Walking out our Faith!

Once we realize that we have been fighting the wrong fight we will begin to walk out our faith differently! The Lord has shown me so much the last month that I am still overwhelmed with it all! Ephesians 6 the chapter on the Armor of God. Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places."  The fight is not against flesh or blood! How many times when something goes a different way than we thought we get into a fight position and begin war against people? The Lord has already won the War! The battle needs to be fought in PRAYER! Yes. I had learned this with my husband when we were dating. I knew he has a great connection with the Lord and I needed to pray over him daily to make the best decisions for our family. (Yes he is the Head of the House! That is another topic for another day.) I began to see the Lord work in him. I didn't nag him or tell him what I think he should or should not do! I prayed. LOL Yes it is very freeing to pray and let go, and let God handle it. No it was not easy at first, but as I continued to trust God first and saw Him move in my husband. I knew what the Lord would want us to do, and I would see Jason come to the same decision as well. Not by me making him. Well in other areas of my life I still felt that I was the one in control. Boy was I wrong! Jason and I have had many battles that together we have fought. We are now living in the same house! Thank you JESUS!! The enemy is still attacking though. Once we moved I lost my insurance which is a long story! I am now 7 months pregnant. Beginning Jan 1st I was in a panic, and whirl wind. What is our first reaction when things go wrong? To fight! To go and scream and run around the town. Seriously how many times have we thought we were fighting the right way? Going through all the things I should try to make it turn out the way I want it. If I had gone to prayer first I might of saved myself some stress! When we truly walk out our faith we know that we do not need to do the heavy lifting.

Thoughts for this season in my life.

We often ask God to open and close doors for making decisions, and figuring out which path we should take. I have heard many say the Lord will close that door if it is not His will, or He will open it if it is His will. In my recent experience of God closing or opening doors I have come across a few thoughts. When we pray Lord close this door if it is your will, are we really being truthful. How many times have we prayed this and still gone through a closed door? When we get to a place of living in the hallway because all the doors we see are closed are we going to wait until He opens one or walk through one we know should be closed. Really trusting in the Lord is more than just saying it, it is an physical act. I am reminded of Jesus and the rich man, Jesus so wanted the rich man to go with him and follow him...

Mark 10:21-23 "Looking at him, Jesus felt a love (high regard, compassion) for him, and He said to him, “You lack one thing: go and sell all your property and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].” But the man was saddened at Jesus’ words, and he left grieving, because he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God]."

I have heard many times that people would give up what they have for the sake of Christ.

I feel as if we are stuck in a hallway of closed doors... there are a few that have a screen door but it's locked. So I can smell and see what potential that door has for us, but it is not completely ours until the door is fully opened. Where is hope when everything seems closed off to you? It is not in your control you have done everything that you could, and at this point you have to let it go. It is a wondering, searching, seeking, and walking every step in trust with Jesus! How many people can really say they do this? No savings, IRA, stocks bonds.. house, and investments to bank on. A place where you live one day at a time literally. Have you been there? When the Lord says He will take care of the food we eat and the cloths we have and not worry about tomorrow, are we trusting Him. The rich man did not trust, and could not imagine his life without the material safety nets he had in place. It is not a easy road, but one that is less traveled and well worth it! In our journey we have nothing no plans for the future and no material object to count on. We have the Word, and His promises! He has a plan for us, not to harm us... Jeremiah 29:11.

In my current season we are believing and trusting for everything, from where we live to health. At the moment it feels like we live in the hallway, with every door closed to us. We are unsure of the future and where we will go. But we trust Him!

I am Back!

It has been awhile since I last posted... I have been crazy busy and ready to get back to blogging!! :)

You are beautiful the way you are!

I may not be a size 1, and have the perfect face and act the way you expect, I have tattoos, piercings, and my own style when it comes to fashion. All that makes me uniquely ME, I am a Child of God, who is fearfully and wonderfully made! Confidence in ourselves without boasting is a trait we need to teach are daughters, and young woman friends. Society’s standards are just ridiculous!! WE are beautiful woman, and let’s encourage each other!  I am so tired of young girls saying they don’t think they are pretty enough, or skinny enough, or if they looked a certain way they would look better! Stop playing the comparison game and enjoy yourself and who you are!

Can my Christ Followers please stand up?

I have a question... is there a different in a Christian and Christ follower? I would believe so. In our society the word Christian is thrown around and taken for granted. In the early 1st and 2nd centuries people who believed in Christ that He died and was raised, and that followed Him were called Christians. This name was because of what they did and how they acted; by their love they were known as Christians. It is very interesting lately that Kirk Cameron is being attacked by many for his comments, and mostly by... Christians.

"If it makes you happy..." Is our new motto for American society? It doesn't matter under what pretense of said happiness, but that we should go out and obtain it at any cost.

If a person believes that Freedom of Speech should be equal, but when it affects that said person in a personal way than it is no longer freedom of speech? I have seen TOO many posts and comments against Kirk Cameron that I am tired of it. He spoke in a respectful manner, without being judgmental. But now he can't speak because it offends people? Yet there are so many people out there speaking that are being offensive and yet are not being told to keep their opinion to themselves... why is that? I am tired of this double standard; Christians are not allowed to speak in a public venue, carry their Bible's and are made fun of and harassed. If it was like that for any other religion it would NOT be tolerated. So I wonder why... Kirk did not condemn anyone, but people felt condemned... maybe because that is what the TRUTH of God's word does when we are in a situation that would should not be in.

What happened to Morals? To Values? To speaking the truth in Love? Christ came to save us, to set us free from our sin and bondage, and also to speak the truth. The absolute truth that is a non-negotiable. Why are so many people living for their selfish desires just because it makes them happy? Because they believe the LIE'S of this world! Happiness is only an emotion! That is fleeting, and not lasting.

