Ps. 119:30 "I have chosen to be faithful." I read this scripture this morning and thoughts began to fly. Am I faithful and what am I faithful to? Who am I faithful to? Is there a difference between faithful and loyalty?
Faithfulness is a characteristic that is in high demand. King David used the wording "have chosen", which means there is a choice. I chose to be faithful. I chose to be faithful in raising my children. I have purposed to be an honorable mother with strong morales and values that are instilled daily in my children. I chose to be faithful to my job, working with excellence, striving to do the best quality work possible. I chose to be faithful to my friends, not gossiping, back biting, or slandering them with my words, thoughts, or deeds but to be up lifting, exhorting, and encouraging, there with a hand extended and a shoulder to cry on. I chose to be faithful to my church, supporting with my money, time, and energy. I chose to be faithful to my health, striving to live longer and healthier to see my children's children's children's children's. (Yes, my great, great grandchildren) I chose to be faithful to my addictions. Yes I have addictions...Pepsi, Moravian Falls, Camaros, Pink Ladies Apples, NCIS......
I chose to be faithful to Jesus Christ. This is a daily choice. This is something that has to be walked out and purposeful. I have to look at each decision, word, thought, deed and listen to what Daddy would have for me. This is where trust and loyalty comes in. I can be totally faithful to something but not be loyal. I can also be totally loyal to something but not be faithful. These three words are all intertwined together. What is even more incredible is Daddy choose to be faithful to ME!!! He purposes to love, protect, give peace, joy, grace and mercy to me on a moment by moment basis. His faithfulness goes beyond my imagination. Since the beginning of time, He chose me. How do I know? John 15:16 says, " You did not choose me. I chose you." Wow, what a promise to stand on. I have been chosen.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Rapture....
Ok, so the rapture did not take place yesterday. As I am sitting here pondering what must be going through people's minds, my heart started breaking. I read an article Friday about a family of five. The mom and dad are completely sold out that the rapture was going to take place on Saturday. Their twin 16 year old daughters were not. They were told by their parents they would not go to heaven. Their 14 year old son wanted to go to a party Saturday evening and was told 'he wouldn't be here'. Now what.......
My prayers are for these families to find hope, restoration, reconciliation, and life in Jesus Christ. This one particular family needs healing, not jokes or quips spoken about how 'they missed it'. I am praying for love, mercy, grace, healing, and trust to be restored. If this is only one example, what about all the rest. We must reach out to the lost, hurting, and lonely. We must let them know how precious and valuable they are to Daddy. As you go through your day and week, please pray for these people. Hope must be restored.
My prayers are for these families to find hope, restoration, reconciliation, and life in Jesus Christ. This one particular family needs healing, not jokes or quips spoken about how 'they missed it'. I am praying for love, mercy, grace, healing, and trust to be restored. If this is only one example, what about all the rest. We must reach out to the lost, hurting, and lonely. We must let them know how precious and valuable they are to Daddy. As you go through your day and week, please pray for these people. Hope must be restored.
Where you are planted....
I have heard many times in my Christian walk, bloom where you are planted, put down roots where are you planted, God plants you where He wants you....
We took a family vacation. We had arrived in Charleston, SC and we're eating at a Crackle Barrel (family favorite). We were looking through brochures on 'what to do'. Our waitress asked if we were from out of town. She then said, "I can give you a list of places to go and see that are not in those brochures." We were intrigued. So the adventure began....
It is our responsibility to hunger, thirst, and grow where Daddy has planted us...
The Angel Oak is a Live Oak. It is estimated to be between 350-400 years old. It is 85 feet in height, 25.5 feet in circumference, 17,000 sq. feet in area shade and the largest limb is 11.25 feet in circumference and 89 feet in length.
Oaks are a symbol of strength and endurance. They are very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of their high tannin content. Holy Spirit began showing me the spiritual implications. We are strong and endure through the power of Holy Spirit. We can resist the enemy, attacks, and fiery darts because of the Blood of Jesus that runs through us. As our journey continued more revelation was given. We visited a plantation. There were freshly planted peach trees. Our guide said it takes at least 3 years before they bear fruit. His job is to nurture, feed, and protect the saplings so they will be come fruitful. Hhhmmm...it doesn't take a rocket scientist to relate that to a spiritual walk. People we lead to Christ need nurturing, to be fed, and protected so they can bear fruit also.
We came to the main driveway and the guide began to explain the Live Oaks planted there. They were planted in 1764. They locked their roots together for stability and strength. Not a single tree has been lost to a hurricane. There are 90 of them. The only one that was lost was struck by lightning.
Holy Spirit began saying, "They may be called Oaks of righteousness, interlocking their arms with one another. If one stumbles, the other one holds them up. There is no cutting, stabbing, back biting, or gossip that would bring them down. They provide covering, safety, love, and shade to all who will. It is a prophetic picture of who you are to be." I began to cry. Daddy, help me fulfill this.
