Your Daily Cup of Inspiration!

Don't Feel Like Doing It?

I've got lots of writing deadlines today, so that's what I have to throw myself into. I'm yawning just thinking about it. For some reason, even after I've had a full night's rest, I get sleepy when I write for extended periods of time. It's like my brain temporarily shuts off. In moments like this, I have to get up and walk around, or change what I'm doing for a few minutes just to break up the monotony a bit. But quitting isn't an option. Even when my mind and body demands to go on a veg-out-vacation, I keep plowing forward. I know that the ministry God has entrusted me with, is much more important than what I feel like doing at that moment. Yours is too. So, what don't you feel like doing? Should you do it anyway? Maybe... Read more →

Don't Feel Like Doing It?

When our feelings tell us not to do the things we know we should, that's when it's time to override them and do what we ought do anyway... Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Why Do You Seek Him?

Recently, I saw an intriguing film that explores an interesting concept. The plot revolves around 4 individuals called a "unit" employed by a corporation to pose as an actual family. The unit is given the best of everything: A gorgeous home, high-end cars; name brand products; pricey tech toys; designer clothes, and the list goes on. So anyway, this "fake family" moves into an unsuspecting upper middle-class neighborhood, and flaunts all of their wares (even though neighbors and "friends" have no idea their lives are staged). Seeing the affluent family live such a "good life," others begin desiring what they possess. As a result, sales of the coveted items skyrocket, the unit receives sales credit, and are paid handsome commissions. Meanwhile, the unsuspecting gullible ones hurt themselves to attain the things that this pseudo family doesn't even own! The Bible... Read more →

Why Do You Seek Him?

We all would do well to examine our motives when it comes to seeking God. Are we seeking His heart or His hand? Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

There Must be Another Way

I was talking to a loved one last night and she was devastated. You see, something she has been believing would happen for several years, didn't. Some doors she just knew would open, actually closed. And those obstacles she believed would be moved out of her way, became huge roadblocks. As you might imagine, her heart was and is heavy. She feels frustrated, confused, and at a loss for why God is allowing this to happen. As we talked, I shared with her how I've been in that exact same place before when I felt like my back was against the wall. And it doesn't feel good. Not one bit. But, when that dark cloud lifts and you begin to accept God's will, you realize, there must be another way He wants me to go. When God closes doors, it's... Read more →

There Must be Another Way

When your plans don't work out and you feel like your back is against the wall, there must be another way God wants you to take. Don't be discouraged just open your heart to receive His will. Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Thoughtful Thursdays: 8.26.10

A woman named Charmaine Daniels sent an email that moved me so deeply. I want you to read it before we begin praying for the women listed on today's Thoughtful Thursdays list. Charmaine wrote: Dianna, Thoughtful Thursdays has really changed my life. I learned about it because a family friend was listed on here a while back and I got an email asking me to pray. I wasn't a believer at the time, but from that, I started reading your blog. And when I would see how you would pray for people with problems and God would really answer and bless people I wanted to know God too! About three months ago I gave my heart to Christ and my daughter and I pray together all the time. I am so thankful for you and this blog. I read it... Read more →

Thoughtful Thursdays: 8.26.10

I received an email from a woman that moved me so deeply. I want you to read it and also, join me in praying for the women on our "Thoughtful Thursdays" list today. Read the full post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Make It a Lifestyle

One of my long-time friends sends out a daily email that contains a scripture, short lesson, and a prayer to her small mailing list. I've been receiving these messages for years now and everytime I read them, I extract something new and helpful. For me, the word of God is a guide each and everyday. As the scripture says,"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). The absence of His word is the absence of illumination, and I don't want to be walking around in darkness. Sadly, many people are. They get bogged down with all the cares of life and don't place a high enough value on the importance of ingesting and digesting the word everyday. So today, this short post is just to encourage you to make studying the word... Read more →

Make It a Lifestyle

The absence of God's word is the absence of illumination, and I don't want to be walking around in darkness. (Psalm 119:105). Read the full post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Still but Not at Rest...

I couldn't win last night. I was so tired. When I was up working, I couldn't keep my eyes open. When I laid down to sleep, I just couldn't seem to drop off. I think my mind was way too overactive. So even though I felt tired in my body, my mind was wide awake, busy thinking about all I needed to do the following day. I'm sure you know how it is to lie in bed and be physically still, while your thoughts continue racing a million miles per minute. My external position certainly didn't match my internal condition. Being still and being at rest are not the same. Well, instead of lying there counting sheep, I began to pray and talk to the Lord about a few things that had me a bit on edge. Not long after... Read more →

Still but Not at Rest...

We can be outwardly still and composed, while our emotions and thoughts are running all over the place! In times like these, we need God's rest to bring us serenity and peace... Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Bad Taste. Good Result.

