Building Blocks

Blessings 👋🏼, Here’s My Worship! Where is yours? God deserves our worship🙌🏼! #donnaclyne #worship #florida #jesuslovesyou❤️ #godspresence

[October 17, 2025] PURSUE: Pursue Holiness

Hello, welcome to Building Blocks. Our Building Block today is “PURSUE: Pursue Holiness”. Synonyms for "pursue" include follow, chase, and seek something. When we “pursue” a thing, we persist in, we persevere, and we continue to take action. This is what I believe we have to do with “holiness”. Holiness is Christlikeness, being set apart from the world. And although God has declared the Believer to be “holy” in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:11), holiness is not automatically PRACTICED. We must PURSUE it. We have to DESIRE holiness and take actions in that direction.

My Church has had a week of special services that we call “Power Plus”. One of the guest preachers spoke from the story of Joseph and how Joseph had challenges along the way before ending up in the Palace. One such challenge was in Potiphar’s house with Mrs. Potiphar pursuing Joseph with what the preacher called “unholy advances”. What did Joseph do? He fled! He took off running! (“Run from sexual sin!” 1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT) Why did Joseph run? Because he desired to honor his master, Potiphar, and his Greater Master, the Lord God! What is OUR motive for pursuing what we pursue?

Deep down inside us we usually KNOW what to “pursue”, and what to “flee”. But when in doubt, we can look to God’s Word. (Please read 1 Corinthians 10:14, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22, and 1 Corinthians 6:18.) My mentor, Jim Rohn, once said, “Everything AFFECTS everything else.” And regarding sexual sin, “No other sin so clearly AFFECTS the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.” (1 Cor. 6:18 NLT) May God the Holy Spirit help us to PURSUE HOLINESS because according to God’s Word without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14b).

This is Building Blocks. We are building a better life one block at a time.

[September 15, 2025] Two by Two (2x2)

Hello, welcome to Building Blocks. Our Building Block today is “Two by Two”. Those words have been ringing in my head for a few days now after attending a wedding celebration. Two by Two: the Bride and Groom. Two by Two: family members and close friends. The names kept popping up in my head: James and Shirley, Tangi and Aiden, Karen and Gerald, Marilyn and Sam, Grace and Howard. Names continued …Terri and Dennis, Roxanne and Bruce, Dorene and Jim, Chuckie and Kathy, Robert and Sheka, Chuck and Sandra… All “Two by Two”.

So what is significant about “Two by Two”? First thought for me is RELATIONSHIP! The thesaurus lists association, connection, affiliation, rapport, bond, liaison, link and correlation. It adds yoke, relate, join, and combine. I remembered: God instructed Noah to take animals into the ark “two by two”. And then I thought of the word “yoke”, oxen joined “two by two”.

Just yesterday I heard a testimony from a young man who was at the point of death when he realized he had been putting God aside as he climbed the ladder of success. Life was good, so who really NEEDED God? He didn’t tell himself that out loud, but “actions speak louder than words!” And his actions were screaming: “God, step aside.” Well, Merciful God stepped aside and the young man almost died! His faith in doctors proved to be in vain. (BTW, We DIE one by one; we LIVE two by two!)

Thank God for this young man’s wise Grandmother who prayed for him and encouraged him to pray for himself and build a RELATIONSHIP with God. A kind of “two by two”. Now the young man is as healthy as ever and giving God (not doctors) all the praise!

Do you need to get right with God? You can establish a “two by two” that screams: “Lord, I need You! I want You! I love You, Jesus!”

This is Building Blocks. We are building a better life, one block at a time.

[August 9, 2025] STRENGTH

Hello, welcome to Building Blocks. Our Building Block today is “Strength”.

Perhaps today’s Building Block is age-related. I find myself thinking about it and praying for it quite often! Health and Strength. Physical strength, AND spiritual strength! There’s SO MUCH to do. There’s so much I WANT to do! And I hope I’m not sounding arrogant, but I actually believe that everything I WANT to do is God-directed! I tell myself that if I’m “hearing” right, and He really wants me to do this-and-that, then I need STRENGTH and it’s okay to ask Him for it! (As an aside, for the life of me I cannot understand anyone saying they’re “bored”.)

So I’m here typing a blog that I hope will arouse someone to “pray my strength” and to make themself more available to God than ever before. Because time is winding down. All we have to do is look around at our families, our churches, our communities – our world -- and the stark reality is: There’s a lot of work to do if we really believe “Jesus is coming soon!” Yes, we’ve heard it all our life, but if we take an honest look at the times we’re living in, we will conclude that “times” have changed, and in too many areas the changes have not been for the better.

