Hope Beyond the Darkness

https://www.amazon.com/Past-Present-Future-Everyone-Should-ebook/dp/B0F59DK6NH/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1YCQWWWN4BQEN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yq47z0VJWltJNq9y7yn7SAkfzQvwx33N0PM9oNa578U.jYkCeja3VwZ1xFWYqeDsEStwzwtfiv8hW018gKI6CI0&dib_tag=se&keywords=past%2C+present+and+future+donna+b+snow&qid=1746322403&sprefix=past%2C+pr%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-2

We are living in some very dark times and it's easy to feel lost and without hope, not understanding why the world seems so unstable. Anxiety and depression trouble many of us as we hear of wars all around, but there is hope!

Though it may feel like the world is falling apart, everything is falling into place according to the Master's plan. We were warned to watch for wars and rumors of wars and for moral decay (which we certainly see) and a great falling away from churches everywhere as people have been lead away from God.

God knows all things; past, present, and future, and He shared what would happen through His apostles and other men of faith. He told us what was going to happen in this world. He shared the history of this world from the beginning of time - as well as things that are happening now...and thing yet to come!

His message to us is in the Bible...it is the Bible!

The Bible isn’t just a book; it’s a personal message filled with love, grace, and guidance. It's a roadmap for life, filled with hope and understanding. With insights into history, human nature, and faith, it remains relevant across all generations.

Human faults haven't changed since the beginning of time. We lie. We cheat. We want what others have. And most importantly, we turn to the world instead of God when hard times come.

But I will admit it can be a very daunting book. We have been blessed to live in an age that there are many versions/translations of the Bible making it more accessible and easier to read. Not many of us could have read the original Hebrew, or Greek or Latin translations, but as time has passed the original King James was translated to the New King James which has been simplified into the New American Standard Bible, the English Standard Version, the New Living Translation and many others.

With Bible gateway online or the you version app it's easy to check different versions for free to find what suits you best.

Past, Present, and Future is meant as an introduction to guide you to His word, His message of hope, love, and redemption...a glimpse into the wisdom His book has for you.

God bless and may you find the peace your heart craves.

#DonnaBSnow #PastPresentandFuture #Faith #Hope #Inspiration #InnerPeace#Guidance #Prophecy #Future #FaithAndArt #GodsLove #SeasonsOfLife #BiblicalWisdom #BiblicalInsight #SpiritualGuidance #SpiritualJourney

Past, Present, and Future

 

Feeling overwhelmed by life’s struggles? Find hope in the Bible. This book explores how scripture offers guidance, comfort, and a renewed sense of purpose.

 

Discover how ancient words can heal modern hearts.

 

With all the turmoil in the recent past and ongoing around the world, God put it on my heart to share what His word really means and why it was given to us.

 

This isn't about religion, it's about His love for us.

 

He gave us a roadmap to get through this life!

 

His book is historical and prophetic. It shows us not just what's past and present, but what's to come...with markers for His timeline.

 

If you have never read His word, or never really understood, or thought it was important, take a look.

 

This book is just a short overview of some of the highlights of the Bible.

 

Come see how His word can lead, comfort, and guide us through the trials of this life.

 

Available Now On Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK4CB9WB

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220456469-past-present-and-future?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=N82z9iywQQ&rank=6

 

 

#DonnaBSnow #PastPresentandFuture #Faith #Hope #Inspiration #InnerPeace#Guidance #Prophecy #Future #FaithAndArt #GodsLove #SeasonsOfLife #BiblicalWisdom #BiblicalInsight #SpiritualGuidance

#SpiritualJourney

Dieting

DIETING

Yeah, I'm obsessed. I'm not happy with what I weigh, I'm not happy with how difficult it is to lose weight, I'm not happy that I have to give up foods that other people can blissfully eat with no repercussions. I have tried so many diets and exercise routines that I'm at the point that I'll buy them, try them for a day or two and if I don't see results I'll give up. This is a well in-bread habit that started years ago. I stop buying them for a while but then I just can't resist the chance that THIS ONE might work!

I swear, I have been on one diet or another since I was five years old. Yeah, no kidding. I remember my mother being on Weight Watchers and her making me eat like she did so I could lose weight. (Um, like it was my fault at that age that I was overweight? Yeah definitely a little transference there!) Yeah, that didn't work out very well.

