A Daily Dose of Toni » A Daily Dose of Inspiration

Faith Talk: Making It Through The Valley….You Will

Toni — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:34:02 +0000

As I sat reading my Bible and praying, God really began to lay on my heart a post to share. A post about making it through the storms, valley’s, hard times, or whatever you want to call them. As you recall at the end of 2010 and part of 2011, literally after we bought a house, my husband (or sole income provider) lost his job. That was such a scary time for use, probably one of the deepest valley’s I have ever had to walk through.

Life is going to bring you to valleys that are so deep you are wonder if you are going to make it to the top of that mountain you are trying to get to. Storms are going to come that are so forceful, you wonder if you will make it though unharmed. Hard times will be there and make you question your own strength and ability to go on. You will have tests, trials and tough times, but you WILL make it through.

We aren’t promised an easy road but making it through the hard times in our lives lets us look back and see the reason we had to go through that. I know it has for me. During the storms of my life I didn’t understand one bit of why I was going through what I was going through, but when I made it out I was a new and stronger person. I am by no means a pillar of strength but I am stronger in areas than before.

God wants us to take refuge in Him during the storms of life. He wants us to let Him be our safe place when the world around us is chaotic. He wants us to trust in Him when we don’t know what is going on. More often than not for me it’s because He was taking me to a new level in my faith. It would be so easy to be content but if your faith isn’t growing how can you be ready for all the blessings beyond what you could ask or think?

I really just want to encourage you today, if you are going through a valley (trial, storm, etc) to trust God to lead you through it. Sometimes going through the hardest times shapes us for what blessing is waiting. The valley’s lead to the mountaintops, the storms don’t last forever, hard times will end, but you have to remember the strength you have and let what you are going through build your faith to a new level. Don’t give up but push through, you are strong, you will make it through and your faith will be that much stronger because of it.

Are you going through something today that you just can’t imagine making it through? You will and I will be praying for you, because you are stronger than you give yourself credit for.

Where 2 Or More Agree. Prayer Requests & Praise Reports

Toni — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:40:20 +0000

It’s been a few months, I let this go to the wayside and I have missed it. With it being a new year I hope to do this EVERY Sunday from now on. It’s time for the “Where Two or More Agree” post. If this is your first time checking out this post, welcome. Want to know a little more about it, keep reading.

Each week on Sunday I am going to join in with those who want a little extra prayer for themselves, their family, loved ones, friends, anything they would like another person to stand with them in I am going to do that. I truly believe having others stand with you in agreement for whatever you are praying for put a little extra umpfh behind that prayer. For me it is comforting to know you have others standing in the gap with you.

You have the option of sharing your request, just your name or nothing at all when I post the next time and so I am going to share those that asked to have theirs shared so that you my readers can stand along with me and them. I also have a praise report to share as well.

Prayer Requests:

Anonymous: After four years of struggling to hold things together financially, we are going to lose our house. Please pray that we find somewhere to live and we’re okay.
Toni: For more opportunities to come to my blog, that God will work out a way for me to be able to get the conference I was asked to speak at. For God’s comfort.
Karen: For her mom who has Alzheimer’s and her son who has autism.

Praise Report:

Toni: Thanking God for good health and for opportunities brought to my blog so far..

So through out the week I will collect prayer requests through the form (or comments) and next Sunday I will post them all here. I will be agreeing with each of those who have asked for prayer. And praising God for the praise reports!! God will work wonders as always so let’s be expecting!

If you have a prayer request or praise report to share with just me or would like me to post please fill out the form below. Let me know if you would like your prayer request/praise report shared, just your name or nothing (as in being an unspoken name and need). I will only post those that want to haver their prayer request/praise report published. Please don’t hesitate to share one or both of those! It’s always good to have support in numbers!

Also if you want to after you have filled out the form and want people to start agreeing before I post next week feel free to leave it in the comment section as well so my readers can start praying before next Sunday! I am excited to see God work!!

Matthew 18:19 (Contemporary English Version)
I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.

Have a blessed day!

Where 2 Or More Agree. Prayer Requests & Praise Reports.

Toni — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:50:24 +0000

Prayer Requests:

Dawn: I will have to add my cousin to this. She is battling breast cancer. Her bone marrow transplant is also giving her issues. I think it’s trying to reject. So her and her kids are having a hard time.
Ana: We started our church last April and God is moving…bringing people to hear His message. Our prayer is that our congregation stays and through them GOD start using them to bring others to Christ. Also we are asking for musicians. Right now we have worship CD’s. But we would like to man and women to step out in faith to start playing for God’s kingdom. Thank you!
Joycet: Request special prayers for David in Texas who is in the hospital with ruptured colon. Pray also for his parents and all family members and the doctors and nurses in his care.
Anonymous: Baby Logan who has been diagnosed with Leukemia. Finances to improve
Donna: Unspoken request.
Toni: For more opportunities to come to my blog, that God will work out a way for me to be able to get the conference I was asked to speak at. For God’s comfort.

