We Need to Right What's Wrong

Hi there, my friends!  I know, I'm not a consistent blogger.  I have been working for many years to change that, but I am finding that maybe this is just not my thing.  But I really wanted it to be at one time!  I still enjoy leaving some thoughts for others to consider - I just want to do it on a more regular basis.  Anyway, here is what is on my mind just now.

I am horrified at the rise of violence in our nation.  The United States of America is under attack not from without, but from within.  People born and raised in this country are setting themselves up as executioners of others because of fear, hatred, bigotry, and misinformation.  It is appalling.  

Instead of celebrating one another, embracing our differences, and learning from each other, certain groups are spreading incendiary rhetoric that turns impressionable young people into murderers.  The sad part is, someone, somewhere, is happy about this.

All over our country, violence is on the rise.  Not just the domestic terrorism variety either.  Domestic violence, road rage, fights followed by gunfire - everywhere you turn, it happens.  Murder-suicides, people killing their own children - it is everywhere.

Maybe it has always been this way and we just didn't know it.  Maybe having 24/7 news reporting and global access to information by way of the internet has brought it all home to us.  Maybe I am the only one who didn't see all of this.  What can I say?  Maybe as I grow older, I grow more sensitive to the pain I sense all around me.  I pray to the Lord for clarity, for wisdom, for direction.  What can be done to turn the tide of violence?

I believe that God is the only answer.  One day, he will answer it all, executing justice and righteousness to the perpetrators of unwarranted violence.  I see that it is nothing new; violence dates all the way back to Genesis:

[Gen 6:11 KJV] 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Just knowing that makes it a little easier to deal with.  I will have more on this later.  In the meantime, I ask you all to pray for both the victims and the perpetrators of violence.  Something is terribly wrong, and many lives will be forever changed by someone's foolish decision.  The only way to make things right is through the work of faith and the power of God.  We must pray, but we must act as well.  

Pray for me, that I will be of good courage, knowing that the Lord has overcome the world.  I am praying for all of that and for you!  I pray that hearts will turn back to the true and living God through the Lord Jesus Christ and see him through the eyes of the Bible and the wisdom of the Spirit, not just man's opinions and ideas.  I pray that our hearts be filled with love instead of shriveled up by hate.

Stop the violence!

Random or Ranting?

I was trying to decide what I wanted to write about, but I decided that what is in my heart will be enough. I am praying for many that have expressed a need. I am also standing, as they say, in the need of prayer. So many thoughts race through my mind that I wonder if any of them are worth sharing. However, even the most random posts hit home with someone at some point. I am spending less time online now. Much of what I see is depressing to me. Especially when it comes to the increase in people "speaking up" against Christianity. I am a Christian. I will not stop saying that so that I can be popular or go viral. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that He died on the cross for my sins. I am grateful that someone took the time to tell me. I am so grateful that God loves me and that His plan for my life has superseded mine. 

I cannot ever say that there have not been challenges. There have been times when I wanted to completely give up on life. However, I have always had something that told me not to give up. I do know now that God was with me even in my darkest days, giving me strength and hope. Everything that I have learned about God teaches me that even when I was in my sin, He loved me. what is so great about Him is that He loved me first. He wasn't like most people we know. He didn't force us to earn His love by sacrificing ourselves. We don't have to constantly prove our worthiness; in fact, even in our unworthy state He will accept us if we will simply humble ourselves. 

I think that is the hardest part for most of us. We don't like the concept of humility. We don't want to bow down; we want to be the center of the universe, not bow to the Creator of the universe. What's up with that? Where did we get that from? Well, I just want to be honest - that attitude is not of God. It troubles my heart at times to realize that humility is fading away and pride is taking center stage. We can see it on the news. Everybody is mad at somebody else for some small thing. Why? Because whatever they did does not revolve around me! We are constantly trying to make sure people know who we are. We all want to be important, honored, respected, loved. And there is nothing wrong with desiring to be important, honored, respected, and loved, if we understand that others are looking for the same thing. 

Let us learn to treat each other with love and respect. Let us learn to walk in unity. Why can't we agree on something? Why can't we disagree without becoming disagreeable? Why is my way the only way, or your way the only way? I know that this blog post is not going to answer all of those questions, but I would like you to think about them. All of us have the opportunity to do better. The only perfect, sinless person was Jesus Christ our Lord. It is our privilege to try to follow His example as closely as we can. We will not always get it right, but we can try. Try to love others as we love ourselves. Try to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Try to walk in a way that is respectful of others. We can put our best efforts into being better human beings. 

 You can do it. I know you can. I can do it. I know I can. 

 Is this random, or have I been ranting? You decide; I can't.

