Wholly in a Broken World

I'm Growing

2012-01-10T02:07:00.001-08:00

2012 has definitely come in like a lion. Like a tornado of upheavals. This is has caused me to get excited. As I watch things swirl I realize, I'm not swirling with them. I'm still standing watching these things go on around me. I'm not oblivious to the facts, but they have failed to knock me over. Jesus is my anchor and I can honestly say His grip on me is tighter than mine could ever be on Him.

Getting to this place doesn't just happen. It is developed through a daily walk with Christ. Now, I am not claiming to be perfect, however I am definitely not what I was before. I can see spiritual growth in myself and I give all of the glory to God.

Time Well Spent

2011-12-27T06:01:00.001-08:00

Taking the time to look a person in their eyes and communicate is always time well spent. It is in those moments that you give the gift of acknowledgement. Everyone wants to know that someone genuinely cares about them and what they think. So take the time and listen. Show someone that you care enough to stop. In the stillness of that moment you'll receive the gift of being connected to another person.

Quiet

2011-12-26T08:12:00.001-08:00

It's amazing what you hear when everything in the house is quiet. A drip, a squeak, small unnoticeable noises in the course of a day. How many small precious things do we miss because of the noise of life. I'm enjoying this morning's quiet.

On another note- I'm amazed that life does repeat itself even when people don't know the history.

I DON’T LIKE IT!!!

2011-06-20T13:44:00.001-07:00

Jeremiah 5:30-31

A horrible and shocking thing has happened in this land—The prophets give false prophecies, and the priest rule with an iron hand. Worse yet, my people like it that way! But what will you do when the end comes?

I am currently preaching through the book of Jeremiah at my home church. This past Friday night found us in the latter verses of Chapter 5. God's charges against Judah were extreme, and they should have brought fear to the hearts of the people. Unfortunately that was not the outcome, the people continued to do exactly what they were doing before, sin. We know that we are at a time in the church, where our spiritual leaders seem to be out of control, and it is no wonder that the people have joined in. In Jeremiah 5:30, it is said to be a horrible and shocking thing that the prophets prophesy lies, and the priests no longer serve in love. The part that has shaken me the most is this statement, "Worse yet, my people like it that way!" (Jeremiah 5:31) In some versions it says they love it that way. The title of my message and what I want to say today is, "I Don't Like It!" I don't like the way our spiritual leaders are being exposed and not lied on. I don't like that church has become an amusement park more than a place to meet Jesus! I don't like that our daughters are still getting pregnant, and our sons are homosexuals. I don't like it! I don't like that, so called Christians, will fight against the bible to make the unsaved feel comfortable. I don't like that Jesus is not enough anymore. I don't like that salvation, repentance, and holiness have all become curse words. So, since I don't like it, I won't stand for it! Everyone may not listen but if one person does, it will be worth it. Jesus is the ONLY way, and Holiness is STILL right. These are not options or opinions, it is bible. Jesus Christ is coming back again, and I pray that we will all be ready!

Church is Boring?

2011-02-15T01:43:00.000-08:00

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times. Church is boring, and that is why young people don't want to go to church. ???? Church is not entertainment! It was not created to amuse humans. If you find church to be boring, you are most likely not fully engaged in the God of the church. If you have spent a full week communing with God, and trying to tell other people about Jesus, who saves, it's hard to see you being bored or uninterested at service time. If the church is only a building, where you show up occasionally to be lectured to, I guess that would be a depressing requirement. However, if church service is about gathering together with other believers, that desire to worship and magnify the name of Jesus, then you'll be joining a charged atmosphere of praise!

I think that one of the greatest misconceptions about church is that everyone should go. Going to a church that proclaims that Jesus is Lord, carries no interest for a person that doesn't believe Jesus is Lord. The church doesn't carry mass appeal, it if for those that have accepted Christ and are ready to grow in their faith and knowledge. Before anyone gets upset with me, would you send a person to medical school that had no interest in becoming a doctor? I don't think so. If you don't desire to become more like Christ, or you don't want to learn how to share your faith with others, then church will be boring. So before we keep attacking the church and it's inability to compete with Hollywood, let's examine our own hearts. Why are you going to church? Is it to worship God, and tell Him how awesome He is or is it to fulfill a requirment?

Relax…Don’t do it!

2011-02-02T02:04:00.001-08:00

If I told you that I put a small amount of poison in your breakfast this morning, would you be upset? What if it was a very, very small amount? Most people don't care how small the amount is, poison is poison. Well, Sin is poison. But, many people are eating it with both hands.

Some people think that I am just too serious about being saved, and living holy. I'm sure that many ears have tuned out my constant preaching and talking. In my humanity there are times that I wonder, am I doing too much? Is there something else that I can talk about? The answer I always arrive at is NO!

You see, I didn't choose to be a minister. This was placed upon me. The burden that I carry in my heart for souls to be saved, and saved "for real," is not something that I selected. But it is the only thing that brings me real joy. When I read the Word of God, I hear the warnings as if they were on a loud speaker. I feel the seriousness, about eternal life or eternal destruction. I cry literal tears, when I see people that don't realize that they must answer the question, "Is Jesus Lord." The question is not did He exist, or was He a good man or prophet. The real question is, "Have you made Him Lord of your life?" Does He have complete control? Take the time today to read Ephesians 5:1-19. Paul gives a very strong warning about participating in the darkness of sin. For many people they may not even realize what the bible actually says about sin. They've never been told about it, and they've never read about it.

This is why, I can't relax. This is why other real genuine ministers of the gospel cannot relax. As long as there are souls that have not heard about Jesus Christ, and have not surrendered their whole lives to Him, there is no time to relax.

Ephesians 5:1-6 (New Living Translation)

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

6 Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don't participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

The God of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel

2011-01-27T01:58:00.001-08:00

Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel were all barren. They were unable to have children. Not only was it a heart breaking thing not to have a child, in their culture it was a mark of shame. In Genesis 30, Rachel pleads with her husband Jacob, to give her children, and if not she would die. She desperately wanted a child..

When a person is unable to produce, it does something to the mind. It challenges your worth as a person. Especially, when you look around at other people and it seems that they are constantly producing fruit. Rachel, watched Leah have children, while she had none, and this made her angry.

While we usually focus on the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their wives have a wonderful testimony of God's amazing power. Never close the book, before God finishes the story. You may feel barren in your own life. You may have reached a certain age in life, and you have not accomplished the things that you had hoped. This can give you a feeling of being barren. But if we keep reading, we will see that God blessed all of these women with children. Sarah when she was 90, Rebekah, after her husband prayed, and Rachel after she stopped begging her husband, and remembered to pray. So I want to leave you with 3 things, that you should remember, when you feel like you're not measuring up.

Sarah, was blessed in her old age. Never say it is too late for God to bless you.

Rebekah's husband prayed for her. The prayers of the righteous accomplish a lot.

