Standing in "Bommit"

"Is this poop on the floor?  Or vomit?"

I asked with deep fear....seriously asked.

10 years of medical experience..wiping butts, changing diapers, serving medications, feeding tubes, working as a CNA, a Direct Care Trainer for the handicapped, and a Phlebotomist and I truly could not distinguish what this substance was all over my bathroom floor.  I had no clue.

I yelled a bit louder, my words somewhat sharper-
"Is. This. Poop. Or. Vomit??"

The deep wrinkles in my forehead became deeper...I just needed a solid answer!

Both boys were standing nearby looking at me with anticipation of my next move.
One of them decides to approach with bravery and full sincerity.
He steps forward and looks at me with a stone cold expression.
With no doubt in his words and as if to console me he says with tender eyes, "It's bommit Mommy," he pauses and says in a somewhat sadder tone...."it's bommit."

Have you ever stood among something and wasn't quite sure what you were dealing with?  Sometimes you just can't determine what kind of mess you are standing in.  Sometimes you need someone who has wisdom that you don't, to step up and tenderly tell you what kind of stinky mess you are in the middle of.  Sometimes you need a special kind of friend to just stand there with you.

With their nose plugged with cotton, that friend will be the one to hang out when things are going good & when also when things are covered in "bommit."

My son, however, didn't stick around to do cleanup duty, he instead walked around demonstrating to his brother how he had chewed up his sandwich bit by bit and spit it all over the bathroom floor.  :)

Good friends are an adornment & when you get a few that will stand among the muck with you, hang on to them as they are your greatest investment.

I hope you are all blessed today!  Thanks for visiting my page and  please consider linking up your posts below to share with other readers. 

Book Reviews

Today I wanted to share with you some recent books I have read.

The first one is The 30 Day Praise Challenge for Parents by Becky Harling.

This book is really a practical guide to being a great encouragement to your children. It lays out prayers, scripture, and content in a way that forms a nice solid book that I can just throw in my purse/bag and take along wherever I go. It has a quick daily challenge, that has you praying & interceding on behalf of your child within moments.

I love that it helps me put into words what I am really wanting for my children!

There are sometimes book that you just keep around for a long period of time, referring back to it over years.  This would be one of them!

I received my book through the generosity of The Blog Spot & The Blythe Daniel Agency
http://theblythedanielagency.net/

The second book is The Dating Manifesto: A Drama-Free Plan for Pursuing Marriage with Purpose by Lisa Anderson

From the trendy cover to the sincerely raw material inside this book, it is a complete package!

Even as a married women, I found it to be a great resource presented with a flare.  For those that are un-married though, this book is a must have especially in today's culture.  

A laugh out loud attitude, twined together with solid truth makes for a great read.  It a compilation of fantastic counsel for single people.  Take this advice, if you are wanting to approach dating with a fresh outlook and with integrity, check this book out.  It will have you cracking up and erupting your heart with wisdom at the same time.

I currently have my eyes peeled on who I can give this book to.
Great job Lisa Anderson! 

I also received this book through the generosity of The Blog Spot & The Blythe Daniel Agency
http://theblythedanielagency.net/



The last book I want to share with you is America the Strong: Conservative Ideas to Spark the Next Generation by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb

 
 

I give this a strong 5 stars!

The entire book is a generous picture of what and who America really is.

The Writers hit on major subjects including free enterprise, limited government, individual liberty, national defense, & traditional values. They break each subject down in detail, explaining what it is, what it means, and the conservative vision for our country through each one of these avenues.

It's a great resource that explains what Conservatism means and why it is a authentic and solid approach to the design and integrity of this country. It shows us the foundation on why this country has been so prosperous and the importance of keeping the character of America intact.
The Author have the wisdom and precise words to share to explain the dynamics of conservative morals in such a way that it teaches you from the ground-level.

For me, this book was a learning experience. I now know why I believe the way I do and support it with much greater passion.

The Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review.

THE UNABLE. #LookingUp

I'm writing raw today.  I'm writing a bit mad.
I'm writing again about Planned Parenthood...can you please listen just one more time.

People everywhere were shocked and their jaws fell to the floor, those who actually watched and listened to the videos were wondering, what is going on!?  70% of the American public still haven't taken the time to watch.  For whatever reason they give; and I've heard plenty reasons.  They still don't know.  They still don't care to bother to get involved.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN FLOODED WITH TONS OF MEDIA ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD, I URGE YOU TO JUST LISTEN ONE MORE TIME.

IN THE NEWS 

The current headlines this past week put a new fire under the aggravation with the de-funding of this massive slaughterhouse.

Many still roll their eyes when PP is called what it is.
We have became hardened.  Desensitized.  Its undeniable.

Why would we not demand PP to be shut down?
1. It provides medical care to so many facets of women's health....LIE
2. There is no evidence that they are indeed killing babies, just potential babies....LIE
3. The videos are falsified and fake...LIE
4.  It's the only option for low income families to gain medical assistance....LIE

All reasons have been debunked..search the internet, make a phone call, ask a friend.  Everyone knows!

