The following is an article/post I receive via Facebook. This piece really resonates with me and the Lord ok'd me sharing it with you. Be blessed.
Leviticus 2:11
11‘No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire.
Imagine yourself walking past the prodigal son sitting in the pigpen. (Luke 15:11–24) You look at him and see him salivating for the pigs’ food. Believing that it is good to show kindness, you give him money to buy food for himself.
That is human kindness which says, “I am a Christian. I should be kind, good and forgiving.” Such human sweetness or kindness may be likened to honey. Interestingly, while we elevate it, God tells His people not to bring Him a grain offering with honey in it.
The grain offering speaks of Jesus’ life on earth. Not mixing honey in the grain offering speaks of how the compassion and goodness we see in Jesus during His earthly ministry were all divine. There was no “honey” of human goodness that is tainted with human weakness.
In retrospect, the worst thing one could do for the prodigal son was to give him money when he was in the pigpen. Not only would he not have gone home, but what the Lord was doing in his heart would also have been spoiled. This is what happens when we go by the goodness of our human hearts instead of the goodness of God in our hearts, which is directed by His love, wisdom and perfect timing.
My friend, God does not want you to be moved by what you see but by His Spirit. There were many needy folks surrounding Jesus during His time on earth. But He did not heal every sick person around Him, feed every hungry stomach he passed or raise all who were dead. Isaiah 11:2–3 tells us that the Lord was not moved by what He saw or heard. He was moved only by the Spirit.
You too have the Spirit in you. (1 Corinthians 3:16) Be moved by Him. Follow the peace that He puts within your spirit to do or refrain from doing something. That peace is the peace of God. Acting on that peace will cause God to be exalted, and His divine goodness and kindness to really be a blessing to you and others!
by Joseph Prince Ministries
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Your Room Isn't Clean Unless The Closet Is Also
My son's concept of cleaning his room consists of him piling everything on the floor: toys, books, and all, into his closet. Then, when he's "done" he calls me in to inspect his work. I look around, not seeing anything on the floor, the bed made (as best it can be by a 4yr old), and all the toys removed from sight. But, upon a second glance around the room I notice the closet light on. That's the step he forgets to take after stashing everything into it. We go through this almost every time and will continue to do so until his brain makes contact with this simple truth: your room is not clean unless the closet is also. After some thought, I realized its application in my own life... the grown-up.
Though I have been healed from this for quite some time, the issues I carried from my childhood serve as a perfect illustration of just what I mean.
For years I wrestled and struggled with deep seated hurt from my younger years. I understood I wasn't the only person with childhood issues, and had reconciled myself to living with the hurt until it somehow passed away on it's own... or better yet, faded from memory. That never happened. When I began to walk with Lord and learn more about healing, I was drawn to reading what the Word of God had to say about Christ setting us free from hurt. Even in doing that, my eyes would well with tears and all those unresolved emotions would swell up within me and pour out. The process was so painful for me that I decided that the Word of God was true and I would just live like it was.
Unfortunately for me, what I failed to do was to actually release my hold on the offenses that caused the hurt. I was able, on a mental level, to push the pain aside and function. I didn't look like the open wound that I was. I shoved everything away in the closet. So, for all intents and purposes, my room was clean. I actually thought I had laid hold of the promise of healing. I was very proud of myself and often times judgmental of others who still displayed their hurts. Ha! Hind sight is truly 20/20. Needless to say, I lived a shackled and incomplete life... and the whole time I was the main one in church "shoutin' and celebratin' the victory we have in Christ Jesus."
One of the first things the Lord said to me when He began disclosing His call to me was, "I am going to heal you first. From the inside out. I am removing from you the painful memories... from your mind, emotions, and your body." I must have felt about five different emotions all at the same time! I was happy, excited, scared, relieved, nervous, anxious, etc. My mental processed were completely on tilt. You have to understand that I had been pretending to be healed for so long that even I believed it. When the Lord spoke that night, He outed me in the process. I could no longer hide behind the brittle facade I'd so carefully constructed. The jig was up.
In the following weeks He taught me how to honestly and permanently let go. He showed me how to embrace Him. He led me to the table of His heart and spoon-fed me an aspect of salvation I had never tasted before. At night, when my husband and son were safely a drift in dreamland, the Lord and I would commune. Sometimes I knew the issue I was praying about, other times I could only "feel" the issue or circumstance. But each time, He led and I followed in prayer and declaration. I say declaration, because I was careful to only pray about what He unearthed. A little at a time... according to what I could bear. In the mornings, I would awake with such peace... way better than the peace I faked or occasionally felt. It wasn't crazy and emotional (like I'd always thought purging hurt would be), but effortless and gentle. The healing of the Lord is as the perfect chocolate mousse. Light and airy, yet rich and creamy. Filling your belly, while leaving you hungry for more. With each time of fellowship the desire for complete release would expand within me and I would experience the following day that much more clearer, that much more lighter.
