tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55635119800857597072024-02-02T12:41:36.276-08:00Women of WorthUnited to Inspire, Encourage, and EmpowerWOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-72721965596718154702012-07-12T14:36:00.008-07:002012-08-04T17:22:06.633-07:00Brave<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the first week of swimming lessons, and six sensational kids stand in line to go off the diving board. Some have done this before, others only a couple of times before, and two this is their first time EVER jumping off the diving board. My daughter Carissa is standing shivering in line, because she is all of 40 pounds soaking wet. Carissa recently graduated Kindergarten and she is entering the first grade in the fall. She will be starting a new year, and she will be making new friends. A lot of new things happen when your young. A lot of first time experiences, liking jumping off the diving board, and into the deep end all by yourself. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you remember the first time you jumped off a diving board? If the experience wasn't tough enough many watchful eyes of other kids and grown ups gathered around the pool waiting for you to jump just intensifies things that much more. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here she is waiting her turn. I am standing just a couple yards away, and I can feel the tension building up, as she waits very anxiously for her turn to arrive. Heart pounding, pulse racing, I can hardly breath as I wonder if the mounting fear will over take her, or will she be able to move forward into what she is being called to do.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am proud of her for trying out something different, for getting way out of her comfort zone, and doing not only something new that she has never done before, but something VERY SCARY. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As each child jumps off the diving board it brings Carissa that much closer to her turn to jump. The first couple of kids jump off the board as if it were no big deal, and one calls back to the rest, "come on don't be such a scaredy cat" -- his dad had to remind him that just last summer he was the "scaredy cat", although he emphatically denies it. This third grader had a case of selective amnesia. How quickly big kids can forget that they were ever once afraid.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Half the kids have already gone, and there are only 3 kids left. The young girl who looks to be about a 3rd grader is standing in front of Carissa dreading that she is next. This young girl is voicing her fears which is making Carissa's own fears heighten. I can only imagine what must have been racing through my little daughters mind at this moment. How many times must she have contemplated giving in to her ever increasing fear, and turning back. Now it is her turn. As she takes a deep breath to ready herself, a little soft soothing voice of a friend says, "Carissa you can do it!" It was her friend Ethan whom Carissa met in Kindergarten this past year. She looks over her should and her worried eyes are met by his loving friendly beautiful blue eyes, and once again he give her encouragement, and says "Carissa you can do it!" </span><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now it is Carissa's turn. Having watch the little girl before her conquer her fear showed Carissa that she too can do it. Carissa was not just a little hesitant, she was filled with intripedation, and worry. She was facing fear, and she was scared. I was standing by her side telling her that she can do this. She said, "But Momma I have NEVER done </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>this</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> before. This is my very </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>first</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> time EVER!" I encouraged her, and said Honey, there is a first time for everything, just like the first time you rode your bike or scooter, or when you first jumped into the water from the side of the pool. You can do this. You are ready. Go for it. She kept saying "Momma I'm scared. I'm scared" as she inched her way forward. I kept reassuring her that this is her time, she is ready, and she can do this as she moved forward.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I saw how reluctant her hands were as she grasped the silver metal railing, and climbed her way up the two steps onto the diving board. I saw how her arms & hands began to shake, as she took each step closer to the edge of the diving board, and how the board became wobbly, and her little legs became wobbly. I was also wobbly on the inside, but that soft reassuring voice of GOD spoke to my heart, and eased my worried mind, and told me that, <i>"She is ready."</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa paused for a few seconds, looked back, and I encouraged her to move forward. I knew if I showed one once of worry, concern, or uncertainty she would see it on my face, and immediately turn back, and once she turned back there would be no getting her to try it again, that day, that week, for the remainder of the swimming lesson, and maybe not for the rest of the summer, so I kept reassuring her that, You can do it! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Standing just a few feet away from the edge she cried out, "Momma, I am scared!" I cried out to her "Honey you are <i>Brave</i>, this is your day to jump, you are ready to do this. I love you. You can do this". Carissa took a few more steps, and soon she was standing at the edge of the diving board. Her wobbly legs were making the board wobble even more. I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. What must it have been like for <i>her</i>?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The board was unsteady below her, and oh how scary that is when the platform below you is moving & shaking, you are suspended in air, and below you is the very deepest end of the pool, and you are just a little girl just learning how to swim.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa glances over her left shoulder, looks at me with great desperation, and utter disappointment, and she cries out, "Momma I'm <i>not</i> Brave, I'm <i>scared</i>", and this Momma cries out back to her precious little daughter, "Honey you are <i>Brave</i> -- <i><b>Brave is doing it scared!</b></i>"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa faces forward, takes a deep breath, and jumps. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She surfaces the water exhilarated, and hears the roar of the crowd, tears pouring down my face I cry out, You did it Honey, You did it! You are soooo <i>VERY</i> Brave! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa's hard work is not over yet. She swims forward from one end of the pool to the other. I rush to the other end of the pool to meet her. I grab her towel and wrap the towel and my arms around her, pull her close cheek to cheek and tell her how sooo VERY proud I am of her, for being <i>Brave</i>. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The little third grade boy that tried to discourage her before by calling her a scardy cat was standing right next to us, and proceeded to tell us that because "she took sooo long, didn't jump right away, and was scared that she was not Brave". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa respectfully and confidently informed this young guy that <b><i>"Brave is doing it scared!"</i></b> -- that's <i>my</i> girl!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GOD's Beloved Daughters are Beautiful & Brave and when we walk forward in faith I can imagine GOD saying </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-- that's</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>My</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">girl!</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bZh7nRw6gl8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: center;"></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-36001027884390964532012-06-26T11:02:00.013-07:002012-06-26T12:01:43.759-07:00You Are Outstanding!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiXTrym3DfPwt0M8NEc-3EVO6XI7dFaEMUubt308BONW8dqQGjlAeGQaUinpWndV97L1961e5VA8B0xhlCAgQI_RGDln3q94IBS5qYwaDuTbev1sDVWiGnSiGeox4ESXuthPbeMzp7tM/s1600/0439508878_rgb1_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiXTrym3DfPwt0M8NEc-3EVO6XI7dFaEMUubt308BONW8dqQGjlAeGQaUinpWndV97L1961e5VA8B0xhlCAgQI_RGDln3q94IBS5qYwaDuTbev1sDVWiGnSiGeox4ESXuthPbeMzp7tM/s1600/0439508878_rgb1_xlg.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post was inspired by reading a <a href="http://awakenedanew.com/?p=582#comment-3326" target="_blank">post</a> from a very good friend of mine Jess, as well my favorite teacher, my beautiful & brilliant little daughter Carissa.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often we parents with good intentions striving for excellence for our children -- well it is we <i>parents</i> who often miss the mark. We must keep in mind that our life, and our children's life is about <i>progression</i> not perfection.</span><br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a very powerful intervention, or perhaps I should say a very powerful parent & Teacher conference with the LORD in regards to Carissa's Kindergarten report cards. The first two quarters Carissa earned all Os for (O)utstanding, the highest marks possible. Then the third quarter she was graded on Reading.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Background Info. Carissa is the youngest in her class, the public school standard was to hold her back a year just because of her younger age (missed the mandatory cut off by 6 weeks), although she excelled in pre-K, and is mature beyond her years, her friends were allowed to enter Kindergarten, because they met the public standardized age requirement, and Carissa was not allowed to start Kindergarten with her best friend. A local private christian school recognized that Carissa was ready for Kindergarten and allowed her to attend their school.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to the 3rd Quarter Report Card marks. As Carissa's parents we believe Carissa excels in Reading (especially since she is the youngest in the class), yet the report card said S+ as in [S]astisfactory + in Reading. We know that she did her very best, and that is all that we can ask from her. When our children <i>truly</i> do their very best, no matter the grade they receive on a test or on a report card by <i>truly</i> doing their very best they are in fact doing Outstanding!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On all the other areas on Carissa's report card she earned Os. When we average the S+ with the Os she earned over all Outstanding Excellence. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can achieve Excellence <i>without</i> having to achieve perfection.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uLBCutgownA4PDqI9IhZEdo2vd-uXGB8hFt_4HSqU1Yoj6CEurfPXfitJryaRG3qYXTtOyOUuJ8eRstqOHObhtd-Imj2_Y2D1jbzN_HIR9AhlLVooyF3GNgrNbNZEYwMRtgulV1fbPI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uLBCutgownA4PDqI9IhZEdo2vd-uXGB8hFt_4HSqU1Yoj6CEurfPXfitJryaRG3qYXTtOyOUuJ8eRstqOHObhtd-Imj2_Y2D1jbzN_HIR9AhlLVooyF3GNgrNbNZEYwMRtgulV1fbPI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is true not only in our academic life, but our over all life.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GOD's Amazing Grace covers us when we miss the mark. Kind of like when we are caught on a cold day without a coat, Christ is the warm blanket that covers & comforts us.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All we need to do is to allow our Helper the Holy Spirit to bring the blessing of conviction and show us where we missed the mark. When we confess that we messed up we take responsibility, and when we have a repentant heart we have a teachable spirit, we are accountable, and most important we are pliable and willing to let GOD teach us & transform us to be Outstanding by living to our fullest potential.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The LORD is merciful, compassionate, and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast, and Unfailing Love. Psalm 145:8</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GOD's Amazing Grace allows us to strive for Excellence without having to be Perfect, and that is sooo Outstanding!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMQpeLKyfcOklDyKGOet9ppz8BQQByvfpWd8YZsr0UYRiLboOdxGmSDHQOIHaerAQitne-QJ0-CNVDE0NCBR-8mjh0JTqnJfswhP6s5coO2HhWbX1xBzdWMk-Yu8jM9R_8H4HdyXTnCI/s1600/you_are_outstanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMQpeLKyfcOklDyKGOet9ppz8BQQByvfpWd8YZsr0UYRiLboOdxGmSDHQOIHaerAQitne-QJ0-CNVDE0NCBR-8mjh0JTqnJfswhP6s5coO2HhWbX1xBzdWMk-Yu8jM9R_8H4HdyXTnCI/s1600/you_are_outstanding.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-59168827263350870432012-06-22T15:49:00.007-07:002012-06-22T16:26:55.001-07:00Time to Dance<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3: 1</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The Bible tells us in 2 Samuel 6:14 that David danced with delight before the Lord. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The Bible also teaches us that GOD inhabits the praises of those who love Him. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Psalm 22:3</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">David blessed the Lord with a Dance of Praise, or what we refer today as a Praise Dance. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">What if David was not only dancing before the Lord, but <i>with</i> the Lord? Is it possible that David was dancing in the spirit <i>with</i> GOD? WOW! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">My little daughter loves to dance. She was born to dance. She was dancing, bouncing, and swaying to the rhythm of the music <i>before</i> she could even take a single step. If the tempo was slow she bounced slow, if the temp was fast she bounced fast. No doubt GOD created her to dance.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">One day I was watching my little girl dance with such delight. She was smiling, giggling, and gliding along the living room floor. She had this unexplainable Peace and Joy that was sooo very captivating. This dance was different from the ones she had danced before. She was in her own world. If I were to give a name to what I witnessed I would have to say it was a Dance of Serenity & Tranquility. I could not take my eyes off of her, and yet she was completely oblivious to me watching her. She was both captivated and captivating in this wonderful indescribable moment.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It seemed as if she was dancing with someone who brought her great indescribable Joy. The emotional expression she had on her face was familiar to me, because it is much like how I feel when the Presence of the Lord is with me. You know that awesome experience when the Holy Spirit falls upon you and blesses you with the Peace that surpasses all understanding. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I had to ask her, Honey who are you dancing with? And she said, with beautiful sparkling eyes, "Momma I'm dancing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">with Jesus! I watched her as she made these angelic moves, and I asked her, Honey who taught you that move? And she replied as if I should have already known the answer, "Momma <i>Jesus</i> is teaching me!" Well of course He is honey, and I can see you are having a wonderful time learning to dance with Jesus. Carissa told me how "Jesus is a great dancer, and knows all the steps!"</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Talk about a WOW Experience that I will never forget!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Did you know Jesus loves to dance? I didn't either. If someone had told me this a couple of years ago I don't know if I would have believed her either, until I experienced it through my daughter's eyes. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Jesus loves to dance and He longs to dance with <i>each</i> of us. WOW! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Carissa often says, "Come on Momma and dance with Jesus!" She encourages others to discover & join the joy of dancing with Jesus. She says she loves to dance with GOD, and has inspired me to do the same! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Okay, take another step with me.<br />
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Imagine the most beautiful wedding of all. Your favorite location in all the entire world. Your favorite time of the year, your favorite time of the day/evening. Create the wedding of your dreams with every spectacular detail. Your favorite smells and sounds surround you. Do you have that pictured in your mind?<br />
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Do you see yourself attending this amazing event? You are not one of the guests, and you are not a bride's maid. You are the bride -- the belle of the ball! Your favorite music is playing, and Christ walks across the room to dance with <i>you</i>. Just <i>you</i>. Only <i>you</i>.<br />
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In this particular season of your life perhaps you are experiencing Christ as your Best Friend, or maybe you are experiencing GOD's parental love, and see GOD as your Holy Parent, or maybe a Hero who has come to your rescue. And then maybe you are a bit like me, and are a little overwhelmed by the countless aspects of the multifaceted depths of GOD's Love. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Have you ever been overwhelmed & overpowered by GOD's Love? It truly makes my mind swirl, and I get dizzy with utter delight. It is much like falling in love for the very first time, and like your best intimate moments. Raptured by GOD's Love. Is it okay to feel <i>this</i> way about GOD?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It is okay we don't have to figure it all out, and the thing is we can't even if we tried. Even if we had an army of experts with the most brilliant minds of our day, there would still be a great mystery to GOD, and that is sooo exciting! All we need to know is that GOD is for us, with us, and longs to be closer to each of us. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>GOD is who we need Him to be when we need Him to be.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">There are moments of my day, and I suspect there are moments of your day to when you need to feel the love & comfort of a best friend, or a parent, or your Beloved. Let me say it again, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>GOD is who we need Him to be when we need Him to be, because He is GOD the great I AM. </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Do you hear GOD saying, I AM here for you? Listen with your heart, with the depths of our soul. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">GOD's Holy Spirit is whispering to your soul, saying I AM here for <i>you</i>. Yes, you! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">It is Time to Dance. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Let GOD be what you need Him to be. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Maybe it is your very best friend from childhood who waited to dance with you, or it could be time for the Father & Daughter dance, or maybe it is time for the Bride & Groom's first dance. You are the Beautiful Bride. It is [your] choice. Let GOD be what you need Him to be.</span><br />
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GOD is waiting to dance with <i>you</i>. Take His hand and dance! Enjoy the dance.<br />
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Go ahead and as soon as you can, put on your favorite dancing music today or tonight, and dance with GOD! You don't have to tell anyone you are dancing with Jesus. It is only for the two of you to know and do. Go for it!<br />
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Will it be a slow waltz, or a quick step? Hey I'm told that GOD knows the latest dance moves. GOD is waiting to dance with <i>you</i>. Break out of your comfort zone, and dance with Jesus!<br />
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GOD is your Dream Dancer who knows all the steps to each and every dance you desire to dance with Him, and He will dance with you as long as you want to dance with Him. An amazing experience is waiting for you! Just for <i>you</i>!<br />
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* I hope this song inspires you to find your own song to dance with Jesus. This is one of Carissa's favorite songs!<br />
♥ Anissa</span></span><br />
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</span></span>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-24823135017968465562012-05-20T11:49:00.002-07:002012-06-09T10:39:04.425-07:00Dare to ShareDare to Share. . . Recap<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Living a Righteous Life means that you desire to do what is right by honoring GOD with making </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>mostly</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">righteous choices, and when you mess up, and you will (none of us are perfect that is why we</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>all</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">need a Savior), so be convicted, not rebellious, or self-righteous, repent, and ask for forgiveness, and others can actually be blessed by what you have learned when you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Dare to Share</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">That's it? Lord you mean the mistakes of my past can be used for a righteous purpose?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Seriously GOD that is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Totally Awesome</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">If I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Dare to Share</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, then I can serve as a warning sign, so that others can avoid a Total Wipe Out!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I can warn them of the danger that lies ahead, because I too headed off in the wrong direction. I walked with the crowd, and ran away from Christ. I did not understand that GOD's ways were a blessing to keep me from danger and destruction, so I danced in the shadows, and did not know what I was missing by being in the Son's Light.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Dare to Share . . . okay here goes. . .</span><br />
