I had to share this with you written by Magi G. It’s a reminder that God is still recreating us! This really ministered to me.

You Make All Things New 🔥🙌

There is beauty in the broken.

Do you know what Kintsugi is?
It is a Japanese art that repairs broken pottery with gold, rendering a new piece that is more exquisite than it was before the break. It literally means to join with gold.

“The story of kintsugi—this style of pottery—may be the most perfect embodiment of all our trauma-shattered lives… Instead of throwing away the broken beloved pottery, we’ll fix it in a way that doesn’t pretend it hasn’t been broken but honors the breaking—and more so, the surviving—by highlighting those repaired seams with gold lacquer. Now the object is functional once again and dignified, not discarded. It’s stronger and even more valuable because of its reinforced, golden scars.”
~Jay Wolf~

Rather than trying to hide the damage, kintsugi highlights the repair. The imperfections are what make it beautiful and valuable. A broken piece that is put back together has more of a story, seems more authentic and real, is stronger and more resilient than something that has stayed pristine. The breaking of what once was, the layered and time-consuming process of putting it back together, the mending with gold, all contribute to its value. And surprisingly, it becomes more resilient after it has been mended by kintsugi, even stronger than it was before.

God is the restorer, the Kintsugi Master who skillfully and tenderly puts the broken pieces of our lives back together. And it takes time. Like many of you, I overcame a lot of brokenness, hurt and pain in my life, but over time the Lord has incredibly restored favor, joy and peace. The process was very long but all along He was working even when I didn’t see it.

The Art Piece in this video represents just that, a shattered blue vessel that has been masterfully repaired and restored and is now even more unique and beautiful than before, with its elegant beautiful Gold layers. Now it is a one of a kind – a new and improved more beautiful piece of art. Representing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

This song talks about how Adonai the God and King of the Universe makes ALL THINGS NEW, and is the creator of all.

He can restore you. He can renew your joy, renew your peace, and renew your faith.
He can help you be strong and help you carry on, because all brokenness can be mended and used for beauty through the power of The Holy Spirit and through the unique healing process of The Lord.

I pray this over you as well.

Blessings,

Magi G.

Author Darlene J. Conard

As I lay in my bed, I heard a gentle rustling sound coming from the trees outside my window. It was the sound of a cool breeze blowing through the leaves, creating a soothing melody. The night was quiet, except for the soft sounds that entered my room through the open window at the foot of my bed. The chirping of crickets added to the peaceful orchestra of sounds. It was a beautiful symphony that made me smile.

The scent of spring filled the air, carrying with it the promise of new beginnings. I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet fragrance. It was as if the air was charged with positivity, and I felt a sense of clarity and calm wash over me. It was a moment of pure bliss, and I knew that the presence of the Almighty was with me.

As I lay there, I couldn’t help but think of the scripture that kept repeating in my spiritual ears, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.” (Psalm 62:11 KJV).” It was a reminder that in times of uncertainty, God’s power is always present.

My meditation was this, I understood the importance of studying and reading His Word. The enemy’s attack can come without warning, but being instant in and out of season prepares us. Gideon learned this lesson from God. The Lord instructed him to gather men of war, and he called 32,000 men of war. However, the enemy’s army counted 135,000. God still said there were too many, showing that His power prevails even in the face of overwhelming odds. God narrowed the army down to three hundred men. Those who drank the water from the river cupped their hand to scoop the water to drink. The men who knelt lapping water like a dog weren’t the chosen. Why? Lapping like a dog put them in a vulnerable position to be overtaken by the enemy. The ones who drank from their palm had wisdom. They could easily overtake their enemy when the enemy thought they were vulnerable. (Judges 7:5-15)

God didn’t need them to do anything except follow instructions.

“Don’t be afraid or worry about this large army, because the battle is not your battle. It is God’s battle!” 2 Chronicles 20:15

In the end, the Lord delivered the enemy in the hands of Gideon.

Tommy Bailey thank you for your beautiful photogray! God bless you!

