Our Lord loves balloons. Big shinny, Mylar balloons. He loves them so much that one day He just might send one just to you. I have two true stories to tell you and I can't wait until you receive yours.
Join me at Laced With grace for the rest of, God Loves Mylar Balloons. Be blessed, Lynn
Lord, Almighty, I approach your throne with Jesus at my side. Lord, I bring with me my heart's yearning, my husband, Lord. I am humbled to come before you.
Please conquer me and rule over every part of my life. Let all I do and say reflect Jesus and bring honor to Your name. Father, I bring my husband seeking your hand upon his life. I ask that the words of Romans 10:10 become real and living for my husband:
Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
I ask that I would pray consistently and with conviction your purpose to save my husband and prepare him for eternity with You. I ask you would place men in front of him at work who know you and can reveal truth to my man. Relentlessly pursue my husband with thoughts about you. Give him a curiosity about your Word that he picks up your Bible and reads.
I also put satan on notice that his claim on my husband is over. That Jesus holds the keys to hell and has suffered and died and rose to life for the salvation of his soul. I bind the enemy and ask you expose every lie every spoken to my husband. I ask you would open my husband's spiritual eyes to see Your truth and let that truth penetrate his heart and mind.
Lord, I humbly ask that you teach me to be a good wife, a woman of character and of righteousness. Father, let me live out my faith authentically and with so much love my husband finds it irresistible. Lord, protect our marriage from all temptation as the enemy would dearly love to destroy it. Protect our children and help us to model love and commitment and Godliness to them.
Lord, thank you for your presence in our lives. Thank you for your abundant and ever-present love. I worship you. I adore you. Jesus, you are the reason I love and breathe. In Your powerful and life-changing name, Amen.
Join us for Marriage Monday at Chrysalis today. Be blessed, Lynn
Also, check out the new design over at Laced With Grace. It is beautiful. Thanks Lori!
This is a story about my mother.
My mom lives in a smallish size town, in western Colorado. Grand Junction is a quaint place, hailed as the gateway to the Great Rocky Mountains. She has lived alone from more than 25 years.....
This story is about the unlikely but the amazing. Join me at Laced With Grace where I am privileged to introduce you to my Mom.
Read the rest at Laced With Grace today. Be blessed, Lynn
I want you to meet three of my newest and closest friends.
Sophie
Sadie
and Jack!
Read the rest at Laced With Grace today and discover how I experience Him in a profound way.
You can too.
This week I received a gift.
It is the season of gift giving and this present is so unusual that I have to tell you about it.
What is it?
Hop over to Laced With Grace and see for yourself, I Got a Bag of Rocks for a Gift! Say What?
Also, visit us on our Facebook page.
“Okay God, I will do it but she is going to FREAK OUT!” Sniff, sniff, waaaaaaah…. Where’s the Klennex. WAAAAAAAAH!
I found myself kneeling at the front of the church following Lisa Shaw’s powerful teaching and altar call at the Blogger’s Retreat last month.
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This is a true story of redemption, restoration and thankful hearts. I still can't believe it and it happened to me.
Find the rest of the story over at Laced With Grace. She's Gonna Freak Out!
Also, on our Facebook page we are giving away a spankin' brand new copy of, The Love Dare. Hop over there and leave a comment to enter.
Dineen and I are signing off through the Thanksgiving weekend. We will see you here again on November 30th for another powerful post on Praying God's word. Or even a Donovan Clan update.
Dineen and I are deeply thankful you allow us to come into your home and share the hope we have in Jesus for fulfilling, happy marriages and joyful living. Thank you and God bless, Lynn
Looking for Day Eight - The Mind of Christ Experiment? It follows this post. Scroll down
Experiencing God on the throne of your life sometimes means obeying Him when it doesn’t makes sense. Today at Laced With Grace I have a story to share. It all Started with A Woman and a Cow. What a Christmas.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV
I must tell you the thoughts, prayers, hopes, struggles, scripture, and links all of you have left in comments over the past week during this series are incredible. Thank you. Thank you for loving others in the community of God with your words.
What are you feeding your brain?
