tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29871839472529923662024-02-18T20:36:47.446-05:00JITM BlogBlog for Joy In The Morning Ministries, Inc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger352125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-40485684155827300212022-03-30T10:12:00.007-04:002022-03-31T04:50:47.551-04:00Death Did Come...<p> ... though for me, I know not precisely when. </p><p>I awoke this morning, thinking about the piano. </p><p>The piano, of all things. </p><p>As I laid in bed, I felt God leading me back to what truly seems like another lifetime. My mind thought, "This is nonsense." But my spirit wanted to take the journey, so journey we did.</p><p>I could see myself back in time, sitting at the piano as a young girl, playing and singing my heart out. In my lifetime, I have had three people, who I can recall, who encouraged my musical talent. My mother, an all-encompassing stalwart of support through the years. A church youth leader who said my voice was more beautiful than that of a song bird. (It's not, but it's striking to me how I am able to recall his exact phrase now forty years later.) And lastly, my eighth grade chorus instructor, who said I had pipes to fill an auditorium. </p><p>What happened to that girl?</p><p>Too much to recount here, but the most persistent wearing agent: marriage.</p><p>As morbid as it sounds, I am understanding more and more that the day I married, I began to die. </p><p>I'm not referencing the carnal death the Word encourages, but my soul's death. </p><p>I know I am not an isolated occurrence, but I have fought more than a day's worth of thoughts, such as "Shouldn't we have been different? Didn't we know better? Didn't we both know we had to sow into one another? Isn't that why we married in the first place, to become everything in Christ He intended us to be?" </p><p>I thought so. I hoped so. </p><p>Nevertheless, deliberate destructive patterns were upheld, even defended. I permitted myself to become all but forgotten. I'm not speaking of values, focus, or resolve. I'm speaking of the essence of me. Dreams and unfiltered emotions were exchanged for methods of survival from what seemed to be constant conflict and disregard. </p><p>A bitter fact of life: choices are, by and large, understood through the lens of retrospection. </p><p>Someone once said, "It's easy to mistake sorrow for despair. It's not. Authentic hope is found in sorrow, not by avoiding it." </p><p>I agree. I spent years, decades in fact, with despair being my bedfellow, but now I spend my days making emotional space for sorrow, and I am finding personal hope again; rediscovering my essence as God leads me down a path to collect the discarded, forsaken, forgotten pieces of me. </p><p>It's amazing what space is discovered when one gets off another's loop. </p><p>I'm looking forward to making friends with me again. I have apologized to her for neglecting, and at times, all out ignoring, her cries for help, for acknowledgement, for nurture, for acceptance, for love ...for looking to my marriage to give that which it elected not to give. </p><p>Religion is a monster. It keeps wives discounted and marginalized with erroneous theology "for the sake of another." The enemy is a pro at using Scripture to keep the well-intentioned spouse in man-made shackles. </p><p>My freedom came when I heard Jesus whisper, "Deborah, I am not asking you to die for this when I already did." Even now, tears well up at such profound Love as He. </p><p>He is God. I am not. Yet, I matter. </p><p>I matter.</p><p>Where religion held captive, relationship in Him set free.</p><p>He woke me recently, "Deborah, I want you completely unfettered."</p><p>I knew not then to the measure I know now, and greater still tomorrow, just how much my being craves this. </p><p>We thrash about in shackles too numerous to fully identify, from the confines of religion to those of willful sin, when He deeply desires to set us free....FREE.</p><p>Through the years I have sat with Him and asked, "How do YOU take it day after day? The betrayal, the idolatry, the wounding?" </p><p>Though He has never answered me, I have seen Him smile that gentle smile of His, filled with compassion and understanding. </p><p>He gets it because: "He was (is) despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned (turn) our backs on Him and looked (look) the other way. He was (is) despised and we did not (do not) care." (Isa 53:3)</p><p>I'll never know why we persist on destructive paths of indifference, even as shackles rip at our being.</p><p>Death did come...</p><p>....so too, His resurrection... </p><p>.................and because of His, I have the hope of mine. 🤍</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-51117069506995142692022-02-14T08:09:00.009-05:002022-02-14T08:59:53.215-05:00"Hope Maketh Not Ashamed”<p>Today, many will celebrate.</p><p>Today, many will grieve.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I never cease to be amazed at the human
spirit's propensity to love, break, yet love again.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Thoreau wrote, “There is no remedy
for love but to love more.”</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Indeed both Love and love, that which
is both true and pure, being derived from Love, are mysteries that
leave us breathless; capitulation to what we know and what we
think we know, what we feel and what we think we feel, and between it
all, there abides this deep sense, a resonating awareness, we hardly
know anything at all about either.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I will not belabor this post with
unrequired length, yet simply say my heart and my purpose this
morning is to encourage <u>every</u> heart, whether it be elated or
downcast.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Take the time to read <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+31&version=NASB1995" target="_blank">Jeremiah 31</a>. (<u><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+31&version=NASB1995" target="_blank">Found here</a></u><span style="color: #f1c232;"><u>)</u></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Let it be a love letter from God
Himself to His people.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If you know Jesus as your Lord and
Savior, it is to you. If you do not know Him as such, may the words
stir in you, drawing you ever closer to the only One who can satisfy
so completely the longing of the heart, putting both soul and mind to
rest.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“...hope maketh not ashamed; because
the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which
is given unto us...” Romans 5:5</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">May Love find you, hold you, heal you,
and fill you today. 🤍</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-6579624790500520512022-02-11T16:13:00.018-05:002022-02-11T16:41:29.453-05:00Is God Your Alpha and Omega?<p>I have two scenarios I would like to
share with you:</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Scenario One:</u></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Johnny, stop antagonizing your
brother!”</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In scenario one, what is your very
first thought?
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What is your frame of reference; your perspective?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is Johnny, in your mind, automatically guilty of doing
what he is accused of doing?</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Was he, in your mind when you read that
simple statement, antagonizing the brother?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Was he asking for it?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Or maybe in your scenario Johnny was
minding his own business, and the brother, wanting Johnny's
attention, smacked him or pinched him or whacked his glasses off his
nose. Johnny hollered out against the injustice, but caught both
the corrective attention and the flack.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Clearly we have a ruckus going on that
has garnered parental correction.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Two kids, one stimulus (the 'whatever' that sparked the disagreement), two opposing
reactions.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Again: perspective.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Recognize that disagreements innately
have differing perspectives.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The point is not to “die on a
molehill," trying to sell my perspective to you in a disagreement, nor you to me. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If I attempt such foolery, I will
not succeed because the fact is two people cannot wear the exact same pair
of glasses at the same time. In addition, even the slightest differences in the glasses (backgrounds, beliefs, wills, desires, opinions) yield different perspectives. So whatever transpired to spark the
disagreement <u>innately</u> has two different pairs of glasses that prevent ever <u>fully</u> seeing eye to eye.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Regardless of who started the
disagreement, chances are unless Johnny <span>works
to see </span>why his brother did 'whatever,' he will see his brother
as “the cause.” Likewise, the brother, unless he works to see
why Johnny did 'whatever' he did, will see Johnny as “the cause.”</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Enter the parent, who hopefully, will
coach BOTH brothers to inspect where they, <u>as individuals,</u>
strayed from the preservation of unity within the family, while not
permitting nor accepting the infamous words of “Yeah, but he made
me do (fill in the blank)!”</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">None of us are going to
progress towards Christ-likeness (the goal) until we stop the
bickering and the accusations, and listen to our Father, who will no
doubt put HIS finger upon the SIN issues in BOTH offenders who
are train-wrecking Body unity.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">No one needs to know the exact details
of the rift between Johnny and his brother to understand both wills
were exalted to an unhealthy level where injustice finally cried out. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And if you are a parent, you know the fact is you will NEVER know
exactly the path that lead to your parental intervention, even if you
ask a thousand questions because Johnny and his brother are both
fallible and fixed in their perspectives.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">BUT GOD.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Those two words change everything.....
if we let them.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Scenario Two:</u></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Two dogs are sitting at a glass front
door. One begins to crazy bark. One silently sits. You get up to
see what's going on. A passerby is walking down the sidewalk.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Clearly we have a ruckus going on that
has garnered parental correction.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Two dogs, one stimulus, two different
reactions.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">(Oh, let me mention the crazy barker is
eight months old, and the silent observer is twelve years old with
both hearing and sight still fully intact.)</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Maturity.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What's going on at the front door is a
revelation concerning maturity. The older dog has learned a few
things in his years. He's learned self-control. He's had his
mind and his body trained to not respond to every stimulus that passes by.
He's learned, by and large, to live and let live. If it isn't coming
at him as a direct threat, he's content to enjoy the world around him
for what it is. He's learned to rest in his master's leadership and
correction. He's an enjoyable soul to be around. He exhibits
safety, smarts, and composure.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Now, everyone loves a puppy. But we
all know puppies must be trained, corrected, and encouraged towards
change, towards maturity. We want them to be housebroken as soon as
possible. We want them to learn to chew on what's theirs and only
what is theirs. And while we correct behavior, what we really are
after is internal composure.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">External composure indicates internal
composure, otherwise known as self-control.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Likewise, external mayhem indicates
internal mayhem.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ever see an untrained adult dog? They
remain like that puppy at the door long after puppy hood departs....
still <u>reacting</u> to every stimulus that passes by. They are unruly on
walks and generally put off an air of being unsafe. You just never
know what you're going to receive from them: a lick or a bite.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We ALL have a responsibility within the
Body of Christ to grow in self control; to NOT be the permanent
“adult” puppy who runs around self-centeredly, crashing into the
world around them, with destructive tendencies, possessing the
ability to lay a hurtin' on anyone who appears to be a threat.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Understanding that <u>no one</u> else is responsible for our individual behavior and sin
choices is the first step towards sanctification in Christ. </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Simply put, own your life.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">No one, BUT YOU, is responsible for your walk, your choices, your
behavior, your sin, your moods, your internal composure. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Finger-pointing and projecting did not
work in the Garden nor at any other point in history since; it does not work now.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We, individually, are responsible for
our own choices, our own actions, which are anchored in either a pure
heart bent towards God or an evil heart opposing God. Period.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">That said, actions do bear
consequences - inescapable consequences - that for the maturing
Christian registers and usually halts unwise action. But for the
eternal puppies, the ones who simply refuse correction towards change
and growth, well, life deals to them degrees of pain, and
unfortunately Body pain – because no sin is confined to a bubble.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ever see an old dog being harassed by a
puppy? I have. Actually this second scenario is real, from inside my
home currently. When our puppy bounces around, over, and under our
twelve year old dog, the twelve year old, if not in the mood to play,
will find me - puppy actively nipping at his heels all the way to me
- and will give me the hard eye with a nonverbal stare of “Do
something!” He knows me to be alpha. He knows I will intervene.
