to go or not to go....

Some of the most God-minded people I know do NOT attend a church on a regular basis. They have (bravely) shook off the encumbrances of organized church in order to seek God beyond the walls.....
Why?
Because they only occasionally encountered God in their churches and more often than not, they left a congregational meeting more thirsty for the reality of God, instead, they were filled up with information about God without actually drawing near to Him.
This, too, has been my experience.
"To seek and find God is everything."
There is something lacking in our churches today....something so basic.
I believe it is a true, souled-out, unencumbered, communing worship with the God of the universe.
We have bought into the lie that serving at church, fellowshipping with other church people, ministry training, is the same thing as actually seeking God.
I think of Moses and his encounter with God. Moses ascended Mt. Sinai, stood before the Great I AM, beheld the glory of the Lord all around him, heard the audible voice of the Lord, returned to the people and the bible says he "did not know that the skin of his face shone," The people were afraid to draw near to him because they saw that he had been with God.
That is what I am thirsty for-climbing up God's holy mountain to encounter Him in such a way that my very countenance is changed.
I'm not sure that it is possible to have such an encounter like that in church today, in fact, it would probably make most people uncomfortable.
We're too ordered, scheduled, and defined.
No room for the moving of the Holy Spirit here.(caution: quenching of the Holy Spirit could lead to a hard heart.)
And yet, I do encounter God and I experience sweet times of worshiping Him, talking with Him, seeking His heart and just being with Him.
Ironically, those encounters rarely happen at church and dare I say, never during worship.
My question is this: is there something wrong with me?
Am I the only one who feels this way?
Have I been so indoctrinated that I believe that the church is to provide all my spiritual needs and that fellowshipping with other believers is a substitute for a having a beautiful relationship with the Lord of the universe?????
It sort of reminds me of this current culture crisis.
Some people have come to believe that big government will solve all of our problems.
In like manner, some believe that big church is the answer to those who have a crisis of faith.
So, what is the answer?
Are my expectations too high for organized church?
Possibly....probably.
So, what is the purpose of being part of a church if I rarely encounter God within its confines?
I believe that God will provide me with wisdom that will lead to understanding and I also believe that it will be a process.(...is a process....still processing......)
(I'll get there.)
While I am still on this earth, I don't want to waste time worrying about "coloring within the lines" and, to be honest, my only desire is to please God, not man.(encumbrances, mentioned above.)
My true hearts desire would be to be part of a home-church; like-minded people gathered together for the sole purpose to worship God through studying His word, prayer, singing praises to His name, to be with people who have encountered God and to think that is the norm, not the exception, to be with people who are absolutely in love with Jesus, what I call "Jesus freaks."
Aahhh....that sounds heavenly.
Father,not my will, but Thine be done.

a Christmas letter....

Dear God,

I confess to you that we have not yet put up our Nativity in honor of the birth of your Son, Jesus.
It is sitting in the box waiting to be put into its proper place...patiently waiting.
I've walked by it a thousand times a day....I've told the girls," we have to put the Nativity scene up!" then I proceed on my way.
What is wrong with me?
The tradition in our home goes like this:
1. go get tree
2. set up tree
3. dad and kid put on lights.
4. mom and girls decorate tree.
5. set up Nativity.
6. decorate the house.
Father, we skipped #5 this year, I know you see it and I am sorry.
The box is still sitting there next to the cedar chest where, in theory, the Nativity will be showcased, I really should stop what I am doing right this second and go set it up, but, I find it intriguing why it is still sitting there and I can't help but make the parallel: how often do I do that with you God?
I doubt you've counted, that's just not your style, but I know that it must be so disappointing to see after all the blessings you've bestowed, not that you keep track.
I know that you want to meet with me, commune with me, and I haven't made the time...I'm too busy doing other things...leave me alone...I'll talk to you tomorrow.
The thing is: I know that you are waiting...patiently, lovingly, as you do for all mankind.
Father, fill my heart with your love and mercy and help me to remember that first gift of Christmas so long ago, in a humble manger where you were made manifest in the babe, Jesus.
Thank you, Father, for your tenderness....your love...for how you speak to us....
I know you see me right now and I know that you know what I am about to do, but, just for the sake of argument, I want you to know that.....I was gonna do it all along(she said rather defiantly)....thanks for the nudge.(sorry it took so long)
Love you lots.
xoxoxoxo

Your humble servant, me.
;0)

December book club featuring.....

I loved this book!
Sarah Palin is a true American because she values what is most important in life; God, family, Truth, integrity, and responsibility.
"Going Rogue" is a must read for us whiny women who occasionally feel overwhelmed and ever-so-slightly misunderstood and for those who are seeking their purpose in life.
She is my hero.

warning...this might make you feel bad.

A bumper sticker seen recently:

"Jesus is coming soon......look busy."

Funny....sort of.
I mean this is wrong on so many levels...where do I begin to address the ERRORS in that statement?
Well, how about- JESUS IS COMING SOON- that's a good place to start.
Whether you believe that He is coming in our lifetime or your kids' lifetime or your grandkids' lifetime, the simple truth is that someday, like a thief in the night, the trumpet will sound and we will be with our Lord, we, the faithful who believe and serve the Risen Lord Jesus.
If you have followed this blog for any length of time (Kim) you know that I believe that He is coming in our lifetime because of all that is happening in the Middle East, prophecies are coming true, the things spoken of in God's Word are lining up just as they were foretold by God Himself- truly, the stage is set.
Believing this simple statement has made my spiritual eyesight crystal-clear and my spiritual wattage is so ramped up that everyday is like, "what are we doin' today God?"
Time is so short.
Are we taking precious opportunities given to us to share the love of Jesus Christ with those that we encounter?
Are we that "city on a hill" in our neighborhoods that shows forth the Light within our hearts and to which we show our good deeds for the glory of the Lord?
Do we extend grace to others as it has been extended to us?
I do not know what is holding back the hand of judgment on this crooked and perverse generation, I suspect it is His incredible LOVE for His creation and that it is not His intention that any should perish but that all should come to know Him.

"Look busy."

I serve an all-knowing, all-seeing, everywhere God...how about you?
He know our thoughts, our hearts, EVERYTHING------before we even think it!!!!!!!

"Look busy."

What are we actors? Playing a role?
We can play "CHURCH" till the cows come home and nobody would be the wiser....except for God.
We can warm the pews and be counted....even make a joyful noise.
We can put an offering in the plate as it passes by...God sees.
You can fool your fellow man and even yourself, but not God.

"Look busy."

