Motive - Intent - Opportunity

I am constantly thinking about my intent for wanting to do ministry work. Is it to really help people, or merely an opportunity to do what I love? I think perhaps, its some of both.

I do care about the people that come in contact with my stuff and even more about the ones that return regularly. I believe my heart is sincere (but the heart can be most deceiving). I know my Lord knows the real truth. Am I doing this for His sheep, or am I doing this for myself?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT)

Every Open Eye Is Not Seeing

"Every closed eye is not sleeping and every open eye is not seeing." -Bill Cosby's Quotation

It boggles the mind how we can have such strong convictions about other people's shortcomings. Apparently at some point back in the day, Bill Cosby criticized various comedians... scolding them about their use of foul language in their stand up comedy acts while at the same time, he himself was committing sexual molestation. Yet another case of trying to remove the speck out of a brother's eye with a big plank in your own.

Every one of us leaves footprints behind when we pass through this life. Amid all the good Mr. Cosby has done, these allegations will be the thing we remember when he is long gone. What a shame for him and his victims. It's like President Nixon's now famous photo of him boarding the aircraft after he shamefully leaves the White House for the last time. That's what we remember about him.

Reading through the gospels, it seems that's the one thing that really irritated Jesus was hypocrisy. He called the scribes and Pharisees "white washed tombs full of dead men's bones". They looked good on the outside but dead on the inside.

The Associated Press reported that they obtained Mr. Cosby's deposition where he admitted to purchasing Quaaludes with the intent of giving them to young women he wanted to have sex with.

• People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. (Prov. 10:9)

The apostle James said that each one of us is tempted when we are drawn away by our own lustful desires and enticed. Then, when the desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has fully grown up, it brings forth death (James 1:14-15).

Like the mule following the dangling carrot in front of her, we are led about to our destruction; when what was a tiny thing to start with, becomes something we cannot contain but has imprisoned us under its power.

I am reminded of the prophet Nathan when he was sent by God to confront King David in regard to his adultery and murder. Nathan tells David a story...

“There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to the prophet Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!"

As soon as David was confronted, he confessed. No excuses. He simply prayed for repentance.

Psalm 51 was David's prayer of repentance.

Michael Jackson sang a song... Man In The Mirror

I'm starting with the man in the mirror

I'm asking him to change his ways

And no message could've been any clearer

If you want to make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself, and make that change.

God stands ready to forgive. If He has to reach way down, He can lift us up out of our sinful ways and set our feet on a rock and establish our goings.

Heavenly Father,

Please help me not to judge this fallen soul... lead us down the path of righteousness. And though our sins be as scarlet, You shall wash us whiter than snow. We also pray for the victims, that You will heal their broken hearts. We pray for the loved ones of all involved. Lord, none of us are in a position to judge our fellow man. Help us to not fall into temptation but daily deliver us from the evil one and every temptation that would overtake us. Help us to examine ourselves and become salt and light for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

Go in peace.

Solitude: My Favorite Writing Tool

The first thing that distinguishes a writer is that she's most alive when she's alone. -Martin Amis
There's a tremendous difference between alone and lonely. You could be lonely in a group of people. I like being alone. I like eating by myself. I go home at night and just watch a movie or hang out with my dog. I have to exert myself and really say, oh God, I've got to see my friends 'cause I'm too content being by myself. -Drew Barrymore
When I write, I lose time. I'm happy in a way that I have a hard time finding in real life. The intimacy between my brain and my fingers and my computer... Yet knowing that that intimacy will find an audience... It's very satisfying. It's like having the safety of being alone with the ego reward of being known. -Jill Soloway
What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be. -Ellen Burstyn
I only go out to get me a fresh appetite for being alone. -Lord Byron
I'm fascinated with myself and love hearing the sound of my own voice. I'd like to hear what I have to say. A lot of people don't like being alone because they truly don't like themselves, but I love me. -Gene Simmons
Being solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your own presence rather than of the absence of others. Because solitude is an achievement. -Alice Koller
I think to be a writer you have to enjoy being alone. I was a loner as a teenager and was always drawn to characters in books and films who were at the fringes. -Markus Zusak
I never felt isolated; I just liked being alone. I think that some people are good at being alone, and some people aren't, and as a child, I really liked it. -Karen Slaughter
I'm the most communal person that exists and a very solitary person. So I think writing is a form of getting to the community and being alone, and it's the best of both possible worlds. -Ariel Dorfman

Go in peace.

Don't Believe The Hype

"You're coming with me!"

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against "the knowledge of God", bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:4-5 (NKJV)

The knowledge of God is what we know about Him... that He is loving and faithful and compassionate. Sometimes the circumstances in our lives try to convince us that He is not. Our circumstances argue that our Lord is not loving and faithful and compassionate because if He was, He would not be letting these things happen to us. But our knowledge of Him casts down those arguments and brings our thoughts by the corner of the ear into the truth about Him. "Thoughts, you're coming with me." Then proceed over into the truth that we are loved. We are not forgotten. He is faithful and just. He has not left us all alone. This too shall pass and work out for our good.