The fruit of what the Lord did is enjoyed by my family, my friends, my business associates and especially me. The healing that took place brought clarity to how I perceive myself, the Lord, others, situations, etc. Getting sick all the time is gone. Secretly hating myself is gone. The neck and back pain is gone. The stomach aches are gone. The night terrors are gone. Always trying to protect myself is gone. The fear of loving other people is gone. Being fearful for the people I love is gone. My quality of life is such that I just wish I'd been open to God a loooooooooooooooooot sooner.
The part of my heart that once held and hid my childhood sorrows... my closet... is clean now, too.
Though I have been healed from this for quite some time, the issues I carried from my childhood serve as a perfect illustration of just what I mean.
For years I wrestled and struggled with deep seated hurt from my younger years. I understood I wasn't the only person with childhood issues, and had reconciled myself to living with the hurt until it somehow passed away on it's own... or better yet, faded from memory. That never happened. When I began to walk with Lord and learn more about healing, I was drawn to reading what the Word of God had to say about Christ setting us free from hurt. Even in doing that, my eyes would well with tears and all those unresolved emotions would swell up within me and pour out. The process was so painful for me that I decided that the Word of God was true and I would just live like it was.
Unfortunately for me, what I failed to do was to actually release my hold on the offenses that caused the hurt. I was able, on a mental level, to push the pain aside and function. I didn't look like the open wound that I was. I shoved everything away in the closet. So, for all intents and purposes, my room was clean. I actually thought I had laid hold of the promise of healing. I was very proud of myself and often times judgmental of others who still displayed their hurts. Ha! Hind sight is truly 20/20. Needless to say, I lived a shackled and incomplete life... and the whole time I was the main one in church "shoutin' and celebratin' the victory we have in Christ Jesus."
One of the first things the Lord said to me when He began disclosing His call to me was, "I am going to heal you first. From the inside out. I am removing from you the painful memories... from your mind, emotions, and your body." I must have felt about five different emotions all at the same time! I was happy, excited, scared, relieved, nervous, anxious, etc. My mental processed were completely on tilt. You have to understand that I had been pretending to be healed for so long that even I believed it. When the Lord spoke that night, He outed me in the process. I could no longer hide behind the brittle facade I'd so carefully constructed. The jig was up.
In the following weeks He taught me how to honestly and permanently let go. He showed me how to embrace Him. He led me to the table of His heart and spoon-fed me an aspect of salvation I had never tasted before. At night, when my husband and son were safely a drift in dreamland, the Lord and I would commune. Sometimes I knew the issue I was praying about, other times I could only "feel" the issue or circumstance. But each time, He led and I followed in prayer and declaration. I say declaration, because I was careful to only pray about what He unearthed. A little at a time... according to what I could bear. In the mornings, I would awake with such peace... way better than the peace I faked or occasionally felt. It wasn't crazy and emotional (like I'd always thought purging hurt would be), but effortless and gentle. The healing of the Lord is as the perfect chocolate mousse. Light and airy, yet rich and creamy. Filling your belly, while leaving you hungry for more. With each time of fellowship the desire for complete release would expand within me and I would experience the following day that much more clearer, that much more lighter.
The fruit of what the Lord did is enjoyed by my family, my friends, my business associates and especially me. The healing that took place brought clarity to how I perceive myself, the Lord, others, situations, etc. Getting sick all the time is gone. Secretly hating myself is gone. The neck and back pain is gone. The stomach aches are gone. The night terrors are gone. Always trying to protect myself is gone. The fear of loving other people is gone. Being fearful for the people I love is gone. My quality of life is such that I just wish I'd been open to God a loooooooooooooooooot sooner.
The part of my heart that once held and hid my childhood sorrows... my closet... is clean now, too.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The First Day of the Best of My Life
Today I embrace the call of my Father, to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Today I walk away from, turning my back to, my life and the cares thereof. Not so much a leap of faith, as it is more of a free fall. But, because He has commanded it, He will catch me.
It is into His arms that I fall.
Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Luke 12:37
"Blessed are those slaves whom the Master will find on alert when He comes; truly I say to you, that He will gird Himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them."
It is into His arms that I fall.
Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Luke 12:37
"Blessed are those slaves whom the Master will find on alert when He comes; truly I say to you, that He will gird Himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them."
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Freezing Cold, But Warm Inside
While walking through our home today it felt colder than normal. I initially thought it was just me, because I am the one in our family that sets the thermostat. Mommy controls the temperature and she remembered where she had set it the night before. (That in itself is a loaded statement.) It must have been serveral hours before I decided to check the thermostat to see how cold it was, or if my husband adjusted it on his way out this morning. I wish I'd looked a lot earlier. Everyone who lives in the South knows that this time of year is when electric rates increase. Needless to say, someone dropped the air conditioner down to 50 degrees! My fingertips weren't purple because I was crazy; they were purple because I was literally freezing. I immediately set it back to 75 degrees, and as I did so, I knew in my heart who the culprit was.
