The Nothing Blog

I listen to a lot of gospel messages from many different sources. God's people are everywhere and God is using His faithful ones to shine the light of the gospel everywhere, too! I watch and I listen everyday to keep growing and knowing what God's people are doing throughout the earth. I trust the Holy Spirit to help me find truth and goodness in every message I hear. God tells us to " grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.." (2 Peter 3:18). I heard Bishop TD Jakes speak on prayer  during one of his Potter's House Church broadcast on TV. I thought it was a very practical, powerful mesage and I took a few notes.  I love to share good news when I am encouraged by it. And as a child of God, I am fully aware we are at war (spiritually) every day and prayer is one of the weapons our God has given us to push back the darkness and keep on going! Bishop TD Jakes @ The Potter's House, Dallas, TX Here's what Bishop Jakes said: "Th...

One week ago today we had to put our sweet, little, four-legged family member, Lexie, to sleep. . Lexie Balint   It was a shock that we had to do this --there was no warning she was desperately ill. My husband Don and I watched Lexie suffer with some sort of discomfort. It took two visits to our local veterinarian in two days and  then I was immediately sent with Lexie to an emergency surgery animal hospital. After examining her they told me Lexie had a spinal cord injury with a very grim prognosis. Then I shared the agonizing news  with my hubby Don, and then to our daughters Grace and Mary. It became a dark day for us all. Our whole family adored Lexie's sweetness, boundless joy, endless energy, faithful obedience and her constant companionship! Yes, we loved her and she loved us. She was a gift from God. She was one of His precious creatures. Don, Polly, Mary, Grace; Lexie is in Grace's arms.   Lexie was a rescue dog; which means she was ...

Is life hard? Yes. Did God promise a perfect life when we become His? Nope. He told us, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world " (John 16:33). So what do we do when we feel like we are spiritually dry, physically spent, and emotionally drained? We run to Jesus to refresh us for He promises, "whoever drinks the water I give him with never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). In fact, He made several promises of His love, provision and protection! He said, "I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:9-10).  Yes, life  hurts. Yes, life is hard. But God made a promise that "...everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, ev...

My heart has been reminded that today, July 5, is the day my mother went to be with Jesus in heaven. She died in 2007 and I still miss her and I still thank the Lord for blessing me as her daughter. The following is a page from my journal written May 27, 2007. I have published this before but I think it's part of the healing/grieving process and I want to honor the memory of my mother, Mary Elizabeth Gillette Brown. Here it is: Mom May 27, 2007 Journal Notes By Polly Balint “Mom” When I was playing golf today with three friends, I started thinking about Mom and how she has given me such a wonderful legacy of loving life… and even in playing golf. While I was on the course, I started to remember what she was like on my last trip to Coral Gables…she had to be bathed and dressed. Couldn’t go to the bathroom by herself…couldn’t walk alone and barely can speak. She would shuffle to walk but it took two people to help her. BUT, she was still so pleasant and cordial and gracious and ...

 Historically, during the weeks and months leading up to July 4th , citizens of the United States of America joyfully and enthusiastically plan all kind of festivities to celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY! Yes, it was July 4, 1776, when the signing and proclamation of the Declaration of Independence meant freedom for the new colonists in America! Freedom! Yes! God-honoring freedom! So for generations  it has been our US custom for families and friends gather to celebrate each year with parades, cookouts, picnics, road races, pool parties  -- and end the day with spectacular fireworks.  The freedoms of religion, right to bear arms, freedom of speech etc., were also God-given as the initial freedom for the colonists to break away from the tyranny of Great Britain.       And so here we are, and July 4, 2013, is two days away.  Picnics, pool parties, parades, road races, BBQ gatherings and marketplace festivals are...

This morning I contacted my Physician and asked Him how to be healed of a chronic condition. I was tired of trying to deal with it on my own. Not only does it wear me out, it creates anxiety in me, I become impatient and think negative thoughts. When this condition flares up it's hard to focus on the task at hand. I needed to visit with Him. Just the two of us spending quiet time together. I said to Him, "There must be a cure for this, isn't there? I mean, I've been looking to You for help and counsel for many years now and You always have the perfect solution for my afflictions!" He said, "Yes, your condition is not a rare one, in fact, there is an epidemic of it in the world today. People don't want to look to Me for help, they look to each other and to the things of this world. They are finding it doesn't work and they become more desperate. But I have the cure. It's 100 percent guaranteed to cure STRESS  but you must apply it to your life eve...

 When inspired thoughts come to me, as an author I can't wait until later  to write it down.  I have learned that I won't remember exactly how I felt when the thought came and exactly how the inspiration was leading me to express it on my computer screen or writing pad. So immediately I'll either dig in my purse and scribble the initial thoughts on the back of a crumpled receipt or go to my computer and just type out a few of the insights that flashed in my mind. Well it happened when I was reading Donald Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz.   Donald Miller is a skillful writer, obviously using his God-given talents and I have enjoyed reading his book. Here's the passage that gripped me the most and I knew I needed to share this insight! (That's what Encouragers do, when they find something wonderful they want to encourage everyone with it! Yes, just like I'm doing now.) "I know a little of why there is blood in my...