Can I make a difference? I think I can! Can YOU make a difference? I believe you can! God’s Manual (the Holy Bible) tells us WHAT to do and HOW to do it. He says we’re to “go preach and teach the Gospel and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20). Those of us who have believed are promised His presence and power to execute His plan. We are without excuse. So please “pray my strength”, because my motto is, “Older and Bolder” for the Lord Who’s “coming soon”.

This is Building Blocks. We are building a better life, one block at a time.

[July 11, 2025] PEOPLE ARE WHERE THEY ARE

Hello, welcome to Building Blocks. Our Building Block today is “People Are Where They Are! The Blog is based on one that I wrote a few years ago, but I think it’s worth repeating.

Every time that I try to figure-out someone, I hesitate and REMIND myself that “People are where they are! Here’s what I mean by that statement. Sometimes we don’t understand why someone said or did what they did. As far as we can determine, their words or actions were uncalled for. We ask ourselves WHY? For the life of us, we cannot figure-out what made them say or do that “thing”. OR, on the other hand, we cannot figure-out why they DIDN’T do such-and-such! It just doesn’t make any sense to us. We can think, and think, and think some more and STILL not come up with a reason for their behaviour – or lack of it.

So here’s what keeps me kind of cool: I remember that People Are Where They Are IN THEIR MINDS! Their mindset is not MINE! It’s unique to THEM! Whatever is going on in their head allows their behaviour – words, actions, etc. – to be where/what it is. I tell myself: “Stop trying to figure him/her out!

The brain is so complex! We may never understand the “why” behind someone’s actions. The best thing to do is leave them where they are in their mindset and trust God to give you WISDOM to deal with them in a way that becomes who we are in Christ. We are loving; we are kind; and we are peaceful. As my husband would say, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

People’s brains operate on different wave lengths. We won’t always understand where they are. So my advice is ACCEPT the fact that People Are Where They Are and “Bless” and “Praise” the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1). When it comes to people, Bless! Don’t stress!

This is Building Blocks. We are building a better life, one block at a time.

[June 5, 2025] REMEMBER the CHILDREN

Hello, welcome to Building Blocks. Our Building Block today is “Remember the Children!” I believe God wants us to pay even more attention to children.

C - Cherish them. Let them know they’re really loved, and that love doesn’t mean getting everything they want. Build Godly self-esteem. God really loves them! (Mark 10:13-14, 16)

H - Hear their hearts. I read that today’s children are more “aware” than children of past generations. What are they aware of? What questions do they still have? What would they like us to know? Do they feel safe?

I - Introduce them to Jesus. I was on a ZOOM Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) training recently. They quoted a statistic that said most Believers accepted Christ between the ages of 4 and 14. The older we get, the less likely we are to come to Christ. A relationship with the Lord Jesus will anchor children for life! An Anchor “steadfast and sure!”

L - Lecture on Relationships and Money -- TWO big challenges in life rarely taught in school, says Bishop Cline. Especially important is the Christian perspective and I suggest www.focusonthefamily.com. Search “relationships” and “money”.

D - Discipline them. Children are cute, but we ALL are sinners! Nip some bad ways in the bud! Lovingly, prayerfully, but intentionally! Don’t overlook sin.

R - Read to them. Especially from the Bible. Our Church Covenant admonishes us to maintain family Devotions. Children see/read all kinds of things on their tablets. Is God’s Word among those things?

E - Encourage them to pray. Teach them to pray God’s Word that you read to them during Devotions. Help build their faith. Help build their prayer life.

N - Nurture their gifts and abilities. Dream with them. Even if or when their “dreams” seem far-fetched. Read books like “The Ben Carson Story” to show them that NOTHING is impossible when God’s in it!

# # #

Remember the Children! They’re dealing with a lot these days! Let’s help them by God’s grace.

This is Building Blocks. We are building a better life, one block at a time.

[May 12, 2025] “COMMENCEMENT“

Hello! Welcome to Building Blocks. Our Building Block today is COMMENCEMENT. It’s that time of year—Graduation time. Here in the BVI, it’s also Senior Citizen Month. And yesterday was Mother’s Day! After being identified as the OLDEST mother at Church, I felt a kind of heaviness. A kind of burden of responsibility. I can’t really explain it. Me? The OLDEST? In the ENTIRE CHURCH? What does that mean? What should I do? Those are some of the thoughts that raced through my head. Well, I’ll be me! That’s the only person I know to be. But by God’s grace, I’ll try to be a “better” me. If I’m the oldest, I need to set good examples. BETTER examples. Young people may be watching. I’m declaring my own “commencement”!

