Author J. Conard

Comfortably my calico Patches sat on the small step ladder in front of an opened bedroom window.  Perfectly elevated she scanned for movement outside the apartment. Once in a while tension sat in her haunches indicating something caught her interest. Snorts followed the beat of her thudding tail as if saying, “No nonsense!”

Silently sitting in front of my computer a blank document stared back at me. Words, thoughts and feelings began generating. Where God do I find the turn on valve so what’s inside can flow and become a message? For a moment I sat with my eyes fixed once again on my calico’s warrior mentality.

So, it began. The blanket document became clothed with a message of hope. My cat revealed her territorial instinct when something unwanted became too close to our domain. God is very protective of His children.

Trials, temptations and closed doors aren’t abandonment. Trials become a soldering tool that sems valiancy to kingdom warriors. Temptation escalates a resilience in us we’ve never encountered. A friend and I had a    discussion about drawing close to God, regaining ground. Desolate places become sacred ground, holy ground. Now I understand more than ever how important our spiritual deserts and valleys are. Ruble, deadness, and dearth are swallowed up the moment we invited Jesus on the journey. Stagnation flees the moment we speak, “God I’m weak but You are strong in me.” The overpowering stench from the drought will fade upon the arrival of, The Lily of the Valleys.”

Beloved it’s going to look as if nothing good is emerging. Speaking from experience I understand. Overwhelming circumstances targeting every ounce of hope, swollen eyes reveal a broken heart, numbness sets in dulling senses and desertion continually screams, “You are all alone! Nobody Cares!” Don’t entertain it, not even for a moment!

Jesus says, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons.”

We must declare, “I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.” Song of Solomon 2: 1-6 KJV

Make these places Holy Ground, it’s your domain. One day you’ll be able to see evidence of God’s power when then you didn’t! No Nonsense!

Author Darlene J. Conard

For a moment I laid my head back on the sofa to ease the thudding pain in my temples. Beside me laid bills that I checked off that came through. Next mission, making a store list. I would love to have a fresh apple, I thought, my favorite fruit. My friend planned on stopping to have coffee with me and as always talk about God.

“I will supply your every need. I will not have the righteous begging.” God used ravens to feed Elijiah in the book of 1 Kings 17:2-16. The Lord reminded me that His eyes are even on the sparrow. He makes provisions for them. Doesn’t that shout, “GOD DOES SEE EVERY NEED?” Nothings to small nor great, He will do it!

Not too long after that a silver car pulled up in the driveway in front of my apartment. It was someone I hadn’t seen for quite a while or talked to.

“Could you use some cheese? ” She asked bending partway in her vehicle pulling out boxes. “What about plums?” I didn’t know what to say. God just assured me that He would supply my every need. She sat the box inside my foyer, went back not having one beautiful large yellow apple but seven, along with a bundle of fresh plums! Tears poured down my face. “God all I wanted was just one but You gave me six more.” Honestly, I didn’t even ask, He heard my thoughts.

In the month of August coming home from a trip. I explained to Tigger how I needed to go to the store, I didn’t feel like going inside. God took care of that too. God put it on someone’s heart to give me groceries. Let me just say, my foyer floor was hidden by bags and boxes of groceries.

I am writing this to encourage you to believe God for things. He isn’t bound by inflation. He’s God! He created the world, planets, us and angels. Isn’t He wonderful?

“God I only wanted one apple, but you gave me many.” My heart was so touched that God cared that much. (Matthew 6:25-34)

… “for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Matthew 6:8 KJV

^“ I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25 KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

Jonah sure did get himself in a bind. To the best of his ability, he tried ignoring the calling on his life. God said, “Go to Nineveh.” Absolutely not! He made up his mind! How could God send him to a sinful city to preach? Of course, he lost.   Jonah indeed chased himself right into an ugly, stinking, deep pit. Being in the belly of a whale is unimaginable. (Read the Book of Jonah)

In some way we’ve all been there. Innumerable circumstances I’ve found myself saying the same thing and doing the same thing, going in the opposite direction. I formulated excuses, reminding God of who I am not. He only reminds me of who I am in His sight.

