IF WE DON'T LEAD OUR DOGS, THEY WILL TRAIN US

Just call me "Shorty the Dog Whisperer".  About two weeks ago my faithful pooch, Sir Beauregard developed a food/water bowl phobia.  I have NO idea why.  Post traumatic stress syndrome, maybe (our pit bull found a new home with someone else-don't hate, all you dog rescuers, it was absolutely necessary).  Well, anyway, with a lot of patience and positive reinforcement, he is slowly overcoming his phobia.  He had actually started to get a little dehydrated, but he's good to go, now.  Thank God!  

I don't often ring my own bell, but I'm proud to have been part of Sir Beauregard's recovery.  When I adopted him 6 years ago he was about 5 years old, a total mess, and was near euthanasia.  He had been in three homes and at the Jack Russell rescue twice.  He had severe separation anxiety and would tear up the house and urinate on the furniture if left alone, but now I can leave him alone in the house with NO problem (he still panics if left in a crate, sometimes...go figure).  He was scared of every noise, and person (except me-he took to me immediately) that came near, sending him into a panic and either marking furniture (a fear response, btw), or rolling over on his back and urinating all over himself.  On a scale of 1-5, in the beginning he was less than a 1.  Today?  He's a 4.  It was a year before he ever barked or made a sound of any kind.  It was just as long before he would take a bone or toy.

We human's don't realize how much OUR short comings AND strengths effect our pets.  If your pet is unruly and kooky...look at yourself in the mirror.  We have to be the pack leader, and in order to be the pack leader, we must act like one.  If we don't lead our dogs, they will train us.

I WANT MY LAWYER!

Have you ever been so burdened with the need to pray for someone or about something, but you just can't find the words to pray?  

I personally know multiple people right now who are struggling with cancer or cancer related illness, and I find myself feeling so overwhelmed with emotion for these friends and loved ones and heavily burdened with the need to pray for them, but often times find it difficult to find the words.  

I am reminded of what Romans 8:26 tells us, "So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance."  

As Christians, followers of Christ Jesus, we are given One Who pleads our case for us, the Holy Spirit.  He is our advocate...a lawyer of sorts. He knows what is in our hearts and goes before the King and speaks for us.  Isaiah 65:24 says, "And it shall be that before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear."  Did you know that God hears our prayers before we even utter a word?!  Isn't that awesome???!!!  So don't fret when you can't pray!  1st, God hears what is in our hearts, 2nd, the Holy Spirit speaks for us!  God is an awesome God!  He has provided everything we need to communicate with Him!  Shalom!

REDEEMED

It was just a few days after my 5th birthday.  I remember the conversation.  I asked my mom what I could give Jesus for His birthday, and she told me I could give Him my heart.  We lived in a fairly small craftsman, where I remember very well, kneeling beside my little bed in the old attic that had been converted into two small bedrooms and a small bathroom with just a toilet and sink, as I recall.  I remember giving my heart to Jesus.  That was so long ago.

As I grew up, I rebelled and lived my life for myself, but He patiently waited for me, and a time came when I had finally reached the end of myself.  I had become an ugly, angry, overweight, bitter, deeply depressed shell of a woman who's best friend was a bottle of Mick Ultra.  I had even told my husband that I was leaving as soon as our son left for college for the spring semester.

January 4, 2006 was my day of redemption.  That was the first day of the next three years completely free from alcohol.  During those three years I depended completely on Jesus.  He placed in me a deep desire to be pleasing to Him in mind and body.  I wanted to be obedient in every aspect of life.  I was invited to an awesome church and began attending every Sunday.  I began to eat healthy and exercise, and lost 30 pounds within a year.  I filled my mind with His Word, and was careful what I watched on TV, and began listening to Christian radio.  I was so hungry for Him!  My marriage was restored!  Everything about me was changing, which didn't come without some conflict in our home.  The change in me was a full blown radical change, which was difficult for my husband to accept at times.  A born again believer can be hard to handle at times, and I definitely was, and still am!  