Rachel first begged Jacob to give her a child, and then she prayed. People don't answer prayers- God does.

2011-01-17T08:46:00.001-08:00

Just For You

2011-01-15T06:52:00.001-08:00

Today's post will not be for everyone. I go into this knowing that. Sometimes what I write is very specific. So here we go….You said that this year you were going to, start reading your bible, or start going to church, or both. Well have you?

I wrote the other day that no one can talk you into a relationship with Jesus Christ. But I do know that if you begin to spend time in His Word, and true fellowship He can and will transform you. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near."

I'm here to encourage you today. It's time to pick up your bible. It's something that we can do together. Take one verse, one chapter, one book at a time and allow the Spirit of God to speak to us. It's time to make reading the Word and prayer part of your daily life. This is not a replacement for being in regular fellowship at a local church. The scripture tells us not to neglect that fellowship. It's time to get connected. We are the Body of Christ, not the limbs of Christ. We all need one another. Whatever your reasons may be for not attending church, they can't be greater than what God has already spoken. We need spiritual leaders to teach us, and guide us. We need people that know what's going on in our lives that will pray for us. Don't allow the enemy, or people to convince you that it isn't necessary. It is absolutely vital to your spiritual growth. In addition to that, you also have a gift that the rest of the Body is missing, because you have it trapped at your house!

Believe it or not, reading your bible will have a direct connection to being in fellowship. When you really begin to read the Word of God, you will either have questions that need to be answered, or you will get answers that you want to share. Fellowship is an outlet for both. If this is for you, deep in your heart, you know it. I'm praying today that whatever it is that has kept you back will be broken and removed in Jesus' name. There is life in the Word. Start today. Start right now. Try reading Psalm 119. It's all about the Word of God. I pray that you will hunger to read the Word, and be in the midst of other believers, and that you will experience a radical transformation by obeying the Word of God.

You’re Pregnant

2011-01-13T06:16:00.001-08:00

You're pregnant. The two little lines on the stick mean that it's positive. After all, you already suspected it, the vomiting every morning, crying at every stupid commercial. You knew something was wrong. And then of course, you know what happened 6 weeks ago. Wow, reality sinks in, this is really happening. A real baby is inside of you. The only thing that will stop that baby from growing inside of you is death. Once the seed has been planted and fertilized, you can't stop the changes that will take place in a woman's pregnant body.

You can't convince a woman to be pregnant. You can talk to a woman for years about getting pregnant, but it will never happen. The only way to get pregnant is through an intimate process. Even women that use technology to have children, have to be in the right position to conceive.

Salvation does not come by conversation. Deliverance doesn't come from desire. They only occur through an intimate meeting with Jesus Christ. There is no amount of conversation that can transform a life. But when a life has truly met Jesus, there is nothing that can stop the growth of the Life inside. Once Christ is in you, the Holy Spirit continues the work of transforming you. When a woman is pregnant, the baby literally takes over. There are things she can no longer eat, and things that she will eat, that she has never eaten before. As her pregnancy progresses, the growth of the baby, stops her from being able to go certain places. This is just like the Holy Spirit. He will let you know, when you are doing something that doesn't please God.

I submit to you today, that we don't have to convince "Saved" people to live saved. If you have really come face to face with Jesus, you will change. 2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. If you're really in Christ, you are new. Newness of life comes with it. After you accept the Lordship of Christ, you then have to learn more about this new life you have started. Just like pregnant women get books, that will walk them through the stages of their pregnancy, we have been given the BIBLE, spiritual leaders, and fellow believers to walk with you. I pray that today will cause us all to think.

Are you pregnant? Have you really met Jesus Christ? What is your baby craving?

If you've never heard of salvation, I'm including a link to a page entitled the 4 Spiritual Laws. Please take a moment and read it.

Saved to be a Sacrifice

2011-01-10T08:20:00.001-08:00

While reading my bible this morning, a familiar scripture hit me in a significant way. Most people know the life of Noah, and how he was commanded to build the ark. Noah's family and a portion of the animals were saved from the flood. Look at this scripture that comes immediately after they came off of the boat- "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and there he sacrificed as burnt offering the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose." (Genesis 8:20 NLT)

The animals that Noah sacrificed were from the same set of animals that were selected to be on the ark. They were preserved from the destruction of the flood for the sole purpose of being offered to God. Their whole purpose in life was to be a sacrifice to God. Are we any different?

For those that have accepted Christ, we have been saved from the destruction of hell. But we were saved for a specific purpose. That is to be a sacrifice unto God, one that He will accept. Our greatest example Jesus Christ, gave himself as a sacrifice ^"And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth." (John 17:19 AMP) Jesus made this statement in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before His crucifixion. He gave Himself as a sacrifice for His disciples, and for the whole world.

Sometimes we can become so self consumed that we think that being saved is all about our own successes and comforts. The bible never teaches us that.

^"I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1 AMP)

We are actually taught to give up our right to ourselves, and turn the title deed over to Jesus Christ. This year, my anthem will be My Life for HIS Glory! Encouraging women to live lives poured out in sacrificial worship to the God that saved us. Because that is what we were saved to be- A Sacrifice!

Preacher Confesses: Affair, Love Child and Murder!

2010-10-01T01:52:00.001-07:00

Yes, you read it right. Another "preacher", confessed to an illicit affair that resulted in a pregnancy. This reporter is shocked. He even confessed to murdering the husband of his mistress. Will the scandal ever end?

Before you get too excited, this is not a new story. It is actually very old and is recorded in the Bible. The "preacher" that I'm talking about is King David. And in modern terms, his "scandal" would have rocked the church world. David not only had an affair with the beautiful Bathsheba, but he also, murdered her husband when he found out that she was pregnant. Read 2 Samuel 11 for the entire story. Uriah, Bathsheba's husband was an honorable man, and he was murdered in cold blood. How could David, the king, of such a great, blessed nation, do such a thing? Well, David like many of us was drawn away by lust. When lust is fully grown it brings death, spiritual death, and if not repented of, physical death.

Now, if the story ended here, there would be just sad news. But read Psalms 51 to see David's reaction and prayer after he is confronted by the prophet. David confesses, and then he repents to God. God isn't minimized by the magnitude of our sin. He is powerful, and loving enough to wash away all of our sins. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So what you did isn't the issue. The issue is what you will do once you've done it. Will you continue to roll around in it? Or will you confess, repent, and begin to do things God's way.

Sin, must be confronted. Not talking about it doesn't make it go away. The "dark secret" actually gives the enemy more room to play. Confrontation, exposure (done in love and led by the Spirit) brings light, deliverance, and healing to the darkest of hearts. Scandal, is not a new thing. And repentance is not a bad thing. The bible says that sin is lawlessness. It is living outside of the laws of God. Repentance, puts you back where you belong. You may have a sin scandal of your own, that you're trying to minimize. The Spirit of God is speaking to you today. Repent, Give your Entire life/heart to Christ, and enjoy the abundant life He wants to give you.

