FROM THE THRONE TO THE MANGER IN THE DIRT

 Praise the Father, Praise the Son, Praise the Spirit three in one God of glory Majesty. Praise forever to the King of Kings.

Go now! Praise the Father! 

The song KING OF KINGS plays in my head.

Take the thoughts in my head, the unsaved, the broken, the grieving, oppressed, hurting, lost...give them to God in song and praise.

The King of Kings have mercy on our souls.

My earlier heart cry:

Crowd out the fears of my mind today. Rejection, hurt, fear of loved ones being lost. It all hits home. Lord if I'm being honest, I'm scared. Help me! Amen.

I finally sit and listen.

Waiting!

Listening (finally)! The story of the hurting mom whose daughter went missing. The thought translates into my unanswered prayers. My fears well up within! I give into the thougthts!

Thank God I rehearsed this game before. The song (the rescuer, the redeeming son, the Holy one, sovereign one) sees fit to get my attention... Praise the Father, Praise the Son, Praise the Spirit three in one...I hear it...I stop...I resist it by keeping busy...but again I have experienced it before and realize where to run...as the song repeats itself I hear FIGHT! FIGHT IN THE SPIRIT!...not in the flesh with worry...what good does that do?...you know when you run to him you are always renewed...your thoughts go from the world despair and the possible bad outcomes to hope...TRUE HOPE..

HE OFFTERS PEACE ETERNALLY! H.O.P.E.

Mercy in his eyes.

Virgin birth

He leaves the throne to the cradle in the dirt!

Our Redeemer to rescue the whole creation.

For us, He suffered death!

Heaven held its breath until He conquered death!

Restoration.

By His word, blood, name I am free. 

Are you free?

Prayer:

Father God I praise forever to the king of kings. Grab ahold of my thoughts and replace them with you truth. My truth filled life (the previous work of the Spirit within me) will awaken and listen now. Forgive me for giving in. In the moment I gave in. But now Father with your help please renew me. Restore me. I stand in awe of your majesty! Amen.

In your freedom, I am free!

Christmas. This is Christmas!

 

O NIGHT DIVINE

 Jesus wept!

Jesus looked at humanity and wept. He felt. He cared. He was in the moment.

He already knew Lazarus would rise from the dead. He did not reflect on that in the moment. He stayed with those suffering and felt their sorrow.

This Jesus is with us all the time.

Each moment of pain, sorrow, discouragement, confusion, rejection, lack of understanding and pain, pause like Jesus, stay with it. Pray!

Let him work.

Stop thinking of what will happen, what is next, the argument to defend...

Ye Lord we greet you!

Love Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Prayer:  Stir me to the peace you can only promise. Amen.

 

CHATTER IN YOUR BRAIN- YIKES! HELP LORD!

You are past one worry! Yah! Then it happens!

You feel the next one coming on, is this an addiction to drama?

Can you feel it?

Are you expecting there will be another? Maybe your mind is trained to just go on and begin to think of what's next. You don't even realize you are caught in this pattern of destruction, distraction, deception.

Friend, I am right there with you.

Let's talk to God about it today. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to stop this insane cycle.

Pray:

Lord I am aware that my mind wanders from one thing to the next and it is all in the name of worry!

Lord I want to break the cycle. Help me Lord...so that I can be truly FREE! Free from fears, worry, hatred, destruction, distractions, deceptions. Lord I am honest...it creeps in slowly, slyly. I sometimes don't even realize I am allowing it. Help me break this cycle! I want to captivate my thoughts in obedience to you. Thank you Lord. I want to hear from you. Amen.

Jesus:

Be free indeed. John 8:36

sin turns into death (not physical death but depression, anxiety) James 1:15

Do not worry. John 6:34

Captivate all types of thoughts in obedience to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

I take the worries.

Vengeance is His.

You draw near to Him; He draws near to you.

Fix your thoughts on Him and you will be in Perfect Peace.

Do not be anxious. Phil. 4:6-7 (don't forget to be thankful)

I suffered from the same temptations. Matthew 4:1-11

No temptation can over take you. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Friends when feeling like shame and guilt are setting in because of your admission, DO NOT LET.

Jesus said, "He was tempted in every way that we are being tempted." There is no shame in the realty of living this side of heaven.

Give yourself a break, talk to Jesus, let him handle the situation. You can't fix it in our own strength. Record now in your journal what verses come to mind about him fixing and helping you.

What comes to my mind right now is, "We can't imagine, it is immeasurable to know the help Jesus can give." Eph. 3:29 It actually says-abundantly, exceedingly, superabundantly, beyond what we can imagine. 

Is He a genie? No! But when you agree that some pattern of thinking you have been doing is not what He would want, He steps in and allows the Holy Spirit to come in and transform and renew your mind.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Allow the transformation to happen. 

STOP IT! AWARE, ACCEPT, ACTION, AVAILABLE

 As I was speaking recently I mentioned some cute sayings that have helped me, someone asked if I could write them down, so here they are:

STOP WHISHING AND WHINING-START RECEIVING AND BELIEVING-Phil. 2:14 "Do everything without complaining or arguing. 1 Cor. 10:10 "Do not grumble."

