This morning as I am sitting here in His Word, and as I was saying to Him how He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End … as I am literally speaking these words, I am gazing outside my office window at His awesomeness … His creativity!  I am fixated on the canvas He has painted for me on this beautiful day.

It brought to my mind the beautiful skies I so enjoyed on my way home from Pennsylvania yesterday.  There were times when I simply had to make myself look at the road because I was so fixated on His majestic paintings.  The trees in PA are starting to turn and the mountaintops are breath taking.  We came across a mountain where the fog was level with us and dangling over the valley.  I just wanted to stare.  It simply took my breath away.

Every morning driving into work I get to visit with His creativity.  It amazes me how I drive the same route day in and day out, but yet what I see is always different.  He always has something new for me to view.  It brings me so close to Him during our prayer time heading down the road.  This is why I need to pray for God's hand of protection over me each day before I get behind that wheel.  It would be so easy to become so entrenched in Him and lose sight of the fact that I am driving.  

I find such joy and peace in His designs … in His beauty … in the nature He has created just for us.  Yet, at the same time, it saddens me.  So many people get on the road daily and they never notice the blueness of the sky … the precision in the design of the clouds … the perfection in the colors … or hear His soft whisper through it all saying, "I did this just for you".  I could not imagine a day without looking forward with anticipation of what He will share with me on any given day.  

Today, just for a moment, pause to see what is around you.  Allow Him, through His canvas, draw you closer to Him.  What He has to offer is far better than anything the world promises.  Give it all over to Him today and see what difference a day can truly mean.

​God bless!!!

Close your eyes and imagine driving down a two-lane road.  It is a brisk morning, and you are enjoying the solitude of your drive.  Most mornings you don’t have the privilege of seeing many other vehicles on this stretch of road, so you enjoy the occasional glance at God’s creation.  As you are entering a curve, you come upon a large panel truck traveling towards you in your lane.  What do you do? 

In a situation as this, you don’t have a lot of time to weigh in on the pros and cons of what would work best.  It is with split second decision that you have to decide your course of action.  The worse thing you can do is swerve or to panic.  I did neither.  Yes, I got to experience this exact thing this morning on my way to work.  In hindsight, I cannot believe how calm I remained as I laid on the horn in the hopes that I would garner some response.  It worked.  He swerved back into his lane at exactly the time we passed. 
I must have been holding my breath, because I exhaled and breathed a sigh of relief.  My first response as I settled into the realization that all was well was to glorify and thank Jesus.  I know at least twice I said, “Thank you, Jesus!”

It is almost noon now and I cannot get what transpired out of my head.  What if?  What if the truck had hit me?  What if the words I said to my son this morning were the last? What if the last time I spoke to my daughter was the last time?  What if the words I spoke to my siblings … to my co-workers … to anyone were my last?  Bottom line, “WHAT IF”?  Am I harboring any ill will towards others?  Am I holding on to unforgiveness?  Am I allowing the pettiness of life to keep me from being the best I can be … holding me back from relationships?  Are my daily priorities in order?  Am I spending enough time with loved ones?  Am I giving God all He deserves?
As I pondered all of this, I heard my inner man say, “So, what if?  What are your responses to the above?”
Would I leave here with regrets?  Yes, I think we all have regrets on some scale.

What if the truck had hit me?  Instead of writing this to you, I would be in heaven today with my loved ones, praising my awesome and wonderful Father in Heaven.  Would I have been ready?  I think so.  Sure, there are many things I wish I had done for heaven’s glory … there are many people I wish I had shown more boldness in faith to, but ultimately, I am ready to meet my Creator.  I wait in anxious anticipation of His return.
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The Bible tells us that in the blink of an eye the skies will part and Jesus will meet us in the clouds and we will be homeward bound.  Some get to go before then, and though I am ready, I am also blessed to know that I did not go.  I still get to work on those few regrets I have.  I still get more opportunities to glorify Christ in all I do.  I still get to be a light in the darkness.  I still get to love on my family.  What if?  Seriously, what if?  What if you were called home today?

As I was getting ready for work the other morning, I thought I would cry when thinking of where I am today verses where I was almost approximately three months ago.  I never thought my life would change so radically in the blink of an eye.  Then, when I realized how my life had changed, I became very sad.  