How about this analogy:  Planned Parenthood has a relationship with someone in Government. There is something going on bigger then what we see.

2 Recent articles have been published magnifying and outlining the stance our nation has on the abortion issue.  The first article https://www.lifesitenews.com uses money to explain away the reason an individual would vote out a bill to put PP dollars on hold for one year while they complete an investigation.  It's just a fairy-tale bill anyway, seeing how President Obama will fund them regardless, as he just recently did.  Babies vs. Money, must be such a hard choice.

In the second article http://www.politico.com  shows the actual flaming arrow.  We have a President who is threatening to not pay his governmental staff if PP is put on hold for 12 months.  He tags the words Government shutdown to cause a sense of panic.  What is he gaining by PP being in business?  Is it a personal gain or a long term big picture gain?  Whats the agenda?  Everyone is confused by his actions on many issues.   There certainly couldn't be something else going on! (Picture below shows Obama & friend, Cecile Richards, President of PP)

 The problem is liberals listen to liberal news, conservatives listen to conservative news.  If you think for one moment that the media is a truth god, you are highly mistaken.  If you want to see what isn't being reported I would educate yourself on both sides.  I guarantee you will find yourself shocked.  Journalism is not as it once was.

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Let's chat about 2 women who was able to change history forever by their dedication and outspoken voices.

Her name is Norma McCorvey.  Many know her as "Jane Roe," as her name was protected during the court proceedings in Roe vs. Wade.  Here she is today, I stumbled across this video and was surprised to watch her talk about what happened in her life.  Jane Roe/Norma McCorvey video

Norma admits she never wanted an abortion.  She's never had an abortion.  She is also a current pro-life activist.  “Back in 1973, I was a very confused twenty-one year old with one child and facing an unplanned pregnancy,” she says in the ad. “At the time I fought to obtain a legal abortion, but truth be told, I have three daughters and never had an abortion.”

To learn more about why she was a prime candidate for attorneys Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee's agenda read this article. Why use Norma?  "At various times, Norma McCorvey has clarified that she did not consider herself a participant in the Roe v. Wade lawsuit. However, she felt that feminist activists treated her with disdain because she was a poor, blue-collar, drug-abusing woman instead of a polished, educated feminist."

The second women who profoundly changed the world is Margaret Sanger.

Margaret was born in 1883 and later was an American birth control activist, sex educator, writer, and nurse. Sanger popularized the term "birth control", opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, and established organizations that evolved into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Black women in this country please perk your ears.  She was a devout racist.  I understand racism comes in many forms, and it has never been completely exterminated as it most unfortunately never will.  I however, despise it and won't tolerate it near my household!  Nothing fires me up more!  My daughter, sons, and grandchildren are black.  I am a proud Caucasian mother who will not buy into the onset of racist entitlement or racist targeting.  Margaret Sanger did just this.  There was an entitlement that she felt was for people born with white skin and a target on those born without.

If you are a black women who leans towards supporting services of PP, you are essentially joining efforts with a women who said this, "“We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. We don’t want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.”

She accounted in her Autobiography details of her invitation to speak to women of the KKK and how she felt accomplished when she left that her point was made there and they accepted it.

She wasn't just against black people, but all people who wasn't of a certain "stock."  She despised Christians in general.  Any child born outside of her perfect "stock" was considered, "a dead weight of human waste."

What else did she say, in her own words... Margaret says this:  Sanger quotes

While we are at it, lets just briefly mention another women in today's history that is changing the world.  Hillary Clinton, she also has her opinion on Sanger when she stated, "I admire Margaret Sanger enormously, her courage, her tenacity, her vision,” said Hillary Clinton, “I am really in awe of her, there are a lot of lessons we can learn from her life."  Clinton accepts PP Sanger Award. 
Another nice lady to receive the Sanger Award is Nancy Pelosi.

 

WE'VE LOST THE WAY BABY 

Life Magazine posted a front page article in April 1965.  I just happened to come across the issue last week and bought the copy.  It spotlighted a Photojournalist names Lennart Nilsson.  It brought him great popularity & fame as he was the first to ever photograph inside a mother's womb.  The photos are stunning.  I have studied the life of a baby from the early stages of cell formation and on due to my own traveling road of infertility and pregnancy loss.  From every article, picture, book, and web site I have intensely read, I have never seen pictures so vividly pronounced in detail of the human form.

They are exceptional.

This is one of my favorites, mainly because this is at 11 wks.  Pregnancy is measured from the beginning of day 1 of your period (cycle)  In just a few short weeks passed a missed cycle this is what is happening inside you if you have conceived.  Most abortions happen after this time frame.  There is a lot going on in this picture, that child is presumably in the safest place on the planet until a mother gives permission to drag it out.

If by chance a mother decides to keep her womb a safe place for her baby, in just 4-5 weeks the baby looks like this.

There are 7.4 million women alone in the United States with documented infertility just THIS year.  They would do anything to have a child.