Spiritual Hoarding

2010-09-29T01:19:00.001-07:00

Spiritual Hoarding

One show that has me completely intrigued is "Hoarders." I am amazed, and fascinated by the sheer amounts of "junk" that people collect and don't discard over the years. I watch in amazement as they argue with others about why they don't want to get rid of things that everyone else clearly views as junk. I watched a woman last week, argue that food, although past its expiration date was good to eat as long as the package was not bulging. I was horrified. Until, my husband said to me, "That's going to be you in a few years, if you don't get a grip." What? Not me! I am what you would call a pack rat. I always have been. It is hard for me to get rid of things, because, "I might need them someday." I always feel as if, the times I throw things away I need them soon after.

His statement really made me think. Why is it so hard for me to get rid of my first English 101 paper? I still have papers for a Critical Thinking class in 2000. Who knows, I might want to use the "bones" of the paper again. It's so much easier to look at others and wonder why they are the way they are, than it is to deal with, why you, are the way you are. I am in the process of de-cluttering, naturally and spiritually. I don't want anything to hinder me from hearing, and seeing God.

People who engage in hoarding typically collect items because they believe these items will be needed or have value in the future. A person also may hoard items that he or she feels have important emotional significance — serving as a reminder of happier times, for example, or representing beloved people or pets. People who hoard may report feeling safer when surrounded by the things they collect. (MayoClinic.com)

Of course, this whole train of thinking got me thinking. What about spiritual hoarding? How often do we keep things around us and in our lives that no longer have any value? We may keep things because they have some sentimental value, or emotional significance, but they no longer contribute to our lives. One of the worst forms of this is in relationships. We continue to provide strength, resources, emotions, and tears to people that God has already said should be removed. We allow our lives, and minds to be cluttered with junk from others and instead of getting it all cleaned out, we give up, and make do with living in the chaos.

Many of the people on the show have a specific turning point, when they gave up, and allowed their lives to spiral downward. Have you hit that emotional turning point? Are you allowing yourself to live in chaos spiritually? Are you lowering your God given standards just to have things/people around you? I am very passionate about young women, who continue in the same destructive relationship cycles that only bring pain. But I believe that if we allow God to do a radical clearing out, we'd all be able to make wise decisions about the people we allow in our lives.

I’ll Keep Writing

2010-05-29T20:00:00.001-07:00

Doing what you've always wanted to do, bring challenges of its own. Will it work? Will other people like it or appreciate it? That's what I'm dealing with right now. I'm embarking on writing my first novel. I believe that I have the talent, but is it enough for someone to purchase a book. What I decided to do this year, was to be consistent in my writing. No matter what the outcome is, I will fulfill my commitment to writing.

I Will Abide

2009-12-31T16:56:00.001-08:00

Getting ready for Watch Night service. Thinking about what this New Year has in store for me. Only God truly knows what will happen. I must put myself in the position to be protected, and guarded by my Savior. I must not allow fear to cause me to run out on my own and risk danger. No matter what sounds of explosions are going on around me, I will stay in the safety and shelter of the Master's wings.

What’d Done in the Dark

2009-12-29T14:18:00.001-08:00

What's done in the dark will always come to the light. We all know that. People get exposed everyday for dirty little secrets. But have you ever thought that it could work another way? We all go through dark times in our lives, times, when it feels as if God is no where around. What do you do then? Do you stand on God's word even when it feels like all hope is lost? Your faith is truly tested in the darkness of life's situations. Well, what you do then will be exposed. When you stand in the darkest hours, and trust God to do exactly what He said, though it tarry wait on it. Your faith will grow. When you pray in your secret closet, God will answer openly. I just want to encourage you today. That when it seems like no one notices you, your faithfulness, your love, or concern, God sees in the dark as well as He does in the light. Nothing gets past God. So whatever you do in the night seasons of life, will be exposed and rewarded in the light.

Safety First!

2009-11-27T03:22:00.001-08:00

Safety First!

[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

I felt like I have been shaken. It absolutely breaks my heart to hear about broken marriages and relationships especially those that have been rocked by infidelity. Why is this a common occurrence? Some say women aren't doing what they are supposed to at home. Others believe that men, simply are dogs. I don't believe either one of these statements. We forget too often that we have an enemy, and he is constantly on the job of destruction. And although he can't "make us", do anything, he will definitely take advantage of any opportunities that we allow him.

The earlier scripture is a very powerful one. This is not an automatic state of being, it is a choice that you must make. There is an alternative to walking in the Spirit, and it is called, "walking in the flesh." It goes on to tell us that if we don't walk, obedient to and led by the Holy Spirit at all times, we will fulfill the lusts , (desires) of the flesh. This is the truth for ANYONE! It does not, I repeat does not exclude anyone. The person that is sooooooo strong that they will never do anything wrong does not exist. Stop thinking that. That belief causes people to rely on their own strength, only to find themselves in a pen with hogs, wondering how they got there. This is a serious issue people. This goes for anyone, married or single. You know that you've told yourself that there were things that you wouldn't do, or do again. And before you knew it, there you were again! So where is the help? In this same verse, it tells us that if we walk in the Spirit (obedient and led by) you won't fulfill the lusts (strong cravings) of this flesh. We were all born into flesh, which is why we all need Jesus to be our Savior. As long as we are alive this flesh will have cravings and desires. And we must make them, by an act of our will fall subject to the Word and Spirit of God. The more consistently, you live this way, the less the urges pull on you.

However, the problems begin, when we place ourselves in a situation, and fail to hear the Holy Spirit warn us of the danger. If you start hearing the warning bells and fail to stop, you are heading for destruction. This is how people fall. It is not that they aren't "saved." It means that they failed to be led by and obedient to the Holy Spirit. We've all been there. So what can we do? I'm not trying to make you feel that there is no hope. Because there is hope!!! First, we must be diligent about reading and studying the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship. But it can't end there. People have done all of those things and fallen. We must all put safeguards in place in our lives to help us. Be honest with what you struggle with, or have struggled with. If you allow the flesh to come alive it will return to the same things that it once did. Become accountable to someone. Tell them when you are dealing with something in your mind. The enemy loves to play in darkness, don't give him any room. Think safety first: the safety of your marriages, your children, your churches, your ministries…etc. There is so much at stake. And it only takes one time to destroy it and others for a lifetime.

To be continued…

Where Are You Going?

