From the desk of DBM

Faith Like a Child 

I was reminded of something while on tour in Vancouver. I had the opportunity to sing in a Sunday morning service at a church that specializes in reaching out to people with mental and physical disabilities. Taking part in their service, seeing how they worship, getting an understanding of what Jesus means to them absolutely floored me! These are people that most of society would say "aren't all there", but let me just say that these folks are more "there" than I am sometimes. These people are the very personification of having faith like a child. Sometimes in my walk with God, I have doubts. Sometimes I ask too many questions and over-complicate things. Jesus called us to have faith like a child because a child doesn't ask all these questions, a child simply believes. And I think that's a lesson I needed to learn that morning - to just simply believe.
Blessings!
d.


Don't Be Afraid 

Here's something from the DBM Desk (which you are always welcome to comment on, on the site)
There are a lot of things in life that could potentially be pretty scary and cause us to fear. Whether they are big things or little things, the spirit of fear has been allowed to run rampant far too long. Noah's favourite cartoon sings a song in one of their earlier episodes that says, "God is bigger than the boogie man and He's watching out for you and me".
We have a very simple reminder where it's written, "God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind". I know it's not always easy, but next time you're starting to get scared about something, just remember that God cares for us and is watching out for us!
Blessings!
d.

The Plan 

I don't want to get all long winded (as is sometimes the case), but I do want to leave you with a thought. Did you know that God has a plan for your life? You may be living it now, or not. But just know that He cares for you, He's got great things for you, and He's waiting for you to ask for them!
Blessings!
d.

Who Says? 

I've got something that's weighing heavily on my heart. In the last week, I've heard news of two different girls who attempted to take their own lives - one succeeded. Has the world lost it's hope? Are things so destitute that we feel the only way is to turn the lights out? Maybe no one has told these people that there is One Hope - that we are loved by the Creator of the Universe. I just recently wrote a song called, "Who Says?". In this song, the question is asked: "Who says you're beautiful? Who says you're valuable? Who tells you it all will be alright? So how would you know?" Let me reassure you. God made each and every one of us special. We're all beautiful in His eyes. We're all worth something! If no one has ever told you that, let it be known to you right now that you are special, and God loves you so much!
Blessings!
d.

What's the Harm in Asking? 

I've heard it said, "You have not, because you ask not". A good principle that I think we should really try to remember. In the case of this quote, the writer is talking about asking God. So true! How can we expect to receive if we don't ask for it? At this point, in dealing with Noah (my 8 month old son) his "asking" consists of crying his little head off, simply because he doesn't know how to communicate. Admittedly, I am guilty of acting like my son sometimes. I let myself stew, then get all worked up, then I'll cry and scream and get all in a huff with God, wondering why He hasn't come to help me yet. Then, in that way only God can, He reminds me of that familiar verse from James, "You have not, because you ask not". Once I've finished with my 1st grade temper tantrum, I remember that I haven't asked Him for a single thing up to the point of my ranting. Why should He help me if I don't communicate what I need? In all aspects of life, don't forget to ask. It doesn't hurt when you do, but sometimes it hurts when you don't. What's the harm in asking?
Blessings!
d.

Watch and Learn 

Normally when someone says, "Watch and Learn", they generally are trying to portray that they are better than you and are about to school you on something. But today, I'm going to tell you to watch and learn, not because I want to show you something, but because there might be something out there that we're missing. Maybe there's someone in your world that just needs a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen. We may never find out if we don't open our eyes and take a look. Watch and learn. You could even save a life.
Blessings!
d.

2 + 2 

I've been in contact with a lot of different people lately, and some of them claim to be Athiest, or say they don't believe in God. And there may even be some people reading this who feel the same way, but let me ask you a question - What is 2 + 2? History and mathematics have proved the fact that the answer is 4. But what if someone said that they think the answer is 5, and they really, really wanted it to be 5. Would that change the fact? What if thousands of people all around the world all got together and said that the answer is 5, would anything be any different. In their own minds they could have certainly convinced themselves that the answer is 5. But the answer hasn't changed - it really is 4. God is real whether people choose to acknowledge Him or not. Even if thousands and thousands of people around the world say that they don't believe in God, He is still there whether they believe in Him or not. The answer hasn't changed - He really is God.
Blessings!
d.

Time 

The gift of life is an amazing thing! And time is so precious. The question is - what are we going to do with the time we're given? If I could encourage you with something today, it would be to live life everyday for God. In your workplace, your school, your home, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Blessings!
d.

Music 

Lately, in concerts, I have been encouraging those in attendance to be careful what they listen to. And most times I get asked what the big deal is. I've been listening to a lot of different types of music, and really it makes me kind of sad. I've been hearing the lyrics to many of these so called "rock stars" and frankly, I just feel sorry for them. Think about it, from what I hear, among all their many problems, these guys don't know any nice girls. All they can sing about is either how horrible these girls are to them, or how trampy the girls can be. And the saddest part of all of this is that the people who are barraged with this on a daily basis often times will sing along with these very sad, and almost pathetic songs. Most times people will just say "I like the beat" or "the tune is catchy, but I don't listen to the words" yet they know every word by heart, and sing them. Once something is committed to memory, it is in your heart. The trouble with this is that young kids are subjected to these songs too. They're going to listen to them on the radio and hear people sing along with them and think that everything that is happening in these songs is normal. Boys are going to grow up thinking that all girls are going to be as they are portrayed in these songs, and girls will be because they want to be "cool and beautiful", like the songs are supposedly saying. All I'm getting at here is, be careful what you listen to. Why? Because the words in some of these songs affect you and those around you more than you know. Please be careful. What do you want in YOUR heart?
Blessings!
d.

Everyday 

For most of us, from time to time, we may feel as though our lives get a little repetative, a little boring, and seem to feel like they're in a little bit of a rut. Let me tell you that this is normal. But in these situations, let us remember that every day is a gift. Maybe tomorrow, when you wake up, take just a moment to recognize the Giver of each day. It doesn't have to be anything official or drawn out, all you have to say is, "God, thank you for today". And remember, the majority of the time your day-to-day life is only as exciting as you let it be. "Lord, you have my life Everyday"
Blessings!
d.