Author Darlene J Conard

 Promises such as, “The lord is my buckler and shield. God is excellent in all His ways. He will deliver me from the snare of the fowler,” sustains my weary soul.

Having a heavy heart is hard to empty. It’s full of unreleased sorrow. Some sorrow is dealt with one day at a time. Take a lost loved one for example. The absence of that loved one is the absence of oneself. My grandma said something to me that sticks with me. “When your papa died a part of me did too because we were made one flesh in marriage. Many women have told me that after having a miscarriage they grieve as though the held that child in their arms. Understandably that makes sense. The thing to do is have compassion. Realize that they are in a wrestling match what was and what is now. Changes inflict their wounds. I meant to write something else, but the Holy Ghost has led me this way. I prayed for His guidance, and this is it. So, I’m going to be obedient to the Lord.

One of my friends who I lost in February 2020 took a part of me with her as well. Many nights her vehicle lights would light up my living room. “Go for a ride with me.” Quickly throwing on my clothes, checking everything out, I would grab my purse and keys and lock the door. Vividly I remember resting my hand on her shoulder looking at her saying, “Shan, I love you and I need for you to know that I love you very much.”  

“I love you to ‘Gator’.” Which was short for alligator, “I know you do.” She breathed out as she cautiously pulled out of the driveway.

“I just need to say it.”  

This is not a message of hopelessness nor is it a distraction from grievance. It’s a message to let all whose heart is heavy with grief has a place in the comfort of Jesus’ loving arms.   

To those who have lost a loved one know that the Lord can and will walk with you day by day.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Author Darlene J. Conard

 Mary came into alignment for God’s purpose by declaring these words, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38 KJV)

Mary who the angel of the Lord called highly favored, didn’t have it easy by no means. Being highly favored meant persecution, pain, sacrifice.

She became a different person the moment the Holy Ghost overshadowed her. You can’t hide a visitation from God. Moses had to wear a veil over his face after being in the presence of God on the mountain. The radiancy of God’s glory permeated on his face. (Exodus 34:33)

Her womb bore more than a child. “Mary you are carrying a prophecy, a prophecy that the enemy will do all that’s in his power to destroy. Evil will arise from its throne. Fear not, for light will always swallow shadows. It is written, “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. (I will do a breakdown of these scriptures in depth)

Her position before the earth’s foundations were laid was to carry the promise that the enemy despised. He devised in every wicked way possible to stop her from delivering our Savior. Yes, earthly kings arose in haste to protect their rein. It wasn’t about flesh and blood, it was against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) This battle would only be won by standing tall and strong on bended knees.

Don’t you see Beloved, satan hates the promises and calling that’s in your spiritual womb. Take your promise and remind the enemy God said it and it shall come to pass!

The year 2024 is a year of flourishing. Let God give you the strength to birth spiritual things.  

I choose not to capitalize satan although it’s proper grammar.

Author Darlene J. Conard

I laugh inwardly completely understanding where Dutch Sheets was coming from. The Lord wanted him to read about the lame man at the Gate Beautiful. Leave me alone, I‘ve read that before, he thought since he didn’t want the Lord to hear him. I suppose Dutch in that moment, didn’t realized God is a discerner of our thoughts. Again, I laughed, been there done that. He went on to explain that he read it over and over until he caught on to what the Lord wanted to reveal to him.  

God reminded me Gideon’s doubted that God could use him to win over the Midianites. What Gideon didn’t understand is that God wanted his willingness. (Judges 6:13-15) asked the Lord one time, “Why did you put me in the position of an author, artist or a leader since I struggle with certain things so much?” He replied, “That I may be glorified.” It sounds foolish that God would position a dyslexic, A.D.D. person in that position. Must not believe I have a struggle with those. But I can tell you it’s all due to the Holy Ghost. Moses stuttered, slow of speech yet he experienced the presence of God like no other. (Exodus 3:11)

“God, I know those stories. I don’t want to read it again.”

“Read it again, embed it in your soul, until it’s no longer a stumbling block satan can use.” 

I’m grateful that we can hear God speaking in our spirit. He promised to lead us and guide us in all truth.

The Lord may be speaking to you about something as well. Understand it’s our Heavenly Father loving us unconditionally. 

“Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:  Proverbs 7:2-4 KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

Holding nothing back my friend continued in detail how her husband had psychological issues concerning quality. Containing my laughter was a failed attempt. She went on to explain that her husband refused to drink cheap coffee. “I did an experiment Darlene,” she continued, although I couldn’t stop laughing, “I put the cheap coffee in a Maxwell House coffee container. He didn’t even know the difference. He didn’t complain one bit. He did the same with Zero Pepsi. The bottle design looked like a regular Pepsi.” As she and her son watched him enjoying it. I’m going to call him Bob. She and her son unveiled the truth it had zero sugar, he wanted no part of it. It took him time to admit he enjoyed the taste.