Is it just me or do you also find it challenging not to consume the sweet treats you buy for kids (whether yours or someone else's)? Even stuff I don't like looks better when they're eating it. About 70 percent of the time I'll do just fine. But then the other 30 percent of the time, when my will power is tested, I fail. Miserably. Well yesterday landed me in the "fail zone" for sure. The kids were eating ice cream sandwiches in the afternoon. They looked so delicious, so finally, I decided I would have one too. I got up and raided the freezer, and happily peeled the paper back from my dairy treat like an excited little kid. I was fully prepared for my taste buds to be delighted. Just the opposite happened, though.The brown cookie was all... Read more →

Bad Taste. Good Result.

If you're going through an uncomfortable season, realize that God is allowing you to be challenged so you'll change. That pain and displeasure you feel is the very thing you need to usher you into your purpose and destiny. Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

That Inspired ME

I got the best gift today from a woman named Tonya Nash whose awesome blog is called Reflections from a Christian Mommy Writer. She has given me the gift of knowing that she is inspired by what God has given me to write here on the Daily Cup of Inspiration everyday. In a wonderful blog post about the individuals who inspire her, Tonya included me on her list. And I feel so very humbled and appreciative. Tonya's blog brings inspiration and brightens the day of others with an occasional dose of humor sprinkled along the way. She generally blogs about things applicable to the Christian faith, military life, mommyhood, and other interesting topics. Definitely worth a read. So today, this post is dedicated to Tonya. I want you to know, that inspired ME. And I am genuinely grateful. Head on... Read more →

That Inspired ME

I got the best gift today from a woman named Tonya Nash whose awesome blog is called Christian Mommy Writer. Read the full post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Somebody Needs That

I've am working on a writing project that has been challenging me so greatly over the past couple weeks. When it is completed, I know it will be a blessing to others. But still, that doesn't make the work any easier, right? Well yesterday, God used a blog post I had written from August 18, 2008 (almost exactly 2 years ago) to minster back to me. It reminded me of how important it is not to allow my own feelings to rob me of opportunities to fulfill a divine mandate on my life. I've posted a portion of the blog post below: This week-end I was on my way to a speaking engagement. I'd had a very busy day; I was tired. I had a headache. And I was hungry. All I wanted to do was grab something to eat... Read more →

Thoughtful Thursdays: 8.19.10

Last week, a woman named Regina requested prayer for her intense battle with depression and in response to that, a young woman named Krista sent an email to encourage her heart. This is what Krista said:"I was looking at your Thoughtful Thursday post and the woman Regina stood out to me. I too have battled depression and attempted suicide. I was on medication and in counseling for almost a year. I said that to say that I wanted to pass a kind word to Regina to let her know that she is not alone, but that she needs to talk to someone about everything that she is feeling. She also has to realize that everyday is a battle to keep depression away. I still have to constantly make sure that I stay on the positive upside of things because any... Read more →

Thoughtful Thursdays: 8.19.10

The Daily Cup received some urgent prayer requests and if you have a moment, please take time to call out these women in prayer. Read the requests at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

I Can Get that For FREE!

I got an email inviting me to an intense coaching session promising to show me (and whoever else was interested) how to become experts at personal branding and consequently, "explode" revenues. The investment? Only somewhere around, uh, 1200 bucks. Well, I know one easy way to help revenues that I'll give out to you for FREE. It's called the "Don't-give-all-your-money-away-to-other-people" Plan. You know what I found interesting about this whole offer? In the sales pitch, which I read through to the end, this individual admitted to gaining major clients without knowing what in the world they were doing. According to them, they had just become proficient at packaging themselves to look like an expert and convince others to pay them money. After I finished the last sentence, I thought... and that's exactly what you're still trying to do. Not gonna... Read more →

I Can Get that For FREE!

I got an email offering to show me (and anyone else interested) how to explode revenues through personal branding techniques. Guess how much they wanted me to pay?! Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Is that Too Heavy?

When I woke up this morning, instead of eating my traditional light breakfast, I tore into some leftover barbecue chicken and corn on the cob. That chicken was finger-licking good. And I smiled to myself as I happily let the juices from the sweet buttery corn run down the sides of my face. You see, I was on a mission to make up for a missed opportunity. Yesterday, around dinner time, I wasn't feeling too well; so I couldn't eat. I tried to lie down for a few minutes, but I couldn't sleep either. I just felt miserable. But when I woke up refreshed today, I didn't waste any time indulging in that feast for one. And ooh, it was so good. But not long after I ate it, my stomach didn't appreciate such heavy food that early in the... Read more →

Is that Too Heavy?

