Faith Requires Grit And Resolve

Before I became a Christian, when I heard the phrase "have faith," I felt as though faith was a passive stand-by stance, a person just waiting for something to happen. It had the connotation of weakness somehow.

After more than thirty years of walking in faith, I've learned that faith is not about wavering or wondering. It's about standing firm, even when our minds are prone to wander. It's about maintaining our stance, unwavering in the face of life's challenges. This steadfastness is what defines our faith journey.

We must believe firmly in God's word. Proverbs 3: 5-6 states," Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Faith is active. It is believing and trusting no matter what things look like around you. It is knowing that "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8: 28). It is submitting to God's ways even when our flesh is screaming to do the opposite. It's challenging a lot of times. Very tough. That's why Christians have to "fight the good fight of faith". (2 Timothy 4:7).

Faith is a lifestyle. It is a daily decision and sometimes even a minute-by-minute decision. Stay tough and keep your stance of faith. Believe and trust. Know that God's word is absolute truth and that nothing can refute it. If you don't give in and refuse to give up, you will be delivered and set free from the problems you are facing. It's all in God's timing. So keep the faith and know you are a strong soldier as you're doing it. If you do, everything will work out for your good no matter what the situation may currently look like!

A Fun Christmas Video!

Hello! Today I’m sharing a video that I created for my award winning books. It’s a Christmas video (hint, hint!) that features each of my books published so far.

Breaking The Silence, my first book, is a memoir about my life. Though it is listed as fiction, the story is true except for the fact that names and places have been changed to protect the identities of loved ones. If you or someone you know loves to curl up with a good book, take a peek at the video.

Poetry and Ponderings is also about my life. It’s a book of poetry and prose regarding healing and moving on from rough patches we all find ourselves in from time to time. Rated at 4.71 overall, this book is a great one for poetry lovers!

Also included is Finding Hope In The Darkness Of Grief, my most recent book about the tragedy that befell our family several years ago when my youngest daughter died. Finding Hope is a book of poetry, prose and art. I included a few pieces of my paintings, digital art, mixed media, photography and pencil drawings. The ratings have been wonderful on this book as well.

About a month ago I was approached by an editor of The New York Review Of Books who suggested that I have my work featured in their paper. I happily obliged and now all three books are being advertised there as well. I am humbled and grateful that my work is being recognized and well received. So much pain and hard lessons learned went into this work that it really means a lot to have such a favorable response.

If you have a chance to watch the video, I’d love to receive feedback! Feel free to message me on my contact form. Merry Christmas!

The Gift Of Life

(Available at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-the-gift-of-life-diamante-lavendar.html)

When life gets tough, it's not so easy to see it as a gift. When we are hurt or bad things happen, life seems to be anything but a gift.

This is a world where we come to learn, to grow and to understand. The only way to do these things is by living through good times and bad, in pressure and in happiness. It's a human perception that moving away from rough things is what we need. And yes, that is what we need, but only after we've addressed the issues presented to us.

Life is a test and a testament. A test of whether or not we can get through hardship and a testament as to what we've conquered.

This piece I created speaks of the gift of life. Through pain and turmoil we see and learn about meaning in even the littlest things. Life is a gift: of growth, learning, seeking, finding and understanding.

Namaste!

Now Is All We Have

I AM the Method, I AM the Key, I AM the Answer, Please reference Me.

I AM the Creator, I AM the King, I am the Light, In whom creation sings.

When you're in doubt, You know you will fall; Cry out to Me, The Intention of all.

I AM your Redeemer, Of first and of last, I AM the Gatekeeper, Of all time that does pass.