I called my 4 yr. old son to me and asked him if he'd touched the thermostat. You should have seen the look on his face. Anyone with a child that age and above knows exactly what I'm talking about. His face was a mixture of fear and panic. I could read his mind as he took a moment to decide whether he'd lie and say no against what the outcome will be if he answers honestly. I gave him his moment to decide and he chose wisely. "Yes, Mommy... I did," was his answer. I immediately sent him to time-out. (Time-out is a great place to send your child while deliberating your choices and/or controlling your anger.)
Just then I heard on the inside of me, "Don't have this conversation twice." I understood immediately the direction the Lord was communicating. You see, dropping the A/C to a temperature as low as 50 degrees is a potentially expensive move. Having worked for several years in the apartment industry, I knew firsthand how running an A/C unit at its lowest setting leads to costly repairs. And remember that I live in the South, so being without air conditioning for any length of time is a form of hell.
I then released my son from time-out and had him wait for me in his room. The first question I asked him was if he knew that touching the thermostat was a no-no. Again he impressed me with his honesty when he told me he knew it was wrong, but just wanted to do it anyway. I paddled his behind and waited for him to calm down. Afterwards, he and I sat down and discussed the situation. I explained to him what my expectations were should the desire to adjust the thermostat ever present itself again in the future. I had him repeat back to me what those expectations were. And then I told him why the thermostat was off limits and that a part of my love for him was that I provide for him. I explained that his physical comfort is a part of that provision. Lastly, I hugged him. My son really looks forward to the hug after the paddling. As usual, he kissed me and told me he loved me!
Here's the kicker, here's the blessing of this whole experience: Everytime I have to correct my son I am given the opportunity to demonstrate the love of God to him. As people we will mess up, intentionally and unintentionally. And, more often than not, there will be consequences. But nevertheless, as receivers of God's unmerited favor (grace), we never need to be ashamed or live in condemnation over bad decisions. God deals with us as children because He is invested in our personal development - because He claims us as children and loves us beyond our comprehension. (Hebrews 12:7-12) Through the simple act of loving on my son after every correction, I partner with the Lord in teaching him this aspect of who he is, and what he has in Christ Jesus. My son can get a spanking and go on with his day. He knows mommy and daddy won't be looking at him sideways for the rest of the day, nor constantly reminding him that he messed up. All he knows is what's expected of him from that point on.
I called my 4 yr. old son to me and asked him if he'd touched the thermostat. You should have seen the look on his face. Anyone with a child that age and above knows exactly what I'm talking about. His face was a mixture of fear and panic. I could read his mind as he took a moment to decide whether he'd lie and say no against what the outcome will be if he answers honestly. I gave him his moment to decide and he chose wisely. "Yes, Mommy... I did," was his answer. I immediately sent him to time-out. (Time-out is a great place to send your child while deliberating your choices and/or controlling your anger.)
Just then I heard on the inside of me, "Don't have this conversation twice." I understood immediately the direction the Lord was communicating. You see, dropping the A/C to a temperature as low as 50 degrees is a potentially expensive move. Having worked for several years in the apartment industry, I knew firsthand how running an A/C unit at its lowest setting leads to costly repairs. And remember that I live in the South, so being without air conditioning for any length of time is a form of hell.
I then released my son from time-out and had him wait for me in his room. The first question I asked him was if he knew that touching the thermostat was a no-no. Again he impressed me with his honesty when he told me he knew it was wrong, but just wanted to do it anyway. I paddled his behind and waited for him to calm down. Afterwards, he and I sat down and discussed the situation. I explained to him what my expectations were should the desire to adjust the thermostat ever present itself again in the future. I had him repeat back to me what those expectations were. And then I told him why the thermostat was off limits and that a part of my love for him was that I provide for him. I explained that his physical comfort is a part of that provision. Lastly, I hugged him. My son really looks forward to the hug after the paddling. As usual, he kissed me and told me he loved me!