The prophet Jeremiah had a similar situation which caused him to call God out as a deceiver (Jer. 20:7). He said, "O Lord, You deceived me, and I was deceived because You are stronger than I and have prevailed at fooling me. You told me, 'I have set you over the nation to root out and pull down and destroy and throw down then to build back up and plant.' But ever since I began to speak for You, I cried out violence and plunder and Your words were made a reproach (expression of disapproval or disappointment) and a daily derision (ridicule or mockery) to me."  The problem here is not that God lied to Jeremiah, but that he did not fully comprehend what he was in for when he was called to the unpopular ministry of calling people out. So when these things began to happen, his circumstances led Jeremiah to believe God was unjust and unfair in His dealings with him.

This is where "the knowledge of God" comes in. Because we walk by faith and not by sight, our circumstances should not overtake us to the point that we label God as our problem. Even when our thoughts overwhelm us, we take our thoughts by the corner of the ear and say, "Thoughts, you're coming with me. My Lord is not my problem. My Lord is the solution. My Lord is loving and faithful and compassionate and a very present help in trouble. My Lord has me engraved on the palms of His hands and He has not, nor cannot forget about me. I will continue to pray like the persistent person that I am because I know my God will avenge His elect that cries day and night before Him (Luke 18:1-8). He will not abandon me in my hour of need." Instead of being held captive by our thoughts, we hold our thoughts captive based on the truth that we know... not on the circumstances that we are experiencing.

Our thoughts become strong holds if we allow them to deceive us. This is why people go out and commit mass shootings. They are radicalized and deceived by their thoughts and eventually overtaken by them. They believe they are doing what is right, when in fact, it is terribly destructive.

Walter Donaldson composed a song, "How 'Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm After They've Seen Paree?" I say, "You psych them out." Because if you can convince a man that a cause is worth dying for, he will strap a bomb to himself and commit suicide taking with him many innocent souls. It is all in the thought process. That is how you keep them down on the farm. That is how an abusive husband keeps his abused wife from walking out the door. He brain washes her and she stays and endures his abuse again and again. You will never convince me that this is the will of God for her.

The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 freed slaves held captive in America's southern states. But do you know some refused to leave the plantations, even though they were free to go? They had a slave-mentality and "it" held them captive, not the masters.

I have to constantly remind myself that I have what it takes to be successful. If I am not vigilant and hawkish about it, the strong holds of my low self-esteem will always keep me from trying new things. Then I will never know how much I can achieve, because I will never step out of the boat and try new things. My failures will be the top-dog, constantly invading my thoughts and keeping me in subjection to re-trying or requiring a do over. I am hawkish in the sense that I am aggressive in feeding my faith and starving my doubts to death.

The truth is not that I am a failure. That is the lie the enemy would have me believe. The truth is that I am more than a conqueror and I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength and if He is for me then that is more than the whole world against me. That is the truth. So when circumstances come against me and attempt to deceive me, I must once again take my thoughts by the ear and drag them over to truth.

Job did not know the truth about his sufferings. So he put the blame on the Almighty, when it was Satan all the time. Job wanted to subpoena God into court for an answer to the charges of his injustice. When Job eventually learns the truth he said, "I am vile. I lay my hand over my mouth... and will proceed no further." (Job 40:4-5)

Jesus said that the thief's only purpose is to steal, kill and destroy us. He does this by any means necessary and every weapon in his evil armament to take us out. The apostle Peter warns us to be sober and vigilant, on the lookout for the devil who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. If he can take our thoughts, he's got us.

So when you see the lie coming... say, "I cast that down. I don't receive it. The knowledge of God is ___________ (whatever truth is). When I see symptoms trying to invade my body, I cast it down right away and say what the truth is... that I am the healed, with His stripes I am healed. I am washed in the blood of the Lamb. I am the temple of the Holy Ghost." That is truth. The symptoms are lying wonders trying to deceive me. Every time Jesus was tempted by the devil, He said, "It is written." He quoted the written word of God each time, and left us an example to do the same.

I used to say all the time, "It's always something." When something bad would happen I'd say, "It's always something." What I finally realized was, because these were the words coming out of my heart... "something" was always up the road waiting for me to get there. I was fulfilling my own destiny by my words. Allow the Holy Spirit to change your heart and your words will change too.

How many times have I said, "Next year I'm going to do my Christmas shopping early and I never-ever do." I continue the same pattern from year-to-year because my heart has not changed where that is concerned. And until my heart changes, I will continue to be a last minute gift shopper (repeating the same behavior). It is a strong hold that needs to be pulled down. The thief's only purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus said, "I came that you may have and enjoy your life, living it in full abundance until it overflows onto others." (John 10:10)

The knowledge of God is like wearing a garment that is way too big. We continually grow into it. Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. We will know Him as we follow on to know Him.

Don't believe the hype. Believe His truth.

Go in peace.

You're Forgiven

I'm sorry... so sorry.

