-
Wasting Energy On What May Never Happen
The sun is shy, blinking its way through the rain-filled clouds. On days like this, I awake in a mood. I want to stay asleep instead of bounding out of bed with anticipation of what a new day will bring. I click on the white, year-round Christmas lights in my studio. An apparent need for extra light on this dismal summer morning. On my way for coffee, I click on the set above my dining room hutch. Some days just call for extra illumination. This is one of them. Rest Robbers How is it possible to wake up just as tired as you were when you went to bed eight…
-
Tunneling into worship
Paving the way for hope Have you ever wondered how God could take the good, the hard, and the impossible surprises in your life and use them to infuse hope in the life of someone who is journeying through a hard situation? For hope to rise to the top of any difficulty, we need to know that God is fully present, and will remain wholly faithful in every situation we step into and journey through. Hope in Christ gives us not only the desire for an expected end; but the assurance that God will use everything we have gone through, and everything we will go through for His glory and…
-
Social Distancing brings an odd push and pull of emotions
Living close to the Savior is not a place of clamor, confusion and clutter. It is a place of quiet rest despite the storm clouds that come rolling in. They may look like they are going to take us under; but Jesus Christ is the only One who can calm the angry waves. If you remember, the disciples looked at the waves that could sink them while the Master of the sea, Jesus, was asleep in the boat. Through all that we are going through Jesus offers His children the gift of Himself, the gift of hope and the gift of perfect peace admit the uncertainty of Covid 19. Jesus…
-
Social Distancing: Beginning with the end in mind
Part One: As I begin week two of living in isolation and keeping appropriate social distancing, I have come to the realization that I must stop spending excessive amounts of time on social media, stop looking around every corner for chocolate, and get up and move! I am a self-proclaimed procrastinator and a self-declared list person. I go to sleep with a list and wake up to a list. Because of my ADD tendencies I like to do things in small doable check boxes. I often set my phone alarm for 15 minutes and try to accomplish the next thing on my list. Of course, the best part for me,…
-
FEAR. FRENZY OR FAITH
Walking through the grocery store yesterday I stopped to talk with a friend who was also shopping. As we chatted between the crossroads of chips and dairy, I became aware of my surrounding. “Stop and listen.” I told him. We both stopped and inquisitively looked around. The store was packed with afternoon shoppers; but no one was talking. They were quietly moving around the store loading up their carts. “Don’t you find this odd?” I asked. “That’s fear.” He observed. The day before in another larger store I came face to face with another kind of fear. It swept through the store with panic, rudeness, carts rushing the isles at…
-
4 Steps to Rid Yourself of Fear-Chatter
Letting Truth Take Hold In previous weeks we have learned about the debilitating effects of attending to fear-chatter. Take heart my friend! Through the truth of God’s Word, we CAN rid ourselves of fear-chatter. If you haven’t joined the conversation yet; check out our first dialog at http://www.lindajanedingeldein.com/fear-chatter/ And the second at http://www.lindajanedingeldein.com/fear-chatter-continues/ This is the final posting in a three-part series. Ridding ourselves of fear-chatter takes work. As I have gone through the discipline of putting these steps into practice, I have seen how my desire to overcome fear-chatter can be easily thwarted. Be patient! It takes time; but in the end you will reap the blessing of learning…
-
Fear-Chatter Continues
As we spring courageously from the tip of fear we launch ourselves into a world of authenticity, truth and freedom. Risky but rewarding! Authentic living begins where the tip of fear ends! Linda Jane Dingeldein: Different by Design Where fear ends-life begins He was a large, intimidating figure in contrast to my petite 15-year-old frame. The only teacher who taught the required math class I needed to graduate High School. As I entered the room the smell of fear still hung heavy, mingled with stale air from the previous class. I took my assigned seat, instantly coveting those who sat further toward the back. Startled, I looked up.…
-
Fear-Chatter
Fear – Chatter: Stepping into the conversation I have never liked ordinary. The word ordinary sounds too much like the word beige. Nothing extra. No descriptors. Just plain-blah-beige. I am sure that some will argue with my next statement. So, here goes! “I don’t think there are any all-inspiring descriptors for the words beige.” It just shouts ORDINARY to me. Shades like sangria, cerulean, mulberry or even marmalade instantly take my mind far away from the ordinariness of beige; to a world of color, design and endless possibilities. A satisfied extra-ordinarian My husband is a satisfied “ordinarian”. He loves vanilla ice-cream. He is satisfied with brownies without the nuts.…
-
IS IT ANY WONDER
IS IT ANY WONDER IS IT ANY WONDER MY HEART IS ANXIOUS STILL FORGETTING ALL HE’S PROMISED NEGLECTING TO BE STILL IS IT ANY WONDER MY BITTER SOUL CRIES OUT DRENCHED WITH ENDLESS SORROW CONSUMED BY FEAR AND DOUBT IT IS ANY WONDER THE TEARS DO CEASELESS FLOW NOT STOPPING TO BE NEAR HIM NOT KNOWING WHERE TO GO IS IT ANY WONDER THE SUN HAS CEASED TO SHINE THE DARK CLOUDS OF TOMORROW LOOM BIGGER ALL THE TIME IS IT ANY WONDER I’VE BARELY HEARD MY NAME WHISPERED FROM THE HEAVENS AGAIN, AND AGAIN IS IT ANY WONDER HE PATIENTLY AWAITS LONGING TO…
-
Fake, Fraud or Real: Personal Mask Assessment
Hidden Identity: During my elementary years my mother and I would often take trips to our local Salvation Army. It was always a highlight for me to get away from our country home and spend the day in our small city; as bargain hunting at a thrift store was one of my favorite activities. I loved to leisurely browse the racks for a new outfit, a great book title, a fun handbag or a new-to-me pair of shoes. Until one day, as I was engrossed in looking through the over stocked isles of used clothing, shoes and books; my eyes spotted another classmate. As our eyes locked, I was…
