Pathways That Lead to Christ

 This Christmas season and the Christmas season last year--2020, have been challenging, for sure!  The virus has taken away many freedoms we have held dearly and maybe have taken for granted. But,   you and I don't have to stay hostage to this virus or any virus. We can still be happy and enjoy the   season. Sure, many of us are unable to be with family and friends and that hurts; that hurts a lot.  But, when you think about the real meaning of Christmas and why so many of us celebrate it, we   can still be happy and positive and enjoy the happiness of the season.   Christians celebrate Christmas because that is when Christ was born. If Christ was never born, if   Christ never lived on this earth and was crucified, died and rose from the dead, there would be no   Christmas, there would be no laughter, hope or anything uplifting about the season we call Christmas.  Many are suffering this time of the year fro...

  Thanksgiving at Grandma’s by Toni Star November, then and now, signals just one thing to me, Thanksgiving at Grandma’s.  Thanksgiving at her house was paradise!  The atmosphere of food, laughter and love was wonderful and unforgettable.  Thanksgiving morning at our house was busy.  Mom would prepare a salad or pie; we kids would dress up in our good clothes and then go outside to play. We had to be careful not to get dirty.  Good clothes in our family didn’t come easy.  We weren’t poor but we were very frugal with money and food.  Meanwhile, Dad stayed busy in the garage checking out the old Chevy.  He’d check the oil, water and the battery and then give the tires a kick, for readiness.  Often, I would go into the garage from time to time to see how he was doing.  Often, he found things for me to do-such as checking the oil and water and inspecting the car battery to see if was clean and water filled to the proper level. I always ...

The below post is so beautiful that I wanted to share it with you, my readers. I hope you like it and I think that you will...The post is about positive thinking and more than ever, throughout the world, we need to read such a post. Enjoy! Larry Alton wrote the post in June of 2019 By Larry Alton | June 28, 2019 | 30  The “power of positive thinking” is a popular concept, and sometimes it can feel a little cliché. But the physical and mental benefits of positive thinking have been demonstrated by multiple scientific studies. A positive mindset can give you more confidence, improve your mood, and even reduce the likelihood of developing conditions such as hypertension, depression and other stress-related disorders. All this sounds great, but what does the “power of positive thinking” really mean? You can define positive thinking as positive imagery, positive self-talk or general optimism, but these are all still general, ambiguous concepts. If you want to be effective in thinking an...

 I just received a letter from my cousin Barbara Slater, who lives in Oregon. She and her husband are in their 80s and doing well; especially considering that they, like many other seniors, are struggling with the virus and her husband suffering from the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. She quotes from Psalm 90, "The worse things get, the closer we draw to God." She also wrote, "I am amazed at the strength God has given me at my age. (83). My cousin is a testimony of how God provides as we grow older. I agree with her. My husband and I are in are middle 70s, we have several health concerns and of course, the virus has added to our woes. But, we are learning, day by day to  trust in Him in all matters and to take each day--one day at a time.  My cousin also wrote on  the back of her card more inspirational words: "God will give you overcoming strength for overwhelming moments." I love these words and already they have come in handy--especially with current a...

I hope you all will read the following words that come from Holley Girth 2021. I have read and reread them and they have been so helpful! Please take a few minutes and read them. I think that you will find her words not only helpful but also very healing. This Covid virus has been not only stressful but tiring but through out it all, God has been with us--each and everyone! No matter what comes today, tomorrow or five, twenty years from now--God will be with you and me! Hold on to your faith because it is your faith in God that will bring you through whatever you face--now and every day! Toni Star  We, as humanity, have been through a lot in the past year or so. That can make it feel as if we’re failing, but really we’ve just all been fighting hard. So remember this, you’re doing better than you know, you’re loved more than you can imagine, and you’re going to get through whatever is in front of you today. There is nothing you will face this week that’s bigger than your God. No pro...

 Yes, by now we all know that the virus is still here.  But, more important, God is still here and near.  Take one day at a time and you will see.  By the evil one; don't be deceived...  God is with you everywhere you go!   Never give up or give in.   With God, there is power within..   When you feel like giving up.   All you have to do is look up...     And, you will see the good Lord!