CONFESS BE BLESSED-1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." NIV

IT'S A SNARE TO COMPARE-1 Cor. 13:4 "Love does not envy." ; 2 Tim. 2:4 "No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer." NIV

STOP SLAMMING AND BAMMING-1 Peter 3:10b, NLT keep your tongue from speaking evil…

GO TO THE THRONE BEFORE THE PHONE-Matt. 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." NIV; 1 Thess. 5:16-18 "Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." NIV

READ THE RED WORDS-GOD'S LOVE (IT STARTS AT THE CROSS)

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 THAT THOUGHT-Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." NIV

STOP CURSING INSTEAD BLESSING-Romans 12:14 "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." NIV

HUSH NOT RUSH-Ps. 46:10 "Be still and know that He is God." ; James 1:19 " Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," NIV

We have P. L. S.- POWER, LOVE, SOUND MIND-2 Tim. 1:7 "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." NIV

FOUGHT THAT THOUGHT-Hebrews 4:12 " For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." NIV

GRIEVE AND GROW-Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." NIV

BETTER TOGETHER-Ecc. 4:9 "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor." NIV; Matt. 18:20 " For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” NIV

PURGE SPLURGE-Heb. 12:4 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us," NIV

LIVE THE MEANING-John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." NIV Life or Zoë means life that is real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, Life that comes directly from God.

I'M A MEMORY MAKER-Ps. 105:4-6 "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob."  NIV

NOT BITTER BUT BETTER  Heb. 12:15 "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." NIV

HEAVENLY MIND-Luke 15:7 "“There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” NIV

HONORING AND BLESSING-Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." NIV

Cleansing + Yielding = filling; filling of the Spirit comes, fruits of the Spirit are more evident.

Rest when you are stressed.

All of the above can connected to a bible verse. When we know the truth, the truth sets us free.

STOP BLAMING TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Woulda, coulda, shoulda are warning words to Stinkin Thinkin; MMO-Major Mind Overload

I find these scriptures are great to memorize:

Hear his voice Psalm 29. proof you can hear from God.

Isaiah 26:3 He whose mind in steadfast on the Lord will live in perfect peace. (P squared approach).

Psalm 139:14 We must love ourselves to love others.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 1:13-14 death=low functioning

Proverbs 18:21 Life or Death are in the power of the tongue.

Ephesian 6 Armor of God

Isaiah 54:17 no weapon formed against you will prevail.

Exodus 14:15 MOVE ON

Zephaniah 3:17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.  NLT

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

1 John 1:11-12 If you confess your sins He is faithful and just and will forgive your sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

John 10:10 The theif comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.    (LIFE IN  GREEK MEANS  ZOE LIFE!)  

I have found that captivating my thoughts in obedience to Christ has been helpful to conquer thoughts that are rolling in my head.

I like it in the message version-2 Cor. 10:5 "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ."

Powerful God tools-Holy Spirit-(tune-in), bible reading and word studies (the words that come to mind like joy-are you lacking joy? Who, what, where, when, how do I get joy?), prayer, journaling,  listening to Christian radio, circle of friends (beware and pray who that would be), Godly counsel (people who really will be careful with their words and pray for what is best for you, not for them) worship, praise, thanksgiving, give up your expectations of others-(think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane-forgiving, no expectations). Be able to know stating scripture that backs up these statements of truth. 1. Gods is who He says He is. 2. God can do what He says He can do. 3. I am who God says I am. 4. I can do all things through Christ. 5. God's word is alive and active in me.

These tools DO NOT earn us salvation-they are bringing us in tune of the will of the Father.

Hi Friend: Do you want more? Here is a little exercise to open your mind to focus on Jesus.

Read Psalm 111. This Psalm contains a word bank of characteristics of Jesus.

great, glorious majestic righteous, wonderful, memorable, gracious, compassionate, provider, covenant keeper, powerful, giver faithful, just, trustworthy, steadfast, upright, redeemer, holy, awesome and eternal. His character is being presented to you every day! Is He real to you? How do you see Him working? What verses help reveal this truth of who God is for you right now? Are you meditating on this scripture day and night? Is it a work in progress, are you waiting, is it finished and you have the answer? Realize sometimes you won't ever get the answer. That's okay! It still will be an opportunity to grow. Your next steps:  be brave, be vulnerable, be authentic, invite someone to her your story of now!

Pray: God I want to let my testimony witness to your glory. You are available 24/7/365, thank you Lord. Amen.

Let's say that you are having a discussion with someone you are caring about and it is not going well. You feel like they have strayed from the truth. Stop! Take a deep breath! Know the truth. You feel anxious or fearful in the moment remind yourself of truth, like...Jesus is omnipresent, He represents love...He will take your request and guard your heart and mind...pray...think about the fact of this God holds all things together...tell yourself that Jesus I can't handle this, but I know you love and that I want to trust you with my thoughts and my loved ones thoughts...help us.. AMEN

Stories from the bible that have come up that correlate with my life that resolve, give me peace and teach me.

Esther-I am a FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS GIRL TOO!

Women with the issue of Bleeding-What if! If only I could touch His garment! Yes you can!