I used to have a Rottweiler named Freddie... he was a very smart dog. I'm hoping my Lord will make an exception so he can spend eternity with me at my heavenly mansion. :-)

One day I opened the back door to feed Freddie and he didn't come running. I never had to call Freddie, he would always come running when he heard the door open... because my Freddie loved him some Dee. But that day, no Freddie. So I called and called and called. No Freddie. Not a peep. About the time I was going into panic mode, it came to me to check the garden. My (then) husband had a fenced in vegetable garden in the corner of our backyard. So, I trumped out there... faith and begorrah, there he was, looking as guilty as Adam and Eve when God came looking for them in the Garden of Eden. He heard me calling and calling but he never bothered to make a sound. Apparently, he had figured out how to dislodge the latch and let himself in, but once inside, he could not get back out and was too embarrassed to bark and let me know where he was.

When Adam and Eve heard the Lord coming, they hid themselves behind the trees of the garden from the presence of the Lord. Before they sinned, they were both buck-naked and not at all ashamed. But after they sinned, they were now ashamed and covered themselves with fig leaves. God called to Adam, "Where are you?" The same as I did with Freddie as he hid in the vegetable garden.

I scolded Freddie, "What are you doing in there?" He just sat there looking up at me with sad puppy dog eyes. I think if he could've spoken he would've said, "I'm so sorry mistress. Please get me out of here and I will never do it again." I opened the gate and let him out. I fed him and did not appear to be angry with him. Freddie never, ever went back into the vegetable garden again.

• John 8:3-11 (NKJV) The scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

• Rom. 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

• Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

• Rev. 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

The wrath of the Lord no longer remains on the believer. He is not condemning us - that is the job of the accuser of the brethren. Hanging on the cross Jesus said, "It is finished." We have been reconciled with the Father and His wrath has been appeased. God did not appoint wrath on to the believer but to obtain salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ who for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross despising the shame.

The sacrifices of God are not the burnt offerings of bulls and goats, but it is a broken and contrite heart. These, He will not despise. Concerning my letting my dog off the hook, I am reminded of Jesus' words in Matt. 7... "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children (or pets), how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him?" Come out from behind the trees, you're forgiven.

Go in peace... and sin no more.

Linda's Prayer

I believe that praying definitely changes things. Jesus said, "Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." The prophet Elijah was one man and yet he prayed that it would not rain on the earth... and for 3½ years it did not rain. Then he prayed again that it would rain, and it did. The children of Israel had turned their backs on God and began to worship idols. Elijah was trying to get their attention. This is an example to the strength of prayer and a testimony to the omnipotence of the Almighty in hearing our earnest prayers... even if its just one person praying.

The apostle James said that the effective, fervent prayers of the righteous can bring about great opportunities. So, what makes a prayer effective? Faith. Without it, it's impossible to please God. The one that comes to God must believe that He exists and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Sometimes, we may have to pray more than once. Elijah prayed seven times before his servant saw the small cloud the size of a man's hand. But then, the rain came in abundance.

Sometimes the hope of relief tries to sink us while we wait for the answers through long and lengthy delays. The prophet Isaiah said when we wait on the Lord we shall have renewed strength. We shall mount up and fly high, like an eagle and we shall run and not get tired and we shall walk and not fall down. Even when the young gets tired, the Lord will give us incredible strength to accomplish incredible things.

• I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14

What was the belief that kept the psalmist David from totally giving up? Belief in God's goodness, which at the time seemed at a distance. Nevertheless, he believed that before he passed on from the land of the living, he would eventually outlive his troubles and not perish under them.

Waiting on the Lord does not entail shrugging our shoulders and sitting idly by, till God finally decides to move. Waiting on the Lord is constancy. Seeking His wisdom. Confessing His word. Talking to Him. Listening for Him. Obeying Him. While waiting on God we don't stew over the problem. True, this is easier said, than done. We don't focus on the problem, we focus on the Problem Solver.

Pastor David Yonggi Cho was asked by a group of pastors how he was able to build the world's largest church. His reply, "I pray and I obey." Prayer does not equip us for greater works. Prayer is the greater work and the responsibility God gives us to affect change here on earth.

Waiting does have its rightful place though. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the promise of Isaac to manifest. But I wonder what would've happened had they prayed, instead of birthing Ishmael on their own. God would have caused the situation to turn out completely different, I'm pretty sure.

There was this gentile Syrophoenician woman that heard Jesus of Nazareth was in the region of Tyre and Sidon. Her daughter was severely demon-possessed. She cried out to Jesus to have mercy on them but He ignored her and answered her not a word. The disciples begged Jesus to send her away because she was becoming terribly annoying. Finally, Jesus said to her that He was sent to shepherd the lost sheep of the house of Israel and that it was not good to give the children's bread to dogs. This lady refused to be offended by Jesus comparing her to a dog. She cried after Him again, "Yes Lord, even the little dogs get crumbs that fall from their master's table." Jesus replied to her, "O woman, you have great faith. Let it be to you as you desired." And her daughter was delivered at that very moment.

Another story is told of a man that came to his friend's house at midnight to borrow bread because he had a house guest show up and did not have sufficient groceries to feed him. The friend would not, at first, get out of bed but told the friend to go away since it was not convenient. But the persistent man would not go away but instead continued to knock at the friend's door. Finally, he got out of bed and gave the man as much as he wanted, not out of love for a friend, but because of the friend's persistence.