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One of the mistakes I did in my college days was to co-habitate, aka live in sin with my boyfriend. We of course thought that this was going to be <i>Totally Excellent</i>. It <i>seemed</i> to make such great practical and rational sense, because Christopher and I spent all our free time together, and he was practically living with me, and my two other roommates. In fact they thought since he was pretty much living with us, he might as well chip in and pay part of the rent. Living together <i>seemed</i> like such a good idea!<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Think of all the money we were going to save, because he wouldn't have to drive back and forth, and for him to move out from his parent's home into his own separate apartment, well that was just crazy then we would have two rents instead of just one. At this time in our life Finances trumped Family Values. We were college kids paying for college barely getting by, so we had no money to get married. We promised each other that as soon as we graduated from college we would get married and make it official with a ceremony, and everything, but for now we will live faithful to one another as a husband and wife would, and be married in the eyes of GOD.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Well all I can say is that you don't know what you don't know. And it is okay not to understand everything GOD tells us to do, but when we trust GOD we can <i>know</i> that He says things for a reason, not to control us, but to bless us, and keep us from messing up our lives, and the lives of our children and future generations. GOD loves us, that is why He sets rules to guide us. His Holy Precepts leads to Wonderful Promises & Blessings. His Holy Word & Ways are not for restriction, but for protection. They are not a burden, they are a blessing. I did not understand this back then, but I understand it now through trial and much error. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Our lives, and the lives of our loved ones not only become messed up and dysfunctional, but they can be destroyed when we reject GOD's Guidance, and go the way of the world. As the saying goes, Misery loves Company, and when we make a mess out of our lives, self-righteous selfish messed up people feel better about their own lives. Many people in this life would rather bring you down, and keep you down where they are rather than boost you up, so that you can have a better life. In the Land of Dysfunction there is a hidden happiness when others stumble and fumble and fail to improve their lives. There is much gossip, secret and sometimes not so secret celebration over the other person's wipe outs.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you have taken a wrong turn, and headed down the wrong path it is not too late to make a U-turn, and have the life that GOD has waiting for you. It will take courage, because some are going to want you to stay with them as they keep heading the wrong way. The wrong way does not get better, it only goes from bad to worse to unimaginable destruction and devastation. Those who have been down the wrong road can testify that they would have never imagined it could ever get <i>that</i> bad. That is the enemy's plan to take you farther than you ever thought you would go.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For example, cohabiting is the wrong way, one wrong choice that leads to other and another. In fact the wrong choice did not begin with living together, it began with having sex together, and since we are acting like a married couple we might as well as live together like a married couple. And even though you didn't plan it, you find yourself pregnant, and of course the world's view is to have an abortion, because you are not ready to be parents. Many people make the worst mistake of their life and murder their unborn child, and then are wounded by what they have done, and seek ways to numb the pain. Then there are the courageous women who chose their baby's life over a life with a man who will not marry her, yet claims to love her. These brave women now raise their babies all alone. <i>Most</i> babies born out of the sanctity of marriage do <i>not</i> have their fathers in their lives, and those that do most of their father's are not dependable, and are a bad example.<br />
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Whether you are a boy or a girl growing up without a Daddy is devastating, but you keep that pain hidden away from your Mom, because you don't want to hurt her, and you know there is nothing she can do to change that, so you and Mom convince yourselves that you don't need a Dad, and you push down, and deny the pain and the longing, and search for ways to replace the need for a Dad, and/or medicate the wound that an absent Dad has left. There are countless problems that come out of the painful consequences of our mistakes of not following GOD's Guidance & Rules that were established not to control us, but to protect us, and to bless us.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So the next time someone tries to tempt you to take a wrong turn that goes against GOD, just tell 'em <i>That's Totally Bogus Dude!</i> Remember that GOD has a <i>Totally Awesome</i> Plan for you. GOD has put His Promise in writing, you will find it in Jeremiah 29:11</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Will following Christ mean that all your days will be filled with sunshine? No. Storms will come, and harsh waves will wipe you out Dude, but they will not destroy you. It is the Life Storms that water our faith and make it grow. The Blessing in the Storm is GOD's Embrace that brings you closer than ever before. I would rather be in the storm with Christ, than on the sandy shore without Him.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">GOD is Totally Awesome! GOD can transform our worst day into the best day ever, but that's another story for another day.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">How can the worst day in our life become the Best Day EVERRR! <a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2011/12/little-lamb.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Click Here</i></b></a> to find out!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">To sum it up, Life is about Progression not Perfection. We can be an Excellent Example when we choose to live a Righteous Life. Have a teachable mind, heart, soul, and spirit. Be humble not prideful and be willing to learn, heed the warnings of those who have gone before us.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Learn or Lose. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ride the Wave of Righteousness or Wipe Out!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When we follow Christ it is <i>Totally Awesome Dude!</i><br />
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If you like this <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">"Share It Forward"</span></b> </i>on Facebook & Twitter!</div></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-56269649937857396862012-05-20T10:52:00.012-07:002012-06-09T10:39:27.641-07:00Totally Awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaI8mrgWTyhX4aWtGtXjZvtL6kRhqs0LLFKsB8_CWhkS2DHRs-o1lUQ9b-KINXRmFsoPhHKl64J97GmCEvB-KtXMGKjxG-wp-mFnHeCb55fFv8pwwMNxP6fxYPGbdEt-l7RC5qGCns40/s1600/CnA+younger+6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaI8mrgWTyhX4aWtGtXjZvtL6kRhqs0LLFKsB8_CWhkS2DHRs-o1lUQ9b-KINXRmFsoPhHKl64J97GmCEvB-KtXMGKjxG-wp-mFnHeCb55fFv8pwwMNxP6fxYPGbdEt-l7RC5qGCns40/s320/CnA+younger+6.jpeg" width="218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Big hair and a peach ball gown.<br />
What in the world was I thinking?<br />
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As far as the peach ball gown I was thinking I could get one more use out of this bridesmaid dress.<br />
As far as the big hair -- well it was the 80's!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember the 80's?</div><div style="text-align: center;">A time where you heard phrases like, Totally Awesome! Excellent! and Totally Righteous -- Dude!</div><br />
I remember when Christopher and I where a young married couple, and his little sister 15 years his junior told us that her high school was having a retro-party. I was so excited for her. I asked her, so what are you all going to dress up as? What is the theme? Roaring 20's with Flappers & Zoot Suits, 30's & 40's Sophisticated Couture, 50's Poodle Skirts & Ponytails, and guys with slick back hair, 60's Outrageous Color & Pattern Combinations, Crazy Psychedelic Patterns, Flower Power, and Hippy Outfits, or 70's Disco Outfits with the Farrah Fawcett Feathered-Hair Style?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">She said no, we are going to do a Retro 80's Party. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Since when did the 80's become Retro? When did the decade of our youth become vintage?<br />
That is Totally <i>Not</i> Awesome!</div><br />
This was Life's way of giving me my reluctant rite of passage from the Youth Group into the Adult Group. The transition from a young person searching for her way to a young adult responsible for showing the way for the next generation. Yikes! I barely started figuring things out myself, and I made my share of mistakes along the way. How can I be a good example when <i>I</i> messed up? How can I encourage others when I have not lived a perfect life?<br />
<br />
My family background was horrific, a complete nightmare not the things of fairy tales that would inspire or encourage young people.<br />
<br />
And the LORD softly spoke to my heart saying, you can be an Excellent Example <i>without</i> having lived a perfect life.<br />
<br />
What I have learned thus far in my Journey with Jesus is that being <i>Righteous</i> does <i>not</i> mean that you are <i>totally</i> perfect. Think of it this way. To get an A on your report card means that you did Excellent, it does not mean that you got <i>everything</i> correct, just [<i>most</i>] of the things.<br />
<br />
As Christians, Christ followers we are called to live sanctified lives set apart from the world. We are to standout from the crowd not blend into it. The way we stand out is to be an Excellent Example by making righteous choices ordained by GOD, and dare to reject what we know is unrighteous.<br />
<br />
Living a Righteous Life means that you desire to do what is right by honoring GOD, and you have learned that GOD's Way is the Best Way, because it brings about countless & priceless blessings, not only for you and your loved ones, but for generations to come. Righteous Living is intelligent living, because it is making wise decisions by choosing right over wrong. A Righteous Person is <i>not</i> a perfect person, but it is a courageous person by making <i>mostly</i> righteous choices, and when you mess up, and you will (none of us are perfect that is why we <i>all</i> need a Savior), be convicted, not rebellious, or self-righteous, repent, and ask for forgiveness, learn from your mistakes, and share your mistakes, so others can actually be blessed by what you have learned when you <i>Dare to Share</i>.<br />
<br />
That's it? Lord you mean the mistakes of my past can be used for a righteous purpose?<br />
Seriously GOD that is <i>Totally Awesome</i>!<br />
<br />
If I <i>Dare to Share</i>, then I can serve as a warning sign, so that others can avoid a Total Wipe Out!<br />
<br />
I can warn them of the danger that lies ahead, because I too headed off in the wrong direction. I walked with the crowd, and ran away from Christ. I did not understand that GOD's ways were a blessing to keep me from danger and destruction, so I danced in the shadows, and did not know what I was missing by being in the Son's Light.<br />
<br />
Dare to Share . . . okay here goes. . . <b><i><a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/05/dare-to-share.html" target="_blank">Dare to Share!</a></i></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">If you like this <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">"Share It Forward"</span></b> </i>on Facebook & Twitter!</span></b>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-57934657094186875112012-05-11T06:37:00.006-07:002012-05-23T13:26:50.193-07:00The What If Beatitudes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniYvvYOU21OtZtyejyY4MZ-_7hC5JoUhIYJv8DadQihfTZkRS0RjlJtsILYNUyTHVoyVFED9F7SIWeU4r6qFlgQk53Nzgg03sfB7PKoeTlpRG5Cqw1lm6X-FeWF-GePgAjA5i17Bx260/s1600/colorful_butterfly_painting_multi_postcard-p2397068636721813367onr_325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniYvvYOU21OtZtyejyY4MZ-_7hC5JoUhIYJv8DadQihfTZkRS0RjlJtsILYNUyTHVoyVFED9F7SIWeU4r6qFlgQk53Nzgg03sfB7PKoeTlpRG5Cqw1lm6X-FeWF-GePgAjA5i17Bx260/s320/colorful_butterfly_painting_multi_postcard-p2397068636721813367onr_325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What If</i> we changed the nature of the What Ifs in our lives?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The <i>What Ifs</i> that keep us trapped within our own comfort zones,<br />
<br />
The <i>What Ifs</i> that keep us trapped in the past and prevent us from moving forward,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What Ifs </i>that<i> </i>whisper disparaging thoughts, fuel our unbelief, create doubt, and lead to disobeying GOD, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i> we had the power within us to <i>change</i> all that!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i> the <i>What Ifs </i>were<i> </i>no longer a negative force, but a very powerful positive force?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i> the <i>What Ifs </i>were<i> </i>no longer heavy chains, but Beautiful Wings!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i> the <i>What Ifs </i>no longer led to failure, but Success!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i> the <i>What Ifs </i>could be transformed into the whispers of Destiny instead of Despair?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i> the <i>What Ifs </i>could be transformed into stepping stones, instead of stumbling blocks?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i> the <i>What Ifs </i>no longer withheld us, but excelled us? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>we could tune out the enemy holding us back, and tune in to all of Heaven cheering us on?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>all this could be True?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>we lived our lives not just memorizing, but actually <i>knowing</i> that </div><div style="text-align: center;">With GOD all things are possible. Matthew 19:26</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>all this was . . . Not just a cleaver concept, but a Powerful Precept.<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>I saw all my potential, instead of my problem?<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>my Backstory is for GOD's Glory?<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>my cup is not empty, not half empty, not even half full, but abundantly overflowing?<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>I could see & <i>feel</i> the Beauty that GOD sees in me?<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>Transformation was not just a dream, but a Reality?<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i><i> </i>there really is a Happily Ever After?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">WHAT</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">IF</span></i></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-49707220913881258812012-05-10T10:59:00.005-07:002012-05-10T11:42:21.728-07:00GOD's Freshmen<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6DIo8L2LKXazP6bR0cgE2mXpFD92GkhsLVMx4nfv3yzEHmUZUm4Nsqz4fLV_PbWhqTaAjdW8fIKzU9csdLhmOXQ3xaoimMVuprXw9RpIff2EL9S-irDWST0hlM9J6LnGMEx-LrQQeYA/s1600/LinkCrew08_09+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6DIo8L2LKXazP6bR0cgE2mXpFD92GkhsLVMx4nfv3yzEHmUZUm4Nsqz4fLV_PbWhqTaAjdW8fIKzU9csdLhmOXQ3xaoimMVuprXw9RpIff2EL9S-irDWST0hlM9J6LnGMEx-LrQQeYA/s320/LinkCrew08_09+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">The more you know the more you know there is <i>still</i> so much <i>More</i> you need to know. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">~ Anissa Stark</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><b><br />
</b></span></i><br />
Just when your mind is full of so much information that you feel like there is just no more room for anything else you discover that you have way <i>more</i> questions than you do answers.<br />
Yikes!<br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>Have you ever felt this way?</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;"><b>Building Character through Patience.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"> Waiting on GOD is never a waste of time. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I really need to take the time to fully process all that GOD is teaching me.<br />
<br />
My current Journey with Jesus has led me to what I refer to as. . . </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>Freshmen Orientation</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Along with some other courageous sisters I have enrolled in an adventure of discovery hosted by Tonia Harrison.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">What deeply resonated with me is when Tonia wrote in her book on page 83 and mentioned in part 4 of her Video Series was that <i>"While we worry how fast we grow, GOD is concerned with how strong we grow."</i> That is <i>very</i> comforting when you are in your 40s discovering GOD's Kingdom Purpose for your life. There is a part of me that wishes I started this process 20 years ago, but all in GOD's time not ours right!<br />
<br />
I feel like I am a college freshmen in GOD's Kingdom Campus searching what to major in when there are sooo many great choices to choose from. Anyone else feel this way?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Overwhelming and Exciting at the same time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Much like a College Freshmen stepping on to campus for the <i>first</i> time.<br />
<br />
Praise the Lord for sending us Guidance Counselors such as Tonia Harrison, author of <i><b><a href="http://www.pathfinderministries.org/writing.html" target="_blank">Designed With Your Purpose in Mind</a></b> </i>to help us discover what to major in based upon our GOD given skills/talents/gifts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Are you an <i><a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/05/kingdom-campus.html" target="_blank"><b>Undeclared Christian</b></a></i>, hey I know how you feel!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I have been an Undeclared Christian wondering around in GOD's <b><i><a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/05/kingdom-campus.html" target="_blank">Kingdom Campus</a></i></b> for the past 15 years not quite sure what my unique purpose is, or what GOD is specifically calling me to do for Him.<br />
<br />
No matter what age or stage of life you are in right now sweet sisters this is <i>your</i> appointed time to discover and develop your major and master the unique skills/gifts/talents GOD has given you to successfully and joyfully serve Him by being a blessing to others.</span></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-47301537021611305862012-05-09T21:08:00.000-07:002012-05-09T21:08:57.478-07:00Bridge or Barrier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM6CzrgJXOjLqhpjSS29RXV4GiwffBxSC_T4qJQ_lPrzO4tiCFIWMW__QoVTeduGAjtKUiKEZWAjbFIWjZ2CdMigHxLzR6zxDKrjAFir8OUge9KecFjiq9og-g5zdLBM8_kIdrB3xHyo/s1600/cross+bridge.jpg-bridge-of-hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM6CzrgJXOjLqhpjSS29RXV4GiwffBxSC_T4qJQ_lPrzO4tiCFIWMW__QoVTeduGAjtKUiKEZWAjbFIWjZ2CdMigHxLzR6zxDKrjAFir8OUge9KecFjiq9og-g5zdLBM8_kIdrB3xHyo/s1600/cross+bridge.jpg-bridge-of-hope.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Are we a Bridge or Barrier to Christ?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Are all equally welcomed, or do we select who can get close to Christ?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Bridge<br />
<br />
<table cellspacing="5" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-size: 10pt; text-align: left;"><span class="hw" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">bridge<sup> 1</sup></span> <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="21" style="margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 1px;" width="13"><embed src="http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf" flashvars="sound_src=http://img.tfd.com/hm/mp3/B0479300.mp3" menu="false" width="13" height="21" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></object> <span class="pron" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(128, 158, 131); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; cursor: pointer;">(br<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/ibreve.gif" />j)</span><br />
<div class="pseg"><i>n.</i><br />
<div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><b>1. </b>A structure spanning and providing passage over a gap or barrier, such as a river or roadway.</div><div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><b>2. </b>Something resembling or analogous to this structure in form or function: <span class="illustration" style="color: #226699; font-style: italic;">a land bridge between the continents; a bridge of understanding between two countries.</span></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Barrier<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<h3 class="r g0" style="display: block; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="padding-bottom: 14px; padding-right: 15px;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">bar·ri·er</em></span><span style="font: normal normal normal smaller/normal 'Doulos SIL', Gentum, 'TITUS Cyberbit Basic', Junicode, 'Aborigonal Serif', 'Arial Unicode MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Chrysanthi Unicode'; padding-bottom: 7px;">/ˈbarēər/</span><div id="sound_flash" style="display: block; height: 0px; position: absolute; width: 0px;"></div><span class="speaker-icon-listen-off" id="speaker_icon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://ssl.gstatic.com/dictionary/static/images/icons/1/pronunciation.png); background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: inline-block; float: none; height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 0.55; vertical-align: bottom; width: 16px;"></span></h3><div class="s" style="color: #222222; max-width: 42em;"><table class="ts" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="color: #666666; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;" valign="top" width="80px">Noun:</td><td style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;" valign="top"><table class="ts" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 19px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A circumstance or obstacle that prevents communication or that keeps people or things apart: "a language barrier".</li>
