He is Faithful... when we are not.

Below is such a powerful promise. I feel like my whole life has been "troubled waters" that has brought glory to Jesus. But I am not perfect, I have made MANY mistakes. I've hurt a lot of people I love dearly. (Newsflash: *gasp* I'm a SINNER.) But lately the Lord has been wooing me to Himself. He has astonished me with His Grace and His Mercy and His Faithfulness.  I always thought that if I was "in sin" that somehow God would not be able to move in my life, and that I would be removed from Him, or He would remove Himself or His hand from me. But He has shown up in my life and been even MORE present in recent months than ever before.  *He moves in SPITE of my brokenness. * He uses me in spite of MY faithfulness.  *My behavior does not dictate my "position" as His Child.  *His word does not change.  *His faithfulness is not contingent on MY faithfulness *His Love does not leave. Ever.  I am humbled beyond measure. And I am a recipient of His Grace and Mercy in ways I have never experienced before. Indeed I am so in love and so grateful always with and to My Jesus. My prayer is, as it has always been to pursue Him the way He has pursued me.  #GodswordFTW #Jesus #NewThings Isaiah 43:18-19 English Standard Version (ESV) 18 “Remember not the former things,     nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;     now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness     and rivers in the desert.

DREAMERS

**Warning** Personal Rant. If you don’t agree, that’s totally allowed. But please do NOT engage in debates and/or personal attacks on this thread. I will unfriend you. I rarely post political opinions or comment publicly about controversial topics. But this has been stirring in my heart for months... and If my perspective can help even one person, then it’s worth sharing.

As a first generation immigrant, I was brought to this country with NO VOICE & NO CHOICE I was 3 years old. I did not speak the language. I did not look like the people around me. I remember clinging to my father, and being afraid of sights and sounds. It was so different than the jungle we came from. I remember being told over & over “God must have big plans for you! He SAVED you from the hardships of poverty/disease,  ______ (fill in the blank with any “third-world” problem) you are SO LUCKY, to come to the United States!”

But here’s a few questions... WHO decided that 3rd world countries are “less than” and the United States is “greater” than. Why was my immigration here not frowned upon by society? Why am I so lucky to have been given the opportunities I have had, and yet leave behind a community of children who were just like me. Why was I “the chosen one”.  I have lived my life successfully. Well educated, Followed *most* laws, (I speed sometimes...) and raised amazing kids who in turn are successful, well educated adults.

All of these accomplishments were the result of an original incident in which I had NO VOICE and NO CHOICE! Could it be that because my parents were affluent white Americans with the means and support to hire good lawyers and file proper paperwork... I was able to take advantage of these opportunities without fear of deportation?!

I remember when I was 4+ years old and went before the Judge in chambers, with my pink pettifore and my American flag pin & had to recite the pledge of allegiance... it was an honor for sure! And I DID feel lucky. But again, I HAD NO VOICE & NO CHOICE.

Many of you who were privileged enough to have been BORN here, forget that you also had NO VOICE and NO CHOICE. In that sense you are no different than I am.

Let that sink in a minute.

Why didn’t any of YOU have to take a test, and apply, to recite a pledge and get a lawyer and have tons of documentation and home-studies done to be a citizen?? That would be ridiculous right??? You didn’t ask to be born here, you just were! No voice. No choice.

Likewise my friends, I did not ask to come here as a preschooler ... I just was. I was brought here. Don’t get me wrong, for that I am incredibly grateful.

I’m so thankful and I do believe that The United States is an amazing place! Full of opportunities for education, employment... advancement, as well as healthcare and basic food & shelter. No WONDER so many parents also bring their children here to be as lucky as we are, to experience what we do. It’s no surprise that parents from all over want to flee their “3rd world” circumstances and come to the Land of Opportunity!

Why are we so privileged?? Not a single one of us “deserves” what we have just because we happened to be born someplace... why oh why are we punishing and rejecting a generation of immigrant children like me??

Brought here with no voice and no choice, just like you.

Do we need to be kept safe? Absolutely. Does immigration law need to be reformed, ubetcha. But the generation of kids-many now adults-who are essentially “American” in every sense of the word culturally, do not need to be made the examples.

#Dreamer. #SupportDaca #ImmigrationReform #NoVoiceNoChoice

Humanitarianism

Thinking a lot today about Compassionate Jesus. Had a great conversation with Brian about how Jesus was the first true “Humanitarian”.

