Grandma O'Toole

Two years ago today we lost an amazing woman in "Grandma" Dorothy O'Toole.

Like her husband Tom O'Toole before her, she touched so many lives in her 80 plus years on this earth it is impossible to count-  and not in the typical way many think of a special person with such reach touches people.

She managed to touch and impact so many souls through her true, living example - day to day and hour by hour.

She did it through her grace and her humility and ease of being herself - a loving and amazing mother, wife, Mother in law, friend and role model for all.

A few weeks ago my wife Tiffany came across a piece of paper in her Mom's paperwork that she gave me to read.

It was clearly worn, old, typed out and mimerographed. Clearly it was a piece that had been read and consulted many times over the years.

At the bottom of the paper in her mom's beautiful handwriting was the following quote:

"Definition of Success -

Be really true to yourself and absolutely, positively never let anyone steal your Spirit."

Fitting words from a woman who possessed such a special and irreplaceable spirit and who not only never allowed anyone to steal her spirit - despite her fair share of life's trials, setbacks,  pains and sorrows - but managed to singlehandedly bolster and strengthen the spirit of everyone and anyone she encountered!

I thought it would be appropriate to share the rest of the piece that Grandma clearly believed to be true and it is not difficult to see her life - and the lessons she imparted on her children and loved ones - reflected in these truly inspiring and aspirational words she seemed to hold close to her heart.

Forgive the length of this but if you can trust me and get through it I don't think you will regret it for a moment.

It isn't hard to see that Grandma lived each day of her life in this way and it is invaluable advice for all of us.

Thank you Grandma - we miss and love you in our earthly lives on a daily basis but we know we will someday share a Schaeffer with a straw with you in love peace and joy - enjoying one heck of a sunset! 

:)

"The Seeds of Success

God I thank you for this day.

I know I have not accomplished as yet all you expected me, and if that is your reason for bathing me in the fresh dew of another dawn I am most grateful.

I am prepared, at last, to make you proud of me.

I will forget yesterday with all the trials and tribulations aggravation and setbacks, anger and frustrations.

The past is already a dream from which I can neither retrieve a single word nor erase any foolish deeds.

I will resolve, however, that if I have injured anyone yesterday through my thoughtlessness, I will not let this day's sun set before I make amends, and nothing I do today will be of greater importance.

I will not fret the future.

My success and happiness does not depend on straining to see what lurks dimly on the horizon, but to do this day what clearly lies at hand.

I will treasure this day for it is all I have.

I know that it's rushing hours cannot be accumulated or stored like precious grain for future use.

I will live as all good actors do when they are on stage - only in the moment!

I cannot perform at my best today by regretting my previous acts, mistakes or worrying about the scene to come.

I will embrace today's difficult task, take off my coat, and make dust in the world.

I'll remember that the busier I am the less harm I am apt to suffer, the tastier will be my food, the sweeter my sleep and the better satisfied I will be with my place in the world.

I will free myself today from slavery to the clock and calendar although I will plan this day in order to conserve my steps in energy.

I will begin to measure my life in deeds, not years,
in thoughts, not Seasons,
in feelings, not figures on a dial.

I will remain aware of how little it takes to make this a happy day.

Never will I pursue happiness, because it is not a goal just a byproduct and there's no happiness in having or getting, only in Giving.

I will run from no danger I might encounter today, because I am certain that nothing will happen to me that I am not equipped to handle with your help.

Just as any gem is polished by friction, I am certain to become more valuable through this day's adversities.

And if you close one door, I know you will always open another for me.

I will live this day as if it were Christmas.

I will be a giver of gifts and deliver to my enemies the gift of forgiveness,

to my opponents, tolerance;

To my friends, a smile;

To my children, a good example and every gift will be wrapped with unconditional love.

I will not waste even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness.

I know that the seeds I sew I will harvest because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction.

I will plant only good seeds this day.

I will treat today as a priceless violin.

One May draw harmony from it, another discord, yet no one will blame the instrument.

Life is the same and if I play it correctly it will give forth beauty, but if I play it ignorantly it will produce ugliness.

I will condition myself to look on every problem I encounter today as no more than a pebble in my shoe.

I remember the pain so harsh I could hardly walk and recall my surprise when I removed my shoe and found only a grain of sand.

I work convinced that nothing great was ever achieved without great ENTHUSIASM!

To do anything today that is truly worth doing, I must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in with gusto and scramble through as well as I can.

I will set the world with goals set for this day, but they will be attainable ones not of the vague impossible variety declared  by those who make a career of failure.

I realize that you always try me with a little first to see what I would do with a lot.

I will never hide my talents.

If I am silent I am forgotten.

