Set-backs Create Opportunities For Comebacks!

My husband Robert performed the wedding ceremony of Glenn and Mindy Stearns in 2003

If you are worried or experiencing any of life's set-backs be inspired by Mark Thallander www.markthallander.com, a world-famous organist who lost an arm in a terrible car accident, or how about"Soul Surfer" Bethany Hamilton  www.bethanyhamilton.com who had her arm ripped-off and was almost killed by a shark.  Read about our good friend Glenn Stearns, www.stearns.com or  www.glennandmindy.com who nearly lost everything at the onset of the real estate/mortgage crash.  As Glenn was personally disassembling the cubicles in his office, he had his wife videoing it as he said, "this challenge will be a part of my story."

 My husband Robert A. Schuller wrote a book by the title "The World's Greatest Comebacks".  The year was 1988.  Since he wrote this book almost twenty-five years ago I think it's more than time he write volume 2, sighting the amazing come-back stories of the three listed above as well as many others we've been blessed to know since then! 

 How do Mark, Bethany, Glenn and an endless list of others have the courage, the perseverance, the faith and the fortitude to keep on keeping-on? When almost everything they have worked for or everything they are seems to have been taken away how do they stay faithful to their God-given purpose?   How do they come-back after life-threatening injuries and despair or impending financial disasters and end-up making an even more profound mark on society than they ever could before their set-backs?!

 The Bible is full of come-back stories where real people overcame huge obstacles. www.biblegateway.com  Here's a few of my take-aways from those stories and the ones of the people I listed above:  don't dwell on the past-it can blur your focus of a beautiful future;  hold on to hope- even in your darkest times;  reach forward in faith-even when you don't feel like it; and blanket all of it by loving others through their tough times even when you're going through your own. *Believe with all of your heart that there is a greater purpose involved in your set-backs or your suffering.

All of us experience challenges from time to time.  Some people's are more severe than others and some will never recover.  Few will become more than they ever imagined possible as a result of their painful experiences.
 Many things in life are out of our control.  I believe that we should live as suggested by St. Augustine  and "work like it all depends on you and pray like it all depends on God."  This attitude has personally seen me through many obstacles and rough times.  It works.  

"The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike"   Matthew 5:45

Even if you live a Godly life, full of purpose, passion and goodness-no one is immune from some kind of suffering or set-back.  Here's the question: what will you do as a result of the storms in your life?  Like the examples which I used above in the personal stories of Mark, Bethany, and Glenn I hope that you will choose to become better instead of bitter.  Please go to their websites and be encouraged by their individual stories.

  Even in times of loss there is still so much to be thankful for.   Don't look back but instead look up!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! 
God is blessing you.   Donna

I Need Your Help Please!

                                  Mark Victor Hansen and wife Crystal to be our next guests!


