless of what circumstances or situations are thrown your way. As a child of God, having accepted Jesus Christ as your life and surrendered to Him as Father over your life, that makes Him King and you His daughter (or son), a princess (or prince)!

He is your All - (1 Samuel 12:22:
He satisfies you with good things - Psalm 107:9;
He gives you a crown of beauty instead of ashes - Isaiah 61:3;
He really knows you - Jeremiah 1:5
He has a wonderful plan and purpose for your life - Jeremiah 29:11;
He loves you with an everlasting love - Jeremiah 31:3;
He will never forsake you - Psalm 27:10;
He makes you glad with the joy of His presence - Psalm 21:6;
He heals you - 2 Kings 20:5;
He is enthralled by your beauty - Psalm 45:11;
He leads you to quiet places and gives you rest - Mark 6:31;
He has set you free - John 8:36;
He turns your hardship to glory - 2 Corinthians 4:17;
He delivers you - Galatians 5:1;
He blesses you with every spiritual blessing - Ephesians 1:3;
He redeems your past - Philippians 3:13;
He gives you hope - 2 Thessalonians 2:16;
He gives you everything you need - 2 Peter 1:3;
He fearfully and wonderfully made you that unique You that you are - Psalm 139:14
He chose you and made you royalty - 1 Peter 2:9

Remind yourself of who you are with this declaration based on Psalm 139:14:
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Declaration of your faith:
"I,(state your full name), am fearfully and wonderfully made, and God is very proud to call me His child. My thoughts of myself are pure and positive. I know that I am a very special and unique individual with a grand purpose and destiny in my life."

Now, review and take to heart the follow pieces of "evidence" of that statement by studying the following scriptures:
Genesis 1:26, 27; Job 1:8; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 2:10,11; Romans 8:28 and Psalm 8:3-6)

Remember this as well:
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished".

Declaration of your faith:
"I am blessed (happy, joyful, and to be envied) because I believe that I am who God says I am, and I can do what He says I can do."
(Isaiah 55:11; Psalms 119:38; John 14:12)

You are an authentic, genuine, one of a kind masterpiece. No one on the planet has your same finger print, DNA or purpose in the same way as it has been intended for you! ACTIVATE AND EXECUTE NOW all you were created to do. You can do ALL things through your KING and Savior who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)
GO to your destiny, with your head held high and your shoulders back, walking in your royalty, now and forever more!!

Be IN courage!

Valued and Victorious,
Linda Michelle

Celebrate God's Love for YOU during This Season of Love, Renewed Hope and Joy

2011-12-17T07:33:00.000-08:00

Regardless of your emotions, rejoice over the fact that you have feelings to process through.

Regardless of your budget, sing praises that you have a creative mind and hope that can/will bring forth wisdom for wealth,(remembering that wealth is more than just money).

Regardless of who you have around you to love, who isn't there to love you as you desire or who doesn't love you, recognize and celebrate the love of life that is flowing through your core being and the warm blood that is flowing through your veins fresh and anew right at this very moment.

Regardless of the outlook of the circumstances and situations around you, shout for joy that you are connected to the Supreme, Sovereign One Who loves you beyond measure and Who has absolutely EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL. ("In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever." {Psalm 138:3,8)

(NOTE:Original meaning of the word perfect as stated above: Perfect = Gamar (gah-mar) Strong's #1584: to end, finish, accomplish, perfect; to come to an end, cease; to perform, fulfill. This verb occurs five times in the Old Testament. Three times it refers to something or someone being cut off or brought to an end (7:9; 12:1; 77:8). Twice it refers to the completing, finishing, and perfecting of God's work in one's life (57:2; 138:8). These two references are Old Testament parallels to Philippians 1:6. The idea is that God begins to work out His purposes in the life of His servant and continues His work until it is absolutely and completely done.) - Source: The Spirit Filled Life Bible, Jay w. Hayford, Litt.D General Editor, Thomas Nelson Publisher)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

A Time to Think
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.—Charles Dickens.

A Time to Act
Radiate the glow of Christmastime.

A Time to Pray
Lord, give me a spirit that unabashedly celebrates You and the joy of living.
(inspiration from GuidePost - Daily Scripture & Reflection Newsletter)

Notes from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, Thomas Nelson Publisher:
Dec 17
"...As you rest quietly in My Presence, My Light within you grows brighter and brighter. Facing the emptiness inside of you is simply the prelude to being filled with My fullness..."
(used with permission, as brief quotation)

Share your praise testimonies with me via email at prayer@elegantdoves.org

Be IN Courage.
Merry Christmas & Blessed Holidays.

With Love, in His Glory Light,
Linda Michelle

Linda Michelle's Co-Author book Power to Change Virtual Summit Interview 16 November at 4pm (est)

2011-11-14T19:16:00.000-08:00

Be inspired by my interview on the vital importance of rest as I share information about my new co-author book Power to Change this Wednesday, 16 November, 2011 at 4 PM (est).Call in to the THRIVE Virtual Speaker Summit at 415.671.4335. The code is 183758# The interview is about 30 minutes long.

Your success in business and life is largely determined how you well manage and navigate change, especially rapid and traumatic change. More than ever before, the world needs men and women who can step up to the challenge of embracing change and using it for life enhancement.

"Your well being is a prerequisite for the well being of those around you."
Linda Michelle Trainer - Using Rest As a Strategic Power Move, POWER to CHANGE

For more information see the attached flyer. Dial in, listen to the interview, get a copy of the book - Today
http://www.elegantdoves.org/index.php/en/online-store
and implement this simply and rewarding strategy into your life. Do this for yourself, first. Those around you will reap the benefits.

Be IN courage.

United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle

Making Yourself A Priority

2011-09-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for more information about my NEW BOOK being released within the next few weeks called "Power to Change: Top experts share their power secrets" (Thrive Publishing). Here is an excerpt that I trust will not only encourage you on your personal journey, but I trust it will wet your appetite for more.

"Making Yourself a Priority"

"When traveling on an airplane, as a passenger you are instructed to put on your oxygen mask first before helping others. Your well-being is a prerequisite for the well being of those around you. The same is true in your everyday life. Taking time to step aside and get still and quiet enables you to hear your inner wisdom. You will be better equipped to make quality decisions about your next course of action. Some of the solutions to the issues you face can be found by listening to that small, still inner voice. During a time of rest, you will be able to hear your thoughts. You can recognize your own voice, even if it has been muffled by the chaos around you."

Please take the encouragement I share above and make time for yourself. You are the only YOU you/we have.

To read more powerful Power to Change secrets, please order a copy of my new book POWER TO CHANGE. Simply email me and I will share more information. My email address is lindamichelle@elegantdoves.org Thank you so very much for your prayers and support. Thank you for making the investment in yourself so that you can share with me and the world around you what God has deposited into you for us, as only you can share.

Be IN courage!!

United with you in strength and victory,
With love,

Linda Michelle

Be Strong and of Good Courage; Do not be Afraid nor Dismayed...

2011-08-24T05:07:00.000-07:00

In light of the earthquake on the east coast yesterday, today's devotion from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling is a word in due season.

August 24
I AM ALL AROUND YOU, hovering over you even as you seek My Face. I am nearer than you dare believe, closer than the air you breathe. If My children could only recognize My Presence, they would never feel lonely again. I know every thought before you think it, every word before you speak it. My Presence impinges on your innermost being. Can you see the absurdity of trying to hide anything from Me? You can easily deceive other people, and even yourself; but I read you like an open, large-print book.

Deep within themselves, most people have some awareness of My imminent Presence. Many people run from Me and vehemently deny My existence, because My closeness terrifies them. But My own children have nothing to fear, for I have cleansed them by My blood and clothed them in My righteousness. Be blessed by My intimate nearness. Since I live in you, let Me also live through you, shining My Light into the darkness."
End Quote - Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence, by Sarah Young

In addition check out Rick Renner's on line video devotion Refuel With Rick: - Make Up Your Mind To Live Fearlessly And Peacefully in These Last Days! August 24 http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Be IN Courage.

Be IN Courage....

2011-08-12T06:14:00.000-07:00

"Don't be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams." (author unknown)

His Grace IS Sufficient

2011-08-05T05:25:00.000-07:00

From one of my favorite devotional book, I pray this encourages you today:

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~ 2 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV

2 Corinthians 12:9
The Message (MSG)
(verses 7-10)
"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"....Never turn God's facts into hopes, or prayers, but simply use them as realities, and you will find them powerful as you believe them."
~ Prebendary H.W. Webb Peploe

"He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He added His mercies,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again."
~ Annie Johnson Flint
From Steams In the Desert - Volume 1

Be IN courage.

United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle

Fear Not.

2011-07-25T05:31:00.000-07:00

"The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him, and all the upright in heart shall glory." Psalm 64:10

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
and whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
which spread out its roots by the river;
and will not fear when heat comes;
but its leaf will be green,
and will not be anxious in the year of drought,
nor will cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
and with my song I will praise Him." Psalm 28:7

"There's a stampede of fear out there. Let's not get caught in it. Let's be among those who stay calm. Let's recognize danger but not be overwhelmed. Acknowledge threats but refuse to be defined by them. Let others breathe the polluted air of anxiety, not us. Let's be numbered among those who hear a different voice, God's.

Enough of these shouts of despair, wails of doom. Why pay heed to the doomsayers on Wall Street or the purveyor of gloom in the newspaper? We will incline our ears elsewhere: upward. We will turn to our Maker, and because we do, we will fear less."

~ Fearless; Fear Not - For I Am With You Always Promise Book by Max Lucado

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but (He has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified

Be IN courage.

United with you in strength and victory,

Linda Michelle

Join us at our next Empowering Workshop

2011-07-07T07:02:00.000-07:00

RISING WOMEN of K.I.M Presents

A workshop for every women & girl…

Rahab (A horrible Life Redeemed-Joshua 2:1)

"Abuse & Incest Workshop"

Linda Michelle Trainer ~

Elegant Doves International Inc.

Do you know the signs? & Is there recovery for those who’ve experienced it?

Date: Saturday, July 23, 2011

Time:1-3pm

Location: Kingdom Investment Ministry

Pastor James Murphy, Jr.

2219 Idlewood Road Tucker, GA 30084

*Incest/sexual abuse disclosure

*Healing & Prevention

*Courage in fulfilling God's will & purpose

*Hope & healing in marriage

*One's value & worth in God's view

You are Worthy

2011-05-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

This timeless message from Bishop TD Jakes rings true through the Holy Spirit as much today as it did when He first wrote it in "The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord".
Receive this Rhema Word for yourself today.

"...It is dangerous for all to know your worth and you not know it yourself. If you do not know what you have, you will not know when you lose it. It is only when one is aware of a treasure that it is treated with respect and kept away from villains and opportunists. Do you know your own worth, O woman of virtue? Your knowing it is not boasting. It is affirming yourself so that you will have virtue to assist others. It is almost impossible to give out to others what has not been deposited..."
(End Quote).
T.D Jakes, The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord." Page 77

Look in the mirror and recognize who you really are and affirm your worth and value= precious and priceless, through the blood of Jesus Christ.

"...In quietness and in (trusting) confidence shall be your strength."
Isaiah 30:15 (Amplified version)

Be IN courage.

United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle

4 Things to Remember

2011-05-12T06:12:00.000-07:00

God makes all things new.

1. Jesus loves you more than you can imagine, and His forgiveness never ends."
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

2. God has a special plan for your life and wants you to succeed.
"Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires." Psalm 37:4

3. Jesus wants to move mountains in your life and can change impossible circumstances in a moment's time.
"For the LORD is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals His thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the helgihts of the earth." Amos 4:13

4. God desires to reveal His love in new ways to others through you.
"But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression through us." 1 John 4:12

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I LOVE YOU with and everlasting Love. The human mind cannot comprehend My constancy. Your emotions flicker and falter in the face of varying circumstances, and you tend to project your fickle feelings onto Me. Thus, you do not benefit fully from My unfailing Love.

You need to look beyond the flux of circumstances and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you. This awarness of My Presence strengthens you, as you receive and respond to My Love. I am the same yesterday, today and forever! Let My love flow into you continually. Your need for Me is as constant as the outflow of My Love to you."

Jeremiah 31:3; Exodus 15:13; Hebrews 13:8

Be IN courage!
Complied with love,
Linda Michelle

Join our 8 Week Women's Incest Recovery Tele-Class Tuesday Evenings

2011-04-14T03:02:00.000-07:00

"The pain of understanding and healing is far less than the pain of denial and despair". It takes far less time and energy to deal, head on with circumstances and situations, than it does to put them off and allowing them to linger. Matters of the heart and soul are no different. NOW is the acceptable time.
Join me for our 8 week women's Incest Recovery Tele-class. Every Tuesday evening, April 19 - June 7, from 8pm until 10pm (EST), from the privacy and comfort of your own home or office, via private conference call phone line, you can begin the process of moving from your pain, confusion and/or frustration surrounding your issues with incest onto wholeness, healing and restored joy.

We will be using several "tools" to help facilitate our understanding along our journey further into healing and wholeness, with Joyce Meyer's "Beauty for Ashes" as our foundational focus.

The cost of $25 includes all materials. Scholarships are available, so there is no excuse to hold you back from this opportunity. NONE. Fear is not an excuse. FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Know this, "If there is HOPE in the future, there is POWER in the present.

Be IN courage, for real. I am taking the journey with you. It is NOW time to go to your destiny.

Register today. Log onto www.elegantdoves.org or email me at info@elegantdoves.org, or call me at 770.310.6434.

Please print this page and share with your friends, sisters, nieces, cousins, church members and co-workers and ask them to share with their friends, sisters, nieces,cousins, church members and co-workers - anyone and everyone you care about.
Studies have found that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday and only 1 in 10 will tell. This means there are MORE THAN 42 MILLION adult survivors of child sexual abuse in the US.
This just may be the encouragement and gentle "nudge" they need to finally take that step towards their victory over this issue, once and for all. And you may just be the vessel God has have waiting on to work through. Now is the acceptable time.

"Fear not (there is nothing to fear), for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God." Isaiah 41:10 (amplified version)

With blessings and joy,
Linda Michelle

Why Art Thou Cast Down, O My Soul?

2011-03-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

This encouragement comes from one of my favorite devotionals, "Day by Day, A Daily Praise Offering; Heavenly truths as given by the Holy Spirit to Gwen R. Shaw" (End-Time Handmaidens, Inc, Jasper, ARK)

Be shifted back to courage as you read and apply this to your life:

March 26
Why Art Thou Cast Down, O My Soul

Scripture Reading - Psalm 43:5

"Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalm 43:5)

"It is good to ask this same question. Why is your soul cast down? Have you taken your eyes off Me, your Lord? Do you think that I have stopped leading you with My light and truth?

Why are you disquieted within your soul? Have you lost your faith and hope in Me? Have you lost that unique, simple, child-like trust that you used to have? Why are you disquieted within your soul? Do you think that I don't love you as much as I did? Do you think that I am not the same mighty, powerful God that I was to you in the days gone by?