Here are more breathless pictures from Mr. Nilsson 

Life Magazine later turned into Time Magazine.  Once they celebrated the clever design of human life, now they shower Cecile Richards (President of PP) by praising her.  They state, "As we look to inspire the next generation of women to join this fight, we're fortunate to have Cecile as our mentor. There is no better advocate."  She was names one of America's most influential women of 2012.

See the article here.  Time loves Cecile Richards

In 47 years something changed.  Mass murder is now a fad and creation of human life is mocked. 

NOBILITY IS SOLD OUT

I contacted my local representative Greg Beumer last month.  I've been sitting on our conversation since then wondering what to do with it.

Here is a summary of our conversation.

Me:  I explain who I am, why I am passionate about stopping abortion, and what I would like to get on board and run beside Ohio as they are trying to gain awareness to their efforts to pass the Heartbeat Bill in their state.

Him:  He tells me his stance on this issue He says, "I am appalled about what recently has taken place with Planned Parenthood..."  He says, "I am a supporter at any attempt.." as he was referring to stopping the killing of the unborn.  He also threw in the statement, "even though they didn't find any sales of fetal tissue in the state of Indiana."

(He didn't mention what kind of investigation they did in the state...I heard it went something like this.  "Hey, did you guys sell baby parts?  No?  OK!  Thanks!)  A few phone calls over a few days makes for a sorry effort to find out what's really going on.
  
He says, "Here's the problem, it will not come up in the next session...I'm newer...I'm not sure how our county stands on this issue...They will only tackle a few issues in session...not sure if it would come out of committee."
  
 "They will be following up on the LGBT so most likely won't go down other social issues."

 "I am a defender of the unborn."

It all sounded great as I am new to the political arena and didn't know any better.

Then he continues to say..."I agree I think we should make legislators aware that our neighboring state (Ohio's Heartbeat Bill) is boldly going forth...but I don't think I'm the person for the job.  I think you should contact Tom Dermody, he may be willing to help you and HE IS NOT UP FOR RE-ELECTION.  HE HAS ALREADY STATED THAT HE WILL NOT BE RUNNING!  YOU SHOULD CALL HIM"

And there you have it folks...

I don't claim to be a highly intelligent person but it wasn't hard to see the bottom line.  He essentially said, I believe in rescuing children from murder but there is no way I will put my job on the line to do that.  Ask someone else, while I sit here on my hands and work on my popularity.  Make sure you vote for me.

Would the Heartbeat bill be heard or passed?  Here is my take on creating bills that most likely wont pass...try anyway!  People will hear about it regardless.  People will see the effort, passion, and endurance.  The nation will begin to hear that someone cares, someone is willing to sacrifice their time to use their talents on something other then themselves.  The weakest statements are those that proclaim to not try because it probably won't go anywhere anyway.

He was right about one thing, Ohio is boldly going forth, by showing us how to fight in the trenches.  I applaud you Janet Porter!!  About Janet and Faith 2 Action. 

 The constant character of legislators seem to prize their campaigns ahead of the future of this country, which has already been radically thinned out by abortion

WHY DON'T PEOPLE CARE

I worked as a manager of a local Co-op offering grass-fed, organic, gmo free products to the public.  Almost as a whole, our nation's stomach turns when we see pictures of large cattle/swine/poultry operations.  Seeing pictures of overpopulated feed lots, thousands of caged animals, and infested unsanitary environments cause people to get upset.  

Domesticated animals are a even bigger tug at the human heart.  Many times I see announcements of equine abuse, animals starving for no reason at all.  The community is quick to react.  They band together and in a matter of moments the person responsible is facing charges, the animals are treated medically, and dispersed among approved homes.  Once people hear of the travesty, they jump, move, react, respond, and demand it to be fixed.

One of the worst things my eyes have ever seen was a video I came on FB.  It was of a young women who had a bag of puppies.  Her boyfriend taped her as she picked up each one and while laughing and making jokes, she held each one up the camera, said something vile, and threw them one by one into the rushing river flowing beside her.  It was a game to her.  A joke.  No regard for life.  Just a sick twisted girl who took her sick twisted-ness out on something else. 

There was a response from FB viewers, they plastered her video everywhere.  I saw it come through my news feed many times.  It was shared hundreds of times in hopes that they would catch this girl and prosecute her for her crime.  Comment after comment stated how she should be thrown into the river herself, jailed for life, or punished beyond words.  

I agree that things like this are outrageous and should be dealt with.  How much more valuable is human life?

Why are people not fussing?  Why are they not getting mad?  Why such a small group of people that care?  What better thing do you have to do then stand up for the innocent?  What is wrong with us??

These are our kids!

Every child that is murdered is a grand baby, a cousin, a sibling, a son or daughter.

Grandmothers, how can  you sit by and let them kill your babies!!??

Aunts & Uncles, how can you let them rip apart your nieces and nephews!!??

When you have an abortion, you are killing your own genealogy...and PP doesn't care about that.

55 million people have disappeared from this earth and people don't care!

WHAT DOES GOD SAY

Does anyone care what God says anyway?

If you believe in Him, you know how He feels about this.

I don't really need to list scripture passages to spell it out?
We all know it's wrong and sitting by while others do it, is just as wrong.

We don't want to get into someone else's business...