In my adult years, I have blamed my thyroid (after all, it can't be the way I eat - honestly, I eat pretty healthy! Very low carb & low sugar). This has been a recurring theme since my childhood when my doctor refused to check my thyroid saying I was too young to have such a problem.

Then, of course, there was the rebellion against always dieting and not being able to enjoy myself when out with friends. That was my teen years and it wasn't pretty.

So now, let's toss menopause on top of that lovely mix, and guess what - yes, I do have a thyroid problem (surprise, surprise). So even though I've stopped gaining weight now that that's under control, losing weight is still nearly impossible.

So what's a girl to do? Of course I go out and buy the next diet program that sounds reasonable and doesn't cost too much. I'll let you know if I ever find one! So far it's probably 1,000 to 1, but I'm sure I'll get lucky one of these days and find the one that works!

Hey, let us know if you've got an answer that works and let's share!

FOOD

FOOD

This was my lovely lunch yesterday - my BLT salad with sour cream and guacamole for dressing. Mmm mmm good!

Yes, many of us are overweight, and many of us are chasing after the answer of how to fix ourselves. We obsess over the latest diet, or the latest exercise routine. Constantly jumping from one diet to the next, leaving out this food or that (food allergies are a different matter), and when all is said and done, most of us end up right back where we started, or worse, weighing more.

Well, I'm no better than anyone else. I do admit that I obsess (at times) about something "new"  that I read. Or that I stop eating whole food groups - you know those low carb, low fat diets. Yeah, I think I've tried them all. I can't tell you how many weight loss plans I've paid for and started to follow, sometimes not lasting more than a couple days, sometimes lasting months even. But you know what? With everything I have learned nutritionally over the years, I'm no better off than I was before I started the search.

And all those diets I mentioned. Well, they all start to sound pretty much the same. Go ahead. Start comparing them: Paleo, Atkins, Low carb, Low fat...and lets not forget calorie counting (oh please, let's!) When you come right down to it, there are really only a couple options. Yeah, the rest usually have a little twist, but when you come right down to it, there's nothing new out there.

 I  recently read something that really struck a chord in me and I want to share it with you. Yes, it's another "program" if you will, but I could do this for the rest of my life if I wanted to.

I am just beginning to learn about Brad Pilon's Eat Stop Eat program where you don't count calories, and you don't cut out food groups, and you don't have to make elaborate meal plans ahead of time to match up your foods just right. After all, is that really the way God meant us to eat?

Does anyone remember the passage in the bible in Acts 10 where Peter (of course it was Peter!) refuses to eat something the Lord tells him to eat? Here it is: Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

I think of this verse often and take it to heart not often enough. Basically, if God made it, you can eat it. You know what that leaves out? Anything that comes in a package. (Because unfortunately, nothing truly healthy for us comes in a package, does it?)

So back to Brad's program. It's called Eat Stop Eat. You can check it out here: http://mydirtcheapebook.com/eat-stop-eat/
This plan is based on another biblical idea called fasting. It's not about starving yourself, it's about fasting one or two days a week depending upon how much weight you need to lose in order to be healthy.

I've just barely started on this, but what I'm finding is that letting go of all those food do's and don'ts is really hard!!! But that shouldn't be! If I choose to be healthy, and I do, then that means I should eat healthy. That doesn't mean I won't slip and let myself have a treat now and then, but it does mean that I will eat healthy most of the time and not obsess over what I eat.

Food was meant to be the fuel for our bodies, but it was meant to be enjoyable too. So eat when you're hungry; eat slow enough to let your stomach register when you're full; and don't obsess about the whole process.

I'll be the first to say that it isn't so much what I eat as what I don't do. You got it, I'm sure. I hardly ever exercise, but I am learning that it isn't the quantity, the hours and hours of workouts (that I don't have usually), but the quality. So one of the simple changes I've made is that I've bought myself a stand up desk. I can't wait! Sitting is so bad for us and standing is actually good for us, as well as being an exercise unto itself. So from here on, I choose to stand, especially after I sit all day at work!

I hope this has been helpful, or enlightening, or at least informative or affirmative.

Until next time...