Praise Report:

Donna: I give God the praise for bringing a new job into my life. It came when very much needed! Thank you Lord!
Toni: Thanking God for good health, a speaking opportunity I was offered at a conference, the opportunities that God is bringing to my blog in 2012.

Matthew 18:19 (Contemporary English Version)
I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.

Have a blessed day!

For We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight (Guest Post)

Toni — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:07:13 +0000

2 Corinthians 5:7

That photo is Julie from Sober Julie and I am thrilled to have her guest posting here today. When she sent me a draft of the post I teared up reading her story and testimony. I hope it touches each of you just as much as it did me. ~Toni

For many years I walked through my life by sight not by faith, I was aware that God was always there waiting for me but I avoided Him and the life I was being called to lead.

When I was a young girl I had a close relationship with God, I knew I was loved, planned by God and Jesus was my best friend. He was a loving friend who cared for me deeply and I recall almost every night He was the last being I spoke to, feeling safe in his arms.

I was blessed to have a happy home with my Parents and sister growing up. I attended church throughout my childhood, until I was allowed the decision to attend or not and I chose not to. I didn’t feel a community feeling.

During high school I went to Florida with a Christian youth group, my primary purpose was to hit the Beach but instead I found God again in my life. I was RENEWED!! The Holy Spirit filled me with the Joy of knowing Christ again! I couldn’t wait to get home to share with my family and friends.

Once at home life took over again, I didn’t have a church to attend, nobody to attend with and quickly my priorities became success through education, money, status, friends and love.

Years later I had 2 college diplomas and was living a very fast successful life by my standards at the time. But there was an emptiness within me, a feeling something was missing.

Throughout these years there were many moments where God was speaking to me directly. In quiet times, times where I felt guilty, felt a pull in a direction I was resisting. I knew God was calling me but I just couldn’t face what I foresaw the life of a Christian woman to be.

I can’t remember all of the God winks in my life but I remember the shame well and the need to busy my life to ignore it.

God sent my husband to me when I was just finished my 2nd diploma and wasn’t looking for love. But God knew best, we fell in love, this was the first person I was totally honest with in my adult life.

We were married, bought a house, had 2 children and were very happy together.

But deep inside I was still feeling emptiness.

When my first daughter was 5 months old I went with my sister to hear a speaker who challenged me to consider having a relationship with Christ. Suddenly it became clear to me that it wasn’t a huge task to complete but a journey to live. God already knew me, what I had done and really did love and accept me!!

I was filled with His Joy again!!

And again I was weak to the challenges of daily living and my focus went back to my old idols.

I have always been an all or nothing person, living each area of my life separately, wife, mother, daughter, employee, party girl but this all came to a head when my Alcoholism began taking over my life. The emptiness within me was growing; my 2-3 glasses of wine had become 3-5 bottles on a Friday or Saturday night with anger, hostility, bad choices and blackouts.

Last February I woke from one of these drunken nights and felt the shame before opening my eyes. I was tired of living this empty life and had NO idea how to face life without alcohol.

I prayed, I prayed to the God who held me as a little girl, prayed to the Lord I felt in my teens in Florida, reached out to the hand of Jesus I had felt in my 30′s.

I was utterly defeated, humble, stripped of myself and prayed to God to use my life for His will alone.

I felt a calm fill me as silent tears streamed out of my unopened eyes. I felt His presence, strength holding me and the words BLIND FAITH resounded in my head.

From this moment I have been born again, been led to a 12-Step Program, been called to be very open about my alcoholism and my journey with God.

Coming out as a Christian wasn’t easy, it was SCARY. I had been a Soda Pop Christian before, all shaken and filled up then overtime became flat….I didn’t think this was the life I was being called to lead.

My entire perspective has changed, in my rebirth I’ve found purpose. Each day I give my life to God for His will. He knows I need him to be obvious with me and often is. I am accepting His Grace with action. So now I stand here, strong in my faith proclaiming loudly that Jesus Christ is my Saviour and for this I am humbled and grateful.

Where 2 Or More Agree. Prayer Requests & Praise Report, Share Yours Each Week

Toni — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:15:44 +0000

Prayer Requests:

This is where the prayer requests will go next week as I get them through this week

Praise Report:

Praise reports that people send in will go hear each Sunday.

FORM IS IN NEWEST POST

Matthew 18:19 (Contemporary English Version)
I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.

Have a blessed day!