He is at rest in my leadership.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Disagreements are a part of the human
condition.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Simply put: they are going to happen.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">BUT GOD.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Differing perspectives are a part of
the human condition.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Simply put: they are a given.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">BUT GOD.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Differing degrees of maturity are a part of the human condition.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Simply put: they are going to exist. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">BUT GOD.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When the two individuals, who disagree, having
differing perspectives, BOTH take the disagreement into the presence
of The Alpha, Omega comes. (The End.... of disagreement, disunity,
disharmony, immaturity.)</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Understand, in His presence, there is
NO alternative.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He is the embodiment of unity.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He is the embodiment of reconciliation.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We all must ask ourselves:</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">1) "How important is my perspective?" Worth disunity? Will your behavior garner His correction?</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">2) "Am I conducting myself in such a manner as to display maturity, regard, and safety; or immaturity, disregard, and harm?" Will your behavior garner His correction?</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ultimately, we are not after behavior modification, but <u>a heart shift</u>; and that ONLY comes from abiding in His presence. Again, He doesn't just promote unity.... He IS unity; he doesn't just promote reconciliation...He IS reconciliation. He IS to be our very personal, very intimate Alpha who is also our very personal, very intimate Omega!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I hope these two scenarios provoke deep
reflection concerning your own walk. Let there be a walk of deep
introspection as you weigh what I have shared here. Ask the Lord for
understanding that extends beyond your own to that of HIS!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Certainly no one is suggesting sin nor
immaturity be glossed over or excused, but we are not to stoop to rants or retaliations. Neither are we to go in the opposite direction of disengaging because we disagree or get offended or don't get our way. These behaviors are childish and are not the marks of a maturing Christian.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">No, our responsibility is to keep our
eyes on JESUS, as our Alpha and our Omega, being willing to have our character turned <u>inside out</u> before Him so He can remove spot and blemish, as
OUR part in sanctifying and preserving the unity of the Body.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Keep your eyes on your walk, and if
disagreements arise – which they will – be quick to go into the Throne Room of Grace so your Alpha can also show Himself to
be your Omega! </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Godspeed!</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-13812593737003238132022-01-31T07:09:00.066-05:002022-01-31T07:21:50.239-05:00Happy: Too Often The Enemy's Bait"We discovered we get along so much better being apart. It was amicable. I'm happy." <div><br /></div><div>"I got so tired of fighting the urges. I just got it one day; I had to have been born this way. I'm happy." </div><div><br /></div><div>I hear or read comments similar to the ones above so frequently now I do believe there is a pandemic, but it's an attack on the soul. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have we forgotten so completely that we were REborn into a fight? </div><div><br /></div><div>Every human being longs to be happy. We spend hard earned money in the pursuit of it. Everything from a barista cup of coffee, to a delicious meal, to a snazzy new outfit, to a vacation, and on and on it goes. It seems the totality of mankind is on some constant endorphin hunt. </div><div><br /></div><div>We, as Christians, were not reborn into God's family to do as the world. We are not supposed to continue the constant carnal endorphin hunt! While God intends us to enjoy aspects of pleasure along the way, <u>we are not to forfeit His standard for "happy"</u>! We were reborn into God's family primarily to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. </div><div><br /></div><div>That means taking on words like endure, perseverance, discernment; looking past your happiness to see the tactics of the enemy AND deciding NOT to participate in his plan. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy is his bait. He knows we all long for it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Time is our Achilles heel. We want whatever.... be it an object, a resolution, peace, change.... NOW. All he has to do, what he has been doing since the Garden, is be there when we so-call reach the proverbial end of our rope. </div><div><br /></div><div>I truly am stunned and alarmed at the number of people so easily giving in to his ploys.
Your emotions nor frankly your weariness are to dictate your dedication to God. </div><div><br /></div><div>Time and again, God tells us IF we walk with Him, seeking Him first.... (and let me just say here that is NOT code for Him joining your page, your petition, your ways....shame on us for attempting to stoop the Creator to a subsurvatant level)... He will grant to us whatever we lack to fulfill our part in the Fight. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, a dear friend of mine said, "Yeah, people look at us with this air of 'lighten up'." My response to those people? Tighten up! Reign in your impulses and your carnality, and remind yourself Christ died NOT for your frivolity! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll leave you with this speech from Rocky and a passage from Philippians. When I read Rocky's speech recently, I could not help but hear chords of God's heart for His people. He says similar words to me regularly, and I imagine He says similar words to you. By evidence though, fewer and fewer are listening, and even fewer are heeding God's encouragement to stay in the Fight, being dedicated to uphold <u>His standard.</u></div><div><br /></div><div>"Let me tell you something you already know; the world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place. And I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers, saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or nobody! Cowards do that! And that ain't you! You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens, You're my son and you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself (in Christ), ya ain't gonna have a life." ( The words "in Christ" I added for the purpose of Christian resonance.) </div><div><br /></div><div>"Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved....Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Yet I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..... Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress."Phil 4 </div><div><br /></div><div>Don't fall for the bait of pursuing "happy" and foreit the eternal prize that comes from enduring and persevering. </div><div><br /></div><div>As Ben Stuart said so aptly recently, "You were not set free from struggle. You were set free TO struggle." </div><div><br /></div><div>Be found NOT with a cool drink on a beach lounger, but armored up, wisely assessing your enemy, willing to go all the way for the One who went all the way for you! </div><div><br /></div><div>It's so easy to quit. Many, many "happy" quitters these days. </div><div><br /></div><div>Be an endurer. Be a finisher. For Him. </div><div>Ever, only, always for Him. ❤️</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-80707537077047582052022-01-30T12:52:00.006-05:002022-01-30T12:57:28.041-05:00Sow Your ExpectationsThe reality is if you want the best, sow the best. <div><br /></div><div>Hold yourself to a higher <b><u>present</u></b> standard if you want life to be better in the future. </div><div><br /></div><div>One thing is absolutely for certain: betterment of anything does not happen without great effort.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ever heard of entropy? It is the literal current in which we all swim. </div><div><br /></div><div>"A tendency in nature for systems to proceed toward a state of greater disorder or randomness." </div><div><br /></div><div>So, if you exert little to no effort in your daily life, do not be surprised when your job, your relationships, and even your bank balance are not what you hoped them to be. </div><div><br /></div><div>Laziness will be evident in your life....no hiding the lack of fruit.... but take courage, so too will hard working stewardship be evident by the fruit IT bears!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-9215503681076901872021-01-01T10:57:00.010-05:002021-01-01T11:32:07.442-05:00Run With Haste<p>For as long as I can remember back, I have had a craving to know God. One of the many stories my mother has reminded me of more than once in my fifty years is how exuberantly I responded to the pastoral Sunday morning altar calls.... often...very often. She says I had a crush on the pastor. I do recall his kind countenance, but honestly, I remember fear far more. Not of the pastor, but rather fear at just how woefully ill-equipped I was to navigate LIFE alone.</p><p>Life is daunting, overwhelmingly so when one quiets themselves long enough to go face to face, toe to toe, with the fact we have zero control outside of our <u>soul</u>. I don't need to look past the housing of my soul (ie: my body) for confirmation of the zero-factor; I do not even control the ability to take my next breath.</p><p>Yet, God did gift to me and to you one hundred percent control over our soul which is comprised of three facets; the mind (thoughts), the will, and the emotions. </p><p>Slow your row for a moment. Take more than a moment right now to think on those three facets and how you permit them to influence you each and every day. </p><p>The mind.</p><p>The will.</p><p>The emotions.</p><p>Now here's the million dollar question? Do you live "willy-nilly" out of any one or more of those three? </p><p>Do you let your own thoughts dictate to you what is truth, what is right? "What I think is..."</p><p>Do you let your will dictate what you will be doing today? "What I want to do...."</p><p>Do you let your emotions dictate the mood you find yourself in even now? "What I feel is..."</p><p>If you do, you are being robbed, duped, living subpar.</p><p>Our soul apart from the Captain WILL BE a lethal foe to us, destroying our destiny right down to our <span>quality of life. You and I were NEVER meant to captain ourselves. </span></p><p><span>Seriously, think on that. The created knowing what, how, and when to do anything apart from the Creator is utter foolishness, but how many people proceed following themselves daily - whatever thought pops into their head, they run with it - whatever their to do list demands, they run with it - whatever emotion they wake up to, they run with it. Not so much as even taking a pause to ask God, "What do You want of me today?" </span></p><p>God beckons us, "Come to Me - you who are weary."</p><p>The one thing I have found that wearies me quicker than anything else is if I roll out of bed <u>with my soul being in charge</u>. It's a deliberate move on my part as I sit with God in the early morning to hand over my soul, asking Him to correct it. I don't have the pretense that I can do it apart from Him. </p><p>Some days, there might be an arrow or two the enemy fires off at me right from the beginning. Other days, it is an all out assault. On days that I fail to mindfully hand over my soul it is blatantly apparent to everyone I encounter. (Word: It is blatantly apparent of your life too.) </p><p>He has provided the solution for you and for me, but we have to act on it. I must come to Him with the understanding I am nothing apart from Him and I can do nothing - including direct myself - apart from Him. Second, in Ephesians, we find the passage concerning the putting on of the Armor of God. There has to be a deliberate mindfulness of putting it on EVERY day just as there is a deliberate mindfulness putting on of my natural clothes EVERY day. It does not simply occur. Only after taking these two steps can I have the hope of proceeding in the direction HE desires.</p><p>As we begin this new year, deep in my soul I ache to know Him more. I sat with Him this morning with a prayer, "Lord, I want to be even more mindful of You this year than last, even more instep with You. I so desperately want to know You; how You are on any given day. Let this year be more about You and less about me, please."</p><p>I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I understand both the need and the blessing of leaning on Him for my everything. But the greater treasure that this life tends to rob us from exploring to great depths is <u>knowing</u> Him...not knowing about Him.... but knowing Him; discovering what brings Him joy, what brings Him sadness ...is His heart hurting, if so I want to know... is His heart happy, if so I want to know. I so desire to line <u>my soul</u> up greater still, such that I am in sync with Him and He with me. How about you? (Word: Part of that challenge is holding up - surrendering - to Him what we think we already know about Him. Remember, our soul is our worst hinderance apart from His Captainship.)</p><p>As I sat this morning, I smiled at the little girl I was so long ago, making haste down the aisle to the altar to her God. She knew then what she knows now: life apart from Him is all over the place and profoundly empty and meaningless. What a gift it is to be able to hand our soul over to Him!</p><p>I pray <u>your</u> 2021 will be a year of mindfulness; how you walk and with whom you walk. </p><p>"Though none go with me, still I will follow...." </p><p>Lead on, Lord! With haste, I'm still running to You.... Your forever daughter! ♡</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-74974186714403979592020-07-11T11:39:00.002-04:002022-01-30T13:20:55.029-05:00Difficult or Destructive? Do we all know the difference between a difficult marriage (which is every marriage) and a destructive one? Do we? <br />