</ol></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-11995633661221392032012-05-09T21:06:00.000-07:002012-05-09T21:06:14.041-07:00Where Are You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rWJ36d01yO2acf27m5ezZsmh8P08Mrh8bVuquxTrYWSHusrl5f1L6LoHTdlNN37cJRNO05H-RYglq9OM0Cc83yD7Qy4-TR-ri4tNvi1U-wpXNN-oU5IZQuSJlV2WpetwtWf6vf-GA0I/s1600/open-door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rWJ36d01yO2acf27m5ezZsmh8P08Mrh8bVuquxTrYWSHusrl5f1L6LoHTdlNN37cJRNO05H-RYglq9OM0Cc83yD7Qy4-TR-ri4tNvi1U-wpXNN-oU5IZQuSJlV2WpetwtWf6vf-GA0I/s320/open-door.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Imagine. . . </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a snap shot of your life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the above picture where are you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finish Painting the Picture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Describe your surroundings.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(the environment, the atmosphere, the temperature, etc)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">How are you feeling?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are you doing?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Is anyone with you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are your plans?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-62362159418562213292012-05-03T11:29:00.007-07:002012-05-10T10:50:36.504-07:00Kingdom Campus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIvK8OC-flEmq-hqxs4Hs_1ZNj3c4MMyjabEOP5AZFKPjLcsBktJ4v4QJC_qWUCVjfcdPRalZRTDygH9mQp6Kf5sUyMDIYMWJer0uc67nejRoe9A-hyF5vWd8Wh6pGiaGF6IBX7007GE/s1600/S456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIvK8OC-flEmq-hqxs4Hs_1ZNj3c4MMyjabEOP5AZFKPjLcsBktJ4v4QJC_qWUCVjfcdPRalZRTDygH9mQp6Kf5sUyMDIYMWJer0uc67nejRoe9A-hyF5vWd8Wh6pGiaGF6IBX7007GE/s1600/S456.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Well it's that time of year again, time to graduate!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Are you ready?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Are you ready to advance to the next level, and apply what you have learned these past few years?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Are you ready for a New Adventure? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">In GOD's Kingdom Campus here on earth there are so many wonderful choices to chose from, and it really can get overwhelming at times due to the uncertainty and lack of clarity of not knowing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">what should be my area of focus and concentration in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><i>this</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">season of my life, or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">what is my own specific Calling, and Purpose in His Kingdom</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Once we declared Christ as Savior, became a Believer, and received the gift of Salvation we thought there was nothing left to do except continuing to attend church, read the Bible, and get involved in church activities. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">That's all there is to the Christian Life right -- or is there something <i>more</i>?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Yes, Beloved Brothers and Sisters there is sooo much [<i>MORE]</i> to the Christian Life. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">There is a higher level of education, transformation, and unforeseen blessings awaiting us!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">It is essential that we discover what we are to Major in GOD's Kingdom Campus.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">The Undeclared Christian can experience the same sort of stress that comes from being an undeclared college student.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">The Undeclared Christian wonders aimlessly in GOD's Kingdom Campus with no specific direction or goal.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">The Undeclared Christian follows the lead of his/her friend/s and signs up to do what is popular.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">The Undeclared Christian faithfully attends class on a regular bases, does the assigned work, and has very good results, but is unfulfilled, because s/he remains <i>Undeclared</i>.<br />
<br />
As friends select a specific area to major in based on their GOD given talents, skills, and interests, and make future plans to graduate and advance to the next level, and apply what they have learned, the Undeclared Christian becomes disconnected, disheartened, depressed, and drops out because she lacks passion and purpose.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Lord help us to take an honest, brave, and courageous look at where we are in Your Kingdom Campus.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">How have I made progress these past 4 to 5 years? </div><div style="font-family: arial;">Have I declared a Major based on the unique talents that You gave me?</div><div style="font-family: arial;">What am I majoring in right now?<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Do I know all the different Majors available?</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Did you know that there are 8 different types of Majors in GOD's Kingdom Campus? I didn't.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Go to Romans 12:4-8 </div><div style="font-family: arial;">Prophecy</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Helps/Service</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Teaching</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Encouragement</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Mercy</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Giving</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Leadership</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Administration</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Each Major or Ministry Talent is equally valuable as the next.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Do you know which one you should major in?</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Wouldn't it be great if there was a Christian Aptitude Assessment to help discover which major is best for you?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Well there is. There is a fairly short Christian Aptitude Assessment found in the book <i><b><a href="http://www.pathfinderministries.org/writing.html" target="_blank">Designed With Your Purpose in Mind</a></b></i>, and this test alone is well worth the price of the book. Plus the very talented author Tonia Harrison serves as a Guidance Counselor to help discover and develop your Major, as well as suggests of how to best apply your talents/skills to their best potential to be a blessing to you to those you help, and to GOD. Tonia has a great video presentation going on right now! <b><i><a href="http://pathfinderministries.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Click Here</a></i></b>.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><i>"When you do the most of what you do best, you put a smile on GOD's face."</i> ~ Max Lucado</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Have you ever had a job that you were good at, but it was not good for you? It leads to burnout, because it is unfulfilling, you have no real passion for it, because it is not in the <i>major</i> you love. It is not utilizing your GOD given talents, skills, interests, and Divine Passion, thus it becomes mundane and meaningless. And the salary that once enticed you, now traps you.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Wouldn't it be great to do something you love and get paid for it!</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">Seek first the Kingdom of GOD, and all things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><a href="http://www.pathfinderministries.org/writing.html" target="_blank">Designed With Your Purpose in Mind</a></b></i> is a biblically based resource tool to help us discover what we should major in GOD's Kingdom Campus, and graduate with honors so that we may achieve the Abundant Life by answering our Calling, fulfilling our Purpose, and living in our Divine Destiny. </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;">The link above is where you can get your book. Please leave a comment to let us know how this resourceful tool has blessed you, and remember if it has blessed you to <i>"Share It Forward"</i> with your friends. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Anissa</div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-67430906669531021012012-04-20T09:43:00.001-07:002012-04-20T13:45:37.495-07:00Weary Traveler, Lay Your Burdens Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2OYMYKsgAiY-OkBdzAB-9OkKsb9DopCKS5FCM2DY8Qawqe64qcHpg56Fq-6OipPma7Q0hVD80m3_qXdMpqvDm2xpbdv0WJqfcjeiGw2RtrnWj9oaGcOFhqfgO2SG5ZqNyVuIboOiCew/s1600/Evert+Pieters+-+A+horse+drawn+cart+on+a+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2OYMYKsgAiY-OkBdzAB-9OkKsb9DopCKS5FCM2DY8Qawqe64qcHpg56Fq-6OipPma7Q0hVD80m3_qXdMpqvDm2xpbdv0WJqfcjeiGw2RtrnWj9oaGcOFhqfgO2SG5ZqNyVuIboOiCew/s320/Evert+Pieters+-+A+horse+drawn+cart+on+a+beach.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Life is an Amazing Adventure with so many gems to discover. Here is a new one that I just discovered, and I want to "Share It Forward" with you.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Weary Traveler, Lay Your Burdens Down.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A traveler was walking down the road laboring under the heavy burden he was carrying on his back. Along came a man with a horse-drawn cart. Pulling alongside the traveler, the cart driver said, "Sir, I see that you are carrying a heavy load and that it makes you weary. Wouldn't you rather ride in my cart than carry that heavy burden?"</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"Yes," the weary traveler said as he got into the cart. "Now I will no longer have to walk with this burden." A littler farther down the road the cart driver looked behind him and was quite astonished to see the traveler sitting in the cart still carrying his burden, held tightly on his back.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"Sir, why do you still bend under the weight of your burden when you could simply set it down?" he asked. "You have helped me so much already," said the traveler, "I would not want to impose on you any further."</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"But don't you see," replied the cart driver, "it would not be an imposition on me for you to put your burden down. Look at my horse; he is strong and willing. He was made to carry heavy burdens. Besides, <i>both</i> of you are now carrying your load, yet my horse will carry your load whether you do or not! So please put your burden down or you will wear yourself out and make my horse feel unappreciated."</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">* story from Angela Thomas's book, <i>Do You Think I'm Beautiful?</i></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Cast “all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).</span></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We can rely on God: “Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>is</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:4 KJV).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Jesus said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
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</span></div></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-40335805417900124132012-04-11T12:08:00.008-07:002012-04-19T18:17:08.706-07:00Beauty by Numbers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYiibSq9QnOepWXaK7HxbmOmTmz-6nQb0u15CdztmnAHGPa72HN3lCxO95TwBDSPCP_A2bx3E-i6JIzAgr-gfqHSUuKAP7fjgvZxKJ3Cq2BnAHVNcCyhKavoPMQEtXuAJ_0QMvcneIeQ/s1600/paintbynumbers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYiibSq9QnOepWXaK7HxbmOmTmz-6nQb0u15CdztmnAHGPa72HN3lCxO95TwBDSPCP_A2bx3E-i6JIzAgr-gfqHSUuKAP7fjgvZxKJ3Cq2BnAHVNcCyhKavoPMQEtXuAJ_0QMvcneIeQ/s320/paintbynumbers.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Do you remember as a child we had this thing called <i>Paint by Numbers?</i> Do you recall getting a outline drawing of one of your favorite images, and each part of that image had a designated number that corresponded to a specific color? All we had to do was match up the designated number to the corresponding specific color to create an exact spectacular copy of the original design. The original design on the front cover of the package was the standard we were to achieve. The Standard of Beauty. All we had to do is make sure we stayed in the lines.<br />
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Isn't interesting that all throughout our childhood, tween, teen, and young adult life, up to this <i>very</i> moment The Standard of Beauty is <i>still</i> about searching for the right designated number. From the top of our head to the bottom of our toes it is all about <i>Beauty by Numbers</i>.<br />
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When we step on the scale, we are searching for the Beauty by Numbers. In this case the lower the number the better the beauty, so we are led to believe by our society.<br />
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When we go to the department store, again we engage in the Beauty by Numbers. In high school Levis jeans were the thing. Levis where your numbers, waist size and length were printed on your back side for the entire world to see -- oh how I hated those! I actually tried rubbing the waste size out, I tried to create a "natural fade"so it wasn't obvious I was trying to cover up my waste size, and peers would not ridicule me for being embarrassed for showing my size. I think this was the start of wearing baggy over size shirts that would cover up the listed numbers. Although that did not stop one peer from lifting up the back of my shirt to try and find my numbers.<br />
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Every piece of clothing whether be a pair of pants, dress, shirt, skirt, underwear, or the dreaded bathing suit, once again the lower the number the better the beauty.<br />
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Then we walk on over to the bra department, still trapped in the relentless pursuit of Beauty by Numbers, yet <i>now</i> we add an additional element, The Beauty by Letters. The Industry's Standard of Beauty which society reinforces is a certain combination of an ideal number followed by and ideal letter. The experts advise that if our letter is not big enough they can fix that, or if our letter is too big they can fix that too, so that we can achieve the Standard of Beauty.<br />
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Even to the tips of our lashes, and the tips of our nails, to the bottom of our feet it is all about trying desperately to achieve Beauty by Numbers. Are my lashes abundantly luscious, long enough, and thick enough? Are my nails the right length and shape? How do I look in these shoes? Do these shoes make me look fat? Yes, even our feet have to be the right size and shape, and women are known to endure prolonged pain to achieve the Standard of Beauty.<br />
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Well it doesn't stop there. Our hair has to have just the right number, not too thin or too thick. Our eyes, must have the perfect size and shape, not too big, or too small. Our brows waxed or pluck, not too thin, and not too thick, not too long, and not too short. Our nose, must be the right shape & size again, not too thin, and not too thick, not too long, and not too short. Same with our lips, not too small, and not too big. Our fingers and toes, must be not too long, or too short, too thin, or too thick. And it goes on and on from the top of are head, to the tips of toes, and every place in between, adding here, subtracting there all to obtain the Standard of Beauty. So much of our lives are spent trying to achieve Beauty by Numbers.<br />
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I hope you will let me take this chance to paint a different picture of Beauty for you. A Beauty that is created by GOD. Our Holy Parent created each one of us with Intrinsic Beauty. We are not to live our lives as a copy, but be valued for our uniqueness. What the world views as flaws, GOD sees fabulous, just the way you are right in this <i>very</i> moment. From the top of our head to the tips of our toes, and all the places in between, GOD created each and every detail especially for you. You are not just a natural beauty, you are a Super Natural Beauty. You are GOD's Girl. His Beloved Darlin' Daughter. You are an Original Masterpiece, that GOD treasures so much that He paid the Ultimate Price.<br />
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When we begin to see ourselves the way GOD sees us we see <i>Beauty created by Love</i>.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlKfiGT3MFiJzGlIXWPhL1IGNNm_EWgoV_NuDHlE1t0RXGMeDXsTLmh0TnHpKpEJRf5RonNvxLAoZg95jP2yBxjkmNCMXLPooJuP__KVhYFbxbSB37J0uOVwmlkvBSt_aFCsJxDjAd80/s1600/il_fullxfull.298900394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlKfiGT3MFiJzGlIXWPhL1IGNNm_EWgoV_NuDHlE1t0RXGMeDXsTLmh0TnHpKpEJRf5RonNvxLAoZg95jP2yBxjkmNCMXLPooJuP__KVhYFbxbSB37J0uOVwmlkvBSt_aFCsJxDjAd80/s320/il_fullxfull.298900394.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first <i>Paint by Numbers </i>I remember having as a child was a horse. I didn't copy the example on the front cover of a beautiful palomino horse, and instead painted a dark brown buck skin with a black mane and tail. I guess I have always had a problem with others defining for me what Beauty is and what it is not. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Never forget you are an Original Beauty created by GOD's Love to be a Masterpiece of His Glory.<br />
<br />
The next time we are tempted to search for Beauty by Numbers,<br />
let us be gently reminded by the Holy Spirit that we are<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LOVE</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i>Now listen, Beloved Daughter of GOD, don't miss a word:</i><br />
<i>Forget your society's stand of beauty, put your past behind you.</i><br />
<i>Beloved Beauty, </i><i>The King of kings is enthralled with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">you</span>. He is wild about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">you</span>. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Psalm 45:11 - The Message Bible paraphrased by Anissa Stark<br />
<br />
If you like this Message, share it with your loved ones.<br />
"Share It Forward" on Facebook, and Twitter!</div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-36468479958368666992012-04-07T08:32:00.012-07:002012-04-07T19:42:44.359-07:00The Reason to Live<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfP7wriIDamlOpT0EAIeepDMtLfHrOErmRn4eDF5WdLoXU_DS3fwQZ4xkdb7ydIyGtM2rNy-IfXnqUg3iaCIS3VvBcFi4shxN8NVsigB19jBxS21PWREHvOszhbeplvG59E9hwu7G5gk/s1600/images-17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfP7wriIDamlOpT0EAIeepDMtLfHrOErmRn4eDF5WdLoXU_DS3fwQZ4xkdb7ydIyGtM2rNy-IfXnqUg3iaCIS3VvBcFi4shxN8NVsigB19jBxS21PWREHvOszhbeplvG59E9hwu7G5gk/s1600/images-17.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Do you know <i>all</i> the reasons Jesus Christ was Crucified? There is much <i>more</i> to The Story.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Most likely you have heard that Jesus Christ was Crucified for our sins -- this is True.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>AND</i> did you know that Christ was <i>also</i> Crucified for the Hideous Sins of <i>others</i> that were placed upon <i>Us? </i><br />
<br />
Hideous Lies from others that rob us from our true identity. Lies from our culture, or lies from an abusive person that took away so much. Those who abused us, who damaged or destroyed the very Image & Identity of <i>Who </i>we really are underneath all <i>their</i> sin. All of the sins of Verbal, Emotional, Psychological, and all types of Physical Abuse that cause a Damaged, and Deeply Wounded Soul, these are the toxic things we are not meant to carry, and Christ came to set us Free. </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
The <i>Sins of Others</i>, the message of toxic lies that said we are a mistake, a burden, lesser than, not good enough, unimportant, damaged goods, worthless, and unloveable. Lies that we believed about ourselves that damaged or destroyed our Identity, Passion and Purpose. These Sins of <i>others</i> damaged or destroyed the Person we should have been, and could have been had they not put <i>their</i> Sins upon us.<br />
<br />
It is not too late my friend, to be free of the damage of the <i>Sins of Others</i>. There is no wound too deep that the Healing Holy Love of GOD can not Heal.<br />
<br />
Christ Loves us sooo VERY much, and wants to wash us clean of these Toxic Filthy Sins of <i>others</i>. Wash them down the drain, and back to hell where they belong. We walk around with the wounds that others caused by their sins. Their sins are not our sins. When we carry the sins of others we are held Captive by the Echos of Abuse that weigh us down, and prevent us from moving forward to discover the wonderful things that GOD has planned for us. Jeremiah 29:11<br />
<br />
Although we know that we were not to blame for the sins of others, we can still carry the shame.<br />
<br />
Every wound we carry holds inside it the Sin of the one who inflicted it upon us. Place <i>that </i>Sin, <i>The Sin of Others</i> at the foot of the Cross. Nail it to the Cross, it does <i>Not</i> belong to You. It is <i>Not</i> our Sin, but the Abuser's. The Sin belongs to the Abusers, it is their's and belongs to <i>Them</i>. Let Jesus release you from it. And by releasing the Sins of others our wounds have the ability to heal, because the deadly infection that prevents healing is <i>now </i>gone.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Christ was Crucified for Healing and Restoration. Our <i>True</i> Self, the one God created us to be is <i>Not</i> Lost forever, and can be Resurrected, Recovered, and Restored through Jesus.<br />
