Ann Voskamp tells of losing the diamond from her wedding ring. It was just a 2mm diamond but the only precious stone she’d ever known.   Ann points out that…

I love meeting the people who’ve read the books I write because it’s an encouragement that the written words have blessed someone else.   Sometimes I’ll add, “You know, I…

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words After working as a newscaster in Asia for four years, Ali Kennedy made plans to return to the U.S.  Because she had no idea where she would live or what she would be doing in this next phase of her life, she felt uneasy about the change. Her friend counseled her that she was like a trapeze artist who had let go of one bar and was soaring through the air reaching for the next bar. She advised Ali to study what a trapeze artist needs during the transition when she is suspended in air between the two bars.   Ali says she learned three things were needed:   The first was Trust- She needed to believe that God was guiding her even in this period when she felt she was all on her own. The second was Timing- Any trapeze artist knows that if you don’t let go at the right time, you won’t be in position to catch the next bar when it comes within reach. The third thing she observed was that she must Hold her Position. Fear can cause a trapeze artist to panic. She must keep her body aligned and ready to catch the bar at the moment in comes within reach. So too, when we’re in an insecure place in our lives, we need to hold steady, not panicking because we have nothing to hold on to. After all, our circumstances may have changed but God hasn’t changed.   Are you in a period of transition? Proverbs 3:5 & 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Don’t panic.  Instead, trust, watching for God’s timing, and holding your position. He will help you catch the next bar.

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words Peggy Smith stood observing their old mother hen and her brood of chickens that were scattered all over the yard. As she watched, she began to notice the shadow of a hawk circling overhead. The drama played out before her.   That mother hen did not run to those little chicks and jump on top of them to try to cover them with her wings.  No! Instead, she squatted down, spread out her wings and began to cluck. And those little chickens, from every direction, came running to herto get under those outstretched wings. Then the hen pulled her wings down tight, tucking every little chick safely under her.  To get to those babies, the hawk would have to go through the mother.[1]   Psalm 91:4 immediately came to her mind: “[God] will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge” (NIV). Peggy said, “When I think of those baby chicks running to their mother, I realize it is under His wings that we may seek refuge--but we have to run to Him.”   Yes, in our lives when the hawks circle, God offers us comfort and safety.   Boaz, in the book of Ruth refers to God, “under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (2:12). One of my favorite insights into the heart of Jesus is when he cries out over Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem . . . ,how often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”   I wonder if there are times when God would like to have comforted us “under his wings” but instead of coming to Him, we depended on our own resources.  When He covers us, the forces of hell cannot penetrate His protection. [1]Peggy Joyce Ruth, “Lessons From a Chicken,” Charisma Home, http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/power-up/11480-lessons-from-a-chicken, accessed 3-8-15.  

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words You may have read the story or seen the movie of Joni Eareckson Tada, a woman who because of a diving accident became a quadriplegic at the age of 17. As you can well imagine, when the accident happened she struggled. Since God is all-powerful, why hadn’t He prevented the accident? Or, why didn’t He heal her paralysis? People would remind her that Romans 8:28 says God works all things together for good--a Bible verse often quoted to those in hard-to-explain circumstances. Sometimes the verse is a comfort, but often what the person needs at that particular time is not to know that good is going to come out of tragedy but that God is still there with them even through the pain--and that He cares. Joni tells that while many prayed for her to be healed, she came to the realization that getting out of suffering is not the only solution. We paint ourselves into a corner when we insist that God must remove our suffering or we can never be happy again. Joni says she has learned that attitude can make a tremendous difference in how a person copes with pain that just doesn’t go away. She writes, “A Christian may not be able to rule their life situation, but they can rule their hearts.”[1]Joni’s life proves it is possible to have an attitude that brings happiness even in the middle of pain.             If you are undergoing suffering right now, pray this prayer: Lord, I want you to take away this pain I’m going through.  But if You don’t, I’m determined to find happiness in You. I am determined that You, not circumstances, will be the source of my peace and joy.   [1]Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes, When God Weeps(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), 174.  

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words I want to encourage you that in this life, the Journey into Grace is a long process, so don’t get discouraged if you trip and fall along the way. Here are a few things I’m still learning. There is no substitute for reading God’s Word. I’ve tried skipping on days when I’m up to my neck in work.  But I’m the loser.  It’s like skipping meals and still expecting to have the stamina you need. My physical condition affects my spiritual condition.After an extensive ministry tour, Jesus knew the disciples were exhausted, so He said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31 NLT). Don’t be surprised that feeling “down” spiritually often comes at the same time you’re “down” physically. I need to keep ever before me the two great commandments: To love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength To love my neighbor as myself Nothing else matters as much. Yet, it’s so easy to forget to keep the “main thing the main thing.” I need prayer time that is intimate, not just a laundry list of requests. Making a connection with my heavenly Father is the most important part of prayer. Every night I need the Lord’s invitation, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28).I tend to carry my burdens to bed with me. Can you relate? That’s why I love to hear God’s voice at the end of the day inviting me to come to Him and receive the rest only He can give.             Oh, Lord, help me--and my brothers and sisters on the path with me-- to grow in our relationship with You as we progress on our Journey into Grace.