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As a Christian, I ask my fellow Christians the question because I do not believe we do. <br />
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I want to give you three excellent "tools". The first is a meaty video that will help in identifying which relationship you have. It is an important first step. I believe <u>everyone</u> in a relationship - even those desiring a relationship - should take the time to hear it <u>all the way through</u>. It will set your mental wheels to spinning both in the now and the future so you can more readily recognize the warning signs of a difficult relationship transforming into a destructive one. The second tool is brief and pointed. I wholeheartedly agree that <u>selfishness</u> is <u>THE</u> component that turns a difficult marriage into a destructive one. And the third tool is a wonderful teaching on "men covering women", what it looks like, and the cost of such a relationship, keeping in the very forefront the Truth: "Apart from Me, you can do <u>nothing</u>!" John 15:5<br />
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None of us are in totality devoid of selfishness this side of Glory. As a result, we, as Christians, must be on guard against the mentality "what's in it for me." Asking that question is not what defines a destructive marriage, but it does define humanity in its degenerate state. <br />
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A significant mark of the Christian is actively putting to death the degenerate self by seeking the care of those in our lives more than that of ourselves.<br />
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Ask the tough questions!</div>
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Seek the tough answers!</div>
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Do what is RIGHT!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-13535078297418164042020-07-05T09:27:00.002-04:002020-07-05T11:12:34.171-04:00Discord or Harmony?Mental strongholds: patterns of thought formed before even sentences are possible. <br />
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Have you watched a baby? Really watched them. They are living sponges. All they have are their senses to tell them of their life just beginning. <br />
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Do they <u>hear</u> tones of love OR anger? <br />
Do they <u>see</u> affection OR distance?<br />
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Indeed, before they even know what life is they are inputting data <u>without</u> <u>pause</u> that will determine their course for years, possibly their entire life. <br />
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But we, as Christian adults, should pause. <u>A lot</u>.<br />
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I Corinthians 10:24 states, "Let no one seek his own good, but the good of another."<br />
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Yesterday, in America, we celebrated "Independence Day." <br />
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Mankind has raised the concept of independence to a place of idolatry. Not only rejecting the concept of a Creator and the accountability our position as the created naturally assesses, but also rejecting the concept of becoming a harmonious member of a society, a marriage, a family, and most importantly - the Body of Christ. <br />
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There is an evil in all of us that seeks its own way.<br />
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Paul wrote the Corinthians a third time, "For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I want you to be... I fear there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, disorder...that I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin, and debauchery in which they have indulged...our prayer is that you may be fully restored...strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace."<br />
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Take a moment to slowly re-read those words.<br />
Let them sink in.<br />
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Choice and its destiny; </div>
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powerful when divinely embraced for others, </div>
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destructive when egocentrically driven.</div>
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Do we make choices to harmonize <u>our sphere</u> by serving another's good before our own or do we make choices of discord, seeking our own? <br />
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It's that simple. Make no mistake; our choices are intentional, no matter what lies we tell ourselves.<br />
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The harsher truth is, short of God, mankind tends to duplicate the example set before the eyes and the ears prior to the ability of putting words together is possessed.<br />
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This reality takes the <u>responsibility</u> of marriage and family to another whole level... stratospheric level!<br />
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My parents determined early in their marriage to read and learn how to become a harmonious unit; and they partnered together towards harmony. My husband's parents, I am left by observation, mostly chose independence. Dad did his thing; mom did her thing.<br />
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Subsequently, I came into marriage with the belief every married couple sought to harmonize, yet my husband's reference point was, well, not that. When I would inquire where he was going or when he would be back, he bristled. It took me some time to figure out his reaction to my persistent petitions of accountability was rooted in the independence in which he was raised. <br />
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Begs the question: do our beginnings - good or not so good - excuse our present? Absolutely not.<br />
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Go back and read what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. We <u>all</u> have beginnings that miss the bulls-eye of God! Paul counted himself among the worst of beginnings.<br />
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It is not how we begin, but how we <u>choose</u> to persist.<br />
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In a day and age when people are screaming for individual rights to the point of rioting, Christians <u>among</u> <u>themselves</u> need to be representing and living God's sovereign heart for harmony. For the married couple, start with your marriage. Husbands, the buck starts and ends with you. You may not want to hear that, but truth is truth. God appointed husbands to lead and wives to respond. Straight up, you lead righteously when you lead humbly; considering those in your charge <u>first</u>. For Christian singles, work on harmonizing within the Body of Christ, strengthening relationships as you edify others before you seek out edification.<br />
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I challenge each of you as a student of God, regardless of your beginning, bring yourself under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit and allow His correction to re-shape that which perhaps was misshapen from birth.<br />
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"When I was a child, I spoke like a child. thought as a child, reasoned as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things." (I Corinthians 13:11) <br />
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Paul made a choice that changed the trajectory of his life. In fact, he made many, many choices every day that kept him on God's track, so that he could confidently say, "I will know fully just as I also have been fully known."<br />
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"Greater love hath no man than this,<br />
that he lay down his life for his friends."</div>
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John 15:13</div>
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So, how's that going for <u>you</u>?</div>
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God's way or your way?</div>
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The choice is yours to make.</div>
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But know this:</div>
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the <u>result</u> of your choice...<br />
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THAT is predetermined.</div>
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Discord OR harmony:</div>
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what's it going to be?</div>
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♡</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-49636547258988397092020-07-03T16:23:00.003-04:002020-07-03T16:41:38.594-04:00How's Your Hearing?Depravity is defined as "moral corruption; wickedness" <br />
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No matter how good you believe yourself to be, you are depraved. I know, I know, no one likes to be in that camp, but fact is this side of Glory, we all are. <br />
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There is not a single day where you and I don't have to make the <u>intentional</u> decision to live for righteousness and then proceed through our day <u>vigilantly on guard</u>, listening to the Holy Spirit. The condition of our relationship with the Holy Spirit is KEY to both our success and our failure. For if we think we can grieve the Holy Spirit through willful sin, glossing over it, never repenting, we become dull of hearing, and duller with each passing day, until we are utterly deaf to His shaping, correction, and direction.<br />
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There is a movie line where a grieving husband references his marriage, "She was horrible to me sometimes; I was even worse to her." Then comes the question, "Did you love her?" He replies, "More than anything on Earth." Then come further questions about why the choice of infidelity. The husband replies, "I don't know; I just did it. Sometimes you just do things; you want to take it back, but you can't."<br />
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That's depravity.<br />
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"I was wrong to treat her the way I did, and she was wrong to treat me the way she did. Now, neither of us has the chance to say I'm sorry."<br />
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That's revelation. <br />
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Retained sin, persistent strife, velcroed offense, formidable pride all keep us unable to receive Holy Spirit revelation, and subsequent direction, until it is often too late to make amends. It is indeed a ploy of our enemy.<br />
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You see, light and dark can not coincide. Once the decision to even taste a <u>morsel</u> of evil is made, fellowship with God <u>immediately</u> <u>breaks</u> until acknowledgement and repentance come. Look at Adam and Eve. It took but a taste... a single taste... to break fellowship with God and send them running into hiding. Generations later, the Adams and the Eves of this world are still tasting, still running, still hiding....and still shattering one another in the process.<br />
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Question: Are you hiding from both God and spouse as a result of willful sin, trying to formulate a fix of your own making? It will <u>NEVER</u> work. Not with God. Not with your spouse. Fellowship will remain broken.<br />
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Understand, repentance and reconciliation are two separate events. Repentance ushers in God's forgiveness. God's forgiveness ushers in reconciliation. You cannot begin the PROCESS of reconciliation without genuine repentance before God.<br />
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To gloss over the repulsiveness of sin is at the very heart of human depravity. We must never cease in seeking to see as God sees. We must never cease in seeking to line up our heart with His. And we must never cease the all out pursuit of righteousness this side of Glory. For even Paul stated, "For now I know in part...", but in part beats willful blindness and deafness!<br />
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Begin by confessing known sin to God. Confession goes to work on a hard heart. There are over one hundred Bible verses pertaining to hardheartedness. Look them up. Study them. I am leaving <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0278.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span></a> for you a link to Charles Spurgeon's sermon on grieving the Holy Spirit given in 1859. <u>Powerful</u>; if you are short on time, scan down to point three and read through it at least twice. Until you address hardheartedness and the effects of grieving the Holy Spirit, you will be both blind and deaf.<br />
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Life here is SO fleeting. I think about all the many <u>years</u> satan and his cronies successfully robbed me from a proper, righteous, loving relationship with my husband and he with me. While you and I do not possess the ability to control anyone or anything, we do possess the ability to control ourselves and our choices.<br />
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I edify you: do NOT participate with the enemy of God, do not be a spouse who persists in selfish, depraved living, who participates in shattering another's soul. Yes, God possesses the ability to heal, but willful wounding is very deep indeed and <u>will</u> leave scars. The only one who wins is satan himself.<br />
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"Do <u>not</u> grieve the Holy Spirit of God,</div>
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with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.</div>