God has blessed me and my health in life altering ways.  He has set me free from 22+ years of daily discomfort.  There were some days when I could not roll over on my own and breathing without pain was a challenge.  When I share this, I am sure there are a lot of people who will think, "Wow, I saw her here and there and she did not seem to be in any sort of pain!"  You would be right in your perspective, but it was not the case.  Any one can appear fine on the outside, but when you start your day ingesting as much pain relievers as I did, then your outside can be very deceiving.  How do you think people who suffer with depression are able to fool so many? It is what is on the inside that we conceal from the world.

On some days I would have to continue taking pain relievers throughout my day.  I was seeking a better quality of life at the risk of damaging myself internally.  Today, not so much!  It was this reality that brought me sadness on this particular day and not joy.  My sorrow overwhelmed me when I thought of my mom and dad and how much this gift God had bestowed upon me would have altered their quality of life.  My mom suffered for more years than I care to remember with rheumatoid arthritis, heart issues, and the such.  My dad had Alzheimers, gout, and heart issues.  All of these things played havoc on their daily existence and robbed them of the life they so deserved.

My mom was taken away entirely too early in life.  She was a fighter and she loved life, but she could not enjoy it.  When I think what a difference my new health regime would have had on her quality of life, it saddens me.  The only chance she had of enjoying her days were by pumping herself full of steroids.  Ultimately, it was the steroids that took her life.  Her inability to experience what I have today is driving me forward to share with others.  It has become my PASSION.  I don't ever want to wake up ever again and say, "I wish I had of …"!  I want to say I did or at the very least I tried.

This past weekend I held an in-house at one of my family member's homes because I was passionate about sharing this miracle (this is exactly what it has been for me) with my family.  The first people you want to see have a better quality of life is those you love.  Now I am on a quest to share it with others.  The world is my oyster and I am looking for those pearls that God leads me to.  I want to free you from the daily health issues which may be impacting your life in a small way or a huge way.  I want to bring knowledge to those who do not suffer on how to remain that way.  Lastly, I want to bring knowledge to those who do not suffer but have loved ones of their own who suffer.  I am learning just how powerful knowledge is.  I always heard that, and I knew the significance of it, but today I am living proof of just how powerful this knowledge can be.  Man may have put together the science of redox signaling molecules, but it was God who provided the knowledge!!!!  It is life changing.  I now have the power I need to help people heal at the cellular level with redox technology.  I have no medical background … I have no medical research experience.  I only have ME and I know what it has meant to me.

We can lead horses to water, but we cannot make them drink.  However, in order for me to have a peace of mind, I must lead them to the water.  If they choose not to drink, I can walk away saying I tried.  It is all any of us can do.

Don't start another day without obtaining knowledge.  God bless!!!!

As we are right on the cusp of entering a new year, I came across these words written by Scott Wesley Brown in a book I was reading entitled, "Why" by Vernon Brewer.  They seemed fitting for today as so many end one year and enter another with the same question on their lips, "Why?"

WHEN ANSWERS AREN'T ENOUGH

You have faced the mountains of desperation
You have climbed, you have fought, you have won
But this valley that lies coldly before you                                         Casts a shadow you cannot overcome.

And just when you thought you had it all together
You knew every verse to get you through
But this time the sorrow broke more than just your heart
And reciting all those verses just won't do.

Instead of asking why did it happen
Think of where it can lead you from here
And as your pain is slowly easing, you can find a greater reason
To live your life triumphant through the tears.

When answers aren't enough, there's still Jesus
He is more than just an answer to your prayer
And your heart will find a safe and peaceful refuge
When answers aren't enough, He is there!

When answers aren't enough, He's still there!!

Amen, and I am praying for a prosperous and joyous New Year for each and every one of you!

I am so excited!!!  I have someone coming to my home on Saturday night to help me modernize my website so I can post videos, etc.  I have missed writing but I am so enjoying the videos also.  I have a few ideas on how to incorporate both.  Keep us in prayer moving forward!!!!

​Hope you are having a great weekend!

Morning!  Morning!  Morning!  How's it shaking?

I am going to start writing again soon and sharing more on my website than I have been.  I got wrapped up with online classes and doing videos that I simply did not have time for both.  Stay tuned in the next few weeks for new additions to my website ... new and powerful videos ... new and encouraging articles ... and Just Janet sharing life ... love you guys!!!!

writing4him2.com
Janet's Journals.com
Just_Janet@aol.com

This morning as I was wrapping up my study with Dr. David Jeremiah he shared a story that truly spoke to my heart. I would like to share it here.  I am not saying this verbatim, and I am not for sure who wrote it. Despite this, the overall effect will be the same.