Isaiah 61:3...to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called Oaks of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified...
We took a family vacation. We had arrived in Charleston, SC and we're eating at a Crackle Barrel (family favorite). We were looking through brochures on 'what to do'. Our waitress asked if we were from out of town. She then said, "I can give you a list of places to go and see that are not in those brochures." We were intrigued. So the adventure began....
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| We are all seeds planted in the rich soil... |
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| This grew from one acorn... |
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| Who are you touching where you have been planted.... |
We came to the main driveway and the guide began to explain the Live Oaks planted there. They were planted in 1764. They locked their roots together for stability and strength. Not a single tree has been lost to a hurricane. There are 90 of them. The only one that was lost was struck by lightning.
Isaiah 61:3...to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called Oaks of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified...
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The Dark Side....
When I begin writing a blog, it is totally something that Holy Spirit has been stirring in me. This one is not only controversial but personal. The Dark Side, no I am not talking about Star Wars, but then again it is a war that is raging in some of us. I grew up in a Christian home. Both of my parents have stepped into eternity. There were things that were NEVER discussed in my home. Looking back, I wish they were....
The Dark Side is one of those things. The Dark Side is Depression! I already hear the voices....but you said you were a Christian and so were your parents. Christians are to be delivered, healed, set free. Depression is of satan. Just snap out of it. Put on the mind of Christ. I don't believe Christians suffer because they are 'healed'. Christians should not take anti-depressants.... And so the journey begins.
Daddy has really been dealing with me regarding this topic. See, my mother was depressed. It was hid in my house. So then how do I know? When my father was coming to the end of his earthly journey, I went to visit him. He showed me a box of letters and cards my mom had kept through the years. You know the ones kids hand write for Mother's Day, or a picture of stick people and say "That's my family." Going through this box, I cried. Grieving over the missing of my mom. Then I found notes she had written. Notes to God. Notes crying out about things she couldn't explain. Darkness, emptiness, pain, loneliness, sadness....depression. I don't know if my dad even knew the depth of the darkness. She suffered alone.
In my life I have dealt with depression. I have been on anti-depressants. I have hid my medical condition from other 'Christians' as to not have to take their judgement. My world would become extremely dark. I was saved, sanctified, and filled with Holy Spirit ALL the way through it (and still am). I prayed and had others pray for me. I was told by doctors that I had a chemical imbalance due to chemotherapy. I would go up for every alter call, cry out to God for healing, and condemn myself for still taking meds. I was wrong. I walked through depression, the valley of death, but God was always with me. When I came through the valley, I was healed. It was a battle.
We are triune creatures. When one part of the triune is hurt, injured, dealing with something, the other parts are effected, positive and negative. If you cut your leg severely, you don't go around saying, "I'm healed", and never get medical attention. YES, Jesus heals. But He also gave us common sense to get help when we are sick (The Samaritan need assistance...) Depression is cause from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Depression is ALSO caused by the enemy. Don't get me wrong. We do deliverance and healing on Spiritual Encounters for depression. Jesus heals!
What I am talking about is the taboo, secrecy, not sharing, hidden depression that many walk through. They don't want to be labeled, or they don't want to be condemned. So they suffer in private. For many years I kept my battle quiet. One day Daddy told me to share it with my daughter. So I did (It was hard). Then I realized in sharing, one of my friends were showing those exact signs. She was covering up what was happening in her life. She was suffering alone. She is in the body of Christ, was crying out to Daddy, yet was humiliated to share with her "Christian" friends about her nightmare world she was walking through. Approximately 30-40 million Americans suffer with some form of depression. The word 'depression' is not in the Strong Concordance, although there are description of people who suffered depression in the Word of God. (Abraham, Jonah, Job, Elijah, King Saul, Jeremiah, David. Ps. 38:6, 8 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. {I looked up tumult: highly distressing agitation of mind or feeling; turbulent mental or emotional disturbance}) We are to walk by faith not by sight (nor feelings). Sometimes this is extremely difficult. We need brothers and sisters who understand and will lovingly help us walk through it.
Am I recommending medicine? Yes and no. Daddy has given us wisdom in the medical field. There are medicines that will help. This is where wisdom comes in. There are other ways to help. Eating right, exercise, not being alone, music (big one, remember King Saul), rest, soaking... James 1:2 tells us to consider it all joy when we fall into various trials. Not to feel joyful, put on an act, but to trust what Daddy says rather than feelings. Feelings are neither good or bad; it is what we do with them that determines our paths. We must find the root of the issue: sin, physical, abuse, chemical, stress, postpartum, trauma...
My hope for others and my family is Gal. 2:20. I want to walk it out with others, not let them suffer alone. "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
The Dark Side is one of those things. The Dark Side is Depression! I already hear the voices....but you said you were a Christian and so were your parents. Christians are to be delivered, healed, set free. Depression is of satan. Just snap out of it. Put on the mind of Christ. I don't believe Christians suffer because they are 'healed'. Christians should not take anti-depressants.... And so the journey begins.