Feeding the 5000-After Jesus fed the 5000 he said to the disciples, "Immediately leave!"

With all that is going on so many opinions peoples dissension, division-don't get caught up in the arguments, discussions, LEAVE!

Joseph-It took him twenty years to get back what was stolen.

Ruth-Your God is my God; where you go I will go.

1 Kings 19:11-15 Elijah heard God not in the elements of storm, but in a gentle whisper.

Jesus asks, "who do you say I am?"  Matthew 16 "You are the Christ."

Transfiguration Matthew 17, Peter, James, John see the glorious transfiguration of Jesus on a mountain top experience. Jesus changed to a regal state before their eyes. God enveloped them and spoke. He spoke to them! "This is my son whom I love; with Him I am well pleased, Listen to Him! 

Jesus in John 20 appears after His death for the first time! First appearance he says, "Peace be with you." Not what happened? What did you learn? Let's talk about the bad guys, none of that, just, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me I am sending you." He wanted us to receive, believe...walk in peace as He did.

Last supper-Jesus is a servant. He came to serve and save. Do as he does!

John 17-Jesus final words. I feel like this is the most important thing to know. Don't you like to know someone's final words before they die? What was important to them?

 teach me  teach me.

  My Project Worksheet

I COME AGAINST YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY, WHO YOU HAVE DEFIED

Long title.

Short message.

David slayed Goliath proclaiming, "I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

No giant is bigger than God.

Name your giants.

Why waste a day worrying one more moment about these things.

Dear Lord:

Help me today to submit, yield to your sovereignty! I wait on you Lord. I thank you that you are with me walking and talking, teaching me, giving me strength and power.  I try Lord to control, forgive me. Help me see you. Help me to see these giants and help me to put it into perspective.

David's family, Goliath is to big to slay, David "He is too big not to miss." Perspective.

See Jesus.

PLAYLIST

 Lord I lift you name on high.

Holiness

Diving In

This Is A Great Adventure 

You Are My All and All

Be Not Afraid

These and so many others have come to me during all times of the day. They have come before a storm or during peace but they are in my head. I can choose to let them soothe my soul or ignore them.

But you know Jesus never gives up with the songs of love. If I am distracted or frustrated I can choose to stop and just focus, listen and they are there. At times something can come up and all of the sudden I pray and a new song will come. One day I even got a random text from a friend/saint with the song Never Alone. Sometimes the song just comes for just the purpose of being there.

I am never alone...so true. So true.

I give thanks for several years of this profound way Jesus has confirmed this promise to me from His word...

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Really they are songs that I sing to Him and I find great delight in that.

Our  God in heaven wants us to focus on the things above not on earth. He is constantly training me in this.

Prayer:

Lord thank you for this playlist. The enemy prowls around trying to devour me, to rob me, yet you saw fit to rescue me as you promised. Thank you. Amen

Jesus is real! He has undivided attention for you. Receive it, believe it!

Ask God for a playlist of the mind.

He is faithful!

FOR SUCH A TIME IS THIS?

 There are many psychologists that say, "What if" sentences signify anxiety." Like if someone asks, "What if I don't go, what if I make a mistake...?"

It could signify anxiety but there is an exception to this rule. If that is what you want to call it a rule.

When Queen Esther found herself and the Jewish people in trouble she was perplexed asking, "What can I do?" For it was said, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

I ask us all , "What if we were born for such a time as this?"

In the case of Esther and ourselves the question, "What if?" is a good one but you should know the answer is always, yes.

We are all created for such a time as this. Esther had a pretty significant calling to help her people, but we all have significance no matter what our calling.

Friends this is a short message today because its meant to remind us-

FOR SUCH A TIME IS THIS...you are here, you are alive, seek the Lord, listen and believe.

Pray:

Lord help me to understand my purpose and be confidant that I was born for now.

THE GREATEST ADVENTURE

The Storybook Walk provides a new outdoor adventure that champions family connection, early childhood development. My two grandsons and I were strolling down one recently.

In this picture see the signs with the storybook posted on stakes. We were strolling and the story of boy who finds a friend and from the experience with the friend his life is changed. His senses, creativity and purpose are awakened within him.

The book is a secular book but it really swept all three of us.

This picture is where the boy and his friend sat listened to the waves, felt the breeze on their faces, and felt connected to everything.

It was then that something stirred in me.

How do we feel connected to Jesus?

I took this story and said to my grandkids this boy encountered a friend and had an adventure, but when when we encounter Jesus we have a true encounter, a true adventure.

Being in nature, taking the time to listen, read God's word brings us life. It is an adventure!

It hit me like a lightening bolt! 

With all of the Holy Spirit energy we all agreed we need to go to the library get the book (one of the stakes with the story was missing) then go home and draw this picture above. It awakened all three of us. As we laughed and walked to the car I thought of the song THE GREAT ADVENTURE by Steven Curtis Chapman. When my kids were little I played THE GREAT ADVENTURE on repeat.

The song conveys the message of the greatest adventure, where being saddled like on a horse and we go off on a trail with Jesus. 