Are you ready for the shocker???  You had better sit down for this one.

Then the year 2009 rolled around.  That moment the enemy waits for had arrived.  I was primed and ready to give in, and the enemy knew it.  I caved before I even knew what hit me.  "But it's okay to have just one drink with dinner once or twice a week..."  Those are the words I kept hearing in my head.  In my spirit I knew that for me, that wasn't true, but I gave in.  It actually worked for a while, but over time the one or two drinks became more drinks, and the once or twice a week became more frequent.  I can honestly say, and I'm very thankful that I am not where I was before I was free from alcohol, but I am certainly not where I was spiritually, mentally, or physically during those three wonderful years of freedom, and for that I am heart broken and ashamed.  

Today is January 4, 2013, the seven year anniversary of the day I tasted real freedom for the first time.  Today, by God's grace and mercy, history repeats itself as I taste real freedom once again!

You might ask why I chose to publish this...I'm struggling with that one, myself.  Seriously though, over the years, I've shared various struggles, but I've been too ashamed to share this one.  The enemy loves to tell you lies like, "Don't tell anyone.  They won't understand.  They have their own problems.  You don't need to burden others with your problems, etc..."  So yesterday it occurred to me that today would be the perfect day stop listening to those lies and start over, and that it was important to share this particular struggle, not just for my sake, but for others who struggle with addictions, whether it be alcohol, drugs, food, etc.  I've shared it with no one outside of my own household until now, and that, in and of itself, is liberating!  No more hiding.  

I trust that this will reach those who are struggling with their own addiction, whatever it may be, and if you are a born again believer, that you will be reminded of who you are in Christ Jesus, and if you are not a born again believer, that you will consider turning over your struggles to Him.  We are not promised a perfect life without struggles, but we ARE promised that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.  In Joshua 1:5, the Lord says, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."  

Pray for me, and I will also pray for you.  Blessings to each and every one of you, and may you have a truly happy new year.

Click on the link below to hear Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGAYNKDyIU

GOD IS THE SUPREME AUTHORITY

Still grieving for this nation and the lost that live in it, but understanding that I can not blame any politician for the spiritual decline we see progressing, and that all authorities are appointed by God to achieve His purpose. Scripture is being fulfilled and we are witnesses to it. My heart has never been heavier. May God rescue each of you who do not accept His Son, Jesus Christ. I hope you will listen to the podcast from my pastor's sermon last Sunday, after the election.

http://www.steelecreek.org/audiopodcasts/20121111_915PuttingFaithintoAction.mp3

PEELING AWAY THE FLESH

Today is a new day. I will let go of yesterday. I must admit, it is difficult, but I will make the choice to do so. I must also admit, it is difficult to pray for this president...but I have, and I will continue to do so, and I do it because that is what is required of a person who wears the title, Christian, and sooner or later (hopefully sooner), I will sink into the peace that the Lord has waiting for me. You see, I am a very stubborn human...like a dog with a bone...hard to let go of things, sometimes. Amazing how much power we allow our flesh to have, even when we don't want it to! Paul said it perfectly in Romans 7:15-24 Romans 7:15-24 (AMP)

15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns].
16 Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it.
17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.
18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]
19 For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].
21 So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.
22 For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].
23 But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].
24 O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?

Christians & Voting

Borrowed from a friend:

Here are 7 things I think are important, for Christians, to keep in mind as they consider their vote in the Presidential election, or any election. 
1. Christians should both vote, and fully engage in the political process, unapologetically. 
*We live in a representative republic, which invites the participation of all its citizens. So accept the invitation and participate! 
2. Voting decisions sh

