Rena Groot's Blog, page 2

Unexpected...

Three days ago a woman I know had a heart attack and during treatment at the hospital developed a brain bleed. She died. Her family is grieving. This was so unexpected. Life can be like that. Unexpected things happen without warning...catching us off guard and knocking us off our feet.

Does life sometimes feel like a rollercoaster, tossing you from one unexpected thing to another? Whether we face turmoil in our relationships, job challenges, feel trapped, or simply feel the hectic pace of everyday life, we frequently wrestle with finding meaning amid the chaos that sometimes comes with the unexpected. Here are a few tools that can help you navigate through life’s unexpected storms.

Embrace uncertainty...

Life's unpredictability can be uncomfortable, but it also offers opportunities for growth. Imagine viewing your obstacles not as barriers but as stepping stones towards being a better person. My husband recently had cancer surgery, and I feel sad I can't help him beyond making his meals and smiling at him. I am looking at this time of potential chaos and uncertainty as a chance to grow in my compassion, patience, and kindness. Accept that feeling helpless is perfectly normal. Embrace your journey, knowing that finding meaning is not a straight path but a winding road sometimes filled with surprises.

One effective way to cope with uncertainty is being mindful of God's presence. Times like this help me realize my desperate need for God for everything. Talking to God helps ground you in the present, reducing anxiety about the future. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2

There are simple techniques, such as focusing on breathing or taking mindful walks, that can help calm your thoughts and ease overwhelming feelings. Believe it or not, when you feel overwhelmed, crying helps. It releases oxytocin and endorphins that can help relieve chaos caused by physical or emotional pain.

Reflect on what is important...

To find genuine meaning, you need to reflect on your core values. What matters most to you? What brings you fulfillment? List your top values. For instance, if family, creativity, or community are essential to you, thinking about these can guide your decisions. Another idea is to create a “values collage” by compiling images, quotes, and words that represent your beliefs. Display this collage prominently in your living space to serve as a daily reminder of what you prioritize and aspire to achieve. My friend Jan is a master at this. Just going to her home is inspiring, as she has so many quotes on her walls that are encouraging.

Align your life with your core values...

Consider writing down daily or weekly goals. The Bible says, Without a vision the people perish. We all need something to live for. You might set a goal to spend quality time with family, dedicate an hour each week to exploring a new hobby, or volunteer at a local charity. Keeping a journal to track your goals is a great idea. If you have time, write about your thoughts and experiences. Reflecting on your goals can help you discover patterns in your life, revealing areas for growth and improvement. This can help you feel more centred and purposeful.

Find sources of support...

In times of chaos, connecting with others can be a vital source of support. Reach out to friends and family. Engaging with like-minded people creates a sense of belonging and purpose. Find communities that resonate with your interests and values, whether in-person or online. Sharing your challenges and dreams can lead to new insights or reinvigorate your journey. These conversations often spark motivation and deeper understanding.

Accept Imperfection...

Finally, it's essential to understand that perfection is an unrealistic expectation. This has been a difficult lesson for me. Life can be messy, and trying to control every detail often leads to frustration. By accepting imperfection when the unexpected arises, you become more compassionate towards yourself and others. This mindset lets you learn from mistakes and celebrate small victories. It's vital to understand that each experience—success or failure—teaches us something valuable. Practice self-compassion by treating yourself like you would a friend. Acknowledge your feelings and encourage yourself to take healthy risks, even amid the chaos of the unexpected. This will boost your emotional well-being.

Find meaning...

Finding meaning amid unexpected chaos is a continuous endeavor marked by ups and downs. By embracing uncertainty, reflecting on your values, setting goals, fostering connections, and accepting imperfections, you can carve out purpose amid life’s noise. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. Each step you take to understand what matters to you brings you closer to a more fulfilling life. Take a deep breath the next time life throws a curveball your way. Ask God to give you wisdom and strength. Remind yourself that within the chaos of life lies the potential for meaningful growth and discovery. Embrace the journey, and let your quest for purpose guide you through life’s unpredictability. Blessings, Beloved of God.

One Foot in Heaven

What would it be like to face death? Despite a tragic near-death motorcycle accident, God has used Sheila Preston Fitzgerald's life to turn a tragedy into triumph. She is alive today thanks to the grace of God. But, this hasn't been easy. Sheila has endured several years of excruciating pain, numerous surgeries, unending daily physical therapy, and the ever-present risk of serious setbacks.