We start a day chasing are TO DO LIST. Trying to make a day our best. But when we open the bible and read it hits you like a lightening bolt that if you blaze a trail with God and His amazing grace and follow His lead, it becomes a life like no other. 

I played the song on repeat to my grandkids. We talked about what we were created for. His purposes!

Taking the time to discovery Jesus like the boy discovered nature and his new found friend, he found life, purpose. (Of course the boy needed the encounter of Jesus, but I added that truth to the time with my grandsons.)

Our soul, our human heart craves this! Get ready to ride!

You can start off your day, stirred from your TO DO LIST, worries of worldly politics and spread of a virus or spend time with Jesus. Jesus is where the true adventure grips your soul, creates a vision, dream, desire, purpose...it's a God directed path!

It's what we were created for.

We know the way, the truth, the life can only come from Jesus. We follow our need, and our need is Jesus.

Wow! I went down memory lane with the songs Steven wrote. The song DIVING IN conveys the message of diving off a cliff and plunge into the river. We are challenged to be all in with Jesus and the experience has been compared to the leap of faith! Dive In!

I could not resist another favorite THE KING OF THE JUNGLE. When we have too much on our plate, could we find a key and stop this rough world. He created the world and everything is under His command. the world is out of control but we remember, Jesus is the Lord of rough and tumble, the jungle. What we know, the truth, Jesus, king, ruler, in control, king of kings, sitting on the throne

What I see is crazy, but what is real is God is still on His throne. He is Lord, King of the Jungle. Yes he is!

A prayer:

Lord help me to have encounters with Jesus! Lord can the adventure help me love others, forgive, be thankful, and live the purpose out that you have for me. Amen.

Use this experience in my life and my grandkids! May we go forth remembering the lightening bolt that hit (not a real lightening bolt, but a metaphor)  us in the forest, your creation, Lord.

Upon completing this article my friend sent me this verse, not knowing that I wrote this!

Ps. 90:16-17

May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands.

God bless our school year. Protect the Children. Bring to light anything in the dark in our schools.

 

 

JUST SAY NO

Nancy Reagan, Just Say NO catch phrase in the 80's which was a campaign for the war on drugs.

Just say no popped in my head and aligned with scripture, Let your yes be yes and your no be no to combat the war on social media, religion, philosophies, politics. 

The war comes against our minds and it is draining and depleting what is really important.

For months now I am sensing an urgency to do things. The to do list is not prioritized but is urgent! My mind says, "Do it now"!

Urgency=important, requiring swift action.

What can be so important than spending time talking to God?

That is where the catch phrase pops into my head.

JUST SAY NO!

It app;ies!

No to tormenting thoughts that put yourself down. 

Phil. 4:8 those thoughts.

It is a battle of being led out in peace and joy! It can be hard!

Let us pray for one another and let us have victory over temptation to watch and listen to arguments of politics and other worldly things going on that do not equal to what the bible says.

Help us oh Lord! Amen!

A simple heart cry.

Isaiah 55:12 NIV

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. . ” Is. 55:12

MY DOG , GOD IS CALLING ME

QUESTION FOR MYSELF:

When a verse that comes to your mind, are you asking if that is from God or just an implusive kind of default response that you trained yourself to do? Where did that thought come from?

example:

you say a swear word, you hear a swear word, or when talking about someone behind their back, complaining...whatever you...you have a check in your Spirit.

You hear in your head, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth."

What do I do with that, do I dismiss it? Do I look it up?

Sometimes I dismiss, or I make a mental note maybe I should look that up.

Getting to it...addressing it! I answer eventually I'll look it up. 

If you are saying to yourself, "I have no passion for God, like this excitement, or I don't hear from Him." 

My question to myself, "Are you listening"?

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Eph. 4:29

Then pray and ask, "Lord is this verse for me? Do I need to repent? What do I do with it?"

I go to the verse highlight it anew. Sometimes my verses are already highlighted, but that's ok, I get another colored highlighter and mark it again. Sometimes I put a date with a key word next to it. God wants to reveal something new. 

Is unwholesome thoughts or just swear words or talking about someone? Listen and learn. 

Friends, I am asking myself, "Am I serious about being led in joy, peace, strength of Jesus"?

This only enriches the relationship with Christ. It's like you picked up the phone to talk to a friend. Each time I don't question why a verse popped into my head, it's less time to hear from Jesus and spend time with HIM.

If you are tired and worn out, maybe it's because we aren't really listening. 

For your dog lovers here is an analogy of what I am trying to point out. Picture your dog following you all over and you are ignoring him/her. My excuse I am hyper-focused, really doing something. Honestly, I am working in my own strength, Just today I heard in my head, "I am following you sit for a moment with me. Just like your dog, I am trying to get your attention."! 

This time I sat down, quieted down...finally looked up the verse that has been popping in my head.

I realize it's for me and I pray about it!

Give it to God, address it, repent.

Will you pray with me:

Father, you are calling me, you are loving me, you want to spend time with me, yet I still keep going. Forgive me for doing this. I want to be your faithful servant. Thank you God for never giving up on you. Help me! Amen 

My DOG, GOD spelled backwards is calling me! Be quieted, sit still, respond, repent...whatever God is saying, respond.