There was a landowner who owned quite an expanse of land, and among his acreage, he had trees which were breathtakingly beautiful. One in particular stood out amongst the rest.

This landowner had a great enemy who desired more than anything to hurt the landowner. After many attempts and days on end of trying to come up with ways to hurt this man, the enemy decided that the best way to hurt the landowner was to cut down the tree which meant so much to him. He knew the landowner was so very proud of all of his trees, but this one tree was his greatest joy.

The enemy worked diligently all night sawing away at this tree. Around about morning, as the landowner was coming out to gaze at his trees of beauty and admire God’s creation, the enemy picked up his pace in cutting down this marvelous tree as he only had a few strokes left. As the tree began to tether and sway, a large branch fell off and pinned the enemy underneath. He could not move to escape what was evident. He was going to die at his own hands.

As the landowner came closer and realized what was transpiring, he said to the enemy, “What you meant for my harm, God has used for my favor. You see, I have an architect who is designing a home for me. The only thing in the way of the construction of this home is this marvelous tree. I came out today to say good-bye as it is scheduled to be removed. Your desire to destroy and hurt me God has used for His glory.”

Do you see the underlying scene taking place in this story? When God said that He would use the work of the enemy for our favor, in essence He is using it for His glory. No matter what the evil one feels he is doing to harm us and have his way, God already has a purpose for using that evil to bring about good.

Has Satan allowed you to feel his sting this week? I have certainly felt it. The evil one has been lurking at my family’s doorstep recently, and what he thinks was his mighty blow against us yesterday is only being used for God’s glory. God already has a plan in effect and someday we will see the good come out of this. I do not know how it is all going to play out. I know we have some turbulent weather ahead to overcome ... there will be pain ... there will be discomfort ... there will be tears! Ultimately, however, there will be joy and overcoming. I pray we see the end result here on earth, but if not, then we will on the other side. It does not matter which side of heaven the victory is had. What should stand out in your life and give you such great encouragement is that victory is guaranteed. As a believer and someone who seeks His face, we are victorious always! We are never defeated. We are beaten down ... we are taunted ... we are seemingly destroyed, but in the final chapter, we are winners if we are on His side.

Pray for me today, and I promise I am praying for you!

It is 9:39 a.m. on a Sunday morning, and I should be well on my way to church. I am all dressed and ready to go, but I am sitting here instead writing. It was not my intent.  I would rather be at church this morning than sitting here.  However, I refuse to just waste this time. I will not give it all over to the enemy. I will hear God’s Word this morning ... I will praise and worship Him ... I will overcome what the enemy is trying to use against me.  I will turn this fiasco into something good for His glory. I will take this test thrown at me this morning and turn it into my testimony to glorify His goodness and His continual grace which is new each morning.

I tried to sidestep what I knew ahead of time could occur this morning. I thought I had planned things in a way to where I would not be in this position for which I now find myself. But you know what they say about well laid plans ... LOL! Yep, nothing panned out as I thought it would and here I sit.

At first I was very angry. I cried tears of disappointment because I felt God had let me down. I was confused as to why He would allow this to happen. Why in the world would He not want me to attend church this morning? Why in the world would He not provide in the way I needed? Why would He keep me from praising His name this morning with other like-minded Christians? Does not the Bible say we should gather together with our brothers and sisters in Christ to worship and honor Him? Why would He put up road blocks to prevent me from doing so?

I was so heavy hearted and sad. I look forward to my Sunday mornings. I love hearing Pastor share what God has put on his heart. I love getting to know more and more the people in the church where I now attend. Why? Why would He not clear the way for me to be there?

Well, Folks, this has nothing to do with God and everything to do with me. Yes, I planned ahead so this situation could be avoided. Yes, I knew in advance what I could possibly be dealing with. I even got angry at people when this had nothing to do with them at all. You see, this morning was out of my control. There was nothing more I could have done to prevent this from happening. This realization is what saddened me. But, when I was talking to God this morning, He made me realize a few things. Just hearing Him share with me in my spirit brightened my countenance. It gave me SONshine again in my heart. It allowed me to pick myself up, wipe the dust off, and turn what was meant for my harm into something positive.