One Foot in Heaven recounts Sheila's journey from the night that changed everything to her spiritual healing with the Savior. She passes along incredible hope to others as she walks with one foot in heaven. Despite the toll this took on Sheila’s life, her book shows us her determination to go on, her passion for life, and the above-and-beyond love of her friends.

In spite of horrific losses in her life, Sheila found hope amid the hopelessness. Her miraculous story reveals how God healed her from the inside out. It will leave you laughing and crying. In today’s world, everyone needs encouragement, hope, passion and purpose. Sheila delivers that, and so much more. Sheila has a gift of bringing hope, healing, encouragement, and purpose — regardless of one’s age or stage of life. She is a speaker, author, and tragedy coach.

Sheila has appeared on numerous TV, video, and podcast shows shining the light of Jesus to the world. With more than a decade of recovery from horrific trauma that affected every aspect of her life, Sheila uses her vast personal experience to gracefully coach others through trauma and adversity. You truly can live a life filled with hope and joy. Some topics she has available include Triumph Over Tragedy, Overcoming Hardships, A Joy-Filled Journey, Stopping Difficult Days from Becoming Difficult Seasons, This Little Light of Mine, Courage!, Hope in the Hopeless, Letting Go, What’s My Purpose?, Why God, Why?, Choose Happy Not Crappy©, From Victim to Victory, Your Are Not Your Limitations.

“When I first met Sheila all I could see was pure joy. It radiated off of her like a light! And that is what she is. Encouraging others to find peace and joy in and through the suffering. She is a pillar of hope to all!” ~ Crystal Rome Music Artist & Podcast producer The Unbreakable Soul

“Sheila Preston Fitzgerald radiates light and hope in our world where darkness seems to take so much. Her attitude, stemming from her incredible faith, cannot help but inspire everyone who encounters her. Sheila’s misfortunes could have taken her joy and livelihood, but instead she let God take hold of her story and transform it into a powerful testimony. Now she encourages others to follow her incredible example.” ~ Ginny Priz, Co-Host of Bloom Today TV Show

This is a story Sheila sent me for you, called BEST DATE EVER

As I drove home, winding through the beautiful back roads of rural Tennessee, I began to cry. I had no idea why. For me, when that happens, it usually means God wants my attention and I’d best listen. The non-audible conversation went much like this:

God: What day is it?

Me: Aaaa…Wednesday.

God: What time is it?

Me: (looking at the clock on the car) Aaaa… 8:30 p.m.

God: Does any of that mean anything to you?

Me: Ummm…no, not really.

God: What’s todays date?

Me: September 28th.

God: Is it coming together for you?

Me: Oh, my gosh! YES!

Tears ran down my face as I realized that the next day would mark eleven years since the accident that forever changed my life. The tears continued to fall as I spent the remainder of my drive home in conversation with the Lord. The last thing He spoke to my heart was, “I’ve got something special for you tomorrow.” My heart leapt as I realized I had completely forgotten about the anniversary of the accident. God never did.

I awoke the next morning earlier than normal as I had an extremely long workday ahead of me. As I drove to the salon, I felt an anxiousness in my heart - a happy excitement. I arrived early to work, and enjoyed the quiet time as I prepared for a long day. I had a few minutes to spare, and as I often do, I prayed. My heart flip-flopped when another non-audible conversation transpired. This time, it was Jesus speaking to my heart.

Jesus: I would like to have a date with you.

Me: Really?

Jesus: Yes. Meet me tonight, 8:30 at the scene.

Me: Knowing exactly what He meant by “the scene” I replied, okay!

It was short. It was sweet. And I was super excited. For the next fourteen hours I repeatedly told myself, “I have a date with Jesus tonight!”

I shared my early-morning invitation with a couple of clients. They too were excited for me. One was particularly cute. As she handed me a box of tissues she said, “You might need these tonight.”

When my workday was finally complete, I pulled up to the “T” intersection at exactly 8:30 p.m. Oddly, there wasn’t a single car in sight. Weird. When the red light turned green, I drove through the intersection and found a place to park in a small alcove that faced the scene of the accident. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I began with a prayer of thanksgiving. The tears fell as I thanked God for never leaving my side. Though the suffering has yet to cease, and it may never cease this side of Heaven, I thanked God for giving me the strength to endure.