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Get rid of ALL bitterness, rage and anger,</div>
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brawling and slander,</div>
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along with EVERY form of malice.</div>
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Be kind and compassionate to one another,</div>
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forgiving each other,</div>
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just as in Christ, God forgave you."</div>
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Eph 4: 30-32</div>
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You cannot do the above without GOD,</div>
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and GOD cannot be present and active</div>
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in your life with known sin.</div>
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It's that simple!</div>
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So, how's <u>your</u> hearing?</div>
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♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-61263509551617495532020-07-03T07:35:00.001-04:002020-07-03T07:48:30.195-04:00The Seen and The UnseenThis may be my most candid post to date, but I need to begin, and I have a strong sense the Holy Spirit will continue to deepen His work in me even as He continues His work within the Body, who perhaps needs to read these words as much as I need to write them.<br />
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To those who really know me, it is no secret: I do not have a marriage to envy, at least not as the world regards envy. In saying that, I also have to acknowledge my marriage is not an isolated battlefield. Perhaps you missed the memo? The devil hates marriage with a passion; he wages war in <u>every</u> marriage. He has been out to destroy mine for twenty seven years and counting.<br />
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There is no way to cover twenty seven years in a single writing; ten years, mind you, longer than the longest war involving the United States. But I am sure there are battlefields of marriage with greater longevity than mine, just as there are sadly some that are shorter. Some have greater intensity than mine and some less. But the material point is <u>every</u> marriage IS a battlefield with a persistent and formidable foe who is NOT your spouse.<br />
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For those who know my husband, they know him as a "nice guy." I'm not here to throw stones, as you will see in the coming weeks, but rather say if that's all you allow yourself to see in <u>any</u> person, you have tunnel vision, and you are not serving the Body of Christ as Christ desires.<br />
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See, I have found in twenty seven years of seeking counsel and male intervention; only one man tried to step persistently into my husband's space, and thus onto our battlefield. In twenty seven years, one person dared to persist. I have had church leaders say, "We'll get back to you," never to hear from them. Other church leaders defaulted to pointing out what I wasn't doing 'correctly'. I have had an older Christian gentleman say pointedly, "I'm not getting involved in another man's business." The excuses I have heard over the past twenty seven years are indeed countless. Again, not throwing stones, but pointing out a gross negligence in the Body that <u>needs</u> addressing. We must collectively wake up and step up, because if we choose to look the other way or avoid getting involved, we <u>are</u> participating in the devil's take down of one marriage after another as we elect silence over involvement.<br />
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If my experience over twenty seven years speaks <u>even a whisper</u> of truth to the contagion of silence on this subject in the Body, countless wives are indeed suffering tormenting, soul shattering neglect and abuse while its individual members go out of their way to mind their 'own business'. What exactly is that business if not the well-being of the Body? And <u>that</u> truth is more than sufficient to break my silence. Again, not casting stones. My heart's cry to the Body is WAKE UP, GET UP, ARM UP, SPEAK UP! There is a massive, long-standing war against marriage waging all around us, yet so many who identify themselves as warriors in the Body of Christ are opting to play ignorant or opossum, or worst of all - go AWOL.<br />
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In the coming weeks and months, I am going to take Joy In The Morning's blog and share marital experiences as the Holy Spirit leads, but more importantly how He corrected and molded me through the experiences. I refuse to let the devil win, and he only wins if <u>I don't give God the glory due Him;</u> for in fact I am still here - still advancing His Kingdom - still being molded in the Father's hands - still being shaped into His image - Still -<br />
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"...we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Corinthians 4:18)<br />
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Godspeed, one and all, to the end.... which is but the beginning...♡<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-62819957952396775522020-06-24T08:36:00.001-04:002020-06-24T09:02:11.749-04:00Determine To Be An Overcomer<div style="text-align: left;">
Just as Christ is, so too determine to be an....<br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/R8DIvyBf">https://youtu.be/R8DIvyBf</a><br />
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"You, dear children, are from God<br />
and <u>have</u> <u>overcome</u> them (who oppose Him),<br />
because the One who is in you<br />
is greater than the one who is in the world. <br />
They are from the world, and therefore,<br />
speak from the viewpoint of the world,<br />
and the world listens to them.<br />
We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us,<br />
but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.<br />
This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth<br />
and the spirit of falsehood."<br />
I John 4: 4-6</div>
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Walk the Truth stated in the Word:<br />
Those in Christ HAVE overcome!<br />
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Be on guard to whom you heed,<br />
for these are treacherous days indeed!</div>
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♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡<br />
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If you missed the last post, check it out <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://jitmblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/do-you-have-counterbalance.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span>:</a></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-6551079162904793692020-06-24T08:08:00.001-04:002020-06-24T08:08:27.374-04:00Do You Have THE Counterbalance?Every good leader (that would be you and I, as we do lead, at a minimum, ourselves) needs a counterbalance, and when that is either absent, devalued, or eradicated, chaos and strife are not only birthed, they thrive.<br />
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We have collectively turned our back to God, and in so doing, we have forfeited our Counterbalance as a people. When one has no Counterbalance, all that is left is one's own fallible, feeble musings to decree what is right.<br />
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Reminds me of Deuteronomy 12:8, "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes..."<br />
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But it does not stop there.<br />
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Our own perceived thoughts and rights when challenged almost always breeds offense first and foremost. When offense is the first leap, it is a fatal leap. I would encourage everyone to read "Bait of Satan," by John Bevere.<br />
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We have an epidemic of offense in our society that not only prevents, but shuts down *respectful* exchange of ideas, observations, and thoughts; and as a result, we have indeed become a royally lost, stunted, obstinate people.<br />
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When one combines the absence of God as mankind's Counterbalance while so quickly taking the bait of offense, we have doomed ourselves to utter darkness, save Christ.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-88579214652969446552020-06-15T16:40:00.000-04:002020-06-16T11:06:28.505-04:00Bases Loaded, Home Run!I came upon the video posted at the end of this writing and was so taken by its pointed accuracy.<br />
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Here's the thing, ladies, I'm here to tell you you can and will live through the deconstruction Patrick hits on in the video and be stronger on the other side. There is nothing more strengthening than to have everything shaken to pieces only to find the bedrock of Christ beneath your feet.<br />
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You cannot love someone to righteousness! Let me say that again: you cannot love someone to righteousness. Only God can bring real change to mankind's heart.<br />
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Christian men, here's my message to you: God gave you a <u>beautiful</u> creation <u>HE</u> made to be your wife. It is <u>not</u> your place to critique her, to demand change, complain, grumble, nor use her like a commodity in an effort to take the heat off your plank. (Matthew 7:3) That said, it is your place to provide a covering for her, to edify, nurture, and protect her into the fullness of Christ her Maker <u>as He designed</u>.<br />
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I am beyond fed up, having heard the "oh, he's just such a nice guy" deception too many times through the years as so many spectators fall under deception's spell. Do YOU live with these men? Because until you do, you have no idea the battle Christian women fight to see their husbands <u>grow up</u> into Him and <u>own</u> outside their walls what they so carelessly vomited on those within their walls.<br />
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Ladies, if you fall under this societal epidemic, REACH OUT....for you are not alone! There are strong sisters who have risen out of dark water who can be with you as Christ takes YOUR hand, as He did ours, and lifts you up out of the drowning. You are <u>beautiful</u> and <u>beloved</u>!<br />
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The point here is not to advocate for divorce as the first nor the only option, but one must put into place <u>strong</u> Godly boundaries. Secondly, the point here is not to tear men down, but to say <u>loud and clear</u> to the men: the way UP is most definitely NOT in the tearing down of God's beloved daughters in an effort to shift blame off personal sin and deflect responsibility! The path for us ALL is humility, deep personal inspection, and dedicated growth towards righteousness.<br />
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Oh, my God, El Shaddai, come -- destroy deception, denial, deflecting, and gaslighting; heal the broken hearts, drive strife far off, bring unity back to hurting families...for only <u>You</u> can!
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-dg3BxAVUeQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-dg3BxAVUeQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(If you received this post via email weblist, please visit </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://jitmblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/bases-loaded-home-run.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">HERE</span></b></a> and listen to the linked video.)<br />
<br />
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-36513579469476795152020-06-12T20:22:00.001-04:002020-06-12T20:47:41.804-04:00The Shape of Your Life Will Always Be About Choice<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Writing has long been very cathartic for me. A
long week has come to a close. I have fed the dogs and fed myself.
Here I sit in the quiet of the house. Alone.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have never shied away from being
alone. Truth is I am a closet introvert. These days I hold a senior
leadership position in a large corporation that equally compels me
into times of solitude to recharge as did my many years homeschooling
my three adult children. As I told a dear girlfriend tonight, “I
am peopled-out, but would welcome quality time with you.” She
responded, “I understand that.” How I pray everyone is blessed
with such a deep relationship. They minster to the soul in a way
shallow relationships never will.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This month I turned fifty. Fifty years
on this planet. Fifty years of memories. Oh, the memories. Even the
once-tormenting memories bring a grateful smile now to my
countenance. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why? Because I lived through them, and greater still,
because they compelled me out of the boat and ON to the deep waters
with my Savior. I did not sink! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Experiencing walking ON the angry, death-seeking waves of life with my Savior has brought the following truth <u>home</u> to me in ways saying or reading them would never have achieved!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The higher the waves, the higher the
walk;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the higher the walk, the higher the dependency <u>ON</u> Him;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the higher the dependency on Him,<br />
the higher the victory <u>IN</u> Him!</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today, I look for opportunities to
infect others with <u>boldness to believe in Him</u>; His ability to cause
those who believe in Him to rise above the dark, the deep, the
menacing ugly waves of life; for I ask you, what good are life's
lessons if kept in secret and taken to the grave?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Life is a long series of choices we are
GIFTED to make. We are not at the mercy of life's events (waves).