I Feel Like Pressing My Way

Hello, blog fans! I have been gone for a minute, but I am back. My heart is telling me it is time to exercise my mind and hands and get to writing something. I think I will get back to the inspiration writing I have been doing, and give you some information that you might find interesting. I was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and I have been undergoing various treatments in an attempt to slow the progression of the disease. In the meantime, I have been working hard to keep up the pace of my job and ministry. I'm glad to report that Eternal Word Fellowship Church is doing well. The leaders are doing a great job of keeping us together. And they have been preaching so powerfully! I am so proud of them all. So anyway, I bless the Lord for the progress that has been made. I also thank Him for peace of mind. I tell you there is nothing better than a life lived in peace. I hope that all of your days are filled with love and laughter. I will blog about something important pretty soon, I promise. Today I just wanted to do a little musing. No matter what you are going through, I hope that something down inside of you tells you to keep moving forward. I think I should be asleep, but there was something that needed to be said. I am encouraged, and I feel like going on. I feel like pressing my way. Sometimes the way is hard, and we have to face challenges that we simply do not understand. But I want you to trust God. I want to encourage you to believe that all things are working for your good (Romans 8:28). I want you to believe that God has good plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Press your way. Press and pray. You can do it! And I will be pushing right along with you.

Dear Woman of God

The Lord asked me to say a few things to you today, June 1, 2017. I thought maybe He was speaking directly to me (I needed to hear this). But as I went about my day, avoiding what I thought He told me to do (which I know you never do), I was more convinced than ever that this message was not just for me. It is, indeed, for you.

Dear Woman of God,

You are beautiful and anointed. You are special and powerful. You were chosen for this moment, and born for this hour. The Lord has need of you. He wants you to step forward, step further, and be convinced that it is He calling you to do so. Woman of God, you do not need to be approved or validated by any other; the Lord has approved you. You do not need to wait to get ready. You are ready!

There are some areas in your life that need correcting, tweaking. Yes, this is true. I say this not to condemn you, but to encourage you. The Lord is coming to work on your behalf! He is going to perfect those things that concern you. He is not going to neglect the Words that have been spoken over your life. However, you must begin to move in the direction of your promise.

Your tears may seem to have been cried in private, but He has seen them all. They are kept in some of the most beautiful jars in His collection. Your prayers have been heard. You are not alone. You are a jewel in the Lord’s crown, and there are many of you. Learn to celebrate the others because you reap what you sow. Learn to celebrate yourself – the chosen Woman of God!

Dear Woman of God, you are just that – dear. The Lord holds you close to His heart. He knows that your emotions are all over the place; He created you to be an emotional creature. But His desire is that you allow His Spirit to rule over your emotions, especially now. There are things you will be called to that you have not done before. Some will try to move you from the path that He has chosen for you; do not allow it! Do not allow how you feel to determine how you work your faith.

You are not in obscurity – the Lord sees you! He has hidden you from what would corrupt you if released to soon. You are not behind time! You are right where you are supposed to be. You are not too late! You have walked into a season of divine appointment. Be your best self and allow the Lord to lead you to your next divine assignment.

Dear Woman of God, encourage yourself! This is more than a mantra; it is a mandate! You must know that you know. Know who you are. Know Who you belong to. Know your strengths. Know your weaknesses, but do not magnify them. Magnify the Lord! Glorify your King! Your day is coming, and your day is here!

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: [are they] not in thy book? (Psalm 56:8 KJV)
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (Malachi 3:17 KJV)
The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psalm 138:8 KJV)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:29-31 KJV)

What Easter Means to Me

Many years ago, I had to give a speech in Sunday School by this title. At that time, I did not know a lot about Easter, but I knew that it was a celebration of life. We used to sing about life - He rose from the dead! We were excited about Christ and all of the events surrounding the resurrection. It meant everything that the Blood had signed our names.

Of course, as kids we were also excited about candy and about dressing up in new clothes. The smaller we were, it seemed the bigger the Easter basket. My mom made Easter baskets for us until we were well into our teens.

When I was really small, I remember sitting in the kitchen, getting my hair pressed on the day before Easter. The importance of putting our best foot forward for the Lord was impressed upon us from our earliest days.

Now people have a very casual approach to God and to His presence. We come before him any way we please - and get mad if we feel He does not accept it. But back to Easter.

I am so glad that I understand the power of the Resurrection. Christ conquered death, hell, and the grave! He told His disciples that they would live because He lived (John 14:19). That promise extends all the way to us! Not only that, He promised to come back and receive his followers to Himself (John 14:2-3). The Blood did indeed sign our names - they are written in the Lamb's book of Life and will not be blotted out.

Every Easter is a reminder of the victory and the promises. I can sing with jubilation, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!" Whatever tomorrow brings, I know Jesus has it under control. He has conquered everything, even death - the great equalizer. What can conquer us when we are more than conquerors? Not a thing.

Gladly I will present my best for him on Resurrection Sunday - not to be the finest lady in the Easter Parade, but to represent the One who gave his very best for me. His life, laid down, and then taken up again. He rose, He rose, He rose from the dead!