#IN SPITE OF IT ALL, IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL

In Spite of it all - My Testimony and Message

One year ago, I established this blog that was burning in my spirit to release messages that would hopefully uplift, encourage, 

motivate, and enrich.  

Since that time, God has blessed me tremendously, though the blessing has been challenging, I obeyed. Therefore, I share my story of launching a business, August 2014, a book on October 29, 2014, and being elevated in ministry, November 2014.  FAITH. 

 I can't explain it.  What I can explain is that the enemy has tried to conquer my quest and take me down.  I've been lied on, cheated, talked about and sooooo mistreated.
When you follow a path for God's sake, the enemy, obstacles and negativity will attack you.  

Be steadfast and finish strong in the midst of it all.

  

I'm holding on to God's unchanging hand, that's all.  You may not be able to see the plan clearly at first, but by and by, God's plan and vision for your life will be clear and plain.  It takes faith and obedience.  Challenging; however, faith and obedience to His voice are the keys.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?  When God gives you a path to follow - do not expect to see those who you think you will see along the way supporting and cheering you on.  God will send you a whole new lineup of people, supporters, and followers.  Don't be discouraged or disappointed, embrace it.  

It's all a part of His plan for you.

My Message

I am at a loss for words when I watch the news, read the paper, and listen to the thinking of people with "twisted" thinking.  That is thinking that it is alright to kill other people, thinking that a world of violence is "what's up;" thinking that it is alright to disrespect the President of the United States, his children and wife; thinking that it is alright to make a reality show that shows everything but reality; thinking that it is alright to make music that is full of profanity and derogatory language (sadly, people buy it), thinking that it is alright to live loosely-depending on others with no responsibility of their own; thinking that it is alright to betray someone who trusts you; thinking that it is alright to steal someone else's belongings; thinking that it is alright to be promiscuous; thinking that it is alright to stay at home all day, and not seek some level of employment; and the list goes on...

But, in spite of it all, God is on the side of righteousness.  He sits high and looks low.  There will be no jury in heaven to acquit those who have done wrong.  Good prevails over evil at all times. Timeliness may not always be on our clock, but God holds the eternal clock of life.  We will all be held accountable and face our deeds, good or bad.  

My message today is simple.  There is a great deal of work for us to do in society.  Especially for those who say that they love God and want to do what's right.  There is some good that can come from everyone. Find what your "good" is and make a contribution to help others in society.

May I tell you that not everyone accepts my messages and blog?   Some people delete the message without reading it, some have blocked the messages, one person requested that his/her email be deleted from the distribution.  But it's okay, God tells me to do it anyway because it helps somebody - somewhere.  To date, I have over 5,800 pageviews of this blog.  People from faraway countries and the United States are reading the messages.  See just a few of my blog's stats below:

Entry	Pageviews
United States	4634
Malaysia	482
France	175
Russia	63
Germany	55
Poland	37
Spain	26
Serbia	23
Ukraine	13
United Kingdom	11

Bottom line, do what God has commanded, no matter what it seems like.  You will be blessed.

Suggested readings:

Matthew 9:37
Matthew 28:19-20

Poem "Anyway" by Mother Teresa

©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

Buy the Book - The Power of Positive: Inspiration, Encouragement, Motivation and Enrichment

Messages of 

Inspiration, Encouragement, 

Motivation and Enrichment

Purchase at:

www.positivestationeryandgifts.com

$13.99

Breast Cancer Awareness

Support the Cause

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I pen this message with fondest memories of my 

grandmother, Helen Sanders and 

my godmother, Geraldine Williams.

With fondest memories, these ladies hold a special place in my heart.  Every summer, I could look forward to getting my hair in pigtails.  My grandmother would spend a Sunday afternoon platting my hair in pigtails, while she sipped on her favorite "wickafam."

Not to mention, all of the funny stories by my godmother, Geri. She would tease us about the birds and the bees, and just make us all giggle deep down in our bellies!  As I grew older, I could tell her EVERYTHING.  OMG, I mean everything!

I'm sure there is someone in your life who is either a survivor, or has gone home to be in glory with The Lord.  Take some time this month to remember them with love.  Don't forget their fight!

October 6-31, 2014, 5% of purchases of breast cancer awareness products will be donated to Relay for Life/American Cancer Society for breast cancer patients.  Visit the website below to make purchases. (If link doesn't work, copy and paste in the URL address bar - top of website).

http://www.positivestationeryandgifts.com
©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

Breast cancer screening is the most important step you can take to protect yourself against breast cancer.

There are three main types of screenings for breast cancer.  Talk to your doctor about the screenings that are right for you and when you should have them done.

Mammogram

If you are age 40 or older, getting screened for breast cancer could save your life.  A mammogram is a simple screening and is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer.  When caught early, the odds of recovery are much higher.  Women ages 40 and older should have a mammogram (or at any age if there are risk factors), once a year or as recommended by your doctor.

Clinical Breast Exam

A clinical breast exam is an examination by a doctor or nurse who uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes in the breast or underarm (armpit).

Breast Self-Exam (BSE)

A BSE is when you check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the breasts of the underarm (armpit).  Different women have different warning signs of breast cancer. Some women do not have any signs or symptoms at all.