Quotable Sunday: Joyce Meyer

Toni — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:44:16 +0000

Well hello there this Sunday. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Today for Quotable Sunday I wanted to share some quotes from Joyce Meyer. I absolutely love this lady, her sermon’s always speak to me. So today I want to share some of the quotes she has said that I absolutely love:

One mistake does not have to rule a person’s entire life.
You can be pitiful, or you can be powerful, but you can’t be both.
It is impossible to be both selfish and happy.
There is something that you can do that no one else can do just like you so love your life.
You can suffer the pain of change or suffer remaining the way you are.
Put your expectations on God, not people.
Stop determining your worth and value by what other people say. Be determined by what the Word of God (scriptures)says

I could go on and on, she has so many wise quotes. I love that lady. If you are participating in Quotable Sunday just leave your link in the comment area so I can check out the quotes you have.

Which quote of Joyce Meyer’s that I listed do you like the most?

The Story of The Bible Is New Everyday For Me

Toni — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:29:09 +0000

I’ve been saved since I was 14, I grew up going to church before that even. I have always know the stories of the Bible, though story doesn’t seem right to say. I would like to rephrase and say the truths and accounts in the bible. When some think of a story they think of a made up fairy tale and for me that is not what the Bible is. The Bible is fact, an account of so many amazing people and a Saviour who gave His life for me so when I leave this earth I can spend eternity with him.

That being said I never fully appreciated the “stories” the Bible had to offer until much longer after I was saved. I believed what I read, after all why would I commit my life Christ if I didn’t, but I didn’t grasp the depth of what I was reading. As I aged and continued to read I was amazed. The story of Ruth, the woman Esther was, Moses’ life, everything I read I get something new out of. Until now it has all been physically read by my eyes, now I had a chance to listen to some of these accounts through The Story CD.

I turned this CD on to listen to these accounts from creation to the second coming, from Adam to Mary and immediately grew still. Creation, the first song on the cd, had no words but the compilation of music moved me to tears. By the time I got to “How Love Wins” I could barely breathe I was so touched. The songs on this cd, are taken from the accounts I read in the bible every day, yet they brought the stories to life in a different way. As I made it to Alive, sung by Natalie Grant, I knew that’s what I felt as I grew and understood the stories over the year. As I took them for more than just words written on a paper but truth, I felt alive!

That’s what I hope I am teaching my children, the stories of the Bible are not stories like they read, they are truths, they are real accounts. The words of the Bible are not just there for fun, they are words to live by and they are answers when life brings situations that aren’t fair. Was it fair for Daniel to go into the lion’s den because he would not give up his faith, no but God brought him out. Chances are my kids aren’t going to physically go into a lions den but sometimes life situations can feel like that and what better to teach them than these stories of truth, that they will make it through whatever they are facing.

I will be playing The Story CD often in my house because my kids will love it, and I love that a story can be put to music. A little bit more about The Story:

THE STORY is an unparalleled project from the best-known artists in Christian music. The songs on THE STORY take timeless biblical stories and provide a completely new context into how God’s story of love and redemption intersects with our story of brokenness and failures resulting in a new story of hope and rescue. The CD contains 18 all-new songs written by multiple Dove Award-Winners Nichole Nordeman & Bernie Herms, produced by Brown Bannister & Bernie Herms, and a stellar line-up of artists across all major labels. (Music Inspired By) THE STORY is based on a collaboration with authors Randy Frazee (The Heart Of The Story) & Max Lucado (God’s Story Your Story) as well as Zondervan’s bible The Story.

Get a little more look inside the story behind The Story:

It’s a great cd and I highly suggest picking it up. It tells THE STORY in a whole new way! You can find it on amazon and iTunes. A great gift idea this holiday season as well. Share The Story with yourself and those you love.

What’s your story? When did you first learn about the Bible?

Disclosure: This post made possible by EMI Music, who provided me with a sample product to facilitate this post. Although opinions, stated, are always my own and never wavered by products received, I have been compensated for my participation. If you purchase through the Natalie Grant link, please note I am an Amazon affiliate and will receive a small percentage.

Powerful Song and Great Words To Remember

Toni — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:59:40 +0000

I grew up in ballet and dancing so music and worship is a big part of my daily life. I cry during a good song. I have been dealing with some things lately that involve people treating me wrong in an underhanded way and that hurts me worse than someone outright being mean to me. I’m a peaceful person I don’t like mean, gossipers, judgement, and everything else that goes with that. I like happy and all that encompasses.

Today as I was driving, I was in tears as I thought about the things mentioned above, when God brought to remembrance this song, Rise Up Mighty Warrior. As I thought about part of the first verse and the chorus, I knew that is what I am going to have to do. RISE UP! God will take care of the rest.

Here are the words that really got to me today when I was upset:
To all who’ve suffered at the hands of another,
Come out from the bitterness, come out from the shame
Well the God of creation is calling out your name
Turn to those with love who have only brought you pain!