I wouldn't ever stand by and watch someone murder anyone.  I know you wouldn't either.

How is this any different, unless we are believing the same lies..."it's not a real baby,"  "It's the mothers body," or "it's the women's right."

Your either for God or you are against Him.
Better make a wise choice.

I can't imagine the Proverbs 31 women sitting by doing nothing!

FASCIST FEMINISM 

Fascist feminism for the rights of the women has it's name all over this.

We have let radical women stand up and scream Women's Rights for years!  They don't care about my right...they care about their own.  There is no right for the daughter in the womb being proclaimed by them. 

Women are smart enough to know that we have a power when we join together.  The entire lifetime of the world has been changed for good or bad by women banding together with similar ideas, values, and passion.  I am tired of watching women throw their self worth away, handing it over to political junkies who create appetizing bills that look delicious on the outside but with a hidden agenda.  The people behind these things do not care about you, your family, or your future.

We need to have a voice, not a sing-song voice, but a strong precise undertone that is loud & contagious.  One that defends people,one that defends black women, white women, all women, all children, defends all life.  Open your eyes and see what they are hiding, it is not OK to kill!  They can present it anyway they want but it's never OK.

We have been lied to!  And it wont be tolerated anymore!  

We do not hold the ignorance that they are counting on us to have.  We are intelligent, compassionate, passionate, purposeful women who are alive at this time in history for a reason.  We are warriors, soldiers, and patriots.  We stand for what we believe in!  We wont let any man or women convince us otherwise.  We can make a difference as many women before us have. 

Women...hear me again you've been lied to.  They are liars!  Abortion has never been OK.  If you are a mother who is heading to terminate your baby, you have to know...we will give that baby a voice.  Even if you don't want us to, we will speak on the behalf of your child with or without you! 

Humans should be equal.  All humans...regardless of age or residence.  No one has the right to dictate whose life is worthy and whose isn't, and by being silent that is essentially what you are doing.  You are saying it's OK to terminate children.  The ones who are quiet are guilty!

 HAND-SITTING

 

As my own personal disclaimer I want to say, I love God & the human race He created.

I also love women who have had abortions & I love the children they allowed to be killed.  I love people of all stature, mentality, race, sexuality, and gender.  I love the disabled, the elderly, and the afflicted.  I will stand up for all of you.  I will feed you, love you, help you, hang with you, and share my life with you.

To Christian women,  I pray for boldness & conviction.  This is Kingdom work and it is not suitable to sit by and not do something.  Pray for the power of God to intercede.

It does look impossible but with HIM it isn't.
The world will turn bleak but when He looks upon His people, I for one am not going to be sitting on my hands doing nothing.

#DEFUNDDEATH   #WOMBLIVESMATTER

An InLinkz Link-up

No Room for a War Room

I went and saw the movie.
I know you did too.
Who wouldn't...It was amazing, convicting, and Beth Moore was in it for goodness sakes!!!


I came home all ready to get out the masking tape and start pinning all my prayers to the walls of my tiny closet.  Then I remembered, I don't have a closet...actually I have no small room, hidden space, or cubby that I could sit in warrior style.

I have a room upstairs that is used as a storage and the thought of cleaning it out and finding a place for everything in there was overwhelming.


I just wanted Ms. Clara's room!!!!

But, I can't have Ms. Clara's room so I had to put on my thinking cap!

As I thought about it I looked at the 3 kiddos that were running around the house like hooligans.  They need to see me praying.  They need to know what a War Room is.  They need this to be their life-style!

So, I went to work.

I placed my War Room in their Play Room!  I know, sounds like a disaster already!  Why in the world would this Momma do that!!

I'm sure you already are shaking your head and thinking I could use some good advise.

I thought of it as a great opportunity.  A chance.  A hope.  A example.  A witness to my children.

We will war together!!

I will war for THEM, for our kids will change the world, Right!

I looked in the room for a few, then got busy.  What toys couldn't fit into the closet was tossed.  The lego table and desks (that they never use) got moved downstairs.  Everything was taken out til it was empty.  Just a rocking chair and a old cabinet full of books.

Now it's time for tape....lots and lots of tape!

It's coming together now, it's still a place that toys get strung out...all the while I rock in my chair and pray.

I also know that prayer is a private thing at times and so I find myself in there early in the morning reading off the wall and asking God to intercede for my family, community, country, and this world.

I'm no Ms. Clara.
But I am a Momma, a Momma with a desire to witness more of God's power in this land.
I know you are alot like me and want great things for the future.
Let's war in our war rooms, outside of our war rooms, in our cars, in our kitchens, in the morning, and as we sleep.

May God hear our hearts cry out to Him.

An InLinkz Link-up

The ME Era

Ezekiel 3:18 says this...
"When I (God) say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die," and you (meaning you) do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life....

That wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

But, if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved your life."

Ok, let me get this straight...I am to be in someone else's business or I will be held accountable for their crappy decisions?!?

Yes!  That's JUST what it says.

I read the book of Ezekiel and it left me thinking many things.  This is one that had me looking into my own life and analyzing pretty hard.