CROOKED SPINE

 I pulled out my worn leather bible that had been in a tote bag for over a week, it was crooked and not flat even when I laid it on the table. It appears that I have to wait till it straightens back out.

I relate seeing my bible to viewing my x-ray of my back this past week and my spine is crooked and actually leaning to the right.

Let me explain why I this is significant finding right now. Both are going to take time to straighten out.

"so is my word that goes out from my mouth;  It will not return to me empty, but will ACCOMPLISH what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for and EVERLASTING sign, which will NOT be destroyed." Is. 55:11-13

"God is working all things for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Rom. 8:28

"Consequently (as a result), faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Rom. 11:17

If I do not get help for my back consistently for now it will not straighten out. If I do not read the bible the consequences are even greater than a crooked spine I will not accomplish the desire of God (be led in and forth in peace), lack faith. 

This message comes at a critical point in our world. Reading our bibles is a priority. Being in nature where God shows himself to us (an everlasting sign). Resist the phones and information that will destroyed and return to Jesus and HIs word.

My six year old grandson went to vacation bible school and came to me and said, "Ama, I asked for my own bible. The word is truth." He learned that it is truth and it is a treasure. The theme was "Treasure". Gaining truth gave them keys that they could use to open the treasure chest. In the chest was a bible. The three verses I listed above is the keys and the treasure is Jesus and His word.

So my key to getting a straighter spine is praying and Jesus will heal it. He will use treatments and the Chiropractor to help me. My leather bible with time will straighten out with my hands guiding it to flatten out.

I forever grateful that God want to help straighten us out in joy, with peace. 

GYM FOR THE HEART

 Strengthening the heart. Strengthening for love, compassion, patience, and kindness etc....

Where do you go?

Where do you turn? 

Run to Jesus for the exercise of the heart.

GOD ACCOMPLISHES

 I am not trusting in myself to accomplish and be each day, but I believe that with Christ I can accomplish what I was born to be and do. 

To be.

To do.

Two different things.

To be is to know and love Jesus and rest in that alone.

To do flows out of that love and rest.

It is a balance.

I pray that I will sense when I am off balance of these things. Do you ever want to do...do...do rather than wait and rest as God asks of us. Liking the results more than just being, existing in union with Christ. God gets that we like to do because that generates an accomplished feeling, after all He created us and understands. Yet, His plan was not feeding our ego because of our accomplished efforts. Jesus is my all and all and He is enough.

After all I declare that God did not give me a Spirit of timidity but of power, love and sound mind.

This truth that I declare out loud does give me strength. 

"so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

The word accomplish brings me strength. God is saying He will do what He needs to do. His word is powerful and true. God will do something, sometime, somewhere because His concern is that would perish. NONE! Let us focus on the accomplisher who will accomplish.

This is a extra thought of mine:

The church can be trampled over today because it is divided. We will be stronger and courageous because of unity.

Be faithful here. Glorify God!

Let's pray:

God help me to listen and wait on you!

Be faithful and obedient no matter how tough it gets.

We will triumph for it is He who will accomplish much. 

ALL OPRESSION CEASES

And in HIS NAME, all oppression shall cease.

Praise His name forever. O Holy night, O night divine!

The night Christ was born.

Let me explain.

It's the month of May...I am listening to O Holy Night.

That really sums up this message.

All Oppression Shall Cease.

He will return.

O Holy Night!

The name above every name.

The name that every kneel shall bow to.

When O Lord when?

Let's pray:

Father so many people crying out for the lost children in Texas.

So many lost people throughout the world.

Be with us O Lord. Give wisdom and peace.

Help us to keep our eyes on you!

Amen.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREEN

 Looking at the recent art work of a landscape I am doing for sure you would say there are over fifty shades of green.

Creating the shades with just three green shades and adding other colors is really making me think of God and His creation.

The world is God's canvas and all of nature is His masterpiece. The detail is amazing, right? You are probably like, dah, nothing you are telling me is new! Right? You are laughing at me now.

FOCUS.

The title of this piece should be FOCUS! 

Fifty shades of green is catchy.

Beloved friend, as Paul would say, listen, look be conscious of Jesus presence.

I totally, 100% percent believe we can't proceed in this world right now without Christ.

May Christ be the center.

As Paul went into Corinth to set up church. He then left and heard that his beloved were quarreling about who should they follow Apollos, Cephas? They were quarreling on doctrine. Hmmm? Sounds like today, with celebrity Pastors all around us. People trying to rewrite the bible to fit their choices. 

At the core of all of this is:

unbelief

lack of understanding who Jesus was, is

the lack of understanding of the promise of a Messiah is fulfilled.

the bible and it's relevancy for today

Jesus promise to return.

purpose (why we exist, the mission of Christ)

FOCUS!

Lack of FOCUS=confusion

Jesus came! His word upon dying and resurrecting from the dead...

PEACE BE WITH YOU.

Peace is knowing Him.

Lack of peace is not knowing Him...which is confusion.

Peace is not a guarantee of perfect life...meaning all the material possessions...great health etc.

It is walking, talking with Jesus...filled with hope for His return.