We, being created in the image of God, are granted the amazing
ability to <u>choose</u> how we process and subsequently respond to life's events, both those we
plan for and those that come at us full-force. The gift of choice
has to be among the greatest gifts granted to us by our Creator.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While it is true I have gleaned valuable wisdom from the full-force, unwelcome waves of life, the greater truth is I am not
bitter.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I sit now, and I allow myself to
meditate on that sentence I just typed. I see God smile. I smile
back.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I'm really not bitter, am I, God?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No, My beloved, you are not.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wow. Ten, even five, years ago I would
not have thought myself capable of typing such a sentence with truth, <u>but God</u>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
“For You have been my hope, Sovereign
Lord,
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
my confidence since my youth.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Psm 71:5</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Forever grateful.....<br />
<u>forever</u>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Determine to make life choices that
OPPOSE hate and bitterness, that keep both your hands and your heart <u>open</u>. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The higher the waves, the higher the walk;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the higher the
walk, the higher the dependency <u>ON</u> Him;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the higher the
dependency on Him,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the higher the victory <u>in</u> Him! </div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
To God alone be all the glory!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-82060960145218302982019-12-28T09:38:00.001-05:002019-12-28T10:26:48.187-05:00Aspects of Seasons Bite; Wisdom Says........embrace them.<br />
<br />
Within the first half hour of laying in the bed in this morning, musing before the Lord, I had this thought: "Now that Christmas has passed springtime is more than welcome to return." I am confident He smiled, knowing the better.<br />
<br />
Anybody relate?<br />
<br />
I am not a cold weather person <u>at</u> <u>all</u>. Don't get me wrong; I love the thought of snowflakes falling as I sip hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, but in the reality of it, I know my toes will be freezing no matter how many pairs of socks I put on! And that is not okay!<br />
<br />
But I also know if the bitter cold does not come, springtime will be overrun with bugs that will make that season way less enjoyable. The cold MUST come.<br />
<br />
Life is like that. Each season has its positives and its negatives. Both are present and both are inseparable. Pointedly, without the negatives of one season, the next season will not be as it is meant to be.<br />
<br />
On Christmas Eve, a family member passed away. As we spent precious time with their spouse on Christmas, they said, "Once you see a loved one across, it changes you; it truly does." But here's what stood out to me in their moment of precious realness: in that raw moment, I detected the change they spoke of. The coming days were going to be the richer...the more precious...the more endearing...because of their great loss this season. <br />
<br />
Seasons do change regardless of want.<br />
<br />
Wounds, loss, disappointments.... the negatives of whatever season you are in right now....bite. No denying it. They just do. But you are not alone. It is a fact. Each and every person going through their own season IS experiencing degrees of negatives.<br />
<br />
I have been through a lot of deep, long lasting pain in my fifty years, and people who know my full story wonder how it is that I am joyful and optimistic to this day. <br />
<br />
In raising my children, I taught them about the coin of life; that every single event in life has two inseparable sides - the bitter (death) and the sweet (life). God has gifted us the CHOICE of which side we focus upon.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This day I call the heavens and the earth<br />
as witnesses against you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I have set before you life and death,<br />
blessings and curses.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now choose life</span>,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so that you and your children may live,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and that you may <u>love</u> the Lord your God,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>listen</u> to His voice, <u>hold fast</u> to Him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For the Lord is your life,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and He will give you many years</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the land He swore to give to your fathers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Deut 30: 19-20 </div>
<br />
Over and over - when I was buried in pain - I tapped into God and <u>chose</u> life as my focus. As the lifelong student I know myself to be, I have asked God time and again, "What are the takeaways here, Lord?" During one of my darkest moments I remember the Holy Spirit whispering, "Dear daughter, this is but a season. It is not a lifestyle." Hallelujah! <br />
<br />
Let Him whisper to you if you are in a painful place.<br />
I know He will, and <u>HE</u> makes <u>ALL</u> the difference!<br />
<br />
I leave you with this verse. Take note on two very special, <u>pivotal</u> words: <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This thing I did command them:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Listen to AND obey My voice,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I will be your God and you will be My people;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AND walk in the <u>whole</u> <u>way</u> that I command you,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that it may be well with you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jeremiah 7:23<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take the WHOLE of your current season.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rest in His Sovereignty. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Know He wastes NOTHING.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-24556797028949104382019-11-16T08:58:00.004-05:002019-11-16T09:26:06.308-05:00Depends on the Agent Being AppliedIn the quiet of the morning, as I prepared my breakfast, the Holy Spirit began a conversation with me. He reminded me of a series of events I want to share with you now.<br />
<br />
Some time ago there used to be frequent "discussions" by someone in my household who would get notably annoyed when the egg pan would go through the dishwasher and come out not entirely clean. <br />
<br />
They would say, "I don't know why this keeps being tried. It is NEVER going to come out clean." They would proceed to scrub it with their effort and get it clean enough for reuse.<br />
<br />
Well, one day, I was shopping and I had a coupon to try a dishwasher tablet I would never think to try without a coupon because it is rather costly, but with said coupon, those dishwasher tablets went home with me.<br />
<br />
I recall the very first time I ran the infamous egg pan through the dishwasher with those particular tablets. That pan SPARKLED! I mean it literally shined as if it were <u>brand</u> <u>new</u>. I remember taking that pan and rocking it back and forth - seeing it sparkle under the kitchen light. Highly amused and delighted, I physically smiled as I put that pan directly into the cabinet!<br />
<br />
Here's the thing, dear ones. John records for us in <span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1&version=NASB" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">1 John</span></a>:</span> "...the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from ALL sin..." <br />
<br />
We can be as my household member surveying our life (the egg pan), "It is never going to come out clean" - even as we try day after miserable day to scrub it with our own effort, trying to make it clean enough for reuse the next day and the next day and the next day thereafter. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
OR<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We can use the COSTLY Agent we in truth could never afford and be <u>cleansed;</u> made NEW. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A17&version=NASB" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e69138;">(2 Corin 5:17)</span></a><br />
<br />
I thrill each time God uses my 'every day' to reinforce His Word, His Way, His POWER.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On our best day, with our best effort, with our best "scrubbing" - we don't even begin to get our pan <u>clean</u> - much less sanitized. But now Jesus... I'll take Him EVERY day, ALL day because He ALONE possess the ability to make me NEW. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love how He inhabits me, daily cleaning me up from the inside out, granting to me a supernatural partnership that enables me to walk out my days in HIS righteousness, giving me not only the ability to do right, but the JOY to do right! Thank you, God; thank You, thank You, thank You! Thank You to <u>infinity</u>! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who is YOUR cleansing agent?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yourself; a woefully lacking agent of<br />
"it's <u>never</u> going to get clean!"<br />
<br />
OR<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jesus - the buck stops here Agent<br />
who makes everyone He touches <u>NEW</u>!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-84558474025844905342019-09-12T08:39:00.004-04:002019-09-12T08:48:07.925-04:00"What Version of God Are You Believing?"Recently I posted a verse on social media that packed a punch. I knew it did because when I read it it hit me, taking a hard line our humanity is not comfortable taking. It's the kind of verse that makes us squirm and ask questions about God we, in truth, would rather avoid.<br />
<br />
Not long after posting it an individual vocalized their offense towards me for posting it. That lead to an exchange. The net result was they went their way, remaining in their offense.<br />
<br />
Among my initial thoughts after surveying the conversation was "They don't really know me. They don't know my heart is for them." <br />
<br />
And then a very interesting thing happened. My thoughts didn't progress to another thought. They lingered over those two thoughts, and that's when I heard Him whisper:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"They don't really know <u>ME</u>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They don't know <u>MY</u> heart is for them."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To know God we must be willing to remove the comfortable confines <u>we have built</u>. The most effective tool He uses is <u>His Word</u>, and when we come upon a passage that makes us squirm, we must learn to discipline our flesh, embracing what His Word says, liking it or not.... hovering on it until the flesh stops squirming and the knowledge of what He is trying to impart takes root. Fruit will never come if roots do not come, and roots will not come if we are not <u>actively</u> tending our soil!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Growth in God must be deliberate, not passive, and it comes through <u>God's Word.</u><br />
<br />
It is often <u>very uncomfortable</u> because God's Word confronts our carnality which <u>must die</u>. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As I told my offended reader, "God's Word is going to offend, convict, and possibly hurt the unbeliever, <u>as it surely will the believer</u>. It is, after all, a Sword, but I wholly believe the yield can be nothing but the most excellent since He is the Originator." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you simply stay with a few verses that bring you comfort, you will not grow as a believer. You'll enter heaven as a Kindergartener. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I challenge you today to ask yourself: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"What version of God am I believing?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But don't stop with that question. Go on to petition God to reveal an uncomfortable dynamic of Himself you have resisted embracing in the past. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The more of Himself God has shown me <u>through His Word</u>, the more my love has increased towards Him, and I find I stand in ever increasing awe of Him with my passing days.<br />
<br />
The benefits of knowing Him are endless, but in these upside down days we are currently living in, peace is a big one. So many people want peace, but they don't want to know Him....or if they do, they want to go on believing their version of Him and not the real Him. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">To know Him is to trust Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">To trust Him is to know Him. </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Determine to <u>really</u> know Him....not who you want Him to be or think Him to be based on emotion or a few comforting verses. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You CAN trust Him deeply, but it does no good for me to simply tell you that you can. <u>You</u> must do the work yourself, digging into and accepting <u>the full counsel of His Word</u>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Godspeed.... always.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-62816887205202634922019-08-22T09:06:00.001-04:002019-08-22T10:07:54.160-04:00Without Apology, I Have My Boxing Gloves On<div>
Let's give the enemy a black eye or two by speaking Truth today, shall we? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Cutting right to the chase: there are NO perfect marriages, there are NO perfect parents, there are NO perfect families, and there are NO perfect people. Let's drop all the pretense that life is "peachy." It isn't.... it is far, FAR from it! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
BUT what God expects it to be for His Christ-followers is a schoolhouse, a place where we <u>study</u> Kingdom law and <u>apply</u> It <u>daily</u> while still in this broken world. <br />
<br />
*IF* we take our enrollment in this School seriously, what we will have are marriages being perfected, parents being perfected, families being perfected, and people being perfected. <br />
<br />
In other words, movement in the RIGHT direction, and we sure could use more than a tad of that right now in our day with our cultural climate!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We, as Christ followers, are to be preparing on the daily for Christ's physical coming rule that will last forevermore. This means that our success in this present "school" depends on the extent of our study and our knowledge of the Word, our Textbook.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Are you getting failing marks, just barely passing marks, average marks, or <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A8&version=NKJV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">excellent marks</span></a> these days? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Each time through out this reading, when you see red letters, click on them to see the Bible reference.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The fact of the matter is, be it that you are a Christian or not, <u>every</u> relationship in life is a challenge. But those of us who are Christians, experience an increase in difficulty with regards to our relationships for two parallel, set-apart reasons: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1) We belong to God's Kingdom, and our King said, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NKJV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">"But I say to you...."</span></a> -- over and again in the Gospels - He didn't LOWER the standards of relationships.... He <u>RAISED</u> them!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2) Once we enter God's Kingdom, we have a known enemy who has a <u>plan of destruction</u> set for us and will use every opportunity to <u>bait us</u> to follow his path....right over the cliff. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is no hard and fast "earthy" formula for success. However, I have GREAT news to the Christ-follower!<br />
