😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you and Happy Easter.  Yes, we are still in the Easter season.  I’m sure the Easter baskets were put away weeks ago.  Those colored eggs were probably eaten within a few days.  The candy probably gone as quickly as the eggs.  Except for those that like those hard, stale Peeps.  Have you given up and stopped talking about Easter and the blessings our resurrected Lord bestowed upon us, as quickly as you put away the decorations and ate the eggs and candy? 

Next Sunday is Pentecost.  Pentecost, I would say is my second favorite holy day.  Jesus promised that He would send His Advocate, the Holy Spirit.  That makes me smile and gets me excited.  It’s like a BIG YELLOW Happy Face smiling at you.  You can’t help but smile back.  A relationship with the Holy Spirit is like…WOW!  I’m really at a loss for words.  There is an incredible amount of peace that the Holy Spirit offers.  His patience isn’t endless, because He wants us to be all that we were created to be, but He does allow us multiple chances to get back up when we fall on our own accord.  Spoiler alert…if we listen and act upon His guidance, we don’t have to fall so much.  Feel free to share that with others. 

The Holy Spirit bestows gifts upon us that we don’t even realize until all of the sudden we see them in action.  One of the immediate responses to the Holy Spirit’s presence with the Apostles was the gift of tongues, so that all could hear the grace, peace, sacrifice and salvation of Jesus Christ in a language they understood.  You’ve been given the same gift.  You may not be speaking a foreign language, but the way you speak and the words you use, they allow others to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say to them, in a way that they can receive it.  If you’re like me, there are times when you hear yourself and know that those words were not of you, but of God.  Those truly are some awesome moments.  After all, that’s what He’s called us to and why He sent His Advocate to be with us. 

You are on not just one, but multiple journeys being woven together at the same time.  One of those journeys you are on at this very moment is your relationship with the Holy Spirit, Christ’s Advocate.  Please take this journey and commission very seriously.  That doesn’t mean the journey is all serious though.  God in all three persons, Father, Son, and Spirit wants to share joy, laughter, and peace with you.  Yes, together you have work to do, but that doesn’t mean it has to feel like work.  Work that is enjoyable and peaceful hardly feels like work and it’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you are enjoying what you are doing.  Yes, you will have challenges, there is no doubt in my mind.  But when you focus on the Spirit, the challenges will fall in line.  When you focus on the Spirit, the challenges aren’t as major an issue.  When you focus on the Spirit, you will have a peace beyond words and understanding.  When you focus on the Spirit, you will be filled with the Spirit.

Pentecost.  Now that’s something to celebrate!

#Kool&TheGang – Celebration

😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  In the Book of Acts chapter 16 Luke shares with us some conversion stories that make me think…”Really?  They got it that fast?”  He mentioned speaking with a group of women at a river and how Lydia, a worshiper of God, listened and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying.  Then in the next sentence we hear that Lydia and her entire household were baptized.  About 10 verses later we are enlightened by the Holy Spirit once again working through Paul.  But this time he wasn’t near a river.  He and Silas were prisoners in a jail, praying and singing hymns.  As the guard slept, the Holy Spirit shook the very foundation of the jail, opening all the doors and pulling loose their chains.  As the guard slept, they could have walked out and continued on their journey, but they chose to stay.  If for nothing else to save the guard’s life, not just once, but twice.  When the guard finally woke and saw the gates open, he drew his sword to take his own life for allowing all the prisoners to escape.  Paul called out, ensuring him that they were still there and stopped him from taking his life.  Immediately after his life being physically saved, the guard fell down before Paul and Silas asking what he must do to be saved.  “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.”  After hearing the word of the Lord and tending to Paul and Silas’ wounds, the guard and all his family were baptized. 

Reading about experiences like these makes we wonder what in the world took me so long.  I’m sure people were speaking God’s truth into my life, but in those moments my heart, mind, and spirit weren’t completely open to His invitation and longing to be together.  Like Lydia, I too was a worshiper of God.  Like the guard, I too had an experience of slumbering, waking up frightened for the life I thought I would lose, but in reality, being awoken to a life with the Lord.  Which was what I was unknowingly longing for.   