<br />
Beloved, GOD knows what we have been through, He understands <i>more</i> than any other.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Let's look at <i>how</i> Christ was Tortured & Crucified for our Healing.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">First He was Innocent of committing <i>any</i> Crime of <i>any</i> wrong doing.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Have you ever been blamed for something that was not <i>your</i> fault?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Have you been attacked for something you did not do or say?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus has felt <i>your</i> pain.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Have you ever been isolated, rejected, and alienated by the ones you love?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus knows <i>your</i> pain.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Have you been repeatedly tortured verbally, emotionally, psychologically, and physically to the point that it has deeply wounded you, damaged you, devastated you, and destroyed you, until you feel like you have no life left?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus knows <i>your</i> pain.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">These are Verifiable and Undeniable Facts:</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Christ had thorns stabbed & violently forced into His Head.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">His Head was tortured, so that ours could be Healed, and Set Free from what tortures us.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Has your Mind been tortured from Pain of the Past?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Is your Mind being currently tortured & suffereing from the abuse of Toxic People?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus knows <i>your</i> pain.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">His arms were stretched out wide, because His heart is open wide, so that ours too can be open wide, and deeply feel Amazing Holy Healing Love.<br />
<br />
Have you ever felt afraid to Love or be Loved?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Have you been deeply wounded by others that you prevent Love from getting to the<i>deepest </i>part of your Heart & Soul, and you are unable to feel Amazing Joy?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Do you block yourself off from others in fear that if you are vulnerable they will use and abuse you like others have done?<br />
Is there a wall or barrier that only allows people to get so close? Close enough to be friendly, but not close enough to find out what is going on in our life?<br />
Have you been burned by others, and are afraid you will be burned again?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Christ's hands were nailed, and His feet were nailed preventing Him to Move, or to do anything.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Have you ever felt like you were stuck, and unable to Move, or get away from those who are causing you harm? Have you felt stuck in your situation and unable to move? Is there something holding you back, but you are unsure what it is, and afraid to look to find out? Do you know that you were called to do more, but you just can't move beyond this point?<br />
<br />
Jesus knows <i>your</i> pain.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Has your Life become stagnate?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Have you ever felt like you could not do or say anything right and that the things you do are not Good Enough? That you don't even want to try any more, because things seem to go wrong.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Are you afraid to do something new, because you might fail?<br />
Do you feel helpless to change your situation?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Are you frozen in fear, and feel like you can't move or change your life and you are stuck?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus knows <i>your</i> pain.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Have you ever felt that People don't know who you are? Do you explain over and over and over again and others just don't <i>see</i> what you mean? Do others fail to get it, or recognize what you are trying to say or do for them? Do you feel that others don't understand or appreciate you? Do you feel that others don't respect anything you do or say, no matter how much you sacrifice everything to help them?<br />
<br />
Jesus knows <i>your</i> pain.<br />
<br />
Have you ever felt like no one understands or knows what you are going through?<br />
<br />
Have you ever felt that others don't <i>see</i> your Value or Worth? Do you doubt your own Value & Worth? Do you doubt your own Strength? Have you felt alone, dejected, rejected, abandoned & forsaken?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus <i>knows</i> our Pain because He has <i>felt</i> our Pain. He was misunderstood, abused, dejected, rejected, abandoned & forsaken, tortured & crucified, so that we could be Healed, Redeemed, Restored, and Transformed through His Amazing Holy Love.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">People have asked me, How is it that I endured and survived all that I did and have the ability to <i>Fully</i> enjoy Life and <i>Freely</i> Love Others and <i>Accept</i> Love from Others?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Where does <i>that</i> Resilience, Courage, Strength, and Love come from?</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Rent the Passion of the Christ tonight and you will find out. Watch it and actually <i>see</i> what Jesus went through for <i>each</i> of us. What Amazing Holy Love does for us.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you ever questioned, like I did, if God loves you, or even how much does God Love </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, or for a Wonderful Reminder, give yourself the Blessing of Watching </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Passion of the Christ</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Even if you have seen it before, or even if you have heard about how this Movie ends, I assure you that knowing the ending is definitely </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Not</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> a Spoiler. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">atch </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Passion of the Christ</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, because you owe it to yourself, it will be a Great Gift to yourself, and you are </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">More</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> than Worth It.<br />
<br />
Do not get hung up on who directed the Movie, but enjoy the Movie, because it demonstrates just <i>how</i> much </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">are Worth.</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Christ was Crucified so that we can be Healed, Made Whole, Restored, and even <i>Better </i>than before we suffered all this abuse, and most importantly, so that Captives can be set Free from the Echos of Abuse.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Christ wants to wash away all those horrible Sins of Others that we still carry with us & deep within us. Won't you let Him wash them away? Won't you allow Him to take them away, so that you can once and for all be Totally <i>Free</i> of them? You can be released from the Sins of others. I pray you will allow Jesus to remove the Sins of others that prevent your wounds from healing.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus was deeply wounded, so <i>our</i> wounds could heal.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Jesus did not die for Junk or Garbage, He gave His very Life for those He Treasures.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">You and I are the Reason Jesus paid the Ultimate Price, because He Values us <i>that </i>MUCH.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qrPAZbD6fG0" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Resurrection is not only about the Lost being Found, but also the Found laying their burdens down.</b></span></b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>May this Easter be unlike any other before it. May you receive a Miracle this Easter.</b></div><div><b>May you have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #663366;">New Life</span> this Resurrection Day.</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-8946930645078700862012-04-02T17:06:00.001-07:002012-04-03T08:32:51.744-07:00When to Submit and When to Quit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7hdtVo5kinuPde3nPEY5iWQrD7rhoprnHHbsYBjAWSQLX8Ci65R_ZcA7k0RQwj0tX6CegL5lY5D3_Alny-CpZ_5R21n97JuZB9SdeS4xrKottICRgHQdso1UvS7bP54gDDP9cNffSdo/s1600/thelma-and-louise-off-a-cliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7hdtVo5kinuPde3nPEY5iWQrD7rhoprnHHbsYBjAWSQLX8Ci65R_ZcA7k0RQwj0tX6CegL5lY5D3_Alny-CpZ_5R21n97JuZB9SdeS4xrKottICRgHQdso1UvS7bP54gDDP9cNffSdo/s1600/thelma-and-louise-off-a-cliff.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Revisiting the Vacation from Hell<br />
<br />
Family Dysfunction leads to Destruction.<br />
<br />
Just how bad can it be when your spouse struggles with maintaining strong boundaries?<br />
<br />
A few years ago the entire family decided we would travel up north to visit Grandma, Christopher's Grandma. Christopher & his Dad, pretty much entirely his Dad, planned the complete trip. Christopher drove our mini-van with Carissa, in the car seat behind her Daddy, her Auntie D (Christopher's Sister) at Carissa's right, and me upfront in the passenger seat. Dad (Christopher's Dad) drove Christopher's Mom, two siblings, one friend, and himself in the other car. Dad planned out everything. Departure time from his house, gas stops in between which was the only time when we would stop to go to the bathroom, and only one meal break, all so that we could maintain a very rigid scheduled time. This over controlling behavior happened on the way to grandma's and coming home from grandma's, and the entire time we were visiting grandma.<br />
<br />
This is bad enough, but it gets worse. Carissa was under 2 at the time, recently achieved potty training, and was only wearing a pull-up diaper in case of an accident while traveling. Well of course the inevitable happened, Carissa had to go potty before one of Dad's scheduled stops for gas fill-up.<br />
<br />
Here is where it all went wrong. Christopher <i>asked</i> if his Dad, or anyone else in his Dad's car needed to make a stop? They said no. When you put your statement in the form of a question you are you are giving others the opportunity to make decisions effecting your life. Some decisions in life need to be made without the impute of others. Our decisions are not based on other people's approval, they are based solely on what GOD would want us to do in a given situation. Again Christopher <i>asked</i> a question, Can we make a stop, because Carissa has to go to the bathroom? His Dad complained about how the unscheduled plan would put us behind schedule, and that he wanted to get through the pass area by a certain time, etc. Meanwhile, a little toddler in the back seat is desperately pleading with her Daddy, and saying she has to go potty.<br />
<br />
Now I am stuck in the middle, my hubby is honoring and submitting to his Dad's horrible decision, and saying that we are not going to pull over, and Christopher is now making a terrible choice by agreeing and supporting his Dad's horrible decision. As a Christian Women we are taught to submit to our husbands, but what if the very thing they are doing is harmful?<br />
<br />
Christopher tells Carissa to go in her pull-up diaper. Now it is one thing if your child has to go potty, and you can't pull over, but it is a completely different situation when your child has to go to the bathroom, and you <i>wont</i> pull over. Imagine the confusion of mixed messages, and internal stress that causes a little girl. This entire time we have been telling her how important it is for her to control her body functions, to use the toilet, and how she has become a big girl, because she uses the potty, and now her Daddy is telling her to go ahead and wet herself.<br />
<br />
I was sick to my stomach, everything inside of me was telling me that what my hubby was telling Carissa to do was wrong. However, I enabled his terrible decision, and I submitted telling Carissa, go head honey it is okay to go potty in your pull-up diaper. Then the Holy Spirit said <b><i>STOP</i></b>. So I said, Wait a minute, told Christopher to pull over at the very next exit. He said he had to tell his Dad <i>first</i>, I said, NO you pull on over, and Dad will figure it out. Carissa needs to go potty right now, so pull over right <i>NOW</i>.<br />
<br />
As I grab Carissa's pink plastic potty, I see that the bathroom is far away, so I get her out of her car seat, place the pink potty down, and she uses her potty just in the nick of time without a second to waste.<br />
<br />
To make matters even worse, I hear my hubby apologizing to his Dad, and the others in the car for having to make an unplanned stop and slowing everyone down.<br />
<br />
We get back on the road, and resume our travels. Eating the snacks in the car for lunch and taking the scheduled stops for gas fill-up. I reminded everyone that Carissa will try and go potty at the scheduled gas fill-ups, but if she can't go she can't go, and if she has to go later before we will stop even though it is not scheduled. Eventually it becomes dinner time, and I see Carissa is fading fast, and she is going to fall asleep soon without dinner. I tell Christopher we need to stop for dinner, so that Carissa can have a regular healthy meal before she goes to bed for the night. Of course this did not line up with what Dad had planned. He wanted us to pull through a drive though, yet the only ones we saw coming up were fast food, and not healthy choices. Of course, Christopher is once again caught between honoring and submitting to what his Dad wants, or what his family needs. There was some disagreement between Christopher and I and we eventually pulled over for dinner.<br />
<br />
We told his Dad to travel on without us, but they decided to join us for dinner, yet they were not going to eat because they were not hungry yet. We had to agree that we would stop, and join them when they were ready to have dinner. We agreed, and said we will have dessert when they have dinner. By the time our dinner arrives, of course the others are now hungry, and they order what they want, which the cook has to fix, and it prolongs the process, and slows us down even more. Had they ordered when we ordered they would not have slowed us down.<br />
<br />
Since they now decided to eat dinner, and we were not going to stop again later Carissa and I decide we will have dessert. Christopher's Dad says it has to be something fast, so we can get back on the road as soon as the others are done eating. The Bible tells us to honor and respect our parents, but we are not to be their puppets that they can control and manipulate to do anything and everything they want. We do have the right to have a mind of our own, and choose what kind of dessert we are going to eat.<br />
<br />
Christopher supports me and tells me to order what we would like, so I order the apple cobbler ala mode. Dad is very grumpy, and I watch others in the family trying to tell him to just drop it. Carissa is sooo very tired, I take her to the Ladies' room, and get her ready for bed, come back out to see Dad still upset as ever, and I have no appetite to finish the dessert. Christopher noticed that I only took a few bites, and says, Are you sure you are done? And I say, yeah I am done for sure. We get back in the car and I explain how all this Family Dysfunction has not only destroyed my appetite for dessert, but this has been noVacation, and instead has been a trip to Hell.<br />
<br />
As Christian Men and Women we are taught to honor our parents, but what if our parents are dishonoring our spouse?<br />
<br />
As Christian Women we are taught to submit to our husbands, but what if what they are doing is harmful? What is a good Christian Woman to do?<br />
<br />
Turn to GOD and His Holy Word.<br />
<br />
This explains why a man leaves his father and mother, and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Genesis 2:24 (NLT)<br />
<br />
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother, and be united to his wife. Mark 10:7 (NIV)<br />
<br />
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh. Ephesians 5:31 (King James Bible)<br />
<br />
When our husbands are going against GOD, doing or asking us to do something unrighteous, unholy, and harmful, <i>we do not submit we quit.</i> We continue to be submitted to GOD, and if our husbands sin against GOD, we do <i>not</i> enable his sinning by <i>also</i> going against GOD, and submitting to an unrighteous and harmful decision/person.<br />
<br />
Last night Christopher and I <i>Revisiting the Vacation from Hell</i>, and discussed how the long-term effects of him being the adult child of an alcoholic has taken a toll on our marriage and family. We talked about how his Family of Origin's Dysfunction is leading to his Family of Creation's Destruction.<br />
<br />
Christopher realized how he has sinned against GOD by failing to protect his family from harm. Christopher is getting professional help to break the Legacy of Dysfunction. Christopher and I are also getting marriage counseling to help heal the damage and break the dysfunctional patterns. Christopher & I hope that in sharing some of the details of our struggles it may help others.<br />
<br />
And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 (NLT)<br />
<br />
And Sisters in Christ, when your hubby is not submitting to GOD, and sinning against GOD by making choices that will bring harm to you & your family -- <i>Don't submit, Quit!</i><br />
<br />
When the leader of the family has broken boundaries, and is driving his family off the cliff, --<i>Don't submit, Quit!</i><br />
<br />
Pay attention to the warning signs otherwise it will be Destination Devastation.<br />
<br />
May the Son's Light help you avoid the pit falls, keep you safe, and direct your path through the Wilderness and into the Promise Land.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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</tbody></table>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-65169034934489619902012-04-02T09:45:00.002-07:002012-04-02T09:56:54.795-07:00Momentum Mondays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjFYHFrD40LTys_0loKFwJz-NcGcI3Nxf6obTyYwWXVGhtZv93GwHNyjmBp7tHL-yHu0oHUH46FXIJ-o1tc-wqfxHUZSKF3rhYUYT5UeLDza1-53Bg01H3cYUC-RAFeBqok3DeDW3c08/s1600/Too-Many-distractions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjFYHFrD40LTys_0loKFwJz-NcGcI3Nxf6obTyYwWXVGhtZv93GwHNyjmBp7tHL-yHu0oHUH46FXIJ-o1tc-wqfxHUZSKF3rhYUYT5UeLDza1-53Bg01H3cYUC-RAFeBqok3DeDW3c08/s320/Too-Many-distractions.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>"Think of these two things: attention and inhibition.....focus on what is important AND limit what will take you away. If you do those two things, you will get way further down the road than if you omit one or both of them." ~ Dr. Henry Cloud<br />
<br />
Another name for inhibition is avoidance.<br />
To remove our inhibitions, we must ask ourselves; <i>What am I avoiding?</i><br />
<br />
It could be little things like doing the dishes, or it could be bigger things like doing the dishes to avoid having a discussion.<br />
<br />
"Inhibition gets in the way of our Vision & Mission. Our Attention creates our Direction. Spiritual Discernment and Righteous Choices leads to Victory." ~ Anissa Stark<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">What an amazing gift Henry has given all of us to empower, and take control of our lives. Here are some gems of truth to create Momentum this Monday. Read it and find insight and necessary energy to move closer to your goal/s. ♥ Anissa</span><br />
<div class="attachmentUnit" style="border-left-color: rgb(192, 201, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><div class="statusUnit" style="padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><div class="tlTxFe" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4f79d23b6540e6e80858668" style="display: inline;">In reaching a desired outcome, science has taught us that the brain must do some specific functions....among these are attention and inhibition. For example, if you are going to make a cup of coffee, you must attend to finding the kitchen, turning on the coffee maker, etc. AND inhibiting yourself from stopping midstream when you think of watching TV. Attend to the task at hand, AND inhibit other w<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ishes or desires from interfering. Seems simple enough, but we do not think of it often when there is something bigger, more complex, and more difficult than making a cup of coffee. And, we must, if we are ever going to accomplish those more difficult desires.<br />
<br />
For example, let's say that you want to build a good relationship, or reach a career goal, or a health goal, and you have been struggling in your attempt. If you are stuck, look to these two areas for what is wrong: attention and inhibition. If you are not reaching your goal, chances are that one of these is breaking down.<br />
<br />
First, ask yourself, "what am I doing that MAKES me attend to, or focus, on what is important?" If it is a relationship, is there a structured time and place where you get together with the person to invest in the things that will build your relationship? If you are trying to work through something difficult is there a time and place to do that, like with a counselor? Or maybe a relationship group or study group that attends to what you need to work on? Provides focus?<br />
<br />
Second, have you identified the impulses and desires that must be inhibited in order to build that relationship? You might love shopping, fishing, web surfing, etc. and get distracted by easier things to do, not giving the relationship the time that it needs in order to thrive. In essence, you walk out of the kitchen and don't finish the coffee because a different desire distracted you.<br />
<br />