If I see someone doing wrong and say nothing, then I am guilty.
I camped here for a bit.

Instantly a flooding list of things ran through my mind, things that I witness and turn away as if I don't see.  I hear and see things everyday that could not hold upright in the presence of God, yet I am calloused and hardened to everything around me, just like most people I know.

This cannot be ok.  

This is not ok with God.

Ezekiel also says in vs. 20-21 that if you do intervene and talk to this person, and they decide to turn away from their sin, you both will be saved.  How beautiful is that!

Most of us have grown up in a era of Me.
Me matters most.
Me need food.
Me need drink.
Me want things.
Me have fun.
Me get mad if you get in my way.

And so we turn our faces the other way when another Me comes along as to not offend them or not get in their business.

That is not what God advises though.  He persuades us to keep an eye on each other, to tell each other the truth even when it's uncomfortable, and to put ourselves in between someone and sin..in the hopes that they will chose something better.
In hopes it will spare their life.

Most of this country is under the influence of something addictive.  If you personally are not addicted to something; you know someone who is.  Everyone knows someone.

You may be addicted to your phone
addicted to the TV.
addicted to achievement.
addicted to work.
addicted to food.
addicted to attention.
addicted to internet.
addicted to drugs.
addicted to alcohol.
addicted to self.
and the list goes on and on...

We don't want anyone to get in our way when it comes to our time and the things we do with our time...especially our addiction's.

Addiction's will however cause us to take our eyes off of God and keep them on ME.

Real followers of Jesus will get in your way.  They will put their lives, reputation, and friendships on the life to stand in between you and yourself.

Even if it means great loss. The attempt is worth the risk.

It won't take long to wrack your brain of who's business you can get involved in.
Think about it as an act of love, for your own sake and the sake of your friend.
Don't hesitate when that person comes to mind, it likely is a matter of life and death.

BELIEVE God's Word!  It has no error and holds no lies..be a hearer and a doer!

An InLinkz Link-up

Pray for me

Have you ever asked someone if you could pray for them say..

"Nah, I'm good!"

That's happened quite a bit lately.
I've seen it personally and watched it from afar.
God fearing people saying, "I don't have anything I need prayer for, thanks anyway."


What!!
Give me some of that water!  That drink of I never have another need, I'm totally complete...no desires, no wants, no empty spaces.  That water!!


Wait a minute...I do have that water, and His name is Jesus!

Why would anyone ever reject a divine conversation to the Father by someone who is willing to spend their own time to plead on their behalf??  It makes no sense to me.


I've heard that we are a praying people.
I hear utters of it all the time but I don't see it.

Someone will tell of a hardship and others respond by saying "praying for ya."  There is big talk that everyone goes home and lays on their face and prays for everyone else.  I don't know if I'm living in a fantasy, but I dare to say that I don't believe it.  I don't believe most of them pray.  I betcha many of them forget or throw up a, "Dear God, be with so and so..."  Broad prayers likes that mean about as much as an empty promise to pray.


I know that sounds harsh, but seriously Church!!

Asking God to "be with someone" is well kinda silly...if we know anything about Him, we already know that He is with them.  The intensity of a prayer depends on how willing you are to put yourself in the other persons place for that moment.  Pleading, begging, asking, hoping, praising God.

That's what friends do.
That's what Christians do.
That's what we need.


Changing your prayer life really requires 2 steps:
1. Do it
2. Mean it.


Instead of waiting to pray, pray right there.  Pray while on the phone, in the store, or wherever you may be with this person.  Scripture says that whenever someone has a need, don't send them away and tell them they can have it tomorrow...be available for them now!


Then, when you do pray, do it in a way that this person's life depends on it.
Well, cause it really does..
Whatever you petition for will alter, change, and bring a powerful intercession over the situation and details of their need.  Things change when you pray, so..pray for that change with everything you have.

If someone asks you next time what you need prayer for make sure you give them a specific thing so that they can be personal in their prayer for you.

So...What do you need prayer for today?

If you leave it in my comments or message me personally, I promise to pray for you as I would want you to pray for me!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Community Women's Conference

I don't want to share Heaven with HER!

Here I am all lovin' on Jesus, raising my hands in the air, singing my heart out like He's right above me smiling down and so pleased.  Just ready to do His will, whatever He may ask of me...send me where you want me to go, tell me what you would have me do, I'm ready to say yes to anything you want Lord!!!

....then she walks in.

What is she doing here?

I don't want to share my church with her!

My worship time!

My friends!

My life!

All of a sudden, Jesus is no longer the center...she is.

This "whoever she may be" changes your priority and becomes the focal point of all your time, energy, and mental activity.  She ultimately becomes who you worship!

I know, I've been there.

There was a time when I was so incredibly engulfed by someone else, that I took my eyes off of God altogether.  I may not have said I did at the time, but I did.  I thought more of "her" then I did of Him.

Why?

Because this person hurt me.
This person had me entangled in a snare that caused deception and pain.  She was someone I trusted and cared for and she let me down.  She painfully hurt me in a way that I could not forget or forgive & I didn't want to share my God with her.

