A Question

I have a question now for about anybody. It certainly gets their attention and makes them think. I didn't think it up or plan it either so I'm giving the Lord credit for putting it in my mind. It's one you want to answer yourself and then you can easily use it for others. Want to know what it is? It is simply six words, "what is your purpose in life?"

Today I was at my doctors office and I asked him that question. It certainly got his attention. He stopped what he was doing, looked at me, and said, "That's a great question. I like that. My purpose is to help people and enable them to have a good life. I know I can do this because the Lord has placed me here. I also want to live a good life and be a good father to my children. Yes, that's my purpose and I want to do what the Lord has in store for me." He went on to say nobody had ever asked him that question before.

So now I am asking YOU that question. What is your purpose in life? so you have fifty or twenty years ahead, what do you want to do during that time? Get your pen and paper and write it down. You can't start this any younger and you do have a future ahead. Make it worthy. Be a blessing. See what you can do with the Lord's help and guidance. Why not? You only travel this road once and this is your time. He did tell us in Jeremiah 29:11 "I have my plans for you,..." and in Isaiah 31:21 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'"

Okay, what is your purpose in life?

How Is Your Heart?

Every one of us wants a healthy heart. Sure, Lord, keep it pumping. Mine seems to be in good shape. It keeps me going. Actually it pumped enough that I walked ninety miles in August. That was my goal and my heart helped me make it. I'm already at forty-five miles for September. Not bad, huh, considering my age.

We all have a spiritual heart too. Our spiritual heart is there to keep pumping and producing for the Kingdom of God. It pumps to make us melt. Actually melt for the people we see everyday. Melt with compassion for those people we come in contact with that don't know who Jesus really is. Jesus saw the multitudes and had compassion on them. So what is compassion? I think it is melting, caring enough that it troubles us, that we want to do something about it. It even makes us search for ways to show compassion. Yes, that we care enough to start a relationship so they can talk to us about their needs...that they will know they have a friend that cares and will know how to pray for them.

Why did they get in our line of vision anyway? The same reason the invalid got in Jesus' vision at the pool of Bethesda. The same reason the Samaritan woman did at the well. The same reason Nicodemus did in Jerusalem. Jesus saw, he had compassion, and he cared enough that their life changed. Hum... Is this what Jesus meant when he told his disciples to go and do likewise?

I keep reminding myself that I don't have to be successful but I do have to be obedient. I can plant the seed but I can't make the tree grow. Okay Lord, I'll look today asking to see people through your eyes and reach out to them as you would if you were walking beside me. I'll do my best to do my part, to be obedient. And Lord, you make this success. I sure am glad I don't have to do it all. Thanks for being with me in all of this. I couldn't do it by myself but it is fantastic to be your partner. (Wow, imagine having Almighty God as your partner today. Not bad, huh?)

Blessings,

Donna

From Scared to Praise!

Have you ever had a doctor scare you? I have had a cough for a couple of months and even lost my voice for a couple of days. So my doctor tried this and then tried that and then...he sent me to St. Vincent to take 3 tests for...guess what TB. Now that scared me. They put me in isolation and closed the door and kept their distance each time. I'm not used to this. Maybe it is what those lepers in India feel like when they have leprosy. Nobody wants to be around you. Go ahead and yell "unclean." This surely gives you pause as to what your future might really be like.

But the good news! About a half hour ago my phone rang and it was my doctor's nurse with wonderful news. All three tests were negative. Yeah!!! I can be back among the living. My life isn't over. I still have work to do. He's not finished with me yet.

Of course having TB isn't fatal but it would certainly put a big crimp in my style and put me out of commission for a long time. So you see why I am praising the Lord. Join me in praising him and thanking him for the way he directs my path and also for the way he directs yours. He has his plans for you as well as for me. This gives us expectancy and joy each morning as our feet hit the floor. Okay, Lord, what do you have in store for me today? I'm ready. Let's go.

Time Marches On

I am amazed at how long it has been since I blogged anything. I know the reason though. It's because I don't know if anyone is reading these. Is this just for me to have something to do? If so, I don't need it, but on the other hand, maybe I do need to write my thoughts.

This has been a wonderful summer. Perfect weather here in Indiana. In July my grandson Bryson was married to Lexie, a wonderful young lady. I got to see all of my immediate family but one at the wedding . The Lord continues to give me speaking engagements. I am making progress on my husband's bio. The reason it has taken so long is that I have had to change the focus I was writing. I tried to make all the stories about him. The problem with that is that we did everything together. He always said that he thought up things to do and I made them work. We were a team, partners all the way. So now I have gone back in the stories and added some of my activity.

I started out too with his birth in Kentucky and that wouldn't really get anyones attention so now the first story is about our 40 passenger plane being forced down by Castro in Cuba. That does make quite a story and I hope it will get people interested enough to want to know just who this guy and his partner were. If you have any thoughts on this, please email me and let me know what you are thinking. My address is donnathomas29@att.net

My last book, Faces in the Crowd is attracting attention. A lady in Michigan read it, called me, and now I am speaking at their women's conference in Pontiac this coming Saturday. I love this. I love to help people see how they can be used by the Lord. I go with the aviation term...challenge and response. I challenge people to step out of their comfort zone and be a 21st century disciple for Jesus. Then I check on their response a few weeks later. My purpose--to help them. My joy--to see their joy as they do this.

Now if you read this, please let me know so I'll do it again. Okay?

Blessings my friend, and may the Lord give you a special blessing this very week.

Donna