by Amanda Barnard | Jan 1, 2022 | Everything Else, Faith, Motivation
HELLO 2022! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As we embark into this new year, I want to post a word of encouragement to you all! I have been pondering and praying about many things going forward. Through the years, several plans have been made and haven’t followed through, but only I can make things different.
We cannot keep doing the same things over and over and expect different results. Have you heard that is the same thing as insanity? Not sure if it is true, but we could decide it could be one of them.
ONE WORD
I am clinging to one word for this year. My word is – INTENTIONAL. I have so many areas that I can apply this, as I am sure you do as well. I am going to try to start with this blog, to make myself accountable.
Not in any particular order, but some ways that I am determined to implement this application are:
- be INTENTIONAL with my relationship with Jesus.
- be INTENTIONAL with family.
- be INTENTIONAL with healthy living.
- be INTENTIONAL in finances.
There are so many more that I could add. However, we all know that it is not a good idea to overwhelm ourselves. The world is filled with too much anxiety as it is.
Finding the determination to stay the course or make this year better than the last few have been might be a task. At the end of 2022, I want to say it has been the BEST year of my life! Therefore, the challenges will have been worth it!
Also, the big 5-0 will happen for me this year and I intend to celebrate in some ways for the entire year! I have some amazing plans! If they play out the way I want, I will be visiting family, going to Disney, attending some other important events.
We also have more grandbabies on the way, which is EXTREMELY exciting! In just a few short days, we will meet our first grandson! We have anticipated his arrival for many years!
I would love for you to share in this journey with me! If you don’t have a word for this year, I hope this inspires you to come up with one! And if you do have one, would you comment?
Thanks in advance for sharing!
by Amanda Barnard | Dec 6, 2021 | Faith
Genesis 22 tells the account of Abraham’s part in the covenant with God being tested. But in facing the unthinkable, he knew that God would provide and God did!
Verse 14 tells us that Abraham named the place “The Lord will provide”. This name has now become a proverb: “on the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided.”
If we were to analyze a list of things that concern us, how many would fall in to the basic needs category? When we are lacking something we truly need, do we say out of our mouths – “The Lord will provide”?
As Abraham continued up the mountain with Issac, he continued to trust the Lord (read for yourself) and now later generations look at that mountain and recall what God had done. May we always take a moment to remember HIS mercies to us!
Prayer: Father God, You are full of power and might! Time and time again, we have experienced you are the Lord who provides. Forgive us for worrying about our needs and even relying on our own efforts to meet those needs. Forgive us for the times when our fears overshadow Your faithfulness. Thank you for reminding us continually that You are faithful and trustworthy and that you delight in providing our needs! Thank you that we are more important than the lilies of the fields and the sparrows! Amen.
by Amanda Barnard | Nov 4, 2020 | Everything Else, Faith, Motivation
Today is November 4th and there is no declared winner of the Presidential Election. Our current President, Donald J Trump, warned us that this would happen.
This is a message to Christians – as many of you know, there has been a plethora of voices that are mature and have a proven track record prophesying that Donald J Trump would in fact be re-elected. But we are now watching the news that is starting to say otherwise.
It appears that Joe Biden will prematurely announce that he is the next president and chaos may ensue. This is one of the greatest diabolical schemes against the Church of Jesus Christ and we are alive to witness it.
Donald J Trump won the 2020 Election last night and the prophets did in fact prophesy ACCURATELY! Do NOT be deceived and they should NOT apologize!!
I am sure many will come against them with harassments and slanders, but do NOT fall into that trap! This is the hour to fast and pray!
Remember Jesus is coming back for a Bride without spot or wrinkle! This is the time to come together as the Body of Christ and be about the Father’s business! We must be in agreement and not let our faith waver!
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
EPHESIANS 6:10-18
by Amanda Barnard | Mar 30, 2020 | Faith, Family, Motivation
Today is March 30th and we are in the middle of a pandemic. Everywhere you turn, someone is talking about the Coronavirus. The real tragedy to me, is the fear that has gripped the world.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!
But a better festival for today is to celebrate Ryan’s birthday! In 2009, when he was 16yrs old, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We were surprised to find a mass located behind his nose.
The treatment instructions included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Ryan decided he would have the surgery, but said, “NO” to chemo or radiation. His grandmother went through adverse effects, during her treatments. He didn’t want any part of that.