Have you been there?

Surely there is someone who you would rather not walk side by side with into the pearly gates, maybe race here there and shove her to the side so you can enter first...

Ok, that's a little harsh.

Maybe you just want to have Jesus brush your hair and tell you what a good girl you are in front of this person, just so she knows how much more He loves you and how it hurt Him that she did you dirty!

That would be just a few random thoughts that go through my mind when I'm spending time on the un-forgiving side of life.

It's true..without sugar-coating it, forgiveness is by far the hardest thing to do next to martyrdom.

It requires a selfless mindset of letting go, offering your shirt when they stole your pants mentality.

It's tough.

It's feels abnormal.

It's requires Jesus.

Why is forgiveness important?  

* IT IS YOUR SALVATION  

First point, main point, don't want to miss this point!!  Salvation!  You need it, want it, have to have it...Matthew 6:14  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

And there it is...the top reason.  You are a functioning part of the body of Christ.  You also are a resemblance of His attributes.  Essentially, you do as He does.  He is willing to forgive your junk and as His child; you do the same to others.  If not, it is as your saying that it's not worth it to you to forgive, and so he states in Matthew that if you don't then He wont either.

What if they are un-forgiveable, have a nasty attitude, or are not apologetic?  What if they are non-deserving or a slanderous mockery of you?

Then you are obedient anyway.  It is to your benefit to listen & obey, so you buck up and do it anyway!

If not, you will be "dealt" with...Matthew 18:35 says "So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart." 

* IT'S A FREE ANECDOTE
Second point is that it's a remedy that you need to store in your cupboard at ALL times.  You will use it often, it's free, and has simple instructions to use.

Only one word describes the inflicted disease.  BITTERNESS.  This acute problem can hinder many things in your life, YOUR LIFE, note that I'm not talking about the person who you can't forgive.  I'm talking about you...me.  Your life will be hindered if you choose not to forgive. Worship will be hindered, The Spirit will be hindered, and your relationship with Jesus will be hindered.  

How important is it to wake every morning, open the cabinet, and take a swig of this??  
It's vital!

Forgiveness can save a marriage, restore a family, heal a friendship, or just free you from keeping your eyes on things outside your priority.  It has the power to do much more then you think or see, obeying in this gives you life, disobeying in this can render agony, heartache, depression, and jealousy, but most of all it will keep your focus on something other then what's important.  It can separate you from your life source and rob you of your inheritance. 

* IT'S A ROUND HOUSE KICK
I've never been able to get my leg up that high but this is one way to round-house kick right into the enemy's mouth!  He is the one who reminds you day after day how you have been hurt, spewing details, & forming assumptions.  It is his lies that hold you back from freedom.  Unforgiveness = Bondage, he knows that!  He enjoys to hear you complain about other people, he also likes to hear you reminiscence on how terrible you feel about it all!

Break free, bring up your leg, fling yourself around, and kick him right in his big fat mouth of lies! 

I know you have a warrior spirit in you!!  Continue to fight until you are free!

Pray for your enemies, pray about them, pray when your crying, pray when your mad..there is never a bad time or a wrong way.  It opens up reconciliation not just between people that are hurt, but between you are the Lord.  That is what you need.  That is what rescued me.

It's a power tool.  It's a weapon and Jesus wants you to use it every single day.

Forgiveness is for your sake, your benefit.  It will bless you as you use it and it will restore things that are broken that you didn't even know had a fracture. It may not even be a "her" that is afflicting you, it may be a "him" or maybe even a past event or thing you have not let go of.  I encourage you to give it to God today.  Give it all to Him...then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, until you are completely free in Christ!

A good place to start if you don't know how to begin is to say something like this,

Lord,
I want to forgive them because you want me to.
It's hard and I need you to help me.
Help me change my mindset and focus on your forgiveness in my life, so that I may understand why it's so important for me to imitate you in this.
Help me pray for them as you would have me to do.
Change my heart to be more like Yours.

Then  you could also add something like...

Lord, please forgive them also..for they don't really know what they have done to me.

(I actually know a man who said this right before he was murdered on a cross)

Forgiveness can restore past your wildest dreams, don't miss out on this!

Life...Out Loud + #LookingUp

Something happened to me this year that I didn't anticipate.

Some of my fear have been miraculously replaced with faith.

Not just faith; but a ferocious form of faith & boldness, that has me struggling to keep a tight reign on my tongue.

Sounds like a miracle to me :)

My holding back, being lazy, and blatant disobedience is wilting away.  In it's place is a brassy boldness instead.  O, this could get me into a lot of trouble.  It actually has already proven itself to work best on a very tight leash!

It has me questioning, "Why Now?"
Why all of a sudden is it hard for me to keep my mouth shut tighter than usual?
"Why is worrying about offending others often kept me from defending what was right?"

Do you feel that way?
Why is it so hard to stand up for what you know is right?
Do you look around and see things that are disturbing, but your too afraid to say something because it may offend someone, or worse yet...make them angry?

A few weeks back I was in Walmart shopping with my family.  We had just left church and threw our communion cups in the trash.