As I read about Paul and what he was saying to the Corinthians I am convinced that he was loving on them not by giving in and letting them be and possess anything they want, but he was telling the truth about the real meaning to Jesus and life. Pastors that are telling you what you want to hear are Pastors who want to fill their pews and be popular. This day and age Christianity is not popular. It goes against the counter culture, therefore we are being sensored and silenced.

Paul is sending out a message about his desire to be a servant, steward and Father to the people.

With our fast paced world we see more self-serving attitudes rather than servanthood, stewardship and Fatherhood. Role models who are living the life that the disciples were trained by Jesus to live.

It is hard being humbled. You do something and the Holy Spirit convicts you that wasn't really part of God's plan for you. It's humbling but not condemning. There is a difference because when you listen and go back to repair a relationship. apologize, accept an apology, take back material things you shouldn't be buying right now, turning off the news, turning off the tv series, putting down the drugs and alcohol...you feel better, your letting God work and that feeds our souls not vice versa.

People are searching...they may not even realize it, but they are. We pray and wait. The waiting is hard.

But let God fill you mind in the waiting.

Lately my head is playing a worship playlist. Even songs from my childhood are playing. It has been fun listening, tuning into what God is doing. He is trying to help. Trying to take the load of over thinking.

Let's take a quiz.

Answer good or bad to...

One variant of Covid after another will this be our life for eternity...continue with that impulsive thought, how will that look...what will the medical world be like...how can I afford that...how can this continue because it causes so much division...not everyone is on the same page...

STOP IT

From there if you don't stop and seek the Lord you will spiral down. That is what is going on in our mental health world.

The spiraling of impulsive, imagination, false narratives (not varifiable imformation) of thoughts.  Depending on the government or person to make things right in this country. If you are saying to yourself, "I'll wait for the covid to away and then everything will be okay." You walk around and take that a step further counting on it getting better and then you will do such and such or go here and there. You are setting yourself up for a sink hole. A place where you won't be able to get out. Your inner joy is depending on the fixing of problems and then you will get better. Rather than just getting up, following the leading of the Holy Spirit and living for Christ.

Paul was trying to tell all of the churches, "You are off, you are not living for the right reason, the right goals."

Your time management is skewed.

You are barely just making it through all of life struggles, yet you are miserable, but you made it through the fire.

The fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 

1 Corinthians 3:15 If it what he has built up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 

The message for today is to put aside your agenda...read the bible and it's future warning (because much of it is playing out today) realize that there is more to life that meets the eyes.

2 Corinthians 4:18 "There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."

It takes a whole lot of FOCUS TO be able to live in the realm of Jesus calling.

It is counter cultural. 

Paul wanted to visit the Corinthians again, in his letter he asked, "What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

Better asked, "You want me to come hit you over the head? or come with love and gentleness and we could look at this together with meaning and truth?

We can't hit people over the head to help them find truth.

It is word and deed, not mere talk but in deed and in truth.

CONVICTIONS/BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

1 Cor. 2:6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

Eph. 4:11-16  ¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Phil. 3:14-20  ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Following Paul’s Example ¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Col. 4:12  ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Heb. 5:14  ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Heb. 6:1  6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,^[a] and of faith in God,

James 1:4-8 ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Ps. 146:3-4  Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
⁴ When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.

After reading the first verse (by the way did you pray before you started reading? Stop now and do it! Ask God to help you to grow to understand some new revelation from reading His word) I stopped and listened and then saw "Mature, Maturity"

I had just handled a relationship wrong. I mean I just blew it! Seeing this passage reminded me of my desire to please God first to find God's will, yet I handled things in a sinful way. So...I went to God with it. I repented and then I felt free...not condemned. God is so loving and good. The CONVICTION of it all hit me...pressing on for the prize...being mature...letting the Holy Spirit guide me being MATURE. Grow up!

Friends it is a conviction...asking God to help grow in you into maturity. Taking his word seriously, praying, being humble. For days I continue to remember the word "Mature". Always talking to God about it. 

I am gently and lovingly being guided. 

Let's pray:

Father let me continue by your love and guidance. Help me to see maturity you are calling me to. Amen

I like the saying "Bloom where you are Planted".

Maturity and blossoming they go together!

Grow!

 

DOG ODOR

 You know when you visit a friends and their dog comes near you and when you go home your dog is like...what's that smell? and proceeds to sniff away at you?

It's pretty funny! Has that happened to you?

My dog notices  it every time!

You know our life with Jesus is like that. Calm down, let me explain.

The bible claims that we have a light about us as believers. Not to boast, but when we go out and are present with people we leave a fragrance. The friend we visit with goes away and visits another friend and they are like asking, "Who were you hanging with?" Your fragrance rubbed off on them and another notices it. 

Jesus rubs off on us, we pick up His fragrance and then we sprinkle that aroma onto others.

Do you know what I'm talking about? It's just like a dog rubbing His aroma on you and your own dog recognizes it.

Sweet! Sweet Jesus! He gives us a fragrance and we just naturally pass it on. Spending much time with Jesus gives you a stronger sweet aroma. Little time, little odor! 

I hope you are taking this the right way! This promise of God is what we need and others need the aroma.