If I don't advance I will fall back.

If I walk away from any challenge today my self esteem will be scarred forever and if I cease to grow even a little, I will become smaller.

I reject the stationary position because it is always the beginning of the end.

I will keep a smile on my face and in my heart even when it hurts today.

I know the world is a looking glass and gives back to me the reflections of my own soul.

Now I understand the secret of correcting the attitudes of others and that is to correct my own.

I will turn away from any temptation today that might cause me to break my word or lose my self respect.

I am positive that the only thing I possess more valuable than my life is my HONOR.

I will work this day with all my strength, content in the knowledge that life does not consist of willowing in the past or peering anxiously into the future.

It is appalling to contemplate the great number of painful steps by which one arrives at a truth so old, so obvious and so frequently expressed.

Whatever it offers, little or much, my life is now.

I will pause whenever I'm feeling sorry for myself today, and remember that this is the only day I have and I must play it to the fullest.

What my part might signify to the Great whole I may not recognize, but I'm here to play it and now is the time!

I will count this day as a separate life.

I remember that those who have the fewest regrets are those who take each moment as it comes for all that is worth.

This is my day!

These are my seeds!

Thank you God, for this precious Garden of Time."

- Winnie Marlowe

Whether it Blessed You or Broke You

I came across this blog post and thought it was brilliant and worth sharing!

So many of us can relate to years of ups and downs, hope and sadness, loss and faith, as this post so wonderfully captures!

We were never promised an easy life but we were promised that we would have the strength to persevere and thrive no matter the storm that we face!

Don't ever lose sight of that fact in your daily battles and trials!

;) Enjoy!

Stay Strong!

"This last year was a mixed bag for me.

I've been calling it one of the worst years of my life, and one of the best years of my life.

To be honest, I didn't think they could both happen in the same year, but they did.

This year has been chock full of physical suffering, but it's also beenchock full of some healing.

Some things got worse this year, and others improved.

The things that improved help me to remain hopeful, and the things that got worse kept me faithful

There have been times when I've felt like I'm waiting for the suffering to stop, and then moments when I'm reminded that it's not going to happen anytime soon. 

Perfection doesn't exist on this side of death, and I've been coming to terms with that as I've been working on being joyful in my circumstances, and as I've been working on being happier with everything just as it is.

That's not a bad thing; it's a free-ing thing — to let go of seeking perfection in this world, to let go of seeking perfection in our health.

If it's God's will, it will be done.

If it is not, He has a much better plan — and His plan is always for my good.

And the greatest good would be to get to Heaven someday.

So if these sufferings pave the way, I'm learning to accept them, embrace them, and give them back to Him — to offer them up.

"Whatever God wants!"  (St. Gianna Beretta Molla)

That's what I've learned this past year, and that's what I'm bringing with me into the next.

My friend Hazel Maria Rose Fernandes shared the following with me, and I thought it was absolutely perfect:

"As 2015 comes to a close, I want to encourage you to look over the past year not with regret but with Gratitude.

Every single thing that happened, good & bad, served a purpose.

Whether it broke you or blessed you, it helped make you more of who you're meant to be. 

Let's make peace with 2015 and everything that happened there so we can close this chapter with grace…knowing that there wasn't one moment that God didn't have our best interest in mind…and there's not a single bad thing that can happen to us that He can't turn for good.

Amen.

Happy — and Holy — New Year to you all, Friends!"

Count it All Joy

I AM GOD YOUR SAVIOR.

I GUIDE YOU AND teach you, so put your hope in Me all day long.

I guide you according to My truth, and I teach you important lessons as you follow the path I've prepared for you.

Because I am both your Savior and your God, I'm able to help you with the obstacles you will encounter.

Your difficulties can even be blessings when they draw you into deeper dependence on Me.

It is important to have your hope in Me all day long.

It's easy to be confident and trusting sometimes—when you are well rested and things are going smoothly.

However, when things get hectic or unpleasant, you often forget the object of your hope: Me.

Yet this is when you need Me the most!

So make it your goal to keep your eyes on Me all day long.

You won't be able to do this perfectly, but it is a worthy goal—one that gives focus to your thoughts.

It also helps you enjoy My Presence as you go along the path of Life.

- from " Jesus Today " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
—Psalm 25: 5

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds."
—James 1: 2 ESV

'I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. . . . You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
—Psalm 16: 8–9, 11 NKJV

I Will Never Leave You

I AM AS NEAR AS A WHISPERED PRAYER: listening attentively even to your softest utterance.

People who are in love like to be near each other—usually as close as possible.

Often they whisper words of endearment to each other, words that no one else can hear.

This sort of closeness, with hushed words of love, is always available to you in your relationship with Me.