I was in the girls department, rummaging through some items with my 10 yr old daughter, when I hear some loud profanity nearby.  I see a aggressive father threatening his wife and 2 small children with vulgar comments and body language that said he was looking for a fight.  He agitated them by leaning in and cussing.  They obviously was used to this kind of scene...but I wasn't.

Afraid of getting involved or offending someone, I moved to another area.

He moved along with us.

No filter.  No care.  No regard.  He just kept speaking vile.

Before long his slander, body posture, and course words caused me to get mad.  Instead of walking away a second time, I decided I would just glance at him.  Maybe if he saw me, and knew I heard him, he would tone it down a bit.  Most people can act a fool in private but if they notice someone may see, they put on a prettier show.

I waited til the next mother blank bomb came shooting out...and I tilted my head up and made instant eye contact with the man.

"What are you looking at?"  He shouted across the aisle at me.  I wanted to tell him exactly what I saw, but I reserved myself, and said, "nothing."

"Then look away," he demanded.  "Mind your own business!"

For some reason I couldn't look away.  I don't know if it was this new-found boldness or a stubbornness I've had since I was a kid that wouldn't allow me to back down.

"You are blanking me off!  He yells!

"I'm sorry, I think you were already mad before I looked at you."  I stated.
"I also believe you made it my business when you cuss your family the way you do in the middle of a department store!" 

WHOA! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM!?!

My tight leash was let loose just a bit and my tongue started talking.

I could have just walked away, but some part of me felt I must defend his wife & kids from his unruly behavior.  The 20 year old me would've cussed him back, the 30 year old me would've walked away, but the 40 year old me couldn't cuss..couldn't ignore...couldn't be moved.

And there I was, trying to rationalize with the unreasonable.  That got me nowhere.
But at least I said something SOMETHING.

After a few more big Momma words from him and several sidekick adjectives, he gave me a nice bird, screamed one last farewell and off he went.

Needless to say, my husband wasn't quite happy when he came back from picking out some snacks for the kids & learned that a strange man screamed vulgar names at me & in front of our daughter to boot!

The whole dramatic scene made me fire-mad.  My heart was rapidly beating & hands were generously shaking.  All the while, I can't tell you how many people walked by with their heads down while this grown husband/father screamed filthy names at me while I tried to shield my daughter.  I hear all the time how people walk aside while horrible things happen on the street, in their communities, & inside their homes.  I suppose it's easier to not get involved.

I am not sure what switched, or how my cowardly heart began to take simple acts of bravery.  When I was younger I was loud and boisterous in a negative way; when I became a Christian I somehow started believing that I was to be quiet and look away.  I'm done with that!

I can't imagine walking past someone hurting another person, burning a American flag, or disgracing a child.  I no longer will act like I don't see and hear.  It may seem like a simple thing that happened in Walmart but at the time it felt like David taking on Goliath.  It was uncomfortable.  It was intimidating.  It was the right thing to do.

I encourage you to speak up for those that can't or won't speak for themselves.

There is a difference between being scared & living in fear!

Being afraid isn't a big deal...being too afraid to do what you should do, is sin. 

Please "like" my facebook page at www.facebook.com/grief2grace

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Listen Learn Love: Book Review + #LookingUp

by Susie Albert Miller

How to Dramatically Improve Your Relationships in 30 Days or Less!

Could your work relationships use some fine-tuning?

Are your friendships not quite what you would like them to be?

Does your marital connection with your spouse need revived?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may benefit greatly from reading Listen Learn Love!

This book is written as a practical guide to enrich any relationship within 30 days.  By following Susie's method, you will see effective results.  Some changes will happen instantly and others will be a continued improvement for a life-long rich investment.  This is a sure way of increasing the value of your relationships significantly.

These tried & true techniques will leave your relationships rich and rewarding!

She uses a simple combination of 3 parts:

Listening, to reduce tension.

Learning your loved ones, to deeper your connections.

Loving others well, to create a level of commitment.

The Author also gives us tips inside these parts that provide us with easy ways to practice as we train ourselves to listen, learn, and love others.

This entire unique guideline sounds easy, and while it is..it is also challenging.  It challenges our hearts to put others above ourselves, and to set our selfishness aside.   The reward is a promising improvement in any relationship whether at work or home.  Each relationship can be transformed by these steps and leave you immersed by positive interaction with all the people in your life!

Pick up a copy today!

ISBN paperback 978-1-939447-74-6

ISBN Ebook 978-1-939447-85-2

Dunham Books

Blythe Daniel Agency

www.listenlearnlovecommunity.com 

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Praying Upside Down Book Review

by Kelly O' Dell Stanley 

A creative prayer experience to transform your time with God

 When you talk to God, do you ever wonder if He hears?  Do your prayers feel uninspired or routine?  Do you sometimes feel like you don't even know how to pray?

 Try praying upside down.

Kelly O' Dell Stanley uses her history of visual writings & inspirational techniques, to engage with her readers at an artistic level.  She utilizes art and prayer and creates a picture of how to change your perspective when entering into communication with God.