2009-08-12T03:00:00.001-07:00

If you aim at nothing you'll hit it every time! This is a very true statement. It is very important to have goals because it is so easy to get off course and waist time. A goal or vision brings discipline into a person's life. So I ask you today where you are going. What is your destiny? The word destiny originates from the idea, "to make firm or establish, something that is predetermined by fate". Oftentimes we use this word for Earthly things. We define our destiny as what we will do on this Earth. I submit to you today that your destiny is truly what happens after this Earth. Let me ask it like this, "What is your desired final destination?" What you're meant to do on this Earth is your purpose. What you do on this Earth is directly connected to your destination. I continue to share the gospel, in season and out, because I know my destination is Heaven. Are you living for your true destiny? Where are you going? Does your life reflect what's stamped on your ticket. If I packed a suitcase with jackets, gloves, blankets, and snow boots, no one would believe that I was going to the Bahamas. What's in your suitcase? Are you packed for Heaven? It's really time to do some self-examination and then allow the Holy Spirit to continue the exam. If you aim at nothing you'll hit it every time. No one will get to Heaven on accident, it will be because they made a conscious decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and the only solution to the sin problem. Today is the day of salvation. You can know your destination, and if you want it to be Heaven-Jesus is standing at the door of your heart knocking.

Seeing things God's Way

2009-07-25T07:43:00.001-07:00

Seeing things God's Way

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SEX!

2009-07-24T07:29:00.001-07:00

Marriage, Sex, Desire, Passion all of it was God's idea! For some reason we have bought into the lie that you can't receive fulfillment doing things God's way. If you recall, when He looked at all that He had made, He said, "It's good!" Now, if it was God's idea, who would know better about your romantic life? Give Him credit for His own work. No, what we do is we follow the devil's plan and expect it to be "good". Many of you might desire a husband, guess who you should consult? I think you know where I'm going here. What you think you want in a man is probably based on what you liked outside of the will of God. Oh yeah, He does have a perfect will concerning your life. I know, I know we need to supervise God to make sure that He doesn't mess up right? (I'm joking) God doesn't play "Date My Daughter." He knows the heart of everyman. He doesn't look on the outward appearance, He looks at the heart. What's the use of having a fine man that doesn't honor God, you, or your commitment?

If you are struggling in your flesh right now, feeling like you can't contain without having sex, let's talk. It is a trick of the devil himself. Although it might be a struggle, you must resolve in yourself that you don't want less than God's perfect will for your life. This will require you to actively do things that won't tempt you to fall. (Have you ever noticed that we're never tempted to do right?) Become active in your local church, volunteer at a school, visit the elderly. I know I'm not being realistic right? Well let's be realistic. Most women are heartbroken behind the men they slept with that they are no longer with. That's real! Many of us had babies with a man that we are no longer with. That's real! Some are dead from AIDS, or suffering with Herpes because of some man they slept with that we are no longer with. That's real! We couldn't see he wasn't going to make a good husband because you'd already slept with him and had lost your objectivity. See, while the devil is telling you that you are a grown woman and you have needs. He is not saying that his only plan is to steal, kill, and destroy.

So what am I saying? If you really want to know true love, and true fulfillment it is only found in Jesus Christ. You don't have to compromise or accept any less than your Father's best. If we follow His way, people won't be experimenting with our emotions and we won't be experimenting with theirs. What many people don't realize is that, when you finally do it get married you bring all of those broken relationships with you. And that is not fair to any husband.

This is a topic that I don't discuss much, but I needed to say this. I'd love to hear your responses.

Things I Learned from Bejeweled

2009-07-24T07:22:00.001-07:00

You don't control how things fall in your life -God is in control of our lives, and we don't have to fear what may come. He has it all in control.

If you don't play by the rules it won't work- When have been given a rule book called the Word of God, to get the benefits we must follow it.

Handle one thing at a time-

The more you play, the more you"ll want to.-The more you experience God and taste of the goodness of Christ the more you'll seek Him.

Never be to proud to ask for help-Acknowledge Him in all of your ways, don't think you can do this on your own.

One right move can change the whole game-What you consider a small thing, could be the act of obedience that changes your whole life. Obey all the time!

Your biggest blessings usually come when you don't expect them!-Every good and perfect thing comes from God! Your greatest accomplishments won't be through your own power but by God's great mercy and grace.

2009-07-19T14:09:00.001-07:00

A Place Called Holy

2009-07-16T07:11:00.001-07:00

"I've done my fair share of travelling in my life. I have seen some very beautiful scenery and experienced different cultures. I enjoy discovering! I just love to have fun, period! Life is for living, and Jesus gives us abundant life. I have been in and around the church world all of my life. Generally, there were many things that were not allowed because; it was believed to be sinful. I lived my childhood years with those limitations. When I was grown enough to try some things, I did. My whole goal was to have fun! Well, it was fun, for a season, but much of it carried consequences. Now that I'm striving to live for Christ, I'm no longer in and around the church, the church is in me. Serving Christ is really my chief goal in life. I'm on my way to a new location- A Place Called Holy! Germany is a beautiful country, absolutely gorgeous, but the shops close at 2pm on Saturday! There were no 24 hour restaurants, and you couldn't play loud music after 10pm. If you let it those restrictions would stop you from enjoying, the sheer beauty of that country! As I set out on this journey, I found that there were things that would not be allowed there, but my desire to go, outweighs my desire to hold on to anything. On this journey, I'm realizing that it isn't really about, what I can't do; it's about what I can do. In this place there is peace, like I have never known before. I no longer bear the guilt and shame of my past. I choose to enjoy the hope that is placed in my heart for the future. When I don't know what to do, I can pray, and God answers me. When I read my bible, the Holy Spirit actually reveals to me what it means, and what it should look like in my life. I rejoice in the God of my Salvation, for reserving this trip for me. On any trip that you take, it is understood that there are some things, you just can't pack. But what you can't take doesn't stop you from enjoying the journey. I love this walk of holiness. I am having a blast! I love talking about God, and telling other people about Him. I love experiencing every new day with Him and watching Him fight all of my battles. Oh, I am on a beautiful adventure, with the Lord! Try it, taste and see that the Lord is good. Many people complain about what they can't do, because they haven't yet tasted the absolute fulfillment of what is available to them in Christ! I am on my way to a Place Called Holy, will you join me?"

Where is my baby?

2009-06-17T06:34:00.001-07:00

I am so troubled by the stories of babies being forgotten in cars, ALL Day! I mean are we so busy that we can't even remember to take our own children out of the car? It is a sad story that we can leave something so precious behind. Before, I complete passing judgment on those parents that endangered their children; I have a confession to make. I've left my child before also. Not a natural born child but a God given child. I wasn't even sure where it was that I'd seen it last. I was worse than the parents that I spoke about earlier. I received reminders that I didn't have it and I ignored the reminders. My baby is the Wholly Women Fellowship. Seven years ago, God gave her to me but I haven't always cherished her. In order to cherish a God given baby you must seek God continuously on what He wants, and how He wants it to be done. I failed in those areas. I'm telling you all this for two reasons: 1) I appreciate all of you for being a part of what God is doing with Wholly Women, and 2) to ask you, where your baby is? What are you supposed to be doing for the Kingdom of God? Are you nurturing it or do we need to call the Heavenly Child Protective Services on you? I'm not sure how close I came to being reported, but I won't do it again. If you are truly walking in the Spirit you know that the return of Jesus Christ is soon. It could happen at any time. I do not want to be found with my work undone.