I am near to all who call on Me, even if your call is the faintest whisper.

This promise is for all who call on Me in truth—who know Me as the Truth.

Of course, I respond also to silent prayers, but whispering your words can help you feel closer to Me.

Hearing your own voice—however faintly—reinforces your connection with Me.

It strengthens your awareness of My unseen Presence and draws you into My loving embrace.

Although I rarely speak audibly to My children, you can hear My gentle whispers in your heart.

Hear Me saying, "I am with you. I love you. I will never leave you or forsake you."

- from " Jesus Today " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
—Psalm 145: 18

"Jesus said to [Thomas], "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
—John 14: 6 NKJV

"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."
—Joshua 1: 5

"The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper'.
—1 Kings 19: 11–12

In Times of Darkness...

"But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.
(Isaiah 50: 11)

This is a solemn warning to those who walk in darkness and who try to help themselves find the light.

They are described as the kindling for a fire that is surrounding itself with sparks.

What does this mean?

It means that when we are in darkness, the temptation is to find our own way without trusting in the Lord and relying upon Him.

Instead of allowing Him to help us, we try to help ourselves. We seek the light of the natural way and the advice of our friends. We reason out our own conclusions and thereby may be tempted to accept a path of deliverance that would not be of God at all.

The light we see may be the fires from our own kindling, or deceptive beacons leading us toward the danger of the rocks.

And God will allow us to walk in the false light of those sparks, but the end will be sorrow.

Beloved, never try to get out of a dark place except in God's timing and in His way.

A time of trouble and darkness is meant to teach you lessons you desperately need.

Premature deliverance may circumvent God's work of grace in your life.

Commit the entire situation to Him, and be willing to abide in darkness, knowing He is present.

Remember, it is better to walk in the dark with God than to walk alone in the light."

-- from The Still Small Voice

Stay Strong!

Persevere in His Strength

And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'..."
(2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)

Keep Pressing Through

We all go through seasons of difficulty that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

But during these times, we have to remember that Almighty God is greater than the struggle we face!

He'll take those challenges and use them to strengthen us, but we have to do our part and get into agreement with Him.

Think about the caterpillar before it becomes a butterfly.

When it's wrapped in its cocoon in the dark on the backside of some tree, it doesn't look like it has many options.

But after it becomes a butterfly, it doesn't just sit and wait for someone to come and drill a hole and let it out.

No! That butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it's going to be set free to fly.

In the same way, we have to do something to get out of the confining places we are in.

We have to pray; we have to believe and keep pressing through to victory.

Today, no matter what you may be facing, remember His grace is sufficient for you.

His strength is made perfect in you.

Keep believing, keep praying, keep hoping and keep pressing through.

Before long, you'll break free and rise to the new levels of victory God has prepared for you.

A Prayer for Today
"Father, thank You for the strength to make it through any challenge I may face. I choose to put my trust in You. I declare that You are good and thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf in Jesus' name.
Amen."

Stay Strong!

Your Helper

BE SELF-CONTROLLED—PUTTING ON FAITH and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Self-control definitely involves struggle as you exert your will to abstain from ungodly behavior.

Nonetheless, there is abundant help available to you in this battle.

My Spirit, who lives within you, is your Helper.

And the fruit of the Spirit is love . . . self-control.

A breastplate is designed to protect your heart and other vital organs when you are in battle.

Faith and love combine to make an exceptionally effective breastplate.

Your faith in Me, your Savior, enables you to trust in My righteousness, which is yours now and always.

Love is the essence of My redeeming relationship with you.

The hope of salvation makes a wonderful helmet because it protects your mind and reminds you that you belong to Me forever.

Faith, hope, and love all work together to shield you as you journey through this world.

They also keep you close to Me.

- from " Jesus Calling " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."
—1 Thessalonians 5: 8

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
—Galatians 5: 22–23 NKJV

"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." —Ephesians 6: 14–15 ESV

"Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
—1 Corinthians 13: 13

A Gift

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
(Psalm 90:12, NIV)

Every Day is a Gift!

Sometimes, our days can be so full and busy that we forget how fragile life really is.

It can be easy to allow little things to creep in and steal our peace and joy.

Maybe something doesn't go your way, or someone says something upsetting.

Even traffic can cause us to lose focus if we let it.

We have to remember that each day is a gift.

If we choose to focus on what's wrong, we'll miss the beauty that each day has to offer.

I encourage you today to not let the precious moments of life pass you by.

Don't wait for holidays and birthdays to show people that you care.

Remember, each day is unique and irreplaceable.

You have been given time that can be invested or wasted, hours that can be used or misused.

That's why the psalmist prayed to God, "Teach us to number our days."