I like to say I love Jesus and follow Jesus... if that’s true, how can I in my day-to-day life represent Him well.

There are many of you my friends, who do not even believe that Jesus existed. There are some that think he was a real “nice” man... but certainly not a deity.

I say it doesn’t matter. I love the person of Jesus. His life was remarkable and I want to love people fiercely the way He did.

I will give until it hurts. I will GO where others dare not go, to help even one person and let them know they matter! I will reach out to the unlovely and the poor choice makers and the sick and I will hold their hand and not judge them and I will smile and pray for them and offer them whatever hope I am able.

It feels daunting at times. There are so many millions of hurting people in this world. But whatever you can do, matters to that “starfish”.

As I ponder today on the life of MLK and of Jesus and other Martyrs of Love and equality I will not just keep those thoughts in my head or post it on FB. I will GO and put my thoughts & words into action.  Because faith without works is dead...

#NumberOneFan!

I have this tattoo on my wrist. It’s a very vague representation of my “life verse”. 

Z317 <>< 

Some folks have asked, so here is my story. 

Maybe it’s you as a parent, or maybe you had a parent like this, but what mommy or daddy doesn't love, and our hearts melt when our young children come to hug us for no reason. Maybe they tell us they really love us, “just because”. What mommy or daddy doesn't get mushy when our kids crawl into our laps for a snuggle and say we're “the best mommy and daddy in the whole world!”  

And when they are older, how those warm fuzzies fill us when they come to us and say…”I could really use your advice”. Or those rare times as teens when they still sit close to us on the couch on movie night.  

How much anguish are we in, how much concern do we have for them , what burden we carry...how our hearts hurt when they come to us and cling to us as they cry because they had their hearts broken or they failed at something very important to them. 

What about all the times they accomplish something they worked really hard for...and then can't WAIT to tell us about it! Not just anyone, us! They feel safe with us, they feel loved by us. If you were to ask any of my kids, they would tell you with certainty that I am their number one fan!! I am their biggest cheerleader. Nobody on this earth could be more proud, or love them more than I do. No matter what. 

Stop reading for a second, and think about those moments, the ones where we really feel and believe our children love us, trust us, need us, appreciate us and admire us... when all our hard work and unconditional love has come to fruition. When our love is able to quiet their fears. 

Guess what? 

That is exactly how God feels about YOU! 

Friends, He delights!!! In us. We forget (often) that He is our Daddy. Our perfect parent. Our Abba. He wants us to come to Him, when we are broken, confused, angry, uncertain, failing and hurt. He wants us to say “I need some advice,” He wants to be the shoulder we need to cry on. 

And when we are joyful and thankful...He rejoices with us, and over us ... the way we do our very own children. 

He will never deny us His affection! 

His heart melts on an even grander scale than ours when we draw close to Him and He BELIEVES that we love Him, trust Him, need Him, appreciate Him and admire Him. 

Never be afraid to approach the Throne of Grace with confidence with all of your burdens and your joys. Abba's waiting with open arms, a smile of warmth and a heart that takes great delight. He rejoices over us, like any good- proud mom or dad, of course when we accomplish something amazing, BUT even when we don't!! Much like with our own children when we are the first ones to say, “it’s okay, get back up, you'll do better next time! And I'm always here for you. “ 

My tattoo is a visual reminder, that no matter what. Jesus is my number one fan! He’s cheering for me, and He’s always there. Mighty enough to handle any pain or questions I have, and loving me unconditionally. 

Powell Paraphrases 9 verses. # 4

In you o' Lord will I put my trust. You are faithful. You lift up all who are bowed down and you hear their cries and save them. You make our enemy's flee and cut off all who do not remain in you. You will answer your promise to me and you will do what you say. For you are good in all your works. And I am your masterpiece. You rejoice over me with singing and nothing can take away your love for me.

Resolutions for anyone!

10 Resolutions everyone can keep... Even folks who don't make them! There are 365 days and approximately 8,760 hours this year. Take just a few minutes of this year to do the following at least once. (Make it a habit and improve many areas of your life!) 

1. Each day Find one thing you're thankful for, regarding that particular day. 

2. Say "Thank you" to someone and mean it. 

3. At least once or twice look; really look at your surroundings and find one beautiful object that you haven't noticed before. Take a mental picture. 

4. At least once or twice, just for a moment ... don't answer that text/call/message/email/other... Instead take a deep breath, close your eyes and remember!! Recall something positive. (From your childhood, or the day before. It doesn't matter... Just remember that feeling of joy.) 