Sometimes, when the Lord gives me something to write I know that it is written to a specific heart. Our God is so gracious and merciful that He will move on the heart of someone you may not know to get a message to you. My dear sister, make no more excuses for not doing the will of God. Rise up, Be healed, and Go forth in the power of Jesus Christ. There are lives waiting to be touched by God through you.

Whose Heaven is it Anyway?

2009-06-10T10:29:00.001-07:00

Ezekiel 3:17-21 (The Message) ^17-19 "Son of man, I've made you a watchman for the family of Israel. Whenever you hear me say something, warn them for me. If I say to the wicked, 'You are going to die,' and you don't sound the alarm warning them that it's a matter of life or death, they will die and it will be your fault. I'll hold you responsible. But if you warn the wicked and they keep right on sinning anyway, they'll most certainly die for their sin, but you won't die. You'll have saved your life.

^20-21 "And if the righteous turn back from living righteously and take up with evil when I step in and put them in a hard place, they'll die. If you haven't warned them, they'll die because of their sins, and none of the right things they've done will count for anything—and I'll hold you responsible. But if you warn these righteous people not to sin and they listen to you, they'll live because they took the warning—and again, you'll have saved your life."

19 years ago as a 17 year old high school graduate, I thought that I had all of the answers. I really thought I knew something. Life has taught me that I didn't know .05% of what I thought. As humans we think that we know what's best for our own lives. Usually it is not until some trouble or calamity comes that we realize that we were on the wrong path. Our parents warned us about many things, but our youth numbed our ears to the truth that they were trying to give us. I have so many regrets about my past that could have been avoided if I had only listened. As adults we do the same thing, we hear truth and then we filter it through our own desires and lusts. If we're honest with ourselves, we know that there are things that we shouldn't do. We do them anyway, because we're grown and no one can tell us what to do.

So, I would like to address everyone that says that they are a Christian, Whose Heaven are you trying to get to? Is it your boyfriend's or girlfriend's heaven? If you're trying to get to God's Heaven you must follow His rules for getting there. You may not see anything wrong with the way that you're living, but have you ever stopped to ask Him how He felt about it? It is my responsibility to warn us (all of us) that God does have a standard, regardless of how you feel about it. Are you living to please God? Is being a Christian just a good thing that you do? Do you know that living a moral life is not enough to get you to heaven? Does it ever cross your mind to include God in all of your decisions? Proverbs tells us to acknowledge God in ALL of our ways. I know that we fail to ask Him because we don't want Him raining on our parade. So, I ask again, Whose Heaven are you going to? Is it fair to say that you're going to a person's house and then break every rule that they have? We say that God understands that we're human. Would you understand if I came to your house and disrespected it? No, you would ask me to leave. (Or throw me outJ) I come today pleading with all of us to take some time and seek God. What does the bible, which we will eventually be judged by, say? Hell is too hot and eternity is too long, to take a chance at being wrong. I am coming to you today, to warn you. Turn away from sin. The more you reject truth the easier it will be for you to be deceived. To clarify, there really is no other heaven. There is only one Heaven and one Hell. If you were to stand before God today, where would you go?

My Prayer

2009-06-09T08:50:00.001-07:00

I am constantly thinking about other people's salvation. That may sound like I'm nosy, but it's not. As a minister of the gospel, this weight has been placed on me. Without this concern I would not be pushed to study and seek God about His will. I look at the world and I look at people's lives (including my own) and I see that we fall beneath God's standard. Sometimes we feel bad about it, but most of the times we convince ourselves, that God doesn't mind. According to the scriptures, God does care, He's very concerned about it. He constantly uses true ministers to declare the truth and expose error. So my prayer today is that people everywhere will receive the truth. That people's hearts will be broken because of sin. That men and women will run to Jesus Christ for salvation. I pray that the lies of the enemy will be revealed for what they really are and that the Word of God will be held as the final authority. I pray that the "Christians" that go to church will truly live lives set apart for God's use. I pray that the Holy Spirit will convince us all of sin, and judgment. I pray that someone will acknowledge that God has a perfect standard and as humans we can't reach it. I pray,that we will all see that Christ met that standard and allows us to participate in the rewards by accepting His sacrifice on the cross. Today is the day of salvation. Please don't harden your heart.

Warning!

2009-06-08T07:42:00.001-07:00

Genesis 27:21-24- Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not." Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau. He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. Are you really my son Esau?

Before we can be double crossed or deceived we are first warned. As a believer in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit will not allow you to be caught off guard. We miss the subtle warnings that He provides to warn us. Isaac doubted that he was talking to Esau. At this time in Isaac's life he was blind. He could not see. We can be in blind situations where we are not seeing things for what they really are. I've heard that when you lose one sense the others compensate. Well in this text Isaac's sense of hearing was telling him that he was not talking to Esau. In four short verses, he questions the fact that it's Esau. So Isaac doesn't call for some one that can actually see, he asks the "trickster" to come closer. How many warning flags have you ignored? Have you even stopped to pray? We serve a God that is all seeing- He knows the heart of every man and woman. Have you asked for the advice of someone who is not emotionally attached to your situation? You could avoid a lot of heartache and pain if you would heed the subtle warnings of the Holy Spirit. Take this as a warning today.

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2009-06-05T20:54:00.001-07:00

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Think About This

2009-06-04T06:48:00.001-07:00

Never mud wrestle with a pig. You'll both get muddy, but the pig will enjoy it!

Marriage is not a destination that can be reached it is a journey that a man and a woman choose to take together.

God on Pause

2009-06-03T10:02:00.001-07:00

I try to write based on what the Holy Spirit is laying on my heart. Sometimes, I'm thinking so many things that I'm not sure what to send out on a given day. I'm learning to trust the Holy Spirit. It is not my job or assignment; to unconvince people. Some may reject what I say because they believe they already know. However, there are some that don't even know that deliverance and freedom from all bondages are available to them. This is my quest, to declare the message of wholeness through Jesus Christ. This will come about in many forms, but my ultimate prayer is that you will grow in your knowledge and understanding of the Saviour.