Why are you cast down, dear soul? It is only because you have allowed your heart to become troubled and entangled too much with the things of this world. Your mind has dwelt on the negative. The doubts of others and their wrong doings have oppressed you. Forget about them. Think about My greatness. Count the blessings I have given you in the past. I have never failed you and I never shall. I shall always be with you. I shall always protect you, lead you and guide you.

And you shall go to My alter and you shall make sweet music unto Me. And you shall praise Me, because I, alone, am your exceeding joy, and if it is true that I am your exceeding joy, then why is your soul disquieted within you?

Let Me fulfill every need of your life. And then you shall be full of joy and you shall praise Me, and I will be the health and the glory of your countenance, and your God.

Be IN courage,

With love,
Linda Mihcelle

A Reflection on Faith

2011-03-09T17:27:00.000-08:00

Faith without works is dead. And dead faith don't work!

1 Kings 11:9
God was furious with Solomon for abandoning the God of Israel, the God who had twice appeared to him and had so clearly commanded him not to fool around with other gods. Solomon faithlessly disobeyed God's orders.

Hebrews 11 (The Message)

Faith in What We Don't See

1-2 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see...

4 By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain....

5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely...

7 By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land... As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

8-10 By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home... Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God.

11-12 By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.

17-19 By faith, Abraham, at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God...

20 By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau.

21 By an act of faith, Jacob on his deathbed blessed each of Joseph's sons in turn, blessing them with God's blessing, not his own—as he bowed worshipfully upon his staff.

22 By an act of faith, Joseph, while dying, prophesied the exodus of Israel, and made arrangements for his own burial.

23 By an act of faith, Moses' parents hid him away for three months after his birth...

24-28 By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house...

29 By an act of faith, Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians tried it and drowned.

30 By faith, the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho for seven days, and the walls fell flat.

31 By an act of faith, Rahab, the Jericho harlot, welcomed the spies and escaped the destruction that came on those who refused to trust God.

32-38 I could go on and on, but I've run out of time. There are so many more— Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets....Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn't deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.

39-40 Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours."

ACT ON YOUR FAITH...

Faith is opposite of fear:

FEAR -

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

FAITH -

Fantastic
Adventures
In
The
Here (and NOW)!!

Act on your faith, that which God has called you to do.

Be IN Courage.

United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle

Encouragement for Pressing Through the Hard Places

2011-03-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

The Poem "Don't Quit" has a line that says "... When care is pressing you down a bit, rest, if you must, but don't you quit." Sometimes that's easier said than done, especially when you the "pressing" is heavy on your shoulders and on your mind.
A devotion I read today, served to give me added hope and strength. The amazing "God-thing" about it all is that a dear friend called me shortly after I read it and through the tears of her heaviness she began to praise God as I shared this same massage of hope. I pray you too will be inspired.

From Steams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

March 1

Consider what God has done; Who can straighten what He has made crooked? (Ecclesiastes 7:13)

God often seems to place His Children in places of deep difficulty, leading them into a corner from which there is no escape. He creates situations that human judgment, even if consulted, would never allow. Yet the cloudiness of the circumstances itself is used by Him to guide us to the other side. Perhaps this is where you find yourself even now.

Your situation is filled with uncertainty and is very serious, but it is perfectly right. The reason behind it will more than justify Him who brought you here, for it is a platform from which God will display His almighty grace and power.

He not only will deliver you but in doing so will impart a lesson that you will never forget. And in days to come, you will return to the truth of it through singing. You will be unable to ever thank God enough for doing exactly what He has done.
selected

We may wait till He explains,
because we know that Jesus reigns.

It puzzles me; but, Lord, You understandest,
and will one day explain this crooked thing.
Meanwhile, I know that it has worked out Your best -
Its very crookedness taught me to cling.

You have fenced up my ways, made my paths crooked,
To keep my wand'ring eyes fixed on You,
to make me what I was not, humble, patient;
to draw my heart from earthly love to You.

So I will thank and praise You, for this puzzle,
and trust where I cannot understand.
Rejoicing You do hold me worth such testing,
I cling the closer in Your guiding hand. - F.E.M.I.
(end quote)

The last portion of the Don't Quit Poem reads:

"Success is failure turned inside out,
the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're har'dest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God..." Ephesians 6:10

"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible)

"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

Be IN courage.

With love,
Linda Michelle

Do We Have as Much Sense as a Goose?

2011-02-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

Be encouraged by this inspiration that an anointed sister shared with me today.

This spring when you see geese heading back north for the summer flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.

By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

BASIC TRUTH #1
PEOPLE WHO SHARE A COMMON DIRECTION AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY CAN GET WHERE THEY ARE GOING QUICKER AND EASIER BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAVELING ON THE THRUST OF ONE ANOTHER.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

BASIC TRUTH #2
IF WE HAVE AS MUCH SENSE AS A GOOSE, WE WILL STAY IN FORMATION WITH THOSE WHO ARE HEADED THE SAME WAY WE ARE GOING.

When the lead goose get tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

BASIC TRUTH #3
IT PAYS TO TAKE TURNS DOING HARD JOBS...WITH PEOPLE, OR WITH GEESE FLYING NORTH.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

BASIC TRUTH #4
WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHAT WE SAY WHEN WE HONK FROM BEHIND.

Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is either able to fly or until it is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group.

FINAL TRUTH
IF WE HAVE THE SENSE OF A GOOSE WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER LIKE THAT.
(end quote)

Be IN courage!!

With love,
Linda Michelle

Quoted Wisdom

2011-01-26T17:15:00.000-08:00

"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
(1882-1945)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. 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."
— Maya Angelou

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in (your) weakness".
Jesus as quoted by Paul
2 Corinthians 12:9

Be IN courage!

With love,
Linda Michelle

Grandma's Hands

2011-01-09T07:16:00.000-08:00

My cousin shared this email with me, and I share with you, praying it will touch your heart and inspire your soul as it has mine.

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear voice strong.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war..

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face. (End Quote)

"Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Your words have held firm him who was falling, and you have strenghtened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon you, and you faint and are grieved; it touches you and you are troubled and dismayed. Is not your (reverent) fear of God your confidence and the integrity and uprightness of your ways your hope?" (Job 4:3-6)

"For You, O Lord, are my Lamp; the Lord lightens my darkness. For by You I run through a troop; by my God I leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is tried. He is a Shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him. For who is God but the Lord? And who is a Rock except our God? God is my strong Fortress; He guides the blameless in His way and sets him free. He makes my feet like the hinds'(firm and able); He sets me secure and confident upon the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; and Your condescension and gentleness have made me great. You have enlarged my steps under me, so that my feet have not slipped. ...The Lord lives; blessed be my Rock, and exalted be God, the Rock of my salvation." (2 Samuel 22:29-37,47)

Be IN courage!
United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle

Wait in Order to Gain Strength and Wisdom

2011-01-08T03:54:00.000-08:00

Wait: 1. To remain inactive or stay in one spot until something anticipated occurs.
2. To remain or be in readiness or expectation.

In this New Year it will benefit us greatly if we learn to wait more. Wait in the presence of God, at His feet, so that we can not only be refreshed in our strength and spirit, but so that we have time to catch our breath and assess where we are on our journey in life. How comforting it is just to sit and relax in the company of golden silence and peace. There is much to do this year as we move further into our purpose and the things that God has ordained for our lives. In order not to "miss a beat" wait more. You will be encouraged by the ease of your movement afterwards (Acts 17:28)

Gain insight and courage from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. And wait...the best is yet to come.

January 4th.

WHY CANNOT I FOLLOW THEE NOW?

"Peter said unto Him, Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now?" John 13:37

There are times when you cannot understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in, but wait. The blank space may come in order to teach you what sanctification means, or it may come after sanctification to teach you what service means. Never run before God's guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt - don't.

In the beginning you may see clearly what God's will is - the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, something you feel distinctly before God is His will for you to do, never do it on the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will end in making difficulties that will take years of time to put right. Wait for God's time to bring it round and He will do it without any heartbreak or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.

Peter did not wait on God, he forecast in his mind where the test would come, and the test came where he did not expect it. "I will lay down my life for Thy sake." Peter's declaration was honest but ignorant. "Jesus answered him ...The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied Me thrice." This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself, of what he was capable. Natural devotion may be all very well to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His fascination, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will always deny Jesus somewhere or other.

Be IN courage.

United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle

Re-Charge

2010-12-16T00:26:00.000-08:00

Tonight I noticed that there was "recharging" taking place all around me:
1.My laptop
2.My MP3 player,
3.My cell phone.

To recharge mean to:— vb
1. to cause (an accumulator, capacitor, etc) to take up and store electricity again
2. to revive or renew (one's energies) (esp in recharge one's batteries )

It is vital that we remember to "renew" ourselves, espeically during this busy time of year. Give yourself permission to "recharge" often; the more the demand on your time and your life, the more you would be wise to recharge your batteries: Physical, mental, spiritual and emotional.

And remember, The Lord is faithful:

2 Timothy 4:17-18 (Amplified Bible)
17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the [Gospel] message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was delivered out of the jaws of the lion.

18[And indeed] the Lord will certainly deliver and draw me to Himself from every assault of evil. He will preserve and bring me safe unto His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Psalm 62:5-8 (Amplified Bible)
5 My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.

6 He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.

7 With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!

8 Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Be IN Courage.
With love,
Linda Michelle

Women of Prayer

2010-11-25T00:09:00.000-08:00

I came across this devotion and it inspired me so much that I want to share it with you to encourage you to action as well. On this Thanksgiving Day, I am so very thankful for all of the women and men that have prayed for me, my family and the ministry that God has allowed me to steward over. My prayer is that the lives of those in my sphere of influence will be impacted by the prayers I pray for them, by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

"In one year, Christianity lost three holy women of faith, Agnes Sanford, Corrie Ten Boom and Catherine Marshall - as well as countless others whose names are unknown but who nevertheless did the work of God in this world. These are the women who knew what it meant to experience the presence of the unseen, who spent hours on their knees, who wept over the wounds of the world. For them, prayer was a second language. Who will take their place?

Frankly, there are very few candidates from our generation of women - those of us who have lavished hours in front of the television set, in the shopping plazas, in self-indulgence, in not developing a disciplined spiritual life.

Unless - unless we begin to grow up spiritually, Unless we become convinced that we are the generation of Christian adults ultimately responsible for the spiritual condition of our nation. we must understand that there are increasingly few in that generation ahead of us left to pray over this world. We are coming of age. But are we coming to terms with our lack of spiritul depth and ability?

It is we who must learn the meaning of forbearing.
It is we who must develop the disciplines of spiritual perseverance, not shrinking back from growth but doing the will of God, having faith and keeping our souls.
It is we who must become women of faith and prayer and obedience and service.
It is we who must set a spiritual standard for the next generation.
It is time for us all to grow up."

By Karen Burton Mains

Truly, Be IN courage!

United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle

Something to make you smile

2010-11-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

Click on the link below, turn the volume up on your computer, watch and enjoy.
Be refreshed by the beauty of the amazing simplicity of it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k&feature=related

Be IN courage.

Linda Michelle

DON'T QUIT - A reminder to Be IN Courage

2010-10-30T03:21:00.000-07:00

DON'T QUIT

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't quit.

Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a fair and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out --
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, --
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

-- Author Unknown --

Be IN Courage, even the more!

United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle

PEACE

2010-10-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

I found this devotion today and I pray and trust it will bless and encourage you.

From Streams in the Desert - 366 Daily Devotional Readings by L.B. Cowman

October 20

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

There is a part of the sea known as "the cushion of the sea." It lies beneath the surface that is agitated by storms and churned by the wind. It is so deep that it is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When the ocean floor in these deep places is dredged of the remains of plant or animal life, it reveals evidence of having remained completely undisturbed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

The peace of God is an eternal calm like the cushion of the sea. It lies so deeply within the human heart that on external difficulty or disturbances can reach it. And anyone who enters the presence of God becomes a partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm.
Arthur Tappan Pierson

When winds are raging o'er the upper ocean,

And waves are tossed wild with an angry roar,

It's said, far down beneath the wild commotion,

that peaceful stillness reigns forevermore.

Far, far beneath, noise of tempests falls silent,

and silver waves lie ever peacefully,

and no storm, however fierce or violent,

Disturbs the Sabbath of that deeper sea.

So to the heart that knows Your love, O Father,

There is a temple sacred evermore,

And all life's angry voices causing bother

Die in hushed silence at its peaceful door.

Far, far away, the roars of strife fall silent,

and loving thoughts rise ever peacefully,

and no storm, however fierce or violent,

Disturbs the soul that dwells, O Lord, in Thee.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Be IN courage.

United with you in strength and victory,

and peace, with love,

Linda Michelle

FAITH IN ACTION - Living Worry-Free

2010-10-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

Whatever our situation, the Word of God holds our answer. We cannot worry and think on the Word at the same time. We can conquer worry by keeping our thoughts set on God's Word.

To do this, we must:

1. Find scriptures that pertain to our situation.

2. Write these verses down.

3. Read these verses aloud - not in a whisper - when we're tempted to worry.
We must speak louder than the voice of fear. As we continually confess these verses, our faith in God will rise and our situation will turn around.

(Original Author Hagee or Copeland)

Be IN courage.

United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle

The Woman You Are in God's Mirror. Take Another Look.

2010-09-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
(Psalm 139:14-16)

“…My imposter trembles at the prospect of incurring the displeasure and wrath of others. Incapable to direct speech, he hedges, waffles, procrastinates and remains silent out of fear of rejection.”

“As James Masterson has written in The Search for the Real Self, ‘The false self plays it’s deceptive role, ostensibly protecting us - but doing so in a way that is programmed to keep us fearful of being abandoned, losing support, not being able to cope on our own, not being able to be alone.” End Quote***

For the average human being, the above statement holds a lot of truth, but for those who have come through the trauma of incest or similar acts, we can rewrite the words about hiding behind fear and wanting to please others using our own experiences.

BUT! The good news is as you continue to re-learn who you really are and all you were created to be and to do, you grow beyond mere illusions of who you have thought yourself to be and step into your true identity.

We are not the abuse that that happened to us, but instead we are created in the image and beauty of God. We are the miracle that was and still is; before and after the mess.

We are not the timid, fearful little girl hiding her head under the blankets; instead we are the strong, courageous saint pressing forward, growing in grace and strength, evolving more everyday into the vessel of honor which God created us to be.

We are not the victim being tricked into acts that defy our very nature, instead we are instruments of holiness, encouragement and inspiration, encouraging others through their personal “red sea” by our own testimony and prayer.

We are not the “nothing” we were told we were; instead we are more than a conqueror, more precious than the rarest jewels.

We are eternally the beloved of a Heavenly Father who understands our confusion, can clarify our questions, willing to calm our fears, supply our every need; emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. He is our Refuge and our Strength; a very present help in the time of trouble. He is wonderful, marvelous and beautiful, and you and I were created in His image!

Now pause and calmly think about that!! Selah.

WHO I AM…..