This is not an encouragement to get you to manipulate God into doing what you want, when you want it and how you want it. But what I am encouraging is this, that we not be misled by the delayed answers. God is a right now God... a very present help in trouble. He has the power to do the impossible and nothing, absolutely nothing is too hard for Him. If you have to pray more than once... do it. But don't be defeated... and don't become the victim... by giving up on God too soon.

• Heb. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

• Ps. 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

A story is told by Pastor Tony Evans of an evangelic crusade that he participated in at Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC.  The ministers and planning committee gathered to pray about an hour before the service started. It was reported that a major thunder storm was heading toward the stadium and would hit at precisely the time the service was to begin.

All the ministers prayed "if it was His will" that God would allow the service to go on and not be hindered by the storm.  Then a little 5'1" woman named Linda asked if she could pray...

Linda's prayer:

"Father, we are here doing what You have asked us to do. You asked us to win souls to Christ. You asked us to proclaim Your word. We've spent time, money and energy putting this crusade together, doing what You commanded us to do. So You would embarrass Yourself if You let it rain tonight, because You control the weather. So therefore Lord I command You to stop the rain!"

About 10 to 15 minutes into the service, the storm was moving toward the stadium and the crowd was beginning to stir because you could hear thunder and see lightning in the distance. Linda was sitting on the front row next to a gentleman when it begins to drizzle. The gentleman then opens an umbrella and puts it over Linda. She pushes the man's hand back, refusing the umbrella. Then, it happened. The rain came all the way up to the stadium and split in half - half of the rain went to the left around the stadium and half went to the right around the other side and came back together at the other end of the stadium. Linda had prayed a powerful, effectual and fervent prayer - and seen the results of it in a miraculous way.

• James 5:16b The effective, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.

Go in peace.

My Strength ~ My King

Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

I like to think of my Lord as my King, and I am His princess. I stumbled upon the following devotional this morning on Pinterest and wanted to share it with you... as well as have a record of it for myself here on The Writer's Blog. It deeply ministered to me, as though the King meant it only for me.

My Princess...
In your weakness, I will keep you strong. My child, I am well aware of the many things in this life that war against your spirit and soul. I know it feels like distractions and difficulties are sent daily to test your character and convictions. Remember, My love, I am training you through these tests to trust Me. I am preparing you today for your future. So seek Me in prayer for My strength, and don't give in to temptation or compromise. They are like quick sand lying in the path to righteousness. Hold on to Me and My power within you, and I promise that you will make it through. When the wicked winds try to blow out the flame of your faith or try to cause you to compromise, stand on My truth... I am your solid Rock, and you can conquer anything in My strength.
Wait on Me, My princess. My timing is always perfect. I know you're anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vinedresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don't run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away. Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of My blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.
Love,
Your King and Lord of perfect timing

Dear Lord, my King...
Thank You! I asked You to speak to my heart and You did. Help me to stand therefore, fully armored, remembering that I am more than a conqueror.

Guide me O Thou great Jehovah - Pilgrim through this barren land - I am weak but Thou art mighty - Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven - Feed me till I want no more - Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain - Whence the healing stream doth flow - Let the fire and cloudy pillar - Lead me all my journey through. Strong deliverer, strong deliverer - Be Thou still my strength and shield - Be Thou still my strength and shield.

Go in peace.

Barking Dogs Make a LOT of Noise

SHUT UP ! ! !

There's a cute little dog that lives across the street from us that turns into a ferocious beast when he is tied up. His owners always tie him up when company comes over which is every... blessed... day. He barks his head off... like there's no tomorrow. He's tied up under the car port which only amplifies the noise. I have prayed and prayed about this dog  for months of Sundays and God has yet to deliver me from his incessant barking. I even prayed that the Lord would let him get run over by a car (or something). Anything, just let me have some peace.

The Lord told me that I must forgive the dog. So I did... and I repent every... blessed... day when I hear him barking from across the street, because truth be told, I am still highly annoyed by his non-stop demonstrations of protest to the ties that bind him. But, I also prayed for forgiveness for wishing the little dog dead.

What occurred to me, though, the other day, was if I can get to the point where I don't allow the incessant barking to move me, then I can go on with life, in peace, even while the cute little beast is cuttin' up.

A few years ago I heard Joyce Meyer preach a message on Acts 20:24 called Finishing Strong and its still with me today.

• Acts 20:24 None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Anytime, the Lord attempts to move us forward, the enemy will be busy trying to hinder progress. Winston Churchill said, "You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks."

So... thank the Lord for barking dogs who's ministry is to teach me how to be unmoved by the enemy's distractions. The more he barks, the more I learn to remain in God's peace in spite of his racket.

I've noticed, what we do a lot of times, when the enemy comes against us, is we turn from facing Jesus and we start fighting with the devil. That's what Winston Churchill meant about throwing stones at every dog that barks. It is a ploy to distract us and get our eyes and ears off the Good Shepherd (who is our peace)  and become scattered by the wolf. We must learn to keep our eyes on Jesus - and not be distracted by the enemy's noise. That's what happened to Peter when he got out of the boat and was walking on the water to go to Jesus. He took his eyes off Jesus to look at the boisterous waves and the miraculous came to a screeching halt... and he began to sink.