I came to Jesus as I was, weary, wounded, and sad. I found in Him a resting place and He has made me glad. To many of you the words of this song ring a bell. None of us had any power to save or deliver ourselves. And at some point, we gave in to the tug of the Holy Spirit and accepted Jesus Christ as the only solution to sin. That is when we pushed play. The tape at first sounded so sweet. It was literally music to our ears. We could be free, free, free! Slowly the tape began to play a different tune. You started hearing words like sacrifice, surrender, and death. Wait, hold up, was that the tape you bought into? No one told you about the requirements. I thought salvation was like skipping through a field picking flowers with my friends! So you made a choice to push PAUSE! One of the definitions of pause is: a cessation of activity because of doubt or uncertainty; a momentary hesitation. Have you ceased to be active spiritually? I want to confront you today- What are you doing about your spiritual life? You're working diligently at your love life, and your career, but you still have God on pause. Have you wondered why you haven't seen the manifestation of prophecies? Check the pause button. Yesterday in prayer the Lord told me that I was overdue. Overdue means-coming or arriving after the scheduled or expected time; Being something that should have occurred earlier. Pushing pause causes us to be overdue in the things of God. There are places in ministry that we should have been a long time ago. Stop listening to people that tell you, "It doesn't take all that to be saved." It may not take all of that to get saved; but it takes a whole lot live holy. We live in a generation where anything goes. I challenge you to get into the Word of God for yourself. What is He requiring of you? What does the bible say about Holy living? If you'll let the tape play, you'll hear that with the sacrifice comes great rewards on Earth and in Heaven.

The Reluctant Bride 2

2009-06-02T14:43:00.001-07:00

Chris looked over at the clock, 8:03 pm. Lola should have called an hour ago. This was becoming more and more frequent. He thought about calling her but there would probably be no answer. This whole distance thing was for the birds. He missed talking to her. She was a busy woman and he accepted that. “Businesses can’t run themselves,” she’d always said. And she was definitely running it.

“I think her clients see her more than I do.” Chris said, getting up to turn on the TV. Surfing through the channels didn’t work to take his mind off of her. He was so excited about the big day. Sports, news, and comedies flew past the screen as he quickly pressed the remote button. He finally let it rest on the classic movie network and returned his eyes to staring at the ceiling. He considered going to the gym again, and quickly discarded the thought.

“I don’t think she’s talked about it for about two weeks. “ He wasn’t sure exactly when things had changed. When he’d first asked her, she was so excited. They talked every night, and she was making so many plans. He had been saving for a beautiful wedding, and he had made that clear to her. Money was going to be no problem for the biggest day of their lives. He knew that he was going to have to leave the day after the proposal. His job had moved him to a remote site and he would be away for awhile. But he had told Lola that he would come back as soon as he could and then they could start their wonderful life together as husband and wife.

“I thought women were supposed to be excited about getting married. “ He spoke aloud to no one, since he was alone again.

Chris had even called Lola’s best friend Leah. If anyone could reach Lola it was her friend.

“Have you heard from Lola recently? I can’t seem to reach her.” Chris asked.

“I received an email from her the other day. You should try her work cell. She usually has that with her at all times.”

“You know I’ve tried every number that she has. She won’t return any of my calls. What’s going on Leah, be honest with me.”

“She said that she had all of the wedding plans under control. That’s all I know. I just think that you need to come back as soon as you can?” Leah tried to keep her own concern about the situation under wraps. This was between Chris and Lola.

“Leah, I need your help. Please do me a favor? “Chris asked.

“I don’t think that this is any of my business, Chris. You should try to contact her yourself. She doesn’t seem like she’s open to listening to me, anyway.” Leah wanted to say no, but she knew that she had to do it.

“Tell her, that I love her. Tell her, that I’ll be back soon and we’ll live all the dreams we talked about before. Please tell her for me, Leah. “

“Okay,” Leah whispered and hung up the phone.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=8267&post=34670&uid=44654934690#/topic.php?uid=44654934690&topic=8267

The Reluctant Bride pt 1

2009-06-02T14:42:00.001-07:00

Expensive wedding magazines lay all over the house. The big day was drawing near. Leah, Lola’s maid of honor was confused. She had been asked to stand with Lola, but she hadn’t heard anything else about the arrangements. Everything seemed a little too strange. She’d left several messages. One went like this:

“Hey Lola, this is Leah. Have you gone to look for a dress yet? I’d love to help you pick one out.”

To this there was an email response. “Don’t worry I’ve got it all under control. I have a dress in my closet that I’m going to wear. I just need to lose a little weight, and it will be perfect. Talk to you soon. Smooches.”

A dress in her closet? Was Leah the only one that thought that was strange? Leah knew that Chris, Lola’s fiancé had a good job. Why wasn’t she getting a new dress?

Two months before the wedding, they met for lunch. Sitting in the restaurant, Leah finally asked Lola, “Why aren’t you getting ready for the wedding?”

“What are you talking about? I’m tired of people accusing me of not getting ready. I am a very busy woman, and just because you don’t see the plans that I’m making doesn’t mean I’m not making any! Lola’s eyes were bulging like a bull about to charge.

“I’m sorry for upsetting you, but I can’t help what I don’t see!” Leah looked around her, and realized that their voices were getting a little loud.

“This is my wedding isn’t it?” Lola whispered angrily, leaning over the table toward Lola.

“Yes, it is. But I thought that I would be able to help you. I mean, I don’t even know about the colors or the dress I’ll be wearing!”

“Why are people so concerned about my wedding arrangements? I think you’re making this too complicated. People get married everyday without all that other stuff. It takes up too much of my time. Chris is not coming back until the wedding anyway. He doesn’t care about the specifics, he’s just happy to be marrying me.” Lola started picking up her things.

Leah reached her hand out to grab Lola’s hand. “When you first got engaged you were really excited, and you said that Chris wanted a big beautiful wedding. What happened is he broke?”

“No! He’s not broke I just don’t think all of that is necessary.” Lola grabbed her purse and stood up. “Leah, I love you but this is not your concern. You’re my maid of honor, not my mother. You’re supposed to be helping me to relax, not get stressed out.” With that she paid her bill and left.

Now, two weeks until the big day, sitting in her own apartment, Leah surveyed the room. Cut outs of beautiful gowns and cakes were pasted to a presentation board. An unrehearsed To Do List was in her day planner. Why was she investing money, and going through so much trouble for someone else’s wedding? The, How to Have a Successful Wedding Day book said it was her job as the MOH. She had to be well versed in all things bridal. The more she read the more she wanted to tell Lola about it. But Lola didn’t want to hear it. Did Lola really want to get married? To be continued….

Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. Rev 19:7 NLT

Discussion topic:

What’s going on with Lola? Let’s talk about it. Follow the link below to post your comments about the ideas in this story. http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=8267&post=34670&uid=44654934690#/topic.php?uid=44654934690&topic=8267

What will I do with Today?

2009-05-13T04:40:00.001-07:00

My youngest son went to bed crying last night. For some reason he keeps thinking that I'm going to die. Well, I ordinarily would become paranoid. I'm not. I had a good long talk with him, and I had a good long talk with myself. The truth is, if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. I'm living right now, to be ready to die later. I'm taking all of the brakes off of my life, giving myself to God completely so that when it's time to go I will have no regrets.

So what will I do with today? I'm giving this whole day to God as a sacrificial gift. I'm giving Him my life to bring him glory. This day is for you Lord. He is our shelter, He is our Father. All that we are belongs to Him. Live your life today, like you'll be in eternity tomorrow.