Spring River North Fork WV ©Photographer Thomas Bailey of Richwood, WV

Author Darlene J Conard

We have all experienced the pain of hearing negative words spoken by someone. It can be hurtful when others say things, like, “You can’t do this or that right.” I have heard such phrases throughout my life, and even though I have learned to put up a shield when those arrows come flying toward my heart, they still sting.

As I meditated on these things this morning, I realized something profound through the scripture. Job’s wife said, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God and die” (Job 2:9-10). Her words were meant to discourage and break Job’s spirit.

In these scriptures, it becomes clear that when someone speaks words that contradict what God has said, it is important to remember that God doesn’t respond to doubt. We must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6-8). Doubt makes us unstable, preventing us from experiencing the fullness of God’s promises.

This realization makes me search for myself and repent. I don’t want to limit God’s power in my life by doubting His promises. I have seen what God can do. I know that He is doing great things even now. However, I also understand that change takes time, and people struggle with their doubts and fears.

In conclusion, we must learn to put up a shield when negative words are spoken against us, and we must choose to believe in God’s promises, no matter what. “Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24-25 KJV

“Faith is a way of waiting—never quite knowing, never quite hearing or seeing, because in the darkness we are all but a little lost. There is doubt hard on the heels of every belief, fear hard on the heels of every hope, and many holy things lie in ruins because the world has ruined them and we have ruined them. But faith waits, even so, delivered at least from that final despair which gives up waiting altogether because it sees nothing worth waiting for.” 
– Frederick Buechner, Secrets in the Dark

Tommy Bailey Thank you for the use of your beautiful photography! God bless you!

Evening Light Flaring off Williams River Stretch ©Photographer Thomas Bailey of Richwood, WV

    Author Darlene J. Conard

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

“I don’t understand any of this, God!” I reluctantly pushed aside my determination to understand the unknown. When we come to God with our requests, everything begins to unfold. It’s important to pray to ask the Lord to help us see people, places, and things through His eyes because our perspective often leads us astray.

Our lives become chaotic and frantic when we rely on our ways. Fortunately, God’s understanding is infinite, and He sees and knows all things. We can ask Him to help us see things from His perspective. As Psalm 147:5 says, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” 1 John 3:20

         

  Author Darlene J. Conard

“Answered prayer becomes the rule and not the exception for those who abide in Christ and are immersed in His Word. Jennifer Eivaz

As I stared into the darkness, I reflected on the biblical text that I had been reading. I noticed that all the battles won were due to men and women trusting in God. For instance, Josiah became king at the tender age of eight, while Samuel was just a boy when he responded to the voice of God. On the other hand, Joseph, Jacob’s son, fell victim to his jealous brothers who stole away thirty-one years of his life. To make matters worse, his mother passed away before he could see her again. It all seems so unfair. However, by reading chapter 39 in Genesis, you will see how Joseph’s life in Egypt played out.

Deborah, on the other hand, was not only a prophet but also a judge of Israel. I observed that all the minute details of their lives depended on them following God’s instructions. It amazes me how imperfect mankind is, yet God still desires to call us into His glory.

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16 KJV

   Author Darlene J. Conard

  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James1:17 KJV

Last night, during my study, the enigmatic title “Father of lights” finally unraveled its mystery to me. I was perplexed as to why the word “lights” was plural and not capitalized, as there was no mention of any other light. However, the Word never disappoints those who seek answers. It was then that I recalled Jesus’ words: “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light” (John 12:36 KJV). And that’s when the realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. We are His lights; hence, He is the Father of lights.

As children of light born through Christ, we are entitled to every good and perfect gift. God is not unsettled, and He won’t deny us any promises. He promises to make a way, and He will pave the way. He even challenges us by asking, “Is anything too hard for me?”

Of course not! He parted the Red Sea, wrapped Himself in flesh, was born of a virgin, healed the lame, and performed countless other miracles. I often imagine God rolling up His sleeves, saying, “Give me something else to take care of. I’m ready, and I’m unchallenged.”