I Am Accepted…

John 1:12 I am God’s child.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
Rom 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Cor 6:17 I am untied with Christ and have become One with Him.
1 Cor 6:19-20 I was brought with a price. I belong to God.
1 Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
2 Cor 5:17 I am a new creation.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ live in me. He is now my life.
Eph 1:1 I am a SAINT!
Col. 1:14 I am redeemed and forgiven.
Col 2:10 I am complete in Christ. I AM SECURE…
Ro. 8:1 I am forever free from condemnation.
Ro. 8:28 I am assured that God works all things together for my good.
2 Cor 1:21 I am established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Col 3:3 I have died and now my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Phil 1:6 I know God’s work in me will be perfected
Phil 3:30 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Tim 1:7 I was not given a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power and love. I have a sound mind.
Heb 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.

I AM SIGNIFICANT…

Rom 11:16 I am holy!
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.
Heb 2:11 I am sanctified and am one with Christ, so
1 Pet 2:9-10 He is not ashamed to call me His own.
1 Cor 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 3:16 I am God’s temple, His Spirit lives in me.
2 Cor 6:1 I am God’s co-worker.
Eph. 2:6 I am seated with Christ in Heavenly places.
Eph. 2:10 I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do the work He planned beforehand.
Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with boldness and confidence.
Phi. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 John 3:1 God has bestowed a great love on me and called me…His Child!

(***from Abba’s Child, The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning, NAVPRESS, ISBN -1-57683-334-8)

Be IN Courage.
Written with love,
United with you in strength and courage,
Linda Michelle

Prayer to Renew Your Health

2010-09-09T09:00:00.001-07:00

I came across this today and it blessed not only me, but it was the perfect words to share with a precious sister-friend going through an intense "real-time" trial. It is simply and to the point. I pray this blesses you as well, at the very point of your need. Be reminded that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and must be strong and healthy for you to remain equipped to do all that you are called to do: in your personal life, at work and in your field of ministry service.

Be IN courage....

Prayer to Renew Your Health

by Norman Vincent Peale

Practice this prayer when you need to feel restored. Sit quietly and feel the working of God in the world, in the life around you. Feel His working in your mind. Let go all anxiety, all conflict and let harmony take over. Feel the touch of the Creator on your physical body.

Say these words:

He who creates also re-creates.

I am being re-created now.

The life force is filling me to overflowing.

I am well, healthy, strong.

I thank God, my Creator, my Re-creator.

Health, vigor, energy, has come to me.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hold on Until the End

2010-08-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

Encouragement from Streams in the Desert that has inspired "..wind beneath my wings..." and I pray it does the same for you.

Remember:
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
(Psalms 30:5)

"And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we can have in Him: (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us."
(1 John 5:14)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We are made partaker of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Heb. 3:14)

It is the last step that wins; and there is no place in the pilgrim's progress where so many dangers lurk as the region that lies hard by the portals of the Celestial City. It was there that Doubting Castle stood. It was there that the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when Heaven's heights are full in view that hell's gate is most persistent and full of deadly peril. "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." "So run, that ye may obtain."

In the bitter waves of woe
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds that blow
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail.
And fierce though the fiends may fight,
And long though the angels hide,
I know that truth and right
Have the universe on their side;
And that somewhere beyond the stars
Is a love that is better than fate.
When the night unlocks her bars
I shall see Him--
and I will wait.
--Washington Gladden

The problem of getting great things from God is being able to hold on for the last half hour. --Selected

Be IN courage.

Healing Scriptures

2010-08-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

Whether you are seeking the Lord to heal you spiritually, physically or emotionally these Bible verses will help you find comfort.

James 5:13-15

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Isaiah 58:8
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you;The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Psalm 41:3
The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.

Exodus 23:25
So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.

Psalm 91:15-16
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.

Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.

Psalm 107:19-20
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.

Psalm 73:4-5
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Isaiah 38:16
O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.

Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.

Jeremiah 33:6
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 55:18
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Psalm 3:5
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Isaiah 40:29
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Luke 4:40
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

Luke 6:18
as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.

Luke 9:11
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Be IN courage.

Linda Michelle Trainer

Trust and Rest

2010-07-25T05:50:00.000-07:00

This is an inspiration from one of my long standing favorite devotionals. I pray it brings comfort, encouragement and peace to you as it does for me.

Streams in the Desert - July 25

Trust and Rest
"Trust also in Him" (Ps. 37:3).

The word trust is the heart word of faith. It is the Old Testament word, the word given to the early and infant stage of faith. The word faith expresses more the act of the will, the word belief the act of the mind or intellect, but trust is the language of the heart. The other has reference more to a truth believed or a thing expected.

Trust implies more than this, it sees and feels, and leans upon a person, a great, true, living heart of love. So let us "trust also in him," through all the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, in the face of all the denials, notwithstanding all the seemings, even when we cannot understand the way, and know not the issue; still "trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass." The way will open, the right issue will come, the end will be peace, the cloud will be lifted, and the light of an eternal noonday shall shine at last.

"Trust and rest when all around thee
Puts thy faith to sorest test;
Let no fear or foe confound thee,
Wait for God and trust and rest.

"Trust and rest with heart abiding,
Like a birdling in its nest,
Underneath His feathers hiding,
Fold thy wings and trust and rest."

Be IN courage

Alphabets

2010-07-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

This is a great reminder to Be IN courage... as simple as ABC....

* Although things are not perfect

* Because of trial or pain,

* Continue in thanksgiving

* Do not begin to blame.

* Even when the times are hard

* Fierce winds are bound to blow.

* God is forever able,

* Hold on to what you know!

* Imagine life without His love,

* Joy would cease to be.

* Keep thanking Him for all the things

* Love imparts to Thee.

* Move out of "Camp Complaining!"

* No weapon that is known

* On earth can yield the power

* Praise can do alone.

* Quit looking at the future;

* Redeem the time at hand;

* Start every day with worship--

* To "thank" is a command.

* Until we see Him coming,

* Victorious in the sky

* We'll run the race with gratitude

* Xalting God most high.

* Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

* Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

~Author Unknown~

"...His favor is on my life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5b

"Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!" Isaiah 60:1 (Amplified)

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1

"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Be IN courage, even the more!

Think about this....

2010-06-30T06:00:00.001-07:00

Here are a few quotes to inspire and encourage you today along your way.
NOTE: It's not all about "who said it" as much as it is about "what was said." Look at the fruit to find the root. Taste and see and know for yourself.

When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
~ Unknown

"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right. "
~ Mary Kay Ash

Norman Vincent Peale On Attitude:

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are. "
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Thomas Jefferson Right Mental Attitude Quote:

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. "
~ Thomas Jefferson

John F. Kennedy Positive Outlook Quote:

"When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity."
~ John F. Kennedy

Ella Wheeler Wilcox Attitude Poem:

"One ship drives east and another drives west
With the selfsame winds that blow.
'Tis the set of sails and not the gales
Which tells us the way to go. "
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Be in Courage, even the more!

Keep On Believing

2010-06-19T03:51:00.000-07:00

I received an email from a dear sister earlier this week that encouraged me more than she will ever know. The timing of this email and the message was a word in due season, as I have several "burdens" I am praying through this week, personal and for Elegant Doves which are related to people I care about. There are family members that are dealing with "destiny decisions" and challenges. There are families that are stressed to the max concerning recent disclosures of incest abuse and the far reaching impact this revelation has for their family. There are marriages of dear friends that are "on the edge" and health and financial challenges that others are facing. And the list goes on and on....

...BUT, I KNOW THAT THERE IS HOPE!! I know that there are answers to all of theses situations and I know that I know that I know that ALL things work together for good, based on Romans 8:28. I have seen it manifest before in my own life and in the lives of others. It is "getting through the going through stage that is often the challenge.

I ask that you read an excerpt of a devotion from Derek Prince Ministries and be encouraged and grab hold of the hope you need, personally and/or for your "ministry assignment".

( The following is an excerpt of a devotion from Derek Prince Ministries)

"Are you carrying a burden right now for someone close to you? Maybe that person is a spouse, or a child, or a parent or a close friend. If you are carrying such a concern, we hope this letter will be a source of great encouragement and strength to you in the midst of the situation.

Three More Words of Hope

Over the last few months, the Lord has been nudging me forward in the area of faith and hope. Some of those encouragements have been the focus of recent letters we have sent.

A few months ago, I wrote about “Three Words of Hope.” In fact, in the letter in which that appeared, there were actually three different groups of three words: “Yet even now,” “Who knows whether,” and “Don’t give up.” I hope those thoughts were encouraging to you.

This letter adds three more words of hope to those groups: “Keep on believing.”

These three new words of hope came to light from a recent encounter with the Lord when He spoke the following words to me in a time of prayer: “I will take you by the hand.” The Lord then used the passage about Jairus’ young daughter, whom Jesus raised from the dead, to provide insight into the new life Jesus brings to us. When Jesus took that little girl by the hand in Mark 5:41, He issued this command: “Talitha, cumi” [“Little girl, arise”]. The result? That precious daughter came back to life.

“Keep On Believing”

My early focus of study after the Lord spoke to me had been on the little girl. But just recently, the Lord turned my focus to Jesus’ interaction with Jairus, the little girl’s dad. That concerned father was the one carrying such a huge burden for his dearly beloved daughter. Imagine how Jairus must have felt when Jesus was interrupted in the journey to pray for his daughter by the woman with the issue of blood. Precious minutes were consumed in the Master’s encounter with that dear woman who reached out in great faith to simply touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.

As grateful as Jairus may have been for the woman’s healing, this distraught father had to be saying in his heart, “But Jesus, what about my dying daughter?” Then came the news he dreaded, recorded with special poignancy in the Amplified version: “While He [Jesus] was still speaking, there came some from the ruler’s house, who said [to Jairus], ‘Your daughter has died. Why bother and distress the Teacher any further?’” (Mark 5:35, Amplified).

It’s hard to imagine the wave of grief and despair that must have hit that father at that moment. The child for whom he was desperately concerned was gone. No more reason to look to Jesus with expectation. Time had run out for his daughter.

But I love how Jesus handles this situation. Immediately, as Mark 5:36 tells us, He was at Jairus’ side to set the story straight: “Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue [Jairus], ‘Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.’”

Are Those Words for You? Could it be that the words Jesus spoke to that concerned father are also meant for us? In regard to the burden of concern you carry for your loved one, the words of Jesus ring true: “Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.”

It may well be that the enemy has been whispering lies in your ear. Those lies do not represent the last word on the situation. It is not hopeless. Could it be that the Lord of Life is even now on His way to take the hand of the one for whom you are so concerned? Like the little girl Jesus raised, when He takes hold of a situation, the inevitable result is new life—resurrection life. Can you receive His words by faith? “Do not fear, but keep on believing.” (end quote)

Receive this as your own source of encouragement and hope: Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear: only keep on believing.

Be IN courage!

United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle

Check for Cracks

2010-06-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

The beginning of last week through today has been a great "refreshing period" taking place in my life. It has been one of the most intense and yet renewing times I have had in a very long while.

I have been challenged to review my life; take another, longer look at the "woman in the mirror". Blessings are overflowing from every direction around me and with it so is the requirement for actual implementation of the work I am called to do with more focus and determination. It is truly real-time, serious, hard work at times, for which I would not trade one moment, personally and in ministry. The hard part has been in really taking a look at "how" I am doing the work. The question has been am I on track, off track or laying down on the tracks, when I should be pressing forward.

I am pleased to share that I have discovered some "error messages" on the control panel of my life; pleased because I have taken note of them and have taken action and put strategies in place to correct what needs to be corrected. Had these "error messages" gone unnoticed for much longer, there is no telling where 'my train' would have been heading for. A real-time "danger zone" was directly in my path.

I have taken a look at every every of my life; health, spiritual, family, financial and recreational. There have been some positive things taking place and yet some major 'errors in judgment' which have been made.

I just viewed another awe-inspiring video message of hope and encouragement from Rick Renner daily "Sparkling Gems from the Greek" devotional. I encourage you to take time to check it out (Monday 14 June). It is a must see. I also urge you to get the Sparkling Gems from the Greek devotional book as well. You will grow in wisdom and understanding.

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/

This devotion shares how when we ignore the condition of our "foundation" because of busyness, prayerlessness, insensitivity to the Holy Spirit or from being proud, cocky, overconfident, lazy or complacent, we are endangering not only our lives, but how we put in harms way the lives that are connected to ours. A simple 'fix', but one that will take real time work, which is not work at all. It is taking time to BE STILL and hear the voice of our "ENGINEER" giving us direction and instruction for our personalized course.

Take a few minutes to check out the above link and as well Beth Moore's "A Quick Word from Beth" http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/a-quick-word-with-beth-moore/ (Monday 14 June). You will truly be inspired.

Take a look at one last thing I would like to share on the subject today. I found this in the Message Bible. I pray it inspires you to check the foundation of your life - the things you are currently doing to ensure that you are "on track" with your ordained purpose and calling and that there are no "cracks" in your foundation where your enemies can seep through. Your life is too valuable and too precious to waste any portion of it. Your purpose is too far reaching to have it destroyed now. You have come to far to turn back now!! There are too many lives still hanging in the balance, waiting for what God has placed in you for them, as only you can deliver. Remember, quitting is not an option. Neither is anything short of your most excellent effort.

1 Corinthians 10 (The Message) (verses 1-14,23-24)

1-5 Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals provided daily by God. They drank from the Rock, God's fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was Christ. But just experiencing God's wonder and grace didn't seem to mean much—most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased.

6-10 The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—"First the people partied, then they threw a dance." We must not be sexually promiscuous—they paid for that, remember, with 23,000 deaths in one day! We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them.

11-12 These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

14 So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.

23-24 Looking at it one way, you could say, "Anything goes. Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster." But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well.

29-30 But, except for these special cases, I'm not going to walk around on eggshells worrying about what small-minded people might say; I'm going to stride free and easy, knowing what our large-minded Master has already said. If I eat what is served to me, grateful to God for what is on the table, how can I worry about what someone will say? I thanked God for it and he blessed it!

31-33 So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you—you're eating to God's glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God's glory. At the same time, don't be callous in your exercise of freedom, thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren't as free as you are. I try my best to be considerate of everyone's feelings in all these matters; I hope you will be, too.

Be IN Courage, even the more.

With love and joy,
Linda Michelle

The Rainbow; A Reminder of God’s Faithfulness

2010-05-16T04:25:00.000-07:00

Be IN courage as you read more from the anointed writing of Leola!

"The year is 1990. I am sitting on a plane on my way to a memorial service for a young niece who committed suicide. She had just turned 18. Had the whole world ahead of her. Not a place that I would say that I would want to be going. Hurting and alone, but unable to express all the pent up emotions. I have to be strong for the family. I have to put on the “mask” that is expected of me. To be the “religious” girl. To bring hope and God’s love to a terrible tragedy that had come to pass. Yet, I don’t feel like I can offer words of comfort to my family. I am still struggling with the “why”?

As I look out the window, I see a rainbow. I am immediately drawn to God’s promise. The rainbow is a reminder of His faithfulness to His Word. I feel His power enveloping me and surrounding me as a warm coat on a cold, cold, wintery day. I begin to receive His peace as I remember the stories of old and how every promise in His book is true and can be claimed for today; for my deep despair. I feel the heavy burdens beginning to lift. He directs me to His Word; “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2 He had promised to be with me during the difficult times. During the times of despair and grief. I truly was walking through the fire and feeling like I was going under. But, His word is full of promises and hope for those who are hurting. That included me.

“Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yes, I will help thee; yes, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

I am once again drawn to the comfort that can only be received when you have Jesus as Lord and King of your life. Yes, I had pain. Yes, I was hurting. But. . . I have a God who cares about me and wants to heal my pain. In the midst of my agony he provided a rainbow; a visual reminder of his faithfulness to me. As I learn to turn my cares over to Him, I then can begin to know that He has it all covered. He will redeem this tragedy for His good. He loved me enough to give me this reminder just when I needed to see it.

It might not seem like that is going to happen for you. You are in such deep despair that you are questioning where God is in the midst of your grief. He is there. He is listening to His children when they call on Him. He so wants to heal your wounds. To set you free of fear, despair and hopelessness. Whatever your situation, He has a way of escape. A way to change your mourning into gladness. Just open His Word and allow Him to heal you. Let Him direct your fingers as they search the Word for the truth He is waiting to show to you.

So, my friend, when you see the rainbow may you be reminded that every promise in His Word is true. Every promise was spoken for you as you yield your will under the skill of our Master and Lord. "

Leola Stotts
May 7, 2010

(Copy Written. All Rights Reserved - Leola Stotts)

A Flower in the desert: Evidence of God's love

2010-05-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

A precious, gifted sister has graciously shared this encouraging devotional to inspire and comfort us along our journey. Be IN courage by this anointed piece I am calling A Flower in the Desert: Evidence of God's love, as this is what it reminds me of when I read it. Let me know how it encourages you.

"Have you ever been in a desert place? A place of heat, and dryness, and lack of energy and motivation? A place where you could not find shelter, shade, water or comfort? I have been there. Seems many times over. Times when I have felt like there is no love or comfort to be found. Times when I have felt alone and forgotten by God. Because it is God that brings the comfort, the shelter, the love and companionship.

I remember camping in the Red Rock area outside of Bakersfield. It can be a beautiful place when the air cools, when the shade comes, and when I am feeling the presence of God. My family was camping one week on this desert. I was being pulled, tugged as it was, to go for a walk, alone, out in the desert. I walked a ways and was crying out to God, “Lord, why do I feel so empty and alone?” I often felt like that when I had been too busy to call on Him. Too busy to spend time in His Word. Too busy to seek His face.

As I walked alone in the barren, hot desert land, I came upon a cactus. As I approached the cactus I saw the most beautiful flower ever. It was fragrant, and vibrant in color and stood proudly amongst the green of the cactus. It was an immediate reminder of how faithful our God is to His people. He provided a gorgeous to the eye and to the nose, reminder of how he delights in answering prayers. He delights in the things that delight us. He knows how much I love flowers and gardens and His nature. I walked back to my campsite in awe of how amazing a God I serve. One who cares enough about ME, in the midst of the desert, to provide that comfort in the beauty of a flower.

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. Zechariah 2:10

He did indeed come and dwell with me, that day, in that desert place. Let Him do the same for you. He is available. He is able. He is urging You to allow Him to be your peace."
(Copy written - all rights reserved - Leola Stotts)

Leola Stotts
May 10, 2010

Living a Victorious, Overcoming Life....

2010-05-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

Quiting is NOT an option. And neither is compromise. You have come this far by faith and you can make it through whatever it is you are facing right now - regardless of the circumstance.

Be IN courage by these words - ALIVE and filled with real time power - and move forward, even the more, to your place of victory, one step at a time.

When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.
- Author Unknown

Bible Passages On Depending on God To Live a Victorious, Overcoming Life

(Unless stated, all verses are NIV)

Deuteronomy 1:21
See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

Psalm 44:6-8
I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Mark 14:38
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Luke 22:40
On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."

Luke 22:46
"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:35.37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Corinthians 6:15-20
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:10-11
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.

Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:26-27
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

1 Timothy 6:9
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 12:3
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

James 1:12-15
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. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

1 Peter 5:8-10
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 John 2:12-15
I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

1 John 3:8
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 5:3-5
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Revelation 3:21
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Be IN courage.

United with you in strength and victory,

Linda Michelle

Incest Recovery Tele-Class begins 15 April - 3 June

2010-04-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Elegant Doves International Inc.

Incest Recovery Tele-Class

(Women Only)

8 Weeks

April 15 - June 3, 2010

Thursday evenings

8pm - 10pm

via private conference call phone line

Registration required

Confidentiality respected and honored

No cost - donations accepted

Please email "Linda Michelle" @

elegantlin@aol.com to register and obtain more information

"The pain of understanding and healing is far less than the pain of denial and despair".

If there is HOPE in the future, there is POWER in the present.

Be IN courage!!

Please share this notice with those you care about.

Don't Fret

2010-04-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

As is always with the precious Holy Spirit's leading in my life, I was led to this great reminder of God's love for us: Our loving Abba Father takes care of His own; He is faithful to keep His promises: His Word has been tried and found to be absolute Truth. SO WHY FRET? BE NOT AFRAID! "... The Holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. We may be sure that every word of His will stand, though the mountains should depart...."

Be reminded of this simple truth and Be IN courage, even the more by this timeless devotion.

Streams in the Desert - April 9

April 9
Don't Fret
"Do not begin to be anxious" (Phil. 4:6, PBV).

Not a few Christians live in a state of unbroken anxiety, and others fret and fume terribly. To be perfectly at peace amid the hurly-burly of daily life is a secret worth knowing. What is the use of worrying? It never made anybody strong; never helped anybody to do God's will; never made a way of escape for anyone out of perplexity. Worry spoils lives which would otherwise be useful and beautiful.

Restlessness, anxiety, and care are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said: "Take no thought," that is, no anxious thought, "saying what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed?" He does not mean that we are not to take forethought and that our life is to be without plan or method; but that we are not to worry about these things. People know you live in the realm of anxious care by the lines on your face, the tones of your voice, the minor key in your life, and the lack of joy in your spirit. Scale the heights of a life abandoned to God, then you will look down on the clouds beneath your feet.
--Rev. Darlow Sargeant

It is always weakness to be fretting and worrying, questioning and mistrusting. Can we gain anything by it? Do we not unfit ourselves for action, and unhinge our minds for wise decision? We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith.

Oh, for grace to be quiet! Oh, to be still and know that Jehovah is God! The Holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. We may be sure that every word of His will stand, though the mountains should depart. He deserves to be confided in. Come, my soul, return unto thy rest, and lean thy head upon the bosom of the Lord Jesus. --Selected

"Peace thy inmost soul shall fill Lying still!"

End Quote

Be IN Courage.

With love,
Linda Michelle

Standing on the Promises

2010-03-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

I pulled out my original copy of Streams in the Desert devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman today, and I read a word that truly inspired me. I trust that it will inspire, encourage and motive you to put action in your faith, even the more and stand on the promises of God.

March 24
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Issac the Lord which saidst unto me Return unto thy county, and to thy kindred and I will deal well with thee; Deliver me, I pray thee (Gen. 32:9,11)

(message translation:)

The Message (MSG)
Genesis 32:9 -12
9-12 And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, God who told me, 'Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.' I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me. When I left here and crossed the Jordan I only had the clothes on my back, and now look at me—two camps! Save me, please, from the violence of my brother, my angry brother! I'm afraid he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children. You yourself said, 'I will treat you well; I'll make your descendants like the sands of the sea, far too many to count.'"

"There are many healthy symptoms in that prayer. In some respects it may serve as a mold into which our own spirits may pour themselves, when melted in the fiery furnace of sorrow.

He began by quoting God's promise: "Thou saidst, " ("You Yourself said"). He did so twice ( verse 9 and 12). Ah, he has got God in his power then! God puts Himself within our reach in His promises; and when we can say to Him, "Thou saidst," ("You Yourself said") He cannot say nay. He must do as He has said. If Herod was so particular for his oath's sake, what will not our God be? Be sure in prayer, to get your feel well on a promise; it will give you purchase enough to force open the gates of heaven, and to take ti by force.

From Practical Portions for the Prayer-life.

Jesus desires that we shall be definite in our requests, and that we shall ask for some special thing. "What will ye that I shall do unto you?" is the question that He asks of every one who in affliction and trail comes to Him. Make your request with definite earnestness if you would have definite answers. Aimlessness in prayer accounts for so many seemingly unanswered prayers. Be definite in your petitions. Fill out your check for something definite, and it will be cashed at the bank of heaven when presented in Jesus name. Dare to be definite with God." (end quote)

For more wisdom along this same line, check out March 23 online devotion from Sparkling Gems in the Greek, called "Refuel with Rick" - Rick Renner, the author of this anointed devotional. In this Pastor Rick shares insight on John 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done for you." Click the link below to access.

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/20100323/

Bottom line: TRUST. ASK. BELIEVE. Prepare to RECEIVE and OBEY God's direction, to the letter, as you STAND on the promises of His unfailing Word.

Be IN courage.

In Victory,

Linda Michelle

Focus!

2010-03-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

This is truly a word in due season. Focus is an essential key in all that we do, in order to take us to the place that we truly desire - "in the middle of the middle" of God's perfect, ordained will for our lives. Be inspired to action as you renew your understanding on the importance of the incredible power of getting, being and staying in focus, by Dr. Cindy Trimm.

Cindy Trimm: The Incredible Power of Focus
by Cindy Trimm
Mar 14, 2010

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."—Genesis 13:14-15

Cindy Trimm

The number one thing that stops people from getting what they want in life is the lack of focus. The number one thing that keeps people in realizing their goals, maximizing their potential, fulfilling their God-given assignments and purpose is focus. Wherever you place your focus, the rest of your mind, talents, abilities and emotions will follow.

Let me give you an example of what I mean from the world of race car driving. As I understand it, when new drivers are learning how to race, one of the very first things they are taught is—what to focus on when they go into a spin. If they try to avoid hitting the wall, they usually wind up hitting it. Why? Because avoiding the wall means they have to focus on the wall. So, instead, they are taught to focus on—where they want to go. In this way, they have a better chance of avoiding the wall and successfully getting out of the spin.

Let me give you another example. When I was a young girl, I studied ballet. When pirouetting, I was trained to "spot" or focus on a particular place/spot where we needed to end our spin (a pirouette is a 365° spin for non-ballet enthusiasts). In both cases, focus is the key to success. Sometimes our lives can spin out of control, like a race car driver and a ballerina in a pirouette. It is the focus that gets us out.

People who focus on what they want get exactly what they want. People who focus on problems, hurdles, walls and obstacles will go through life with problems, hurdles, walls and obstacles. It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened to you in the past that determines who you become. Rather, it is your focus upon it. It is the meaning and significance that you give to every occurrence that determines its weight and effect upon your life.

Focus on Your Dreams, Goals and Vision

Whatever you focus on today, you give that thing permission to exist tomorrow. Focus on your dreams, goals and vision. Focus on where you want to be, not where you came from. Focus on what you expect to acquire and what you wish to do, and not on what you do not have or what you have not done. Focus on your healing and not your sickness. Focus on your deliverance and not your detrimental situations. Focus on what remains and not what you have lost. Focus on wearing that size 7 skinny jeans and not on how much weight you have gained.

Dream about how different your life can be, then wake up and focus on making it happen so that you can live the life of your dreams. Think about it only enough to formulate a plan and then put feet to that plan and make it happen. Contemplate it long enough so that your faith becomes the driving force of your focus. Talk about it long enough so that you motivate yourself to act.

Focus makes your faith unshakable. Focus eliminates distractions. Focus is quintessential to discipline, which is always the precursor to success and prosperity. If you do not expect to see something in your future, do not focus on it today. Train your mind to focus on the positive, and you will always have positive outcomes.

I want to encourage you with Philippians 4:7-8: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think (focus) on these things.

Do not allow the enemy to break your focus. Like God said to Abraham, "I say to you, whatever you see, you will seize."

Dr. Cindy Trimm

Cindy Trimm International
Email: info@cindytrimm.com

Cindy Trimm's Itinerary:
Note: Events are subject to change at the ministry's discretion.
We suggest you always check first with the event contact listed here and/or directly visit their Website for latest updates on each event.

March 29-April 3, 2010
Kingdom University Atlanta
School of Ministry, Accelerated Module
Renaissance Atlanta Downtown Hotel
590 W. Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
Contact: 678-565-9888

April 19-24, 2010
Kingdom University New England/Northeast
School of Ministry, Accelerated Module
St. Johns Full Gospel Deliverance Church
27 Brown Street, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Contact: 678-565-9888

May 28-30, 2010
World Summit 2010: Leadership and Prayer
Milwaukee Theatre Center
500 W. Kilbourn Avenue; Milwaukee, WI 53203
Contact: 678-565-9888

(Thank you ElijahList for permission to post this here on our website!)

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
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www.elijahlist.com email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Hang in there and Don't give up!

2010-03-10T09:47:00.000-08:00

This is my encouragement to you today. I was blessed to hear this via "Refuel with Rick" and his anointed devotion "Sparkling Gems from the Greek". This is the inspiration that touched me and I am led to remind you of today: "...You may feel like your world is breaking around you. But you have Someone in you that is tougher than the battle! And the Holy Spirit wants to release endurance to you. Endurance will carry you past this trial and endurance will carry you into the victory that you need. It's just over the hill - you'll get there. James 1:4 could be interpreted:
"But let patience have her perfect work - I'm talking about the kind of attitude that hangs in there, never giving up, refusing to surrender to obstacles and turning down every opportunity to quit..." That is what you need... the queen of all virtues - "patience" (endurance). If you have this it's not a question of IF you're going to win, it's a question of WHEN you're going to win, because the victory is yours!...."

Check the entire devotion out on line: http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/
and read today's (10 March 2010) word of encouragement in full and Be IN Courage!

Remember.. Hang in there and DO NOT QUIT.. Victory is yours for the receiving! Take it one step at a time and you will arrive.

" I cried out to the Lord because of my afflication, and He answered me."
"When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, into Your Holy temple" (Jonah 2:2, 7)

With love and joy,
Linda Michelle

"When things go wrong, don't go wrong with them!"

2010-03-05T08:42:00.000-08:00

My good friend and motivational brother Mike Howard just shared those words with me via his one minute motivational audio segment www.audioacrobat.com/note/CmdnM2Ts/ . One minute was all it took to stir my focus back to an assignment that I have been working on for what seems like many, many months. The reward of me completing this assignment will set the foundation for a flood of great things being released, for me and for those I am privileged to serve.

One minute was all it took for me to be reminded that I must continue to press through if I am to see the fruit of my labor. One minute is all it took for me to feel the refreshing winds of hope anew within my spirit, sparked by simple truth. One minute.

One minute is all it takes to begin to walk foward from the place of frustration, through faith, to that place of hope in front of you.

One minute is all it takes to make a decision to "let go and let really God - once and for all - take your cares and perfect them; beginning to list them out to Him and casting your care - but not your responsibility to them. One minute is all it takes to be reminded that God has His part and you and I have our part. And God is not going to "cheat" on doing His and we would be only "cheating" ourself if we neglect to do ours.