It got really quiet as I continued to sit in my car, in the dark, watching car after car go through the intersection. Again, I felt the non-audible voice speak to my heart: “I want you to see what happened the night of the accident through MY eyes.”

Little by little, step by step, Jesus slowly took me through the events of what happened the night of the accident. “See that car? They turned that way. And that one? They didn’t see you at all.” I watched cars move through the intersection as every detail of my accident played out before me. I watched as my body was crushed and thrown into the air like a rag doll, and then came crashing down onto the pavement. A deputy sheriff’s car sat at the red light as Jesus continued walking me through the night of the accident. He allowed me to see the intersection full of cars and people, first responders, and emergency vehicles. It was complete chaos. It was like a real-life movie unfolding right before me. Then I saw it. The Trinity. They were there. God gently cradled me in His lap, Jesus knelt beside me, and Holy Spirit was all around me. The next thing Jesus showed me was an aerial view of the pool of blood on the pavement; my body lying in that pool of blood - my blood.

With snot, bubble blowing cries, I asked, “Why? Why did I have to see that?” “Because it was then that you fully surrendered your life to ME. Not until you were empty, could I fill you with MY life-saving, life-cleansing blood.” For the first time in my life, I finally understood the power of Jesus’ blood. My tears continued to fall, but they were somehow different. They were grateful, joy-filled tears.

 Again, I heard Jesus speak to my heart:

Jesus: Let’s celebrate! Let’s mark this moment with communion.

Me: Ummm… I don’t have any elements for communion. All I have is a bottle of water.

Jesus: (with a smile in His voice) You do remember my first public miracle, yes?

Me: Oh, yeah! Water to wine. But I don’t have any bread.

Jesus: Yes, you do.

Me: Ummm….no, I don’t.

Jesus: Look in the side of your tote bag.

I dug into the side pocket and pulled out a paper towel. It contained a small chunk of baguette bread. It had been such a crazy day that someone brought me a cup of soup for lunch. I had no idea they put the chunk of bread in my bag!

Did my water turn into wine? No. It didn’t have to. The elements are simply symbols that represent Jesus’ body that was broken and blood that was poured out for our sins on the cross.

I did not want our time to end, but I knew our date was coming to a close. I also knew I would never partake of communion the same way again. I sat there a bit longer, thanking God for choosing me. As I wiped my tears and collected the pile of used tissues, I heard it.

 I looked out the front windshield of my car, and up in the night sky was a Life Flight helicopter. As it passed over, Jesus spoke to my heart, “Give me your heart, and I’ll give you life.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

I surrendered once again as Jesus repeated the words He told me eleven years prior.

“Don’t be afraid. We’ve got you. You’re gonna be okay.”

You don’t have to experience a life-altering or tragic event to hear what Jesus has to say to you.  You need only to have a willing heart. 

Are you willing?

Can you hear God speak to your heart?

What is He saying to you?

What is He calling you to do?

 Father God,

Thank You for never giving up on us. Thank You for Your will for our lives. May we be intentional with our ears and with our hearts as You speak to each of us. Your will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sheila's book, One Foot in Heaven, can be bought here at Amazon.

www.OneFootInHeavenOnline.com 

1FootNHeaven@gmail.com

The Bethlehem Star

When Jesus was born, a star arose in the sky—a sign that a great king had been born. Was this star an alignment of planets? On December 21st, 2020, the giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn aligned, causing what some have called a once-in-a-lifetime event—the first sighting of the Bethlehem star in eight hundred years. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 The star drew these wise men—magi, interpreters of heavenly signs—from the east to Jesus. Had they read the ancient prophecy, "A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel"? Numbers 24:17 Were these magi Jewish scholars from Babylon who studied the messages written by Daniel and the prophets?

Interestingly, the brightest star appeared in 2020 on the winter solstice — the longest and darkest time of the year. Did God do this to illustrate that when the earth is darkest, He, the Lord of all creation, the light of the world, the brightest light in the universe, appears?

The world was dark when Jesus was born. It is dark today—a time of global upheaval and unrest. I can hear God saying, "Don't be afraid. When things look darkest, look up. My light will shine. Don't give up. As I came to Earth once, I promise to come again for you. I am preparing a beautiful place for you. I love you."