Someone told President Abraham Lincoln that his Secretary of the Treasury was against him (perhaps he was going to run against him in re-election), but Lincoln responded with this story: 

“My brother and I were once plowing corn, I was driving the horse, and he holding the plow. The horse was lazy; but on one occasion he rushed across the field so that I, with long legs, could scarcely keep pace with him. On reaching the end of the furrow, I found an enormous chin fly fastened upon him, and knocked him off. My brother asked me what I did that for. I told him I didn’t want the old horse bitten in that way. ‘Why,’ said my brother, that’s all that made him get!” Now,’ said Mr. Lincoln, if Mr. [Salmon Chase] has a presidential chin fly biting him, I’m not going to knock him off, if it will only make his department go.”

I'll bet the reason my prayers about Doggie has gone unchecked, is so he can be used to teach me, not to come unglued when barkers are attempting to steal my peace.

• Jer. 12:5 “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?

Go in peace. 

Give Thanks To The Lord on Thanksgiving Day

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It's funny how Thanksgiving has taken on new meaning for me since I began to follow Christ. I'm not merely thankful in general; but thankful specifically to my Lord and Savior who sought me out and drew me to Himself. The psalmist David said "He did not leave my soul in hell" but He has promised us eternal life. I guess, because I have come to understand much better, what a great price Jesus paid to redeem me and bring me into true reconciliation with my Heavenly Father... that my appreciation for this day has grown so much.

Psalm 107:1-2

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

I love to eat. But for some reason, its not just about Turkey and Peach Cobbler anymore. It's about truly remembering what the Savior has done. I recently saw an old Richard Gere movie where he played King David. When they were bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the tabernacle, David danced before the Lord with all his might. That's thankfulness.

Earlier this year I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and was shooting up insulin four times everyday. But God healed me and now I am in total remission - no diabetic shots and no diabetic symptoms either. My blood glucose remains normal without insulin shots. The doctors said that I had no function in my pancreas, but God have me a new pancreas. By the stripes of Jesus, I am healed. That is what I am thankful for today... salvation and healing.

I'm also thankful for my wonderful husband and family and friends. My heart is dancing in thankfulness.

God bless you this holiday season. Jesus is the reason. Bless His holy name.

Go in peace.

Lemonade... Get Your Lemonade Here

If life gives you lemons, don't settle for simply making lemonade - make a glorious scene at a lemonade stand.

~ Elizabeth Gilbert

Tell Your Story ~ Strengthen the Brethren

God's Grace Behind The Scenes

I was reading through an old journal and found a tidbit that I had written about specific times when I recognized God's grace at work in my life. Number one on that list was:

• The day I met Pastor Joel Miller at the McKinney Food Drive. As soon as he began speaking, I knew it was a God meeting.

It was November 2009, and I was listening to the radio and the host was speaking with Pastor Joel who was soliciting help for a food drive he was sponsoring to help needy families for Thanksgiving. The very next day I was getting dressed for work and saw this same gentleman on the local news talking again about the food drive. There was something in me that was so moved by his story, that I felt I must help.

Pastor Joel was on a hunger strike until a collection of 30,000 food items could be collected for needy families experiencing hard times. When I got off work that day, I purchased some things and attempted to find the drop off location, but it was dark and I had no clue where I was going. The following day I went again, while it was daylight and found the truck. There was something driving me, that would not let me give up seeking it out.

When I met Pastor Joel at the drop off, he introduced me to his lovely family. I told him I was touched by his story and felt so strongly that I should help in some way. He took me aside and encouraged me and he prayed with me. One thing that he said that I knew was straight from heaven's throne room to me was this...

• He was planting a church in Allen, TX that would encompass a multi-cultural membership of different ethnicities.

My mouth fell open when I heard those words. Prior to that moment, I had been thinking a lot about heaven. The picture that kept replaying in my mind was of all nationalities and colors of people surrounding the throne of Jesus and worshiping Him. When Pastor Joel spoke of planting a church that looked like that, I wanted to be a part of it.

Another significant thing about this "chance" meeting was that I had begun to fall away from my walk with Christ and started living in carnality. Pastor Joel had a busy schedule but he stayed in contact with me (as a shepherd tending his flock). He called me and sent me emails to encourage me. When I wanted to give up on being a Greeter at church, he encouraged me to stick with it. God encouraged me through his sermons so many times. I am grateful to have experienced his example of leadership and I was able to get my relationship with Christ, back on track.

Along this journey, we will experience God's grace many times and in many ways. He is always behind the scenes doing His thing. I was glad to run across that journal entry, for it was yet another reminder that God was with me then and He is still with me now. God said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

I love the Footprints in the Sand poem and always find it so encouraging.

May God richly bless you during this season of giving thanks.

Go in peace.