<br />
The Word of God is to be THE <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A105&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">"lamp unto (our) feet and a light unto (our) path"</span></a> </span> (from one of my favorite passages I read often, Psalm 119). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have shared this in the past, but I was raised Baptist, who are known for their "Sword drills" and strong memory work. As a result, to this day, the Lord faithfully brings a Scripture to light my path when evil has, once again, moved in to (unsuccessfully) eclipse the Son. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke, "Look at your shadow. It is as evil is. It always appears twice a big as what it is, but always remember from this day, it is cast down beneath your feet." I have never forgotten those words... nor will I ever forget them. It is a decree of placement. It is a decree of power in the Spirit. It is a decree of Kingdom citizenship.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Perhaps you have yet to open the Word. Do you own a Bible? Maybe that's your first step? Buy one! You can't pass your studies without the Textbook. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Perhaps you have forsaken your studies, been held back a few years....or perhaps your entire life? Being "held back" isn't punishment.... it's for your protection. Just like in real life - it does the student a grave disservice to pass them on without mastering the work. The deficit becomes all the more evident the longer it is overlooked. Perhaps you have lacked personal discipline, studying only when you "feel like it." But to be a successful student, you must master your will over your feelings....doing it even when you don't feel like it!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Accept where you are now. I remember watching a movie many years back where a grown man was found to be illiterate. He <u>humbled</u> himself, <u>confessed</u> he couldn't read, and got on to <u>studying</u>. In no time, he mastered what had previously kept him in defeat. He could have stayed in pride, refusing to acknowledge he had a problem.... and he would have lived all his days defeated.... with Jesus grieving and the enemy smiling.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Which will it be for you?</div>
<div>
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Our King wants us to succeed, but we MUST do things His way! To do things His way, we MUST know the Word. We will NEVER walk successfully <u>supposing</u> God's ways. <span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+55%3A8&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways...."</span></a><span style="color: #ffe599;"> </span></span><span style="color: #ffe599;"> </span> </span></div>
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Much like a child who is just beginning school - they must lay aside what they thought they could do or what they thought they knew - and RENEW their minds with brand new, <u>daily</u> input, so too MUST we! </div>
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We MUST come to God....laying aside our long-held presuppositions for the sake of inputting The Truth contained in His Word, thereby <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A2&version=NKJV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">renewing our minds</span></a> in Christ Jesus, our <u>Lord</u>. </div>
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There will always be the proud, those who resist acknowledging their ways don't cut it in God's Kingdom.</div>
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But to truly become a Kingdom citizen, you have to <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A6&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">first know the King</span></a><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></span>(the point most often and perhaps a bit too quickly taken to heart without <u>fully</u> understanding what follows), then <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A15&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">study the "laws of the land"</span></a> </span>(often forsaken for long periods of time, if opened at all), and then the most challenging, rarely <u>fully</u> achieved due to lack of study ... <span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A27&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">obey them</span></a><span style="color: #e06666;">.</span></span></span></div>
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Yes, there is God's grace. There is always God's grace. But God's grace was never to nullify Kingdom living.... but to EMPOWER it! <u style="text-align: center;">Learn</u><span style="text-align: center;"> the difference (by study)! </span><u style="text-align: center;">Know</u><span style="text-align: center;"> the difference (by renewing your mind)! </span><u style="text-align: center;">Walk</u><span style="text-align: center;"> the difference (by obedience)! </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A33&version=KJV" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A33&version=KJV" target="_blank">"<span style="color: #e06666;">....seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness...</span>"</a></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">No exceptions. No exclusions. No addenda.</span><br />
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No way around it!</div>
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♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-81957364076579875612019-08-13T22:33:00.001-04:002019-08-13T23:10:23.202-04:00Inertia... A Real EnemyHere's a little experiment for you: buy a helium balloon, put it in your car, press the accelerator, and watch it move BACK as the car moves forward. It's an example of inertia.<br />
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Inertia can be defined as "a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged." </div>
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In the example above, the balloon resists a change in position, despite the car advancing.</div>
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This evening I went for a run. I was angry. I had just read an assortment of comments from individuals terribly affected by pornography. I sensed the Lord say, "Run it off." (Thankful for His ever present direction!)</div>
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While running, I heard, "The violent take it by force." (Matt 11:12) (I encourage you to go <a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/violent-take-it-force/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">HERE</span></a> and read up on the short explanation of that verse.) </div>
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Certainly, everything and everyone associated with pornography is a part of "the violent". It is one of a <u>number</u> of tactics used to hold people in a state of unholy inertia. </div>
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One of my favorite books is "The Screwtape Letters". A quote from the book is as follows: "You can make him (the human) do nothing at all for long periods. You can keep him up late at night, not roistering, but staring at a dead fire in a cold room."</div>
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That's what porn is. I think to myself how many people stare at one "dead fire" after another in a cold room indeed night after night. The true warmth of God and sanctified marital relationships chased off by the foolery of it all.</div>
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Screwtape goes on to say in the same chapter, "One of my own patients said on his arrival down here, 'I now see that I spent most of my life in doing neither <u>what I ought</u> nor what I liked.' ....'Nothing' is very strong; strong enough to steal away a man's best years....in a deary flickering of the mind over it knows not what...in gratification of curiosities so feeble that the man is only half aware of them....once chance association has started then, the creature is too weak and fuddled to shake off."<br />
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Indeed, the enemy and his forces are constantly PLOTTING to keep you entangled in the many trappings of unholy inertia.... from self to all manner of depravity. </div>
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The second definition of inertia is "a property of matter by which it continues in its existing state UNLESS that state is <u>changed</u> by an EXTERNAL force." Glory; there is HOPE!</div>
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The external force that breaks the bondage of unholy inertia can only be one thing: GOD. </div>
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NOTE: the external force <u>changes</u> the state of matter. You are no longer the same, but permanently altered; transformed! (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A18&version=NASB" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">2 Corinthians 3:18</span></a>) There can be NO blending of the two! Your will and God's will cannot coexist within you!</div>
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But you've got to want it more than you want to stay as you are. Are you too weak and fuddled? Pray <u>without ceasing</u> until He breaks the yoke..... then put the pedal to the metal (transformation MUST have correlating ACTIONS supported by the Word) and floor it .... the "balloon" being contained in the car (God) WILL move WITH the car. He is a Force unlike no other, but He will not go against your true desire/your will. You've got to want Him more than <u>anything</u> this world offers!</div>
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Wake up out of your stupor!</div>
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Is inertia winning? Or are you actively pursuing holiness, doing what you ought?</div>
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Heavy questions. Heavier consequences.</div>
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"Turn my eyes away from worthless things,</div>
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and revive me in Your ways."</div>
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Psalms 119:37</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-59838637594359259412019-08-06T08:39:00.005-04:002019-08-09T08:47:17.254-04:00"Flag of Convenience"Perhaps you have not ever heard of the 'flag of convenience'. It's a fascinating term that defines a shady business practice among ship yards. Simply put, it is where a ship owner may register a ship in a ship register of a country other than the country of the owner. These registers are called open registries. This shady practice then allows a ship to fly a flag of a country that, let's say, upholds lesser values, lesser regulations, and demands less tariffs. The practice is, as you imagined it, viewed as contentious. Typically substandard working conditions are present, as well as they pose environmental hazards due to rules and regulations being routinely skirted.<br />
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I want to challenge each of you today to look upon the relationships in your life.<br />
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How many of them are marked with a flag of convenience instead of a Kingdom of God flag? <br />
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I not only see, but have experienced, the damage when someone I trusted CHOSE to fly a flag of convenience, forsaking Kingdom values for the lesser substandard.<br />
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I get it. I truly do. I, like you, am human, and I know the <u>challenge</u> of seeking God's Kingdom and His ways as my <u>solo</u> path. But as difficult of a path as that often times is in this tempting, baiting world, the <u>fallout</u> and <u>utter pain</u> when we choose to switch our flags <span style="color: #fff2cc;">even but for a moment</span> is extensive and excruciating; particularly to families as the devastation most certainly extends far beyond just a moment.<br />
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For the sake of those around you, if you claim Kingdom of God citizenship, BURN every single last flag of convenience!<br />
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For the love of all that is holy and right, raise your Kingdom flag and make certain ....using ONLY God's Word as your navigator (ie: forsaking your emotions and what 'seems' right) .... set you conduct in all your relationships to God's high and holy standards. It's the <u>only</u> correct choice for a true citizen of God's Kingdom!<br />
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Godspeed!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-35761402564135953112019-07-14T12:55:00.002-04:002019-07-14T13:03:27.067-04:00Spitting is Always WillfulCurious occurrence this morning that reminded me of a lesson long since taught, but served as an excellent reminder to me, and so too I hope it will with you.<br />
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I have a fourteen and a half year old Shih Tzu. Without a doubt, the older she gets the more willful she gets. Same can be said for mankind.<br />
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First thing this morning, she acted as if she has not eaten in days, jumping about in the kitchen, hoping for more than a morsel of what she was smelling.... bacon and eggs.<br />
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Being that she is half blind, when she gets as excited as she was this morning, she will snap at the empty air if she detects any motion whatsoever in front of her, desperately assuming that whatever she vaguely sees moving <u>must</u> be the delivery service, aka "mom".... and thus the coming goodies forthwith! <br />
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The way she was acting you would have thought she would have gobbled up absolutely anything offered. However, as I dropped the first morsel in her mouth, she spat it out! Oh, yes she did!<br />
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"Seriously?!" I thought.<br />
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Still, as she obviously remained excited and hopeful, I tried again. <br />
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And for the second time, she foolishly spat it out.<br />
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In God's company, I mused, "Are we not exactly like her, Lord? So very hungry, yet so often we spit out what You offer?" <br />
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I am sure God has grieved over us too as foolish when we spit out (with ungratefulness in our heart and blinded by selfish will) not once, not twice, but numerous times provision He has graciously provided - be it in the form of a relationship, food, clothing, transportation, lodging, but greater still... His Son, His Word, and His Holy Spirit. <br />
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Are we not <u>all</u> guilty of spitting out what <u>He</u> has brought into our lives; often times simply because we're not "feeling" it at the time? We allow emotions to take over that lead to thoughts: "That's not what I was expecting." "That's not what I wanted."<br />
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And you know what happens in our willful folly? We continue to grow ever increasingly more hungry, while also growing weaker with each refusal of what He offers...which begins with His Son... God's first and foremost Offering.... <u>literally</u>. Lord, forgive us!<br />
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Please get this! As a Holy God, He can offer us nothing but His best....which is exactly what we NEED, but is rarely.... if EVER...what our carnality wants. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you truly want the reality of God, His holiness,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and His eternity for your life,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">STOP spitting </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and learn to swallow! </span><br />
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As Kevin Deyoung wrote in "The Hole in Our Holiness":.....<br />