Same is true for a career or health goal. You need some force and some structure to help you stay attuned, focused and attended to the need, AND you need to identify the distractions that take you away and must be inhibited. Remove the distractions before they can get to you, and you will do better. Simple example, when I am writing, I must turn off my e mail application and web browser in order to inhibit distraction.<br />
<br />
Think of these two things: attention and inhibition.....focus on what is important AND limit what will take you away. If you do those two things, you will get way further down the road than if you omit one or both of them.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<br />
Henry</span></div></div></div></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-66829845903272946612012-03-31T17:52:00.001-07:002012-03-31T17:53:13.304-07:00Getting Dumped On<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhSc2bYrLW1t6j8-_Etj9YySD6bQ9gdaxsnvbYhRo3zz_3Cy-deQPIbhDjIWnRvxLlJoqUaHhogzEofDg2ozXR-7C6KN8PX7jnsOVMKYsF9EdNpzdKFOwfA3uWM6AQvyHLatJaTJdywQ/s1600/images-16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhSc2bYrLW1t6j8-_Etj9YySD6bQ9gdaxsnvbYhRo3zz_3Cy-deQPIbhDjIWnRvxLlJoqUaHhogzEofDg2ozXR-7C6KN8PX7jnsOVMKYsF9EdNpzdKFOwfA3uWM6AQvyHLatJaTJdywQ/s1600/images-16.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Last night I had a dream of a huge large dump trunk delivering the contents to my home, and dumping tons of rotten decaying stinkin lemons on my front lawn!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Okay my front lawn is covered in stinkin rotten garbage. I get the symbolism and the analogy that we unexpectedly get dumped on by other people's rotten decaying garbage that they wont get rid of, and everyone expects me to clean it up. Well that stinks!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I get it Papa GOD, Life can be Rotten & Bitter.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Papa I am so very sick and tired of trying to clean up other people's garbage.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And Papa says, Honey you can not change other people's problems, that is not the Purpose.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Papa, What am I to do?</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Gather up all those rotten stickin decaying lemons hold them up to the Son's Light, and watch them all be restored and transformed into something wonderful. WOW!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Life can be Rotten, but I don't have to be.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Life can be Bitter, but I don't have to be.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Life can be Rotten and Bitter, but GOD makes it Better, and transforms one stinkin lemon at a time.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZPGYOXJVab7WYVlJ-_6m1KCXOgvsZDKPqNIyNr_tJOylcy0znu0gGQ2G-v7K-64GWklAyy7Z05up2j9Yb84OdkLNiMcALLyh4pPMqdvwgWacmByi9G8CPw-PzWLZHwTc2zYtHgEsw0I/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZPGYOXJVab7WYVlJ-_6m1KCXOgvsZDKPqNIyNr_tJOylcy0znu0gGQ2G-v7K-64GWklAyy7Z05up2j9Yb84OdkLNiMcALLyh4pPMqdvwgWacmByi9G8CPw-PzWLZHwTc2zYtHgEsw0I/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lemonade Anyone?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What do you do when you get dumped on?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When life gives you lemons. . . make lemonade.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What is your recipe for making lemonade?</span><br />
</div></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-19842060108994819432012-03-29T13:30:00.007-07:002012-04-02T08:31:01.391-07:00When You Crawl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoMB14jcGWNBIynLIHXoZ1bBsT9V9lgE4QigFjfGsLLFLr5vFM8T_QLFli4jDsslK5Uf8AXdSfqE8AoHK7wvGPkTD9wI7LyVcYpqNQLHVOABj9W0b6eFzwveFDf6Zt3ilchOKkFeW5-Y/s1600/3180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoMB14jcGWNBIynLIHXoZ1bBsT9V9lgE4QigFjfGsLLFLr5vFM8T_QLFli4jDsslK5Uf8AXdSfqE8AoHK7wvGPkTD9wI7LyVcYpqNQLHVOABj9W0b6eFzwveFDf6Zt3ilchOKkFeW5-Y/s1600/3180.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"As in the days when you left Egypt, I will show you wonders" <span class="glossary_item" glossary_item="16152" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Micah</span> 7:15.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">In August of 2009 I came to one of the most difficult decision of my life, and that was to have no contact with an unrepentant abusive reprobate parent, my biological mom who my entire life found pleasure in causing me pain, hence lacked remorse for the things she did and said, and to this day has not repent, thus making her an unsafe person to be around, so we have no contact with her in order to be safe from her abuse.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Although Freedom from Abuse was the Promise Land I longed for all my life, it was very hard to cut all ties to Pharaoh. I can relate to Mosses's struggle to leave Egypt and captivity. Unlike Mosses I did not have a position of power, and was the unrepentant abusive parent's number one whipping girl who received the majority of the whippings/attacks, and longed to be free from the bondage of abuse. I thought if only I loved the Momster enough she would see the harm she was doing, stop abusing us, and actually become a loving mom, hey I would have settled for just a mom who would stop abusing me. She didn't have to be loving and nurturing, just stop finding every change she could to bring me down and keep me down. I thought College was the Promise Land, a way for me to escape. However, I was not ready to totally cut ties, and returned to captivity the abusive ruler called the Momster in order to visit my siblings and in hope that the Momster would change, but she would not. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Mosses had mixed emotions, confusion about his true identity and loyalty, and longed for Pharaoh to repentant, and set GOD's People, his people free. Mosses had to accept the truth that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Pharaoh would do anything to maintain his power, and keep the Israelites in slavery. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">In the dessert place Mosses became a Man of GOD, accepted his Unique Purpose to fulfill the Divine Destiny that GOD had placed before him. Mosses had to stay focused on what GOD told him to do, and leave no matter what it took to have freedom from captivity. Mosses saw his personal problems, a stuttering problem, but GOD knew Mosses's potential and purpose, and told Mosses he is the chosen by GOD to lead his people about of captivity, through the wilderness, and into the Promise Land. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Not everyone supported Mosses, many tried to discourage him, and prevent him from doing what he must do. I am sure that during the process it crossed Mosses's mind to just give up, and have GOD just pick someone else to set the captives free. However, Mosses lined himself up with GOD, and was transformed through Supernatural Strengthening, because he was humble, and surrendered all to be GOD's messenger and servant to lead his people out of captivity.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Did Mosses always get it right? No he stumbled and fumbled did things his way instead of GOD's, but GOD is not looking for perfect people, only imperfect people who know their purpose to fulfill GOD's Perfect Plan, and lead others into the Promised Land.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I can so relate to the journey of the Israelites. Longing for Freedom, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Pharaoh refusing to set them free, the fear and uncertainty that eventually arises from not having <i>any</i> idea where you are going to, only that you are leaving something very horrible behind. Facing an ocean of roadblocks that appear to prevent you from going any further, looking behind, and seeing how the enemy is after you not only to put you back in bondage, but to kill you and the ones you love. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">How blessed they were to see GOD miraculously part an ocean of obstacles, and provide them with safe passage. The enemy thought they had won and you were trapped, now find that they are the ones that will be destroyed in the end. Discovering just how long and massive the wilderness is, wondering if you should return to Egypt? Experiencing both good and bad days in the wilderness, and learning to become Righteous and follow GOD's Divine Directions, and experiencing that GOD will provide all our needs. Longing to enter into the Promise Land free from Dysfunction and Abuse. Learning that being in the Promise Land comes with Great Responsibility, most importantly to create a Legacy of Love for your children and future generations, and to teach them that this life in the Promise Land is not possible without GOD.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I have another blog called <a href="http://dealingwithtoxicpeople.blogspot.com/2009/08/freedom-from-toxic-people.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Dealing with Toxic People</b></i> </a>which journals my journey out of the pain of the past that held me in bondage, captivity, and in the wilderness. The following is from a post I wrote in March 2010. It is a wonder to <i>now</i> be once <i>again</i> in the month of March getting Marching Orders to leave the captivity that has plagued my husband, our marriage, and family.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Once again the following is what I wrote about leaving my captivity ruled by the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Pharaoh I refer to as The Momster, and how I was encouraging others to escape from their own personal Pharaoh. I have people from all walks of life visit my blog. From devout Christians to Atheists. Some of the greatest compliments I have ever received where from people telling me that I showed them a Jesus they have never met before. Some of those comments came from people that have left their faith, turned their backs on GOD, because they thought GOD turned His back on them by giving him/her an abusive parent/s, or an abusive spouse, or someone else in their life that misrepresented Christ in various abusive ways to them. After sharing my experiences and "Journey with Jesus" some of the compliments were as followed; "Thank You for telling me about & showing me the real Jesus for the first time in my life. I am beginning to read my Bible again, I am looking to find out more about Him, I am re-dedicating my life, I am returning to my Faith, and I am looking for a church to attend. I use to be an atheist. I use to be an agnostic. I am a person of another religion and different faith, but your Jesus is very interesting to me."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Here is what I wrote 2 years ago this very month.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">Fear not the change of going No Contact [no contact with the abusive toxic person in their lives], with God all things are possible, and if I can do it, so can you. If He held </span><i>my</i> hand He will hold <i>yours</i> too. You don't have to be a card carrying Super Christian with perfect church attendance for Him to help you, you don't have to belong to a specific religion, you don't have to come from a perfect family background, you don't have to be as innocent & pure as the day you were born or of a certain sexual orientation, or any other lie people try to tell you or the devil whispers in your ear. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We can hit our very rock bottom and sink so low according to society's standards, but<i> there is no depth too deep for Jesus</i>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even if you feel like you have sold your very soul, Jesus will buy it back, and make things new again. The very second you turn to Him, you wont have to wait a second for Him to arrive. You will notice He has been there the <i>entire </i>time waiting for <i>you</i>. Those dark days when you are crawling, <i>know</i> that <i>He</i> is there crawling <i>with</i> you. When He reaches out His hand, all you have to do is grab it and if you are too weak to reach for Him, He will reach for you, if you allow Him, He will carry you through. There is saftey in the Savior's loving arms. <i>And if you have to crawl, He will crawl too! </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">GOD is with you. Feel His Presence. Let Him unlock the chains that keep you in captivity. Let Him take you through the Wilderness, providing and protecting you, and preparing you to enter into the Promise Land. This is about ending the Legacy of Abuse, and having the Blessing of the Legacy of Love, and an Abundant Life with Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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</span>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-53825601193966333042012-03-28T10:27:00.012-07:002012-03-29T07:43:37.403-07:00Where did it all go wrong?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uWoxqSX_rm2iLylxrmohCHq14PHBin8X5xGre4AtFi_z44MBV0F7YwxmRhTpcbrQ0GyCYnHdf8vrSM02R4EOR5VsPTQ_6z3HCAvmxOTHvFjUDrnLS9yl3h83tWPUAp2x0z3Dg33Nma0/s1600/GoodIntentions-e1300775556387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uWoxqSX_rm2iLylxrmohCHq14PHBin8X5xGre4AtFi_z44MBV0F7YwxmRhTpcbrQ0GyCYnHdf8vrSM02R4EOR5VsPTQ_6z3HCAvmxOTHvFjUDrnLS9yl3h83tWPUAp2x0z3Dg33Nma0/s320/GoodIntentions-e1300775556387.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever experience how the enemy can turn a good intention into a bad situation?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yup we had a blow up this morning!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is so very complicated, especially when you and your own family are connected to the entanglement of extended family members. In short it is hard to do spring cleaning when other people (your spouse, and our extended family members) insist on holding on to family baggage, that not only weighs everyone down, keeps everyone from moving forward, but it also can become toxic, and can contaminate what you are trying to create, nurture, and grow in your own core family unit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From unraveling to revealing to restoring and transforming. I pray that sharing the personal details of my life might help someone else is some way. The biggest challenge Church World faces is that we have turned Sunday Morning Service, and the following fellowship time into a Masquerade Ball. Very few Christians are willing to reveal what is going on in their lives. Even Christian writers giving advice on certain topics speak in general terms. Perhaps it's just me, but I learn best from clear specific detailed examples. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my personal family mottos is that "Let's get Real, in order to Deal, so that GOD can Heal, and Reveal. GOD has Great Plans for all of us. We are not to pass down from one generation to the next the Dysfunctional Dance that slowly Destroys Families. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this Season of my life a reoccurring theme is The Pruning Process. When we refuse to allow GOD to prune our lives, then we can not live to our fullest potential. Just like the Israelites, our pride will keep us from entering to the Promise Land. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have to ask GOD for Spiritual Discernment to determine what is dead weight, what are things we need to hold onto, and what are the things we need to prune?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is an Extraordinary long post, because it contains all the extra details. I believe we are to share the details of our lives with one another.</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning as I am getting Carissa's lunch ready, I am behind schedule, because I have to unexpectedly wash and dry her chapel shirt before I take her to school. So very rushed for time, not a minute to waste, and my handsome hubby thinks he is going to help by stating the obvious which triggered a revisiting discussion of a bad situation we had between each other this past weekend, due to poor communication as well as family baggage. </span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the blow up and fall out, Pride, Egos and Feelings were hurt on both sides, and hubby storms out the front door, and slams it shut as he heads off to work. </span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa says, "Mommy I don't like it when you and Daddy argue and fight". Now to put this in proper context, this exchange was absent of name calling, yelling and screaming. It was not a horrible event, but it was bad enough that it requires introspection, and Holy Spirit conviction.</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From a wife's perspective, our handsome husbands have a very low threshold, or tolerance for our constructive criticism. Other people can be much more critical, disrespectfully cross the line, and our husbands can handle it, yet if we point out a dent in their armor, well at times all hell can break loose. I never understood this, until GOD showed me the deep desires of my husband's heart is to be my Hero. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The movie <a href="http://www.courageousthemovie.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Courageous</i></b></a> has blessed me, my hubby, our marriage, and our family in countless ways. GOD uses the movie Courageous to reveal the desires of a husband's heart is to be our Hero, our Protector, our Provider, and our Prince. Seeing things from his perspective is something I need to keep in mind and in my heart, so that I never forget that he is truly my teammate, my best friend, my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">soulmate, the one GOD chose to be my husband, and my hero.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to the Blow Up to illustrate how satan's evil agenda is to turn a family into a foe.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My comment to my handsome hubby Christopher was "stating the obvious does not help, it actually hurts, and slows me down. It is another example of Double Thinking" Double Thinking is a term I used to describe my hubby going behind me, and re-doing something that I had done, or was in the process of doing. It is a practice he picked up as a child watching his own parents interact. In his mind he thinks he is being helpful, and from my perspective it sent me the message that what I am doing is "not good enough" a daily message I received from my very abusive parent as a child. </span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Christopher is driving to work, and I am waiting for Carissa's shirt to dry, I bet my handsome hubby and I are thinking the very same thing, about this morning's blow up. . . </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Where did it all go wrong?</i></span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really want to create the Proper perspective, from my child's point of view she experiences and witnesses her parents respecting, appreciating, valuing, praising, and loving one another both with words and deeds on a daily basis -- <i>most</i> of the time, so anything out of the ordinary exchange of loving attitudes, and behaviors looks pretty bad from her perspective. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I took Carissa to school as we waited for her shirt to dry I had the opportunity to explain to her, and distinguish between </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a disagreement, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">an argument, and a fight. Basically I explained to my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beauty who is in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kindergarten that when two or more people fight with one another they are being mean, like calling names, saying bad things about each other, they say horrible things, and can do horrible things like physically hurt one another. When someone says something harmful or does something harmful, like physically hurting us that is called abuse. It is not safe to be around people who are abusing one another. Mommy & Daddy would never abuse one another, that is why we don't fight.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What you saw Mommy and Daddy do was is have a disagreement that grew into an argument.</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa said, Mommy who is right? Before I could say well we have to ask GOD? Carissa said, Mommy <i>both</i> you and daddy were wrong. Wisdom beyond her years!</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, we were both wrong, and right at the same time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to what happened this past weekend. The miscommunication that happened this past weekend was a result from Christopher not being clear about who he was talking to, and who he was addressing his comment to. I was in the process of finishing up getting the food on Carissa's plate for dinner, and was almost done, when Christopher said, "Is that the plate you want to use, or do you want to use a different plate?" Since I thought he was addressing me, because he was standing right next to me, literally side to side, since I was fixing Carissa's plate, I naturally thought he was talking to me, and since he has gone behind me in the past to re-do something I had done, well I thought this was history repeating itself, so I said, "Don't Double Think It." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well my reply to Christopher did not set well with him or his Dad, which also effected me in a negative way, because at dinner Dad was very snarky, and did a covert attack by making a condescending comment to me which my beloved daughter Carissa was also hurt by the fall out. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dinner was very late, both Carissa and I were very hungry, I have low blood sugar which all of the family is well aware of, yet right before we all pray together, Dad decides to say in a very cold condescending way, "we never eat before we pray out of a sign of respect to GOD." Slam. Low Blow. Now I could have easily taken this time to point out <i>many</i> areas in which Dad has not only been very disrespectful towards GOD, but has sinned against GOD, his wife, and his children, or asked a loaded question like, Which do you thinks is more important to GOD praying before you take a bite of food, or reading the Bible which is something I have NEVER seen my hubby's Dad do EVER since I first met hubby's Dad back in 1987. Dad also does not attend Mass, only did for a short time, because Grandma, asked him to do literally on her death bed. Dad vowed to Grandma, and at Grandma's Memorial Service pledged to the Priest, and all the attending witnesses that he would keep his vow to Grandma. Well, he has not. He has broken his vow. On Sunday mornings you will find him at the Country Club. The only time he will attend church is for a special very rare occasion like Carissa's Baby Dedication, and his Daughter's Baptism over two years ago. He wont even come to see Carissa in her first Christmas Play at her </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christian School</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, or watch her sing in church for her first Christmas performance. Well, I could go on, but I think you get the picture.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before someone accuses me of being a disrespectful daughter-in-law, by uncovering Dad's sins. The Bible does say we are to help one another overcome sin. By covering up we can not overcome it. Dad only sees where others have made mistakes, and denies his own. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The combination what Dad did and what Christopher didn't do (remain silent and did not defend us) would be considered "The Proverbial Last Straw That Breaks The Camel's Back". Our Husbands are our Heros and they are to protect us from the attacks of Dragons even if that fire breathing is his Dad.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know GOD has changed me over the past 15 years that I have became a Born Again Christian. Back in 1987, or 1997 after Dad's attacking comment that I & my Daughter were doing something terribly wrong and disrespecting GOD by taking a couple of bits of food before we prayed, I would have returned an entire arsenal of Truth Fire, and there would have been a great war of words, a fight to determine who has acquired the most Bible Knowledge, who is living the most Righteous Life, who is the Bigger Sinner, etc., and that is the enemy's plan and agenda to turn family into foe. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What Christ has taught me over the years is that GOD does not want a Religion from us, but a personal intimate living Relationship with Him. Christ does not just desire us to acquire Bible Knowledge, but more importantly to <i>apply</i> Bible Knowledge in a Holy Way to Bless others not beat them up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of pointing out how Dad has hurt his family, I will allow the correction to come from the Holy Spirit and my hubby. I will also use this opportunity as a teaching experience to illustrate how people attack others for having a speck in their eye when they have a huge plank in their own eye. Remove the plank in your own eye <i>first </i>in order that you may see things more clearly. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the past I would force my Dad-in-law who I call Dad to walk the plank, and kick him off our family ship, let Satan's Sharks devour him, and sail away with my hubby and my Daughter. However, I do not see things from just my perspective. GOD's Holy Spirit has transformed me and blessed me to see life from GOD's Divine Perspective who loves us all, and wants us to love one another. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One way we are to love one another is to see life from <i>their</i> perspective, especially when we think and feel that the other person is totally wrong. My own parents are very abusive toxic people who cause harm to others, so I have no contact with either of them, and as a result I have no parents, and Carissa has no grandparents from my side of the family. As long as my hubby keeps his Dad in check, and things don't get worse. Then for my Daughter's sake, so that she can have a least one set of grandparents, I am seeking GOD to help heal the hurt my Dad-in-law caused this past weekend. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please pray for us all that there will be accountability, forgiveness, healing, and restoration, all around.</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of seeing things from another person's perspective. As Carissa pointed out, Daddy is right, because he was standing next to grandpa, and the truth of the matter is that Christopher was right in the middle of his Dad and I which is a reoccurring theme from time to time if you know what I mean? </span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In dysfunctional families anytime there is a disagreement, an argument, or a fight ensues, satan turns a family into foes where a battle goes on and on until one person is deemed to be Right, the Victor, and the other to be Wrong, aka the Loser. </span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is only when we turn to the Holy Spirit to reveal the Truth, so that with GOD we can turn a disagreement, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">an argument, and even the worst of fights </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">into a Win-Win Situation. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do we do this? By sacrificing a foolish and sinful pride in the Fire of Truth, and instead of looking for People to be Right or Wrong, let's place our primary focus on the <i>choices</i> as being Right or Wrong, so that we can each be accountable for what went wrong, and how we will together with GOD make it Right.</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anytime we come to a disagreement we must ask ourselves; Are we going to be used by the enemy or by GOD? For GOD to use us, and bring Blessings to the Situation, we again, must sacrifice our egos and pride, and instead of fighting for principle we fight for what is Purposeful which is to bring greater understanding and growth.</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of focusing on what others did wrong, I need to examine what <i>I</i> did wrong, because the only person I have power to change is myself. The wrong choice I made was to naturally "assume" that my hubby's comment was directed to me. When </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we actually break down the word ass/u/me, a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">s the old saying goes, when we assume, it makes an ass out of u and me. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was busy placing Carissa's food on a plate. My eyes were on what I was doing instead of looking at my husband, so I did not <i>see</i> that he was addressing his Dad and not me. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get to ask for forgiveness for not asking for clarification about who my hubby was talking to. I assumed he was talking to me, and I assumed the worst, based on past unresolved problems. I did not give my handsome hubby the benefit of the doubt, and simply ask, "Are you taking to me?"</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Confusion and Miscommunication can cause Calamity. </span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you ready to go a little deeper, and get to <i>The root of Calamity</i>?</span></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-52995405405906163152012-02-29T13:10:00.018-08:002012-04-07T19:30:14.132-07:00Sin is . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQfTg0Ifcpgi6ePZ9IPxCcSEowgDbJhPXfqHYEmN1btaoz8QTqgujUNf3TbJg3L9C2nb42JHHKVxnuu2Ip_B0lhfHqWJicgVJgTDvoNahFpJMHu1kSHfGWNlYRlpIzbHMNYIuDJoiFTE/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQfTg0Ifcpgi6ePZ9IPxCcSEowgDbJhPXfqHYEmN1btaoz8QTqgujUNf3TbJg3L9C2nb42JHHKVxnuu2Ip_B0lhfHqWJicgVJgTDvoNahFpJMHu1kSHfGWNlYRlpIzbHMNYIuDJoiFTE/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(background info. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Daughter Carissa is 5 years old, and has wisdom beyond her years. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was pregnant with Carissa, and my family was honoring me with a baby shower, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Auntie told me, "it is not what we teach our children, but what our children teach us." It is true. Carissa has taught me like no other teacher ever has. Today's topic was sin, and this is what <i>I</i> learned from my favorite teacher.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sin is . . . .</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How would you complete the above statement?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go ahead and take a moment to actually write it out on a piece of paper. Go ahead. I'll wait for ya!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is the very <i>first</i> thing that comes to your mind?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sin is . . . .</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is sin?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How would you define sin?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How would you describe sin?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sin that is actually intangible, until it is manifested in some way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is a good tangible analogy to describe sin, and it's toxic harmful effect?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Modern day society, including far too many in Church World, have become desensitized to sin. Many Christians would describe sin as "natural and normal". A human characteristic, thus to one degree or another acceptable, or at least tolerable, and tolerated. Thus if it is natural and normal, and we all do it, then the natural conclusion is that "it isn't <i>that</i> bad". And if it isn't "<i>that</i> bad" then there is no motivation to stop. There is no desire to truly repentant, and there will always remain a temptation to return to a certain sin that we have deemed "not <i>that</i> bad, normal, and natural".</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if sin had a disgusting repulsive smell to it?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning our dog, Lady, pooped in our daughter's play room. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Daughter Carissa had no idea it was there, so she went into her playroom. I don't know how she missed stepping in it, because there was three different sizes & areas of dog poop. Surrounded by dog poop Carissa cries out for help, "Momma I need you!" Lady pooped in the playroom." I come to her rescue, grab her hand, guide her away, make sure that she can avoid steeping in all the mess, and not track it back with her.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa is disgusted, repulsed, hurt, and angry at our dog Lady, and says, "Momma, Lady did a terrible sin in my playroom. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now my initial response would be to correct my daughter by making an excuse for our dog, informing Carissa that what the dog did was "a natural mistake" and not a sin. But something inside me said, "stop, wait, and listen". I know from past experience that this is the Holy Spirit giving me Blessed Guidance, and I am about to get "schooled" by my daughter, the little teacher, and learn something wonderful. So instead of correcting her, I confirmed her accurate assessment. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You're right sweetie, Lady did sin in the playroom (after all our dog is trained to go to the bathroom outside in the back yard, and has done so for years without "sinning" on the carpet).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa very upset, and out of anger says, "She can't stay in our home. We have to get rid of her."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I questioned my beautiful daughter, So because lady sinned in our home we should get rid of her? Carissa thought about it for a second and said, "Well, we should keep her outside, or in the garage, and never, never, and I mean not <i>EVERRR</i> let her back in our home!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I must say that I was very disappointed, and upset at our dog Lady too, and that thought may have crossed my mind for a second, or a minute or two, and when I later called my</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> husband Christopher at work, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">informed him about what the dog had done, it more than crossed his mind, it came out his mouth out of anger. We are currently teaching Carissa, or perhaps she is the one who is teaching us to hold every thought captive. We all have the choice to choose what we will allow to remain in our minds, what comes out of our mouth, and what behavior choices we will make based on the thoughts in our mind, and the emotions & feelings in our hearts.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talk about a great opportunity to talk about sin, repentance, trust, mercy, grace, and forgiveness! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sin, Repentance, Trust, Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness are all interconnected. You can't really talk about one without talking about the others too.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a bit of contemplating I concluded, Carissa is right. Her assessment that Lady did a terrible sin is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">accurate, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">on the mark.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa is right. Sin is like a dog pooping in your home. It is disgusting and repulsive, and it reeks and defiles the place so bad that you are immediately compelled to leave without any hesitation, or temptation to stick around.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is so very easy for us to see how disgusting another's sin is, but not so easy to see just how gross our <i>own</i> sin is to others, especially GOD.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could feel something building up, and rising up inside of me, and knew from past experience something fantastic is about to happen, and the Holy Spirit is about to school us, and teach us something wonderful. At this time I had no idea what has about to unfold, and was just being obedient to ask the questions the Holy Spirt told me to ask my daughter.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I asked my Beloved Daughter, How did you become a Christian? She said, "when I knowed that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, and I asked Him into my heart".</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So our heart becomes Jesus's home, and when we sin that means that we have sin in our heart.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa said, just like when Lady sinned, and put poop in our home, our sin is like putting yucky dog poop in our heart which is Jesus's home. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We both said in unison, OOOOH Gross!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I asked her, Do you see how disgusting our sin is to GOD, and how He can not stay in our heart when we sin? Would you want to live with dog poop in your home?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is why repentance is sooo very important. We not only have to turn away from sin, we have to ask The Holy Spirit to help us clean up the sin, so Christ can come back, and live in our heart. The Holy Spirit is our Helper that Jesus gave to us to clean up all the mess sin makes in our heart, and in our life. Just as we clean up our home every day, we have to make sure our heart stays clean every day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa said, you mean cleaning our heart is like cleaning our home, like doing our chores, like cleaning our messy table?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes! Do you remember how proud Mommy and Daddy are of you when you help out and do chores? Remember how I told you that it gives GOD Joy to see you help keep things clean? Do you remember why it gives GOD Joy?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa enthusiastically said, Yes! When we help one another it shows that we love one another, and we appreciate and respect the things GOD has given us, because we have a thankful heart with love and kindness inside of it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if we didn't do our chores, and didn't take care of our things, and left them all messy and dirty? What if we didn't clean our dishes, or our clothes? What if we never threw our trash away, and it piled up and up and up all the way to the ceiling.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa said, Then we wouldn't have a very nice clean place to live anymore. We wouldn't have clean dishes, or a clean table, or a clean room to play, or a clean bed to sleep in, and that would be just Horrible!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Would you want to live in a home like that?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa said, No Way!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So do you think it is important to make sure our home stays clean, and when it gets messy that we clean it up as soon as we can?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa said, Momma sometimes we get so busy, and run out of time, and leave things all messy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You're right sweetheart. That is why we need to budget our time, and make sure we have enough time to clean up. And those times when we make a mistake, and run out of time to clean up our messes we have to do it as <i>soon</i> as we can, which means we don't do anything else until our mess is cleaned up. That means we have to say no to other things, like going to a friend's house to play, when we have a mess to clean up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa said, But Momma I want to tell you the truth, I don't really like cleaning up messes. And I would much better like to go, and play with my friends.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know Sweetheart, cleaning up messes is not always fun. It is not always what we <i>want</i> to do, but it is always what we <i>need</i> to do, or our home would keep getting messy, and it would not be fun to live there anymore. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa do you remember what sin is like to GOD?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa replied with excitement and a giggle; Yes sin is like dog poop!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa asked, How about if we just do a <i>little</i> sin? Is a <i>little</i> sin okay?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, is a <i>little</i> bit of dog poop okay to have in <i>your</i> home?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we confess our sins to GOD, and ask Him to Forgive us, Jesus Christ takes our sin away. Jesus removes every bit of the filthy disgusting stinky gross stain, and stench of the sin. If we do not confess our sin, then Christ can not clean our heart, and if our heart is not clean the Holy Spirit can not live there.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we do not confess our sin, and we hide it, it is like hiding, and covering up dog poop. The sin is <i>still</i> there even if we lie, argue, and deny it is there, the sin is <i>still</i> there getting stinker and stinker, until it stinks up everything in our home, and ruins <i>EVERYTHING</i>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All we have to do is confess to get clean, and repent by remembering just how disgusting & repulsive sin is.</span>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-53267307201358188952012-02-24T12:19:00.004-08:002012-04-11T15:07:55.509-07:00Sacred Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEbUcK3KFH42acyoWGBsvSYC0383M0rRkbVTtFkM-M2aJBDsnWrDiHt6bS9t1dZEq4lns8D7OwIjvEs7Ow8jx2gB_S85VprZbEgBMU4nVAV5JKcNgxjwvBM2JsCoLdg3A5FhOn_L1gWM/s1600/images-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEbUcK3KFH42acyoWGBsvSYC0383M0rRkbVTtFkM-M2aJBDsnWrDiHt6bS9t1dZEq4lns8D7OwIjvEs7Ow8jx2gB_S85VprZbEgBMU4nVAV5JKcNgxjwvBM2JsCoLdg3A5FhOn_L1gWM/s1600/images-10.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><div style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">"For many of us, we're online in the evenings with our family sitting right there, and we're communicating with people we have never met face-to-face while our real life is happening next to us and we're completely disjointed from it." - Beth Moore</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: small;">I don't know if you struggle like I do with having enough time for everyone, and everything I want to do. We can easily become rushed, and then not be <i>fully</i> present for the ones we love. We can physically show up, yet mentally be miles away, which creates an emotional & spiritual disconnect. Our loved ones deserve our undivided attention, which means it is just impossible to give everyone our unlimited attention and time. Setting Boundaries & Priorities, Budgeting & being Good Stewards of our Time is essential, so that we do not run out of time for the ones we love.</div></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">My hubby Christopher, and I have really been convicted on having <i>Sanctified Time</i> for our Family. The movie, Courageous, has made a wonderful impact on our life, and we resolved to dedicate our lives to do better which meant we had to have an honest, and humbling evaluation of what we have been doing, and how we can do improve, and do better. To paraphrase the main character in Courageous, I don't want to settle for being <i>just</i> a good enough parent, or a good enough spouse according to the word's standards. We want to welcome the Holy Spirit's Compassionate Conviction, and value it as a Blessing not a burden. When the Holy Spirit points out things to change it is to help us not hurt us.