Perfect statement for this culture that we live in.
That's right, let's bring God down to OUR level, let's put limitations on Him because a BIG ALL-KNOWING-ALL-SEEING-EVERYWHERE God is a bit oppressive, don't ya think? I mean it might make someone feel bad, small even and we wouldn't want to offend anyone in this "everyone-gets-a-trophy-even-the-losers-politically-correct culture in which we live.
Oh my gosh, it's sickening!
It's, it's...why we have shows like "American Idol", (which is one of my favorite shows), but come on....the people who audition in front of professional judges that are TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE singers that proceed to look shocked and hurt and cry even when told that they are terrible singers BY THE PROFESSIONAL JUDGES have obviously had people encouraging them, in fact, lying to them, so that they wouldn't feel bad because that is the very worst thing you can do to someone is MAKE THEM FEEL BAD....
Parents want their kids to get trophies for just participating in a sport.
What happened to rewarding excellence?
Do you see how this trend, this new way of thinking has polluted our kids' attitudes toward doing their best, when everyone will get a "good job" even for doing a piss-poor job/effort, why would kids want to go the extra mile and the extra effort to strive for excellence??????
What is the main role of the Holy Spirit?
Do you know?
The main role of the Holy Spirit is to make man aware of his sin, in fact, it is to make man FEEL BAD.
Can you see how this PC trend is a very brilliant scheme devised by the enemy to thwart the main role of the Holy Spirit-to make man feel bad, to make him realize his need for the Lord.
The great deceiver lies to men and tells them; "you ARE good", and then he tickles the ears of men over and over and over until they refuse to hear anything that makes them feel bad.
It's a good plan, seems to be working well even.
Nice.

"Look busy."

Do you really believe that God will love you more if you "look busy?"
Remember, "Christ died for us WHILE we were yet sinners" and "it is by GRACE that we are saved through faith, it is a gift of God, and not of ourselves lest any man should boast."
There is NOTHING that we can do to make God stop loving us-NOTHING!!!!!!!
He loves the pew-warmers, the actors, the pharisees, but He desires their hearts, minds , and souls.
God has a standard- the shed blood of Jesus which washes us white as snow, but there is a promise build it: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation....."
God is the one who does the work for us, He is the one that changes us and makes us more and more like Him.
We don't have to look busy, we just need to be a new creation that seeks after God's heart.
Know what I mean?
Here's better bumper sticker:

"Jesus is coming soon.....LOOK UP."

a word from Frances.....

"So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19)

Has the morning star arisen in your heart yet?
It's a beautiful picture of the night sky gradually receding and rolling back from the approaching light of day. Slowly, gradually transitioning from night to day, something else occurs: before the dawn breaks, the morning star begins to shine its light on the eastern horizon. "It is a faithful herald of the coming day".
The morning star appears at the right place and at the right time to announce to those in darkness, "the sun/Son is coming, the day is soon at hand."
It appears as a herald while it is still night, for it can't be seen during the day.
Peter tells us the before the millennial "day of the Lord" dawns, in anticipation of Christ's return, the morning star shall rise in our hearts!
What does that mean?
I believe that just prior to Christ's return for His faithful, the actual spiritual "wattage" of God's presence will increase.
Of course, we know that such "light" does not emanate from us, it comes from our union with the Lord Jesus and it is worked in us through the Holy Spirit.
Over and over again, Jesus warned His followers not to become caught up in the world or weary in the battle. He told us that it is to those who overcome that will be given the morning star.
A day is coming before the rapture of the Church, before the second coming of Jesus, when those who follow Christ will be positioned, like the morning star - in the right place at the right time - and they will herald Christ's return.
If we don't allow ourselves to encumbered in the cares and issues of this world, if we remain faithful and true, a time will come when the presence of the Lord, like the morning star, will rise and be visibly seen upon us and the word of Isaiah shall be fulfilled:

"Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you.
Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising."
_ Isaiah 60:1-3

we went-we saw.....

To celebrate LIFE(after almost 3 weeks of near-death experiences) our entire family went to see the much anticipated "2012".
We were breathless for nearly 2 and a half hours!
I mean this thing took us to the brink and back again over and over and over-it was so great-loved it....from an entertainment standpoint, come on, keep it in perspective, after all this is Hollywood, not the TRUTH project.
The special effects had me grabbing my seat and making sure on several occasions that the floor of the theatre was still there and hadn't fallen into the abyss and beyond.
And, I have to say they did a pretty good job of developing the characters so that when they died...you actually cared.
All in all one of our favorite movies of all time, honestly.
The only criticism I have is this: everybody knows(except Hollywood) that when planes fly into buildings, or terrorists hijack planes, or the economy goes into the crapper, people get scared and go to church....in hordes.
People, when scared, turn back to the Lord if they've turned away or they get closer to the Lord because all of a sudden negative circumstances causes our focus to shift back to what is really important, right?
So, here's a movie that depicts the END OF THE WORLD and there is not a word spoken through the characters dialogue of God, faith, church...NADA.
This shows how OUT OF TOUCH HOLLYWOOD REALLY IS to what is really important in life: a relationship with God, our relationships with our family, leaving behind a legacy of LOVE.
On a side note: this movie is NOT plausible!
I KNOW how it ends and....this is not even close....very nice try-great effects-WOW!
I slept like a baby last night, it didn't even affect my dreams which speaks to how unplausible that scenario really is.
So, go, enjoy-be entertained....while you still can......;0)

To sift or not to sift......

Here's my struggle...my area of weakness in this blog-world: writing things from my heart that contain a very clear message, usually given to me by God, without coming off condemning.
All of you write so skillfully and with such sensitivity to the reader, you are encouraging and uplifting which leads to wonderful introspection--Love that!
Not me- I go for the jugular(mine included).
I am very direct in my writing, I am a direct person, you know, a "cut-to-the-chase" "what's the bottom line?" person, but I know that I am much more sensitive in person because I respond to body language and facial expression, etc, which affects my directness.
So, when I am online- I am direct, however, I do want to encourage and challenge my readers, as well, just like the rest of you, and I want to cause positive self-examination---ALL with an under-current of LOVE-for that is my heart.
I do not wish to be a clanging symbol.
Anyhoo, on to my thoughts for Thursday.
I was talking to Tricia yesterday and she asked me how I was doing to which I responded, "Well, now I have the flu."
"Oh", she said, "so, are you sad?"
"No", I told her...then we talked a little more about her and her family, then we hung up.
I have pondered in my head over and over that little, tiny, insignificant, just-friends-checking-on-one-another conversation.
I'm not sure why she asked me if I was sad but, I think that what is bubbling inside of me that so desperately wants to escape is the overwhelming question:

WHAT DO I HAVE TO BE SAD ABOUT?