Do I wish I would have understood sooner…YES!  But that doesn’t change the fact that I did finally truly understand and get what God, Father, Son, and Spirit are all about.  If you’re still sucking wind, it’s not too late.  Listen for and hear the Holy Spirit.  Move in tandem.  Let your life be a reflection of Him.

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay it forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.  Click subscript to receive your message every Wednesday.

#StephenStanley – No Hopeless Soul

Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  In this episode Diana addresses how to handle situations where the concept of “SHOULD” makes you feel guilt, shame, anger, and/or fear about who you are and where you are in life. 

Friday, May 20, 2022

Keep Moving Forward – Diana Marie Keller

Episode 34: Stop SHOULD-ING On Yourself!

Check out the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1889846/10652059

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay if forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.

#DianaMarieKeller – Keep Moving Forward

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😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  This week I would like to share with you Psalm 145.  As I read this, I could feel joy and excitement building in me.  Choosing to share the gifts and promises the Lord offers you and me is an incredible opportunity and blessing, not only for you, but also for those you share Him with.  Be bold in your faith.  And if need be, get a little uncomfortable and allow yourself the courage to speak when you normally wouldn’t. 

Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David.

¹ I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
² Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

    The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.
¹⁴ The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
¹⁵ The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

¹⁷ The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
²⁰ The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

²¹ My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature praise his holy name
    for ever and ever.

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay it forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.  Click subscript to receive your message every Wednesday.

#Mandisa – Good News

Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  Last week Diana had a double dose of Keep Moving Forward for you, Bonus Episode 32 with Rachel Kuhrt about emotional processing and responses and Episode 33 titled “Why You Should STOP Apologizing”.  Apologies definitely have a place and time, but how many of your apologies aren’t merited?  Take a listen to find out.

Monday, May 09, 2022

Keep Moving Forward – Diana Marie Keller

Episode 32: Emotional Processing and Responses with Rachel Kuhrt

Check out the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1889846/10579475

Friday, May 13, 2022

Keep Moving Forward – Diana Marie Keller

Episode 33: Why You Should STOP Apologizing

Check out the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1889846/10609143

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay if forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.

😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  It was evening.  The evening Jesus was to share the last supper with His disciples and one that was about to betray Him.  During the meal Jesus got up and showed by example that a true leader is first and above all a servant.  Even to those who we know will hurt us.  After confronting Judas and his betrayal, Jesus then addresses Peter’s/our weakness and lack of true faith in Him. 

John tells us in John 13:31-38 ‘When he (Judas) was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in Him.  If God is glorified in Him, God will glorify the Son in Himself, and will glorify Him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Simon Peter asked Him, “Lord, where are You going?”  Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”  Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”  Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for Me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times!”’

Someone’s final words to us typically aren’t about the weather or some meaningless item.  They are wanting to impart words of wisdom; lessons to be learned and lived by.  In this passage Jesus invoked some mighty words of wisdom, but Peter in his selfishness just totally blew past the fact that Jesus was giving them a “new command”.  Peter was focused on trying to find out where Jesus going.

Jesus imparts on us a new command to “Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

There are so many varieties of love, but none compare to this command to love as Jesus has loved us.  Truly, that degree of love is beyond words, but yet this is what He is asking of us.  The interesting thing about it is, no one will ever tell you that you are loving as Christ has loved you.  You won’t receive kudos or accolades.  This is something only Christ Himself will discuss with you.  It is a very personal and humbling conversation.  But, before that conversation, you will need to talk with Christ to find out what loving like Him should look like and be in your life.  The love He is asking of me is different than the love He is asking of you.  Lean in…listen closely and carefully to what He is saying to you in His final words.  These words are extremely important.

At the 72 hour Walk to Emmaus weekend experience, Thursday evening, after sharing a light dinner, the Emmaus community sings a song as the Pilgrims leave for their time together with God.  The song we sing is They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.  As the Pilgrims leave the dinning room hearing these words, they haven’t a clue about the love of God they are about to experience.  I can’t stop smiling thinking about it.  Loving others as Christ loves you is hands down the absolute best gift you can offer anyone and everyone.  Expect that not everyone will accept this gift, but know that those who do, will never be the same again.