Here's the kicker, here's the blessing of this whole experience: Everytime I have to correct my son I am given the opportunity to demonstrate the love of God to him. As people we will mess up, intentionally and unintentionally. And, more often than not, there will be consequences. But nevertheless, as receivers of God's unmerited favor (grace), we never need to be ashamed or live in condemnation over bad decisions. God deals with us as children because He is invested in our personal development - because He claims us as children and loves us beyond our comprehension. (Hebrews 12:7-12) Through the simple act of loving on my son after every correction, I partner with the Lord in teaching him this aspect of who he is, and what he has in Christ Jesus. My son can get a spanking and go on with his day. He knows mommy and daddy won't be looking at him sideways for the rest of the day, nor constantly reminding him that he messed up. All he knows is what's expected of him from that point on.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Always Listening, Always Faithful
For some time I've wanted to have a professional family portrait done. I would log on to Facebook and view the family portraits of my friends and feel the desire grow. Though I'd record the photographer information, I was always hesitant to call out of concern their fees would extend beyond my household budget. So I'd say to myself, "One day you'll get to take professional pictures. Don't worry about that right now." That wasn't really a 'faith statement', just a little self encouragement to quell my desire and soothe my emotions.
Well, sometime later my sister-in-law contacted me regarding having a family portrait taken as a Mother's Day gift to our mother-in-law. I immediately thought it was a great idea and was fully on board to participate. In that same conversation she informed me that my little branch could have an individual portrait done for a nominal fee. That really excited me, remembering that the desire for the portrait was held in my heart, but never left my lips in prayer. It blessed me tremendously to know that without having made the request from the Lord, He answered me and provided. I shared this with my sister-in-law, much to her pleasure.
The night before picture day I made sure my household was prepared. I knew we would have to purchase a top for my son being that he lack one that had our unifying color. It was very important to my sister-in-law that we all coordinated; something I hadn't considered, but very much wanted for my household's personal portrait. That's the other thing in all this: not only does the Lord know how to provide without you even asking, but He also knows how to get you all the information you need to fully enjoy what He gives to you. Yeah Jesus!
So, in making sure our clothes were ready and washing what needed to be cleaned, my husband told me that our budget didn't cover purchasing a separate portrait for us. To be honest, I woke up with a mini attitude about it. One of the hardest things for me to deal with is not being able to do or have exactly what I want. Financial limitations can be very discouraging and depressing...causing you to look at things from a 'half empty' perspective. To my shame, that's how I looked at it. When my husband asked me what was wrong, all I could say was, "It's not you." I was just so angry at how the situation appeared. Here I was, so close to possessing my hearts desire, and there wasn't enough money to make it mine. I thought for sure the best I could expect was to see myself in the large family portrait when I visited my in-laws. What a bummer.
But then I heard in my spirit, "It's too soon to call it over."
This enabled me to turn my frown upside down and enjoy my family's company for the rest of the afternoon. Isn't easy to forget that what we feel and exude has a direct impact on the people around us? Imagine if we all just trusted God for all things how much easier and more enjoyable we'd be. Go figure. After taking the large group photo we went ahead and took our turn posing for the individual family portraits. After a short wait we were all able to view the proofs and make our personal selections. Knowing I didn't have enough money to get everything I wanted, I found myself still making selections as if I did. I honestly do not know what I was thinking. Maybe I just switched over into shopper-mode. I do that sometime...in stores...when shopping...a lot.
After selections were made and we all had time to gush over our favorite pictures, I turned to my husband and asked if we could somehow squeeze my selections into the budget. As you can probably tell by this point, 'budget' is a word I would prefer NOT to have in my vocabulary. He then informed me that our pictures were paid for. That his mother wants to purchase our pictures as a gift - even though the portrait was to be her Mother's Day gift. WOW. Here I had spent most of last night and a good portion of the morning feeling sad and sorry for myself. Here I was, ready to accept that God hadn't really blessed me at all and maybe somehow I wasn't really that loved by Him. WOW.
Looking back on the whole ordeal from desire to realization, I realized several things. The First was that I never asked the Lord to bless me with a portrait of my family. He heard the desire of my heart and provided. No questions asked. Secondly, even though we were physically unable to purchase what we wanted, He had already assigned someone else to take care of that aspect for us...again, without us asking. And lastly, though I went from being thankful to pitiful, He remained faithful and did not withdraw the blessing. He didn't allow my negative attitude to effect my receipt of His provision. WOW.
Psalm 145:19 says, "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him; He will also hear their cry, and will save them." This is what the Lord has done for me. Thank You, Lord. And may I grow up to the place where I never doubt you again.
Well, sometime later my sister-in-law contacted me regarding having a family portrait taken as a Mother's Day gift to our mother-in-law. I immediately thought it was a great idea and was fully on board to participate. In that same conversation she informed me that my little branch could have an individual portrait done for a nominal fee. That really excited me, remembering that the desire for the portrait was held in my heart, but never left my lips in prayer. It blessed me tremendously to know that without having made the request from the Lord, He answered me and provided. I shared this with my sister-in-law, much to her pleasure.
The night before picture day I made sure my household was prepared. I knew we would have to purchase a top for my son being that he lack one that had our unifying color. It was very important to my sister-in-law that we all coordinated; something I hadn't considered, but very much wanted for my household's personal portrait. That's the other thing in all this: not only does the Lord know how to provide without you even asking, but He also knows how to get you all the information you need to fully enjoy what He gives to you. Yeah Jesus!