It also is said you get salty and you need to pass that salt on. Salt makes food taste better. People need more salt. Get salty! Have you heard this message before? It's just a reminder that I was thinking about!

Easter is the holy season with God, where we recognize Jesus as our Savior,  His great love death on the cross. Believing in Jesus and following Him gives us the sweet fragrance of the Lord--a beautiful, heavenly perfume. You are blessed and loved.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Let's pray about it:

Lord I want to be your sweet heavenly aroma. May you get all the glory in my life. Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Okay, Okay...just like your dog giving you an aroma and other dogs notice it, Jesus gives you His heavenly aroma when you walk, talk, learn from Him.

Go spread your odor!

ALL TANGLED UP or HONKY DORY

Have you ever thrown a phone cord or purse with a long strap in your car and then later pulled it out and it was all tangled in other things in the car? Or caught on something? Ladies, have you ever put a necklace in a drawer with other jewelry only to later pull it out to find it so tangled with other jewelry? 

I catch myself while trying to untangle the mess, frustrated, and declaring, "Geez, what a pain!" 

Do you?

Next time something gets tangled ever so easily (because really it's like, what?, when it happens) think of this message.

Let me explain...

Life can be just like those cords, purse or jewelry etc. they get all tangled up so fast. I mean very fast. like there is tangle monster somewhere messing with you!

Well there is a monster, the spirit of darkness the devil himself preying around trying to get our attention on the wrong things. I caught myself looking up something about a topic I saw in the news. It has nothing to do with my life. I have my plate full lately, yet, I took the time to look up the evidence of the topic.

Do you do that?

Every ask yourself, why? Why do you need to know this information. Stop! Don't argue with me on this! Just think about your time, your stress levels, your immune system, and then answer me.

How is your stress level? It's honky dory right now? Well, I am going to admit to you humbly that everything is not honky dory. (for your fyi LoL! From William and Mary Morris’s Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins: The story goes that the principal street of Yokohama was Huncho-dori street. (OK, Danny is that true?) A sailor on shore leave would feel that everything was OK when he was on the main street.) 

Little tangent there. See how fast it happens?  I'm Tangeled! Information is as our fingertips instantly.

Friends, this message is nothing new. It simply is a reminder to watch out the devil wants to make things urgent, demanding and we get distracted easily. Then we ask ourselves, "What can I do to help myself with stress?"

Just say "NO"!

Here is the scripture that comes to my mind that goes with this message.

"No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer." 2 Timothy 2:4 NIV

"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." James 1:13-15 NIV

It's not sin always that tangles us up, it's curiosity!

But getting carried away and being stressed can feel dark.

Let's pray about this:

Father help me to be aware when I am getting tangled in stuff that is not good for me. I want to draw near to you and be with you, not against you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Okay! Hoping you get the point.

I always say, Paul's sanity was protected by His certainty. 

Do get tangled up! Live in the honky dory!

TO SAY SOMETHING OR NOT TO SAY SOMETHING

 I overheard her consoling and listening to the person on the cell phone.

I could see her trying to figure out what to say.

How many times has that happened to me listening to someone who is struggling.

I would pray, "God I want to say your consoling words, not my own. Help me."

I just felt within me to say, "Pray for them. God will take care of it. It will be okay."

Should I say something or not?

She walked away. Maybe I it wasn't meant to say. Oops! She came back around the corner.

A chance again to say it.

Then I just said, "Sorry I don't know what you phone call was all about but I just want to say, "Pray for them. God will take care of it. It will be okay."

She said, "I do pray. Thank you."

When I know the Father who we pray to. Really know Him. I want others to know this God who covers me. 

Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

An Eagle had over 7000 feathers. That's what covers you. You are comforted by the Almighty God.

Say something.

Amen. 

TREMBLE- HE IS ON THE WAY

"These are the ones I look on with favor:  those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who TREMBLE at my word." Isaiah 66:2

Read the bible, know the bible, be changed by it, share it, pass it on!-elaine

What are the conversations in your head that trip you up and you loose the peace of God?

Do your emotions move you to Christ or away?

The battle for priority is real. Do you make your bible reading a high priority?

All day do we asked for personal requests and yet not bless the Lord?

A pastor who lives close to Kiev in the Ukraine said this past week, when asked what does he tell his children about the attack coming from Russia, "Lets talk more about Jesus and we will have less fear."

WE ARE NOT ALONE!

Jesus cared about what the disciples were thinking, that is why He asked, "Who do YOU say I am?" Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20, Matthew 16:15

Stop talking about what others believe and be concerned about who you find Jesus to be. You must read the bible to know to know more?

Listen and see for yourself and then relinquish control.

Through the book of Mark it is said Jesus was "On the way" 9 times. Meaning he was on the move. He was working toward the grace of the cross. He is "On the Way" always for you and I.

His grace is sufficient! When you are getting emotionally charged remember the stories in the bible how Jesus was on the move, he was concerned for all.

REDEEMING LOVE

 As I looked around as I was eating my lunch with my students, I got teary eyed. I was filled with such JOY! I was remembering in my childhood. 