Judging Sin

Link: THE SIN OF JUDGING OTHERS by Steven J. Cole

The above audio link is a sermon by Pastor Steven J. Cole entitled The Sin of Judging Others published 5/30/2013 on the Bible.org website. I ran across it quite by accident (or providence) but it is very profound teaching on judging sin.

I recently posted an article on homosexuality and how I thought the church should deal with it. Click here to read that blog post. 

I feel so passionately about the subject of judging because I grew up in a very legalistic church environment. And as a result, I came away with a really uncharacteristic opinion of God. To me, He was this impossible-to-please judge waiting to smack me over the head with His gavel at every little infraction. It isn't God, but it's the accuser of the brethren, who has been cast down (Rev. 12:10) that make accusations against us.

"YOU!!  AGAIN?"

When I left home and was able to make my own decisions about attending church, I did not attend for many, many years. When I came to Christ (at long last), He taught me a lot about His loving grace and I finally saw Him as who He truly is.

As a teacher, I probably tend to be too lenient - although I do understand the gravity of sin and the great price Christ paid as penalty for ours. He who knew no sin became sin for us, that deserved what He got. But He loved us so much that He endured the cross for us, despising the shame. Now, who couldn't love a Judge like that?

FORGIVEN AND LOVED

Pastor Cole's teaching puts a slightly different perspective on judging sin, than does my own teaching. So I wanted to add his teaching to my blog in the spirit of getting to the bottom-line truth of God's word. I absolutely stand behind my teaching on homosexuality... but I add Pastor Cole's teaching to it because I believe we should teach the whole counsel.

A few things he said that made me go, hmmm...

• "Confronting sin is a necessary component of church growth. Not dealing with it can be destructive to the whole body. There were cases in the apostle Paul's epistles where he boldly confronted sin in the church."
• "Jesus compared people to swine and dogs (Matt. 7:6), which means we do discern and judge people for who they are."
• "When we think we're better than others, we sit in judgment of their actions. It is a sin to judge someone in your heart, even if you don't say anything. It's pride."

Not every case will be open and shut, and not every situation can be handled the same. He that win souls is wise. Jesus said, "Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."

Jude 22-23 On some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Go in peace.

Festus Preaches the Parting of the Red Sea

Apologist: a person who argues in defense or justification of truth.

Doc: Festus, why in thunder don't you learn to read so that when you want to tell something you will have read it and got the facts, and you can tell the story straight?

Festus: Doc, I've told you a hundred dozen times... when you start to read readin', how do you know that the feller that wrote the readin' wrote the readin' right? Just because a feller sit down and write some readin' don't mean that the feller wrote the readin' right.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few years ago I was taking some online college classes and one of the things that they stressed a lot of, was developing critical thinking skills. Critical Thinkers do not simply believe every thing they are told (or read) but are instead able to independently evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of opposing arguments. This is essential to effective learning and productive living.

The apostle Paul said in the second chapter of 1st Corinthians that Scripture cannot be understood nor interpreted by the mind of the natural man because it is foolishness to our human nature. God reveals the mystery of His word through His Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. The natural man cannot know spiritual things because spiritual things are spiritually discerned.

Isa. 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

In Acts 17 Paul and Silas came to Berea and ministered in the synagogue of the Jews. They said that these people were more fair-minded than the people of Thessalonica because they eagerly received the word and went home and searched the Scriptures everyday to find out if what Paul and Silas were preaching and teaching was biblical truth. They did not immediately accept what they were hearing but they did not immediately dismiss it either. They studied it out for themselves allowing the Holy Spirit to open the Scriptures to them.

The reason that Doc knew Festus was not telling the story correctly is because he knew the story for himself. The apostle admonished young Timothy to study diligently to present himself approved of God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

God's word is like a gold mine... a treasure hidden in a field. Search it out and become enriched by its revelations. But don't believe everything you read and hear from bloggers and commentaries and preachers.  Put the spirits to the study test like the Bereans did, and see if those things that you hear are so. Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.

After hearing a sermon once, I just kept saying to the Lord, "something about that didn't set right with me." He told me to go study it out. When I did, He revealed to me the real truth. Jesus said, "My sheep know My voice and another they will not follow." If you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you... you will have this feeling that something is not right. That's spiritual discernment!! Follow that feeling and let it lead you to the word of truth.

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

When you hear the truth and something in you comes alive... that is the truth setting you free.

Matt. 13:45-46 “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought that one pearl.

Seek and you will find.

Go in peace.

Homosexuality

* * * This Christian's Perspective * * *

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT)

There are many, many things that we (both the just and unjust alike) do wrong on a regular basis... and the fact that we crucify the LGBT community for unrighteousness is just wrong. It seems like we make the homosexual community the poster child for damnable behavior. Now... in no way do I go along with sin of any kind, in whatever degree or intensity or degeneration or abomination it might be. I do not condone sin. Neither do I condone mean-spiritedness when Jesus advocated that we love our neighbors as ourselves.

I believe when we know the right thing to do and we continue to do the wrong anyways, we crucify again for ourselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame (Heb. 6:6) by confessing Christ and then doing the very things He suffered to bring us out of. I reiterate again, I do not condone sin. Some will think that I make too light of homosexuality, seeing that the Bible calls it an abomination (Lev. 18:22). What I do protest is judging our neighbors and beating them down with the word of God in a self-righteous, sanctimonious piety, and holier-than-thou religiosity under the guise of righteous indignation. It's mean-spiritedness, and is not an example of how Jesus responded to sinners during His time on earth.