ould be informed by the Bible.
*God created us and knows best how people can live well, not only in the next life, but this one!
3. Voting decisions should be prioritized according to the Biblical clarity available on the issues.
*Issues with the greatest Biblical clarity should be prioritized higher than those with less Biblical clarity.
4. Christians should stop voting selfishly.
*While it should certainly factor into our decision making process, netting more money in our pockets shouldn’t be the determining factor for how a Christian votes. Vote for the good of the country. Vote for what is in the best interest of a country that is being watched, and will be judged, by a holy God.
5. We should remember that God isn’t indifferent about abortion.
*The current take by many Christians is that abortion is just “one of many issues.” Any objective assessment, from a Christian viewpoint, should cause this issue to rise very high on our list of priorities. It is the moral issue of our time. Consider all the issues you care about, but this one should be very high on your list.
6. Remember, God is in control.
*However the election turns out, whether your candidate wins or loses, God is in control.
7. Engage in politics, but remember that Jesus is the hope of the world.
*American has been and can remain a tremendous force for good in the world, but America in not the hope of the world. Jesus is the hope of the world.

GUARD YOUR HEART AND YOUR MIND

Just finished a long walk, just me and Jesus. Listening to my worship music, blocking out all the sounds and negative influences of the world... Romans 13:13-14(AMP)
13 Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).

With so much outside influences, such as tv, radio, internet, books, even friends, and so on, it's easy to get wrapped up in the things the world has to offer, that may not be beneficial in our relationship with Christ. These things may give us pleasure for a time, but at what cost? From time to time I have to clean house, take a look at the things in my life that are driving a wedge between me and my Savior. I urge you to do the same. Take inventory of the things in your life that might be better thrown out. Is it what you're watching on television? Is it that relationship you're in? Is it drinking? Is it a book you're reading? I often ask myself, "Am I pleasing to God? Do my actions and words reflect who I am in Him?" Why don't you do the same. To be different from most of your peers can be a bit lonely at times, but in the end it's well worth it.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Oh my goodness... I'm still encountering people with their heads in the proverbial sand. For crying out loud...Afghanistan is NOT an ally...the Muslim religion (according to the Koran) is NOT a peaceful religion. Yes, there are some people who claim to be Muslim, but do not adhere to the entire Koran. That is no different than people who claim to be Christian, but do not adhere to the entire Holy Scripture. If you do not adhere to the entire word of your religion, i.e. faith, you are not a true follower. True followers are willing to die for their faith. The difference between Islam and Christianity is that Muslims are willing to blow themselves up, along with innocent people in the hopes of going to heaven, and Christians are willing to suffer themselves and sacrifice only their own lives in the name of Christ Jesus with the knowledge that they WILL go to heaven.

REMEMBERING 9/11

Where were you while we were being attacked by terrorists? I was in the kitchen. I could hear the news in the background. I heard them say something about a plane crashing into one of the twin towers. I went into the living room to see what was happening, and sat down just in time to see the other plane hit the second tower. I knew then that we were under attack. I remember sobbing for all those people...watching them hang out of windows, some jumping to their death, then to watch as the towers collapsed, crushing those trapped inside, along with the brave men and women who were in and near the towers, trying to rescue them. 

I remember how this nation literally became, once again, One Nation Under God. We rallied together in prayer. We found a renewed sense of community. We were determined to fight back, together. A lot has happened since then. Why are we so divided? A nation divided can not stand. A nation that boos God can not survive. We are in another civil war...brother against brother...neighbor against neighbor. 

We need a president that truly desires to bring us together and lead, putting God at the helm. We need an administration that is not divisive and that honestly loves this great nation that we are honored to live in. We do not have that kind of leadership. What we have is an empty chair.

John 15:17-21

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁷This is what I command you: that you love one another.
    ¹⁸If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.
    ¹⁹If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you.
    ²⁰Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours.
    ²¹But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me.

SUPPORT CHIC-FIL-A

Support Chic-fil-a today! 

What I don't understand is how one group of people can scream hate and intolerance when said group of people are exhibiting just that... Matthew 7:3-5 says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

To believe that marriage is a holy covenant between a man and a woman does not qualify as hate. Intolerance? Yes. As Christians, we should never tolerate sin. That does not mean we have hatred or intolerance for the sinner...we have all sinned...that is why we need a Savior.