Hello and almost Merry Christmas!
If you've been following my blog you must know that my husband Robert and I started Possibility Living telephone classes on November 15th.  Possibility Living is part of our church without walls and it is a health ministry that was born many years ago on Rancho Capistrano.
 Originally included in this life-changing and inspiring ministry were week-long seminars where people from all-over the world would come to learn more about body, mind, and spirit health.   The week included spiritual leaders, people who specialized in emotional health, and experts in natural health of the body.  Anyone who attended these seminars can tell you that they were truly life-transforming.  In fact, after attending these seminars many wanted to move onto Rancho Capistrano and serve in that ministry!
 At the same time Robert began a daily radio show where he would conduct an intensive, detailed interview with experts in the areas of body, mind, or spiritual health.  The radio show was a live daily show which included a time of questions and answers during the second half of the hour.   He did this for five years and as he can tell you it was like receiving a graduate degree in body, mind, spirit health.
 Last but not least, in the year 2000 Robert and his friend, Dr. Douglas DiSiena, published their book, "Possibility Living...Add Years To Your Life and Life To Your Years With God's Health Plan."   This is a fabulous book which was written well before it's time.  Today you will discover all kinds of Christian health plans and that's a good thing!   Although the book contains timeless information in the areas of physical and mental health Dr. DiSiena is presently writing an update for the recommendations in the areas of supplementation (vitamin and mineral intake) and overall health of the body.  There has been a lot of advances in this area since the book came out.  Stay tuned for the results of these updates.
Today we bring you Possibility Living Teleclasses which are just as fabulous as the week-long seminars were and the best thing is that they are accessible from anywhere as long as you have a telephone!  These classes are held on the 15th of each month at 6pm Pacific Time.  Here's where I need your help.    Either people are not understanding the concept of attending a class via the telephone or they are not wanting to make a tax deductible donation of $29.95 in order to attend.   What I need from you is your feedback on what might be hindering a huge attendance during these telephone classes.  Can you do this for me please?  Send me your comments and let me know what you think.  I am aware that I need to do some advertising and marketing so this is my first attempt at polling those of you who read my blog.  Very few of you are signed-up for our classes and this puzzles me.   I would really appreciate your suggestions and comments as both Robert and I know that this is one important way to do our church without walls.  All donations go into our ministry. 
Last but not least, our last interview guest on December 15th was Max Lucado.  He was fantastic!  Unless you attend his church where else could you ask Max any of your theological questions?  We had a very in-depth discussion about the tragic shooting events that had taken place in Connecticut just the day before.  Based on some comments I received after our class I know that people were given hope and some peace of mind after such a terrible tragedy.   This is what our church without walls is all about;   distributing inspiration, peace, hope, and love.
***Our guest for January 15th will be Mark Victor Hansen and his wife Crystal!  Mark is the best-selling author of the "Chicken Soup For The Soul" books and Crystal is the founder of "Pure Thoughts For Pure Results."  They will motivate all of us to set high goals for the new year!  You do not want to miss them as they are fantastic!  - On February 15th we will interview Dr. Douglas DiSiena.  Our topic will be stress and how to minimize it.  Doug is one of only a few doctors in the nation with such expertise when it comes to whole body wellness! - We have many other great guests in mind for future classes.  Where else can you attend an inspirational class in the comfort of your own home while wearing your pajamas?! 
Last but not least,  if you would like to sign-up for the classes today you can go to www.schullerministries.com   I am offering a Christmas gift of just $100 for the next six months of classes!  That's less than $17 a class!   Just go to the website and click on "donate".    Enter the amount for either one or more classes and you will get an email confirming your donation.  You will then be sent the telephone number and participant code you will need to attend the class.  Again, the classes are held via telephone in the comfort of your own home.  (or on your way somewhere as you can access from your mobile)  They begin at 6pm Pacific Time.   
Thank you for your time in letting us know how we may better serve you.
God is blessing you.   Donna

Join Us For Max Lucado Live!

Join my husband Robert and I for our next Possibility Living Class on December 15th at 6pm Pacific Time.   We are going to have a fantastic hour live with Max Lucado which will include asking him questions for the last thirty minutes of the class!  What a perfect time to interview such a great pastor and prolific writer.  Or, buy this telephone class as an early Christmas gift for a friend or a relative who needs encouragement, hope and love.  The great news is that you can attend these classes no matter where you live!  All you need is a telephone.
 These telephone classes are available at 6pm Pacific Time on the 15th of each month and we are bringing them to you for a tax-deductible donation of just $29.95 each!   And...each month you will be uplifted and inspired by a special guest who is an expert in body, mind, and spirit health.   If you commit to six-months of classes the normal donation is just $120.  As a special Christmas gift we are offering six months for just $100 if you sign-up now!!  To sign-up go to www.schullerministries.com and simply click on the button that says "donate" located on the right side of this web page.   Insert the donation of your choice.  Next, we will send you a verification and phone number to cal for you classl.
What better way to emotionally and spiritually prepare for Jesus' birthday!  You do not want to miss this world-famous writer, speaker, and author so join us today.

God is blessing you always.   Merry Christmas!! Donna