I want to tell you a story. There once was a girl who was lost in a world of ambitions, caught up in obtaining all the “stuff” the TV commercials said she was entitled to have. She was lost in pride and self-centeredness. That girl was me.
I bought into the lie… I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan and never, never let you forget you’re a man. I was convinced I was everything and more of what a modern woman should be.
There once was a girl who one day realized that way of living was proving shallow.
There once was a girl who fell in love with Jesus. That girl was me. I rediscovered the faith of my youth and ran home to Jesus. BUT, my brain resisted letting go of the world I had known. My brain, my life, needed reprogramming.
So, just how does one reprogram a brain to be Christlike?
It all begins with nutrition. Nutrition for the spirit.
Now listen to what God says about reprogramming your brain: take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
What I know to be truth is this: What you pour into your soul WILL eventually come out. You may want to argue with this statement but I promise you it is truth. With this said, today I want you to think about what you are putting inside. Is it of God or is it not.
I had to change many things about my life to allow Jesus to transform my mind. First, and this is the most important step you will ever take toward transformation, read God’s word. Everyday. Period. The End.
Second, what kind of television programming are you allowing in? What music are you listening to? Books? Video games? Internet? Even news.
Let me give you a personal example. I will sit down to watch some kind of new programming on Television or a movie that looks interesting. Within the first five minutes of watching I will sometimes feel a chink in my spirit that it is not good or right, even offensive to my Jesus.
Immediately, I jump off the couch and turn it off. If my unbelieving husband still wants to watch, I leave the room. Nowadays, my husband will comment to me about a movie coming out or a new series to premiere saying, “Honey, you won’t like this show.” He knows me well. I will not allow it in my mind.
Now I know what you are thinking. This doesn’t apply to my life. After all I am an adult, I know how to discern adult content and it will not affect me. It’s a lie. Why pour it in when you can fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Right now I bet you can think of a few programs you need to walk away from. Do it. Turn on praise and worship music every chance you get. Listen to online messages that edify.
Transformation of your mind is a deliberate and protracted process. But what I know to be true is one day after years of filling your mind with scripture and things of God, YOU WILL face a moment. Your moment will be a point of decision or confrontation and instead of failing, the words of God will rise up inside you and you will have the perfect answer. Scripture will become alive and active. You will have God’s power alive in you to face any obstacle even crisis and overcome it.
How awesome it that.
The more years I walk with the Lord the more I see that His word truly is alive and active. It is alive and active….. and powerful and for our benefit. Soak it in. Turn off the world and watch the transformation of your very life begin.
This week I want you to do two things. One, consider a fast from television. Or begin to be discriminating about everything you watch, read and listen to. Don’t listen to the lie that you will be closed minded. The world likes to throw that lie around. Form this day forward I give you permission to BE closed minded when it comes to Christ. You know the truth and the truth sets men and women free.
Next: Sometime this week I want you to experience a daytime fast. This is a fast of breakfast and lunch and concludes with a healthy normal portioned dinner with your family. After sunset. Sunset here today is 6:23 pm. It’s doable. Why fast? When the hunger pains hit I want you to be moved to pray. Sitting at your desk or volunteering or reading blogs, stop for a minute and pray. It is experiencing humbling before the throne of God, not seeking favor for a request but pride less time with the Father. Tell Him about your struggles. Offer him praises. Read to him from your journal the list of thanks you wrote out yesterday.
God lives in the praises of His people.
Are you still falling from bed to your knees and asking Jesus to be the Lord of your day?
Now here is where the transformation begins to take place. You firmly seat Christ on the throne of your life and throw yourself off. You start reprogramming your mind with a purpose. You seek Him in a new prayerful way.
Watch what happens next. BLISS is hovering close.
Leave your thoughts in the comments about television and is God calling you to fast from media and from food? BIG steps but I promise you….. OH SO WORTH IT. Use your journal to write out prayers during your fasting experience. Write down what needs purging from your life. Ask God to show you what to replace it with.
After you fast, stop back here and tell me what you experienced.