IN OBEDIENCE THERE IS FULLNESS

First I want to share this link. http://lifetoday.org/video/filled-to-the-measure.  After hearing Beth Moore's story, I was inspired to share mine.


Sometimes Jesus asks us to do things that are outside of our comfort zone, and we argue with Him, and struggle with Him...just like Moses did. I want to share something with you that happened to me a few weeks ago. I'm not sharing this to be recognized or praised, because it isn't about me, it's about obedience to the Lord, and the blessings that overflow as a result. 


I live in a very small mill town just on the other side of the river from Charlotte. It is extremely rare to see homeless people in this little community, especially on this particular road. I had just pulled out onto Catawba Street, just a couple blocks from my house, when I saw a woman walking in the cold rain. Her nose was the first thing I noticed. It was beet red, her head humg low, and she was bundled up in baggy sweats and an oversized jacket, carrying what looked like a sleeping bag rolled up in a garbage bag. My heart immediately began to pound, and I cried out, "Oh God, help her! Have mercy on her!" Do you know what the Holy Spirit said to me? "Turn around and buy her some breakfast and a cup of coffee." I said, "Oh please don't ask me to do that! I'm scared!" So as I'm driving and arguing with God, with all kinds of things running through my head, I've already crossed the bridge into Charlotte, and the Holy Spirit says, "OBEY ME and TURN AROUND!" SO I DID, shaking and panting all the way. I see her and cut her off at a side street, roll down my window and called out to her, "Excuse me! Can I take you for some breakfast and a cup of coffee?" She looks up at me with these big brown eyes and says with a German accent, "Are you serious?" I said, "Yes I'm serious. Get in!" Well, she got in, and she smelled really bad, with dirt streaked on her plain face.  She was the most meek and precious woman I have ever met. I asked her where she slept last night, and she told me she slept outside. It had rained all night, and the temps were down in the low 40's. 


I took her to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and coffee. We talked a little. Her name is Bridget, and she confirmed that she is from Germany. She's been here for 6 or 8 years...I don't remember which, now. I asked her if I could take her to my church in Charlotte to get her some help, but she declined and asked me if I could take her to the corner of Woodlawn and Old Pineville Rd., so I did. She asked me to drop her off at a gas station, so I did. I asked her if she needed some cash, and she said all she needed was the food and coffee I gave her. I didn't want to let her go, but she assured me she would be fine. I gave her a card with the name and phone number of my church, and wrote my name and phone number on the back, and told her to please call me if she needed ANYTHING. She thanked me and told me, as she was getting out, "You will be blessed." She has no idea how blessed and humbled I already was at that moment. I don't know what the result of that obedience to God was or is, and I may never know. 


I was told that she could have been an angel. When I heard that I got goosebumps, because that exact thing had actually come to my mind when I was struggling with God over going back for her. Maybe she WAS an angel. Scripture tells us in Hebrews 13:2 (NIV), "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."  But maybe she was just a woman in need of food and warmth for a little while.  Maybe she was just a woman who had been beat down by life's circumstances and needed a stranger to show her some kindness, to help her make it one more day. I DO know that in that experience God taught me humility.  He also proved to me that when I choose to be obedient, to step out of my comfort zone, He will provide EVERYTHING I need to accomplish His will and purpose.

PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU

Excerpt from Jesus Calling devotional ~ When you trust Me in a given area, you release that problem or that person into My care.


One of the scriptures from that devotional is from John 14:27 (amp) ~ Jesus is speaking to His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled."


This spoke to me perfectly this morning.  I've been struggling for a while with a particular relationship, and that has had an effect on others.  I've also had much anxiety and stress related to my 24 year old son moving back home (which is an answered prayer, and another story), spiritual warfare in my own home, and to top it all off, there's the stress of dealing with the "c" word (I won't say the word. I won't give it legs to stand on) that has effected my mom, my sister-in-law, and numerous friends and acquaintances.