Daddy has really been dealing with me regarding this topic. See, my mother was depressed. It was hid in my house. So then how do I know? When my father was coming to the end of his earthly journey, I went to visit him. He showed me a box of letters and cards my mom had kept through the years. You know the ones kids hand write for Mother's Day, or a picture of stick people and say "That's my family." Going through this box, I cried. Grieving over the missing of my mom. Then I found notes she had written. Notes to God. Notes crying out about things she couldn't explain. Darkness, emptiness, pain, loneliness, sadness....depression. I don't know if my dad even knew the depth of the darkness. She suffered alone.
In my life I have dealt with depression. I have been on anti-depressants. I have hid my medical condition from other 'Christians' as to not have to take their judgement. My world would become extremely dark. I was saved, sanctified, and filled with Holy Spirit ALL the way through it (and still am). I prayed and had others pray for me. I was told by doctors that I had a chemical imbalance due to chemotherapy. I would go up for every alter call, cry out to God for healing, and condemn myself for still taking meds. I was wrong. I walked through depression, the valley of death, but God was always with me. When I came through the valley, I was healed. It was a battle.
We are triune creatures. When one part of the triune is hurt, injured, dealing with something, the other parts are effected, positive and negative. If you cut your leg severely, you don't go around saying, "I'm healed", and never get medical attention. YES, Jesus heals. But He also gave us common sense to get help when we are sick (The Samaritan need assistance...) Depression is cause from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Depression is ALSO caused by the enemy. Don't get me wrong. We do deliverance and healing on Spiritual Encounters for depression. Jesus heals!
What I am talking about is the taboo, secrecy, not sharing, hidden depression that many walk through. They don't want to be labeled, or they don't want to be condemned. So they suffer in private. For many years I kept my battle quiet. One day Daddy told me to share it with my daughter. So I did (It was hard). Then I realized in sharing, one of my friends were showing those exact signs. She was covering up what was happening in her life. She was suffering alone. She is in the body of Christ, was crying out to Daddy, yet was humiliated to share with her "Christian" friends about her nightmare world she was walking through. Approximately 30-40 million Americans suffer with some form of depression. The word 'depression' is not in the Strong Concordance, although there are description of people who suffered depression in the Word of God. (Abraham, Jonah, Job, Elijah, King Saul, Jeremiah, David. Ps. 38:6, 8 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. {I looked up tumult: highly distressing agitation of mind or feeling; turbulent mental or emotional disturbance}) We are to walk by faith not by sight (nor feelings). Sometimes this is extremely difficult. We need brothers and sisters who understand and will lovingly help us walk through it.
Am I recommending medicine? Yes and no. Daddy has given us wisdom in the medical field. There are medicines that will help. This is where wisdom comes in. There are other ways to help. Eating right, exercise, not being alone, music (big one, remember King Saul), rest, soaking... James 1:2 tells us to consider it all joy when we fall into various trials. Not to feel joyful, put on an act, but to trust what Daddy says rather than feelings. Feelings are neither good or bad; it is what we do with them that determines our paths. We must find the root of the issue: sin, physical, abuse, chemical, stress, postpartum, trauma...
My hope for others and my family is Gal. 2:20. I want to walk it out with others, not let them suffer alone. "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Fill up my spaces....
I heard someone's conversation yesterday. Something they were saying made me ponder my life, my space... "Memories are what we make. We need to fill the space we live in with them. The longer we live in a space, the fuller we should have meaningful memories." Wow. Is the space of my life full of meaningful memories? Or are they mundane? What about my family? What memories do they have that impact their lives?
What if I purposed everyday to make lasting memories that were full of laughter, meaning, tears, touches, bonding, patience... I love my job. There are days that I fall into the 'same ole routine'. But there are days when something happens and laughter burst forth. And for the rest of the day, there are little snickers, giggles, and grins. Those are the memories I want to fill up my spaces.
I love my family. There have been times where there are those 'heart to heart' talks. Tears are shed, hugs are received, pain is shared. But in those moments of prayer and holding one another, memories are filling up my spaces.
Wherever I go, whether it's grocery shopping or moving to a new home, I want to fill the spaces to capacity with meaningful memories. Life is too short not to.....
What if I purposed everyday to make lasting memories that were full of laughter, meaning, tears, touches, bonding, patience... I love my job. There are days that I fall into the 'same ole routine'. But there are days when something happens and laughter burst forth. And for the rest of the day, there are little snickers, giggles, and grins. Those are the memories I want to fill up my spaces.
I love my family. There have been times where there are those 'heart to heart' talks. Tears are shed, hugs are received, pain is shared. But in those moments of prayer and holding one another, memories are filling up my spaces.
Wherever I go, whether it's grocery shopping or moving to a new home, I want to fill the spaces to capacity with meaningful memories. Life is too short not to.....
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