5. Drink a large glass (12 oz or more) of water first thing when you wake up. Stave off hunger, headaches, fatigue, speed up slow bodily functions and so much more.  Good Morning! 

6. Read something (anything, a magazine, a book, newspapers) just for FUN. Brain Candy. 

7. Hug someone close to you an extra 10 seconds. 

8. Turn off all your electronics/internet/netflix an hour before bedtime. 

9. Complete a random act of kindness toward a stranger!! Your choice but look at this list for inspiration: 

http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Random-Acts-Kindness-Ideas-34351861

10. Take a day off work for no reason and just hit the beach! 

Where are you church?

I have been shown more grace, more kindness, more love and have been given more financial support, more tangible help (moving, packing, errands, rides, help with kids etc...) more shoulders to cry on and more sincere human empathy by my atheist/agnostic friends than I have my church/Christian friends.

Sure I've been given prayer support & some scriptures (and not minimizing its impact or importance of course) and I'm not saying ALL my Christian/Church friends bailed. Just pointing out that I received TANGIBLE and REAL and IMMEDIATE Help...more from my non-believing friends.

When times are hard and crisis strikes, you really do find out who your "true friends" are. The people that don't judge, that don't GOSSIP about you, the people that can HANDLE YOUR DRAMA because they know it's just a season and because you've been there when they needed YOU. THOSE are my friends. The girls that rolled up their sleeves and jumped right into my drama ready to carry me and fight for me!! The guys that were at a moments notice always willing to move me and/or spend time with my kids...

#Truth

#WhereAreYouChurch???

#NoWonderPeopleDontLikeChristians

#SadStateOfAffairs

I just want to say THANK YOU. I Love you all.

Not what you'd expect...*Trigger warning*

Original entry: 10/2013

To the person who raped me. 

I am not sure how to describe exactly what it means to me, what you did to me, how you treated me, how I felt.

I am not sure how to put into words..exactly what that did to me. 

It broke me. 

I could never feel good about myself. 

I could never enjoy sex. 

I have trouble even to this day.

 I could never feel pure or virginal. 

Those tender experiences, they were stolen from me. 

I could not trust anyone.

 I could not feel safe. 

I felt only fear.

 For so long. So. much. fear. 

So much rejection. 

So dirty and used. 

I felt so powerless. 

I felt so trapped. 

I felt worthless. 

I felt like you had all the control even YEARS after I last saw you. 

PTSD: The flashbacks, the nausea, the butterflies, the shaking, the tears...so many tears. It was trauma. Then anger, hatred really...rage. 

And to this day, I am broken in some ways. 

It affected my parenting and how vigilant I was with my daughters, it affected my marriage and relationship with my husband. 

I became self-destructive. 

I don't know how I let you have so much power over me. 

And for so so so so long. You controlled me. Absolutely. 

And it is so strange that even to this day. I am 40 years old and yesterday, in sharing my story, I became fearful of what you might do if you ever found out I told anyone. 

But the last & most important thing I want to say to you is this: 

Listen carefully..
I forgive you. 

I will no longer let you have any power over me. 

I am free. 

I forgive you and I pray for you and I bless you. 

I bless you. 

I pray that Jesus brings you into a true saving knowledge of himself. 

I pray that God himself would draw close to you & reach into your life and increase your faith, increase your joy, increase your health and prosper you financially. I bless you.

I no longer wish you harm. 
I. Release. You.

I am FREE from bondage to you. 

I have no more anger. 

No more fear.

No more self pity or brokenness. 

Because, Jesus. 

I finally understand the truth about our identity. We are each of us fearfully & wonderfully made, loved by an all loving creator. Each of us is forgiven beyond measure. 

Lastly, 
Jesus loves you. That is all. 

Too Much Grace?

Such a thing as too much Grace...