God made this very cool promise for all people for all times."Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." Daniel 12:3 It's true, wise men still seek Him. God is awesome. We can trust Him with every part of our lives. He knows everything from how many hairs are on your head to how many stars are in the universe. Psalm 147:4 says, "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name." Astronomers estimate there are more galaxies in the universe — each filled with billions of stars — than grains of sand on Earth. God is beyond awesome.

This is my prayer for you. When you gaze at the stars, as the wise men once did, may you be reminded that God is faithful and keeps His promises. May you draw closer to Him than ever—so close you can feel His heartbeat. May God keep you in His care—surrounded by His love. I pray your life will point others to Him. Blessings, Beloved of God. Here is a link to a fascinating documentary on the Bethlehem star. https://youtu.be/exmbuX1NffU .

Five Steps From Eternity

Five Steps From Eternity is the story of a young woman's early departure to Heaven and a family's journey through grief. On April 13, 2022, Lanae took her last steps on Earth and her first steps into eternity. Lanae fell the height of four Calgary Towers. God graciously allowed Leanne, Lanae's mother, to overhear a conversation God had with her daughter as He carried her down a mountain."Lanae, you could go back into your body. It will be hard, but I will be with you. Or you can come home with Me."She chose to go home."So I told her, Okay. Let me show you how to fly."

I first met Leanne when she became part of my Broken to Beautiful—Transformed by God’s Power course. Shortly after the course finished Leanne contacted me to say her daughter had been killed in a backcountry ski accident. Months later Leanne invited me to help her write Lanae’s story.

Five Steps From Eternity is based on Leanne’s raw and emotional journal born out of deep, unimaginable grief. Leanne went from trusting God and being surrendered to His will to wanting an answer to that unanswerable question “Why?” Grief is such a distressing roller-coaster ride—trusting one moment, doubting the next, then trusting again. You will also read of the light of God’s love and compassion bringing comfort and hope to those in mourning.

Leanne and I spent days secluded in a beautiful cottage (thank you Diana) and worked on the book from morning to night. Helping write Five Steps From Eternity has been an honor—a special but also difficult assignment from God. It was heart-wrenching reading the journal with Leanne, asking for clarification on some of the entries, realizing this would re-open wounds—yet knowing God was comforting her heart.

This photo was taken moments before Lanae stepped into eternity. In the midst of this pain, God has brought a beacon of hope and light and joy to Leanne and her loved ones—a deeper trust in and longing for Him. They have been crushed but not forsaken.

It was a blessing to meet Leanne, John, Logan, Alicia, and Daniel, and to see Lanae’s life through their eyes. I know the prayers of God’s people have bathed them all in a peace that passes understanding. "....and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.”Revelation 21:4

Click here to see Leanne's video . https://vimeo.com/1027010120/9a68a02932

Click here to visit the Paetkaus' website.

Here's a link for the book Five Steps from Eternity: Lanae’s Death— A Family’s Journey Through Grief (Amazon)

Not ashamed...

Have you ever felt awkward or inadequate trying to talk to someone about Christ? I have. Sometimes hiding seems like a better option, but we have the sense God wants us to speak. So, what do we do?

Elaine and I were standing in line waiting to vote in the election. I had never met her before. I'm not sure how we started talking about God...it just happened. She informed me she is Buddhist, believes in reincarnation, has a daughter who is a Wiccan, and she believes there is no God. The people standing around us suddenly got very quiet as they listened to our conversation. I didn't know if I stood among friends or ...

I told Elaine I believe Genesis 1:1. She laughed. She thought the notion of God creating everything was absurd. I admit it seemed futile to say anything further...but...I kept talking. I had to. I was possibly her only chance to hear about God. I wanted her to know there is One who loves her with an everlasting love. When it was my turn to vote I hugged her goodbye and I told her God loves her. So many people are like this precious woman. They are lost for eternity unless God intervenes. I pray God speaks to her heart and confirms He is real.