She gave me permission to write this since it’s a perfect example of how powerful our minds are.

It’s true! Marketing companies have the skill to manipulate our thoughts. One reason I know this is at one time I went to school to become a market designer. The right design, people and words, nothing to it, it all falls in place. Sad to say I forgot this trick until recently. 

Satan tries to get us to buy into his lies. “Things are never going to change! You will never get better. This situation is too bad for God to fix.” One situation would finally  resolve only to be trailed by another one.

Yesterday I had an encounter. As I fought against the negative words pouring through my mind, The Voice of Truth kept saying, “That is not true. It will get better. God is in control. My friend unexpectedly texted me to tell me this.

A thought came to my mind just now we are trying to clean up the living room and we have ceiling that’s coming down in places that we are trying to fix some places are missing trim just different things and sometimes you get frustrated and it doesn’t look pretty at times but when you start adding curtains and some decorations and cleaning everything and make it smell fresh the thought came how god wants something messed up so he can fix it and his goodness and beauty out ways all the darkness and evil it has too

Don’t buy into the enemies’ lies. It will get better. Remember he never tells the truth!

…. “He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”  John 8:44 KJV

She was “highly favored” but was almost put away by the man she loved the most.
“Highly favored” but she was rejected by every person in Bethlehem.
“Highly Favored” but she laid on the dirt floor of a barn and gave birth to a baby she carried nine months.

“Highly Favored” but in the middle of the night had to leave all she knew and move to a strange town because God said so.

Favor never looks like favor at first. Favor sometimes takes you through frustration, failure, and fear. You want to be favored of God? It may be in darkest night or deepest valley. But there in that place where no one sees you and you feel like no one understands whisper to yourself, “this is only the beginning not the end. This will turn out for my good and His glory. This is because…I’m Favored.”

~ Evangelist Brent Carr

Written by Darlene Conard

 I laid still and quietened myself. My thoughts were out of sorts. The true and false test began. Afterword I realized how many of my answers were wrong.

False statements can be mistaken as truth. Taking words out of truth and adding completely changes everything. That’s why God warns us not to add or take away. (Revelation 22:19) I’ve overlooked something, not even realizing what I was doing. God speaks personal things in our lives. Perhaps He spoke to you about a job, home, or a family member you’ve prayed about long-term.

… “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”   2 Corinthians 11:14

No marvel – no astonishment meaning there is no puzzle to unravel. Deception will always go against truth. For this reason, our minds must be temperate and attentive to all surroundings.

The Holy Ghost is our counselor and comforter guiding us through every situation. We must always approach Him for guidance.

“And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:2 (KJV)

“Your Heavenly Father will help you find the right path as you seek His guidance. Remember though, after you pray you must get off your knees and start doing something positive; head in the right direction! He will send people along the way who will assist you, but you must be doing your part as well. “- Margaret D. Nadauld-

Author Darlene J. Conard

A large shadow of a man in a bulky coat wearing a top hat loomed on the wall. Chloe jerked the covers over her head leaving nothing exposed, not even her pillow. Presuming it wasn’t enough to keep her safe she packed herself into a mound of warmth. Creaks from the settling house made their way to her ears. Would she survive the night, this dreadfully long night? Sleep was nowhere near.

Tension’s fingers dug deep into her muscles. She wanted to cry. The thudding of her heart rang in her ears. If the creeper made his way to her, he’d find no use for her. “Please go -away crazy- man, please! I’m just six years old.” She stuttered as she tried to breathe. The whole situation had her in tears. Her mind raced like a full speed train. Why is such a horrifying thing taking place involving her? What could she have done?

Her tightly closed eyes flew open from the approaching footsteps down the hall. Loosened from fear, a scream released from her throat. Her bedroom door swung open. “Chloe? What on earth is wrong?” The familiar voice compelled her to fight drastically to dart into grandpa’s arms. “Grandpa- grandpa don’t let the creeper get me!” She squealed. He flipped the light switch on then crouched to her level. Chloe threw her arms around his neck clenching tightly. Smiling in amusement he pulled her closely in the safety of his arms. Even the blankets didn’t provide the security Grandpa’s presence brought.