We are all going through trying times. We have the coronavirus, bad weather, some facing financial challenges and others facing layoffs and other financial concerns. All of these are reasons to possibly give up, be depressed or feel anxious and hopeless. Sure, these are all struggles that cause all sorts of anxiety, fear and depression but there is no need to feel this way. Keep in mind; the "evil" is causing problems for many of us by putting doubt, fear, worry and other negative feelings in our hearts and minds but there is no need to feel put out or feel that there is no way out because there is. The way out from fear, anxiety, hopelessness or any other type of anxiety is to pray and trust that God will bring you through because He will. There is nothing on this earth that can take you away from Him or make you feel hopeless and helpless. When that happens, immediately go to Christ because that is what He wants you to do. He wants to help get you out of the hopeless and he...

 This covid virus will end one day. Of course no one knows when, but it will pass. So many of us are hurting; either physically, mentally or both. I have suffered and continue to suffer from both but I am not giving up and neither should you. In the Bible, Jesus said, "I am with you always, even to the end." What does that mean? It means that He is with you no matter where you go or what you do. Yes, I know. We can't see him but He is there spiritually, all the time. No matter how you are suffering or where you are, don't give up. That is what the evil one wants you to do. He wants to discourage you so that you focus on the negative and awful situations, instead of focusing on Christ and all He can do to help you. Keep in mind; Christ can't always take away the pain and suffering but He will be with you as you go through the trials and tribulations of life. He died so that you and I might live and have life abundantly. He died for us so that when we die and believ...

 Hi Everyone. I am posting this article that Larry Alton wrote June 28, 2019 because it is a wonderful article about having a positive mindset. Positive thinking helps in so many ways. I hope you like and enjoy the article. Toni Star 2021 7 Practical Tips to Achieve a Positive Mindset By Larry Alton June 28, 2019  The “power of positive thinking” is a popular concept, and sometimes it can feel a little cliché. But the physical and mental benefits of positive thinking have been demonstrated by multiple scientific studies. A positive mindset can give you more confidence, improve your mood, and even reduce the likelihood of developing conditions such as hypertension, depression and other stress-related disorders. All this sounds great, but what does the “power of positive thinking” really mean? You can define positive thinking as positive imagery, positive self-talk or general optimism, but these are all still general, ambiguous concepts. If you want to be effective in thinking a...

  An Easter Prayer Mar 24, 2021  by Tina Easter The following is a wonderful and inspirational piece that comes from DaySpring ministries. It is lovely and I wanted to share it with you.  I love and want to share with you a part of this piece,: " Thank you for the anchoring of peace the Cross gives us. When difficult times find me, help me keep my eyes on you. Help me calm and quiet my soul so I can find full contentment in You alone." I love the words, "Anchoring of peace the Cross gives us." And, isn't true that the cross gives us such peace? We all have difficult times and when such comes come to us, let us turn to Christ. He will "calm and quiet" our souls and that will give us contentment. And, these days especially, don't we need contentment? We sue do! So, run to Christ and He will give you "calm and quiet" and actually, you couldn't ask for more. God Bless you and may you and yours feel the blessing and love of Easter. Toni St...

 I read about a month ago from Kenneth Copeland's magazine that Gloria Copeland, his wife, has stated in her article for this January's edition, that she is going to make 2021 a "turn around" year. I thought the idea of turning things around was most appealing and uplifting. I have decided, with God's help, that I, too, will do my best to make 2021 a turn around year. So, what are my goals in making  this year different than all the other years? I am going to turn around anxiety, fear, loneliness and uncertainty and I will do this by turning over my anxiety, fear and loneliness to God and trusting in Him to take these unwanted emotions away and instead, trust Him to get these unwanted emotions out of my life and over to Him. For, I belong to Him, for He cares for me. When you are a born again Christian, God and His son Jesus, want you to be happy and content but you can't be if you are not with them and trusting that they will take care of your personal needs....