This is meant to encourage you. There are a lot of lost people out there. Someone's eternity doesn't depend on your eloquent words but on the power of God. Be faithful to share the gospel when His Spirit prompts you to. Any feelings of inadequacy are irrelevant. I am exhorting myself too. I love this verse. Daniel 12:3 "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars, forever and forever." Jesus has been given all power in Heaven and Earth. We are to go in His name, His authority (remember ~ feelings are irrelevant) and share His gospel. Trust Him to speak through you. Be brave. Pray God gives you open doors to share with others, and the courage to speak when He does. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16 Who cares if you look foolish? I pray there will be people standing in Heaven because we lived. Blessings, Beloved of God.

Heaven Can't Wait!

This post was written by my special guest, Julie Bonn Blank. I believe her story will inspire and encourage you. Her book, Innocent Lives: Guardians of Grace, reveals the horror of sex trafficking. It is fiction and it ends well. Here is some of Julie's story.

There’s no argument that life can be difficult. And although Jesus is clear in His messages to us that He has overcome the world and to not grow weary in doing good, the human-ness in us sometimes get the best of us. It did for me, anyway. Anxiety, discouragement, and fear sometimes took hold in my heart. And the more I heard, “God is love. Fear is not from Him. Perfect love casts out fear,” the more anxious I sometimes got!

What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I rest in Him? My life was once a tattered mess. Not only did I make multiple wrong and sinful decisions, but I had three abusive relationships. One of these was a 17-year marriage that ended after a gun incident when the kids and I couldn’t leave the house for days. Despite a divorce thereafter, the abuse continued until God said “enough” and took my former husband Home. Yes, He released me from my abuse because I had been unable to fully do so. I had even moved back into the same house to help take care of him after the divorce. I returned to abuse time after time because there was a part of ME that needed healing, and my very spirit needed to learn to place my value solely on God versus on the endorphins that I received from rescuing and helping others.

If you have struggles like I did, if you have pain, grief, a difficult marriage, addiction, divorce, the loss of hope, medical issues, trauma - I have a message for you: God can’t wait for you to come Home. Our Lord is excited to have all His children gathered and living a life of light and praise with Him. How do I know?

 I have suffered from allergies for many years although they’ve escalated in the past couple of years. And in August of this year, Satan tried to take me out. Yup. I had an allergic reaction with symptoms I have never had before. God prodded me several times to treat it as an allergy anyway and so I did, finally also using my Epipen in addition to the oral meds. I still had to call 911 because God told me to do so (and also told me to not go to sleep when I kept laying on the couch!). And then in an ambulance in my cul-de-sac, I stopped fainting and went to heaven instead. I had just finished mumbling (because my mouth felt full of cotton) to the EMTS that I work for a Christian nonprofit that helps domestic abuse survivors when I left and instead of fade-to-black it was popping gold!

I saw amazing and beautiful sights. But more importantly, I felt Jesus next to me (He wouldn’t let me look at Him). And He spoke to me. “Not now. Go. There is still so much work to be done.” As soon as he said “Go,” He or someone carried me as I was shooting backward at a million miles per hour. Three seconds later (before He was even done with His sentence), I opened my eyes in the ambulance. Yes, as I was opening them, I heard the end of the sentence, “…so much more to do,” like it was a megaphone in my ear. 

I was shocked that no one else seemed to have heard a thing. It was so LOUD. The EMT was pushing more Epi and steroids at this point and telling the driver to get a move on. A couple of days later, my primary physician’s office confirmed that I had indeed flat-lined while in the ambulance.

Obviously, we all still have work to do and your help is needed too. But here is the thing my friends, as much as we say there is no sadness in heaven, Jesus can choose to feel what He feels. It was a sad, yet powerful voice He used with me. He wanted to keep me there. He loves me so much, He wanted me there! And He knew my name. His tone and verbal connotation said it all: “I want you Home, dear daughter. I can’t wait to celebrate YOU.” He poured this into me during our short visit. He feels the same about you.

 As a parent, this makes complete sense to me. Who doesn’t want all of their kiddos in the same room to joyfully connect? But, while we are here, He wants us to keep being worker-bees. The earth isn’t ready to lose us yet. The people here need us. But He loves you so deeply that He can’t wait, in His perfect timing, to have you Home.

This is a photo of Julie and her husband Bill. The beach photo is Julie's favorite beach, Julie is the Women’s Ministry and Educational Director for ARMS/Abuse Recovery Ministry Services. ARMS has free Her Journey abuse recovery groups for ladies (ages 14+) nationwide and internationally. Julie also is an author, writer and certified domestic violence advocate with hundreds of hours of training in abuse, intervention and recovery. Learn more about Julie on her website. The book cover is the first in her series about human trafficking. Innocent Lives can be purchased at Amazon here.