Be Blessed, Lynn
Now for a little inspiration: Experiencing God on the throne of your life sometimes means obeying Him when it doesn’t makes sense. Today at Laced With Grace I have a story to share. It all Started with A Woman and a Cow. What a Christmas.
Join me today at Laced With Grace for A Most Amazing Car Ride. They may be scary, but whoa, sometimes what a thrill.
Be Blessed, Lynn
It’s True, I have a bad reputation.
My friends in the neighborhood all know about me. My family has known for a long time. I have an issue.
Sometimes I catch an off-hand word about my peculiarity or a casual remark in conversations in the yard or at church. I know I should change.
So today I will confess. My name is Lynn Donovan and I....
find the rest of the story at Laced With Grace. You won't believe what God does this time...... and He is waiting to do this amazing thing in your life too..... It's too cool.... Hugs.
Have a fantastic day. I love you. Be Blessed, Lynn
I have an odd devotion today.
I hesitate to write my thoughts but the Lord just won’t let me escape what is pressing on my heart. So here goes….
Find me at Laced With Grace today for Titans Of Industry.
I would be greatly interested in your thoughts about these insidious kingdoms. Be Blessed, Lynn
“Sweetie, I need a few things from the grocery store. Let’s stop there after the eye exam.” I suggested to my husband.
With my daughter’s exam complete and glasses ordered, we headed to Dairy Queen. After ordering a cold Banana Split Blizzard, my teen daughter, headed for the car to wait while we I walked toward the grocery store.
Suddenly it dawned on me that the parking lot was a zoo and that’s the precise moment I said, “Are we nuts? It’s the day before the Fourth of July holiday. Everyone in town is here. It may take an hour to buy the five items we need.”
This is a true story that took place at our local grocery store. If you are needing a lift in your spirit today, this is the story for you........ continued at Laced With Grace.
I promise you will be smiling before you leave.
Join me today at Laced With Grace for Are You Happy (clap clap)?
Be Blessed, Lynn
A few hours ago I held my teen daughter while she wept....... continued at Laced With Grace.
Join me today at Laced With Grace for Popcorn and Betrayal. The Lord has healing, wisdom, and comfort waiting for you too while you stand in the concession line. Be Blessed, Lynn
I have asked THE MOST UNUSUAL guest writer to help me out today at Laced With Grace. I promise you that this devotion is the strangest devotion you will ever read. It will be your Favorite Thing.
Take a look: My Favorite Thing!
For Thankful Thursday SCOLL DOWN! Hugs, Lynn
Hop over to Laced With Grace and then come back and vote!
The LWG team thought to celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection with a special giveaway. The package includes a Veggie Tale DVD, Resurrection Eggs, a journal, the novel ‘Fireproof‘, and Max Lucado’s ‘Facing your Giants’ (Paperback book and MP3 Sermon Series).
To Enter: Leave a comment on a devotion that is being published in the up-coming week (Today, April 3rd), You do not have to have a blog to enter the LWG Giveaway, but a valid email address so we can contact you. The winner will be announced on Palm Sunday, April 5th 2009.
.....and an ordinary woman.
Do you hope God will use you to do something extrodinary in your life? Do you ever wonder why it seems He picks others to do really BIG things and not you?
Hop over to Laced With Grace for a story and an invitation to do really BIG things.
Most of you know that I am a contributing writer to the devotional blog, Laced With Grace. The team of writers have joined with Women Of Faith Ministries to offer two premium tickets to attend a two day conference at any venue in the United States.
Tickets include admission for two, boxed lunches and other neat stuff.
I attended my first Women of Faith event in 1998. It was there I found a new passion to begin reading my Bible every day. My life was forever changed because of Women of Faith.
What do you think God could do in your life through a Women of Faith conference?
Hop over to Laced With Grace and enter the contest today. Be blessed, Lynn
Copy this code for your own button.
MODELS NOW OPEN!
Too good to be true? No! I even found how wonderful my husband really is at a model home. Pop over to Laced With Grace for a quick devotion about one thing all women have in common. Be Blessed, Lynn
I opened up my email this morning, read this passage of scripture, and felt the Holy Spirit open up an area of my life which needs cleaning. This is what I read:
Colossians 4:6 (NIV) Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
The Holy Spirit hit me smack dab in the face with this thought, Lynn, it is time to control your tongue and I want you to begin with just one person. Immediately a single name came to mind.....(guess who it was?)