Thank God for His guidance! When we heed His voice, He helps us avoid taking on things that are too "heavy" and too much to handle. Read the full post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Move Forward

On the way home from a speaking engagement last evening, I was chatting with my mother, who came along with me. Initially, we were just sharing about how awesome God is and how mightily he showed up in the service. And then, the conversation switched back to us reminiscing about me growing up in my dad's church singing, serving as head of several departments, and teaching the word of God from the time I was about 11 years old. All throughout my teenage years into my early twenties, I served under my father until he, my mom, and younger siblings relocated. I remember how devastated I was when they left and I needed to find another ministry. Dad's church was all I knew! Through tears and growing pains, God kept me. I didn't realize, however, that it was simply time... Read more →

Move Forward

After God gives us the freedom and the "green light" to move forward into our destiny, it can sometimes be intimidating to actually do it. But know that He is with you and that, He has already equipped you with everything you need to fulfill the task at hand. Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Just Let It Go

If you're a Facebook friend of mine, then you know that I had been doing weekly video blogs to try to stay connected on a deeper level. Well, over the past couple of weeks, things have gotten so hectic that my "vlogging" has suffered terribly. The other night, I tried to do a video blog after midnight and it was so incoherent that my husband Kenya laughed at me and said, "Baby, it's OK. Just let it go." When I watched the video back, I seriously looked spaced out. My eyes were barely open and my speech was slurred. We both ended up cracking up as we watched it again. It was bad. Really bad. Anyway, midway through my unsuccessful attempt, I finally heeded Kenya's advice and just let it go. I took my delirious self to sleep! Although I... Read more →

Just Let It Go

If you, like me, have ever made the mistake of running full speed ahead with a bad idea only to end up failing, it's not the end of the world. Just admit you had a lapse in judgment, regroup, and free yourself to start fresh. Read the full post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Thoughtful Thursdays: 8.12.10

Happy Thursday! It's that time again to pray for others. Wherever you are, please take time to join me in praying for the women on our Thoughtful Thursdays list today. I have posted their requests as they were written: 1. A woman named Ruth-Ann who is dealing with emotional grief wrote: Dear Dianna, My only daughter, Jessica, died suddenly two years ago when she broke her leg. She was only 22 years old! The doctors say a blood clot formed that traveled to her heart and killed her. The anniversary of her death is coming up on August 24 and I can hardly bear the pain even after 2 years. I have cried out to God and asked Him numerous times to help me cope, but I can't seem to stop the bleeding inside my heart. The wound is still... Read more →

Thoughtful Thursdays: 8.12.10

Happy Thursday! It's that time again to pray for others. Wherever you are, please take time to join me in praying for the women on our Thoughtful Thursdays list today. I have posted their requests as they were written: 1. A woman named Ruth-Ann who is dealing with emotional grief wrote: Dear Dianna, My only daughter, Jessica, died suddenly two years ago when she broke her leg. She was only 22 years old! The doctors say a blood clot formed that traveled to her heart and killed her. The anniversary of her death is coming up on August 24 and I can hardly bear the pain even after 2 years. I have cried out to God and asked Him numerous times to help me cope, but I can't seem to stop the bleeding inside my heart. The wound is still... Read more →

Put Your Faith to Work

"Somebody slap your neighbor and tell 'em, God is turning that thing around!" says the preacher back to the standing audience. So, I turn to my neighbor enthusiastically and give them a high-five as a wave of praise goes through the building. We're uplifted, encouraged, and we all go home with a heightened level of expectation. There's nothing like a good word to stir the soul. But unfortunately, many people take that word, hold on to it tightly, and never do anything to work toward what they're believing God to do in their lives. So then, naturally, between revelation and manifestation, they experience frustration and disillusionment. And they begin feeling like God has failed them somewhere along the way, as if, the word doesn't work. They're right. The word doesn't work without two things: Faith and Work (See James 2:14-26).... Read more →

Put Your Faith to Work

When you put your faith to work, you'll see the manifestation of the things you're believing God for in your life. Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Do You

Pursuers of purpose, we need to talk about a lesson that dropped on me while observing the recent behaviors of my 11 year old daughter, Kyla. Lately, she has taken a special interest in wearing my clothes and shoes around the house. Every time I turn around, I'll look up and notice that she's confiscated another wardrobe item. My shoes flop on and off her feet. My shirts and dresses hang off her small frame. But still, that doesn't stop her from sporting these ill-fitting items. Of course, this is both perfectly healthy and normal for children as they mature and develop. But once we grow up and begin walking in our purpose, we have to grow out of this habit. Otherwise, it can destroy our destiny. You see, the shoes God has called you to fill, don't fit me.... Read more →

Do You

Pursuers of purpose, we need to talk about a lesson that dropped on me while observing the recent behaviors of my 11 year old daughter, Kyla... (Read the full post at www.diannahobbs.com) Read more →