The abuse organization, ARMS (Abuse Recovery Ministry Services) saved Julie's life 12 years ago. God used their free Her Journey program to save her life. After working on her healing, Julie became a volunteer leader and did their marketing. Six years ago, Julie came on staff as their Women's Ministry and Educational Director. 

Her Journey is a free program, once a week for 15 weeks that is curriculum based. It therefore makes an amazing accompaniment to many of the paid programs out there. Occasionally, they have ladies who need more than HJ and then they often refer them to other healing programs, as well as coaching/counseling. Here is a page on Julie's website that has many appearances listed. https://www.juliebonnblank.com/speaking/

Julie Bonn Blank

CCW President, Author/Speaker, Certified DV Advocate & Coach

Learn more about DV/Abuse Healing Coaching here

Download your two free ebooks here, ROSE & PENNY Boxed Set

www.juliebonnblank.com 

The Good Steward

I met Petri in Israel in 2015 at a Bridges For Peace Conference.  I am honored to introduce you to her ministry, The Good Steward. Here are Petri's words. "The Good Steward concept is an endeavour that was placed delicately upon our hearts by our wondrous Saviour. It was conceived in love for two groups of people : Firstly, the current site hopes to aid new believers to navigate the daunting din of this modern digital age in which information is slung at us from all directions! Our prayer is that this collection of condensed and proven good stewardship sources will make the task more manageable.

Secondly, our further prayerful aspiration is that the website will serve to motivate others to use the framework and any other content that they wish to retain and personalize it by adding their own trusted local suppliers and sources.  We would love to assist in that undertaking. The sites have the potential to serve as a spiritual will and testament that will live on for family and friends when we have departed this world."

Here are some highlights from the site.

There are assembled resources for you here for your spirit that are designed to be helpful with creative quiet times, Bible study, and discernment when navigating the web.

You can also invigorate your soul with helpful content in relation to news, education, travel with purpose, events, outings, finance, conservation, prudent donations, Berean book and movie lists, articles, and courses.

There are interesting ideas about how to take proper care of your body with morning stretch routines, helpful diet and skin care information, and a network of professional suppliers.

Here is a link to the website.  http://www.thegoodsteward.org.za

A Life Set Free...

Have you ever felt God prompting you to do something? I have. A few heartbeats ago, while sitting under a mosquito net in China, I felt God leading me to write ~ so I did ~ non-stop ~ from morning to night. Two years later I put all the scribbly notes onto my iPad at a guest house in Haifa, Israel. It took several years for God to prepare my heart to write the story. It is a story of a lonely, abandoned little girl. It is a story of God's amazing compassion, grace, mercy, and love.

So, once upon a time, fairly long ago, a little girl grew up feeling very lonely, abandoned, rejected, and unloved. Years living in other people’s homes convinced her she was the outsider ~ not belonging ~ so alone.

When she was a 21-year-old university student, she was disillusioned with life. It felt like there was a black, empty, hollow space growing inside her chest. The emptiness, darkness, and hopelessness of her life overwhelmed her. She felt the darkness was growing and choking out all that was good out of her life. She decided she had nothing to live for. It seemed suicide was better than living, so she stood by a window on the 18th floor of an apartment building and considered jumping. How do I know this? Because this is my story and I lived it.

While looking at that window, deciding what to do, I had a vision. I don’t know what else to call it. It's hard to explain. It had been a cloudless day but now thick clouds seemed to appear just outside the window ~ obscuring everything. I knew they weren’t really there, yet I could see them. I could see through the clouds and I saw a throne. I could not see His face but I knew the One seated on that throne was Jesus. I knew He was crying for me because of the pain, sadness, and brokenness of my life. He spoke ~ not with words I could hear ~ but with words that resonated inside me. “Rena, this is not My plan for your life. If you turn your life over to Me, I will bring more beauty out of your life than you could possibly imagine at this moment.”

Then, incredibly ~ before I had time to think ~ in a split second ~ I saw my entire life ~ kind of like seeing a high-speed video. It was too fast to see details, but I had the impression it was an incredibly beautiful life. Wisely, I chose to live. I began searching for God ~ everywhere. He seemed to be hiding. Thankfully, there was an invitation to a prayer meeting and I found Him! He wasn't lost...I had been.