So, RISE UP MIGHTY WARRIOR, RISE UP!
And receive what only God can give
He gives life thought the blood of Jesus Christ
He gives love and the strength to forgive

The people that are judging me, talking about me, really have nothing to do with me at all, but rather the insecurities and the issues in their lives they want to project onto me. Of course I’m not perfect but I never claimed to be, I just do my best and unfortunately that’s not enough for some but I can’t let that be my issue. So, I just have to love these people where they are at and let God take care of the rest. If they are meant to be in my life there is a reason though,I might ask God a whiney why. If they aren’t supposed to be in my life God will take them out. I will only grow stronger because of the pain I feel through their judgement and harsh words, while they will only tear themselves down in the end.

So, if you are having a hard time because someone is talking about you, judging you…love them and rise up. Pray and let God handle it, he’s the dad who doesn’t allow his children to be weakened by the words of another. Yes it will hurt, but let that strengthen you. Remember to guard your heart so that when an attack comes through words or whatever you will stand through it! It’s not up to us to put people in their place but rather love them for who they are and let God deal with them. Usually when people lash out directly or indirectly it ultimately has nothing to do with you at all but rather the problems/situations in their lives that they are trying to avoid.

That got a little deep but oh well, it’s what was on my heart and I have to share. No more being timid, sometimes you just have to speak it out. HOWEVER when you do have to be bold remember there is a way to present something, you can be bold and NOT hurt another’s feelings. That message will have to wait for another day LOL.

So what are some songs you love to hear that really speak to your spirit when you are going through a hard time?

Where 2 Or More Agree. Prayer Request Share

Toni — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:05:35 +0000

It’s time for the “Where Two or More Agree” post. If this is your first time checking out this post, welcome. Want to know a little more about it, keep reading.

Each week on Sunday (or Tuesday this week), I am going to join in with those who want a little extra prayer for themselves, their family, loved ones, friends, anything they would like another person to stand with them in I am going to do that. I truly believe having others stand with you in agreement for whatever you are praying for put a little extra umpfh behind that prayer. For me it is comforting to know you have others standing in the gap with you.

Prayer Requests:

Jackie has this request: “ I need to find my real passion and to find work or let work find me-that is in my naturally suited personality…and make a living doing it. Pray that something sparks inside me or comes to me – effortlessly. The problem is I have so many topics of interest that I have no idea what to do.”
I would like to ask God for healing of my husband who we found out has shingles. Also, to continue bringing opportunities through my blog. Ones that are a good fit for me and that will help to provide for my family.
Anonymous has this request: “Prayers of healing to help my family move past the hurt and anger from a situation and continue to work together and become a family once again.”

Praise Report:

Anonymous has this praise report: “The hearing (mentioned last week in a prayer request) was put off as the family was able to work out a temporary plan through mediation. SO THANKFUL.“

I will be agreeing with each of those who have asked for prayer. And praising God for the praise reports!! God will work wonders as always so let’s be expecting!

Now it’s your turn! If you have a prayer request or praise report to share with just me or would like me to post please fill out the form below. Let me know if you would like your prayer request/praise report shared, just your name or nothing (as in being an unspoken name and need). I will only post those that want to haver their prayer request/praise report published. Please don’t hesitate to share one or both of those! It’s always good to have support in numbers!

Matthew 18:19 (Contemporary English Version)
I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.

Have a blessed day!

Where 2 Or More Agree! Agreeing With You In Prayer.

Toni — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:39:21 +0000

It’s time for the “Where Two or More Agree” post. If this is your first time checking out this post, welcome. Want to know a little more about it, keep reading.

Each week on Sunday, I am going to join in with those who want a little extra prayer for themselves, their family, loved ones, friends, anything they would like another person to stand with them in I am going to do that. I truly believe having others stand with you in agreement for whatever you are praying for put a little extra umpfh behind that prayer. For me it is comforting to know you have others standing in the gap with you.

Prayer Requests:

Anonymous has this request: “I am heading out of state for a family court hearing — my sisters and I are all very, very tense about it because of the separation it (the whole situation) is causing among our family. It’s just not good– Satan has been trying for years to destroy our family and separate some members from God. We need lots of prayers that he doesn’t Win this particular battle.”
I would like to ask God to continue bringing opportunities through my blog. Ones that are a good fit for me and that will help to provide for my family.

Praise Report:

My praise report: “God put together an amazing dance for the church dance team to perform in just a few short weeks. And for taking me to a deeper level with him. My sleep has been improving some! I got a great opportunity through my blog and praise God for it. “

I will be agreeing with each of those who have asked for prayer. And praising God for the praise reports!! God will work wonders as always so let’s be expecting!

Form is in newest post

Matthew 18:19 (Contemporary English Version)
I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you.

Have a blessed day!