So, in making sure our clothes were ready and washing what needed to be cleaned, my husband told me that our budget didn't cover purchasing a separate portrait for us. To be honest, I woke up with a mini attitude about it. One of the hardest things for me to deal with is not being able to do or have exactly what I want. Financial limitations can be very discouraging and depressing...causing you to look at things from a 'half empty' perspective. To my shame, that's how I looked at it. When my husband asked me what was wrong, all I could say was, "It's not you." I was just so angry at how the situation appeared. Here I was, so close to possessing my hearts desire, and there wasn't enough money to make it mine. I thought for sure the best I could expect was to see myself in the large family portrait when I visited my in-laws. What a bummer.
But then I heard in my spirit, "It's too soon to call it over."
This enabled me to turn my frown upside down and enjoy my family's company for the rest of the afternoon. Isn't easy to forget that what we feel and exude has a direct impact on the people around us? Imagine if we all just trusted God for all things how much easier and more enjoyable we'd be. Go figure. After taking the large group photo we went ahead and took our turn posing for the individual family portraits. After a short wait we were all able to view the proofs and make our personal selections. Knowing I didn't have enough money to get everything I wanted, I found myself still making selections as if I did. I honestly do not know what I was thinking. Maybe I just switched over into shopper-mode. I do that sometime...in stores...when shopping...a lot.
After selections were made and we all had time to gush over our favorite pictures, I turned to my husband and asked if we could somehow squeeze my selections into the budget. As you can probably tell by this point, 'budget' is a word I would prefer NOT to have in my vocabulary. He then informed me that our pictures were paid for. That his mother wants to purchase our pictures as a gift - even though the portrait was to be her Mother's Day gift. WOW. Here I had spent most of last night and a good portion of the morning feeling sad and sorry for myself. Here I was, ready to accept that God hadn't really blessed me at all and maybe somehow I wasn't really that loved by Him. WOW.
Looking back on the whole ordeal from desire to realization, I realized several things. The First was that I never asked the Lord to bless me with a portrait of my family. He heard the desire of my heart and provided. No questions asked. Secondly, even though we were physically unable to purchase what we wanted, He had already assigned someone else to take care of that aspect for us...again, without us asking. And lastly, though I went from being thankful to pitiful, He remained faithful and did not withdraw the blessing. He didn't allow my negative attitude to effect my receipt of His provision. WOW.
Psalm 145:19 says, "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him; He will also hear their cry, and will save them." This is what the Lord has done for me. Thank You, Lord. And may I grow up to the place where I never doubt you again.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Please Take Out The Trash!
On the way to the gym tonight I was listening to the radio and found myself absolutely disgusted with what I was hearing. My first reaction was to change the channel, and so I did. I switched from the Urban music station to an R&B station and still couldn't find anything worth listening to. Needless to say, I was disappointed at the lack of quality music available at that time. I used up tempo music to rev me up for my workouts. The lack of inspiration got me thinking in a different direction.
As I began to analyze what was wrong with the songs that were played and the evil message they're delivering to listeners, I heard a still, small voice speaking to me. The Voice said, "Curse It."
In that moment I realized that it never dawned on me to do anything but be offended and complain about the evil I see in society. Sure, everyone complains and many are unhappy and want change, but probably, like me, they aren't doing anything real about it. Not anymore, not me. So, out of my mouth I decreed that the message of those songs would not prosper, would not usurp the values and virtues of my Lord, would be powerless against the plan of God concerning the generations exposed to it. I also decreed that the writers, singers, and all involved in producing and publishing those songs would have a decrease in listenership as to affect their profits. Whether they have a change of heart (which is most desired), or get tired of loosing money because listeners are crying out for more depth and virtue, I just want change. Why? Not because I want to see people hurt and broke, but because my heart is weary of people, young and old, being taught and encouraged to explore sexual perversity. So much of what we hear is nothing more than audio pornography.
I don't care how many times performers declare that they are not role models, only artist - it doesn't change the fact that they will be admired, revered, and most of all, heard by the inexperienced and impressionable. I am a firm believer that your gift makes a place for you. And, if you are gifted you don't need to take your clothes off (or tell other people to) in order to sell enough records so that you could win an award you're gonna turn around and thank God for.
One of the biggest arguements from that industry is that "sex sells". But I challenge that sex only sells because slowly, over time, little by little, the foundation of sex was laid upon which entertainment could be sold. Sex is a marketing tool. But for the forces, or "powers that be", it is a way to proclaim a message that violates the Word of God and seeks to thwart the Will of God.