God doesn’t set us up for failure. It’s a guaranteed misery is constantly there: all do to ignoring the call of God.

An evangelist shared his experience feeling God’s convicting power the day he said no to preaching the gospel. “I ignored it, acting like God wasn’t speaking to me. I didn’t sleep, couldn’t work, or feel peace in anything. His call overpowered what once gave me comfort. Finally, “he said, “I dropped to my knees and said, do with me what You will Lord.” The man was a drunkard at one time, always on the road driving here and there, bouncing around. Rev. Hassel Allen became a great mentor, along with my grandmother and Ange’s grandfather Benson Auxier. They are now at rest.

I encourage you, praying that you do understand God has called you, knowing that you are the man or woman for the job. Children are not discredited in the eyes of God.

We will save ourselves a lot of trouble by yielding to the call of God.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:3-5 KJV

Author Darlene J. Conard

Somehow David had to go! Giants fell, demons fled, a wisdom beyond human comprehension freely flowed out of him. He knew when to go, where to go and why. Every plan Saul devised against David completely demolished, not only did he see it, so did the people. Fear escalated as David’s every move said, “I, the Lord has seated myself upon David’s life.” Fury burned in his soul like an uncontrolled lantern greeted with a struck match. David was close to him; David became that match and the Lord was the flint. He became an unwelcoming reminder of all he should have been. He could have experienced the tide of God’s favor in his own life. Instead, he chose to spare the enemy over God.

Over and over, I read the text in 1 Samuel beginning with chapter 16 through 23. Several situations in my life began making sense. David was continually running, hiding and watching his back. It occurred to me that there are people who want us near until God’s power is evident in our lives. You spoke wisely closing space for worldly alternations. You defeated fears. Doors swung opened for you that were not opened for anyone else.

In 2013 a lady asked me to teach art classes at a college. I didn’t, still don’t have an ounce of college experience. No degrees, nothing! I did have administrative rights through God.

My friend and I recently had a conversation over the phone. “Ange’ God spoke to me loud and clear. “Darlene, you don’t know who you are. I see myself as this small, insignificant and useless nobody. I’m constantly combatting those thoughts. She and Tigger joined in prayer for an affirmation painted sign she created for me. Honestly, I was shocked, I didn’t see myself as those things.

The whole perception of this post is the enemy’s fears, he sees something we so many times fail to see. I leave you with this: there may be someone, more than one close to you, who has withdrawn themselves for the same reason Saul did.

“For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” Proverbs 3:26

For Further study Read 1 Samuel Chapters 16 through 23)

Author Darlene J. Conard

My heart ached the moment I saw heaviness in my friend’s face. A war had been going on for a very long time within him. Being held as a hostage dropped in my spirit. My dear friend didn’t know how to break free.

Many times, I felt that way. Being a Christian doesn’t dismiss falling into temptations or getting hurt. Recently I experienced spiritual warfare so intense that I become drained physically and emotionally. Sleep fled, socializing was out, things that interested me became a burden. Before I realized it, I had a wall built between God and I.

Paul begged God to remove the thorn from his flesh. God refused.

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 KJV

Countless times I’ve prayed to be free from things that cause me heartache, the Lord doesn’t. over the years I’ve realized those challenges chase me right into the presence of God. I’ve always broke free knowing God will not deny me when I come running to Him!

I believe my friend is going to have a major breakthrough. Keep believing beloved, it will come.

Author Darlene J Conard

Walking into grandma’s living room on 9/11 wasn’t pleasant in the least. Our normal routine of enjoying TV together turned into a time of mourning. Frozen in disbelief, I watched on the full view screen, New York’s emblems, the World Trade Center’s tops blazing with fire.  Gloomy grey clouds of smoke ceased the beautiful blue sky. Devastation had robbed the sun of its pleasant display. 