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Godspeed.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-36252393932898825122019-07-06T15:13:00.000-04:002019-07-06T15:40:41.512-04:00What CPU Do You Have?One day I sat with God, pondering the behavior of some individuals who claim an association with Him while witnessing that their behavior did not line up with Him. He broke into my thoughts with "Deborah, they do not have My CPU."<br />
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I am sure my mouth gaped open in that moment.<br />
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(Before I get going, let me explain that in computer terms "CPU" stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU is the brain; as one website states, "It is responsible for fetching, decoding, and executing program instructions.")<br />
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At the beginning of human life, God creates a human being with a free-will CPU. <br />
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In time, the human being is given a choice 1) follow Christ or 2) follow Self. There are no other options. It is one of the two. If they elect the first, God exchanges via the Holy Spirit their CPU, and from that moment forward their core, the epicenter from where they make <u>all</u> their decisions, changes. <br />
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Paul, who was Saul, CHOSE to be transformed; to answer the call on the road to Damascus. He was NEVER the same; calling himself a bond-servant of Christ: a willing, yet bound to, servant.... no longer ruled by free-will, but joyfully bound only to God's will.<br />
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Everyone post-Fall who is devoid of Christ operates under a carnal, degenerate CPU, and as a result, they do not have the ability to operate as God does because their CPU is inherently <u>opposed</u> to Him.<br />
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To expect a non-believer to love a believer as the believer desires to be loved is foolish because their CPU does not <u>define</u> love as God's CPU <u>defines</u> love. <br />
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To expect a non-believer to be kind to a believer as the believer desires to experience kindness is foolish because their CPU does not <u>define</u> kindness as God's CPU <u>defines</u> kindness.<br />
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Do you see? <br />
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The CORE is different, and if the core is different so too are ALL the definitions .... and as the definitions differ so too will the behaviors. <br />
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Believers are edified to not be yoked with non-believers (2 Corinthians 6:14) because they do not have the same CPU therefore they will <u>never</u> see eye to eye on anything and their expectations will always oppose one another -- NO MATTER how much effort they apply.<br />
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Let's take a look at Paul.<br />
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Before his conversion, he was a religious leader, heavily influencing the "mainstream religion" of his day, but he did NOT have <u>God's</u> CPU. <br />
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After his conversion, he lamented all the pre-conversion damage he caused as a religious-blind man still using his carnal, degenerate CPU.<br />
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What CPU you have matters! It will utterly and completely <u>define</u> who you are as a person and all your expectations, perceptions, decisions, and behaviors.<br />
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Your CPU will determine if 1) you live for Christ and bear Godly fruit or 2) live for self and bear no fruit.<br />
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Again, those are the two choices. No middle ground. No half-believer. No half-lost. You are either all in -- or all out.<br />
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Allow me to share a very interesting fact that might help explain why Jesus cursed the fig tree. (Mark 11: 12-25) A fig tree when it leafs, also <u>simultaneously</u> yields immature, though eatable fruit called brebas. IF a fig tree leafs without bearing brebas, it will neither yield figs. <br />
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Christ cursed the fig tree because when he saw it afar off with its leaves, He concluded it would have brebas.... but it did NOT. It dared to leaf, but had no fruit NOR the hope for figs later on in its season! Christ was angry at its deceit! It should have, at the very least, had brebas! The take-away: do NOT claim to be a Christian if you intend to live for self and bear no fruit!<br />
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"Abide in Me, and I in you. </div>
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As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, </div>
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unless it abides in the vine, </div>
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neither can you, <u>unless</u> you abide in Me." </div>
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John 15:4</div>
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"If you do not remain in Me,</div>
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you are like a branch</div>
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that is thrown away and withers;</div>
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such branches are picked up,</div>
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thrown into the fire and burned." </div>
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John 15:6</div>
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"This is to My Father's glory,</div>
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that you bear <u>much</u> fruit,</div>
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showing yourselves to be My disciples." </div>
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John 15:8</div>
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Allow me to boldly ask:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is your CPU?</span> </div>
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Answer honestly because, </div>
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just like the fig tree, you will not fool Him.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I implore you:</span></div>
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Exchange your CPU for His today,</div>
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and get on with RIGHT living!</div>
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Time is indeed short!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-32376773376428067912019-06-23T15:21:00.004-04:002019-06-23T15:36:28.128-04:00The Resiliency of a Woman's SoulFor almost a half of a century I have belonged to a particular group. In my opinion (and I believe God wholeheartedly agrees with me), a very special group<br />
...a set apart group.... a God created group. <br />
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A profoundly hated group.</div>
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Within the most recent of years, my eyes have been opened.... painfully so, never to shut again, through my story and the <u>many</u> stories of others who belong to this group.... to just how vehemently hated we are.<br />
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Perhaps it is at the intersection of my giftings and the pain I see most clear; for understand, the hatred towards this group is nothing new.<br />
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Long I have known of the hatred, both personal and otherwise, but as of late, individual story after individual story floods my awareness.... and a force equal to,<br />
NO - <u>exceeding</u> said hatred, arises within. <br />
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"ENOUGH," He declares.</div>
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Silence, resolution, peace, resolve follow.</div>
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Allow me to explain.<br />
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The level of assault globally upon women stays in the (comfortable) outer awareness of most people, until it comes home. And it ALWAYS comes home.<br />
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If you are among women, you know this to be true. Be it physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually, we are accosted without mercy, relentlessly so. We are vehemently hated, and the mission is simple: render us debilitated.<br />
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The attacks can come from outsiders, but the most vicious attacks often come from the human vehicles closest to her. <br />
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As I said, there is nothing new under the sun. A simple glance into human history leaves even the strongest stomachs sickened.<br />
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Ever since our creation our degradation and destruction has been aggressively sought at the hands of human pawns. BUT the heart of this writing is not to highlight Satan, his cronies, nor their intentions, but rather the wondrous...and I do mean <u>WONDROUS</u> .... resiliency of a woman's soul. <br />
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Too many times throughout my personal history to truly number I have found myself wondering if I would pull through yet another attack. In my early adult years, I recollect crawling into bed whispering to my Father, "If You want to take me home tonight, I would welcome that" -- only to have my eyes open in the morning, <u>declaring</u> to Him, "Well, I'm still here; let's do this thing!" <br />
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I smile now with Him at the resiliency <u>He has built</u> within me through the YEARS.<br />
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I have seen it time and again in many a sister-in-Christ. <br />
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Women <u>in Christ</u> do not quit.... </div>
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Women <u>in Christ</u> do not retreat....</div>
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The resiliency of a woman's soul is <u>NOT</u> found apart from Him. It simply isn't. <br />
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HE is Vision to those who seek and seek and seek yet again.<br />
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But greater still....</div>
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HE is Victory to those who rise and rise and rise yet again.</div>
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Glory!</div>
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Understand: I am not talking about circumstantial victories. To be frank, I have found those to be the lesser victories. I am talking about the paramount <u>core</u> victory.... the victory deep within a woman's soul.... an <u>unshakable</u> victory ... the <u>identity</u> victory.</div>
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Song of Solomon 6:3 declares: </div>
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"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine."</div>
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The enemy's numerous attacks upon my life have yielded a force to be reckoned with because through it all my vision and my giftings became crystal clear <u>because my identity became crystal clear.</u> </div>
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THIS is the power we have <u>through</u> Christ.</div>
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We do not quit....because He does not quit.</div>
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We do not retreat....because He does not retreat.</div>
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I had an appointed conversation with someone earlier this year where I declared, from deep within my soul:</div>
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"I KNOW who I am in Christ, and I am going with Him." </div>
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Dear sisters-in-Christ, take whatever is going on in your life right now to God. Petition Him for greater vision, greater understanding that <u>exceeds</u> ...that goes beyond... life's circumstances. Know your enemy is not human form. This is a tough one because often those we hoped would love us well are duped into hurling the sharpest of arrows, but again... look past the human vehicles... and take deadly aim at your one true enemy... the one who seeks to use life's circumstances to debilitate you. Allow God to rise up within...to bring confidence... to bring wisdom... to bring His supreme power to bear; He will -- I am nothing special that He would not do for you what He has done for me, as He declares, "Enough!" </div>
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Glory! I recall the first time I heard Him make such the decree.... blissful silence ensued.</div>
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I'm so very thankful God reigns <u>supreme</u>.<br />
I am indeed my beloved's, and my beloved is mine! </div>
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Celebrating the wondrous resiliency </div>
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of a <u>woman's</u> soul because</div>
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<u>HE</u> <u>IS</u>.</div>
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If you do not know Jesus Christ as Savior AND Lord, </div>
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I pray you come to a saving knowledge of Him</div>
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and began a new way of walking today! </div>
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A resilient walk... a victorious walk... in Him!</div>
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♡♡♡♡♡♡♡</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-78984681303625054832019-06-17T21:54:00.002-04:002019-06-17T23:00:03.485-04:00To Africa...and Beyond; Part TwoAs I sat in the airport, by my gate, my parents emailed, "How are you feeling?"<br />
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"Two words come to mind: surreal and peace. As I sit here, I am so aware of His presence."<br />
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Of the many lessons He has graciously taught me over the years, one of the most significant is that my intellect, that is my ability to reason and to think, is to be - at best - <u>complementary</u> to my faith, <u>never</u> used to <u>override</u> my faith. <br />
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Too many times the temptation comes and the bait is taken such that our thoughts or the opinions of others override His whisper. For me, I knew I had heard Him; a journey to South Africa was the next step for me so much so I considered it a done deal the day I booked my ticket. Not going was never an option.<br />
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A little over thirty hours, and I landed. God's provision of grace and patience was with me with every passing minute, including ten and a half hours of the eleven hour flight from Paris to South Africa where I sat unable to get up (hello!?) because the fellow in the aisle seat was dead to the world! Have mercy! (And God did! I'm telling you my ability to sit in that seat for ten and a half hours was a test of the will, but greater still a miracle... and I don't use that word lightly!) Amazing and notable even to me, I was not anxious nor weary the whole of the trip there.... it still astounds me as I think back on it! Though, I did welcome the gift of going horizontal in a comfy bed after those thirty one hours.<br />
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The first couple of days Valerie and I went around visiting various aspects of the topography. Even now, I struggle to find the words concerning all that surrounded me. <u>Massive</u> mountains met <u>massive</u> prairies and <u>massive</u> prairies met <u>massive</u> oceans, both the Atlantic and the Indian.<br />
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One particular day we were coming down out of the mountains and Valerie had mentioned we would be coming upon a huge beach. Sure enough, as we made our way, my eyes were fixed on an expansive beach, more specifically though the tiny, yet discernible, specks that came into view. Those specks were people!<br />