Don't be misled. I enjoy a great love song as any person would who has experienced love (or desires to). I enjoy being reminded of my first slow dance, my first kiss, the day I knew I was truly in love. I even enjoy music that inspires romance. I'm not dead and I'm very happily married. What I do despise - now, as a person who seeks to serve and worship God through obedience to His word and relationship with Him - is music that glamorizes sexual perversion and the sexual misuse and abuse of one of the greatest gifts God's given every human being. Our bodies, the chalise of our spirits.
We are so much more than our sexual appetites, yet to watch television or listen to popular radio you would never know it. Fortunately, no weapon formed against us will prosper.
As I began to analyze what was wrong with the songs that were played and the evil message they're delivering to listeners, I heard a still, small voice speaking to me. The Voice said, "Curse It."
In that moment I realized that it never dawned on me to do anything but be offended and complain about the evil I see in society. Sure, everyone complains and many are unhappy and want change, but probably, like me, they aren't doing anything real about it. Not anymore, not me. So, out of my mouth I decreed that the message of those songs would not prosper, would not usurp the values and virtues of my Lord, would be powerless against the plan of God concerning the generations exposed to it. I also decreed that the writers, singers, and all involved in producing and publishing those songs would have a decrease in listenership as to affect their profits. Whether they have a change of heart (which is most desired), or get tired of loosing money because listeners are crying out for more depth and virtue, I just want change. Why? Not because I want to see people hurt and broke, but because my heart is weary of people, young and old, being taught and encouraged to explore sexual perversity. So much of what we hear is nothing more than audio pornography.
I don't care how many times performers declare that they are not role models, only artist - it doesn't change the fact that they will be admired, revered, and most of all, heard by the inexperienced and impressionable. I am a firm believer that your gift makes a place for you. And, if you are gifted you don't need to take your clothes off (or tell other people to) in order to sell enough records so that you could win an award you're gonna turn around and thank God for.
One of the biggest arguements from that industry is that "sex sells". But I challenge that sex only sells because slowly, over time, little by little, the foundation of sex was laid upon which entertainment could be sold. Sex is a marketing tool. But for the forces, or "powers that be", it is a way to proclaim a message that violates the Word of God and seeks to thwart the Will of God.
Don't be misled. I enjoy a great love song as any person would who has experienced love (or desires to). I enjoy being reminded of my first slow dance, my first kiss, the day I knew I was truly in love. I even enjoy music that inspires romance. I'm not dead and I'm very happily married. What I do despise - now, as a person who seeks to serve and worship God through obedience to His word and relationship with Him - is music that glamorizes sexual perversion and the sexual misuse and abuse of one of the greatest gifts God's given every human being. Our bodies, the chalise of our spirits.
We are so much more than our sexual appetites, yet to watch television or listen to popular radio you would never know it. Fortunately, no weapon formed against us will prosper.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
My Favorite Pen
I'm not the type of person to go out and shop for pens. Of course I buy office supplies, when needed, but I never really take the time to peruse the aisles of my local retailers for the perfect pen. They just sort of find their way to me. Whether their given to me, found on the floor of my husband's truck, or unconsciously swiped from someone else' collection, they make their way into my possession. And I keep them.
In thinking about my favorite pen I began thinking about some of the other things in my life that I love and enjoy everyday. And that's when I realized something; I realized that none of the things that matter to me were bought or earned by me. They are treasures that made their way to me. I didn't work overtime to earn the money to purchase them. I didn't have to be a perfect little angel in order to be worthy of their ownership. I didn't have to endure a military obstacle course to win them. We were brought together. Truth be told, when first presented with some of these blessings I didn't always see them as such until later.
My Husband
My husband is truly a gift from God to me. This man loves me without regret, forgives me before I offend, and understands me in such a way that he is able to allow me to be who I am without bonds and limitations. Honestly, his type of love is one that I aspire to. It's so easy and relaxed and consistent, like that of a best friend. The Lord knew what He was doing when He released the blessing that is my husband to overtake me. And overtake me he did! This marvelous creature pursued me in steadfast patience and loving generosity for four years. Not because I was a diva, but on the contrary, I was brokenhearted. And God, in His great wisdom and understanding knew that my husband's love for me would need to be demonstrated over time, over ups, over downs, over thick, and over thin times while He was at work healing and correcting the damages of the past. Awesome. I can't imagine being married to anyone else but him, my sweet, strong, loving, husband. My best friend.
Our Son
Right before my husband and I were married we learned of my younger sister's pregnancy. Because of issues faced by my sister, I was afraid that I would end up raising her child. I wasn't ready to become a mother, nor was my husband ready to be a father. We were beyond scared and intimidated by what this pregnancy would mean to our newly wed lives. Even in writing this I can feel those emotions as if transported back to 2005.