Yes, true, I have been sick for awhile....so what?
I am a child of the Most High God.
Yes, true, my husband has been sick, as well...so what?
God loved me so much that He made a way for me to be with Him for all eternity.
Yes, true, now my girls are sick...so what?
God promised that He would never leave me nor forsake me.
Yes, true, I have been isolated from friends/family and life for that matter....so what?
Someday, very soon, I will be with my Heavenly Father and the Heavenly Host will be praising His name and I will be part of that!
Yes, true, the maid has NOT come....so what?
The Lord lifts me up and calls me beloved.
It doesn't get any better than that!
And so I've learned to "pick my battles" by NOT sweating the small stuff, things that will NOT last, temporal things.
My new favorite song is one by "Kimber Rising":

"I don't wanna waste this time....I just wanna make this count...Let your LOVE be my guide cuz IF IT AIN'T YOU....I DON'T WANNA DO IT......"

will blog for comments....

really....

more evidence.....

I copied this article from Joel Rosenberg's blog-more evidence to the "end is near":


"An evil wind is blowing against the State of Israel and the Jewish people. This resolution — written by the Arab League — calls for a investigation of Israel for “war crimes” during the January 2009 Gaza war in which Israel was defending itself from some 12,000-plus rockets, missiles and mortars that had been fired by Hamas at civilian centers in southern Israel over the course of several years. Yet the resolution never even mentions the word “Hamas.” The resolution has no balance, no sense of fair play, and effectively denies that Israel has a right of self-defense, which is, in fact, a basic right affirmed in the U.N. charter. The resolution affirms the findings of anti-Israel and ultimately anti-Semitic Goldstone Report and recommends the Secretary General require the Security Council to take up the issue and condemn Israel. After all, the war crimes were committed by Hamas for firing rockets at civilians, for using civilians as shields in Gaza during the war, for using elementary schools, hospitals and mosques as military bases during the war. Yet the U.N. cares not one bit about such bitter truths."

Israel still has friends; Canada, Germany, US, Australia, Italy, Ukraine, and few more.
Please pray for Pres. Obama that he will stay soft on Israel and remain their friend and please pray that this resolution will not be voted in by the majority who seeks to dismiss/surpress Israel as a sovereign nation.
Woe to those who seek to divide Israel....

this just in.....

I'm hoping this little "tid-bit" will make you a believer.....

I found this on Joel Rosenberg's blog:
(He is a former aide to PM Netanyahu)

"The Cornerstone for the Third Temple, weighing 13 tons, that the Temple Mount Faithful Movement prepared to be laid on the Temple Mount and start the process of the building of the Third Temple, was carried by the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement as they marched from Ammunition Hill to the Temple Mount on "Jerusalem Day", 27 Iyar 5769 (21 May 2009). The holy Cornerstone was driven from Ammunition Hill to Jaffa Gate and along the western walls of the Old City to the downtown streets of Jerusalem and was presented to the people of Israel and to the entire world for the first time since the destruction of the Holy Temple in the year 70 CE."

This I found quite compelling:

"On their way to the Temple Mount the marchers demonstrated in front of the United States consulate in Jerusalem against the pressure that is growing from president Barack Obama and His administration to divide the land of Israel and to establish a foreign terror Arab state inside the sovereign Land of Israel given by G‑d in an eternal covenant only for His people Israel for a Holy purpose: to be a Holy nation, a kingdom of priests and a light to the nations (exodus 19;5-6) . They warned President Obama concerning his pressure to stop the Israeli settlements of the Land, to remove the settlements in Judea and Samaria and to divide Jerusalem the eternal Capital of the G‑d and the people of Israel. They called-out to President Obama: 'Take your hands off the Land of the G‑d and the people of Israel and off Jerusalem!' They warned President Obama to be careful of the divine judgment from the G‑d of Israel as the Prophet Joel prophesied: "For behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down in the valley of Jehosophat, and will enter into judgment with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and have divided up my land." (Joel 4:2)"

Are you getting it?
My Rapture Index says: fasten your seatbelts!
Now is the time to live like there is no tomorrow...
NOW GO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT JESUS!!!!!!
Love you.

;0)

Book Club update....

Yesterday, I hosted our ladies book club in which we discussed Glenn Beck's "Common Sense."
It was a delicious time of sharing ideas and speaking to our common concerns regarding the way this country seems to be embracing socialism, and the fact that our Constitution is being labeled irrelevant in this society, we spoke of the upcoming election process and what concerns us most, and what sort of future are we creating for our children?
It is always amazing to me how quickly time flies when you don't want it to....seriously, I could have done that all day...that is how good the company of those women is to me.
We are all very like-minded which creates wonderful intimacy and trust...it is so refreshing in this "gotta-go-don't-have-time-pulling-my-hair-out" society that we live in.
Interestingly, though, a common thread woven throughout was the idea that yes, we can identify the problems readily, however, what are we to do about them?
From there we discussed different ideas, different possible solutions, different ways of looking at the problems, etc.
What I got from all of that is this: we are all gifted in different ways, and God will equip us with the wisdom and knowledge to accomplish the solution.
Some of us are called to action.
Some are called to encourage those called to action.
Some of us are called to be prayer warriors.
Some of us are called to teach the younger generation.
Some are called to reach out to their neighbors.
Some are called to reach the masses.
God is the dream-giver and He will finish the work in us if we will allow Him.

"He who began a good work in you will complete it unto the day of the Lord."

This month we will be reading Sarah Palin's new book: "Going Rogue".
Come join in the discussion, we meet the first Monday of the month, and prepare to be challenged and encouraged, delighted and engaged.
Have a blessed day.

Todd Agnew is amazing in concert!
His voice, lyrics, music, he gives to the glory of God!
Amen, brother....you got it right!
Kimber Rising was such a refreshing surprise...they have brilliant harmonies!
Watch out Barlow Girl- here's comes Kimber Rising.

a threat? and a plea....

I find it very interesting that since I added that video there is now a "possible threat" message that pops up when I access my blog.
Really?
Really...a threat?
Or, could it be the content that is objectionable?
After all, it shows Pastor Joe...(yikes)...praying to God for forgiveness because we have turned away from God's morality, in fact God's Law.
In exchange for what?
That's right, how could I forget; man is god.
Man knows best.
What a delusion....a very sad delusion that is ushering people right into the hands of the enemy who exclaims, "HA! Gotcha!".
I ask you, my Christian friends, do you feel an urgency to seek out the lost and tell them of God's glorious love and salvation?
Because I believe our time is running short here, our lives are like a vapor, the bible says, and I can see it dissepating before my very eyes.
Have you heard of the "internet neutrality laws" that this administration is trying to pass?
They are trying to silence us, the conservative voice that believes in a Creator God because it flies in the face of everything they stand for!!!!!
There is an agenda and IT IS EVIL!!!!!!!!
The news last week(not the mainstream-fringe media like ABC NBC CBS CNN MSNBC) talked of the new alliance between Turkey and Iran/Syria/Russia/China which is fulfillment of biblical prophecy in Ezekiel 38.
Please, please don't dismiss this as the same ol' rhetoric that every generation speaks of because the signs point to an imminent return of the Lord Jesus for His Church.
Even Jesus said, "when you see the buds on the almond tree you know spring is coming, so it will be in the last days...when you see the signs, you'll know that I am coming..."
If you are reading this and something is resonating in you that there is something wrong, but you can't quite put a finger on it.
Ask yourself this: why are we still here?
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ then I believe the answer is simple: we are here to fulfill the great commission...to go forth and make disciples of all men.
If you are not a believer/follower of Jesus then maybe the answer lies in the fact that God loves you so much that He created you in His image and He has great plans for you, plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope. God is a holy God and He cannot allow sin into His presence. Don't be offended by that, please, we are ALL sinful: the bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. So, He made a way for us to be with Him in heaven....He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to be the sacrifice that was needed to cover our sin, EVERYONE'S sin, for all time. God didn't leave it at that! He raised him from the dead after 3 days and now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us! Jesus did that for you, for me, because He loves us so much that He couldn't bear to be without us.
Ask yourself this: if you were to die tonight, where would you spend your eternity?
There are only 2 options: this is not very PC but it doesn't make it any less true...the only 2 options are eternity with God(heaven) or eternity without God(hell).
The bible says in Romans "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved."
It's all about faith in Him and letting Him be the Lord of your life that begins a beautiful relationship between you and God.
It really is that simple.
God is waiting....He is knocking on the door of your heart. Won't you let Him come in?