Okay let me qualify this statement. There actually isn't such a thing as "too much" Grace when it comes from Jesus. He gives it, abundantly, immeasurably and infinitely. However, we humans tend to take that for Granted. And while there is no finite amount of Grace God gives, That is not His ONLY character.  Among others, like Love and Comforter, Provider etc...
He is also Jealous. (Exodus 34:14 & Deut. 6:15)
He is JUST. ( 2 Thess. 1:6, Psalm 25:8-14)
and He is Holy.( 1 Peter 1:16)

And it's not like we break God down into some pie chart wherein we see that 68 percent of Him is Grace and Mercy and 20 percent is Holy and twelve percent is Just. Because He is all powerful, He is 100% all of those things, 100 percent of the time. And there will come a day in each of our lives, because He is Just and Holy, when He will choose to let us have our way and live our own lives. (Lives that do not honor Him, or reflect Him. lives that are full of self and do not walk with the Lord!) He will allow us to be happy in our sin, free of earthly consequences deceptively believing THAT is His Grace and Mercy. ( we deceive ourselves, HE has not deceived us). When actually, that is His way of removing His hand of blessing and power from our lives. The end result of which WILL inevitably be loneliness and despair, brokenness and humility, wherein we will in turn FINALLY submit and surrender our lives to Him. Now I ask you 2 things: 

Wouldn't it be better to live a tougher, less "easy" life but be right with God, seeing Him show up in powerful ways that build your faith and know that His love, protection, Grace, Mercy and Power are covering you, than to learn to live it the harder way? I have often said, "a wise person learns from their mistakes and never repeats them, a WISER person learns from the mistakes of others and never makes them!" 

Being obedient to scripture and living according to it, means to be under Gods provision and Grace but it does not mean this world will be easy. However, it will lead to a  JOY filled life with abundant peace. It means having the power and strength to persevere when troubles come. 

So many young Christians today, live by "Grace" and live as they please. Thinking they won't go to hell. But truthfully, living for yourself....means living hell on earth, and it leads to ruin and misery. 

 You also run the risk of Jesus saying..."depart from me, I never knew you." And ACTUALLY going to hell. Jesus was very very clear that KNOWING Him...means following Him, living as He did and being Holy Just as He is Holy. Being "one" with Christ. This is not "legalism" ....its not by behavior that we are saved! But behavior is the EVIDENCE of a life that is saved. Its putting ALL of Gods character into its proper place. And REPRESENTING Him well. 

Do not call yourself a "Christian" and not actually follow Christ. Do not look and act like the world, when you have been set apart. Do not behave badly because you have a golden ticket to Heaven, (that makes JESUS look bad!) Don't make His death, and torture and suffering ....all for nothing. If we are  "saved" even though we can do whatever we want...why did He need to die in the first place? 

REPENT ....Commit and Live for Jesus because He died for you. 

Word to the Wives.

Word to the Wives: I'm about to get REAL. Can you handle it? 

Proverbs 14:1 

"The  wise woman builds her house,

but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." 

As someone who was a very very foolish wife, I am going to share with you a few of the mistakes I made throughout the course of my 20 year marriage.  Unfortunately for me, it is too late. And I am not 100% responsible for that. But I am seeing with clearer eyes now, making necessary changes in ME to make my next relationship all that God wants it to be. 

But the REASON I am sharing this, is because I am literally watching several of YOU my friends, right now....make these same mistakes, and I am so afraid you will tear your house/husband down to an irrevocable destination. Just as I did. Several of you.

And sisters I cannot begin to describe the pain, that comes from the death of a marriage. Especially when you realize too late you had a hand in its terminal sickness...it's worse than physical death of a loved one. Gut wrenching, stomach turning, body aching, heart crushing pain. I am trying to keep you, as best I know how, from this suffering. Because I love you. So please take a moment and read my cautionary tale. 

1.) I made my husband obsolete. I made unilateral decisions for our family without discussing it with him. I am not talking huge choices here like where will we live, or where shall we send the kids to school...I am talking seemingly mundane things, like what's for dinner and whether to spend a little extra on organic foods instead of processed. I may have thought it was a good thing to be responsible for mealtimes, and it is. But repeatedly not getting my husbands input or at least asking occasionally...what would you like for dinner? (Dinner is just an example! this logic Works in a variety of similar and seemingly mundane tasks) finally shut him down. He stopped giving me input when I NEEDed him to, on other issues that were important to me. 

             In his own words...I ran the household SO efficiently that not only did he feel obsolete, he felt cast aside and eventually unimportant and unwanted in ALL areas. Finances, yardwork, child-rearing etc...He needed to FEEL like he was a provider and leader and partner.  But I had in some ways castrated him. even though MY INTENT was to HELP and to be PRUDENT. 