He has countless great treasures stored for us in the future, and our faith in Him will lead us to those treasures.     

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV

Thank you Tommy for the use of your photography. God bless you you!

The photo is by Thomas Bailey

Author Darlene J. Conard

The bond between David and Jonathan was unique! 1 Samuel 18:1-4 describes the friendship between David and Jonathan. “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.  And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house. ³ Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.  And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. “Though the two were not blood by relation they were bonded through a covenant.

2 Samuel 9

Mephibosheth was injured at the age of five.  His nurse dropped him as she fled in panic permanently damaging his ankles.  News traveled that Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle with the Philistines.

Years later when David became king he asked, “Is there any descendants living of Saul’s that I may honor for the sake of Jonathan?” In those days it was a custom to destroy the former king’s bloodline. Jonathan’s son remained alive in Lo Zibo, which means the land of nothing.

Mephibosheth was summoned to court; I’m sure stricken with fear. It wasn’t a summonsing of condemnation instead, restoration. Everything he lost land, crops, and living in redemption. He would eat at the king’s table. “Why would a dead dog like me be offered to sit at the king’s table to eat with him?” (2 Samuel 9:8)

He no longer lived in a land called nothing but dwelt in Jerusalem. Ziba, who was Saul’s servant, had orders to farm Mephibosheth’s land and bring in the crops.  

He sat at King David’s table as a family member and he was treated with kindness, with love.

When the Lord gave me this I cried, I understood the message. God will take us out of the land of nothing, set us at his table, remove all the labels, and restore what was lost. It dawned on me that someone else’s mishap saved Mephibosheth’s life. He didn’t die because of his disability.

Whatever may be hurting you know that God is going to turn it all around for His glory!

Author Darlene J. Conard

“I just wanted someone to love me.”  Jeffery’s words carried the heaviness of pain due to rejection.  He had heard, “You should’ve been a girl,” from his mother.

His unforeseen turnaround unfolded by an elderly couple he saw at a hospital in the waiting room.  The lady filled with compassion came to him and put her hand on his shoulder, “Do you know Jesus? “Oh, I know him well,” he said shrugging her off. 

Jefferey’s story is one of many who struggle with an identity crisis. When I typed, “What are the statistics of gender surgery regret,” in the search engine, it will relay one percent. If you go to YouTube and type in transgender regrets, you’ll find a rabbit hole. To write about what God has assigned for a chapter in my book about identity crisis I had to start there. I struggled as a child. “I wanted a boy!” My dad always made sure that I knew how much I was a mistake. That affirmation was spoken into my life.

The elderly lady’s question didn’t leave Jeffery. “Do you know Jesus?”  He searched for himself to find out who Jesus was. He encountered the love of God. It was through his search to understand who Jesus was that unraveled the confusion. His story is an inspiration.

If you know someone who is struggling with their identity, pray for them. They are wrestling with false affirmations spoken into their lives. Let them know they aren’t a mistake.

It really is a living hell to wrestle with an identity crisis!

I’m grateful that someone prayed for me. I surround myself with praying people because I will always need prayer. Everything that I am is because of Christ, nothing of my ability.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 KJV

    Author Darlene J. Conard

                               

…“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Matthew 19:26 KJV

God chooses impossible situations to reveal His power.    There is a song titled, “Keep Believing, sung by the Gaither Vocal Band. These words stick with me the most, “You can take God at his word, He is faithful kind and true, not a prayer will go unanswered In His time He’ll see you through. Keep believing in what you know is true, you’ll be fine if you just keep believing.

It’s hard to believe that the impossible can become possible, only through natural eyes. One of our habits by nature is taking scientific proof to apply to everything unmanageable.

Here are things to remember John 2:4, it’s not time yet to answer. There are thirty-three verses in the Old Testament explaining God’s time is appointed. This means it’s chosen, when, where, who, how, and what. Be encouraged to know Jesus is in control when He has the wheel

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11KJV