One minute is all it takes to sit still and really hear what God (that still small voice deep inside, resounding loud and perfectly clear) speak to you the direction and instruction you have desparately sought Him for.

One minute is all it takes for you to make a quality decision and begin to implement it.

One minute is all it takes for you to stop, breath deeply and feel the blood flowing through your body, reminding you that you are still in the "game" and you still have an opportunity to win.

One minute is all it takes to decide to pick up the phone and make that overdue call to that friend or loved one you know would be blessed and encouraged just to hear your voice - if even for a few minutes.

One minute is all it takes to remember that the funeral for that other loved one prevents you from calling them, even through you would give almost anything to hear their voice just one more time - if even for a few minutes.

One minute is all it takes to recall the fact that you were indeed created for a purpose and have been gifted with talents and unique abilities that can change the course of destiny for someone, somewhere, if even by adding a smile to their face, which will remind them that there is hope.

One minute is all it takes to give thanks for the life flowing through you right now and for the opportunity to "begin again" with hope, in faith.

"When things go wrong, don't go wrong with them." Go forward, fulfilling the divine plan for your life.

"Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught"

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil."
(Proverbs 3:25-26, 4:23-27)

Be IN Courage!

With love and joy,
Linda Michelle

Why Am I Not Trusting God?

2010-02-18T17:52:00.000-08:00

That is a question that came up in conversation today where another sister said to me, "...and since I know who God is why am I not trusting God?

That is the question of the hour?

If you believe God is WHO He says He is and can DO what He says He can do- why do you worry??; fret??; get scared??; get depressed??; get mad??; try to get even??

If we just beleive and receive the promises we believe, than we will have what we believe.

Just believe and act on what you beleive.

Proverbs 3:5-8 (The Message)

5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

Psalm 46:1 (The Message)

Psalm 46

1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Psalm 23 (The Message)

Psalm 23

1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.

5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.

Be IN Courage!

With love,
Linda Michelle

Peace Be Still.

2010-02-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

This is a word of encouragement from the archives of our Weekly Word of Encouragement. I trust it will inspire you through to personal victory, even now, for whatever task or circumstance you face.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee."
(Isaiah 26:3)

"If your mind is filled with defeat thoughts, fear thoughts, resentment thoughts, you are bound to be in a state of mental unrest, even turmoil, and of course there can be no inner peace. This passage advises you to practice thinking about God, to keep your mind "stayed" or fixed, not upon your troubles but upon God. Keep your mind on God for as many minutes during the day as possible. This may be difficult at first for you are unused to spiritual concentration. Practice will make it easier." (End quote)
(Norman Vincent Peale - Thought Conditioners)

"God is our Refuge and Strength (mighty and impenetrable to temptation), a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas. Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah (pause, and calmly think about that)! There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early (at the dawn of the morning). The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah (pause, and calmly think of that)! Psalms 46:1-5, 7 (amplified)

God will not fail you.

Put your mouth in agreement with what God's Word says.

Be In Courage.

United with you in victory and strength,
Linda Michelle

Refresh Your "Press" !

2010-01-19T07:52:00.000-08:00

In thinking about the progress I have made (and the lack thereof) thus far on a project I'm working on, this thought came to me: Refresh your "press". I have been "pressing in", giving it my all , to stay focused and complete the tasks at hand and although I am making progress, I feel I should be a lot further ahead.

I had been experiencing more tiredness than usual and the amount of distractions and spiritual attacks have seem to increase on every side. Since quiting is not an option for me, I have prayed and cried out to God to show me what it is I am to do:

Refresh your press!

Just as with the computer, we press the refresh button to "begin anew" with what ever it is we are working on, we are to do the same regarding our mind, body and soul: REFRESH. To refresh here means to; "make cool, clean, or to dump": "To become revived; reinvigorate".

Let me encourage you to take time to "refresh" yourself; take a look at your schedule and see if you have added in time for fun. Make sure you have added proper time to "sleep" and stick to the schedule. Without a clear, functioning mind, the work you do will not be your best effort, causing re-writes and unnecessary "do-overs".

Simply think about the traffic light and apply the same principles to help you refresh:
RED = STOP and eat, have some balanced,"timed" fun, and sleep.

YELLOW = Slow Down and concentrate on one thing at a time. Focus your attention on what you are working on and stay calm, doing your very best and leaving the rest until the next appointed time. DUMP THE GUILT! Instead of beating yourself up for not having completed "that" or not having done it "this way", ask God to show you what you are to take away from the situation. Ask how you are to apply it to your life (your God-given purpose).

GREEN= GO! Keep moving forward. After your allotted time of rest and balanced fun get back into motion and keep flowing. Write out and review your time schedule and set your sail to stay on course until it is time to "dock" for the evening.

To press in, exerting steady weight or force against; to bear down; to apply steady force, is a good and necessary thing, in the appointed time and in the right manner.

Provers 24:5 tells us "A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength". The Message translation breaks it down in this way:
"It's better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day.
Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel."

Take this counsel today and take time to "refresh your press".

Be IN courage and go onward to your destiny!!

United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle

Words of Wisdom To Begin 2010

2010-01-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

Take this to heart and apply daily to your mind and your actions,
so that in 2010 you will definitely win!!

Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)

5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

Be IN Courage!

Linda Michelle

It's A New SEASON!! Happy New Year!!

2009-12-31T23:19:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! 2010! WOW! Ready or not, here it is.

I say, decree and declare, that we are ready, willing and fully surrendered to ALL that God has prepared for us to do, see, experience and receive. What do YOU say???

I say, decree and declare, that this is a NEW SEASON of greater grace experienced; greater faith manifested; greater wisdom conceived; greater wealth - in money and in mind! What do YOU say???

I say, decree and declare, that FULL purpose is manifested in all we are assigned to do, and we do it through the power of the Holy Spirit. What do YOU say???

Speak it: believe what you say, do what you believe and give thanks for what you see manifested because of it - even before you see it!

2010 SEASON:
S = stay grounded in the presence and peace of God's love
E = eat right, enjoy the moments, elevate your perspective and exam your past only to fortify your future.
A = applaud yourself for not quitting, after you raise from your knees praising God for the mercy and grace He empowered you with.
S = Stop and REST awhile. HEAR the VOICE of God speaking to your heart and OBEY.
O = OBEY! Observe; operate in wisdom!
N = NO compromise! Name the promise and prepare to receive it!

In Victory,
Be IN courage,

Linda Michelle

Birthday Card from my Mama

2009-12-29T22:01:00.000-08:00

I received a beautiful birthday card from my precious mama, which I was not able to read until I arrived home, 2 days after my birthday (being caught up in storms, cancellations and crowded airports). She gave birth to me one Christmas afternoon, not so very long ago :) She is (and my dad was) truly a precious gift to me; for they surrendered and allowed God to flow my life through their loins. For this I am truly grateful.

The experience of my 2009 birthday will forever be marked with the memory of me being stretched in my faith, growing and advancing into a new level of glory. For as much as my mama loves (and my daddy loved me before his passing), my Heavenly Father loves me even more. For as much as my mom wanted to help me get home for my birthday, she could not. Even if she had all the money in the world, possessed tremendous influence and power and had her own private jet plane, it still would have done no good, for airport operations were shut down because of the stormie weather. But God's grace was still in full operation throughout my entire 2 day ordeal! God's promises are true and His love is more intense than anything we can see or feel. He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you, regardless of the storm or situation you are in.

Always remember who you are: You are someones precious baby girl - all grown up now, but yet and still a beloved daughter. If your parents did not love you as you deserved or as was ordained, KNOW THAT YOU ARE STILL LOVED AND ADORED; A BELOVED DAUGHTER OF A LOVING FATHER WHOSE LOVE WILL NEVER FAIL. Read this wonderful poem by the anointed and gifted writer Emily Matthews and receive it as if it were sent directly to you, from your Abba Father. Know that it is not a coincidence that you are reading this. Know that it is not a coincidence that you have experienced all that you have. Know that you are being loved - supernaturally - at this very moment in time.

"If" for Daughters

-------------------------------------

If you can value truth
above approval,
and friendship over beauty,
wealth,or fame,
If you can share your gifts
and talents wisely,
leaving someone better off
than when you came...

If you find happiness
in simple pleasures
If you have faith to keep right on believing
in miracles that no one can explain,
If you look until you see the good in others
and keep your spirit honest, true, and free,
Then you'll be, not just happy and successful,
but the woman only you
were meant yo be.

If you could see
all the flowers in the world,
if you could hear
all the laughter in the universe,
if you could make all the dreams
that ever were wished come true,
then you would know
a little part of the joy
of having and loving
a daughter like you..

Emily Matthews

__________________

Be IN courage, my precious sister.

With love,

Linda Michelle

5 Special Gifts to Yourself: Gift 5 - Friday Dec 25 09

2009-12-25T03:03:00.000-08:00

Gift 5 - Simply Believe and Receive.
Rest in the promises of truth and love!

The Greatest Gift

Into this world Jesus came
Both man and God, one in the same
He came to earth so He could save
All of us sinners who couldn't be have
But He had to be strong and He had to be brave
Cause they whipped and beat Him worse than a slave
Then on the cross, His life he gave
But on the third day, He rose from the grave
He went to Heaven where he lives today
And if you believe these words I say
Then get on your knees and start to pray
Let Him in your heart to show you the way
If you confess your sin and start to believe
Then His free Gift of Life you shall receive
And then He will send His Spirit to you
To comfort your pain and guide you through
All the trials and troubles that come each day
Cause in your heart, forever he will stay
And when your life comes to it's end
Straight to Heaven your soul will ascend.

- By Michael J. Hatcher, Jr.

(This poem can be used for free as long as the name of the author is included and the author is
given credit. If the poem is published online, please include a link to this post.
http://freepoemsonline.blogspot.com/)

Be In Courage!
With love,
Linda Michelle

5 Special Gifts to Yourself: Gift 4 - Thursday 24 Dec 09

2009-12-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

Gift 4:
ALLOW YOURSELF TO RELAX AND TO BE UNIQUELY YOU.

A Creed to Live By

Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others,
It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don't set your goals by what other people deem important,
Only you know what is best for you.

Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart
Cling to that as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Don't give up when you still have something to give
Nothing is really over … until the moment you stop trying.

Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect,
It is the fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Don't be afraid to encounter risks,
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.

The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tightly,
And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don't dismiss your Dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope.
To be without hope is to be without purpose.

Don't run through life so fast that you forget where you've been,
But also know where you're going.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored every step of the way.

Author Unknown

Be IN Courage,
With love,
Linda Michelle

5 Special Gifts to Yourself: Gift 3 - Wednesday 23 Dec 09

2009-12-23T17:08:00.000-08:00

To an Extraordinary Person... YOU!!

Extraordinary people...

Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and they become more extraordinary because of it.

—Robertson Davies.

Be IN Courage!
With love,
Linda Michelle

5 Special Gifts to Yourself: Gift 2 - Tuesday 22 Dec.09

2009-12-23T04:11:00.000-08:00

Gift 2 is a reminder to yourself to DON'T QUIT!
You have come to far to turn back now!!!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

Be IN Courage!!
With love,
Linda Michelle

5 Special Gifts to Yourself: Gift 1 - Monday 21 Dec 09.

2009-12-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

During this week of Christmas, I want to offer you 5 special gifts; one for each day of this Holy week, leading up to and including Christmas Day. While you may be busy shopping for or making gifts for your loved one and friends, please take time and receive these special gifts to you. I am devoted, through my calling and service with Elegant Doves, to sharing love and encouragement. What better way to encourage you but to offer you a step by step gift of emotional healing from abortion. Post Abortion trauma is one of many repercussions of incest abuse for so many sisters of all color, creeds and nationalities. Accept and receive this very special gift of information and wisdom,(via the Elliot Institute), for yourself, and for those who love you.

Remember: The pain of understanding and healing is far less
than the pain of denial and despair.
----------------------------------------------------------------

After an Abortion: Steps Toward Healing

1. Recognize that the road to full recovery can take time and effort. While God is always near to you, sorting out your life and your feelings, overcoming the ever-present temptation to give in again to despair and doubt--these take time.

2. Recognize that it is normal and good to mourn the loss of a loved one. Just as mourning the loss of a parent or spouse takes time, so does mourning the loss of an aborted child. In the case of abortion, the mourning process is often cut short and never completed because of denial or feelings of guilt which block the mourning process. You must courageously allow the mourning process to get back on track. Accept your grief as normal rather than something which must covered up or pushed away. Recognize that the pain of your loss will fade as your healing progresses.

3. Recognize that you are not alone. Others have been through the same experience and the same trials. Their experiences and understanding can help you. They want to help you, just as you may want to help others after you have finished going through the healing process. Finding a post-abortion counselor or support group through our list of Post-Abortion Healing Resources may be very helpful to you.

4. Admit your personal responsibility but also recognize that others, too, were involved. Pray for God's forgiveness for both yourself and everyone else who either encouraged the abortion or failed to help you avoid the abortion.

5. Forgive yourself. God does not want you to live a lifetime in mourning. Your sin has been forgiven. You have been made new in Christ. Rejoice in the knowledge that one day you will be with your child in the arms of the Lord.

6. Forgive others. Recognize that they, too, acted out of ignorance, fear, or petty human selfishness. If possible, let them know that you forgive them. Forgive even the abortion providers.

7. Give your children over to the care of God, their Heavenly Father, and the true Parent of us all. Know that they are loved, happy, and well cared for. They, too, desire your joy and happiness. They miss you, but they do not resent or condemn you, because they live in the love and mercy of Christ. Do not try to hold onto them by prolonging your grief; hold onto them by sharing their happiness in heaven.

Copyright 1998 Elliot Institute

www.afterabortion.org
Be a partner in this work by making a donation today.

copyright 2000 Elliot Institute
Used with Permission
Elliot Institute,
PO Box 7348, Springfield, IL 62791-7348
"Additional material is posted at www.afterabortion.org"

Be IN Courage.
with love,
Linda Michelle

Be IN Courage!

2009-12-04T12:14:00.000-08:00

The most frequent command God gives us in Scripture is 'Do not be afraid.... Fear not.' The promise to which we hold fast is God’s promise to help us stand firm against fear, and to stand with us when we are powerless to avoid suffering, so that love—not fear—has the last word in our lives.

Rebecca Konyndyk Deyoung

The Movie "Precious"

2009-11-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

I recently saw the movie "Precious". The acting was some of the most intense and poignant I have witnessed in some time. Before I share my thoughts and feelings on this timely movie, I would like to hear from you. In light of our vision - To see women and teen girls healed from the emotional scars of incest abuse and abortion - I would especially like to hear from those women and teen girls who have experienced issues that were depicted in the movie.

Let me hear your comments. My hope is that, during our 2 weeks of gather and posting comments, something will be said to encourage or inspire others.

Be IN courage.

Volunteer Opportunity with Elegant Doves

2009-11-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

We are in need of volunteers who works well with Microsoft Word and can reformat in-house original documents. Writing and editing skills desired. Other volunteer positions needed are: Prayer Team Coordinator and dedicated Prayer team members; Researcher, Web designer, Fund Raiser and grant writer. Please email inquires to Linda Michelle Trainer - elegantlin@aol.com. A passionate for our vision is required.