The team of doctors did not agree with Ryan’s choices of no chemo or radiation, fearing for his life. With extreme, sternness the doctor pointed his finger in Ryan’s face and said, “if you do not have chemo and radiation, you will be dead within 2 year!” I was shocked at the boldness of this doctor.
FEAR IS A KILLER
I was angry at his brashness, but never once succumbed to fear. We walked out of the room and Ryan said, “don’t worry, Mom. He obviously doesn’t know God.” At his words, my annoyance immediately faded. I replied, “well Ryan, you are absolutely correct.”
The meeting that day encouraged me to do my own research. It is always important to be an informed patient and it helps to make the best possible decisions for one’s self and care. I found that no matter the treatment options, the prognosis was approximately 2yrs and that was being generous.
The Lord whispered in my spirit ever so sweetly, HE asked me, “who’s report will you believe?” The passage of scripture from Isaiah 53, that I memorized at 10 years old, welled up inside me. From deep within my spirit, I said out loud, “Your report, Lord and it says Ryan is healed!” There was no other alternative.
That day, I made a large banner to put up in our home. It flowed around the living room and was bold enough to be the first thing noticed upon walking through the front door. The headline read:
I SHALL NOT DIE, BUT LIVE, AND DECLARE THE WORKS OF THE LORD! —– PSALM 118:17
I refused to give in to fear! I told Brad that I wanted him to help me police our home! There was to be NOTHING negative in regards to this diagnosis and giving up was NEVER an option.
Ryan did have the surgery and there were a couple of hurdles to overcome regarding the surgical procedure. The team of doctors continued to voice their concerns, but chemo and radiation remained out of the question. After my exploration of the prognosis, I decided that Ryan was capable of making an adult choice for himself and I would stand by his preferences.
Fast forward to today, 11 years later and in the middle of a pandemic, we are still celebrating the goodness of God! We are passionate that HE is still the healer! The Bible says that “the thief (the devil) comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I (Jesus) have come to give life more abundantly and filled to the full!” (John 10:10)
The words FEAR NOT are mentioned in the Bible over 90 times. Jesus knew that fear was real, but wanted to keep reminding us to put our trust in Him. Jesus heals cancer and coronavirus!
by Amanda Barnard | Mar 16, 2020 | Faith, Keto, Motivation
Today I am flying to Denver, Colorado to attend a class. My career requires continuous training and the company that I work for is big on investing in people.
I was up very late a couple of weeks ago. I had decided to watch a couple of videos with my dad (which didn’t happen, he had sleeping on the brain) and then decided to read. Brad had to get up super early, so I was reluctant to go to bed for dread of waking him.
At the beginning of 2019, our family started a quest to encourage dream building and goal achievements. One of mine was to be a Life Coach and another was to be a Conference Speaker. I didn’t know exactly what I might speak about at the time.
We created vision boards (if you don’t have one or don’t even know what one is, you need to know) and this is on it!
As I was flipping through my Kindle app, I caught a glimpse of what today meant. Since I am attending training to be a certified instructor, one of the requirements is a presentation. It had to be something I was passionate about.
THE SEARCH WAS ON
I was at a loss. I searched deep. Brad says there isn’t much that gets me excited, because I am not the talker that he is.
Finally! It hit me! I love it when people ask me about my weight loss journey and how I got there. As many of you already know, keto was my way to progress. I have learned so much, but yet so little!
I have also discovered in the past couple of months, just how vehemently I want others to succeed. This is something I have always known, but has really come to the forefront.
So today, I want to challenge you to dream big! Set goals! Write them down and make them plain. Keep the intentions close.
God will get you there and it will usually happen in an unexpected way!
by Amanda Barnard | Mar 8, 2020 | Everything Else, Faith, Family
Today is Brande and Tim’s anniversary! Our middle daughter and son-in-love. Sometimes love finds you in unexpected ways.
Not too many years ago, it wasn’t easy to enter the world of dating. But now, all it takes is a click. That’s it! Break out the computer and you enter a whole new world!
With Internet sites like Farmers Only Dot Com (yes I spelled it out on purpose, and now you’re singing the commercial, lol! Don’t worry, I hate it too), eHarmony, and plethora of others, finding a significant other is literally at your fingertips.
Today I am thankful that some of these exist, although I realize the dangers involved as well. This is how these two favorites of mine met! God can use any tool HE chooses to formulate the plans HE has for us!
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Jeremiah 29:11