My heart still grieves after twenty-two years as if the horrific event happened yesterday.  

Scandalous deeds such as these have created a wide opened wound that bandaging cannot fix. No, I didn’t lose a loved one through this tragic event; I do feel the pain of my fellow- Americans.  “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:15 KJV) Rejoice as in, One nation under God, morn over those lost due to evil.   Quite often I watch documented videos or read about the lives of those lost, listen to family members speaking about their pain, anger and frustration.

One of the documentations I watched involved collected artifacts such as coins, newspapers, personal belongings of individuals donated in remembrance of loved ones. The museum displays a piece of metal with a page of the Bible fused to it. God is speaking to us.

Yes, this was a tragic day for America but God is healing our land. Let’s continue to seek the living God that He may heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

 ^“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 KJV

“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:14 KJV

Photo and information can be found on https://www.history.com/

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Author Darlene J. Conard

My two friends conversed while I sat quietly in the back seat of her vehicle thinking. Several years ago, Ang’s mother suggested that we meet in person. Tigger and I reunited after twenty-three years on the 9^th of August of this year.

Her spontaneous energy, happiness, bouncy and full of the Lord’s joy, characterized her with Winnie-the- Pooh’s friend Tigger.

Her role in my life began at the end of summer of 1999. We met through my grandma. Our departure wasn’t my or her decision. The decision was made by the pastor of the church I started attending. How could I have been so blind?  I thought. His reason was since I knew nothing about the Bible, I could be easily led astray. I missed her dearly and yearned for her presence to come back into my life. After all, it was her house I visited when I knew I needed deliverance from the torment that shackled me.  Razor, glass bruises on my body screamed, “Help me!” She prayed for me through some of the most fearful circumstances.

I refuse not to write about my testimony due to the unbelief, sarcasm and criticizing remarks of others. We have a generation of young people sinking in the pit of evil’s quick sand. I’m here due to the dedicated prayer life of my grandma and my friend Tigger. I will do the same.

Getting back on the subject of my thoughts, I knew that God orchestrated our trip to Nashville Tennessee to attend the Elijah Conference. Secretly, I prayed that one day to be in the midst of a group of prophets. There the three of us had the same desire destined to taste what will last a lifetime.

 …”in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” 1 Timothy 6:15 KJV

That prayer was spoken in November 2020 listening to Kent Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee.  August the 10^th the scheduled event seemed so far, too far for anxious selves to wait! God seated Himself in her vehicle on the way to and back from that trip.

Since then, we’ve never been the same!

Author Darlene J. Conard

A need to explore through my Bible became more crucial than sleep. Slipping my hands beneath my pillow I felt around until I discovered its presence. My grandma had a special way of choosing a Bible by opening them up and stroking her hand across the pages.

Certainly, it’s no comparison to any book on this earth. It’s very much alive! In it contains the answers to everything life hurls our way. From page to page records the victories and the downfalls of mankind. Kings, priest, warriors, prophets, the ill-struck and so much more. At one time I pondered on nameless individuals in the Bible. There’s the adulterous, the centurion whose servant came eye to eye with death, the servant himself, the woman with the issue of blood and many more. They all have one thing in common, refusal to except their state of being   thrusted them into redemption, Jesus. Names aren’t important, their faith is. Surely there is someone, more than one can fill in the signature line saying, “I have an issue of blood. How can I be delivered from prostitution?” Drug, alcohol addictions? Yes, there is a fix that will not have side-effects: anything and anywhere there is a need. Jesus is the answer!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

There is a song called, Dust on The Bible, written by Mac Wiseman. I’ll be the first to confess, many times I have failed to pick my Bible up to read due to discouragement, or becoming to busy and tired. God forgive me!

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  John 1:11-14 KJV

God sets in a place by Himself. In Hebrews 6:13 describes the sincerity of promoting Abraham’s promise of fathering a great nation. …“because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,” says it all.

My desire is to go beyond the outer courts and into His throne room, His personal domain.