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">One area of improvement is Dinner Time. We have allowed the world to invade our <i>Sanctified Time</i> together as a Family. It begins with distractions, and small compromises that have worldly justifications which leads to the destruction of what is Sacred. Here is how the enemy covertly attacks to erode the Family Bond. Christopher works at his office from 8am to 6pm. He also freelances in advertising & marketing, so he works from home as well as at the office. In the past it was very common for him to spend the entire day working on projects, stoping to join us for a meal, yet rushing to finish to get back to work. It left us wondering, Who is his priority? Parents work very hard to provide, but at the end of the day we must evaluate what exactly are we providing our family? </div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The memorable scene in the movie Courageous where the daughter asks her daddy to dance really convicted us to have Sanctified Time with our Family, to be fully present & participate, and block out the rest of the world from invading upon our time together. </div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Christopher gets home at 6:30pm, and by 8:00pm, 8:30pm at the latest, Carissa is in bed sleeping, so this give us a very limited time to spend together as a Family. How do we keep these 1 1/2 to 2 hours Sacred, so that we can get the most out of this very limited & very available time together? It takes two courageous, and committed parents, as well as a wise child to insure our time together will be blessed. Each one of us must be dedicated to demonstrate how our family is Priority, only second to GOD, and each person willing to be strong to make necessary sacrifices to help create, maintain, and safeguard a Sacred Family Time.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">How can a husband be resolved to be Courageous to protect the Sacred Family Time?</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">For Christopher it means that he does not bring any work with him home. That he is fully dedicated at the office, uses his time wisely, and finishes what he needs to for the day. He must have strong boundaries, so that the demands of his work world, although it often tries, can not invade our Sacred Family Time. People will call Christopher while he is on his way home from work. He has been convicted not to answer, and keep his full attention to the traffic on the road, so that he can make it home safe to the ones he loves. Once he gets home, while parked in the drive way he must make the decision if he is going to return the calls, or wait until later that night to return the call after our child has been tucked into bed, and while I am finishing up some work, as to not take away precious time from the ones he loves. It is also important that Christopher and I have Sacred Couple Time. </div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Christopher struggles with being able to resist calling someone back in fear that something crucial has happened that someone needs his help to handle. Everyone knows him as "The Go To Man", so he is the first person many go to for help. He is also a great listener, so he struggles with making conversations short, and to the point. He boasted one time, "Hey I got my phone conversation down to 10 minutes!" Then I had to point out that is 10 minutes per person, so after talking to 6 different people that is 60 minutes, one hour of Family Time, you have given to others that you can not get back. One way to make sure that the demands of work doesn't invade upon Family Time is to make an objective assessment of the situation, Will the world come to and end if you don't complete that task tonight? Most things can wait till tomorrow, when we are back at the office. </div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Last night, as Carissa was grading the cheese, Christopher was cutting the tomatoes, and I was finishing up heating up the tortillas we were all discussing how we enjoy doing things as a family, like preparing dinner together. Christopher and I just finished saying that Family Time is Sacred Time, and we both vowed that we would not let others invade it. That very second the house phone rang two separate times, one after the other, and the world was trying to invade. Our resolve was instantaneously being tested. I can laugh at it now, but at the time I was upset at those who were trying to invade.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Just hearing others leave messages distracts, deters, and ruins the special moments we were having as a family. The outside world was competing for our attention, focus, and committment.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Note to self: During Sacred Family Time, turn the ringer, and volume on the message machine off. These are the measures one <i>must</i> take in order to protect our Sacred Family Time from others who would interrupt, invade, and erode the time that is just for family. We must safeguard what we value, which means to eliminate unnecessary distractions & disruptions. After the house phone rings twice, then Christopher's cell phone rings twice, and then two texts on his cell phone come in. Now I could easily get angry at the invaders, and what they are trying to do, but it is not about them invading, it is about Christopher & I being Courageous to protect our Sacred Family Time.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">There is a purpose to opposition, because it strengthens our spiritual muscle and resolve. Without a test, there can be no Testimony. If we are to achieve something sacred there must be a sacrifice, something we are willing to give up. So what are the things we had to give up? What was GOD trying to teach us in <i>this</i> moment of choice?</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">What we must learn to accept and apply to our life is that not everyone values what we value, nor do they value it at the same level we value it. Family Time is Sacred Time for <i>our</i> Family, but others don't see it that way, because they are not a member of our core family, so they don't have a problem interrupting our time. What is important to us is not important, or <i>as</i> important to them. Another reason that others will invade upon the Sacred Family Time is that they are apart of our extended family. Christ has taught us that Family is defined by Love, not biology, so as a result we have an extensive ever growing extended family. This fact alone is the reason it is so very important to keep our core family unit time Sacred. I assure you that we have not perfected this, but we are making progress. At times we stumble and fumble, but GOD's Amazing Grace & Divine Directive gets us back on track.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Where Christopher and I often error is that we think others think like us, meaning that no one would repeatedly call, and text during dinner time unless it was an <i>absolute</i> emergency of some kind, either personal or work related. Therefore out of great concern, and fear that some kind of emergency is happening Christopher returns the call just to find out that it was not an emergency at all. Today Christopher is explaining to his friends & colleagues that when he gets home it is Family Time. Work time is for work, and Family Time is for Family. Just like it is important to use his time wisely at work, he must use his time wisely at home. Christopher had to explain that you only leave multiple messages if it is a <i>true</i> emergency. While his friend's call & question was important & urgent because he had to make a decision right away, it was <i>not</i> an emergency. The friend could have made the decision on his own without calling Christopher, while he wanted Christopher's feedback he didn't <i>need</i> Christopher's feedback. While this friend wanted Christopher to help him to safe time, he was not concerned, or did not realize that he was taking Christopher away from enjoying his family time.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">What our experience taught us last night was that we can not depend on others to see things the way we do, to value things the way we do, so we must be <i>Dedicated & Determined</i> to do whatever it takes to protect what we hold sacred, and have confidence that GOD's Approval is the only one that we desire to have, and that it is okay that others do not understand, comprehend or agree. It is also okay if others get upset, and think less of us.<br />
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Another thing is to know that GOD is taking care of the needs, and or concerns of others, and we do not have to make ourselves available 24/7 to everyone, because that is in GOD's job description, not ours.<br />
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Tonight is Friday night, and this Friday we are having Family Movie Night. We watch one movie with Carissa, then she gets tucked into bed, after prayers are said, and Mommy and Daddy watch our movie. Carissa's movie is, <i>Horton Hears a Who?</i> and we are going to set all cell phones, house phones, and message machines on silent, so we don't hear a peep or beep, and we can enjoy being with one another without any unnecessary interruptions & distractions.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Next week we will discus what a Wife & Mom can do in order to ensure that Family Time remains a Sacred Time.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Thank You Lord Jesus that You have shown us that we can not only say we want a <i>Sacred Time</i>, but that we must do what is necessary to protect our Sacred Time. That we can rest assured that with every sacrifice to protect what is Righteous and Sacred comes a Greater Blessing.</div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-56544931892778824222012-02-10T11:19:00.000-08:002012-02-10T11:50:30.543-08:00Secular Fast -- 3 Key Questions to Ask<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA5b4klI7p0P193cS_24dLQQC_mYaYuk9714xSlpHTKP0BL2PNtY9Bs29KMmTM8ocEI6FQGDADJvVC2e5K9Q2zeQ6h1s9FSqodE3SkImf9DR4-67j0SzscSab_7_2pB7YHjMKhqOsrag/s1600/images-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA5b4klI7p0P193cS_24dLQQC_mYaYuk9714xSlpHTKP0BL2PNtY9Bs29KMmTM8ocEI6FQGDADJvVC2e5K9Q2zeQ6h1s9FSqodE3SkImf9DR4-67j0SzscSab_7_2pB7YHjMKhqOsrag/s1600/images-9.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">During the Secular Fast I asked myself 3 very important questions in regards to the things I would consume for my mind, soul, and spirit, which also pertained to how I was going to invest my time. How we invest our time goes hand-in-hand with what we consume for our entire being. Recall the picture on the <b><i><a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/02/40-day-secular-fast.html" target="_blank">40 Day Secular Fast</a></i></b> Post with the clock made out of spoons and forks. </span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I must tell ya that when the Lord gave me the idea of The Secular Fast, I was filled with Passion & Purpose, but I was so not Prepared. I have never done anything like <i>this</i> before. Nothing even close to this. Just like when the Lord gave me the vision for <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewomenofworth" target="_blank">Women of Worth</a></i></b> on March 16th of last year, I was so very honored, but felt so very unqualified. Surely there is someone more qualified than I. The Lord continues to bring wonderful men & women in my life that inspire, encourage, and empower me to move forward in my calling, and not to put the Holy Spirit on hold. I walk forward in this journey filled with New Adventures not in confidence, but in obedience, and assurance that the Lord will provide.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started this New Adventure of the 40 Day Secular Fast totally unprepared, and that is exactly where the Lord wants us to be, so that we have no doubt whatsoever that the blessings we receive along the way come from Him. The Lord provided me with 3 key questions, that equipped me with what I needed to make progress along my journey. It was the road map, that unlocked the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hidden treasures that I found in this one adventure. This was so rewarding in countless ways that I am looking forward to the <i>next</i> New Adventure, and what new fascinating gems </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that will be discovered when traveling with Christ.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing like taking a Supernatural Journey with Jesus! Only with Christ can we explore uncharted territory, and reach new heights without even leaving our home.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first discerning question I asked before I invested my time & consumed a certain thing for my mind, soul, and spirit, Does this go against GOD in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>any</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> way? If yes, it was rejected, and I would not consume it. There was once a time in my life where I would tolerate people, and things that went against GOD, due to other's freedom of expression, no matter how much I disagreed with their feelings, thoughts, beliefs, etc. What I have come to realize is that while they have the freedom to express themselves, I have the freedom to not have to hear it, or be around it.</span></div></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Things that go directly against GOD, cause us to compromise what the Lord has taught us, and one compromise leads to another, and we wonder how did things go so wrong? Things that glorify the enemy are things that disgust & repulse me, so it is not hard to reject & refuse to be apart of such things anymore. I know that things of the enemy are toxic, and are meant to destroy, so they are not tempting when I can identify their source.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If there was any doubt, I asked myself what if the Lord was here with me would I watch this, listen to this, read this, or participate in this? Some things are very deceptive, they <i>appear</i> to be harmless, they start off okay, then it quickly, or gradually turns into something terrible, and it is eventually revealed that it is not what it once appeared to be. In the past, I would tell myself to wait it out. I am already invested this far, so let's just see how it all turns out. Maybe there will be some redeeming quality to this. The thing is, I always regretted that I kept with it when I should have walked away the minute it went wrong. The enemy deceives, and sets traps, but we must realize that we have <i>The Power to Walk Away</i>. The Power of the Walk Away is Wonderful. As soon as something is not right, simply leave, walk away, stop watching, stop listening, stop reading, stop participating, shut down the enemy's power to contaminate, and waste your time. </span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The second question was, Does this benefit my life? If something is not a benefit, an additional support, or change my life in a positive direction, than it is a waste of time. We could rephrase this by asking, Is this Spiritually Profitable? Our time is very precious, and we should invest it wisely. We could also ask ourselves, What kind of return will I get if I invest my time in this? </span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This brings me to the third question, and pertains to planning out where, when, and how we are to invest our time with purpose. Just as a Business Person plans where, how much, and how long s/he will invest his/her money, or a farmer plans out what s/he will plant this season, so should we have a purposeful plan on exactly where to invest our time. What are the things we should focus our attention on during a given season of our life? There are so many great choices to select from, How do we know which is right for us? All the choices might be Righteous, but they are not right for us right <i>now</i>. For example, when I was a Baby Christian, my first visit to a Christian Store was very memorable. So many great choices to choose from with a variety of different topics, and different authors. The Christian Store was like a Spiritual Grocery Store where I went around filling up my basket, with all sorts of goodies. I went home and discovered I had so many fantastic books, and I began to read them all. Now you might think this was a good thing, but it was not. </span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">There was so much wonderful information that it became overwhelming. I imagine this must be what it is like for the college freshmen that is undeclared. Before starting college I knew I wanted to major in psychology. Before I moved into the dorms, I knew what General Education classes I had to take, and the Psychology Classes that I was going to take based on my concentration in a specific area of psychology. There is a reason that colleges encourage students to limit themselves to a certain amount of classes during a certain duration of time, and that is so they can concentrate on learning the new information, not just obtaining it, but more importantly maintaining it, and have the benefit of applied knowledge later on in life. Students who take more than the recommended full-time amount of classes don't really enjoy the process, they are just getting through to reach a certain goal, graduation. But have they truly obtained what they need, or are they lacking, ill equipped, because they rushed it? Quickly In, Quickly Out.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Colleges provide their students with Counselors and Mentors to help direct each student based on their talents, interests, needs, and long-term goals. Isn't Awesome that the Holy Spirit is a Wonderful Counselor that knows exactly what we need when we need it? It is not possible to have it all, all at once. Sure we can try, and in the process of trying to do it all, we could lose it all. Life is a Journey, a Process, a Progression. All </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In Due Season.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Praise Jesus Christ that in His Holy Spirit's Job Description includes Investment Expert & Time Manager. We are to <i>first</i> seek the Lord in where, and how, and for how long we are to invest our time for each given season. We are to balance our time wisely through diverse disbursements. Time just with GOD, time for family, friends, fellowship, discipleship, and outreach across town and/or across the world. We have to safeguard our priorities, and sanctify our time with our love ones.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Before the next Quarter, Semester, or Season of Life begins seek the Lord's Counsel, and Divine Direction, for His foresight reaches far beyond our own. GOD knows what is coming up next, so He is the One we should look to for preparing us for what we will need in the next season. </span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Therefore, the third question we can ask ourselves when investing our time would be, Does this line up with the course work GOD has for me for <i>this</i> season of life? Does this support my area of concentration? For example, let's say that the Lord has said to invest more time in your marriage, and a woman's retreat is coming up. Sounds like a great opportunity to spend some time with the Sisters, there is going to be a fantastic speaker with an interesting topic, the location sounds wonderful, and you really feel like getting away for the weekend. Thing is the Lord has said to focus on the marriage. Of course our natural response is, can't I do both? My marriage is doing okay, in fact it is pretty good. What did the Lord say to focus on? This is the season that the Lord wants to grow your marriage from good to great. </span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">You know what I have discovered is that everything in life comes back to two things, Trust & Obeying the Lord. That it is okay to not understand what the Lord has planned, but to know that it all works out for our good. The Greatest Lesson we can learn is from Christ's example when He spoke to His Holy Parent and said, <i>"Not My Will, But Your Will Be Done."</i></span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Greatest Blessings in life are a result from obeying the Lord, and our worst mistakes come from disobeying the Lord. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I praise You Lord that You are the Greatest Guidance Counselor whose office hours are open 24/7 just in case we get confused, disoriented, and lost, You are always there to help us find the way. I love You Lord.</span></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-46649834508429169462012-02-09T13:22:00.000-08:002012-02-10T11:49:29.508-08:00The 40 Day Secular Fast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpChtxkVslHX4vqCcNn2IkXKGbsyf74sedx9s3Uf9buwtSiX6ZjzzHe1c8PQX1TrGcpizwRH5WNdJJYEJ5bfB-N24Nzxxe86Nw-Ul6WXEDaUaaG01E6YgRScppCSD7NvdvmJyOfJ35deA/s1600/images-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpChtxkVslHX4vqCcNn2IkXKGbsyf74sedx9s3Uf9buwtSiX6ZjzzHe1c8PQX1TrGcpizwRH5WNdJJYEJ5bfB-N24Nzxxe86Nw-Ul6WXEDaUaaG01E6YgRScppCSD7NvdvmJyOfJ35deA/s1600/images-8.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Just as important as the food we choose to nourish our bodies, are the choices we select to feed our Mind, Soul, and Spirit. As Christians we are to have discernment, and make </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">healthy choices</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> for what we consume for our Mind, Soul, and Spirit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> <br />