Commence being on time! Struggled with THAT for YEARS! Got to church Sunday morning in order to pray BEFORE Service began and I wasn’t just “on time”, I actually got there EARLY! Could that become a good habit?

Commence proving God’s Word more consistently. That was one of the purposes of our Church’s corporate Fast last week. Prove God is right. That’s what Jesus did when Satan tempted Him. Each time Jesus said, “It is written”, He proved God. Caring for a dementia patient is NOT meant to “test” my patience! When I perceive it as that, I make myself the “main character.” Pastor Jo says when Jesus was tempted He never saw Himself as the Main Character. He saw being tempted by Satan an opportunity to PROVE God’s Word. His focus stayed on God! If I continue to believe that dementia is reversible, I’ll have to change my “perspective” (another one of Pastor Jo’s words). I must no longer see my situation as a “test” for patience. I must see it as an opportunity to prove God’s Word.

This is Building Blocks. We are building a better life, one block at a time.

[April 12, 2025] “The Uncommon Subject“

Hello! Welcome to Building Blocks. Our Building Block today is uncommon. Well, that’s not so. It’s VERY common, but not often mentioned. It’s not a commonly expressed subject. In fact, this is the very first time I’m writing about it and I’ve been writing Building Blocks for many years. Most of my Building Blocks have been positive: Salvation, Love, Holiness, Prosperity, Forgiveness, Integrity, to name a few. They all align with my motto: “We are building a better life, one block at a time.”

But today’s Building Block is different. It is both Positive AND Negative depending on the context. Depending on the audience. Today’s Building Block has the power to not only BUILD a Better Life, but it can Tear Down and worsen a life! Yes: Build up or Tear down.

Today’s Building Block is so powerful that it can get a hold on you and actually direct your life and determine your destiny! Now that’s heavy stuff! “Direct your life and determine your destiny”. So it sounds like we need to shout it out like we shout out all the other positive Building Blocks. Sounds so, but we don’t. Why? Because today’s Building Block makes some people “uncomfortable.” It’s more personal than most Building Blocks and I think that’s why we don’t talk about it very much. I know I haven’t. But silence can hurt. Silence can hinder. And silence can halt – H-A-L-T.

Children need to hear about today’s Building Block – at their level, of course – in order to be protected. Their young minds need to be shaped God’s way. Teenagers need to hear about today’s Building Block in order to make wise, Godly choices. Adults need to TALK about today’s Building Block in order to work through their issues. And the Church needs to address this subject in a way that will bring glory to God and advance His Kingdom His way.

Today’s Building Block is S*X. Ordained by God but often distained by man. That shouldn’t be. I think my Bishop, John Cline, says it best: “What God ordains, God sustains.” I love I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

This is Building Blocks. We are building a better life, one block at a time.

[February 10, 2025] “SERVICE“

Hello! Welcome to Building Blocks. Our Building Block today is “SERVICE”! Another “Desire” that I have for 2025. The phrase is “How May I Help You?” It’s a familiar phrase because we almost always hear it when we enter a store. The salesperson approaches us with a smile and asks the question: “How may I help you?”

At Church yesterday morning, quite a few folks went up to the altar. As they came, one by one, I got the feeling that a lot of people are hurting. They don’t always LOOK like it, and God knows they rarely TALK about it, but people are hurting! For various reasons. So the question is HOW can we help them? None of us has it all together ourselves. We’ve had our hurting days. Oftentimes, WE need “help”. WE need prayer! How can WE help others? So I thought about it some more and here’s the answer I believe God gave me.

One way we can “help” hurting people is by not adding “insult to injury”. That’s an old phrase I used to hear as a child. We must try not to aggravate and irritate people by our words and actions. The Bible speaks about LOVE and how “love covers a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8) “Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]” (Amplified version). Another version, The Voice, says: “Most of all, love each other steadily and unselfishly, because love makes up for many faults.” I like the word “faults”. That’s what we all have. Faults. We’re flawed. We make mistakes. But when we genuinely LOVE each other and overlook – yet not condone -- each other’s faults, that’s one way we can “help” hurting people.

There are some other ways to answer the question, “How may I help you?” Perhaps we’ll look at them next time. God spare life.

This is Building Blocks. We are building a better life one block at a time.