a Thought for Thursday....Standing for the Truth!

dear anonymous.....

.....don't leave, or, at least come back when you can.
Thank you, dear friend for "fighting the good fight" for our mutual friend, Chris.
It has been an honor to "host" such a great dialogue.
Tell me, how did you come across this blog at the very moment I needed a mind like yours???
I call that Providence and positively....divine.
See ya around the blog-world dear anonymous......

;0)

a prayer request....

Please pray for my new friend, Chris, who doesn't understand how much God loves him and how God has such great plans for him.
Would you pray that Chris will feel the love that this Christ-follower has for him and THAT would lead him right into the arms of God?????

a Thought for Thursday.....

......better yet, a Thoughtful Thursday....I like it!
Here's an idea:
What if today we purposefully set out to be thoughtful to everyone we encounter?
What could that look like?
A smile AND a kind word spoken to the person next to you at the gas station.
A smile AND an offer to return someone's cart at the grocery store.
Meeting the eye of the person you are passing on the walking path and greeting them warmly.
A phone call to encourage someone who is sick at home.
I'm sure you have some better ideas, but the point being that we should seek to bless others around us and it should be NOT just when we feel like it, cuz that's easy, we should do it at all times....while we still can, while we still have breath, for who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Have a great day today--
:)

Together Tuesday.....

Today is called "Totally Together Tuesday" in my attempt to be more reader friendly.
I have noticed a trend toward catchy anachronisms attached to the pertaining day of the week that one is posting to their blogs and I thought....I can do that, too, after all I'm trendy, right?
So, today is Totally Together Tuesday, called thus because I am getting things together around the house for the rest of the week.
It is out with old(summer attire) and in with the new(fall attire).
It is gathering together things that need to go to Goodwill.
It is gathering the laundry together and getting it done.
It is gathering together ingredients for a big pot of Chicken Noodle Soup.
See what I mean...I am together...in readiness for the rest of the week.
Here are some of the runners-up that didn't make it to the table:

Touchy Tuesday(sets a tone, don't ya think?)
Terrible Tuesday(worse tone)
Tight Tuesday(too young for me)
Terrific Tuesday(a little too chipper for me)
Tongue in cheek Tuesday(that one was a contender)

But, in the end, to stick to my reader-friendly objective I chose Together Tuesday.
Who knows what next week will bring?(hopefully not Torqued Tuesday as I'm saving that one for the next election-HA)
I'd like it to be more about getting together with a friend on a Tuesday-that's my new goal.
Look at that-I set a goal!
Hmmph.
Who knew?

God is speaking.......!!!!

Two things:
First:
Did you know that this week in Israel they are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles or Succot and that this year there were more than 4000 people gathered from all around the world to join hands with their Jewish friends to worship the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Issac--this was a fulfillment of an ancient prophesy written by Zechariah that said someday nations from all around world will join hands with the Jewish people during the Feast of Succot!!!!

"Many of the pilgrims also said they understood their presence in the Holy Land for Succot was part of the grand epic of history described in the Bible by the Jewish prophets."

"We are here to be a part of history," said Tove Tveita, a Norwegian Christian participant. "We have the same history as the Jews. We believe in the same God, and we believe in a Jewish Messiah."

"The Prophet Zecharia said all of the nations would gather for Succot, and now we are here to enjoy him in his land. What's happening tonight was written."

Isn't that so cool???
We are witnessing ancient prophecies being fulfilled before our very eyes!!!!

Second thing:
I have received a word from the Lord.
Seriously, God has been speaking to my heart about being still and silent before Him.
Yesterday, during my "date" with Him he gave me these words from Zechariah:

"Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His Holy habitation!"
Zechariah 2:13

God has aroused Himself from His heavenly sanctuary and is about to intervene on behalf of His people. "Be silent" is not in anticipation of worship, but calls for terror at the judgment that will be unleashed from God's glory.
Will you join me in prayer for our country, our leaders, our people who do not know the Lord?
Remember, our far as our sphere of LOVE, to that extent goes our spiritual authority.
Let us make good use of our time that is given to us as I believe it is very short.
God bless you, my friends.

desperately seeking Mary....

Kim, over at 58 degrees has some excellent insights into what our "race" should be based on.
You should check it out.
It has caused me to ask myself some deep questions:

Do I experience God based on the familiar? Like, in corporate worship at church, the way that I have been shown to experience Him, or through other believer's experiences?
Or, do I truly allow Him to show ME His ways, His character based on MY Spirit-filled walk in which I desire His revelation to me every moment of every day in any situation I find myself in??
THAT is truly what I desire.....ache for, in fact.
Isn't is so easy to get busy DOING for God instead of BEING with God?
Do we, as women, feel guilty for taking time out for ourselves because we have so many depending on us and any time we take for ourselves takes away from the people we care for around us. Or, we put standards on ourselves that we think we have to live up to every day and, really, what does it matter if our house is clean and our children are fed and our husbands are happy if we, ourselves, have not taken the time to BE with our Saviour, who has the best plans for us, and who desires that intimacy with us that we so easily give away in the name of housework/duty/parenting/service?????
I truly think it is a delicate balance between being a Mary vs. a Martha, but what did Jesus say? He blessed Mary for her devotion to Him and He chastised Martha NOT for her service but for her ATTITUDE toward Mary.
I am inspired to SIT and be with my LORD....call it my "date with God".
May God bless as you go along your way and may you be mindful of God's voice of Truth in your life.