With my husband already in Iraq at the time my mother, older sister and myself attended the birth of my son-to-be. Something happened in that room that I will never forget. Mind you, I've been present to witness several births in my short life, so I pretty much knew what to expect. But, not this. After my beautiful baby sister gave birth to a healthy baby boy my family and I took turns holding our new addition. When my turn came I took him in my arms as I was shown and held him very gingerly. So nervous, I sat down while I held him, while I held beautiful him. As I cradled him in my arms he turned his little head towards me and tried to feed. We all laughed and I gave him back to my baby sister. There was no way he would draw anything but lent from my wool sweater covered chest.
But, the moment wasn't lost on me...not at all. Still not knowing the future, I hid it in my heart. Still young, still selfish, still clueless to what the Lord was doing.
When our son was eventually released to our care by my beautiful baby sister, you could have taken a family photo of us and been none the wiser. He looks like a perfect blend of my husband and I. (uncanny!) This little boy brought with him laughter, joy, commitment, renewed faith, a rebirth of hope, a sense of completion, and new identities for both my husband and I. Our son took us from being self-centered to self-sacrificing, from being a married couple to a family.
My Family Today
The thing I love and cherish the most about both my husband and son is that everyday they inspire me draw from, encourage me to pursue, direct me towards, remind me of, demonstrate to me, and share with me the Love of God. You see, like my favorite pen I didn't earn them. I didn't buy them. I didn't hustle to obtain them. They were given to me and I to them by divine providence. So, like my favorite pen, I do my best to keep them safe; make sure they are cared for and not worn out (by me). And, I don't lend them out to anyone, although one day (in God's time) I will give one away to manhood. But, not today!
In thinking about my favorite pen I began thinking about some of the other things in my life that I love and enjoy everyday. And that's when I realized something; I realized that none of the things that matter to me were bought or earned by me. They are treasures that made their way to me. I didn't work overtime to earn the money to purchase them. I didn't have to be a perfect little angel in order to be worthy of their ownership. I didn't have to endure a military obstacle course to win them. We were brought together. Truth be told, when first presented with some of these blessings I didn't always see them as such until later.
My Husband
My husband is truly a gift from God to me. This man loves me without regret, forgives me before I offend, and understands me in such a way that he is able to allow me to be who I am without bonds and limitations. Honestly, his type of love is one that I aspire to. It's so easy and relaxed and consistent, like that of a best friend. The Lord knew what He was doing when He released the blessing that is my husband to overtake me. And overtake me he did! This marvelous creature pursued me in steadfast patience and loving generosity for four years. Not because I was a diva, but on the contrary, I was brokenhearted. And God, in His great wisdom and understanding knew that my husband's love for me would need to be demonstrated over time, over ups, over downs, over thick, and over thin times while He was at work healing and correcting the damages of the past. Awesome. I can't imagine being married to anyone else but him, my sweet, strong, loving, husband. My best friend.
Our Son
Right before my husband and I were married we learned of my younger sister's pregnancy. Because of issues faced by my sister, I was afraid that I would end up raising her child. I wasn't ready to become a mother, nor was my husband ready to be a father. We were beyond scared and intimidated by what this pregnancy would mean to our newly wed lives. Even in writing this I can feel those emotions as if transported back to 2005.
With my husband already in Iraq at the time my mother, older sister and myself attended the birth of my son-to-be. Something happened in that room that I will never forget. Mind you, I've been present to witness several births in my short life, so I pretty much knew what to expect. But, not this. After my beautiful baby sister gave birth to a healthy baby boy my family and I took turns holding our new addition. When my turn came I took him in my arms as I was shown and held him very gingerly. So nervous, I sat down while I held him, while I held beautiful him. As I cradled him in my arms he turned his little head towards me and tried to feed. We all laughed and I gave him back to my baby sister. There was no way he would draw anything but lent from my wool sweater covered chest.
But, the moment wasn't lost on me...not at all. Still not knowing the future, I hid it in my heart. Still young, still selfish, still clueless to what the Lord was doing.
When our son was eventually released to our care by my beautiful baby sister, you could have taken a family photo of us and been none the wiser. He looks like a perfect blend of my husband and I. (uncanny!) This little boy brought with him laughter, joy, commitment, renewed faith, a rebirth of hope, a sense of completion, and new identities for both my husband and I. Our son took us from being self-centered to self-sacrificing, from being a married couple to a family.
My Family Today
The thing I love and cherish the most about both my husband and son is that everyday they inspire me draw from, encourage me to pursue, direct me towards, remind me of, demonstrate to me, and share with me the Love of God. You see, like my favorite pen I didn't earn them. I didn't buy them. I didn't hustle to obtain them. They were given to me and I to them by divine providence. So, like my favorite pen, I do my best to keep them safe; make sure they are cared for and not worn out (by me). And, I don't lend them out to anyone, although one day (in God's time) I will give one away to manhood. But, not today!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Stepping Over
I've been wanting to blog for quite some time now. But, as with so many new ideas and desires, I was afraid. Yeah, I said it...AFRAID! I immediately began to question my ability to communicate anything helpful or of interest. I spent a lot of time questioning whether the world would even be interested in what I had to say. Until tonight.