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In the scope of the massive landscape all around me, here were specks, almost imperceptible, and yet the Spirit, being so very alert within, highlighted the absolute fact that God not only sees us specks, but loves us AND chooses to inhabit those who are willing! That is a <u>miracle</u> of cosmic proportions! <br />
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I have never felt so small, yet so set apart, in my life. Awe struck.... completely awe struck! <u>Please take a moment and mediate on the Spirit's indwelling miracle that salvation bestows upon us</u>. I am forever grateful.<br />
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Apart from Him, it is so easy to think too little or too highly of ourselves. With Him and under His tutelage, the proper perspective of "self" is a lesson not easily grasped. But having been created in God's image, we are significant.... significant to the Most High to the extreme point that He sent His Son to die and then triumphantly rise again. But please understand: <u>HE is the Element that brings justification to our significance</u>.<br />
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Apart from Him we are dead unto sin and can do nothing..... absolutely nothing....of eternal value. (John 15:5) The flip-side to 'nothing' however is Jesus' words (John 14: 12-14) that those who believe in Him would do even greater works than He. Clearly, <u>in Him</u>, we have significance. Again, <u>proper</u> perspective of self is not a lesson easily grasped, but well worth embarking on the Spirit's education on the matter! <br />
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One of my greatest delights was attending a small gathering of believers at a home one evening. The most notable observation to me was their <u>radiant JOY</u> in the midst of great trials. <br />
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Not a single one of them was exempt from traversing difficult terrain, and I do mean DIFFICULT. The host and hostess had just picked up a newborn, not even a week old, abandon by the birth mother because she could not afford to keep her. Heart-breaking to hear the persistent cries of the baby girl wanting to hear the familiar heart beat and voice of her birth mama to no avail, but what blessed patience that couple displayed as they used every method at their disposal to communicate their love and care for her.<br />
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Then there was the precious sister in the Lord.... a nurse... who was awaiting news of a possible return of a tumor behind her eye, but all she could talk about was a pending transport of thirty something patients to a new hospital; her joy and excitement tangible as she talked about the need for road closures and police escorts to get it done over the coming weekend. Clearly, she lived to serve, not be served.<br />
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Then there was the single mother... her story of God's faithfulness over the years should be put into book form for all to read, having lost husband (the "love of her life") and son in a horrible accident... yet answering the call to dedicate her life to counseling others through life's hardships with <u>tangible JOY</u>. <br />
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I could go on. Three other stories come rushing to my remembrance, but the blanketing point remains with me as it did that night: <u>God had indeed filled them to overflow by His Spirit with all hope and peace as they leaned into Him as their hope and their stay.</u> (Romans 15:13) <br />
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Each of those siblings are forever imprinted into my heart and will serve as everlasting reminders of God's faithfulness in the midst of hardships! What an incredible, sustaining Father we indeed do have!<br />
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You know, I was asked in the weeks leading up to my pilgrimage, "Why Africa?" I had no concrete answer apart from "It's where He has asked me to go. Perhaps it's a simple matter of obedience." And that was all I in fact had to go on until I arrived.<br />
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Do you all remember me sharing <a href="http://jitmblog.blogspot.com/2019/05/walkabout-wonder.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffe599;">my long walkabout</span></a> when He asked me to walk to the airport? <br />
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Certainly He has in my past asked me to do things without reason, but remember what I said at the beginning of this post? One of THE greatest hurdles man must master is to <u>bridle</u>, under the power and direction of the Spirit, our God-given ability to reason and to think.<br />
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Reasoning is a powerful gift, but a <u>dangerous</u> faith killer IF not harnessed and submitted under God's authority. </div>
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I didn't need a reason to go to South Africa apart from His request. But He did indeed journey with me there and met me every single day with life-confirming words and clarity of purpose.<br />
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<u>I pray for each of you reading this right now.</u> No matter where you are on your life's journey with God commit to growing, commit to being stretched beyond what is comfortable, beyond what is known. I have long since said, "A close walk with God is utterly hinged to our obedience to Him."<br />
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Be the child that obeys </div>
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<u>without</u> asking, "Why?"<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">I can testify that the reward is indeed great!</span></div>
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If I walk off into the sunset with my Lord one day, it will be my greatest JOY! Sincerely....<br />
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Journey on, dear siblings; journey on! ♡</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2987183947252992366.post-28218719008128613662019-06-06T08:33:00.001-04:002019-06-06T14:14:00.816-04:00To Africa....and Beyond; Part OneFor me, but certainly not for God, this all began in January of this year, when I stood in my office at work with the compelling thought, "Put in for vacation. Make it the last week of May." I remember even pulling out my Google calendar and thinking, "No, I always take vacation the second week of May, right after the kids are done with school/university." <br />
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"Not this year," I heard the Spirit say.<br />
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So, I put it in "ink" ---<br />
"Deborah, vacation May 25th - June 1st"<br />
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And in truth, I didn't think anything more on it at the time.<br />
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Come February, my daughter was preparing to study abroad (summer) as part of her college education and had to apply for her passport. Once again, the Spirit spoke up, "Get yours prepared." What? Graciously, He repeated, "Get yours prepared." Somewhat stupefied, I did as He asked. Short of His request, I didn't have a reason, and He didn't give one. <br />
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All the while my mind was keen on knowing why.<br />
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My "vacation week", turned out being midway through my daughter's study abroad program, and I innocently thought, "Oh, You're going to let me go visit her!" But every time I went online to check airfare, the Spirit clearly said, "No." I stopped trying the doorknob after a few times.<br />
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At the end of February, the grace at work began to lift. And I found a job listing I felt perfectly suited for (that included a good bit of travel.... ergo the need of the passport, right, Lord?), so I applied. The short of that is the Spirit said, "No." I stopped trying that doorknob, too. (Passport "mystery" still at hand.) However, He did make it clear I was to resign my position, effective date ....my birthday (beginning of June), as Director of Human Resources; a position I had succeeded in and a position my boss/owner was not wanting me to resign from. The day I handed in my notice was surreal. "Care to share what You are doing, God?" Silence. Keep in mind, I did this with the full knowledge we still have obligations....like kids in college!<br />
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In April, the Spirit said, "Africa." Excuse me? "Africa." You want me to go to Africa? "Africa," He said for the third time. Mind officially blown. It had been an exasperating four months to my humanity for numerous reasons, but THIS. Curious tidbit between myself and God: I have told Him since He first captivated my heart, "You can send me anywhere ...but Africa." Yeah.... point taken. <br />
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I know distantly two people in two different countries on the continent of Africa. As the Lord saw me weigh this, I heard Him say, "Valerie." <br />
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So on April 22nd, I wrote Valerie a private message through Facebook. I knew Valerie because I had attended church with her some seventeen years back before she moved to Africa, but I didn't know-know her at all. I can only imagine her thoughts as she read my note that started off, "Val, hold your breath while I try to lay out something not even I know in full...." But that same afternoon, she called me, and we spoke for an hour. The end conclusion: I was heading to Africa at the end of May for reasons not known to either myself nor Valerie. (Thankful for saints such as Valerie who also hear the Lord and obey without needing His reasons explained.)<br />
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I remember hanging up from talking with Valerie and bracing as I looked up airfare AFTER committing to Him, "Africa it is". At this point, I knew there was no point of reason I could offer that would dissuade what He was so clearly laying out.<br />
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The airfare, that I secured that afternoon, turned out to be completely covered by my vacation pay. Gobsmacked. Valerie reports that in her seventeen years of travels to and from the States, she has NEVER heard nor seen airfare for the price I paid, stating the lowest she had ever managed was $500 OVER what I paid. One could say it was another sign in the right direction, but at this point, the need for 'signs' had long since passed. (There is a song near to my heart I think on even now as I write, "Don't ever let me lose my wonder..." And thus far, He hasn't. ♡ )<br />
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On one weekend in May, I sent my daughter off on a plane for her study abroad. The following Friday, May 24th, I worked my last day as Director of Human Resources for Chick-fil-A. And on May 25th, I boarded a plane... to Africa.<br />
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(To be continued.....)</div>
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Psalm 40</div>
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"God Sustains His Servant"</div>
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I waited patiently for the Lord;</div>
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<u>He</u> turned to me and heard my cry.</div>
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<u>He</u> lifted me out of the slimy pit,</div>
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out of the mud and mire;</div>
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<u>He</u> set my feet on a rock</div>
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and gave me a <u>firm</u> place to stand.</div>
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<u>He</u> put a new song in my mouth,</div>
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a hymn of praise to our God.</div>
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Many will see and fear the Lord</div>
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and put their trust in Him.</div>
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Blessed is the one</div>
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who trusts in the Lord,</div>
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who does not look to the proud,</div>
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to those who turn aside to false gods.</div>
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<u>Many, Lord my God,</u></div>
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<u>are the wonders You have done,</u></div>
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<u>the things You planned for us.</u></div>
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NONE can compare with You;</div>
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were I to speak and tell of Your deeds,</div>
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they would be too many to declare.</div>
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Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,</div>
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*but my ears You have opened*;</div>
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burnt offerings and in offerings you did not require.</div>
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Then I said, "Here I am, I have come - </div>
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it is written in the scroll.</div>
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*I desire to do Your will, my God;*</div>
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Your law is within my heart."</div>
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I proclaim your savings acts in the great assembly;</div>
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I do not seal my lips, Lord, as You know.</div>
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I do not hide Your righteousness in my heart;</div>
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I speak of your faithfulness and Your saving help.</div>
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I do not conceal Your love and your faithfulness</div>
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from the great assembly.</div>
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Do not withhold Your mercy from me, Lord;</div>
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may Your love and faithfulness always protect me.</div>
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For troubles without number surround me;</div>
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my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.</div>
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They are more than the hairs of my head,</div>
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and my heart fails within me.</div>
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Be pleased to save me, Lord;</div>
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come quickly, Lord, to help me.</div>
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May all who want to take my life</div>
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be put to shame and confusion;</div>
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may all who desire my ruin </div>
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be turned back in disgrace.</div>
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May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"</div>
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be appalled at their own shame.</div>
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But may all who seek You</div>
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rejoice and be glad in You;</div>
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may those who long for your saving help always say,</div>
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"The LORD is GREAT!"</div>
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For me, I am poor and needy;</div>
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think on me, Lord.</div>
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You are my Help and my Deliverer;</div>
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You are my God, do not delay.</div>
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Glory!</div>
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♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2