This weekend was such a treat!
The girls and I along with my bestest gal-pal, Kimberly, went to see the Broadway sensation "Wicked" at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.
It was....FABULOUS!...I mean it was the BEST show we've ever seen and to top it off to be able to share it with my beautiful daughters and my beautiful friend was.....sublime...perfect.
After working the outage last spring and seeing how much the girls really stepped up to help keep the house up along with caring for our animals and for their dad, I just needed to bless them for their tremendous help and so....knowing Kimberly's bday was coming...the 2 events married together so well and so I just went for it and took us all!!!!!
We made such great memories together....we laughed and laughed...we hugged and cried....we ate great food....it was so special.

election news and speeches...

I am so excited!
Con and I have been asked to be part of Clint Didier's campaign to run against Patty Murray in the Senatorial election next year!!!!!!
If any of you were at the Tea Party a few weeks ago you saw Clint make an impassioned speech which rallied everyone there, and with his name recognition and his all american good looks AND his decent principles and morals I truly believe that he could unseat PM----FINALLY!!!!!!
It will be an uphill battle since PM already has $2 million raised but what an amazing experience this will be to start at the grass roots level of a campaign that is so important to our country right now.
Truly, he has gotten a bit of a late start but he's in the game....he's got a great platform....he is being surrounded by people who know how to launch him into the political arena....there is no stopping him now!!!!!
Will you begin to pray for the next election that we, the people of this great state and country will seek to be a more virtuous people so that we will, in turn, elect more virtuous leaders????
Will you pray this with me?
Whether you are politically savvy or not, surely you see and hear what's going on in our country and where we are headed if we don't stop the corruption that surrounds our government.
Martin Luther King Jr. had this to say:

"The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be.....The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists."

Though he used inflammatory language, what he meant was this: it is much easier to simply die for a cause than to find inventive and effective means to fight for it.

He also said this:

"The hottest places in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in time of great moral conflict."

Truly the enemy must sense how very short time is for him and he is stepping up his advance on our families and on our time and I fear if we remain distracted by "temporal things" that we will miss out on what is happening in our country--things that are bigger than us--bigger than our problems.
It is way past time to sit up and take notice of where our government is taking this country----and it is not a good place.

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation-We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness-That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed- That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute New government......"

Who's with me????

Change of scenery....

So, we decided we needed a "change of scenery" yesterday which led us to visit The Living Room church yesterday and I have to say that we really enjoyed it!
They greeted us very warmly and genuinely as we were ushered into their beautiful new building and immediately the delicious smell of a coffee bar excited my senses and I knew it was going to be a good experience.
Worship was moving and the teaching was captivating. I loved the experience of their corporate prayer and testimony and I know that the grass always appears greener on the other side, however, it was just a very refreshing change and...I don't know what will come of it, if anything, but I think that we will go back next Sunday and try it again.
Ugly circumstances led us to make this decision and we are "circling the wagons", if you will, taking care of our own, if you won't.(HEHE)
I won't go into any detail except to say that my daughters have captured the attention of the enemy and he's goin' in for the kill(almost literally) and I say this because I covet your prayers for their safety and protection from this vicious attack!
My prayer partner, Nicole, and I received a revelation from the Lord last week and let me tell you it has been "game on" ever since.
Her daughter has also been under attack, but, God has also revealed to us His ministering angels that are ever present with Jamie now.
My dreams are tormented by demonic presence and I'm serious...it is GAME ON!!!!
Aren't you so blessed to know that God is bigger and better and badder than the punk that calls himself the prince of this world.
You-PUNK- have no authority here so back off my family and this neighborhood because we are sealed to the MOST HIGH GOD and He has great plans for you----that's right---you get a glorious one-way ticket to the ABYSS!!!!!Enjoy your very long stay----PUNK!!!!
In the name of Jesus Christ-Amen.

Love and Spiritual Authority---Part 2

"AS WIDE AS OUR SPHERE OF LOVE, TO THAT EXTENT WE HAVE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY"
True spiritual authority is born of LOVE.
If we have LOVE for our church and the congregation, then we have authority to build up that church and congregation. That same authority is not extended beyond the boundaries of our LOVE.
If we LOVE our city and our local government our authority touches the lives of those in that realm either through prayer or through outreach/ministry.
The testing ground of all spiritual things is LOVE, for LOVE alone purifies our motives and delivers us from the deceitfulness of self. Even authority in spiritual warfare must be rooted in LOVE. David gained the skills to slay Goliath, not on a battlefield, but by defending his father's sheep from predators. He LOVED those sheep so much he was willing to lay down his life for them. So also we grow in authority as we protect OUR Father's sheep, the flock He has given us to LOVE.
The more we LOVE, the more authority will be granted to us. If we love our community and are willing to lay down our lives in service, God will enlarge our hearts and grant us new authority in spiritual warfare. Satan knows the genuineness of our LOVE by the brightness of the glory that surrounds us.
"A man or woman without Christ-inspired LOVE will soon shrink back and fail in spiritual warfare."--1 Cor. 13:8
Only LOVE "never fails".
Certainly, when it comes to battling the enemy, there are many things the Holy Spirit has to say that we are not able to hear until our base of LOVE is expanded. Graciously, the Lord protects us from presumptuosly taking on the enemy and attacking the strongholds of hell and suffering loss. If we are truly anointed in God's LOVE, however, the price to see our culture saved is not too great, but, it will be a price that LOVE alone can pay.
I am excited to see where God will take us as He continues to unfold this plan of action to those willing to accept the mission--His mission--to LOVE our neighbors as ourselves, in fact, to be ready to lay down our lives as a sacrifice for those around us, and therefore gaining God-given authority to protect and build up His people. I think the thing that brings me the greatest possibility of shame would be to stand before my Heavenly Father and realize that I had missed opportunities to bring others to Christ because I was busy with...life...self.


"So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found no one."--Ezekiel 22:30

I'm here, Father, and I am ready and willing to do whatever you ask.
Speak to my heart and use me to bring others to you.
Establish your LOVE in my heart and may it overflow on to those around me for your glory and honor.
Amen.