Giving her a moment, he waited for an explanation. Whispering in her ear he asked, “What happened,” although he already knew. Every descriptive word concerning the creeper flowed from her mouth nonchalantly. “Come with me I want to show you something.” She tugged on his pajamas, wiped her hair from her forehead. He followed her to the window hand in hand. He pointed to the birdfeeder on the tree outside gently swaying from a calm breeze. “Chloe that is your creeper’s hat. The big coat you are referring to is the tarp draped over partly stacked wood,”

He looked in the face of a confused Chloe. “Huh?”

“It’s always been there you’ve made the shadow something it isn’t because of the stories you’ve heard.” Chloe stood silently uncertain of her feelings now. “What have you learned?” Taking a deep breath only to release quickly, she replied. “Next time I see a creeper, I’ll come to you.” Her innocence implied to him her experience would lead to bigger giants.

We project circumstances into giants too often. In our thoughts we are the size of grasshoppers. (Read Numbers 13) God is so much more than us and circumstances. Caleb expressed to Israel God is greater. In their eyes the giants appeared all powerful when Caleb’s faith unfolded the glorious acts of God.

Circumstances may cast a shadow portraying defeat; remember, pull out the records of His on-time presence in past circumstances. Let your faith unfold.

“Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job 26:14 KJV

Click the link to read Numbers chapter 7: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2013&version=KJV

Author Darlene J Conard

The Pharisees had a self-righteous attitude: so much so that Jeus said, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Basically, He is warning His followers of self-made rules. Those rules are said to be of God.

I’m not going to whitewash this. Years ago, I attended a church that the members were required to ask the pastor’s permission to by a vehicle. We were required to obey the pastor even when he was wrong. Disobedience marked us as rebellious and couldn’t be used in the ministry. Rules were made up along the way.

 “Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?”  Ecclesiastes 7:16 KJV 

Fear and confusion overwhelmed me so much that I felt lost more than ever!

John 16:13 says, “^“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

This is one of the majors that are keeping the lost from coming in. They feel they can’t measure up. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23 KJV)

Being a Christian isn’t supposed to feel like bondage all over again. In Christ we are free. We are to follow His commandments in a loving manner and in edification.

Photo is from The Chosen written by Dallas Jenkins

Author Darlene J Conard

For twenty minutes or so I sat in front of the computer screen. The Holy Ghost began speaking to me about something.

Years ago, someone commented on what I wrote saying, “It’s always about you. You need to change the way you write.” I assumed that since one person thought that, so did everyone else. So, I changed it questioning, “Well, I guess its me and not God. I completely took myself out of the picture. Others began sending messages saying I was targeting them. Frustration interfered so I quit. At the time I did not realize people came before God.

Jesus warned us in the Bible that offences would come. Nowadays every little thing offends people. People get offended if you are nice to them. Once I posted a cat wearing a t-shirt in a t-shirt. I had to remove it from the group about cats: according to them it was cruelty.

People get offended if you disagree with them. Some find our moral values offensive. Well, here is what I have to say about that. I am going to please the Lord. This world has turned into one chaotic mess, because everyone is supposed to straddle the fence.

Unfortunately, if we do not straddle the fence then we are haters and full of discrimination.

I am not talking about hurting people out of hate and in the name of justice. That is not edifying anyone. The Lord tells us to pray for one another. Stand up for truth but to do it in love.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20 KJV

These days God’s love looks like hate, and hate looks like love.

“Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Matthew 18:7 KJV

We must weigh things in balance. We can’t use the word of God in an offensive manner, it’s not going to show the love of Jesus.

My message is to pray and seek God and asked Him to guide you on how to answer and to help you not react offensively that is not contrary. I am praying for myself as well.

Author Darlene J. Conard

Dear _____________,

I know that you don’t understand why I’ve lashed out. Secretly I’ve wrestled with inner demons with no avail. Don’t take it personally because I avoid you, I’m so confused right now. I don’t want you on my side of the wall. I will come from behind it in my time. Please don’t stop praying for me, although I say to. Don’t believe your prayers aren’t reaching me. I feel them always. They are chipping away the hardness sounding my heart. If you believe I’ve forgotten what you’ve done for me, stop believing it! I think about your acts of kindness every day.  It’s your intercession that keeps me safe. Again, I truly don’t want you to stop praying for me. Please pray me loose from the grip of satan. Although I haven’t shown it, I do love you. Pray that I find my way back to God and I will.

Love,

What you have just read is a letter from someone you love who has lost their way. God has dealt with me for quite some time now to write this. Don’t loose hope. God is all power and your prayers are important to them.  We often comply to our emotions due to pain and weariness. Know that God is working.

God bless you and know that my prayers are with you as well.

… “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  James 5:16 KJV