2.) I let Life get  in the way. I paid more attention to my friends concerns/stories/drama/issues than I did his. Even though we daily carved out time together to swap stories and discuss upcoming family appointments etc... The literal many hours per day, communicating with my friends & coworkers did not begin to compare to the perhaps 30 mins or an hour I gave to  my husband. Even though we went on dates, nearly every week...we did not communicate deeply regularly (whilst stuffing our faces and/or watching a movie/concert/game etc...)

               In his own words, it had been months since I listened...really listened without my attention divided or directed elsewhere (which we call "multi-tasking") to his work stories, accomplishments, dreams and goals, for more than an OBLIGATORY 15 or 20 mins ...Thus I didn't even NOTICE when he completely stopped even trying to tell me. He stopped talking to me and I didn't even notice! Likewise, I hadn't laughed at his jokes, or asked him personal questions either. 

3.) I spent too much money. Now this is hard for me to confess because "too much" is relative. I am a VERY frugal person, who is NOT materialistic at all. And rarely spent money on myself or my home! And every item I paid for was for some good reason, in fact a very good reason...this did not matter. When there are MANY things that need to be paid for, and the MAJORITY (not all) of the income AND the responsibility for providing the funds for said items, falls to him, he is going to worry. It is a burden and a heavy weight on his shoulders that wives cannot generally comprehend. And no matter how little this or that cost, no matter how important it is, it can cause stress on a man that he will later resent you for. I finally gave my husband control of 100% of our money. Even took me off the bank account completely. I had to get an allowance that HE deemed appropriate and I had to TRUST that he would take care of all the bills. Ladies.... I am telling you 2 things...If there is something you can do to make your husbands life less stressful...and make him more pleased with you, why would you NOT do that?! The allowance he deemed fair, was not...in my opinion fair or even close to being enough. But I Learned to make it work and if it meant HE felt better, and it eased his burden, I was happy to do it. First I had to CHECK MY MOTIVE for wanting that control. As I argued with him and myself about this, I soon realized : No scenario ever came to mind, no fear, and no problem, that God could not counter with a simple "Trust ME I am your provider." Ultimately  It's just not worth your marriage and the heartache of a broken marriage to not relinquish that control. 

4.) I did not let him lead ...AND make mistakes doing it. I was so afraid that he would make bad choices and somehow screw up the children or our home, or finances or whatever...that I literally questioned everything he did. And then when he DID make mistakes, A.) I didn't let him forget or B.) said "I told you so" or "I knew it". This was so disrespectful on so many levels....now hear me on this. These mistakes were not huge and I didn't literally think he would screw anything up. But even the slightest hesitation in trusting his choices or judgement, or  what I thought was "gentle correction" ...was questioning him and making him feel disrespected.  It was actually undermining his own confidence and his GOD GIVEN identity as the LEADER. 

looking back and putting it as succinctly as I have here, of course it seems obvious. But I am telling you....these were NOT behaviors that came up everyday, or even every week! It was subtle, gradual and small. But it was enough that over the course of time...my husband was being TORN DOWN and in his own words....completely weary and worn out. All of these behaviors independently or cumulatively cause STRIFE. And strife in a home is horrendous to overcome. Strife in a MARRIAGE is even worse. Over time my husband became distant, resentful, he no longer trusted me or counted on me. He no longer looked to me for affirmation or attention.

Ladies LISTEN to me!! If your husband says "I am weary or worn out because of...." And fill in the blank with ANY of the scenarios above... Take heed. Do not be proud. Take him seriously. If there is anything that is within your power or ability to change...CHANGE it. Before it's too late.  Be your husbands "helper" his biggest fan, his cheerleader, his safe place so that he can have full confidence in you. Recognize that by doing so, you are actually fulfilling the very purpose God gave you as his wife and the Lord Himself will honor you. 

These 4 things are a mere sample of mistakes I made and unfortunately even though I made every effort to correct them and I asked for forgiveness, it did not save my marriage. 

And I apologize if it seems like I am being harsh, but the truth is...a year ago, if I were to listen to some of your complaints about your husband I would have been on your side. But now...now that my marriage is over ...in part by my own hands... It's not so black and white. 

He was broken and eventually turned to other things to fill his needs. He chose to abdicate his leader role and not fight for us. And while I know I am NOT responsible for his subsequent choices. That does NOT absolve me of the responsibility of my own. And I will forever regret not doing what I could have when I had the chance. But I can guarantee I won't make the same mistakes again. 

You are now responsible for what you know. What will you do? 

Thanks for reading. 

Love Mia 

Bride to be...