Love and Spiritual Authority--Part 1

So, for a while now God has been speaking to me about LOVE.
LOVE....LOVE....LOVE....
"Love my people as I have loved you."
"Love one another...in this they will know that you are my disciple."
"Love them like Jesus."
"Love them even if you don't understand them."
And my favorite:
"It's not about you."
God has spoken these things into my heart over and over and over again for months and months and months.
He has confirmed through a several good friends who hve also received the same message of LOVE that these things He has spoken to me are from HIM.
Over and over and over.....
What does it all mean?
To what end?
Perhaps I am beginning to see where God is taking me and for what purpose.
This week I have been the studying the teachings of Francis Frangipane and in his teachings he suggests that the Church as it functions today have many administrators who can explain the doctrines of Christianity, but few who actually exemplify Christ and even fewer who walk as Jesus walked.
While many stand in leadership, not many function in the higher realms of Christ given authority that was purchased for the Church, His Church, at a very high price, I might add.
Mr. F suggests that a new badge of authority is coming to the Church and that it will bring deliverance on a scale not seen before; in some cases, entire cities will be turned to the Lord.
What is spiritual authority?
It is nothing less than God Himself confirming with power the word of His servant.
Here are some examples that you might know: Moses speaking of judgment upon the people of Egypt and the subsequent display of power from God to break the will of an unmoving, hard-hearted Pharaoh. Jesus manifested spiritual authority when he cast out demons, healed people, silenced storms, and through resurrection power. Elijah at the battle of Jericho. The disciples at Pentecost.
So many examples tells us the same underlying principle: "those who are raised up by God will be backed up by God."
"They will decree a thing, and it will be established." Job 22:28
Christ gave the Church authority to make disciples in the Great Commission, however, we have been more successful in making converts rather than disciples.
Many are believers in Jesus, but few are true followers of Christ seeking to observe ALL that Jesus commanded. When the Church returns to teaching all that Jesus taught, our disciples will have authority to do all that Jesus did.
Oh, Father make it so.....
Spiritual authority is not something we possess just because we strive for it nor can we buy it nor does it function simply because we copy the methods of another. It cannot be attained from reading books nor can we pretend to have it. In fact, as we focus upon obeying the words of Christ, there are divinely ordained ways for Christ's authority to unfold in our lives.
Since the beginning of our walk in the Lord we have enjoyed God's unconditional love, right? However, as we mature in the Lord there comes a time when the Father's love seems conditional? Follow me on this: as it was for Christ, so it is for those who follow Him.
"For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down my life." John 10:17
Jesus lived in the deepest intimacies of the Father's love because He laid down His life for His sheep. If we will grow in true authority, we will do so by laying down our lives for His sheep, as well.
This is the path to true spiritual authority: in full possession of our souls, without fear or intimidation, we choose to lay down our lives for Christ's sheep. Yes, in full freedom, with avenues of escape in our view, we fearlessly surrender our will and in doing so we become intercessors for others. When we could easily win an argument, yet, die to ourself and turn the other cheek; when we are unjustly accused, yet quietly endure; when we are persecuted and, yet, choose to love---at those moments spiritual authority is entering our lives.
"No one has taken MY life away from Me, but I lay it down for my own initiative." John 10:18
Spiritual authority is the provision of God to transform the temporal with the power of the eternal. It is not something we can imitate or manufacture. Divine authority requires sanction and that sanction comes from PASSING THE TESTS OF LOVE!!!!!!!
WOW!
Do you see where this might be going?
God has been laying a foundation upon my heart and upon those around me in my circle of influence: it is a foundation of LOVE.
Why?
I believe it is because the lines of battle are being drawn as we speak, and God is equipping His people to overcome our enemy using LOVE and GOD-GIVEN-AUTHORITY to win people to Him.
When authority is administered without LOVE it is called control and control causes oppression and fear. The result of LOVE is freedom and the power to build up and protect God's people.
We will walk in either the true authority of LOVE, the false authority of control or no authority at all.
The latter two are rooted in fear which produces hypocrisy and complacency and which impedes our sanctification process and actually makes us more of effective for the enemy than for Christ, after all, we are either for God or against Him.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" 1 John 4:18
True authority is built upon LOVE, therefore, before one can truly move in spiritual authority, we must be delivered from fear and its desire to control and we must be rooted and grounded in LOVE.
"As wide as our sphere of love, to that extent we have spiritual authority."
OK...I get it.
"Help me Father to be a willing sacrifice for your people. I desire your authority, Lord. Give me courage to surrender in obedience every moment everyday even when I don't understand. Help me to trust you. Establish in me Your love that I might defend Your people with authority.
In Jesus' name.
Amen."

An excerpt from C. S. Lewis's "the Problem of Pain."

"The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word "Love", and on things as if man were the centre of them. Man is not the centre. God does not exist for the sake of man. Man does not exist for his own sake.
"Thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
We were made not primarily that we may love God(though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the Divine love may rest "well pleased." To ask that God's love should be content with us as we are is to ask God that He cease to be God: because He is what He is, His love must, in the nature of things, be impeded and repelled by certain stains in our present character, and because he already loves us He must labour to make us lovable."

"When Christianity says that God loves man, it means that God LOVES man: not that He has some "disinterested", because really indifferent, concern for our welfare, but that, in awful and surprising truth, we are the objects of His love. You asked for a loving God: you have one. The great spirit you so lightly invoked, the "lord of terrible aspect" is present: not a senile benevolence that drowsily wishes you to be happy in your own way......"

You gotta see this....

This should make for lively conversation......
All is can say is." They ELECTED the anti-christ."
Nice.

it's a hard knock life and....

I'm done.....

trying to wrap my brain around a certain uncomfortable situation that has not only affected me but our entire family but also has dominated my thoughts for many months now.
Every time I start to think it through to a reasonable solution and I think that I have a plan to fix it; I just get angry which, inevitably leads to bitterness, which leads to more and more angst which just, honestly leaves me spent and confused.
As Lacey and I were heading off to lands unknown for our quarterly hay-run it just hit me, or should I say the Lord hit me over the head and I just broke down...while driving...."why does life have to be so hard???" I cried.
Why Lord?
He simply said to my heart: "Let me have it, for my burden is light. This particular lesson is NOT about you or your family but I am using you to see My will done."
I cannot express how only through His inexplicable timing does peace come.
It flowed over me and through me and I feel as if I am 10 pounds lighter(if only...)!!!!!
Then the Lord asked me: "Will you love them through this?"
"Yes, Lord"
"Even if you don't understand my will?"
"Yes, Lord. Show me how."
"As I have loved you...love them."
I pray, Father, for reconcilation.
Will you make it so?????

Oh that's classic......

Lacey and I have decided to read only classic literature this year.
We went to the bookstore and picked up some gems: Great Expectations by Dickens, the Divine Comedy by Dante, War and Peace by Tolstoy, Peter Pan, Secret Garden, Jungle Book, Pride and Prejudice, and the Problem of Pain by CS Lewis which I am currently reading.
The sub-title of the book is "How human suffering raises almost intolerable intellectual problems" and I thought it could be eye-opening to hear what a Christian apologist might say about this issue of human kind enduring pain and suffering.
After all, the world seems to have a plethora of that going on and of course they are still asking the same old lame question: "why does a supposed GOOD God allow suffering?".
So why does God allow suffering?
We really ought to have a answer ready because if we live out our faith as we should be then sooner or later it will be asked.
Right?
I mean, it is one thing to counsel other believers regarding this question because we live under the providence of a Sovereign God being constantly undermined by an enemy that seeks to destroy His children, in other words, our battle is with the seen and the unseen.
But,the world, too, needs answers to that question and perhaps one day we will have the privilege of sharing our answer with someone who is lost and without the knowledge of God and his salvation plan.
Anyhoo, I will endeavor to be better prepared to answer the question to the "Problem of Pain" and share any nuggets of Truth that come my way.
Have a blessed day.