One thing the Bible is clear on is judging. Jesus said in Matthew 7, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you use to judge others, you will be judged the same; and with the measuring stick you use on others, it will be measured back to you. Like a boomerang, it comes right back to the person that threw it out. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say here my brother let me remove this little speck of homosexuality from your eye, when you have a big plank of hypocrisy in your own? First remove the plank from your own eye, and THEN you will be able to see clearly to help your brother with his speck."

James 2:10 states that whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. When we turn the mirror on our own conscience, we will see that we really have no stones to throw at others (John 8:9). But rather, we should be on the altar ourselves seeking help for our faults. There, but by the grace of God, go I.

The apostle Paul said in Galatians 6, "My brothers, if a man is overtaken in ANY trespass, you who are SPIRITUAL restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourselves lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill THE LAW OF CHRIST." Because we are not under the law of Moses where it was considered a capital offense and they were killed for what God considered abominations. The apostle admonished us to help and restore trespassers in a spirit of gentleness. Because we will be treated the same as we treat others. That does not mean to stand on the street corner with hate signs condemning the gay community... or posting hateful comments on social media. That is not gentleness. It is judging and it will not win any souls to Christ. It only drives them further from the church and make us believers out to be antagonists. I heard a preacher say, "You cannot evangelize and antagonize at the same time." When we attempt to sanctify the soul before the soul is even converted, that is the same as putting the horse behind the cart. It's going no where.

The Holy Bible is God's words that were given by inspiration to godly men that wrote them down. It is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). So, that said, where the Bible is clear on any subject, I believe that we have God's clear position on that subject.

Scripture is crystal clear that God does not condone homosexuality. He made the woman for the man (Eve for Adam) and that is the way He intended it to be. Sodom and Gomorrah was wiped clear off the map because of homosexual activity going on in that region. To me, this is a pretty clear picture of how God feels about it.

But do you know how God won me to Himself, when I was a sinner? He loved me! He loved on me and loved on me and loved on me, until I fell at His feet with a truly repentant heart. He drew me and enticed me with His loving kindness and His tender mercies. I have come to love Him so much that I desire to do His will with all my heart. When I find myself overtaken in a fault, I pray! And I pray! And I keep on praying until He helps me change my faulty ways. I believe this is the way all mature saints behave.

So instead of bashing people with our self-righteousness... why don't we love them into fruition. Love them and lead them to the One who can effect real change in the souls of men. We have been saved through faith, by the grace of God, and even faith is not of ourselves; it is God's gift, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

* * * The Whole Counsel * * *

Now... in order that we may teach the whole counsel of God, let us be clear about what the Bible teaches on the subject of homosexuality.

There are several things listed in the Holy Bible as an abomination to the Lord:

1. images that were carved out for idol worship in place of worshiping the Creator (Deut. 7:25)
2. religious ceremonies where children were burned in the fire in worship of false gods (Deut. 12:31)
3. sacrificing an animal to the Lord that had any kind of blemish or defect (Deut. 17:1)
4. witchcraft, sorcery and divination of any kind (Deut. 18:10-12)
5. women who wore men's clothing and men who wore women's clothing (Deut. 22:5)
6. a prostitute's earnings nor the money from the sale of a dog were to be given in the offerings (Deut. 23:18)
7. a man could not remarry a woman whom he had divorced, once she had remarried another man... it was an abomination to the Lord

We'll stop at #7, but could go on and on from there... for there are many acts (in addition to homosexuality) stated in the Bible that are an abomination to the Lord our God.

Now, concerning homosexuality... here are four passages of Scripture from the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible on this subject (I'm quoting from the New King James Version)

• You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (Lev 18:22)

• If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness among you. If a man mates with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. If a woman approaches any animal and mates with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them. (Lev. 20:13-16)

The 20th chapter of Leviticus offers a lot of protests against sexual sin - not just homosexuality but adultery as well as other acts. It was also a capital offense to dishonor one's parents and in doing so that son or daughter was put to death. It was a capital offense to commit adultery as well, and both parties involved in the affair were put to death.

Specific acts that involve sexual sin are:

~ adultery
~ sex outside of wedlock
~ incest
~ pornography
~ beastiality
~ prostitution
~ rape
~ homosexuality

• Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Those on the apostle Paul's unrighteous list which would not inherit the kingdom of God are:

~ those who indulge in sexual sin
~ those who worship idols and false gods
~ those who commit adultery
~ those involved in prostitution
~ those involved in homosexuality
~ those who steal
~ those possessing greed and jealousy (covetous)
~ those who get drunk and attend wild parties
~ those who abuse and cheat others

• Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1 Cor 6:18)

* * * How does one become a homosexual? * * *

I was born an African American. Once conceived, there was no way of changing that. It's genetically set. So my question is, how does homosexual tendencies develop? Is there genetic science that proves it's pre-conceived? Were they sexually molested as a child, which brought on homosexual tendencies? Does one's first sexual experience determine their sexual preference? Can homosexual tendencies be handed down from one generation to another (like in Sodom and Gomorrah)? Is it demonically induced (to initiate or increase susceptibility)? Can the abandonment of a parent cause the child to become same-sex oriented? Since the Bible is clear that it was not God's initial plan, what happens that brings it about? My findings conclude one thing, there are no genetic differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals that differentiate the two.