The Wisdom to Walk Away

Hey guys! Thanks for logging onto the blog today. Hope you had a fantastic week-end. Mine was busy, busy, busy. All week-end long, I had events, commitments, and work to complete. So, while trying to do a little catching up on emails from last week, I noticed a message in my inbox. Someone was following up about a project I had intended to collaborate with them on. My first inclination was to try to get it done immediately, but then, I looked at my schedule. I realized I just didn't have the time to do it. It was too much. So, you know what I did? I emailed them back and apologized for my inability to fulfill that role. The lesson here? Sometimes it's better to admit limitations, rather than trying to stretch beyond them and ultimately, overexert yourself. To... Read more →

The Wisdom to Walk Away

At some point, each of us is presented with an opportunity to engage in something we need to disengage from. Whatever it is, sometimes, we have to simply exercise the wisdom to walk away... Read the full post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Shhh... Quiet

Silence creates the most conducive environment for God to speak. "Be quiet guys. Mommy's about to make a business call OK?" I can't even count the number of times I've given that same speech to the 4 little ones. And sometimes, they'll be silent for all of two minutes. Then, right in the middle of an important negotiation, Kaleb will be deployed by the older ones to knock on my door and ask me, "Mommy, can I have a _______________________?" That blank gets filled in with whatever the snack of choice is for that particular day. The kids are smart.They know that business calls provide the perfect opportunity to get mommy to say yes speedily so the interruption won't last too long. They're so funny and predictable. I don't mind too much, though. I'm just thankful that, when I'm working... Read more →

Shhh... Quiet

Silence creates the most conducive environment for God to speak. Is it too noisy in your life? Read full blog post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

Thoughtful Thursdays: 8.05.10

You all know how much I love praise reports, because that means manifestation is happening! So, this week, I want to share 2 praise reports and 3 prayer requests with you. 1. A woman who requested prayer for new employment says: Dear Dianna, I have to share how God has been faithful. You had shared with your Daily Cup readers my prayer request on Thursday, April 29 2010 concerning my unemployment since leaving school last year. Well, when God comes through He does in a big way and you know its his hand moving. I finally got a job on July 15 (after almost a year of searching) and the position is above and beyond what I was expecting or hoped for. What is remarkable is that I never applied for this particular position; my resume was selected from a... Read more →

Thoughtful Thursdays: 8.05.10

Today is "Thoughtful Thursdays" on the blog. So please join me in praying for those on our list and read a couple testimonies of what God has done for others through the blog ministry at www.diannahobbs.com. Read more →

Like It or Not

Yesterday, I was having a discussion with the kids about what they want to be when they all grow up. This is a recurring conversation in our house that somehow never gets old. I guess I like to ask a lot of questions just to get a feel for what's going on inside their little minds. Plus, it's fun. As expected, everyone gave their typical answers, adding nothing new or different. That is, until we got to 4-year-old Kaleb, who usually has nothing to contribute other than, "I don't know." For some reason, on yesterday, he had an epiphany out of the blue. Suddenly all his ambiguity about future aspirations was replaced with clarity and certainty. He looked me straight in the eyes and said in a very matter-of-fact tone, "I wanna be the ice cream man." It was the... Read more →

Like It or Not

Sometimes God will call and assign us to do things we don't necessarily like in order to accomplish His will. Going through something like that? Read this post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

It's Not Your Job to Fix It

I got a phone call the other day from someone close to me. "Hey, what's up?" I answered in an upbeat tone. But the next words they uttered really put a damper on my day. "No way! You're kidding me!" I responded, genuinely shocked. Part of me wished they were kidding, but nope. It was real. So, you know I went into fix-it mode, right? But nothing I did worked. Nothing. I couldn't understand why none of my efforts brought about the change I wanted to see for them. And I was completely bummed about it until this morning when the Holy Spirit spoke to me. "It's not your job to fix it," He said. "It's mine." Immediately I understood, although, underneath it all, I still wished I could work it out. But I simply said yes Lord, hung up... Read more →

It's Not Your Job to Fix It

Many times we rush in to fix situations. But sometimes, God wants us to be still and let Him do it. Read the rest at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →

The Everyday Stuff Matters

"Look Mommy!" my 6 year old son Kedar said with a great big proud grin. He had brought me his coloring page back that I printed out for him about a half hour earlier. Of course I fawned over his cute little picture of Lightening McQueen from the animated movie Cars that he had diligently and carefully colored. "Wow, it's beautiful," I told him picking up my camera phone. "Let me take a picture of it," I said, holding it up. You should have seen how his little eyes lit up with excitement. Kedar flashed the biggest smile, showing off his two side snags. It only took moments for me to close my laptop and take a break from the time-sensitive project I was working on, and make my young son feel like a million bucks. Of course I couldn't... Read more →

The Everyday Stuff Matters

Take a look at who you are everyday when dealing with the small things; for it is the smallest things that unveil the greatest truths about who we really are. Read the rest of this post at www.diannahobbs.com Read more →