It is a daily struggle to release all of this to Jesus.  I love the amplified's version, "Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed..."  That is exactly how I've felt; agitated and disturbed.  VERY disturbed!


Abba Father, I release all of my worries, my cares, my anxieties, my troubles, and my fears to you, right now!  I release this person to You, Father.  I release my mom, my sister-in-law, and each of my precious friends to You!  I place each of them into Your perfect care!  In Jesus precious name, it is done!

NEVER FORGET

Watch this film, as we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, remember the families, and friends of those who lost their lives on that day.  Pray for God's protection over this land.  Pray for revival.


http://aclj.org/war-on-terror/jay-sekulow-presents-forever-changed-9-11-in-remembrance-full-film

SIGNS OF THE END TIMES

Just a short while ago, along the East Coast, we experienced a substantial tremor from a 6.0 earthquake in Virginia, near Richmond, which is not completely unusual, but does not occur frequently.  And with that, as Christians, we are always keeping our eyes open for the signs of the end times.  It is my belief that we are indeed in the end times.  It is true that natural disasters, famines, disease, pestilence, wars and rumors of wars have always occurred, but these things are as birth pangs, becoming more frequent, and more severe.  Look at cancer, for instance.  With all of modern technology, we are still seeing more and more and more cancer. I have never in my life known personally so many with cancer.  It is my hearts desire to see each an every one of my family and friends surrender their lives to the God of Israel, and accept His gift of sacrifice He himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, has offered freely to us.  I beg each of you to accept this awesome gift of life everlasting, before the day comes when it will be too late.

Matthew 24

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

 ¹ Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ² “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” ³ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
 ⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.
   ⁹ “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. ¹⁰ At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³ but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
   ¹⁵ “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’^[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. ¹⁸ Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. ¹⁹ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! ²⁰ Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
   ²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. ²³ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you ahead of time.
   ²⁶ “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. ²⁷ For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
   ²⁹ “Immediately after the distress of those days
   “‘the sun will be darkened,
   and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
   and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’^[b]
   30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth^[c]will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.^[d] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
   ³² “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ³³ Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it^[e] is near, right at the door. ³⁴ Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

    ³⁶ “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^[f] but only the Father. ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.   ⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
   ⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. ⁴⁷ Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁸ But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ ⁴⁹ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. ⁵⁰The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. ⁵¹ He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE

I wasn't out of bed, this morning, more than 10 minutes when poo hit the fan.  When the enemy realizes he can't get you in one area of your life, he goes for the next one.

I got up to muddy dog prints all over the kitchen floor, so I quickly and quietly started mopping them up...then I just had to open my mouth (my husband was in the kitchen eating his breakfast).  I made a harmless (what I thought was harmless) comment about the dog scratching up the hardwood...well that canon-balled into a full on fight that lasted all of 30 seconds.  Words flew out of both our mouths, the front door slams and tears start rolling.  Wow.  What a way to start the day (I'm not agreeable until I've had my cup of coffee). 

Well let me tell you, it wasn't a minute after he went out the door, I heard the notification signal for my daily Bible verse app, coming from my phone.  I picked it up and looked at it through blurry, soaking wet eyes, and the verse of the day was James 3:7-10.  

⁷For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature).
    ⁸But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.
    ⁹With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness!
    ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.


Though the words I spoke were not necessarily evil, by human standards, they were evil by God's standards.  They were undisciplined and poison.  They were hurtful, and did nothing to build up my husband.  They were an offense against him.  What I understand this scripture to say, is that when say things that are hurtful to people, we are also hurting God.  He is a personal God, and His heart is broken when we behave in ways He never intended for us to behave, just as we as parents are hurt when our children behave badly.  God created us in His likeness, to be in perfect communion with Him, but when we sin, we break that communion (yes, spouting off at the mouth is a sin), and we are then separated from Him.  But the good news is, when we ask forgiveness He is anxious to forgive and bring us back into communion with Him.


Moral of the story...shut your pie hole, 'cause if you can't say nothin' nice, don't say nothin' at all.  Have a super blessed day!