If it makes you happy; lie to your employer, steal your neighbor's spouse, cheat on your spouse, and take advantage of a friend or opportunity. Why not? It will make you happy! This American society is selfish, and only wants to take and keep taking!

Christ followers and Pastor's need to take a stand. There are too many Churches that are looking the other way when things go down. IT IS NOT OK! Why would it ever be? When we are commanded to correct our brother in love, we are accused of being judgmental. The Christian religion as a whole is being portrayed in a bad light by the media! I am tired of it! I am tired of Christians being signaled out, and made fun of as a joke; Jesus is not a joke to me Saturday Night Live! The reporters, the talk show people, the T.V. shows. Think for a minute about this, is there any other religion that is being portrayed in all these areas... Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, or Islam? Not to really count there are many and I mean many religious beliefs out there! But any of them in the spotlight as much as Christians? I think not, the first time we see a SNL show making fun of Buddha there will be an outcry to freedom of Religion, even people who aren't Buddhist will stand up for them.

Jesus was mocked on SNL and it was no big deal. People who proclaim to be Christians were not offended and or looked the other way. It was no big deal. Right? Wrong! It was to me and others that feel as deeply as I do about Christ.

It's so bad that a national Holiday that had been in place for hmmmm let's just say a long time name has to be changed because it offends people? I am sorry, but WHO is offended by Christmas?? I couldn't believe it, yet another thing to add to the list.

Christians are being segregated, casted as judgmental people, who no one wants to be around. WE are offensive, and you think is wrong in speaking truth, or even what we believe. So we will be shut up, told to keep our opinion's to ourselves and in the end we will be persecuted! Many things will be said against us, but not because of us! The word of truth is living, Christ is living! There is power in the name of JESUS. It is because He came that we will be persecuted!! No wonder why Christian are getting all the attention! I am amazed that so many people don't see this as amazing! The true faith is the one that gets all the flack, defiantly what the Bible predicted!!!

I am a CHRIST follower, who will take up my cross daily, and will speak truth in love! I will not stand back and watch, I will not allow my Christ to be mocked in my presence!! I will cling to the word of God and speak it! I will freely give my life for Him who gave me life! I will not condemn for that is God's job alone. I will treasure the morals and values God has taught me through His living Word and Holy Spirit that was imparted to me when Christ died and was raised. I will share my faith loving to all who want to hear. I will speak against sin and what is wrong according to the Word. I will not sit idly anymore and just watch as things go on around me! Enough is enough!!! Will you take this stand with me?

What's the big rush for?

Rush, rush rush... seems that is all we do! Rush to school to drop off the kids, rush to work, rush to practice for this and that, rush to mall, rush to grocery store, rush to get home, and rush to church. Are we just rushing through our lives? Rush to get baby off formula, rush for no more diapers, rush for walking... it just seems to go on and on!! I was caught in this BIG AMERICAN rush two years ago and than I lost my job and my entire life changed. I have more time to concentrate on the more important things and spend time with my kids. I am not in such a rush to get anywhere, and I laugh at the people who drive crazy just to hurry and get some where. Than it hits me, am I rushing God? I want it and I want it now is our motto for society. Do I rush my relationship and time with God? Rush to church only to rush it so I can get home? Life should be simple and with not much complications. WE make it difficult and cause all our own drama! It is hard to have to work all day, take care of kids, study and take care of a house hold, I know cuz that's what I was doing as a single parent! Taking time out to enjoy your children just as they are, not overfilling your plate with too many activities and commitments, and having time set aside daily for God will improve your need to rush around! Get off the computer and connect with someone in person you haven't seen for awhile and catch up!! Don't get caught in the mundane rush of life, but enjoy the simplicity of what God created it to be! It can be simple if you choose to make it that way. Don't rush through you life or you will be looking back saying that went way too fast! Really we are rushing to nothing, looking over your life has much changed? What's sad is that there is no change, no growth, and all the time wasted to rush around could have been used for something else. So today I challenge you take a moment or two and look around, start praying and reading your Bible every day. NO more excuses! If you have a smart phone which most people do, add a Bible app and there you go...  God want's us to SLOW down and enjoy this Life He has given us!! Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. "

What makes you Happy?

This world can get us down, and discouraged. There are so many things that we see and hear daily that can be not only disappointing but discouraging. Our ideals are and should not be wrapped around the worlds standards. As we prepare for Christmas people get caught up in the gift's, sales, and running around crazy to get a lot done. The world tells us we will be more happier when we have more things, and look a certain way. The standards are set to something that is unattainable! The more and more we get will not make us happier! And being super model thin will not make all woman happy. What is the underlining issue of why we are not happy? Most don't know and live out their lives trying to find happiness. It is so easy to get drawn or sucked into what the world is doing. As believers we have Joy from God, a inner joy that the Holy Spirit gives us daily! All we need to do is look to the Lord and he will provide it to us! This is a season of celebration of the birth of Christ! When we get sucked into the worldly thinking and doing we excuse it because it is not a heaven or hell issue, or a salvation issue. Is are relationship with God more important than just a salvation issue? Can we truly be happy when we live for ourselves as long as we still maintain our salvation? I believe not! Only true happiness comes from pure obedience! Mary herself had a choice when the angel appeared to her!! Luke 1:38 " “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. And when we are obedient to God he will be there to help you! He doesn't just command us to obedience without helping us!! The Lord is with you; Do not be afraid; and Nothing is imposable with God! There is proof after proof that God will be with us! So take this to heart and really think about what makes you happy! Ask yourself why it is that this thing or person makes you happy, and search out God and his Joy that is everlasting and fulfilling!!