Preparing for Easter 2012 ~ Goodness

"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." 

Romans 14:17 NLT

The slogan on the Land O Lakes Half and Half reads, "where simple goodness begins." According to the dictionary, goodness is "the state or quality of being good, moral excellence, virtue, kindness, generosity, the best part of anything, strength, a euphemism for God." Bible.org says, "The goodness of God is a foundational truth that shapes our perspective toward God and His dealings with us in this life. The goodness of God is a fact to which the Bible often testifies. It is a fact which every Christian should believe and embrace." If there is any goodness in us, it must come from God; goodness is one of the fruits of the Spirit. God is where goodness begins!

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Let God's goodness be manifested through us as we strive to live a life of goodness to honor God. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Face Book

"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter 2012 ~ Ash Wednesday

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God proclaiming our allegiance to His name. And don’t forget to do good and share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
Hebrews 13:15-16 NLT

"So many of us limit our praying because we are not reckless in our confidence in God. In the eyes of those who do not know God, it is madness to trust Him, but when we pray in the Holy Spirit we begin to realize the resources of God, that He is our perfect heavenly Father, and we are His children."
~from If You Will Ask by Oswald Chambers

Lord, Today we find ourselves kneeling at the altar, humbled by Your Divine Love, marked as a sinner in need of Your Grace! Take us on a spiritual journey these next weeks, teach our hearts how to give more as our offer a sacrifice of praise to You!

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Will we sacrifice our anxieties and be reckless in our confidence in God? ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~
MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Face Book

"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Shrove Tuesday!

 






You have shown me the way of life, and You will fill me with the joy of Your presence. Acts 2:28 NLT

"Shrove Tuesday" or Fat Tuesday is the last day before the Lenten season begins. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the day Christian believers begin a spiritual pilgrimage of remembrance to the cross and take another opportunity to contemplate the holy sacrifice of Jesus.

How will we honor this immeasurable gift of salvation?~dho

  

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2010 by Donna Oswalt

breathing room for my soul

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Face Book

"May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Kindled Soul, Holy Fire!

See the introduction to Kindled Soul, Holy Fire. For those in the Augusta area, the book can be purchased at The Parsonage on Walton Way, next to The Church of the Good Shepherd. Of course, it is easy to order from our web site STORE. I am happy to sign them for you or for someone else. Pass along this post to whomever you think might be interested.

©Donna Oswalt ~ breathing room for my soul

[dhosoulchat.blogspot.com]

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Face Book

May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!

Are you "Preparing for Easter"? Been thinking about how to make this time more meaningful? Consider starting something new ~ a different kind of sacrifice! Decide to serve in a Soup Kitchen, do a new Bible study, choose to do a personal study of a particular book, set asided a specific time to pray for God's revelation to you, volunteer in a mission project. Instead of just "giving up" something  consider "giving more" as an offering, as your sacrifice of praise for Jesus. My Easter Devotional book, Kindled Soul, Holy Fire, is available for purchase online at www.MangroveMinistries.org.

Hebrews 13:15-16 NLT

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God proclaiming our allegiance to His name. And don't forget to do good and share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

The Message says it this way:

Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship ~ a different kind of sacrifice - that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.

Never Be Shaken!

Psalm 62 - NLT

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

So many enemies against one man—all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. . .They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.

Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air. . .

God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to You; unfailing love, O Lord, is Yours.

Surely You repay all people according to what they have done. 

God's love and compassion, His strength and grace are enough for us - especially in times of struggle and crisis. Often difficult times brings out the worst in people. Whether we are offering physical or spiritual support, our efforts can be ignored, criticized, and rejected. This is hurtful to the compassionate servant, but God sees the intention of the heart, the motivation of the offerings.

Find your comfort in God, knowing He is faithful in all times. My blog's title expresses for me what God offers me ~ breathing room for my soul! Let God give you more "breathing room" in the struggles of life. There is great comfort in knowing that it is NOT my responsibility to punish or reward behavior. That is God's role as the "righteous judge". I pray the Lord will open my eyes and heart and mind to His Way that my energies will come from the Holy Spirit and my intentions will be pure. When crisis comes, may I not be shaken! ~ dho