;0)

Can I share a prayer that came my way?
It is really sums up what God has been speaking to my heart:

Your People

Oh, Lord we are your people.
We do not yet begin to fathom our desperate need of You;
for indeed until we are free, we are helpless to realize the depth of our bondage.
We come before You in confession this day.
We confess to You that we have not misunderstood Your command to love one another.
We confess to a willful disobedience and to an inner slothfulness that sees a true heart change as simply too much trouble.
We confess that we have reduced Your "new commandment" to a "new consideration".
A warm and fuzzy - though highly unattainable - fairy tale.
Our hearts are held fast in the vice grip of self-centeredness.
We confess to You this day, Lord: our love is small.
Our hearts are not dwarfed by the evil one; rather by our own fists.
We have stomped our feet before You as spoiled children crying, "mine!"
We confess the sin of our preference for a privy few.
And we confess that we have not cheated others of our love nearly as much as we have cheated ourselves of the priveledge to love them.
Finally, Lord, we confess our unbelief.
We do not believe You are greater than our hearts.
Holy Father, some of us today, with fear and an inner war of selfishness raging, are willing to hold out our fists to You.
Tucked pitifully within You will find our small hearts.
If we will but choose to take the fisted hand we hide behind our back and extend it to You, You will graciously peel away each finger until we are released.
Oh come, Glorious Liberty!
Free us to love as we have been loved, for only then will we truly live.
Surround me with those so different from me.
Let me not continue on in the gripping constraint of self-centeredness.
Take my crumpled heart and inflate it until it begs to burst with the warm blood of Your Son.
I choose this day to love.
Amen.

This was written by Beth Moore and don't you suppose that she must be addressing the Church; the body of Christ?
It begs the question: if we can't love one another inside and outside our "walls", doesn't that make us a bunch of frauds?

a plug for 58 degrees...

I would like to introduce to you one of my most favorite blogs in this blog-world.
It is Kim's new blog: 58degrees.blogspot.com
And it is fabulous, thought provoking, challenging, and totally devoted to God's glory.
Well done, Kim.
No worries about "crashing your site",I have only 2 followers and you are of them.
;0)

a fresh Word.....

I love How God speaks to His children in themes....
"LOVE is the theme...LOVE is supreme....."
All we need is LOVE!!!!!!
LOVE one another.
LOVE them like Jesus.
I can't get away from it, not that I'm trying, but everywhere I turn I see people who need LOVE.
They don't need church.
They don't need fixin'.
They don't need intervention.
They simply need LOVE.
Jesus said to His disciples before He left this earth, "Love one another. This is how they will know that you are my disciples."
It truly is a recurring theme isn't it?
I think it was this last year that some of us in this blog-community received a theme for the year that was LOVE and I believe that He is simply reminding me of my commitment to LOVE His people as He has loved me.
What does that look like?
I am sure that it is different for everyone, afterall we are gifted in many ways, but for me it is as simple as "show and tell".
Show them you love them and don't forget to tell them, too.
I will.
Will you?

settling in....

We had a wonderful vacation from Oregon all the way to California and all the way back.
Really, really good times, good memories, good food(we Never eat at anything available to us at home when we are on vacation). I was very mindful that perhaps this family vacation will be the last for Lacey who will be entering into her next phase of life next year, whatever that looks like, and so it was extra sweet in that way.
Disneyland has a way of bringing out the kid in anyone and it was fun to see Lace and Vada become little girls again enchanted by the magic that is Disney.
Great memories!
As I am settling in to the summer(finally) by getting the yard back from the hostile takeover by the weeds, cleaning and organizing closets, finally getting drapes hung for the playroom, and basically getting on top of things at home that went WAY to the wayside during the outage I am feeling that my girlie relationships are needing some attention and so that is my task this week, afterall, for those of you who know me at all my motto has always been: people are more important than projects.
My people...you are so warned...i'm a comin' a callin'.
;0)

Back to normal.....

I'm baaaaccckkkkk.....
My work is done!!!!!
It was a crazy schedule working crazy hours with waaayyyyy crazy people and in the beginning I HATED it!!!!
We worked 12 hour nights for 13 days straight with one day off for 6 weeks!!!!
My feet hurt from walking 12-14 miles a night on cement floors, it was stinkin' HOT in the reactor which is where I worked and the people were FOUL!!!!!!
So, what did i do?
I was assigned to the reactor floor crew.
We were contamination control and proud of it!
We occasionally were given decon assignments in which we went into contaminated areas to decon certain things or pull "rad trash/laundry", we participated in the push/pull of the control rods, which was probably the hottest job I did, I deconned a "strong back " which was on top of the reactor, I got to see the cobalt blue glow of the control rods in the reactor as they were being moved from the spent fuel pool to the reactor.
During those assignments we had to "dress out" in full protection clothing and use our radiation worker training procedures to keep from getting "crapped up" which we all did at some point.
That part of the job was very interesting!!!!
The rest of the time....I mopped and I mopped and I mopped some more.
The reactor has 6 floors and each floor is approximately the size of Penneys and we did them twice a night plus we mopped the stairs, which was a huge ordeal because we had to move the wet floor signs and the mop bucket constantly and I would not use the elevator because i figured this was the best excersize I could get, which it was and my legs actually feel in shape and I actually lost about 15 lbs....cool!
All in all it was a very interesting experience as far as the work was concerned but in the end it was the heart connections that I made that made it all worth it.
I had so many opportunites to love on some very wounded and weary people.
God provided many times of sharing the gospel with lost co-workers.
In that sea of lost souls there were a few of us who were salt and light and I believe we made difference.
They sawthat we were real, not religious, approachable, not judging, humble, not hypocrites.
I'm not exxagerating when I say that everyday I got to share about my relationship with Jesus and about how I had peace and joy because of the gift of God's salvation.
It was incredible!!!!
Jill asked me if it was worth it and would i do it again??????
At first I thought: No way!
Now, I'd have to say that it was like a mission trip except I got paid really really well and Yes, I would definately do it again.
It was the most purposeful evangelistic mission trip I've EVER experienced.

a word before I go.....

"...been a long time....been a long time....lonely...lonely....lonely time....."
Reminds me of a song....
So, obviously I've been in a blogger-slump and have put this on the VERY back burner, however, it's not that I didn't have anything to say or I wasn't thinking about my blog sisters, NEVER!
It's just that life got really crazy-busy, which happens, right?
Well, that and I have been through a season of doubt.
I doubted God's blessing, His goodness, His provision.
And do you know that I didn't even realize it until God spoke to me and told me that I was carrying burdens that I needed to let go.
So, I am working on it.....letting go and living "light".
I hope all is well with you'all and know that I will be praying for you and thinking of you.
I'll be starting work on Monday and so I will talk talk to you gals in 6 weeks or so.
Love you all!!!!!!