Before I began The 40 Day Secular Fast, I wonder what if we used, <b><i>"<a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/01/healthy-mind-soul-and-spirit.html" target="_blank">The Light System</a>"</i></b> to identify and discern whether or not something is spiritually healthy for us? Inspired by </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>"<a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/01/healthy-mind-soul-and-spirit.html" target="_blank">The Light System</a>"</i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">used to determine and discern healthy food choices, I used the same type of system to help select Healthy Choices for a<i> "</i></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/01/healthy-mind-soul-and-spirit.html" target="_blank">Healthy Mind, Soul, and Spiri</a>t"</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Day 40 is here! The 40 Day Secular Fast was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but so VERY worth it! It caused me to get out of my comfort zone, and to stretch and grow in Christ. I assure you I was not totally perfect in my journey. I stumbled and fumbled a couple of times, and the enemy attacked me when I was down condemning me with lies, about how I am not "Good Enough, and how I let down & failed others, especially GOD", but I focused on GOD's Word about Redemption, and His Amazing Holy Love full of Mercy & Grace. I focused on the Lord's Voice full of Love, Compassion, Inspiration, Encouragement, and Empowerment which restored my determination, and I got back on track, and continued with my journey. If the enemy gets ya down, grab hold of Christ, and He'll get ya back up. His Holy Spirit is our back up, get up, and go forward. Amen!</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">During my 40 Day Secular Fast I did <i>not</i> consume anything for my mind, soul, and spirit that went against GOD, or mocked Him, His Word, or His Followers, my Brothers & Sisters in Christ. It is important that we acknowledge our achievements, and not allow the enemy to beat us up over our shortcomings, slip ups or mistakes. It is about creating a healthy balance between the things we did well, and the things we can do better next time. Instead of looking at our fumbles as failures, we can look at them as something to work on, and turn them into a new goal. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Today is a day of celebration. Reflect upon your journey thus far. What did you do well? What did you accomplish? What did you learn? What is the blessing that came out of this adventure & journey? Rejoice, and again I say Rejoice. You challenged yourself, you did something you have not done before. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Your reward is that you are growing closer to Christ, and in doing so your very being is transformed. Whether, or not others notice the change, GOD sees it, and that is all that matters. Amen!</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Here is a little bit about my Secular Fast Journey that I would like to share with you. There is so much more to this adventure, that I could fill a book, or at least a little booklet, but for now I will just journal my journey on this blog.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">During the Secular Fast I asked myself 3 very important questions in regards to the things I would consume for my mind, soul, and spirit, which also pertained to how I was going to invest my time. How we invest our time goes hand-in-hand with what we consume for our entire being. Hence the picture above with the clock made out of spoons and forks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When making healthy choices for our total well being, I discovered 3 discerning questions that greatly benefited me during my Secular Fast. In the next post, <b><i><a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/02/secular-fast-3-questions-to-ask.html" target="_blank">Secular Fast -- 3 Key Questions to Ask</a></i></b>, I talk about them, and how they blessed my decision making, and my life. Wonder what these 3 Questions could be, <b><i><a href="http://womenofworthunite.blogspot.com/2012/02/secular-fast-3-questions-to-ask.html" target="_blank">click here</a></i></b> to find out!</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-67666897398568965482012-02-01T13:15:00.000-08:002012-02-01T14:14:05.826-08:00Sealed in Love<div style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8ULB2Y2Nqbj-KTyYq122VQgTIkbLBX1052Npwr1fwtOCahifHfyEbZPaLohkDrWoFlSAzrnj_lkbE-yo5BvMOcN9cT6OJy1zxh2pQO12NQq47-qsYPS9Vl6bkJWZVI6yK6jrv55HDcw/s1600/images-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8ULB2Y2Nqbj-KTyYq122VQgTIkbLBX1052Npwr1fwtOCahifHfyEbZPaLohkDrWoFlSAzrnj_lkbE-yo5BvMOcN9cT6OJy1zxh2pQO12NQq47-qsYPS9Vl6bkJWZVI6yK6jrv55HDcw/s1600/images-7.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today marks the 32nd day of our Secular Fast. From what I have learned, t</span></span><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">he Biblical Numerology Meanings of 32 is</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in association with </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">having a covenant or agreement with a certain person or group. What first comes to mind when you think of a covenant relationship or agreement?</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I think of a covenant relationship, the first thing that comes to mind is the one we have with Christ as Christians, and the bearers of His Name. Then there is the covenant relationship between a husband and wife, and mother and child. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you know why these are called Covenant Relationships? Because it took the shedding of blood to bring about the relationship which is sacred, and sanctified, set apart from others. As much as we love other children, we love our own even <i>more</i>, same is true with GOD. GOD loves all people, but those who are truly Christ Followers, and not just Christians in name only, He has a sacred & sanctified relationship with which is manifested in their lives in marvelous, and countless ways. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have noticed a remarkable difference between the life of a Believer, and a loyal, dedicated, faithful Christ Follower. Although both consider themselves Christians, the Christ Followers have this peace that flows throughout their lives, even through the harshest of storms there is still this stability, peace and even joy as the storm rages on -- how is that even possible? </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a noticeable difference in the house of the Christ Follower. For years I would ponder over why the lives of two Christians would be so very different. Why is the Presence of the Lord so strong in one life, and lacking in the other? Was it that one had a better church attendance? Memorized & could quote more Sacred Scriptures? Had a pure-bred Christian pedigree? No, none of this was the key.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why would one Christian seem to have favor over another?</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is not favoritism, it is a Supernatural Consequence of being Closer to Christ. Okay, so then, How do we become closer to Christ? By obeying the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the <i>key</i> to creating & maintaining a dedicated & committed covenant relationship with GOD. It is our partnership, or union with the Holy Spirit that makes the covenant relationship possible. It is our union with Chirst's Holy Spirit that makes the communion with GOD possible. Without the Holy Spirit's Presence in our daily life, there is lack of Righteous & Holy Commitment & Dedication. Without a Righteous & Holy Commitment, there is no Covenant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without the Presence of the Holy Spirit we become tempted to sin, because the enemy is poised, and ready to pounce to take us down the second the Holy Spirit is not with us, like a lion that stocks a baby dear, and waits for it to be just far enough away that it becomes defenseless, and doomed. It is our choice to sin that separates us from GOD, and leaves us wide open for the enemy to destroy us. When we sin we betray GOD, ungrateful for GOD's Gift of the Holy Spirit, like an ungrateful and spoiled child, our sinful pride & ego deceives us to think we can do just fine on our own without the Holy Spirit's blessings of discernment, and protection. It is the unrepentant heart, mind, and spirit of the sinner that betrays & breaks the seal, and destroys the covenant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Betrayal breaks the covenant seal. Can anything restore a broken seal? Not in this world, not of this world. It takes a Supernatural Love to provide a way, and we must accept GOD's Way. Not just receiving, but more importantly accepting, and highly valuing the Holy Spirit's Conviction, that leads to Repentance, Restoration, and Redemption, and all the countless blessings that come with having Reconciliation with our Holy Parent.</span></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-69719489252852735292012-01-28T09:53:00.000-08:002012-01-28T10:04:59.974-08:00Divine Strength, Courage, and Eternal Life<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The Biblical Numerology Meaning of 28 is associated with the expectancy of Divine Strength, Courage, and Eternal Life. How are expectancy of Divine Strength & Courage, and Eternal Life interconnected to one another? Do you remember that ordained time when the Holy Spirit called you to come forward, and surrender your life to Christ? There is nothing like it. You may have felt the enemy trying his best to hold you back with fear, uncertainty, hesitation, yet you boldly went forward and surrendered your life. Were you were full of excitement, with a righteous expectancy of the your life changing forever more from this point on you knew that you would never be the same. In that very moment Divine Strength & Courage was being manifested in our life, and it forever changed our life, because through the Gift of Salvation we were blessed with Eternal Life. In that Blessed Moment when we became Born Again we realized that we needed GOD to save our life, and transform our life. As we grow in the Son's Light a righteous wisdom is gained through a Divine Perspective. We realize that unlike the flowers that grow, fade, wither away, and die, our life goes own. This life here on earth is a vapor in the wind, nothing compared to the eternal life we have in Heaven. </div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Although this time here is very limited, it is also very precious, and it is never apparent more than when we are blessed to become a parent, or when we are blessed with a near-death experience. Both situations open our eyes and give us a Divine Perspective on our very limited life here on earth. I am blessed to have had both of these types of experiences. I would like to take this time to focus on the Parent's Perspective. The time with our child passes ever so quickly. One moment we are birthing new life into this world, and the rest of the time is spent helping our child be the best person s/he can be. Through love we encourage our child to live to his/her fullest potential, and discover the person GOD created him/her to be. There are so many milestones, and goals for our child to achieve throughout his/her life time, from learning to eat food, roll over, sit up, crawl, stand, walk, and run. There is a natural progression that is expected over a life time. As with our Holy Parent there is also a Divine Expectancy the moment we become Born Again. The moment we find our identity in Christ there is a Supernatural Progression that is expected to take place as we are to grow in Divine Strength & Courage. </div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">We are to live our life out of our comfort zones, and by doing so we achieve a Divine Progression through Transformation. Just as a person changes from a helpless infant, to an adventures baby crawling to explore his/her life, so must we get out of our comfort zone of everything being brought to us. Just as a baby gains the strength to stand and walk, so must we also gain Christ's strength, so that we can take a bold stand, and walk forward. Sure there are times where we will stumble and fall, but that is part of the learning process. We take our Holy Parent's hand, get up and walk again. The closer we get to Christ the stronger we become, and there will be a time where our walk is very strong, and our Holy Parent will expect us to do more with our life.<br />
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We are all apart of the Family of GOD which means that GOD has many children, and we in turn have many siblings. As in all Loving Families, as an older sibling we are expected to look after, take care, encourage, and support our younger siblings. It is apart of our Divine Birth Order, not defined and limited by biological age, but by spiritual age. Our Holy Parent sets us apart from the rest of the Family, and expects more from us than the Babes in Christ. A very important question to ask is, How am I growing & maturing in Christ? Is there a noticeable difference?</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Recently my daughter turned 5 years old, as I reflect over her first 5 years I realized that the first 5 years in our Christian Life should also have a remarkable & notable change. Five years ago, my child was just a teeny tiny embryo, and now she is a vivacious five year old seeking new adventures. As her loving parent I know that the best growth that can take place in her life is her spiritual growth. As much as she learns about this world, I long for her to learn even more about GOD's Kingdom, and the specific part she has in it. When I see her grow spiritually I am lovingly convicted by the Holy Spirit to examine my spiritual walk, growth and maturity. How have I grown & matured in Christ over these past 5 years? It has been 15 years, since I gave my life to Christ, and became Born Again. What stage of my Spiritual Growth am I at right now? At 15 years, that represents a teenager. When I think of teens I think of courageous youth who often live their lives without limitations, and believe that they are invincible. Can you imagine if our Spiritual Life was like that? In 3 years my Spiritual Life will be 18 years old. Many who are 18 years old are called to be soldiers in the military, risking their very lives to save others, and to protect at all costs our freedom, and way of life. Can you imagine if our Spiritual Life was like that? </div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">As GODs Kids, joint heirs with Christ we were made, and destined to be Courageous.</div><div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3zyJNzc_WU</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5563511980085759707.post-74884734558524211042012-01-27T13:40:00.000-08:002012-01-27T13:40:32.929-08:00Growing in Wisdom (part 2)<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">(Read, <a href="http://dealingwithtoxicpeople.blogspot.com/2012/01/growing-in-wisdom-part-1.html" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Growing in Wisdom part 1</a> to put this event in proper context). </span><span style="line-height: 14px;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">As we were coming back from dance class, I was pulling into the driveway, and began to roll up all the electric windows. Carissa was in her car seat in the backseat, and she decided she was going to go against what her parent was doing, be disobedient and defiant, and roll down her window. I responded by proceeding to roll her window up, and she decided she was going to stop what her parent was doing, be contrary, and place her hand on top of her window to prevent it from being rolled up. I did not know she was doing that, until from the backseat I hear a loud cry for help. I jump out of my seat, and run to her rescue to find her cradling her damaged finger. My only concern was to comfort her, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">to releave her pain as much as possible, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">and to check out the damage. I cried out to Jesus, Lord heal my daughter's wound. We rushed into our home, and I placed a bag of frozen vegetables on her hand. While she laid flat out on the couch with the bag of frozen veggies on her hand, deeply crying in agonizing pain, I had to make the emotionally painful choice to take the phone into another room with me, so I could hear the the doctor's receptionist. Unfortunately they were booked, and I had to go to the ER. </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">While we were driving to the ER, Carissa says, "Momma I forgive you." I asked her, What are you forgiving me for? And she said with a slightly disturbed attitude, "for hurting my hand." I asked her, Was that really my fault? I did not do that on purpose. I did not know your hand was on the window. Who was being naughty, disobeying & defying her parent by putting her hand on top of the window, and tried to stop Momma from what she was doing? Carissa said, " Oh, I did, but I got hurt." I could see how this was going to be a teachable moment for Carissa & I. This was a time for Carissa to grow in wisdom. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Sometimes it is painful to grow in wisdom. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">I lovingly explained to my child that her naughty, disobedient, defiant behavior of refusing to listen and obey is what caused her to get hurt, and now she is suffering in pain, for her bad choice. </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">I explained to her that bad choices not only hurt others, but hurt ourselves too. While we sat in the ER, I got to take the time to explain to my beautiful daughter the difference between being disobedient and being defiant. If Momma or Daddy tell you to roll up the window and you refuse, that is being disobedient, because you are not doing what we asked you to do, you are not obeying. Now when you rolled down your window, and did the complete opposite of what Momma & Daddy are telling you to do you are being defiant & contrary, then when you placed your hand on top of the window to prevent it from going up you were . . . </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">and then I was lost for words, so Carissa finished by saying Dumb and Stupid (words we do not use, but certain classmates have used these words to tease one another). I asked Carissa if she knew the meaning of Dumb and Stupid, and she said no, so I explained to her that it means to be very foolish, to not use good judgement, and to go against what we are taught by our parents and GOD. Carissa said, so being dumb, stupid, and foolish is a sin? I replied to her, yes honey when we are being dumb, stupid, and foolish we are sinning against GOD. It is what we refer to as a Contrary Spirit which causes us to go against GOD. I asked Carissa, Do you know anyone in the Bible that told people to go against GOD? Carissa said, Yes! The serpent in the garden told Adam & Eve to eat the apple when GOD told them not to eat it. </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Carissa said with confusion, "But Momma I didn't know <i>that</i> was going to happen!" (referring to her hand getting hurt & damaged in the car window) I told her Adam & Eve didn't know what was going to happen to them when they went against GOD either. I know you didn't know what was going to happen either, that is why you must always trust, obey, and know that Mommy & Daddy loves you & knows best, especially when you don't understand something, and don't want to do something your parent's way which is GOD's way, and insist on doing it <i>your</i> way, because that caused you to really get hurt, and we love you and don't want you to get hurt. Do you understand? Honey you could have gotten hurt a lot worse. It could have gotten broken so badly to the extent that the doctors could not repair it back to normal. We praise you Jesus that you are right <i>now</i> in the process of healing Carissa's finger, and is not broken. </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">While we waited in the ER lobby for over an hour our discussion helped to take the focus off of her pain, and Christ was healing Carissa's finger. In just little over an hour, Carissa was able to fully bend it, grasp things, hold things, and completely use her hand as if it never got hurt. Hallelujah! We Praise You Jesus! We told the receptionist that Carissa did not need to be examined by the triage nurse, and the receptionist said since the triage nurse has not seen you, you wont be charged. </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carissa's learning experience got me thinking, and now Carissa's Momma is growing in wisdom too. </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reflecting back on Carissa's experience, Isn't that how we often are with our Holy Parent GOD? GOD is doing something in our life, then we put our hand to it, trying to interfere, prevent what GOD is doing, because we don't understand, and all we know is what we want, and we don't want to wait to do it His Way. Then when we get hurt, by interfering, being disobedient, defiant, and contrary, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">our foolish sinful pride cries out in pain -- <i>It's Your fault! You did this to me! I don't understand. Why would You hurt me?</i> </span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is only when we sacrifice our foolish & sinful pride in the Holy Fire of Truth, that we understand that it was <i>our</i> choice, <i>our</i> responsibility, and <i>our</i> fault for being disobedient, defiant, and contrary thinking we knew better than our Holy Parent, and put our hand in the middle of something that it didn't belong, and it is we who are to blame for getting crushed, not our Holy Parent. Our society tells us it is not right to find fault. However, if we had a faulty window that did not work right, we would have to take it to an expert specialist to investigate the cause in order to fix the problem. It is very important to know when it is our fault, and when it is not, and what faulty part did we have when things went bad. </span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Praise the Lord for the Holy Spirit Who is our </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Expert Specialist & </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Helper that lovingly & compassionately convicts us when it is in fact <i>our</i> fault. With a humble & repentant heart, we realize it is not GOD that needs to be forgiven, but us. The Bible teaches us that we must examine ourselves, and we should ask, Is there anything that I am still blaming GOD for, when it was <i>my</i> bad choice? Dear Lord I ask that you forgive me for blaming you when it was <i>my</i> fault. If we are faithful to confess it with a repentant heart, He is faithful to forgive it with His Holy Heart & Amazing Grace, and then we are blessed to grow even <i>close</i>r to Christ.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">It really is about trusting that our parent knows best even when we don't understand, or don't want to do what we have been told. We need to just remind ourself, my parent knows best. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">We praise You Lord for those teachable moments in life, no matter how painful they are to learn. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Here are some Great Scriptures on the importance of growing in wisdom. The Bible teaches us that even Christ grew in Wisdom. Luke 2:52</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 4:5, Psalm 90:12, Proverbs 4:7, Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 19:8, Romans 11:33, Colossians 1:9, Colossians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 3:19, Psalm 104:24, Psalm 136:5James 1:5, Psalm 119:34, Psalm 51:6: 1 James 3:17, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Job 12:12-13, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 23:4, Colossians 2:3, Ephesians 3:10Revelation 5:12, Jeremiah 10:12, Proverbs 3:19, Proverbs 21:30</span></span></div>WOWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892586604710614136noreply@blogger.com0