He was saying, "Teach us to value every moment that we've been given."

As you daily keep a proper perspective, you'll gain a heart of wisdom and experience the full blessing that He has for you each and every day!

A Prayer for Today
"Father, thank You for the gift of today. I choose to focus on the blessing of each moment instead of allowing the little things to steal my joy. Keep me close to You always as I submit every area of my heart and mind to You in Jesus' name. Amen."

- Joel O

Stay Strong!

Re: Never Alone in Your Struggles

No man is ever alone who has friends

Its a wonderful life, my favorite Christmas movie

On Jan 3, 2016, at 7:24 PM, Douglas Flaherty <douglas.flaherty@gmail.com> wrote:

TRUST ME IN TIMES OF CONFUSION AND IN STORMS—WHEN things don't make sense and nothing you do seems to help.

This type of trust delights Me, because I know it is real.

Invite Me to enter into your struggles—to be ever so close to you.

Though other people may not really understand what you're going through, I understand perfectly.

Find comfort in knowing you're not alone in your struggles.

I am with you, watching over you continually.

Long-term trials can drain you of energy and hope, making it hard for you to keep trusting Me.

But I have given you a wonderful Helper, the Holy Spirit, who never runs out of strength.

You can ask for His help, praying:

'I trust You, Jesus; help me, Holy Spirit.'

Instead of trying to resolve all your problems, simply rest in My Presence.

Trust that there is a way forward, even though you can't yet see it.

I am providing a good way for you, though it is bumpy at times.

When the road is rough, cling all the more tightly to Me.

As your soul clings to Me, My right hand upholds you.

- from "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
—Genesis 28: 15

"When the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
—John 15: 26 NKJV

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."
—Psalm 63: 8

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Never Alone in Your Struggles

TRUST ME IN TIMES OF CONFUSION AND IN STORMS—WHEN things don't make sense and nothing you do seems to help.

This type of trust delights Me, because I know it is real.

Invite Me to enter into your struggles—to be ever so close to you.

Though other people may not really understand what you're going through, I understand perfectly.

Find comfort in knowing you're not alone in your struggles.

I am with you, watching over you continually.

Long-term trials can drain you of energy and hope, making it hard for you to keep trusting Me.

But I have given you a wonderful Helper, the Holy Spirit, who never runs out of strength.

You can ask for His help, praying:

'I trust You, Jesus; help me, Holy Spirit.'

Instead of trying to resolve all your problems, simply rest in My Presence.

Trust that there is a way forward, even though you can't yet see it.

I am providing a good way for you, though it is bumpy at times.

When the road is rough, cling all the more tightly to Me.

As your soul clings to Me, My right hand upholds you.

- from "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
—Genesis 28: 15

"When the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
—John 15: 26 NKJV

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."
—Psalm 63: 8

Ask Me to Lead You Each Step of the Way

YOUR AWARENESS OF YOUR DEEP NEED FOR ME IS A PROFOUND STRENGTH.

People who think they don't need Me are in serious trouble, because they rely on their own insufficient abilities.

I am training you to depend on Me—your Strength.

Living in a fallen world can weigh you down.

However, as you keep looking to Me, I make your feet like the feet of a deer.

I lighten your load so much that you hardly notice the jagged rocks beneath your feet or the steepness of your ascent.

Before you know it, you are on the high places— with Me!

You need to remember that I am Sovereign.

I will not help you go along a path that is not My choice for you.

So it's vital to commit your way to Me, asking Me to lead you each step of the way.

This is how you collaborate with Me as I enable you to go on the heights.

- from " Jesus Today " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." - HABAKKUK 3:19

"Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary."
- ISAIAH 40:30–31 NASB

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."
- PSALM 37:5 NKJV

Along Perilous Paths, Hold Tightly to My Hand

I WANT YOU TO LOVE ME, LISTEN TO MY VOICE, and hold fast to Me—for I am your Life.

This is the way of wisdom. I am training you to stay close to Me as you walk along perilous paths.

In any close relationship, listening and loving are vitally important—and they are interconnected.

Listen to Me as I rejoice over you with gladness and quiet you with My Love.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you receive My glorious Love in full measure.

This will dramatically increase your love for Me.

The world is full of dangers, so it is wise to hold tightly to My hand.

Listen—through My Spirit and My Word—while I talk you through tough times.

Pour out your heart to Me, remembering that I am your Refuge.

As you stay in dialogue with Me, I help you handle whatever is before you.

Hold fast to Me, beloved, for I am your Life.

- from " Jesus Today " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"[Choose life] that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
—Deuteronomy 30: 20

"The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
—Zephaniah 3: 17 NKJV

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
—Psalm 62: 8