1.  I couldn't get the nerve to try out for plays, but really wanted to.

2.  I wanted to go to sleep away camp (a friend asked two years in a row for me to go with her.) 

3.  Wanted to go to college but lost my nerve weighing the decision to go into a counseling which would require a master degree.

Have you ever felt like you lost some of the things you wanted to do and never got to! Like life circumstances took you another direction.

I realize I am sort of writing this and it runs along the line of the movie IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE!

You know the character, George Bailey? He always got side tracked when it came to the things that HE THOUGHT HE SHOULD BE DOING!

Hey God are you there, it is me Elaine? Did I listen? Did I go in the right direction?

Feeling peace I thought to myself simply, YES! 

I did the best I could.

Getting back to the lunchroom story, I was reminded that my life moto, I AM A RECYCLER, ANYTHING GOD TEACHES ME HAS NEVER BEEN WASTED IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN RECYCLED FOR GOD'S GLORY!

But that day I remembers this list

I have been to camp of all various kinds over the past 30 years. So much fun!

I took acting classes and I write skits for my speaking ministry! Go God, thank you!

I never knew if I wanted to be a counselor or teacher, never got that degree, but I have had so much training in both areas. Here that day I was actually teach my favorite age group 5th-8th grade. Amazing Grace!

I married the love of my life and we had four children. This core start has led me to doing the things I skipped in my younger years.

So you see friends, it has all been redeemed!

His redeeming, reconciling love did that and I am so grateful.

Joel 2:25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm — my great army that I sent among you.

Ps. 107:2 " Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe"

Gal. 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Our redeemer lives!

COVERING ALL THE BASES; WOE

 I had the chill bumps on my arms-reading the passage, "Jesus led them up a high mountain, there He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. While He was still speaking a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased, "Listen to HIm!"

My heart lept with joy as I was overwhelmed with, this is who I talk to. He is my Savior. Have I been faithful how awesome, holy He is? It comes to me, "I tremble at the thought of who I talk to. I fear the Lord. 

If the world only knew the true God in Jesus Christ would they take each word captive, ponder it, digest it, recall it...is everyone remember who we talk to? Because if we do we would watch our every words when we talk about Him, we would carefully and accurately relay His message. We would never want to lead anyone astray. It would be such a grave mistake to not portray Jesus as the one and only way to eternal life.

Jesus died for us! People died for Jesus! This is serious! We must be careful, to LISTEN!

This message was a seed that began to grow and grow. We must take each word seriously. Pay attention. Be aware of who you go before. This is not a genie, a cartoon character, but Jesus. Holy, majestic, JESUS!

I ask...do you know that Jesus...the one God said to listen to?

Because that Jesus can not be tailor made to fit your needs. One that would satisfy your story. Especially if it does not agree with His whole word. Every word! No picking, no choosing, but excepting it all! Help friends, are you covering all your bases with anybodies word that tickle your fancy just so you are sure you got it all in case they are right too! That's called covering your all our bases, but is that right? NO!

A little bit of new age, sprinkle that with a little of what Buddha said and little of what this author said and this Rabbi said etc.

We cannot add to it! Jesus said woe to Korazin, Bethsaida, hypocrites, teachers of the law.

Woe

I don't want to get a "Woe" on my last breath. I want to honor God. To remember Him in His glorified state that day at the transfiguration.

Where have you lost your sensitivity to be able to LISTEN?

As the Lord...What has become more important than accurately portraying Jesus and His full words. Do you have to be right and that become more important to being right with Jesus? Do you have a heart problem? You just want to feel good about yourself? 

Do you not understand? Do you not have eyes to see or ears to hear? Do you have a hardened heart? 

How many times has God faithfully provided for you? How many times has he healed you? What is your spiritual state?

Does His glory, majesty, power matter to you? Is He your all and all? Luke 24:38, "Why are you troubled; and why are doubts rising in your hearts?"

Lets remember together these promises:

Ps. 16:11 "In your presence is fullness of joy; In your right hand there are pleasures for ever."

Is. 66:1-2 "This is what the Lord says; "Heaven is my throne; and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the Lord. "This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my WORD."

Heb. 10:22-23 "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us  hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."

Hold fast! Don't swerve! Relinquish any control you may think you have!

Before Jesus fed the 5000 he broke bread and looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He was remember what God was telling Him would occur. The breaking of His body, the shedding of His blood. We always need to remember that!

John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."

Finally I want to finish with Psalm 25 (put your name in this Psalm and make it your prayer)

In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.

² I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

⁴ Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.
⁶ Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

⁸ Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.
¹⁰ All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
¹¹ For the sake of your name, Lord,
    forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

¹² Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
    He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.^[b]
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
    and their descendants will inherit the land.
¹⁴ The Lord confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.

¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.
¹⁷ Relieve the troubles of my heart
    and free me from my anguish.
¹⁸ Look on my affliction and my distress
    and take away all my sins.
¹⁹ See how numerous are my enemies
    and how fiercely they hate me!

²⁰ Guard my life and rescue me;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    for I take refuge in you.
²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me,
    because my hope, Lord,^[c] is in you.

²² Deliver Israel, O God,
    from all their troubles!