New Year, New Freedom

Yes, a new year is here! I'm glad to welcome 2016!

Looking back over 2015, of course I'd like to redo some things, but isn't that the way it is? Don't we spend a lot of time reliving what we now see more clearly and have a better perspective on?

It seems to me that those moments we'd like to redo are usually the ones that have taught us the most. If I have any advice for you (and me) this year, it's that we pray more that our choices and decisions will be made according to His will. Regret, after all, only zaps our energy and creativity. Who needs that?!?

I'm believing for a 2016 that would allow us to be cautious and trusting yet also live in confidence that His grace still looks on us with love and conviction that will always help us... help us live in His freedom.

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From here to there

A lot of you are familiar with or at least know of my only niece, Scarlett (or Sweet Scarlett, as I often refer to her). A brilliant gal in the prime of her life and career was involved in a horrible car accident at the age of 36, leaving her with a severe brain injury. God has brought her so far….so many accomplishments that she wasn’t “supposed” to ever achieve. A couple of years ago while she was going through a particularly hard struggle, she said to me, “Aunt Ann, I know I’m gonna make it, but right now I’m in that in between place”. I knew exactly what she was saying…and I’d imagine you do, too, right? We believe that God’s gonna walk with us and get us to the other side…however, sometimes it just seems like a longggggg way from here to there, doesn’t it? We’re gonna make it..but there are times we sure do need a hand to hold or place to rest on the journey….’cause we aren’t “there” yet…and we need to hear from somebody, who actually cares where we are struggling, that w...

Faith Giving

My parents taught me about being quick to give but to use good judgment and wisdom in who to give to and making sure I give for the right reasons. I’ve been truly blessed these past few days by true givers. Typically January is a slow month for traveling ministries like Downing Ministries. This month has been especially challenging in that one weekend had only one booking and this past weekend just didn’t book at all. Having seen the major snowstorm that blew through late last week, we wouldn’t likely have been able to fulfill dates if they had scheduled. I’ve been hesitant to do a “plea” as such for help, somehow feeling that God had this and could work far better than I could. I want to report, as I do the happy dance, that “giving folks” have started doing just that…GIVING out of their hearts to Downing Ministries. To make the happy dance last longer, let me say that most of these gifts are from some folks I KNOW don’t have it to give in ...

Loved by a lot of folks....

Recently, I've thought quite a bit how privileged I am to have a lot of people loving me....now, I hope that doesn't sound as if I'm bragging that I have more folks loving me than anybody else. Noooo, the beauty of this line of thinking is to realize that there are scads of people who love us...they just love us. So, when we're confused, feeling like a failure, wishing things were different, have a struggle, struggle, struggle, let's not forget to ask ourselves.."hey, feel those arms of love wrapped around you?" Let that squeeze you real good so you'll once again be assured that you aren't walking through this world alone....you got a whole bunch of neat folks on the journey to Heaven with you who really do care about you. They may not get around to reminding you very often...in fact, you may not have heard it at all...but right now, this very minute, embrace it...believe it...YOU ARE LOVED. Of course, He created that love! John 3:16

Reality Check with Ann Downing...

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