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay it forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.  Click subscript to receive your message every Wednesday.

#JustinUnger – They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love

Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  This week Diana had an unexpended bonus Tuesday episode of Keep Moving Forward for you, Bonus Episode 30 is about the three lessons Diana learned from her first half marathon and in Episode 31 Diana addresses self-fulfilling prophecies and manifestation.

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Keep Moving Forward – Diana Marie Keller

Episode 30: Three Lessons I Learned from My FIRST Half Marathon

Check out the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1889846/10551236

Friday, May 6, 2022

Keep Moving Forward – Diana Marie Keller

Episode 31: BELIEVE: The Art of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies and Manifestation

Check out the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1889846/10569647

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay if forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.

#DianaMarieKeller – Keep Moving Forward

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😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  Matthew 24: 36-44 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but only the Father.  As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 

This passage is like the multiple waves of storms that moved through my hometown yesterday.  This passage is like the multiple waves of change in our lives.  This passage is like the multiple waves of trust we have in our lives.  This passage is like the multiple waves of choices we have in our lives.  This passage is like the multiple waves of decisions we have in our lives.  This passage is like the multiple waves of relationships we have in our lives. 

You’re moving through your morning and a wave catches you from the back.  You didn’t see it coming, but that wave knocks you right into the path of a different wave, which then sends you crashing into another wave.  I’m a planner and like to know what my day has in store for me.  Despite what I think I have planned in my life, my plans are not my own.  Our lives have MANY turning points.  Some major, but the majority are minor turning points.  Although if you string a handful of minor turning points in your life, you could end up with a major turning point.  Some are by our doing and some are a result of others in our lives.  Some are at the hands of people we don’t know.  Some waves, we’ll recognize right away the affects they bring, while others may take months or years to recognize.

If it seems like I’m all over the place this week, that’s good, because life is scattered.  The one thing, ONE THING, that we have full choice over is our relationship with the Lord and the degree of effort we put into that relationship.  Our prayers start with us initiating a conversation with God.  Now, if we choose to have a relationship with God, then after we spout off our prayers, we actually stay to listen and hear God’s response.  What’s that you say…He’s not telling you anything.  Well, maybe that’s because you haven’t stopped talking yet.  Stop your brain long enough to hear God.  “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but only the Father.”  Will you allow yourself to be available to Him today, as well as that unknown day? 

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay it forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.  Click subscript to receive your message every Wednesday.

Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  This week Diana has a double dose of Keep Moving Forward for you, Bonus Episode 28 with Meghan Hurley-Powell about perseverance and Episode 29 titled “I CAN DO HARD THINGS!”.  Diana also shares with you how you can track her Sunday, May 1, 2022 as she runs the Cincinnati, OH Flying Pig half marathon.

Monday, April 25, 2022

Keep Moving Forward – Diana Marie Keller

Episode 28: Perseverance in the Face of Adversity with Meghan Hurley-Powell

Check out the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1889846/10466241

Friday, April 29, 2022

Keep Moving Forward – Diana Marie Keller

Episode 29: I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Check out the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1889846/10521399

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay if forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.

#DianaMarieKeller – Keep Moving Forward

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😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you.  I hope you don’t take it lightly when I offer you Christ’s peace and presence at the beginning of our time together each week.  Peace.  A true peace, deeply rooted in Christ is not just peace.  It’s also power and confidence.  It’s hope, belief, and trust in God and allowing what He knows to be best, to work in and through your life.  There are times in our lives when peace comes without effort.  And then there are seasons in which it takes all our effort, concentration, and motivation we can muster to even feel a shred of peace. 

At this time, I invite you to listen to Jack Beers’ 6 minute video reflection on last Sunday’s Gospel reading, John 20:19-31, and “the kind of peace that only radiates from those who have a deep, deep relationship with Jesus Christ”.

Bless others and be blessed.

If the Lord has touched you in some way with His message today, I ask that you pay it forward by sharing this message, so that you and He may also bless others.  Click subscript to receive your message every Wednesday.

#JackBeers – Feed Your Soul: Never Be Robbed of Peace Again