Take a moment and imagine with me,  a bride-to-be. She's spent hours and hours and hours of time and hundreds if not thousands of dollars on the perfect dress, the perfect hair, the makeup, the nails, the shoes etc...as she prepares to walk down the aisle to see her bridegroom for the very first time, as she anticipates that first glance and the smile meant only for her. Her heart races and her adrenaline is pumping...and she can barely focus, its all surreal and she is barely able to take in every detail that surrounds her ...but she is absolutely ...STUNNINGLY beautiful. And she is happier in that moment than she can recall. Her soon to be husband's breath is taken away at the sight of his beautiful bride. A tear forms in his eye...they lock eyes and her energy and heart rate are elevated. She cannot wait to take this man...

Sometimes I feel like Jesus has spent everything He has and has fully invested himself...He stands waiting with anticipation of His "first look"...and instead of a beautiful blushing bride, eagerly and gracefully coming toward Him, he sees me. A dirty, unkempt, unconcerned, unprepared, underdressed, and worse...indifferent, aloof, selfish and thoughtless woman who spent zero time, money or thought on receiving Him or giving myself to Him. 

I am so thankful that in spite of what He'd see...He WOULD still want me and Love me. He has already invested everything and is not going to stand me up! 

But I can't help wondering: 

What would Jesus really  see as my bridegroom if He were to come tomorrow?

What can I do to prepare myself as a bride-to-be ought to? 

Why is it so easy to forget that He is REAL and He IS returning? 

Why is it, I/We would or have invested more money, more time, more energy, more thought....preparing and planning for an earthly wedding, so concerned with "that first look" of the one we are betrothed to, than we do for our Spiritual and Heavenly bridegroom? 

Fill in the Gap

Thankful for women, past and present, previous and new... who are willing to love on & speak into the lives of my daughters. Who are willing to hug them, pray with them, listen and especially encourage them!! It definitely takes a village and when I am insufficient, the Lord Graciously provides surrogates to fill in the gaps!

It's especially true and necessary I am discovering when I am going through Crisis. No matter how much my heart longs to be the one they turn to, no matter how much I love them, or want to be their rock. We can't always do that. And I am thankful, that when I am in need of help, there are people there ready to stand by my kids and carry them until I can do it!

Misfit

The last 3 days I have felt like a misfit, a screw-up, a horrible person, inadequate, unprepared, lost, unsure of myself and broken. I just read that, Grace was designed for the likes of these. And throughout the Bible it is precisely these kinds of people with those same issues that God showed up and revealed Himself to and He didn't stop there, He then used them to fulfill His purpose. Wow. I can't wait to see how God uses me!!

You're gonna hear me Rooooaar...

I am Mother hear me roar. I will fiercely protect my children from those trying to hurt them, even if it's themselves. I love my children strongly and passionately. Even if it means they hate me, for teaching them and guiding them painfully. Thought about this today as I was planning a course of action against somebody who may hurt my kids...and then BAM it HIT me, that is exactly How Jesus feels about me. Do not despise the Lords discipline....it is because He loves us! Ooooooh now I get it. Sheesh. It IS painful, but I am fiercely protected and passionately loved!

He makes all things new!

The song that inspired this post

http://youtu.be/wy29M0IjoYg

Just about exactly one year ago from now, God gave me a "charge" and a promise. To be faithful in prayer...and persistent. Like Elijah who prayed for rain after 3.5 years...All I need is to continue to ask and to lay claim to even a "fist sized" cloud. And then run ahead, in full confidence that the rains will come! At that time...Jesus told my spirit that He will bless me and that there would be "breakthrough" during my season of drought if I remained faithful in prayer...Just like Elijah. But I had almost forgot. I almost allowed what I see with my eyes, and the circumstances of my life to overwhelm me and to cause me to fall on my face, not before the Lord in reverence but in self-pity and shame and utter despair. But the Lord, who has always been a true gentleman to me, met me (again) and boldly reminded me of His promise. And reminded me to DECLARE ..."Let it Rain". So I will choose to lay down my fear, lay down my pride, lay down all that is self and human/from the flesh, and RUN with arms  wide open, expectant, and declaring, Hallelujah, Let it Rain!