Recruiting Station

2009-05-11T14:20:00.001-07:00

How many people here are saved? When I was younger I would always raise my hand because I didn't want to be the only idiot admitting that I wasn't living a nickels worth of nothing! I've learned as I've gotten older that people still do this. When that question gets asked, you immediately start thinking about all of the things you do on a regular basis that are not considered, "Christian." Admitting that you are not a Christian means that you will be the target of the day. Mothers, missionaries and ministers will come from everywhere trying to convince you that you need to be saved. I think that Christians should start giving the unsaved a little credit. At least they came to church, right? At least they didn't allow what happened at the club last night to stop them from putting on something decent and coming to church. What if one day someone just stood up and said, "Look preacher, I hear what you're saying but I'm not ready to stop having sex, smoking, cussing, lying, or drinking. I like my life the way it is right now and I would appreciate it if you left me alone!!!" (I know many of you reading this are probably wondering if I have lost my Holy Ghost mind. I haven't, I know sin is still sin, trust me. )

Would you walk into a recruiter's office and get mad because they tried to recruit you into the Armed Forces? I don't think so. So, why is the preacher wrong for trying to recruit you into the Kingdom of God? If you're sure you don't want to be on the team don't put your name in the draft. True believers are serious about not seeing any soul that crosses their path goes to hell. If you don't want to hear about sin, don't go where they talk about it. But if you really understand that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, (His name is Jesus by the way) I'm sure that there's a church or saint near you willing to recruit you. No one gets mad at the college basketball scout, but the Matthew 28:19 Scout is almost equal to a criminal. There is a place called Heaven, and there is a place called Hell, and this place called Earth is the only place that you get to make a choice.

Happy Mother’s Day

2009-05-08T03:51:00.001-07:00

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there. (1 Samuel 1:27-28)

Have you ever been pregnant? It is an experience that creates so many emotions, fears, and dreams. You don't know what it will be or become. With my first child, I was single in Germany, living in the barracks when I found out I was pregnant. I cried many nights because I didn't know what I was going to do with a child. You can be pregnant with more than a physical child. You may be pregnant with a dream or desire. Hannah, Samuel's mother was pregnant with the desire for a child. She wanted one so bad. She did something that many people don't do. She took her desire to God. All of our desires should not come to pass. There are some desires that I've had throughout my life that I am glad did not happen. I am thankful for some unanswered prayers! But Hannah took her desire to God and it pleased Him. He granted her request. Once she received her desire, she didn't forget the one that gave it to her in the first place. She took Samuel to live in the temple, to live a life dedicated to God. What are you pregnant with? Start now giving it to God. Whatever it is will be more than you could ever imagine if you commit it to God. Samuel grew up to become the prophet to Israel; the scripture says that everything he said happened. Get that desire, that child in your mind and commit them to God, Now. My son is 15 now, and I have two other children and I have given and keep giving them to God! It may seem like time is against you and that it will never happen. We serve a God that makes broken dreams come true. It is never too late with God. So whether you are the mother of a dream, vision, or actual child- Happy Mother's Day!

Lord, Lord

2009-05-07T04:48:00.001-07:00

Matt 7:20-23 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Have you been intimate with Christ? Has he known you? Many profess that they are Christians but fail to do what Christians are supposed to do. If you plant an apple tree, you expect to see some apples grow there. If the Holy Spirit is planted in our hearts, then His fruit should automatically grow there. That's simple. We must not hinder its growth but it will grow. In the last day, Jesus will say to some to depart from Him because He never knew them. He had never known them intimately. Have you met Christ in the secret places of your heart, the dark recesses of your mind? Is He in control of you totally? The fruit in your life testify to what is planted in your heart. What is the true test of your transformation- the fruit that appear in your life. If we are being shaped into Christ's image we should be becoming more and more like Him everyday. Get rid of that nobody's perfect mentality and accept the work of the Holy Spirit. It's possible! Victory is in the transformation!

My prayer for you today is that every way of thinking that you have that doesn't please God would be torn down. I pray that you surrender your whole-body, soul, and spirit to Him today. I pray that everyone around you will see the miraculous changes in your life. I pray that your whole heart will call Jesus, Lord today. In Jesus Name!

Run Girl, Run

2009-04-28T04:42:00.001-07:00

She could hear footsteps behind her. She stopped and glanced back but she could see no one. She quickened her pace watching for broken cement. The fog had begun to thicken and she knew that leaving without her friends was a bad idea. Was that giggling she heard behind her? "This can't be happening to me." Sara thought. Another quick glance back and she knew, that was the same shadowy figure she had seen standing in the alley. "Should I scream? " That looked hopeless because none of the apartments looked inhabited. "So this is how it will end for me. Oh God no!" Sarah's speed walk soon became an all out jog. "I can't die here. I've got to get away!" The harder she ran the less she could hear the footsteps behind her. All she could hear now was the thump, thump, thump of the blood,rushing through her head. " I won't die, I won't die, I refuse to die."

Sarah knew that someone was after her. We as believers must know that the enemy is after us. Just like Sarah, we've got to decide that we will run for our lives. Run Girl, Run! We know that the devil only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. So if he is telling you anything he wants to accomplish one or all of those things in your life. Are you going to just lay there and let him, or will you run to the cross and find safety: If you hear the footsteps of your past behind you, don't stop to look. Don't be the helpless girl in the movie that always falls. Set your eyes toward your goal and move. If you run, before you know it you'll be soaring with the eagles. Run like your life depends on it-because it does.

I Get So Emotional

2009-04-08T05:12:00.001-07:00

Salvation is not all about emotion. I wanted to make that clear statement first. The work of salvation that Christ won for us on the cross is a fact. If you never get emotional about it, it does not change the fact that He died to take away the sins of the world. However, if you ever REALLY understand the gift of salvation that you've been given you will get emotional!

When you realize that you could never be good enough to keep yourself out of hell, and Christ is the only one that could do it…

When, I think about the fact that I know I was sleeping around, and I should have AIDS or any other horrible diseases and I don't…..

When I remember how I was tormented by fear, anger, rage and loneliness and that is gone away…..

When the guilt of my past life tries to come back and I can tell it that Christ took all of my burdens….

I don't know about you, or your specific testimony, but when I think about what it means for me to be saved…I get emotional.

Have any of you ever had a baby? I have had three and once that baby is out and that pain is over I got very emotional. The sheer joy of seeing the child that I had carried for all of those months made me cry. One day we are going to see Jesus face to face, but until then His Spirit lives in us letting us know that everything we read in the Bible is real. Today I pray that you will take some time and rehearse all of the wonderful things that salvation through Christ has done in your life. Someone asked about grace yesterday. We can't "out sin" grace. Where sin is great, grace is greater. But when we really understand the power of God's grace we don't want to keep sinning and hurting the Father.

Romans 6:11-13 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Get Emotional about salvation, about God's grace and His favor. When you think about it He got emotional about you, so emotional that He sent His Son to die for your sins.