Thank you for your time and interest.

Jesus Cares

2009-11-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

I came across this poem that has served to bless me over the years, at different times and stages in my life. I pray you will be blessed and encouraged by its message.

Jesus Cares

When your heart is heavy and burdened
and you can't see your way through,
while you're going through trials and testings
And you don't know what to do.
There's a friend above who watches
and He cares what happens to you;
This wonderful one is Jesus
And He will see you through.

He cares when your heart is troubled
And the tears come falling fast;
He will come and heal your broken heart
And make it a thing of the past.
When the battle seems too great to win
And hard the enemy's blast,
Remember the battle is not yours but the Lord's
And against Him Satan can't last.

So keep your eyes upon Jesus
And your troubles on Him roll,
He will fight your battles for you
And His love to you unfold.
He is a great and wonderful God
And His love as pure as gold;
Put your trust in Him today
And you will find rest for your soul.

By L.L. Lyle

Be IN courage!

Encouragement from Deborah's Story

2009-11-15T00:05:00.000-08:00

For Women that have experienced incest;

For Women who are married, who have experienced incest and marital abuse;

For Women who want to encourage other women who have experienced incest and marital abuse:

Go to:
http://www.rbc.org/radio-tv/words-to-live-by/2009/06/26/program.aspx

And Check out Deborah's story on RBC.org's "Words to Live By".

June 26, 2009 - Deborah's story

On left hand side of screen,
inside brown colored box titled: Inside Words to Live by (colored blue)
Click "Past Programs"

(screen will read: Filter Results By:
Date: 2009 with arrow - November with arrow (or current month) - Go

Click on the Calendar icon key and click on "June" and then click "go"

And then click on

June 26, 2009
Overcoming the scars of abuse – Deborah’s Story

Listen and hear the Holy Spirit speak to your heart, within and behind the words that are spoken and receive healing and encouragement.

Let me hear from you on how it encouraged you.

Be IN courage!

One Flaw In Women

2009-11-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

I received this poem via email from a dear sister-friend and I had to share it here. It is a great reminder of how POWERFULLY AWESOME YOU ARE my precious sister!

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry..

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Author Unknown

(End Quote)

Psalm 139:14 (The Message)

13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 138:1-3 (The Message)

1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: "Thank you!"
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.

Psalm 46:5 (New International Version)

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

Psalm 27:14 (Amplified Bible)
14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Be IN courage!

Healed and Whole - A Poem to Encourage You.

2009-11-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

HEALED AND WHOLE

One day I dug a little hole
And put my hurt inside,
I thought that I could just forget
I put it there to hide.
But that little hurt began to grow,
I covered it every day
I couldn't leave it and go on,
It seemed the price I had to pay.
My joy was gone, my heart was sad
Pain was all I knew.
My wounded soul enveloped me,
Loving seemed too hard to do.
One day while standing by my hole
I cried to God above
And said, "If You are really there--They say, You're a God of love!"
And just like that--He was right there
And just put His arms around me.
He wiped my tears, His hurting child
There was no safer place to be.
I told Him all about my hurt,
I opened up my heart,
He listened to each and every word,
To every sordid part.
I dug down deep and got my hurt
I brushed the dirt away
And placed it in the Master's hand
And healing came that day.
He took the blackness of my soul
And set my spirit free!
Something beautiful began to grow
Where the hurt used to be.
And when I look at what has grown
Out of my tears and pain
I remember every day to give my hurts to Him
And never bury them again!

Author Unknown

Be IN Courage!

Join us for our Incest Recovery Tele-Class

2009-10-10T00:54:00.000-07:00

Women of all ages, you are invited to join us for our
Incest Recovery Tele–Class via conference call line.

Our focus is “From Pain to Purpose", highlighting step by step, focused application of tools to heal the wounds of incest,

Shifting from Victim to Victory!
It is Restoration and Wholeness Tailored to You Experience.

WHEN: 19 October -7 December, 2009

(Monday evenings for 8 weeks)

9:30pm - 10:30pm (EST)

Tele-class will be facilitated by Linda Michelle Trainer, Founder and Director of Elegant Doves International, Inc. We will work from the book

“Overcoming the Victim Spirit: A Message of Hope”

by Arthur Burk.

Invest the time in your wholeness and healing:
Cost: One Time Donation of any Amount to Elegant Doves

Number of participants limited

Register Today to secure your space!

Register via Email at Elegantlin@aol.com

Telephone Conference Number provided at time of confirmed reservation
Elegant Doves International, Inc. (A 501(c)(3) non profit)
PO Box 420, Powder Springs, Georgia, 30127 (404) 681-6071

Think about this

2009-10-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

The only part of the Bible that works is the part that you believe.

Be IN courage!

A Quick Word of Encouragement from Linda Michelle

2009-09-22T10:41:00.001-07:00

Be encouraged today by this scripture from the Young's Literal Translation version of the Bible:

"Here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord's battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked."
1 Timothy 1:18-20 (YLT)

Do what you KNOW is right and you will get the right results; peace, strength and joy will always follow when all is said and done.

Be In courage, even the more!!

Blessings and love,
Linda Michelle

Shift your thinking UPward!

2009-09-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

In order to go up we must set our focus in the direction we are headed. Here are some "Words of wisdom", from various sources, that encourage the same message of Hope: Look UP and and go UP; move from the place of hopelessness into the center of Hope. If you are in the center of hope, advance into the swing of activation. If you are in the swing of activation, take hold of the manifestation of fullness and reap the rewards of your faith. Continue pressing onward and UpWard, towards your goals. Remember, Quitting is NOT an option!!

"Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings." (author unknown)

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt.

"....If we base our self-worth on the approval of others, then we are actually saying that our ability to please others is of greater value than Christ's payment. We are the sinners, the depraved, the wretched, and the helpless. He is the loving Father, the seeking, searching, patient Savior who has made atonement for the lost, and has extended to us His grace and sonship. We add nothing to our salvation. It is God who seeks us out, convicts us of sin, and reveals Himself to us. It is God who gives us the very faith with which to accept Him. Our faith is simply our response to what He has done for us."

"So than, our worth lies in the fact that Christ's blood has paid for our sins; therefore, we are reconciled to God. We are accepted on that basis alone, but does this great truth indicate that we don't need other people in our lives? On the contrary, God very often uses other believers to demonstrate His love and acceptance to us. The strength, comfort, encouragement, and love of Christians towards one another is a visible expression of God's love. However, our acceptance and worth are not dependant on other's acceptance of us, even if they are fellow believers. Whether they accept us or not, we are still deeply loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing, totally accepted, and complete in Christ. He alone is the final authority on our worth and acceptance."- Robert S. McGee, The Search for Significance.

"In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." - Isaiah 30:15

Be IN courage, even the more!!

What's The Good of Prayer?

2009-09-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

This is from one of my favorite devotions, "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers". It is from last week, but just as vital today.

Read, receive and be renewed with hope.

August 28th.

WHAT'S THE GOOD OF PRAYER?

"Lord, teach us to pray." Luke 11:1

It is not part of the life of a natural man to pray. We hear it said that a man will suffer in his life if he does not pray; I question it. What will suffer is the life of the Son of God in him, which is nourished not by food, but by prayer. When a man is born from above, the life of the Son of God is born in him, and he can either starve that life or nourish it. Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished. Our ordinary views of prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves; the Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself.

"Ask and ye shall receive." We grouse before God, we are apologetic or apathetic, but we ask very few things. Yet what a splendid audacity a childlike child has! Our Lord says - "Except ye become as little children." Ask, and God will do. Give Jesus Christ a chance, give Him elbow room, and no man will ever do this unless he is at his wits' end. When a man is at his wits' end it is not a cowardly thing to pray, it is the only way he can get into touch with Reality. Be yourself before God and present your problems, the things you know you have come to your wits' end over. As long as you are self-sufficient, you do not need to ask God for anything.

It is not so true that "prayer changes things" as that prayer changes me and I change things. God has so constituted things that prayer on the basis of Redemption alters the way in which a man looks at things. Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man's disposition.

Be IN Courage!

In Faith, with Courage, DON'T QUIT!!

2009-08-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

This past Friday I spent almost 12 hours in an airport in New York trying to get home, after working 8 hours. It was cold, crowded and I was beyond tired. I pushed back the tears as I asked God to help me understand why I was there and what He was doing and how it all added up to His ordained purpose for my life. I reminded Him of the scripture that says "with all you getting get understanding" so I wanted some "major understanding."

After all of those hours of working and waiting, I had to take a bus, train and another bus to my commuter apartment. Arriving about 1am I had to get up at 3am to catch a van back to the airport on Saturday morning. I stood by for 3 more nonstop flights on Delta, before I was led to go over to United, which meant a connection through Chicago and then to Atlanta.

Not only did I get the first flight I stood by for (New York to Chicago, having to seat on the Flight Attendant Jump seat, which meant no sleeping, but), I was fed like a queen and on the next flight from Chicago to Atlanta (which had 70 open seats!!!) I was blessed with a seat in first class, by the window and was able to sleep from the time the aircraft pushed back in Chicago until after it landed in Atlanta (at 4:30pm)!

Still trying to make sense of it all (having missed a Saturday class in Atlanta that I really wanted to attend), I praised God for getting me home. In putting my things away as I prepared to get off of the aircraft, I came across the Mustard Seed book marks we had made for the Prayer Walk last weekend (Matt 17:20 with an actual mustard seed glued on). I gave one to the Flight Attendant working first class, just as a way of encouragement. She was shocked, but really pleased and later said "I really needed that today."

I dug into my bag to pull more out to give to the other 2 Flight Attendants working in the back, but they passed by me before I had a chance to locate the other bookmarks in my bag. After finding the bookmarks, I instead gave them to the gate agents there in Atlanta, 4 women I had not seen in a long while. They too were surprised and before I knew it, one after the other gave me a big hug and said they really needed that today!!

I was encouraged by their encouragement! In stopping at the restroom in the terminal I felt led to share one of the book marks with the cleaning lady there. On my way out, as I handed it to her, she quickly looked at it and before I knew what was going on she had grabbed me by the neck, hugging me and said "Praise God, thank you so much! Praise God!!" That almost brought tears to my eyes as I saw her face light up at the reaction to God's word!

Sensing a pattern "assignment" here from God, I gave one to the 3 TSA security women standing at the door leading out to the baggage claim area and heard one say she was going to put it on her refrigerator. There was one of the 3 who did not seem too thrilled by it, as I noticed her reading the words, but, as I walked on my way, I continued to silently pray for God to bless her. I knew that a "seed" had been planted into her soul, literally, and it was only my responsibility to plant it as God led and He would take care of the rest.

I caught up with the crew that had brought me, standing at the Hotel Pickup area and was able to give the other 2 flight attendants a book mark. One shared at she had never seen anything like it and the other said when she was young she had a necklace with a mustard seed inside! I did too!!

As I sat quietly waiting for my van to take me to my car, I wondered if the entire reason for me not making it home on Friday was so that I could be used by God to plant "mustard seed" encouragement into the hands of those women I had come across. Especially the cleaning lady in the rest room. By her reaction you would have thought I had given her a million dollars, seriously. What ever the reason for the delay in me getting home, I praise God for every aspect my life: 1. For having a job and it being a job I enjoy; 2. For being called to a ministry that I can incorporate into any where in the World I am; 3 For being safe in the airport in New York on Friday, instead of up in the air in the midst of the storm, or sitting on a hot aircraft somewhere waiting for it to pass over before we could take off; 4. For being able blessed to see the Hand of God move in the big ways and in small ways too!! 5. And for being used of God in unique and interesting ways.

The sermon my Pastor taught on Sunday was right on target: "The Blessing of the Kingdom: Called to Blessing", based on 1 Peter 3:8-12. She taught, in part, that the trials we go through are often "test" to build our "faith muscles." Regardless of the test, we are to still have a good attitude and still obey God, knowing that His Word is true and He will never leave us, nor forsake us (my paraphrasing from the sermon). Even in persecution and hardship there is a way He wants us to act - in faith, with courage.

Regardless if your "persecution or hardship" is dealing with a major health or financial, or job related issue, or being "temporarily" stuck in a place you would rather not be, we must trust and believe God that "this too will pass" and that "God works ALL things together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His Purpose." (See Isaiah 43:1 -3 and Romans. 8:28). We are more than conquerors!! God has a plan for take every adversity and hardship we go through and bring good out of it, making us stronger, more mature and better prepared for the next level of promotion. We can trust God's trustworthiness! God has a good plan for you and for me and He has good thoughts toward us. "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you", says the Lord, "thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Jeremiah 29:11.

Hope is the breeding ground for miracles!!

Be IN Courage and DO NOT QUIT the good fight of faith! Remember, regardless of what you are going through, big or small, "weeping may endure for a night (season), but joy comes in the morning!"

Be IN Courage!!

Healing the Effects of Childhoold Sexual Abuse: Elegant Doves' Incest and Abortion Recovery & Prevention Assistance

2009-08-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

"Left turn only after complete stop". I read those words attached to a stop sign today. I was reminded of how often, especially when I am focused on getting to my destination, that I make only "rolling stops". A girlfriend of mine was recently given a ticket when stop in a residential area for only coming to a rolling stop at a stop sign. It was mid morning and there was hardly any traffic, except for the police officer on patrol. It seemed harmless, as she was on her way to a very important meeting, and she was running late. There was no one else in the area, so it seemed OK just to "pressing into" getting to her meeting on time. But she got stopped, pulled over, given a ticket and was still even later for her appointment.

Check this out:
Rolling Stop Law & Legal Definition
A rolling stop is a term used in traffic law to refer to when a vehicle fails to come to a complete stop. A complete stop is when there is no forward momentum and the needle on the speedometer is at 0. In a rolling stop, the car wheels are still in motion and the car is moving at less than 5 m.p.h. Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign is a traffic violation governed by state laws, which vary by state. The longer the stop, the more discernable it is to the naked eye, giving a motorist a better chance of avoiding a ticket.

Personal Application

When it comes to the repercussion of incest;(incest being defined as sexual abuse with a family member or someone close enough to be considered as family); and the scars of abortion, rolling stops can be lethal to the soul. I can personally speak of the confusion I experienced because of the pain of the incest that clouded my judgement in many areas. I know first hand of choices made from a wounded spirit, because of not taking time out to think about or rationally deal with the root issues of the things I was facing. I justified many of my actions by keeping "busy". It hurt too bad to think about the pain of the incest abuse my uncle caused me and what it had done to my self-esteem. Later in life, as a repercussion of the scars (effects)of the incest abuse, I could not (did not want to) take time out to deal with the thoughts of what it really meant to have given my baby (babies)"up"; to admit that what I had done was to end the cycle of their lives, which really is the same as murder. A malicious act on my part? Malicious being defined as "Having the nature of or resulting from malice; deliberately harmful; spiteful". No! And yet the results were the same; hidden, undealt with guilt and shame. The painful thoughts of "what could have been" not being addressed.

Was my girlfriend aiming to violate the traffic laws and score a ticket? of course not. But her actions brought the ticket forth just the same. Her rolling stop, not taking time to cease her forward momentum for even a friction of a minute, resulted in her having to pay money she would have much preferred to spend else where.