Tonight I attended a special meeting at my church. Bro. Guy Evans was the speaker, all the way from sunny California. Not that far, but nevertheless his visit to our church body was purposeful. In his message he spoke about faith, confession, and training our spirit. Though I have heard a myriad of sermons on faith and confession, tonight I decided that if I'm here in attendance and he's here talking about it, then maybe I should also be listening.
So, just like that, I opened my heart and decided that what was being said was for me; was a special message from the Lord to me. And that what was being communicated was so important for me to hear, that God brought the messenger all the way from sunny California to present it to me. When put that way, it's hard not to open up and listen. And so I did. I listened.
Just then the unexpected began to happen. What I was hearing (on faith and confession) began to work it's way through the cracks and crevices of closed doors, on into rooms within my heart and mind I didn't know I'd locked up. You see, I was always under the impression that once you receive a truth from God, be it revelation, rhema, whatever...you were free to move on to greater understanding. So, in cases where I would hear a sermon message I'd heard before, I would check it off my list of 'Things I've Heard Before' and wait through it. Meanwhile, if I was honest with myself, truth was I still wrestled with the very issues those messages covered. I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm far from the dullest. Tonight was the the night to do something new. Tonight was the night to be better. Tonight was the night to be open and listening. And I did.
It's so easy to adapt a "been-there/heard-that" attitude with just about anything in life. But when the Lord is speaking, whether through a pastor, a guest minister, a great book, radio, whatever, shouldn't I be available to Him at all times? I should be listening if for no other reason than the fact that I call Jesus "Lord". And, when I listened tonight, the Lord was there to resurrect the desire to blog. A desire I wasn't sure was His will for me. I was too afraid to even ask because of self-doubt and fear. But here I am.
Next time I'm tempted to disconnect from the message, no matter the reason, I will choose to let the Lord have dominance over my decision. Because? He is my Lord. And as my Lord, He is my source and provider of whatever I might need. Tonight I needed to step over fear like it was a dirty piece of gum stuck on the sidewalk. Tonight I needed to hear the words that would activate faith inside me. Tonight I went from talking about it to being about it.
That's what God's word does! It will take you from wanting to having. From dreaming to realization. From fearful to focused. But you've gotta be open and listening.
Tonight I attended a special meeting at my church. Bro. Guy Evans was the speaker, all the way from sunny California. Not that far, but nevertheless his visit to our church body was purposeful. In his message he spoke about faith, confession, and training our spirit. Though I have heard a myriad of sermons on faith and confession, tonight I decided that if I'm here in attendance and he's here talking about it, then maybe I should also be listening.
So, just like that, I opened my heart and decided that what was being said was for me; was a special message from the Lord to me. And that what was being communicated was so important for me to hear, that God brought the messenger all the way from sunny California to present it to me. When put that way, it's hard not to open up and listen. And so I did. I listened.
Just then the unexpected began to happen. What I was hearing (on faith and confession) began to work it's way through the cracks and crevices of closed doors, on into rooms within my heart and mind I didn't know I'd locked up. You see, I was always under the impression that once you receive a truth from God, be it revelation, rhema, whatever...you were free to move on to greater understanding. So, in cases where I would hear a sermon message I'd heard before, I would check it off my list of 'Things I've Heard Before' and wait through it. Meanwhile, if I was honest with myself, truth was I still wrestled with the very issues those messages covered. I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm far from the dullest. Tonight was the the night to do something new. Tonight was the night to be better. Tonight was the night to be open and listening. And I did.
It's so easy to adapt a "been-there/heard-that" attitude with just about anything in life. But when the Lord is speaking, whether through a pastor, a guest minister, a great book, radio, whatever, shouldn't I be available to Him at all times? I should be listening if for no other reason than the fact that I call Jesus "Lord". And, when I listened tonight, the Lord was there to resurrect the desire to blog. A desire I wasn't sure was His will for me. I was too afraid to even ask because of self-doubt and fear. But here I am.
Next time I'm tempted to disconnect from the message, no matter the reason, I will choose to let the Lord have dominance over my decision. Because? He is my Lord. And as my Lord, He is my source and provider of whatever I might need. Tonight I needed to step over fear like it was a dirty piece of gum stuck on the sidewalk. Tonight I needed to hear the words that would activate faith inside me. Tonight I went from talking about it to being about it.
That's what God's word does! It will take you from wanting to having. From dreaming to realization. From fearful to focused. But you've gotta be open and listening.
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