No More Mixture

2009-04-02T03:29:00.000-07:00

Many people know the story of the children of Israel coming out of Egypt. They wandered in the desert for forty years. Did you know that before they left Egypt the women were told to go to the Egyptian women and ask for their gold? This is how they plundered Egypt, they left wealthy. As the journey continues Moses is called up to Mt. Sinai to meet with God and receive the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile back at the ranch, the Israelites are tired of waiting for Moses to return. They tell Aaron to make them gods that they can worship. (For those of you that are new to the story, this was a bad idea) Well the same gold that was given to them to escape from bondage was used to create a new bondage. So they worshipped to this false god and declared that the golden calf represented the gods that brought them out of Egypt. When Aaron saw this he knew that it wasn’t good, so he built an altar to God and told the people to worship there. Now we get to the scripture- Exodus 32:5-6 5 Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!” 6 The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry. Aaron knew that worshipping another god was wrong but instead of stopping them he attempted to add God into the worship. As you can see the people worshipped, and sacrificed but they returned to their previously scheduled party. Have you added God to your playlist? Is He one among many in your life? I’m sitting here realizing that I find myself guilty of wanting God to get with my program instead of me getting with His. We live in a generation that tells we can do whatever feels right to us. This is a lie. God demands holiness from His people because He is holy. Growing up it seemed that the older saints couldn’t do anything, but now it seems that “saints” can do anything. Has God changed? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound-God Forbid! While we hold on to our ungodly friendships, boyfriends, girlfriends, music, thinking, and living; we become just like the Israelites. We will appear to worship God as long as it doesn’t require us to stop what we enjoy. You may not see anything wrong with what you’re holding on to and you don’t understand why God won’t let you have it. Babies don’t understand why they can’t put knives in their mouths either. As the adult you know what’s best for the child and God knows what’s best for you. The scripture tells us to acknowledge God in all of our ways and He promised to direct our paths. Ask God if there is anything in your life that needs to be changed and He will reveal it to you. I pray that today will be a day of revival for you and that you will have a renewed hunger for God and Him alone. God Bless.

Meet Me At the Cross

2009-03-31T03:17:00.001-07:00

Salvation is defined as: Deliverance from slavery or some great distress achieved by someone, notably God, acting on behalf of the endangered person or nation. I am here to let you know that you were the endangered person and you needed a savior. If you have not accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior you are still endangered. I want to be very clear; Jesus Christ is not one good man among many. He is the only way to God and Heaven. John 14:6- Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me. Wholeness is on the other side of the cross. Christ does not want you to have a "better life now", but your eternal life is not secure. He does not just renovate different aspects of your life, He wants to come in and demolish your old life and give you a brand new one in Him. Luke 9:23-25 then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"

I know for many of you, your Christian walk is a cha-cha. You go forward a few steps and then you go back a few steps. This is the spiritual cha-cha. I lived that same way for many years. To be honest it was because I still wanted my own way. When what God wanted for me was out of my comfort zone, seemed too extreme, or I just didn't want to do it, I went back to what I knew I liked. I want you to know surrendering to God is not easy but it is worth it. Christ did not die an easy death and neither will you. But Christ was resurrected and He got up with all power in His hands. He wants you to walk in that same anointed power, but it will never be on your terms. Victory, wholeness, and a new life are available to you, but you must find them at the cross of Christ. A whole life is a Christ filled life!

Are You Connected

2009-03-27T03:07:00.001-07:00

¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[^a] so that it will be even more fruitful…. ⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:1-2; 5-6

If you trim the stem of a white carnation and place it in a bowl of water and food coloring the petals of the carnation will reflect what is in the water. If you are connected to Christ as the True Vine whatever is in Him will eventually show in your life. It is the natural process of things. The only way you could stop the flower from changing colors is to take it out of the water. There are some things that are promised to the believer and the only way you can stop them is to be removed from, or stop the flow of the "Water of Life." This Sunday School's lesson is from Ezekiel chapter 47. It is talking about how everything that is touched by the water lives. Jesus is the water that will quench the thirsting of your soul. If peace, love, and joy are flowing through the vine, it should show up in you. I believe that prosperity of the whole man (spirit, soul, and body), is in the vine. I don't mean that you will be rich but He promised to take care of us. Even if you don't have everything you've always wanted He gives peace in the middle of the roughest times of your life and He builds your faith to trust Him even more. John 15 tells us that if we are connected we will bear much fruit. Rebellion, disobedience, grumbling, and arguing are not signs that you are waiting and trusting in God by faith. They are signs that your water flow has been cut off. So my question to you today is- Are you feeling spiritual dehydration? Or are you feeling the refreshing flow of the Holy Spirit in your life regardless of the circumstances? Are you connected? John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

2009-03-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't been here for awhile but it doesn't mean that I have nothing to say. I have a lot to say and I unfortunately have been too lazy to sit down and put it down. There are story ideas also that are swirling around in my head. I have been reconnecting with friends from high school and junior high. Some of the reconnections have definitely been positive. I have been enjoying hearing what God is doing in their lives. I'm committing myself to writing. It is one of the things that I feel that I do well. I believe that God is going to use for Wholly Women as a tool to spread the message of wholeness through the cross of Jesus Christ. Maybe it will catch on.

Your Friendship Has Been Deleted

2008-11-11T16:38:00.001-08:00

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1Jo 2:15)

I’m sure that many of you have a MySpace account. You know that all of your friends are represented by their pictures. Last night when I logged on I noticed that my top friends looked different. At first I couldn’t figure out who was missing. It didn’t take long to discover that one of my family members had been removed. I didn’t know if they had cancelled their account or not. So I scrolled down through my comments and their picture was still there and I clicked on it. Sure enough their account was still active, but the message now read that their account was set to private. I had been deleted as their friend! I would like to tell you that I have no idea why, but I do. I had to stand up and tell this person that I didn’t agree with something that they were doing and that I could not support it. They didn’t take it too kindly.
Many times we preach and say that serving God will require us to lose some friends and even family. I have said it myself, but when it is really going on, it is painful. We must remember that as saints of God and especially ministers of the Gospel, we don’t have the option to compromise with sin. Sin is a deadly thing and if it is left unchecked it will contaminate and kill many. This is a hard truth, but we can’t preach against adultery, fornication, “shacking” and everything else and then whimpishly participate and encourage it in our families. God is calling us to take sides with Him and no other person.
Now that I’ve been deleted as a friend I am even more sure that I did the right thing by standing up. I would rather lose a friend and that person be saved in the end. I encourage you today to take a stand. It will bring tribulation, but Jesus told us that would come. He also said not to worry about it because He had already overcome the world. Let us move out of the grey areas and take a true stand for Christ.

Welcome!

2008-03-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog spot. I am looking forward to sharing with you what God is revealing to myself and others. Please check back with us soon. God Bless!