If you have ever had a prayer that has been left unanswered, or felt as though your prayer time was a one-way conversation; you will receive great insight from reading this book.

She suggests that since Jesus was unlike anyone else, we also are free to be unique...and this also applies to our prayer time.  Praying Upside Down is a great reminder that as we serve Jesus, He calls us to do things a bit different.

Jesus tells in Matthew Chapter 5 that His kingdom looks a bit different as well.

He says that the poor will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Those that are mourning are comforted.

The meek will inherit the earth.

The persecuted will receive the kingdom of heaven.

This all is upside down.

Kelly encourages us to look at things differently and to change our perspective on prayer by moving into a different spot...This change of viewpoint will ignite our prayer life and ultimately transform our time with God.

I recommend this as casual reading and also as a small group study.

ISBN 978-1-4143-8983-7

Tyndale Publishers

Blythe Daniel Agency

269 pgs

8 wk study guide sold separately

http://www.prayingupsidedown.com/ 

 

   

 

Fearlessly Living Afraid

Everyone has something they're afraid of.  Some common fears I can list are being scared of heights, big crowds, driving in fast traffic, flying, speaking in public...etc.  They tend to make your heart beat just a bit faster and your palms sweat, bearing witness to your anxiousness.  It is normal to have a fear of something; something that would stretch you beyond your limits.

These are obvious fears, each has his own...I know mine, you know yours.

What about the things that you don't know your afraid of though, or maybe not admitted that you are afraid of?

These are deeply embedded fears,  Fears that control your life,  your thoughts, and your decisions.  They are hidden, maybe you don't even realize that you have them stored away.

I went to a Christian Writers Conference called She Speaks a few weeks back.  Two of my dearest friends ventured with me on a long drive across several states to meet up with like-minded women with a passion and fervor to write & speak for the glory of God.  It was something I had been looking forward to for almost a year.

While traveling down the road with the best girls, listening to my favorite tunes, & heading to the opportunity of a lifetime...I hear a question pop into my heart.

"Why are you afraid, Amy?"

Huh!  Where did that come from??  "I'm not afraid," I thought back.

"Yes, you are."

I was stumped into silence.  "Lord, what am I afraid of?"

I knew it was Him.  Only He would pose a question to me like that at a time when I thought I could conquer the world.

"Why do you home-school?" (I have kept my daughter home from public school for 5 years)

Well, I had many answers to that question, so I started pitching them all out.

"First off...it's better.  I mean, she doesn't have to conform to the world this way.  She is free to learn at her own pace.  It creates a longer presence of innocence.  I can focus on spiritual teachings and help develop her relationship with you.  It limits secularism...."  On and on, I fed Him my rap list of all the right answers.

Blah
Blah
Blah....is actually what it probably sounded like.

"That sounds good Amy, but your lying."

What! No....how could I have been lying.  I started to check my heart, I don't want to lie.  What am I missing here?

He posed the first question to me again...
"What are you afraid of?"

Something broke open inside of my heart.  My spirit resonated that there was in fact something I was afraid of and wasn't admitting.

I carefully whispered through my thoughts back to Him,
"I am afraid she will get hurt."
My eyes welled up.  My chest felt heavy and tight, I knew that He was exposing something deeper in me that I had hid away.

"I am afraid that you won't keep her safe Lord."

And there it was.. the nail was hit on the head!  Truth exposed!  I didn't trust God to take care of her for me.

Graciously the conversation continued on and instead of leaving me to wallow in my wretchedness, He spoke again.

"Do you believe I created you for a reason?"
"Yes, Lord."

"Do you believe I created her for a reason?"
"Of course, Lord."

"They why wont you trust that the purpose I have for her is good?"
 "Why wont you let me use her?"

The decision for us to home-school her was great in the beginning.  It was enriching and we have enjoyed her being home.  In the past, I may or may not have done it for the right reasons, but this year, He showed me that I had based my entire decision on fear instead of truth.

The choice to school her at home this year was not based on what was best for her, but instead it was based on what was best for my heart.

What a mighty stop sign fear can be!

It can put God's plans for your life to a complete halt.  Fear has the ability to freeze you in place when you are supposed to move.  It encourages you to be comfortable when God wants you to rely on His strength and do something different, daring, or dynamic!

The inner fears that stop you from God's purpose are an enemy to your existence.  They snuff out the good things God wants you to approach, and you miss out on life altogether.

There is always something that will speed up your beats per minute...but living fearlessly while still being afraid, allows you to feel scared while relying deeply on God to sustain you.

It's OK to be afraid, but it is not OK to position yourself as a stalemate and not move at all!

Right now examine yourself...ask Him, "What is it that I am afraid of?  What fears do you have that prevent you from being used by God?"

At the She Speaks conference, the Lord revealed to me an entire web of fear that I had tucked away.  He showed me what I was truly afraid of and how it was disabling my life.  I came home a different person; a different mother.

Today I walked her into her first day of class.
My mind was petrified, my heart was still...and God is with her.
I say to my fears..."I trust my God!"

And with that, I know her purpose will be great, because the God who created her is just that...Great!

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