Be IN Courage!

This article is written to encourage you to come to a full and complete STOP and take a few minutes out to really think about and consider the things that you have buried alive, deep inside of you. Anything buried produces some type of growth, if not properly processed to remain underground. The burial of a loved one after passing is done so in a casket, after the proper processing of the deceased body. A bad memory or a negative reaction to a hurt or neglected pain, not properly processed, tends to resurface, often at inappropriate times, in unexplainable ways; depression, crying spells, eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety, anger, confusion, despair, loneliness, unable to forget, regret, hopelessness, or grief. I truly believe that "The pain of understanding and healing is far less than the pain of denial and despair".

There is hope!

RESTORE!!! EMPOWER!!! PREVENT!!!

RESTORE!!!

Restore the hope of someone lost in the confusion of the pain of sexual abuse by sharing the positiveness of what you have learned from your experience along with the following resources.

RESOURCES

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children =
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PublicHomeServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US

Survivors Of Incest Anonymous=
http://www.siawso.org/

Childhelp USA The National Children's Alliance Hopehouse=
http://www.hopehousemaine.com/

Hotlines:

Suicide Hotline: 1.800.SUICIDE
All States' Reporting: 1.800.FYI.3366
National Survivors of Domestic Violence: 1.800.799.SAFE
National Family Violence: 1.800.222.2000
Incest Awareness Foundation: 1.888.547.3222
Incest Hotline: 1.212.227.3000
Incest Survivors Anonymous: 1.800.386.5599
Child Abuse Childhelp: 1.800.422.4453
Youth Crisis Hotline: 1.800.448.4663
Child Sexual Abuse Stop It Now: 1.888.773.8368
Family Violence National Domestic Violence: 1.800.799.7233
Piedmont Women's Center 24 Hour Hopeline - 1. 864.233.3823

Also, be informed about where sex offenders live by contacting FAMILY WATCHDOG
http://www.familywatchdog.us/
(note: you can put the name of your street (with or without adding your house number) and it will bring the information up).

EMPOWER!!!

Empower yourself by renewing your strength in every area of your life: Physically, Spiritually, Mentally and Financially. Take the time for your yearly medical and dental check-up and mammogram.

Take quality time EVERYDAY to get quiet in God's presence to hear His voice. Yes, remember to pray, but just as vital, take time to really hear His voice. Open your Bible and hear what the Holy Spirit is saying as you read the Scriptures.

Take time to study and just as important, take time to laugh and have fun. BALANCE is the key. Take the Motivation DNA test at http://www.getmotivatedbook.com/Test.aspx, to find personal strategies on overcoming any obstacles, achieve any goal and accelerate your success with Motivation DNA. It's free and you will get immediate results (with no strings or obligation attached).

Take time to review your current financial situation. If stressed by overwhelming challenges, process through it. Go and get wise counsel on how to make the needed adjustments to take you forward to your desired goals. OPEN AND READ YOUR MAIL even if you are challenged by your budget. TALK TO YOUR CREDITORS. YOU ARE IN CONTROL! YOU ARE have rights and regardless of the status, you are due respect. You give what you get, so be respectful, and YOU control the peaceful flow of the conversations.

Join us for our quarterly Celebrate You! Celebration Workshop, a support meeting style workshop. The next workshop will be held in October. Stay tuned for date and location.

Our Annual Annihilating Incest Conference will equip you with information and tools that will help you stop the generational cycles of this senseless crime. Join us in November for this empowering event.

Take TIME FOR YOU! and retreat with us, as we join: 1) True Identity Retreat, October 2-4, 2009 in Cleveland, Georgia (Contact http://www.trueidentityministries.org/ or call 770.865.3655. 2) Balancing Life's Demands Women's Retreat in Callaway Garden, October 16-18, 2009. (Contact http://www.mylonn.com/ or call 770. 945.1736 for more information and call 404-681-6071 only to register with the discount offered to Elegant Doves participants).

Take part in our 8 week Incest Recovery Tele-class beginning every Monday evening from October 19, 2009 through December 7, 2009, from 8:30pm -10:00pm. This is a step by step focus, with personal application of tools to heal the wounds of incest and childhood sexual abuse.

PREVENT!!!

Equip yourself with knowledge! Allow us to share the 7 Steps to Protect Our Children through the Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children Training. It is a must for every one of us on the planet. We, as the adults, are responsible for keeping our children safe. (call 404- 681-6071 or email me for more information - elegantlin@aol.com)

Allow us to help you with Abortion Recovery Assistance, processing through the wounds of post abortion healing through our 12 week Bible Study or our condensed 4 day weekend retreat. Email me for more information.

YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR!! You have the power to heal. Tap into your power of choice to live life more abundantly - healed and in wholeness, turning your scars into stars.

Celebrate You! and Be IN Courage.

JOIN US FOR OUR PRAYER WALK AUGUST 15, 2009

2009-08-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

You are invited to join us for a one hour PRAY WALK of unified prayer for Elegant Doves International, Saturday morning, August 15, 2009 from 8:00am -9:30am (Rain or Shine) at the Mud Creek Soccer Complex, 5600 Ernest Barrett Parkway, Powder Springs, 30127.

One hour of intense, concentrated, focused prayer for strategies to meet all the overall needs of Elegant Doves; binding the spirit of incest, sexual abuse and abortion across our city, nation and around the globe; lifting up similar ministries and organizations.

Informal (come as you are), unified in purpose, walking the track in groups of 2 or 3's, standing on God's Word.

For more information, email Linda Michelle Trainer @ elegantlin@aol.com

Inspiration from original Steams in the Desert Volume 1

2009-08-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

I still remember the day I was in an old book store in Limerick, Ireland and picked up a new copy of "Streams in the Desert" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. I could hardly believe my eyes. My mom had first introduced me to this inspiring devotional book years earlier, and here I was, working for American Trans Air as a Flight Attendant, on layover near Shannon, Ireland, in a tiny, store-front book store, holding a book that had helped me to understand God on a personal level when I could not make sense of of anything in my young teen life. Out side it was a cold, gray and overcast day, but with the greenest green grass and foliage I had ever seen. Inside that "doll house" size book store, it seemed the sun rose to shine as if in the middle of an August afternoon in the deep south; bright,joyous and sho-nuff real heat!

As I held a copy of the devotional book my mom had allowed me to read on many occasion as I was growing up and going through the hard places in my life (which she did not even know of); the book that peeled back the truth of God's tender love and mercy in ways that I had never understood, I was amazed. I felt a fresh confirmation that the God I had often put on hold, was indeed "sho-nuff real"! I remember pushing back tears as I read words that comforted and encouraged my soul that afternoon in the same way they had before, with the same intensity and the same warmth and power. I have cherished that book ever since; worn,tearing at the seams and taped up, but remaining powerfully anointed and packed with inspiration and encouragement which is truly from God Himself, touching the deep places in my soul with hope and assurance.

Today I came across a selection that I pray and trust will encourage you, as you continue to press through all that life hurls at you. Take comfort that God's Word is the "sword of the Spirit" which can cut through to the core of any challenge, bringing peace and joy back to replace the places of fear and sadness in your life.

Be IN Courage as you read these awe inspiring words. Stand up and DON'T QUIT!

Streams in the Desert - Volume 1 - complied by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

August 8

Thou art my king, O God: Command deliverance (victories, margin) for Jacob. (Psalms 44:4 RV)

There is no foe to your growth in grace, no enemy in your Christian work, which was not included in your Savior's conquests.

You need not be afraid of them. When your touch them, they will flee before you. God has promised to deliver them up before you. Only be strong and very courageous! Fear not, or be dismayed! The Lord is with you. O mighty men of valor - mighty because you are one with the Mightiest. Claim victory!

Whenever your enemies close in upon you, claim victory! Whenever heart and flesh fail, look up and claim VICTORY!

Be sure that you have a share in that triumph which Jesus won, not for Himself alone, but for us all; remember that you were in Him when He won it, and claim victory!

Reckon that it is your, and gather spoils. Neither the Anakim nor fenced cities need daunt or abash you. You are one of the conquering legion. Claim your share in the Savior's victory.

From Joshua, by Meyer

We are children of the King. In which way do we most honor our divine Sovereign, by failing to claim our rights and even doubting whether they belong to us, or by asserting our privilege as children of the Royal Family and demanding the rights which belong to our heirship?"

(end quote)

Be IN courage!

A David Psalm

2009-07-31T15:50:00.000-07:00

1. GOD, my Shepherd! I don't need a thing.

2. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.

3. True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

4. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when You walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.

5. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

6. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life.

(Author Unknown)

Be IN courage.

Set Apart

2009-07-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

From:
Streams in the Desert - July 15

"He went up into a mountain apart" (Matt. 14:23).

One of the blessings of the old-time Sabbath was its calm, its restfulness, its holy peace. There is a strange strength conceived in solitude. Crows go in flocks and wolves in packs, but the lion and the eagle are solitaires.

Strength is not in bluster and noise. Strength is in quietness. The lake must be calm if the heavens are to be reflected on its surface. Our Lord loved the people, but how often we read of His going away from them for a brief season. He tried every little while to withdraw from the crowd. He was always stealing away at evening to the hills. Most of His ministry was carried on in the towns and cities by the seashore, but He loved the hills the best, and oftentimes when night fell He would plunge into their peaceful depths.

The one thing needed above all others today is that we shall go apart with our Lord, and sit at His feet in the sacred privacy of His blessed presence. Oh, for the lost art of meditation! Oh, for the culture of the secret place! Oh, for the
tonic of waiting upon God! --Selected

"It is well to live in the valley sweet,
Where the work of the world is done,
Where the reapers sing in the fields of wheat,
As they toil till the set of sun.
But beyond the meadows, the hills I see
Where the noises of traffic cease,
And I follow a Voice that calleth to me
From the hilltop regions of peace.

"Aye, to live is sweet in the valley fair,
And to toil till the set of sun;
But my spirit yearns for the hilltop's air
When the day and its work are done.
For a Presence breathes o'er the silent hills,
And its sweetness is living yet;
The same deep calm all the hillside fills,
As breathed over Olivet."

"Every life that would be strong must have its Holy of Holies into which only God enters."

Be IN Courage

Just A Minute

2009-07-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

I have just a minute with sixty seconds in it,
Forced upon me, can't refuse it.
Didn't seek it. didn't choose it,
But, it's up to me to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it,
Give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny, little minute...
But, eternity is in it.

- Source Unknown

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."
- Psalm 56:3

Be IN Courage!!

Keep Driving

2009-06-29T04:51:00.000-07:00

I received the following in an email from a friend. I pray and trust it will inspire and encourage you to continue to keep "driving" your faith through every area of your life.

Be IN courage!

One day a young lady was driving along with her father. They came upon a storm. The young lady asked her father what should she do, he said "keep driving". Cars began to pull over to the side, the storm was getting worse. "What should I do?" the young lady asked, "keep driving", her father replied.

On up a few feet she noticed eighteen wheelers were pulling over also. She told her dad, "I must pull over, I can barely see ahead. It is terrible out here, everyone is pulling over." Her father told her not to give up, "just keep driving".

Now the storm was terrible but she never stopped driving and soon she could see a little clearer. After a couple of miles she was on dry land and the sun was out. Her father said "now pull over and get out". She said "but why now?" He said "get out and look back at all the people who gave up and are still in the storm. You never gave up and now your storm is over."

This was a testimony for anyone that is going through something. Just because everyone else, even the ones that appear to be the biggest and strongest give up, you don't have to, because if you keep going on, up ahead your storm will soon be over and the sun will shine upon your face again.

Word to the Wise

2009-06-14T00:40:00.000-07:00

"Do not let your conscience get a callous". Be sensitive. "Feel" your life and live it in living color; accepting responsibility for your actions, being aware of your thoughts and hearing your own words, before they leave your mouth. Be present in the moment, focused on your destiny.

Be In courage!

Action Plan

2009-06-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

"Don't worry about anything ~ instead, pray about everything.
Tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers."
Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Be IN courage!

Something Beautiful

2009-05-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

Life isn't always easy or fair, but it is within our power to choose our reaction towards each and every situation. Look for something beautiful inside of it.

It is very easy to become discouraged and confused when the pressures of life are screaming louder than reason. But You are in control of YOU!! You have the power to give in under the weight of the situation, or to fight back with all of your might (the power that works within in - Ephesians 6:10), standing tall doing the very best you can, and releasing whatever remains to the power of God who does perfect it all.

Look for the beauty in the moment. This is not to diminish the reality of what is happening, but it is to enhance the clarity of the full picture. Even in rain storms flowers are being watered and nourished. Look for the beauty within your situation, for there is something beautiful there, if even hiding underneath the "rock". Lift the rock as you "lift your eyes to the place where your help comes from" (Psalms 121:1)and witness something beautiful in your life today!! Take a look in the mirror to behold something truly beautiful - a one of a kind masterpiece, the workmanship of God Almighty = YOU!! Simply Beautiful!

Be IN Courage!

STONE

2009-05-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT. DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE. THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING WROTE IN THE SAND, "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE".

THEY KEPT ON WALKING UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH. THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM. AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING HE WROTE ON A STONE, "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE".

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY"? THE FRIEND REPLIED, "WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY. BUT WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT".

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

(author unknown)

Be IN courage!

Don't Quit

2009-05-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
and you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don't quit.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be nearer when it seems afar.
So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.
~ Author Unknown ~

Be IN courage!

Fear = False Evidence Appearing Real

2009-05-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

The greatest barrier to success is
the fear of failure.
Sven Goran Erikkson

Be IN Courage

Courage

2009-05-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

Courage is the ability to face
danger or difficult situations in life.
A courageous person overcomes
challenges and hardships despite
being fearful. Courage gives us
strength to accomplish tasks and
help us do the right thing even if
we are scared or frightened.

(Author Unknown)

Be IN Courage!!!

Hope Refreshed

2009-05-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." - Psalm 147:10-11

One thing God does not need is our skills and abilities. However, He does give us the privilege to exercise our gifts and abilities for His service. That service may be as a computer technician, a secretary, an ironworker, or even a lawyer. God calls each of us to our vocations to work unto Him. To believe that He needs our skills to accomplish His mission on earth would be to lower our understanding of an all-encompassing and all-powerful God.

The psalmist tells us that His pleasure is not in our strength and ability, but His pleasure is in the attitude of the heart. It is what we find in the heart that helps determine whether ability is translated into availability.

You see God is looking to and fro throughout the earth for a man or woman who is fully committed to Him. A man or woman who is committed to fearing the Lord and placing his hope in His unfailing love is the person God seeks to support. "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him" (2 Chron. 16:9a).

When our agenda becomes His agenda, we can expect God to fully support all that we do.