I was broken-hearted that I had grieved Him by my life choices. I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour. Because of His mercy, I was forgiven. He saw a sad, lonely girl and In His great love and compassion, pulled me out of darkness into His amazing light. I was adopted into His beautiful, forever family. A child of God. No longer alone. Such amazing love. If I had died that day I would have missed out on so much God wanted to do in my life and throughout eternity. It sounds crazy, but I am thankful now. God used the scenes of my life to give me a greater heart of compassion for others. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and death. I found Him ~ yet ~ I am seeking Him still.

A Life Set Free is a story of miracles and God’s amazing grace. It is also a story of incredible adventures I never dreamed I would live ~ praying with a voodoo queen in Haiti, staying at an orphanage in the jungle in Uganda, sharing the love of God in Mexico City as an earthquake shook the ground under my feet, leading a dying woman to Jesus in Belize ~ so many incredible stories. Did you know YOUR story is being recorded in heaven? It's the story of your life. I wonder if you will see it one day in a high-speed video. God loves you more than you can imagine. I pray He will strengthen you with power in your spirit, in your inner man, that Jesus will fill your heart and mind, and you will be transformed into His beautiful image. A Life Set Free is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.ca/Life-Set-Free-story-faithfulness/dp/1092493484 or as an audiobook at A Life Set Free .

Please scroll down and leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Blessings, Beloved of God.

Breathe Again

In her book, Breathe Again, Nicola asks, “How did I get here? How do I get out? How does one hold on to faith when it’s used to harm you? Is that even possible?” and, “What do I do now?” Nicola and her husband Jason were groomed in a Christian cult. This true account of seven years in an abusive church will show what goes on in a controlling religious group.

It looked great at first. They were made to feel like family, but behind the hyped-up presentation and glamorous stage was a sinister partnership that soon controlled every aspect of their lives—including their finances, parenting, weight, and time. The book explains how they were taught to obey spiritual leaders, and how they finally got out.

The family moved away from everyone and everything, taking just their two daughters, two cats, and basic supplies in a minivan and U-Haul trailer. It was a drastic escape that she knew had to happen, or else the family would be manipulated and coerced back in, to spend even more of time, efforts, and money supposedly ‘serving the Kingdom of God’.

 Breathe Again took Nicola years to write because she was carrying around so much anger, resentment, and unforgiveness. She knew this story needed to be told, but she didn't want to write an angry rant. She waited until God clearly spoke to her heart in November 2022 about forgiveness - as in "Do it now!"  That day in India, when she heard God speak, changed her life. This story was written in November 2022, before and after breast cancer surgery and treatment. Her heart and emotions were poured out in this book. Nicola’s hope is that Breathe Again sheds light on spiritual abuse, and helps people get out from the grip of pastoral tyranny and into the grace of God. She wants people to know God is able, willing and ready to set us free, even from things that look deceptively like they are glorifying God.

Breathe Again, is a story of hurt, hope, and healing and is available at this link https://a.co/d/ftrY1Q5

Nicola is also involved in a ministry providing food to needy people in Haiti. (What an amazing woman!) Here is the link for more information.

https://www.canadahelps.org/.../advance-community.../ 

Photo courtesy La Lumiere.

Announcing my new website!

I am thrilled to announce the launch of my new website. You'll find a collection of books, insightful blogs, and the transformative Broken to Beautiful online course for women.

Books: Discover a range of books that inspire, motivate, and guide you through various life challenges. My books are created to inspire you and help you on your journey towards a thriving life.

Blogs: Dive into thought-provoking articles that cover a variety of topics related to personal growth, wellness, and spirituality. My blogs aim to offer practical advice, deep insights, and uplifting messages from me and my guests to encourage you.

Broken to Beautiful Course: This unique online course is designed to help you move from merely surviving to truly thriving. It offers comprehensive guidance and actionable steps to find hope and healing in your life. Men, this course would be a fabulous gift for a woman you would love to see flourish.

I am excited to share this journey with you and hope that my website becomes a place of encouragement and inspiration for all who visit. Explore, engage, and embark on a path to a more fulfilling life. Thank you for being a part of this community. I look forward to connecting with you!