* * * My Own Sexual Sin * * *

The same year that I came to Christ (1999) was the same year that I married my first husband. We were together 8 years when we split up. We were legally separated but not divorced. Long story short, I met and then moved in with my now husband and we shacked up for 3½ years before we were legally married. Part of that time (while we shacked up) I was still legally married to my first husband because we had not gotten divorced. And I didn't have the money to pay for a divorce. During that 3½ years, I did not work for 17 months. We were struggling financially and I was unable to afford a divorce.

During all that time, I kept praying. The Lord never left me. He did not seem to be unhappy with me at all. But I prayed about it continually because I did not want to be living in sin. To add insult to injury, my then common-law husband was not in church (considered to be an unbeliever).

So, let's add it all up. I was legally married to one man and still going by his last name. Shacking up with another one who was not even in church. And... I was teaching Sunday School at my church during that time. Now that's messy!

In all that time, and in all my praying... the Lord never left me. I continued to feel His presence. He anointed my teaching and my studies. He told me to accept His grace for His grace was sufficient. My first husband finally paid for the divorce himself, and my common-law husband and I went to the courthouse and got married. And we are the happiest couple on planet earth.

Think what you will about my actions, but you cannot take away my experiences with God. He loved me through it all and never dismissed me or turned His back on me, even though I was caught up in sin.

If you are gay and reading this blogpost, I hope you are encouraged to follow Jesus. He loves you more than you can ever imagine. I did not write this article to humiliate you but to encourage you and let you know that God loves you and me, despite our short comings. He just wants to be in relationship with us and we can come boldly to Him just as we are. We don't have to get fixed up first. Just come!

In conclusion, God's gift to mankind is His love. And His love never fails. Prophecies may fail, tongues will cease, knowledge will vanish away... but God's love will never fail.

Go in peace... you are His beloved.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

Growing Pains

The year 2015 has been what I dubbed as The Year of the Make-Over.  Starting in January, I've experienced and endured a number of life events that has challenged my perspective in a lot of areas, one of which is my social life.

I am not a conversationalist. I'm not that outgoing and frankly have a difficult time connecting with people that I don't know that well. For a long time I've accepted that I would never be a socialite and have embraced my introversion and protected it like a mother hen protecting her chicks. I don't put up walls to keep people out, I just stand far enough away, to keep them at bay. I love people. I'm concerned about people. When people cross my path that clearly have a need for God's intervention, I think and pray about them for days on end. Many times without their even knowing it. I do love people, but what the make-over has revealed is that I don't love relationships.

Relationships are a struggle and they can be messy. The one thing that I love about my sweet husband is that the relationship works without much struggle. It just works. We have so much in common that we are not too challenged by our differences. Thank God! We agreed early on to accept one another as is, since neither of us is perfect. We shook on it, and that's what we do.

I had the pleasure of meeting three ladies this year... Patsy, Carolyn and Monique. They're all wonderful women and we hit it off so well that I thought it had to be a God thing. But the loner in me perked up and became anxious about moving forward with these friendships.

I awoke in the middle of the night and got to thinking about the story of Anne of Green Gables written by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Anne Shirley and Diana Barry became BFFs... Anne called Diana her bosom friend. These were true-blue homeys. When Diana was forbidden by her mother to be friends with Anne, they were devastated and in tears, they made a vow to remain secret bosom friends for "as long as the sun and the moon shall endure".  That is not the 21st century kind of friendship that we have become accustomed to - in this inundated social-media world we now live in.

In my humble opinion, someone writing LOL on a post will never take the place of actually hearing them laugh out loud and seeing the gleeful expression on their face. I mean, social media does have its rightful place, but our idea of friendship has shrunken dramatically to postings from people we barely know and rarely, if ever, see. And if you don't want to be bothered with them, all you have to do is "hide" them from your News Feed. Poof, they're gone!

Another problem that I have with relationships is that I have changed so much in the last 16 years since I began to follow Christ. I am an enthusiastic student of Scripture and when I arrive on the scene for a get together, I think everybody should be wanting to discuss the Bible... and they rarely, if ever, do. Then I am bored out of my skull and pretty much, ready to go. They're also bored and offended that I seem to turn every get together into a Bible Study.

The Urban Dictionary describes a loner as someone that likes being alone, and is happy with what (and who) they are. So, what's a loner-girl to do, now faced with the growing pains of relationships? I must submit my anxieties to the Lord my King, and trust that He will guide my heart and feet and make my crooked paths straight. God is my strength and power and He makes my way perfect. (2 Sam. 22:33)

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he (or she) shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (Psalm 92:12)

Grow in peace.