Scripture refs: James 5 and 1st  Kings 18 

All hallows eve

Some of the reasons we have never "celebrated" halloween or let our kids trick-or-treat is outlined in this well written article. For us personally, it has less to do with the fact we think halloween in and of itself is "evil" -we don't think that at all. We also know that in fact the history comes from Christian origins! For us it is one more tool in our families "tool-belt" to help set us apart (as we are called to be) and make sure that our focus is on Jesus, living like He did, loving like He does etc... We also don't want to be a stumbling block to other believers and non-believers, by blurring the lines and there is so much about halloween that IS evil and or used by evil people for evil intent, that the lines are very blurry. I personally have a hard time reconciling to folks how on certain days, or certain events, it's "Okay" to be witches and ghosts etc... and not on others. I too have noticed the movies and music that has played on TV this month, full of ghosts and gore. They even had a "live Seance" on "The View" today, as well as a medium "reading" people. I believe those things are very real! THOSE are the kinds of divinations the Bible is very clear that Christians should avoid and those are the lines that become blurry when as a Christian I say its okay today, because it's all in good fun, but on other days... it's used by the Devil to deceive people, to distract them from Christ and in even darker scenarios, to draw people to himself directly. If it's not okay on the other 364 days a year, I don't see how it can be okay for 1. We HAVE however, allowed our children to attend Harvest Parties at various churches, where we have been able to give thanks to the Lord for His bounty and where we can openly worship and focus on Christ. Where we feel we can "reclaim" what has been -in my eyes- distorted. Sorry for the long diatribe. I am just explaining our actions and hoping you will read the article.

http://www.shepherdpress.com/halloween-the-ultimate-trick-or-treat/

Salvation Vs. Sanctification

Four spiritual laws

Basic of Christianity. Yes. It really is this simple. We try to make it more complicated, because for it to be so easy, does not seem fair, or just by our way of measuring fairness and justice. We think we must be "good" or that "bad" people should be punished. But the truth is:

1. God created man to be in relationship with Him.
2. Man sinned, and irrevocably broke that relationship.
3. God sent Jesus to take away the consequences of that sin and to restore our relationship with God.
4. All we have to do, is reach out and accept the gift that Jesus holds out to us.

So if you agree that you are a sinner, in need of a savior, it's as easy as confessing that and saying YES please and Thank you, to Jesus'  gift.
That is salvation.

The process of sanctification, of pursuing holiness, of living a life that represents Jesus well...that is a different matter, but i believe it does not affect our salvation.  Which is a free Gift. But rather sanctification is a natural consequence of the choice we make to be Christ followers. This is a choice that is to be made daily. Actually, hourly. Moment by moment.

We are not "Christians" ...but rather sinners saved by Grace. We are Christians, if we are keeping Christ's  commands. "If you love me, keep my commands" ...the greatest commandment being to love The Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind etc...and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Still on His throne

Lord you are Sovereign. Help me to remember that when I don't understand what's going on. You ARE still on your throne last time I checked. Your ways are mysterious and marvelous. Praise you Jesus for you are GOOD. All the time. Even when I am broken, scared, weary, frustrated & spent. Much like I am now. You are good. I will proclaim it & refuse to let the enemy have any victory. Amen.

Worth repeating #1

I've said it before and I'll say it again! If I didnt have all my many many blessings, if I was down & out and my life was a mess, if I had no money, no home, poor health etc... it is ENOUGH that Jesus died for my sins. It's enough that I'm forgiven. 
Thank YOU for the Cross...Lord. 

Worthy is the Lamb of all my praise and thanksgiving. 
JUST for saving me. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJdutOWjvWg&feature=related

Things that make you go Hmmm...

Things that make you go hmmm...I believe a lot of us have Jesus as Savior. We believe & have accepted His free gift of eternal life. Many of us may even call Him Lord, we accept his authority in our lives & desire His will for our life. But how many of us call Him MASTER? that yearning with every pore of our body to serve him, sacrifice everything for him, to do his bidding... even to the point of death. YUP. Thats what I want. I want to call Him MASTER. Jesus I want nothing more than to serve you... I don't care what that looks like. I only want to do your bidding.


There are many times when I operate in my flesh or fall back on the "easy" part of a Christian walk, and so often God has said to me... "Remember that time, when you committed your LIFE to me? Did you really mean that? Or remember that time, you said to me... I could have my way? Did you mean THAT? " and then He goes on to use circumstances and people to refine me and it IS painful sometimes. Or scary... but I know that I know that I know... that He LOVES me. So whatever He does it comes from THAT. But it is VERY hard to put your money (or life) where your mouth is so-to-speak. But nevertheless its what I want more than anything. To represent Jesus well. He deserves nothing less than ALL of me.