I will still hear His Word ... I will still be with like-minded Christians ... I will still praise His name. It will just be in a different way and in a different venue. It will be from the comfort of my home. It is not my first choice, but it is what it is. I can either work with it and overcome, or I can sulk and lose what God has shown me.

What prevented me from attending church this morning was unavoidable and, as I said, there was nothing I could have done about it. However, it was my fault just the same. You see ... it was my poor choices and decisions from the past that caused the events of this morning. It had nothing to do with God not hearing my cries or Him not being willing to work things out for me. He could have freed me from all of this and just made a way, but then (1) I would not have heard what He so needed me to hear as a result of this; and (2) I would not be able to share with you. I am convinced there is someone out there who needs this word. There is someone out there struggling this morning in the same way as I was ... maybe for different reasons ... who needs to know God can turn it around if we will just tilt our ears to hear Him in the midst of the storm. We need to quiet our spirit and soul so He can speak into us. While I was crying and angry, He could not do anything. I was preventing Him from pouring into me. But, oh my, once I gave it to Him, the peace flowed like still waters ... calm and serene!

My Bible verse for this morning is Deuteronomy 7:22, “And the Lord your God will clear out those nations before you, little by little; you may not consume them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase among you.” Little by little God is helping me overcome the mistakes of my past. He is helping me in small increments correct my poor choices. If He just waved His magic wand and fixed everything instantaneously, then where would be the lessons learned? It would only enable me to continue making the same mistakes by more wrong choices. This morning was a prime example of this. I just need to rethink some things so this does not occur again.

Here are a few paragraphs from my devotional this morning. Tell me God was not speaking to me ... LOL!
”... As I look back, however, I realize that God held my hand and let me advance in small steps. I had times of great discouragement - as we all do. I remember times of bitter tears over my personal failures. But God kept nudging me forward ...” Wow, this is exactly what He is doing in me, one small nudge at a time.

Here is some more from the same devotional: ” ... That’s the secret of living the victorious Christian life - we move ahead little by little. It’s an inching forward over months and years. Most of us can understand that. ... We don’t roust Satan in one big blow and then live in victory forever after. We win one small battle, and then we’re ready to move on to the next one. We may have a few major victories that come suddenly, but not many of them. The fight to destroy Satan’s strongholds comes mostly by daily, doggedly, moving ahead.”

If all our victories came at once, pride would slip in! Then, as my devotional shared, “Our attitude then would be to look down on others who have not been as victorious as we have been. We may not express our condescension in words, but won’t those we disdain sense that we think we’re superior? And, truthfully, wouldn’t we feel superior. We’ve made it; those poor souls are still struggling.” I never want to become that person. I would rather be in the position I am in today then to ever forget whence I came.
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God bless and have a wonderful week!!!

Evening!  I hope everyone had as great a weekend as I did.  My travel buddy and I went to Fairfax this past weekend to see Joyce Meyer.  It was off the charts as always.  We stayed an extra night just to chill and enjoy some girlfriend time.  We never get to spent much time with one another, and I am very blessed to have her in my life.  We are planning our next trip to Kentucky!!!!

​What can I say about Joyce Meyer that you do not already know?  Her transparency and down to earth teaching is the best.  This past weekend she spoke about bitterness.  It was entitled "Burnt but not Bitter!"  I came away with a new perspective about a few things.  I truly felt in my heart that I harbored no bitterness towards anyone, but I now know this is not the case.  Right now ... as I type this ... I am not for sure where I go from here considering this new revelation, but I know God and I have some work ahead of us.  I am just so blessed I love the Lord so much that I am able to hear His Spirit speak to me about such things.  I do not want to live in denial.  I have spent so much of my time in denial.  Now I just want to be my best to glorify Him.  I will keep you posted on our progress.  It should be interesting.  Keep me in prayer.

​As I am sure this will come as no big surprise to you, I blew my get-healthy plan this weekend.  My friend and I had a 'junk food night', and believe me, I am paying for it.  I woke this morning feeling bloated, fingers so puffy I could not put my rings on, dragging as if I had not slept at all, and just miserable.  It was definitely not worth it.  Then, to pour salt into the wound, I brought some of the horrible stuff home so I used the excuse that I could not do any more harm than I had already done to eat more of it today.  YUK!!!  What in the world is wrong with me?  But ...

