Finding Encouragement & Inspiration even on Facebook

Destin Henderson Beach on Driftwood, a photo by CynDB on Flickr.

Inspiration in the most unusual places!

This morning I started my usual coffee time routine by checking email and then heading over to Facebook to check my newsfeed.
As I read all the posts from my favorite Bible teachers and busines gurus, I was struck by the continuity of the messages today, and how they make one grand message of hope, inspiration, and motivation then put together.
Too good not to share!

Judge your worth and value by what God says about you in His Word, not by how somebody else treats you. (Ephesians 2:4-10) ~Joyce Meyer

Practice encouraging yourself on a consistent basis. It’s essential for the process of developing your inner resources, providing you the courage to make life-affirming choices. The more intentional you are to do so the more you effectively buffer stress, and the less you focus on your mistakes, the less you compare yourself to others, and the less you compete against others. Dare to see yourself in a positive light. When enduring a season of isolation, feeling cut off, disconnected, out of sync and rhythm, having to face unexplainable challenges that stretch you beyond measure is a gift in disguise. You are being enlarged in the very distress that seems to be squeezing the life out of you. Choose to walk tall, stay strong, and laugh by faith. The other side of this season holds great promise and possibility you can’t imagine.~ Dr. Mark Chironna

It's so important for us be around people who will stir up greatness within us. Find people with God-inspired dreams; people who will build you up and celebrate your victories with you.
Refuse to let your past keep you from the future God has planned for you. Today, forgive those that have hurt you and forgive yourself so that you can walk in victory.~Joel Osteen

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” -- C.S. Lewis

Get God’s plan before making your own plans. We don't begin to know what freedom is until we come to a place in our lives where we have no need to impress anybody. God not only gives us a part to do, but He also gives us the power to do it! God is not calling us to run away from hardships. When we know our God, we don't have to run from things. Sooner or later, anything you run from will have to be dealt with. We must be responsible to do what God asks us to do. To be truly humble takes more strength than anything else I know. To be truly victorious, you must grow to the place where you’re not afraid of hard times but are actually challenged by them.~ Joyce Meyer

‎"The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time." -- Abraham Lincoln

Fake it until you make it! Act as if you had all the confidence you require until it becomes your reality. ~ Brian Tracy

‎"Win as if you were used to it..." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

‎"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." -- Albert Einstein

"I choose to create abundance in my life regardless of what the economy is doing."
~Dot Com Diva

If you honor God in the season you are in, you will begin to bloom right where He has planted you. You may not see all the fruit right now but don't give up. Good things are coming your way. Enlarge your vision for the amazing things God has planned for your future. God’s favor is at work in your life right now to raise you higher than ever before. ~ Joel Osteen

Are you encouraged now??? I am!

Via Flickr:
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Pray! And don't forget to vote.

"Cool Mountain Day" ~ Hand colored rural scene from the Blue Ridge mountains.~


"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
~1 Timothy 2:1-2


It's Fall!  Glorious in color! A new season!
It's also a new season for leadership-- to be given a vote of confidence, or be changed for new ideas and policies.
In this election season, let's not forget that we should be praying for our elected officials.  We should do our due diligence to be sure we are informed about who we are voting for, and regardless of who is elected, we should be keeping them lifted up in prayer.


All leadership needs prayer.
It doesn't matter if it's local or national elections. Pray about these things. 
They are important to our present and future.
Ask God for the wisdom to make good choices.  Don't wait until election day to choose at the polls or decide not to go at all.
And don't stop praying after the elections.  Once leaders are in office, they need prayer more than ever to govern with wisdom and in the best interest of the nation, presently and in the future.


"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
~James 1:5

Teach Me To Trust

Blue Ridge Mountains II, originally uploaded by CynDB.

"Teach me to trust when there is cause to fear, when trials come and storms appear. Help me to know that You are near.
Teach me to trust when skies are bright, or I grope alone on a sorrowful night.
Teach me to trust through life's tangled ways, through all disappointments and delays...
Teach me to trust when weary and frail, when sickness, pain and ills assail.
Your grace sustains, your promises real. Teach me to trust."

~~from the writings of John W. Peterson 1921~~

The Sand Dollar Sea Treasure Legend

The Sand Dollar Sea Treasure Legend, originally uploaded by CynDB.

I grew up on an island. I love the sea, and I love looking for sand dollars! When I read the story about the symbolism, years ago, I've never forgotten it and think of it every time I see one of these beautiful sea creatures. I created this image from a perfect sand dollar that I found several years ago at the Turks and Caicos islands.

The legend of the sand dollar is that Christ left the sand dollar as a symbol to help evangelists teach the faith. The five holes represent the five wounds Christ received while on the cross: four nail holes and the hole made by the Roman's spear. In the center of one side of the sand dollar, there is the Easter lily and in the middle of the lily is the star of Bethlehem. The Christmas poinsettia is on the other side which is a reminder of Christ's birth. If you break the sand dollar open, there are five white pieces of shell which look like doves. These are said to bring good will and peace.

"There's a pretty little legend
That I would like to tell
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely,
You'll see that you find here
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by a Roman's spear.

On one side the Easter lily,
Its center is the star
That appeared unto the shepherds
And led them from afar.

The Christmas poinsettia,
Etched on the other side
Reminds us of His birthday,
Our happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open,
And here you will release
The five white doves awaiting
To spread Good will and peace.

This simple little symbol,
Christ left for you and me
To help us spread His Gospel
Through all eternity."

~~Anon.