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words Recently something happened in our family that brought me to tears. Oh, I know God is going to bring good out of the situation eventually, but it hurt just the same. I spent most of the night praying--not because I’m “spiritual” but for the very practical reason that I couldn’t sleep. Because I don’t operate very well without sleep, I needed some Bible verses to wrap my heart around. I turned to Isaiah 43 because this chapter is entirely the words of the Lord. Here are the first two verses: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned” (Isaiah 43:1, 2). Notice God mentions three characteristics of trials in our lives. First, He talks about “waters,” and I think He means the depth of our problems. Then He refers to “rivers,” which remind us of the turbulence of our trials. Last, He speaks of “fires”, and that reminds us of the intensity of our difficulties. God doesn’t say, “Ifyou happen to go through deep waters or fast-paced rivers or scorching fire.” He says, “Whenyou walk through them.” We will always have problems to deal with. The good thing is that these situations are no surprise to God. Are you too going through a hard time? Let’s review what God says He’ll do for you: When you pass through the waters, He will be with you. The rivers will not overwhelm you. You will not be burned in the fire. These are God’s promises. And did you notice that in verse 1, He says, “I have called you by name, you are mine”? How personal is that! I think I can sleep now.

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words In life, we all like mountaintop experiences better than valleys. But the truth is that valleys are inevitable. Jesus didn’t want us to be surprised by these difficult times, so just before He died on the cross, He warned us, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when. I’m sure you’ve noticed that you can’t plan valleys or schedule them.  I mean, have you ever had a flat tire or a root canal at a goodtime? But be encouraged that valleys are temporary; they do have an end. And they have a purpose, for God will not waste our pain. The apostle Peter wrote,“There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.” (1 Peter 1:6,7 NLT). Andrew Murray, who was a pastor, writer and Bible teacher, once wrote, “In times of trouble, God’s trusting child may say FIRST:He brought me here; it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that will I rest. NEXT: He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child. THEN: He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn . . . LAST: In His good time He can bring me out again – how and when He knows.”[1]   Then Murray encouraged us to say: “I am here – By God’s appointment. In His keeping. Under His training. For His time.”[2] Thank God for His presence with you when you need Him most. He makes no mistakes. [1]Andrew Murray, http://www.heraldofhiscoming.com/Past%20Issues/2015/February/in_times_of_trouble.htm, accessed 11-4-2016. [2]Ibid.

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words In a little book called “Diamond Dust,” I found an anonymous quote that caught my attention.  Here it is: “If, in spite of all your tears and prayers, God has left you in a dark place, perhaps it's because He knows there are still treasures to be found there.”   Those who work in mines know what darkness is—pitch black darkness. Unless electricity has been brought to the mine, they’re totally dependent on their miner’s lamps to help them see anything at all. Yet, in that darkness, exist valuable minerals, silver, gold—even diamonds.   So, too, in our lives there are precious discoveries to be found during the dark times. A few weeks after a friend of mine lost her son to suicide, someone asked her how she was doing. Her answer? “Devastated but not destroyed.” In the dark God was revealing new insights into His love for her. New realization that in the deepest darkness He was still with her.   To find those valuable treasures, we must continue to seek God even when we cannot see how His hand is directing us. Hebrews 11:6 says that “[God] rewards those who earnestly seek him.”   Perhaps you are in a very dark place right now.  Perhaps you’ve just lost the most precious person in your life. Or you’ve learned you have a physical condition for which there is no treatment. Or you’ve just found out that a scam has stripped you of the funds you planned to live on for the rest of your life. Don’t give up. Continue to seek Him with all your heart, for God has promised, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).   Who knows what treasures you will discover during this dark time. God rewards those who diligently seek Him--especially in dark and difficult places.       DiamondDust, December 26, 2008,  stricker@netscorp.net

Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words Missionary Hubert Mitchell set off into the thick jungles of Sumatra to reach an animist tribe deep in the heart of that country. On the way he stopped to buy fish and some cans of mandarin oranges, and then continued on the trail. Eventually he came to a group of people who at first were afraid, but Hubert’s assistant persuaded the Chief that Hubert had come from a great distance with a wonderful message called "Good News." Hubert began to tell the story of Jesus.  Taking two pieces of a small tree, he tied them together to form a cross. Lying down on the cross, he explained that the soldiers nailed Jesus' hands and feet to the cross. Suddenly the Chief spoke up, "What is a nail?”Taken aback, Hubert tried to explain. As he talked, the people started to pull away. "Don't go. There must be a nail somewhere around here." The men searched pockets and knapsacks but found no nail. Thoughts flooded his mind. "Oh Lord You brought me all this way from the U.S. for this?” After lunch he opened one of the cans of oranges for dessert. Pouring them onto his plate, he was ready to toss the can--when he heard a rattle. Opening the can further, he looked inside, and there at the bottom of the can was a nail! Hubert jumped to his feet. "This is a nail! This is what they put into the hands of Jesus!” Calling everyone back to the center of the clearing, the Chief asked Hubert to tell the crucifixion story again. Soon the people started to weep with deep sobs, tears flowing down their cheeks, as they heard the message that God loved them and that their sins could be forgiven. It was the beginning of a miracle in the lives of that tribe--all because of a nail in a can of oranges.