I will apologize ahead of time....

"if you don't have something nice to say...don't say anything at all!"
Words to live by....
Problem with that is we live in a fallen world and we all have moments when we are NOT nice.
I can live with that.
What I can't live with is when we think we are being nice and it is totally misunderstood and the enemy runs with it and you get trashed, for what?
For caring, being nice????
This situation has happened way too many times not just to me but others whom I love and it is extrememly frustrating to try and figure it all out so that it won't happen again.
I'm all about taking personal responsibility, I am.
Was my motive pure, was I being insensitive, was it all in the timing??...how could they get it sooooo wrong?????
The ONLY thing that makes sense is that it is the enemy taking what we meant for good and turning it ugly and here's the thing: we let him do it to us!!!!
What if we hear something that doesn't quite sound right and we actually give the person the benefit of the doubt and assume the best about that person?????
What if we extended mercy to someone having a bad day instead of taking it as a personal snub??????
How about actually having a conversation with someone about a possible misunderstanding instead of jumping to conclusions?????
Proverbs says...."Come, let us reason together..."
We girls are the WORST when it comes to this!
Seriously, none of the situations I have witnessed have EVER involved men!!!!!
Satan is the one who falsely accuses the brethren.
Satan lies.
We should know better.....and have each others' backs.
Can I just say this:
If I have ever offended anyone out there, can you do one of two things for me?

1. Give me a break. Chalk it up to either YOUR bad attitude or MY bad attitude and remember: what comes around goes around, in other words..."Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
2. Tell me. (Come, let us reason together...)

Pretty simple recipe for simply living together peacably.
Any other way of handling that situation is sinful and the enemy will run you off the road and the saddest part is that you let him do it.
We need our spiritual armour to avoid the fiery darts of the enemy.
I am putting mine on right now!!!!!

"for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

this just in....

Jill: I am right there with you...major blog slump going on in our inner circle...reminds me of the DOW:

"the blog-world has suffered serious losses over the last few weeks due to a lack of posting by some of our most valuable assets in the blog-world. Sources say that the postings are down by as much as 80%!
No one seems to know what has caused this disturbing trend but some sources say that there has been a recent up-turn in domestic responsiblities which directly affects those blog-parties."
(she said in her most assertive Dan Rather voice)

But, seriously, I have lots of random thought flowing..I'll try to make some kind of sense of it all and get back to you soon.
I'll leave you with this thought:

Did you know that the leading cause of death among beavers is falling trees???

My heart is absolutely breaking over the latest bill Obama has signed into law.
He has lifted the limits that the Bush administration put on embryonic stem-cell research and in essence has put his approval on "anything-goes-no-holds-barred" science.
Go ahead...TRY TO BE GOD AND SEE WHERE THAT GETS YOU...YOU STUPID SHEEP...YOU FOLLOWERS OF SATAN!!!!!!!
Remember Babel????
YOU WILL BE SMACKED DOWN!
GOD WILL NOT BE UNDONE...
SO THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOD I pray that your judgement is swift and unkind to those that harm your "little ones".
I am weeping for this day is evil......

What do you think?

For us, the revival services have been very good, very thought provoking.
Last night I had some interesting thoughts...
Pastor Wade was telling the story of the little girl that got saved at camp and it turned that she was actually a leader in her youth group, someone that everyone trusted and went to for spiritual advice because she LOOKED the part and went through the motions of "church".
That story reminded me of something that Nevada struggles with and I want to share it because I would like your feedback, you godly women bloggers.
Nevada does not remember praying to receive Christ.
We were visiting a church before we came to RBC, she was in Sunday school when I came to pick her up after worship and the teacher told me that she prayed with Nevada for salvation!
Awesome, right?
Nevada was 5 years old and she simply does NOT remember doing it.
I have encouraged her to ask God to bring it to her remembrance, which He has NOT, for whatever reason...
She has always been afraid of giving her testimony because she doesn't remember praying for herself therefore she feels that she doesn't have a testimony.
Last night, however, the Lord spoke a word of Truth in my ear and I was able to share it with Vada this morning; the Truth being that we are to be known by our fruit and we are to be growing in a relationship with the Lord. Jesus did not go from town to town praying for people to receive Him, instead, He touched them, forgave them, then asked them to sin no more. That was it! The salvation experience did not consist of a FAITH or ABC presentation!!!!
I told Nevada that I saw fruit in her and love in her and a great desire to serve God and I believe that is the result of her salvation and THAT is a great testimony!!!!
Please pray for Nevada that she would know that she knows that she is a child of the King or, if not, that she would know that as well.
Would you?
What do you think???

Happy Birthday to Ginger....Happy Birthday to you......
My friend, how I miss you...
If you were still here I would call you and sing "Happy birthday Mr. President" just like Marilyn Monroe,
;0)
then we would go to lunch at....Stone soup cafe in Richland and have their amazing Chicken Enchilada soup and corn bread then it would be off to the garden center where we would pick out seeds for our gardens and, finally, head back and plant them in our pots.
Doesn't that sound divine????
I hope you feel loved and appreciated today by the people close to you because you deserve it!!!!!
Thinking of you on this your special day, Ginger.
Love you.
;0)

The Founders 1st Principle:

"The only reliable basis for sound government and just human relations is Natural Law."


In other words, man shares with his Creator this quality of utilizing a rational approach to solving problems, and the reasoning of the mind will generally lead to common-sense conclusions based on what Jefferson called "the laws of Nature and of Nature's God"

just a little rambling...

As you already guessed I am quite passionate about current events happening and seeing them through spiritual eyes.
I am NOT an alarmist; I am a REALIST, to be sure.
I firmly believe that we can't trust with any confidence the road ahead of us with out truly grasping the what occurred on the road behind us.
God has been interesting lately, He has given me this desire to almost be inside the heads of our Founding Fathers, to truly understand these great men of revolution who resolved to live a better life apart from from tyranny.
I will not bore you with more long ramblings except to explain why these men were "called" to such lofty ambitions.
These men were extraordinarily educated in all things secular as well as religious.
They believed that if you were gifted enough to desire an education and you were "smarter than the average joe" then you were almost obligated to go into public service because they believed that it was a gift from God.
Some of them even refused a salary for their service, namely, George Washington, because they believed that paying high salaries would bring in the "wrong sort" who would seek to gain in public office rather than to serve their fellow man for sake of it.
Did you know that some of them lost everything while in service to their country????
That's how much they believed in the great experiment in liberty known as the US of A.
In honor of and in service to getting back to basics I will post everyday one of the Founders basic principles they considered on the road to The Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and our Constitution.
Today, however, I will post this quote from Alexis de Tocqueville, a French jurist, while he visited the US in 1831:

"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."