​I am back on track tomorrow.  I have been in the kitchen tonight preparing my meals for the week and disposing of the junk.  I feel simply terrible ... mentally, spiritually, physically!  Why do we do this to ourselves?  Do we really think something will be different?  The junk food does not change and neither does the effects it has on your body.  Lesson learned again!  Back on track tomorrow!  Praise God for His longsuffering.  He must get so tired of having to reach down and pick me back up, but I am so very thankful that He does.  

​I am calling it a night.  I hope you are geared up for the week ahead.  Keep me in prayer, and I am always keeping you in prayer!

Good night!
Love to you all!
Janet Molton Nicholson
​​writing4him2.com

Morning!  I have been up since a little after 4:00 a.m.  I came into my office to do a few things, picked up my Bible to read a bit, and before I knew it ... 6:20 a.m.!!!!  I so love God's Word.  I open it up, start to read, and the clock speeds up.  Time flies when you are having fun!

​I am so excited for this coming weekend.  I am headed out on a road trip with my travel buddy.  We try to make a road trip once or twice a year.  We are long overdue!  We are going to catch Joyce Meyers while out and about.  I cannot wait!!!!  We are also working on our trip later this year to Kentucky to visit the Ark and the Creation Museum.  I am very excited about this.  We had planned on going last year, but it did not work out.  She makes all the travel arrangements.  I just show up and pay.  You cannot beat it!

​Update on my journey to better health:  If you remember correctly, I ashamedly shared with you the other day how I could only dance for 12.30 minutes.  I was so embarrassed to share this with you, but if I truly desire to be an encouragement to others, then I have to be transparent.  It is so hard to share our failures with others.  We always want the world to perceive us as strong and independent, but no one can always be those things.  Yes, I love being able to do for myself but I have come to realize I am only good and able when I rely on His strength and not my own.  My strength will carry me for awhile ... ​long enough to deceive me at times into thinking I can do this alone ... ​only to burn out and leave me high and dry.  When I focus on Him daily, I can endure though the journey is not always easy.

​So, with His strength, I came back on my second day to dance again.  I set a goal of doing what I had done the night before or to improve.  ​Get this!!!!  I improved!   YAY!  ​I actually went 14 minutes.  I was so happy.  I realize to some of you reading this it is probably so overrated on my end.  You must be saying to yourself, "Is this lady for real?"  My answer would be a simple, "Yes!"  It is taking everything in me to begin now ... at my age and with my disabilities ... to try to be healthy once again.  Fourteen minutes of continual dancing is a lot for me.  I have every reason to shout out with glee.  This is a big accomplishment for me right now.  I know to many it would be the same.  It is to them I am speaking, and it is for them I am sharing.  As for the rest of you, cherish your good health ... keep taking care of it as though it were a prized jewel, because, believe me, it is!!  I am very proud of you for being wise enough and smart enough to not allow yourself to be where I am.  Watch out though because I am coming for you ... LOL!!!!!  I may have to run twice as hard, cry many tears, push through many bouts of depression and discouragement, but I am coming!!!!

Last night I did not dance at all.  I went outside and cut grass with a push mower.  I thought that was exercise enough.  Believe me, I was sweating and I knew I had worked out when I was done.  

​Today I ask you to keep me in prayer as Thursday is my day of fasting.  I struggle with this also because going without food is not what I want to do.  Food is a big challenge for me.  Eating right and changing my eating habits is a daily battle.  I win on most days, but then I fall down.  When able, I simply wipe the dirt off and get back up.  I refocus and move ahead, bruised but not beaten.  Remember, and I have shared this many times, we are only failures when we stop trying.

​My son's dad lost his sister unexpectedly this past week.  I can remember her from the days when him and I were together.  I have many happy memories and some not so happy, but she was a very caring individual.  Her and my son's dad were not really close then, but over the last few years they had grown pretty close.  He has been there for her through health struggles.  I know he will feel the void of her absence.  Please keep this whole family in prayer.

​Ok, I have to sign off.  I do not want to be late for work.  I am so enjoying my new job.  The people are great.  The work is challenging, but this is good.  It keeps my mind young and active.  I enjoy the drive as it is very peaceful and scenic.  Quite the change from what I was accustomed to in past years.

Have a great day,
Blessings to you all!
Janet Molton Nicholson
writing4him2.com
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