BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Strawberry Roan ~August 17, 2011 by Dolores Ayotte

Not too long ago, I read a quote that touched me. I don’t know the actual source of this quote but it was shared by an author to a fellow author who was discouraged by the lack of sales of his book. She stated, “any fool can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed”. Such a simple quote, yet so full of wisdom.

 Once we plant a seed, we have no idea the fruit that the seed will produce. We may get discouraged because we don’t see immediate results but it doesn’t mean to say that our efforts are unproductive or will go unrewarded.  When I read this article by Shanyn, it made me look at the power of  our seeds. It also made me realize the importance of being patient. I think you will enjoy visiting  Strawberry Roan ~ Just like the sunflower, I follow the Son.

“Digging Up Seeds” by Shanyn gives us some powerful insights about being patient with the seeds we have planted. Thank you Shanyn for your wonderful way with words!

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ His Love Extended ~ July 13, 2011

Isaiah 55:10-12 says, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sewer and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…”

Please take a few minutes to read Julie Gorman’s article to get a true understanding of this kind of peace. She shares her story so eloquently that you won’t want to miss it. Click below to enjoy her post. Thanks Julie for your inspiration!

God’s Voice Communicates Peace – It Doesn’t Leave Us Fearful

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Words Of Wisdom ~ July 6, 2011 by Charles Betts

In response to last week’s Blog Hopping Day post “Who Are You Performing For?”, I received this response from Charles Betts.

Dolores: I read the article by Sandra. It was interesting to see how she relates the need to perform and be accepted or approved by others with anger and power struggles and rejection. As I read this article I thought of what I used to say to my daughters [and others] when they were feeling angry toward someone, “Whoever you allow to anger you controls you” and ” if you don’t learn to forgive others, then every time you encounter that person, or hear their name, or think of them, you will endure some type of negative impact on your soul”.

The need to live and perform for Christ alone is not only paramount to a happy existence, but to me it is a part of losing ourself in Him as the scriptures advise. When we do this we find ourselves. Then the approval of others is not something we demand of ourselves, and we are free to be who Christ wants us to be. We not only lose ourselves but we lose all that baggage of anger and rejection and so much more.

This point of view of life has helped me so much in my lifetime. I hope it will help others as they learn the value of putting it into practice. God Bless, Charles Betts

Thank you Charles for once again taking a moment to share your inspirational and thought-provoking words with my readers and me. Your words of wisdom always add a special touch to each and every article you respond to.  I can see that you are a benevolent man who searches deeply into your own soul to explain what life means to you in order to help others achieve peace and contentment in their own lives.

It is apparent to me that you have learned from your own experiences and you are making every effort to share the benefit of your knowledge based on these personal experiences. I am truly grateful that you have shared your insights in such an honest and forthright manner. I hope you will continue to do so at every opportunity. It is an honor to share my space with you. 

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Who Are You Performing For? ~ June 29, 2011

I feel so fortunate to find these little gems along the way and to have the opportunity to share them with all of you.  I don’t know everything, nor do I have all the answers. This is the reason I want to share other people’s knowledge and insights when I come across a pertinent article.

This is just a short snippet from Sandra’s article. In it, she writes about the difference between performing for God and performing for others. She states, “Performing for others will yield power struggles, anger, rejection, sadness and so forth. Performing for others can sometimes be abusive….”

If you are interested in reading the whole article please visit : Who Are You Performing For 

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Humility ~ June 22, 2011

Many times in life, we will come across a post or passage that we couldn’t express any better even if we tried. This article by Jan Coates is an example of one such article.

She starts off by saying…We in America are definitely not a humble bunch. We see magazines, newspapers, and televisions filled with information on how to build ourselves up, how to increase our self-esteem, and how to be bigger and better than the rest of the world… 

I hope you will take a few moments to read Jan’s entire article as she shares so much about herself and her beliefs. Please visit Humility. Thanks Jan for being so open and honest!

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Letting Go And Letting God ~ June 15, 2011

Today is my deceased father-in-law’s birthday. It’s very hard to believe that he passed away about six months after the birth of my twin daughters. That was thirty-six years ago. We also had an older daughter that was two and a half at the time.

Both my husband and I were devastated by the loss of this kind, loving father and grandfather. He meant the world to us. We have thought about him so many times over the years and wished he could be with us and our children. Our children never knew their grandfather as he was in their life at a very early age and for only a short period of time.

My birthday was on June 11th and when he was still living, we would always celebrate our birthdays together in some special way. I know in many troubled areas of our lives it is so important to just “Let Go And Let God”. This is so aptly put in Sandra’s article, Letting Go And Letting God  but some times, it just isn’t as easy to let go of some things. When I think of “Bonhomme”, my dear father-in-law, I still haven’t let go of the fondness I felt towards him. To me, that’s a good thing. However…I know this isn’t the kind of emotion that Sandra is referring to and I fully agree that it’s in our own best interest to “Let Go And Let God” help us deal with the negative ones!

BLOD HOPPING DAY ~ A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words ~ February 9, 2011 by Phoenix

At times, we think we have things so bad until we have a better look and realize that we are not alone or others have it even worse than us. Phoenix lives in Australia and over the last few weeks, she has been sharing the devastation of the flooding that has taken place there. Now she has shared some pictures of Cyclone Yasi showing even more destruction.

She is very accurate in choosing her title.

“A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS”.  Please take a peek and see for yourself.  Thanks Phoenix!

Blog Hopping Day ~ Dealing With Abusive Relationships — January 19, 2011

The Problem With Living One Day at a Time

Darlene Ouimet is a survivor.  She has survived all kinds of abuse and freely shares her trials and tribulations in her effort to overcome that abuse. Her blog is extremely compelling and very popular.  She touches base on many topics dealing with her abuse and how she’s learned to cope and become the survivor that she is today.

On her blog, Emerging From Broken Darlene shares many of her insights on how to overcome the negative consequences of any type of abuse.  She recently wrote an article which resonated with me. I think you will enjoy it too.

Blog Hopping Day ~ Eating Disorders — January 12, 2011

Weightism is a Human Rights Issue

Do you suffer from issues about your weight or body image?  If you do, this is the post for you.   Nourishing The Soul 

Dr. Ashley Solomon touches base on a lot of issues to do with weight and eating disorders but this one in particular really grabbed my attention. It specifically deals with the human rights of overweight people. It certainly is well worth reading even if you personally do not have a weight problem. As Dr. Ashley Solomon so aptly points out, even if we aren’t personally dealing with weight issues, we most certainly know someone who is. Perhaps, you can share some of her insights with your loved ones who may know some of these kinds struggles.

Blog Hopping Day — January 30, 2010 by Dolores Ayotte

HOPE….are you in need of hope today?

Many times in life we are moved by another person’s words.  This morning I received an e-mail from a friend of mine who is suffering.  Just before Christmas, her mother’s health took a turn for the worse and she doesn’t have long to live. My heart goes out to her during this very difficult time.  Shortly after I read her e-mail, I visited one of the blogs I read daily.  The author of this blog has become a dear friend. The message in it is loud and clear about searching for Hope in our everyday lives.  I really needed to hear this wonderful message today. It comes in the form of a beautiful poem and I am honored to share it with you.   Eyes On Hope  gives life a new meaning.