HOW CAN A LOVING GOD SEND ANYONE TO HELL?

How can a loving God send anyone to hell?  Good question.  Here's a good answer.  http://www.christianityexplored.org/tough-questions/alovinggodandhell

If there is a God, then why is there so much suffering?  This is one of the most asked questions about God.  http://www.christianityexplored.org/tough-questions/godandsuffering

PERSECUTION IS EMPOWERMNET

Let me start by saying, in this blog I am talking to my fellow believers, but if you're curious, you're more than welcome to read on.  Read at your own risk.  You've been warned.


I am just home from an awesome, awesome time of worship and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I serve an awesome God, and I am not ashamed to shout His name from the mountaintops. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance... Romans 1:16 (Amp) 


Some would try to stifle me by saying that a social media forum is not the appropriate place to share my faith.  I say it is the perfect place!  Some would say it is force feeding my faith onto unwilling subjects.  I say it is my right to free speech, and that anyone who may be offended has the freedom to choose not to read or view my posts. From the beginning it has been my heart's desire to share the Good News to everyone I have contact with.  I am aware that it is not received well by some, but I will venture to say, only a few, in comparison to the encouragement and positive reinforcement I have received by most.  


I've been told I am crazy, and tagged with a number of labels because of my faith,  People are often fast to put labels on something they don't understand, and brutal with their words because I refuse to sugar coat the truth. Even one Christian acquaintance came against me, saying that my Christianity is not necessarily her Christianity, and my response to that is that my Christianity is the Christianity taught in the Holy Scriptures, and if you don't have that Christianity, then you don't have any Christianity.  Just because you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and you sit in a church pew every Sunday doesn't mean you are a Christian, even Satan knows that Jesus is the Son of God, and I'm positive that Satan is not a Christian, and I've actually seen Satan sitting in some churches.  A head knowledge of this truth is not the same as a relationship.  Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21.  Being a Christian means actually living FOR Jesus Christ instead of living for yourself, having the desire to be pleasing to Him, actually wanting His will for your life. Being a Christian means acknowledging that Jesus is the ONLY way, not one of many ways. There is ONE God, and ONE Savior.  Some say my truth is not their truth.  I say there is but ONE truth, and that is what is written in the Holy Scriptures, spoken by Jesus Himself in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 


I want to encourage other believers to take a stand for Christ. To be bold for the Kingdom.  Jesus says in Matthew 10:33, "Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me, I will also acknowledge him before My Father Who is in heaven."  I don't know about you, but I look forward to the day that Jesus, Himself, with His arms wrapped around me, says to the Father, "This is my daughter, in whom I am well pleased."  What a glorious day that will be!  


These are the DON'Ts.  Don't sugar coat it, people!  Don't sit on the fence! Don't be lukewarm, 'cause Jesus will spew you out of His mouth (His words, not mine)!


These are the DOs.  Do take scripture seriously!  Do be bold for the kingdom!  Do be on fire for Christ!  Do be proactive in sharing your faith to a lost world!


Lastly, if you don't like what you just read here, and you hate on me, you only empower me to do more of the same, because persecution for Christ's sake is an honor.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21 NIV 

God was speaking to the obstinate nation of Israel, but this is true for all of us today. The definition for obstinate is to stubbornly refuse to change one's opinion or action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so. Have you been obstinate? Have you heard that voice in your head that says, "Don't do it!", or "This is what you should do!", but refuse to listen to that voice?

The bad new is that here are consequences for taking the wrong path, for making the wrong choices. The good news is that God is always ready and willing to forgive us when we confess to Him that we have made the wrong choices in life, gone our own way...when we have sinned. 

A couple of antonyms for obstinate, are yielding, and submissive. When we yield, or submit to that voice, to God's voice, He will honor our obedience with abundant blessing, and the promise of eternal life.  His ways are far better than our ways.  So when you finally decide that your way isn't really working out for you, surrender to Him, and receive your blessings.