A walk through Proverbs

Proverbs 1New King James Version (NKJV)

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
11 If they say, “Come with us,
Let us lie in wait to shed blood;
Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,[a]
And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
13 We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,
We shall fill our houses with spoil;
14 Cast in your lot among us,
Let us all have one purse”—
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them,
Keep your foot from their path;
16 For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely, in vain the net is spread
In the sight of any bird;
18 But they lie in wait for their own blood,
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners.

20 Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
21 She cries out in the chief concourses,[b]
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge.
23 Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.

28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

JOB HUNTING...ARGHHH

BEYOND Smart Hire 

Career Builder ILENSA  ZIP  RECRUITER MONSTER Financial Job Bank Resume Library  Jobvertise

Accountemps Leddy Group Complete Staffing KBW Nagler Group SNI Randstad Staff Hunters United Staffing 

Wow, job hunting is nothing like it used to be!
Of course, the last time I looked for a job was 17 years ago. Do you remember looking in the employment section of a newspaper? How times have changed!

So I thought I'd be smart and I started out by lining myself up with several agencies, but I was told by the second one that they don't recommend that. 

Hmmm, too bad, I want a job now! 

I also figured even if they don't have the perfect job for me they can get me temporary work to hold me over...well I learned some things. Hopefully this will help someone else some day!

Rule #1 Do not tell them you want something specific or they will not consider you for anything else!!!  Mistake #1. I was totally honest with them about what I want for my next permanent job, including pay rate. So when I called to check on these other jobs I see available they ask, "Oh, so you're willing to work temporary jobs?" Well yeah! Duh!

Rule #2 Do not tell them how much you want to make for a permanent job or they will not approach you with anything less!! See above...my next call about a job I see posted and they ask "Oh, so you'll accept a different rate for temporary?" Again...Well yeah! Duh!

Rule #3 Do not assume that all jobs  available are listed where you can see them. Headhunters have their own networking! I have been all over every job site out there for hours every day, yes, looking at a lot of duplication, but hey, I didn't want to miss that perfect job! 

Rule #4 Don't let anyone tell you that you should stick with just one agency! So now I talk with ANOTHER agency I need to contact and what do you know...after 4 weeks of applying and searching, 3 - 4 hours a day, sometimes more...30+ resumes submitted - and he's got something lined up for me the next day!

Rule #5 Along with all the other changes...don't use that "old fashioned" resume style. So Agency #1 advised me to make some changes. No problem, I'm all for adapting. Then Agency #2 sees my new resume and advises some other changes. Works for me! Then Agency #3 advises I make changes like the previous one had! I'm up to revision #6, and still make slight changes to suit some positions.

So my advice to you...don't leave your job search in anyone else's hands, but by all means, reach out to as many agencies as you can. You never know which one will have that perfect job for you!

The bottom line, you do whatever it takes!

May the force be with you!

MISSING IN ACTION

It has been such a long time since I wrote regularly - or let's be honest here, at all! Well the Lord has been nudging me now for oh...6 months or so. Hmmm, guess I'm a little slow!

I have no good reason for the years away from this passion, except I let life get in the way. Honestly, when I think of the time I've wasted I just shake my head.

I have one complete novel/novella to submit, another that was returned to me by a publisher that folded, and a whole boat load of idea leads in a file on my computer. Not to mention all the notes/ideas I have entered in my phone!!! (It's so convenient to record an idea when I'm driving so the idea isn't lost by the time I'm back home! Anyone else use this trick?) What a world we live in!

But I thank God for His kindhearted patience. He is so good! He waits patiently for us to respond (much more patiently than we wait for Him to answer our cries)!

Not only did he nudge me to start writing again, but He planted an idea in my head. Suddenly I was hearing it all around me, on the radio, during preaching...hmmm some positive reinforcement maybe? And still I ignored it for this long!

But here I am again, finally ready to take up my pen (well, my keyboard). I hope some of my writing friends remember me, as well as those of you who enjoyed my writing in the past! Here is a  link to my previous work if you don't remember me and would like to check me out! I'd love to get to know you!

http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Donna+B.+Snow

I hope you stop by often, I'd love to be a part of your day or week and encourage you along as you encourage me!

God bless you all!

Until next time...