The original post, 30 days ago, The Water Drop Experiment began at Laced With Grace (click here)
The fantastic conclusion, The Water Drop Experiment - Jesus Works! is also posted at Laced With Grace (click here)
Jesus Works! Glory, Hallelujah, Amen
Be Blessed, Lynn
I opened up my email this morning, read this passage of scripture, and felt the Holy Spirit open up an area of my life which needs cleaning. This is what I read:
Colossians 4:6 (NIV) Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
The Holy Spirit hit me smack dab in the face with this thought, Lynn, it is time to control your tongue and I want you to begin with just one person. Immediately a single name came to mind.
...hop over to Laced With Grace. I want you to experience, The Water Drop Experiment too!
Also, all of my friends at Chrysalis are praticipating in Marriage Monday, The Wedding Day. Head off to read some great stories and share your own. Be Blessed, Lynn
PS. For those of you waiting for the continuing posts on What's in Your Camp, I am still researching and so is the psychologist who is working on this series with me. Thanks for your patients. It will be worth waiting for and will certainly help someone ensnared in pornography.
Proverbs 31:28a Her children arise and call her blessed;
I don’t know about you but I read this scripture and want to laugh. If you asked my kids about this passage and their mom, you would need to wait 30 minutes while they have hysterics on the floor. Then they would say: ... Hop over to Laced With Grace and find out.
Stop over at Laced With Grace for What a Mess.
I struggle with feelings of failure. Do you?
Do you have a dream, an aspiration which is so fantastic that only God could achieve it? Join me at Laced With Grace today and let's dream together.
Be Blessed, Lynn
Would you like to:
• Get more out of life?
• Overcome obstacles?
• Find clarity in your life’s purpose?
• Obtain true life balance?
• Realize your full potential?
• Increase your productivity?
• Take advantage of your strengths?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then coaching is for you. The coaching relationship assists us in accomplishing all of the above because we all need encouragement, accountability, an objective viewpoint and a sounding board from time to time. Coaching provides a safe environment, enabling us to step outside of our comfort zones to generate and implement ideas that we have never tried before. We all need that nudge from time to time in all areas of our lives to become all that we were created to be. A coach will provide that nudge.
Many of you know that I am a contributor at Laced With Grace. Last month the devotional site offered a great contest to the readers. Again in April, there is another fantastic opportunity. Stop over for a read.
Once again, Christian Women Online, in conjunction with Art Bookbindery, is sponsoring the “Her Life Reflected,” writing contest. We are looking for essays that tell us how your mother, or a mother that you know has reflected the heart of our Heavenly Father in her life. The winning essay will be one that is both written well, and of most importance, one that reflects God as being the central focus of one's life.
I am blessed to be a former contributor at Christian Women Online. The ministry of Darlene and CWO inspires and encourages me. Thank you Darlene! Stop in and read about the contest.
There are a few things going on in April. Hope you have time to participate in both. Be Blessed, Lynn
I Come To The Garden Alone -Hymn
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.Refrain
I love this old hymn. For the first time ever, I am experiencing these words.
For 23 years I was a banker. I wore a suite to work everyday for much of my adult life. Three years ago I quite the Corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom and a wife. God knows what he is doing.
Since I have been at home I fell in love with gardening. This week for the first time in my life, I planted a garden. A vegetable garden and a flower garden. This gift is from the Lord and my husband. It is perhaps the most precious gift I have ever received.
My heart is THANKFUL!
Also, we had an intruder in our home last week at 4:30 a.m.
What would God have us do when we are afraid? Find out today at Laced With Grace where I share this true story, Things That go BUMP in the Night.
Be Blessed, Lynn
For more Thankful Thursday blessings, visit Iris at Sting My Heart.
I am in this crowd. Join me at Laced With Grace and find out what I am doing!
Have a blessed and awesome week. Thanking our Lord, Jesus for his sacrifice that I might live, Lynn