Some warning signs or symptoms of breast cancer are:· New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).

· Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.

· Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.

· Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area of the breast.

· Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

· Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.

· Any change in the size or the shape of the breast. 

Some of these warning signs may appear with other conditions that are not cancer. If you have any signs that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away. To schedule your mammogram, call your doctor or OB/GYN. 

#Children, #Stop the Child Abuse

Children - A Precious Gift of God - Save Our Children

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

STOP THE CHILD ABUSE

STOP THE CHILD ABUSE

When I was a child, I learned many lessons that I didn't understand at that time.  However, as an adult, I've reflected on those lessons and now I understand.  I now understand why my mother said, "Don't let anyone in this house when I'm not home."  She wanted to ensure my safety.  I also understand why my mother said, "Eat your dinner before dessert."  She wanted to ensure that I ate the healthy nutrients needed before crashing on desserts.  I also understand why my mother said, "Everyone is not your friend."  She wanted to ensure my well-being.  She said those wise words because she loved me.  Whether your parents were loving or abusive, know that God kept you to tell your story and help others.

Children are precious gifts of God.  They are to be loved, nurtured, and respected.  If you abuse them, you will have hell to pay. Isn't it sad that children are at the hands of much abuse in this world?  Some people are so "mean-spirited" towards children.  Through learned behavior, some people speak harshly to children, misuse them, beat them, mistreat them, neglect them, cause them to suffer and even kill them.  All of which are against the grain of why God gave us children. Child abuse has become an epidemic that weighs heavily on my heart.

We were all children at one time. Whether you were beaten, mistreated, neglected, molested, or degraded, please STOP and think about how you felt during those tribulations.  Why would you want to do so to another child?  In the words of the late Maya Angelou, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Everyone will be held accountable for how he/she treats children.  Don't treat a child indifferently, if you wouldn't want someone to treat your child indifferently. What you do to a child today will be done to you or yours in kind.  Children DO GROW UP.  Children WON'T FORGET the people in their lives who mistreated them. If the person were a parent, pastor, teacher, neighbor, relative, caretaker, etc. the child will remember the deed.  

How sad it is that the people who children may look up to are the people who often hurt them.  Poor parenting may be due to sheer ignorance.  We do to our children what was done to us as children.  I am not the perfect parent; and I don't stand in judgment of anyone.  However, I've learned and reasoned over the years.  I was sometimes ignorant to the appropriate parenting methods.  

But, I have learned to lean toward the understanding of Christ.  I prayed and asked God to help me be a parent in whom He would be pleased.  I continue to pray that prayer today for my children and grandchildren.  There is something called "reasoning."  If it hurt you, why would you want to hurt your child in the same manner? You can correct the wrong that may have been done to you. Do you whip a child, a toddler (while potty training), for wetting his/her clothing?  Do you whip a child for wetting the bed?  Do you whip a child for getting a bad report card?  Do you whip a child for breaking a glass or dish?  Should you instill fear and nervousness in children?  The answer to all of the above is "no."

Why are some children so violent today? Some of our children are "out of control" today because the adults around them may be "out of control."   Take a look at the adults around them.  How are they living?  What is taught or not taught in the home?

Let me share a true story:  

Someone helped a family by paying for a child to attend a school event. The mother of the child had been rude and very disagreeable towards the person months prior. However, the person helped the child because there was a need. Sometimes, we have to look beyond the fault of parents, to help children in need. 

"For all of the children whose lives you may touch, make their memories positive."  Pray over your children.  Ask for God's anointed blessings and protection for the children.

Read the following stastical report on child abuse;

http://www.everychildmatters.org/storage/documents/pdf/reports/can_report_august2012_final.pdf

©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

 Resource For National Child Abuse Prevention:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth

Psalm 127:3  ESV

Behold, children are a heritage from The Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Matthew 18:10 ESV

See that you do not despise one of these little ones.  For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 19:14 NIV

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

#Resurrection - The Ultimate Sonrise

The Ultimate Sonrise!

God had a plan right from the beginning, from Christmas day to Easter morning.

Simply put, if there were no King David, with all of the things he had done, there would be no Jesus. We could all learn something from the life of Jesus and had it all paid off in the end.  For us personally, we are sometimes in difficult situations, but, like Jesus' examples, it will all pay off in the end.

If there were room in the inn, there would be no manger.  If there were no sickness, there would be no healing.  If there were sight for everyone, there would be no new sight to the blind.  If there were no sin, there would be no repentance and forgiveness.  If there were no repentance and forgiveness, there would be no salvation.

If there were no betrayal, there would be no crucifixion.  If there were no denial by Peter, there would be no life-changing restoration and forgiveness of his misdeed towards Christ.     Lastly, if there were no crucifixion, there would be no resurrection.

Hallelujah for the good, bad, and ugly.  God has a plan.  It may hurt, it may disappoint, and it may look dreary. In the end, His people will be victorious.  Don't be fooled by what you see.  

Christ is alive!  There IS an EMPTY cross and an EMPTY tomb!

©2015 Written by Vanady A. Daniels

Buy this card at:  www.positivestationeryandgifts.com

The Easter Story:

Luke 24:1-53