(This is an excerpt from Os Hillman's Today God Is First Devotion ( 2 May 09/Volume 1 - Ability Verus Availibility - www.TodayGodisFirst.com)

Be In Courage

The Mountain and the Fog

2009-05-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

When I first arrived, I could see a mountain from my hotel window overlooking the San Francisco Bay. As I laid across my bed, processing some stress I was experiencing, I thanked God for allowing me to have this particular room, with this particular view. It reminded me to "...Look to the hills from where my help comes from." The verse actually says, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1)

I knew it was not a coincidence that I was assigned this exact room, with this exact view. I was just here yesterday and many other times over the last few months, and had never been assigned a room on this floor, let alone with this view.

I dozed off for a short nap and when I opened my eyes, I was amazed to see the mountain gone! "It was just there. Where could it have gone to?" Once fully awake, I realized that even though I could not see it, the mountain was still there. It was just on the other side of the fog that had rolled in. I couldn't even see the "fog", for it looked to me just like an overcast day, but I knew the "cast" was caused my the low flowing clouds which formed the fog. Even though I could not "see" the fog I knew it was there. Even though I could no longer "see" the mountain, I knew it was still there.

Even though I could not "see" the answer to how the challenges facing me were to be worked out, I know they already are, and I know the answer is there and will be revealed to me; It is just on the other side of the "fog of anxious thoughts trying to grip my emotions,". I knew the answer is laying in my prayers, trust and hope in the One who has moved "mountains" in my life before. Just like not being able to SEE the mountain behind the fog, but knowing it is still there, even though I don't SEE the answer, I know God is still here - perfecting ALL that concerns me, having "supplied all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). The passage I am reminded of here actually states:

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your Hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right Hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the works of Your Hand." Psalm 138:7-8.

I can rest knowing "this too shall pass" and I can be sure that the "Sun will come out tomorrow", and my hope and trust and faith will produce a "mountain of blessings" for me, based on another passage I have seen manifest in my life before:

"So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, "If you have faith as a mustard see, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

Hold fast to your hope. Don't let go of your faith. Be IN Courage and know that "weeping may endure for the night, but joy.." (and the sun which burns away the fog) "...will come in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

Be In Courage

Forgiveness

2009-04-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness is a journey of the heart. We don't reach our destination in one giant stride, by somehow willing ourselves there. Rather, we make a humble beginning, setting the compass of our soul in the direction of forgiveness.

We don't forgive in order to be generous to the person who offended us. We don't forgive because it's the "right" thing to do. We forgive in order to set things right within our own heart. Holding a grudge holds us prisoner to the past. Forgiveness frees us to accept the injustices of life and then move on.

From "Finding the Serenity of Acceptance by Lisa O. Engelhardt

God with you

2009-04-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was was privileged to witness an often unrecognized portion of God's love. The first was in an emergency room, visiting a friend. In the bed next to her, behind the curtain, I was drawn by the sound of tears. While my friend was taken briefly out of the room, I gently stepped around the curtain to ask if I could offer a hug. My offer was welcomed. As I bent down to embrace the most beautiful sister, she grabbed my neck and said, "I just lost my baby".

The shock and saddness flung open the flood gates of my own tears. She touched a familiar place in my heart. From the place which has been healed and is now whole inside of me, I asked her if I could pray with her and she again graciously accepted. We both felt the presence of God and His healing love envelope us.

A short while later, I could hear from my friend's side of the curtain, a doctor saying that although the bleeding had occured and no heart beat was detected, they had to presume the baby "demised", but recommended another ultrasound in 1 week, since it is at 8 weeks that a heart beat is usually detected. This sister's baby was only 7 weeks old. Just before she was released to go home, she asked me to pray with her again, because she had " a tiny bit of hope". I reminded her that God is the God of the impossible and His Word said that He can do a big things with tiny mustard seed faith. I prayed that whatever His plan, that He would give my beautiful sister the courage, strength and peace to trust Him and experience His love in a very personal way.

Later that evening, I recieved an update about another sister, across the country, who we had been praying for, her baby being in distress as they worked to stabilize and keep the baby in the womb to develope more. The email stated that this sister had delivered a beautiful baby boy who was now with our Father in Heaven. The mom was "stable" but continued prayer for she and her husband are desired.

What do you say in situations like these? How are you suppose to feel?

The answer is: You are suppose to feel what you feel. You are suppose to say what you know. If you hurt - cry. If you are angry - say so. And then climb or crawl, if you must, back to the center of your foundation, remembering what it is that you know, that you know, that you know... God is with you, regardless.. no matter the circumstances or the situation. His Word is true and His love is proven.

Be encourged by this piece I just discovered by an anointed sister:

GOD WITH YOU

As surely as you are alive,

God is with you

- right here, right now.

Your heart beats

with the pulse of Love.

Your spirit moves

with the breath of Life.

You need never be afraid, then,

of the depths of despair.

If you go over the edge,

you land in the waiting arms of Love.

God will catch you and bind your wounds,

singing to you all the while

a lullaby of love.

by Lisa O. Engelhardt

from the book "Finding the Serenity of Acceptance".

One Caring Place

Abbey Press

ISBN 0-87029-277-3

Be In Courage!!

Laugh Out Loud

2009-04-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

The more intense the challenge,

The more intense the need for laughter.

Laugh.... and then Laugh some more.

Need inspiration: go look in the mirror!

LOL!!!!

Be in Courage!

Wit's End Corner

2009-03-29T03:47:00.000-07:00

'At their wit's end, then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out. " (Psalm 107:27-28)

"Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"

Christian, with troubled brow?

Are you thinking of what is before you,

and all you are bearing now?

Does all the world seem against you,

And you in the battle alone?

Remember-at 'Wit's End Corner"

is just where God's power is shown.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner,"

Blinded with wearying pain,

Feeling you cannot endure it,

You cannot bear the stain,

Bruised through the constant suffering,

Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?

Remember-at "Wit's End Corner"

is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"?

Your work before you spread,

All laying begun, unfinished,

And pressing on heart and head,

Longing for strength to do it,

Stretching out trembled hands?

Remember-at "Wit's End Corner"

The Burden-bearer stands.

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"?

Then you're just in the very spot

To learn the wondrous resources

Of Him who faileth not:

No doubt to a brighter pathway

Your footsteps will soon be moved,

But only at "Wit's End Corner"

Is the "God who is able" proved.

(by Antoinette Wilson)

(From Streams in the Desert by Mrs.Charles Cowman)

Be In Courage!

No Signal

2009-03-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

"No Signal" is what displayed on the TV in my hotel room yesterday. None of the channels, except the "Welcome to the Marriott - stay in your room and enjoy movies that in now in theaters" channel.

I didn't want to watch, and although the TV, this time, was not keeping me from any work I should have been doing, I knew that I should have been headed to bed and rest my body.

I forced the issue! After acknowledging the spiritual application, (No Signal: helping me to stay focused and away from the distraction of the TV) I put the remote down, but after a few minutes I picked it back up again, wondering why I wasn't getting a signal!!!
Was it just my room because it was situated in a corner portion of the hotel, or was it the entire floor not getting a signal???

God, being gracious, not to force any issue, but allowing free choice, gave me the "greatest" desire of my heart in that moment - to solve the "no signal" mystery. With the next click of the remote the channels appeared. The signal was restored.

But I wasn't!!

After catching a small portion of the nightly news about the tornadoes in one part of the country and snow and flooding in another part; passing by informericals and an empty 30 minute sitcom which I thought would make me laugh, I realized that it, that hour I had just spent, was as if I had just eaten something with empty calories and no nutritional value.

Picking up the signal was evidence that "no signal": silence and rest, was the best thing for me and my body at that time. It was the "recommended program"of the Holy Spirit.

I surrendered my will, turned off the TV, drew the drapes closed (because it was still light outside, and relatively early) and I went to sleep. I am rested enough to receive this message and to register it within my "data bank" and to share it as encouragement herein on this new morning.

Remember: "No signal" is a "signal". Take heed; REST.

"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith.

Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give

yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere

hearsay that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out.

Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up.

Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and

peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace."

2 Cor 13 (The Message)

Be In Courage!!

Food for thought

2009-03-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

I came across this today, by Os Hillman. It caught my attention and added "fuel" to my faith. I trust it will do the same for you.

"..... "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (Ps. 23:5a).

"The battle you are in will soon become a meal for you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually. Only God's peace will quell your fleshly reactions in battle. The source of God's peace is God Himself. If fear has been knocking at your door, begin to face that fear with God's peace. It is God's secret weapon to destroy fear. "

Tea Time - Something to make you smile

2009-03-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

In preparation for our upcoming Celebrate You! Celebration Workshop's "A Cup of Encouragement - TEA", I found this email sent to me to be cute. An example of the quick wisdom of a Mom, and the innocence of love - a child's and a dad's.

Note: our tea will be authentic. ENJOY!

Tea Time
=========

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me and
my brother, who is four years older than I am. I was maybe one
and a half years old and had just recovered from an accident
in which my arm had been broken, among other injuries. Someone
had given me a little tea set as a get-well gift, and it was
one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news and
my brother was playing nearby in the living room when I
brought Daddy a little cup of "tea," which was just water.
After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy
tea, my mom came home. My dad made her wait in the living room
to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was "just the
cutest thing!"

My mom waited, and sure enough, here I came down the hall with
a cup of tea for Daddy and she watched him drink it up.
She then asked, "Did it ever occur to you that the only place
that baby can reach to get water is the toilet?"

"A merry heart does good, like medicine..." Proverbs 17:22

Jesus Cares

2009-03-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

This is a favorite poem of mine. Be encouraged as you read it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jesus Cares

When your heart is heavy and burdened

And you can't see your way through,

While you're going through trials and testings,

And you don't know what to do.

There's a friend above who watches

And He cares what happens to you;

This wonderful one is Jesus

And He will see you through.

He cares when your heart is troubled

And the tears come falling fast;

He will come and heal your broken heart

And make it a thing of the past.

When the battle seems too great to win

And hard the enemy's blast,

Remember the battle is not yours but the Lord's

And against Him Satan can't last.

So keep your eyes upon Jesus

And your troubles on Him roll;

He will fight your battles for you

And His love to you unfold.

He is a great and wonderful God

And His love as pure as gold;

Put your trust in Him today

And you will find rest for your soul.

(L. L. Lyle)

~~~~~~~~~~

Be IN Courage.

Rest

2009-03-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

"For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."Isaiah 30:15

A few weeks ago I took part in a 4 hour Sabbath Rest Silent Retreat, sponsored by Atlanta Community Ministries and hosted by Becky. This was my second experience and it was again, life enhancing.We were led into to write on a rock that which we desired to get from God's presence during our time of silence. I was led to write "Resting on your promises." The rock was meant to be carried with us and used as a reminder, a point of reference to bring our mind back if it started to wander from that place of rest in God's presence.

My body was so very tired and I was so looking forward to this time of relaxing and just "being" in a beautiful, safe surrounding. I was determined to head to see the waterfall that I could not find during my first visit. When I got turned around in the directions, even with the map in my hands, I knew that I was tired and remembered that I was in God's presence; He knew what I desired and what I needed the most. I surrendered my will and headed in the direction in front of me.

I ended up at the edge of a gentle river, with an empty bench, right in front of the water. God knows how much I love water and I felt this was His gift to me for this afternoon. I let me sore body sink into the bench and I drank in the beauty of the moment. I was prompted to put my feet up and really relax. As I did, I put my backpack in one corner of the bench and my feet over the railing of the other side. I laid my head down on my backpack after a while and just totally and completed allowed my body to "relax."

After just a few minutes of just laying there, my mind did start to wander: "I had to leave the retreat, pick my husband up from work and then have him drop me off at the airport (because his car was in the shop) - it would be rush hour by the time I pick him up! I had fly to New York and work a trip to somewhere on the west coast -where was I going tomorrow anyway - San Fran or LA?"

SHUT THE NOISE, LINDA MICHELLE! is what I told myself!!

I held my rock tighter in my hand and began concentrating on what I desired from God during that time - "Resting on His Promises." As I corralled my thoughts back to a place of peace, I asked, "OK God, what does it mean to rest on your promises anyway? What are your promises?" The thought rose in my spirit, "OK, your promises are Your Word. Your Word is scriptures in the Bible."

And just as gently as the water was flowing in the sun on that river, the sense of the Holy Spirit rose in my spirit - "what are you doing right now, Linda Michelle? I said inside of myself, "I'm laying my head on my backpack, resting." And I then heard "What is inside of your backpack that you are resting your head on?"

Tears started flowing down my face as I suddenly realized that I was resting my head on my Bible - God's Promises - literally!! The stress and tiredness and joy and thanksgiving for the revelation mixed in with my tears. I was learning, yet again, how to "Rest On God's Promises" - literally and spiritually.

My body melted into a comforting nap, right there beside that gentle river. More revelation came to me when I woke - ".. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads my besides the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake...."

On my way back to the main building, God led me right past the waterfall I wanted to see!!! And I was even able to take another short nap on another bench overlooking it!! How awe-inspiring is that?? How much of God's love is that???

I encourage you to take time to rest on God's promises. Whatever you may be going through right now, He has a promise that will meet that need. I also encourage you to take part in the next Sabbath Rest Silent Retreat. Contact Becky of Sabbath Rest Silent Retreats, at http://sabbath-rest.com/default.aspx. "A time to rest, pray, and listen for God." You will experience for yourself this precious time of renewal and revelation.

Read something that Joyce Meyer wrote that fits here too:

"If you are troubled and upset, worried and worn out about all the changes that need to be made in you, why not enter the rest of God? Struggling won't change you - neither will frustration or worry. The more you rest in God, the faster you will see change. If the canvas struggled under the artist's paint brush, the painting would never get finished. The canvas is perfectly still, totally submitted to the artist's wisdom and creativity. That is exactly the way we must be with God. He knows what He is doing and how to do it. We should believe in Him and enter His rest."

(Joyce Meyer - New Day New You!)

Rest now.

Be In Courage.

A Word of Encouragement

2009-03-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Do more than exist - live.

Do more than touch - feel.

Do more than look - observe.

Do more than read - absorb.

Do more than hear - listen.

Do more than listen - understand.

John H. Rhoades

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Linda Michelle:

Do more than pray - believe to receive.

Do more than trust - prepare to see.

Do more than love - allow yourself to be loved.

Do more than believe - position yourself with expectation, and step into the fullness of the blessing.

"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you", says the Lord, "thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome."

Jeremiah 29:11 (amplified version)

Be In Courage.

Be Open to Surprises

2009-03-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

"Accept surprises that upset your plans, shatter your dreams, give a completely different turn to your day, and who knows? - to your life. Leave the Father free Himself to weave the pattern of your days."
Dom Helder Camara

"You never know what a day will bring forth. You might receive good news in the mail. You might read a heart-stopping headline that turns your world upside down. You might get a call from a friend inviting you to a party. You might have a call from a family member about an emergency.

Life is unpredictable. Be open to surprises, for they can be the catalyst for your soul's growth. Good or bad, each experience offers lessons to be learned. Your openness makes it easier for God to work in your life. Have faith that surprises are opportunities for God to do something extraordinary for you."

"Take a walk in unfamiliar territory - a different neighborhood, street or park - and look for surprises and interesting sights."
(From 101 ways to Give Your Soul a Lift.
By Candy Paul - ISBN - 1-40372-014-2)

Be In Courage.

United with you in strength and victory,

Linda Michelle