The Power of Jesus' Name by Joyce Meyer

I was needing to hear from God yesterday, so I locked myself in my room and opened my Bible. I started with a verse I had been looking at in the past few weeks and it drew me into other areas of my Bible. I then came across one of my exerts in the Bible and read the story. This is what it said:

The Power of Jesus' Name

I want to share a story with you about the power of Jesus' name (see Acts 2:21). A person I know was driving through an intersection one day and his little three- or four-year-old son was in the car with him. He did not realize that the car door on the passenger side was not secured tightly, and he made a sharp turn. This happened before seat-belt laws were passed, and the child was not wearing one. The car door flew open, and the little boy rolled out of the vehicle right into the middle of traffic coming from four ways! The last thing my friend saw was a set of car wheels about to roll over his son. This car was moving at a very fast rate of speed. All my friend knew to do as cry, "JESUS!"

As soon as he could bring his car to a halt, he jumped out and ran to his son, who was perfectly alright. But the man driving the car that almost hit the child was absolutely hysterical. My friend went over to him and started trying to comfort him.

"Man, don't be upset!" he said. "My son is alright. He's okay. Don't be concerned about it. Just thank God you were able to stop!"

"You don't understand!" the man responded. "I never touched my brakes!"

This was a crisis situation. There was no time for anyone to do anything, no time to think,plan, or reason. Although there was nothing either man could do, the name of Jesus prevailed. Miracle-working power came on the scene, and the boy's life was spared.

I believe we need more confidence in the name of Jesus and less confidence in ourselves or anyone else to solve our problem.

There is power in the name of Jesus!!!!

Kat Again: This is what I really needed to hear where I was. We have some huge challenges to face and I remember in 2009 through early 2011 saying that I needed God to use my life in ways that people would have no choice but to see that it was him. The challenges we face now are in need of some absolute miracles, but I know that as long as I call on the name of Jesus...I'm covered.

God is waiting for us to call on the name of his son. Jesus is our connection between our humanity and God's divinity. None of our challenges are bigger than God and none of them can out do what Jesus' name is equipped to handle.

Opinion vs. Counsel

Proverbs 19:20-21 (NIV)

²⁰ Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

I wasn't sure what verse I was going to use to start this off, but I came across Prov 19:20-21 and felt it hit my point right on the nose. After my conversation with my parenting group last night and my blog writing this morning, God sent me on a deeper mission. He sent me searching for the difference between receiving someone's counsel and someone's opinion. Boy, oh boy! There is a huge difference in the two.

Webster's definition of Opinion:

a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter

2

a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b : a generally held view

Webster's Definition on Counsel:

a : advice given especially as a result of consultation b : a policy or plan of action or behavior

b : guarded thoughts or intentions

I then searched out Advise:

a : to give (someone) a recommendation about what should be done : to give advice to

2

: to give information or notice to

Which then led me to seek out the definition of Information:

: the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence

2
a (1) : knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction

Do you see the difference in receiving or giving advice versus opinion. Opinions are based off of a general view. To counsel is to give advice and advice is based off of information and knowledge. God did not instruct us to seek out people's opinions. His word says to "listen to advice" no where does it instruct us to go after the general opinions of others. We need to give and receive counsel that is based off of the guarded thoughts (Provs 4:23 addresses that) and knowledge of another and most importantly, we need to be sure it lines up with God's word. There is no question that wise counsel should line up with God's word.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Even Webster tells us that an opinion lacks knowledge and counsel is based from information. Anything that is presented to you or that you present to another needs to be given the litmus test of those two definitions and most importantly God's word. If it doesn't pass as counsel, leave it at the door.

What Saith the Scripture?

Romans 4:3 (KJV)

³For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

My husband and I tend to make some pretty "radical" decisions in regards to our family. We often don't parent like most. We tend to feel led to make the types of decisions that others shy away from. And our way of life tends to make waves (especially when we are following God's instructions).
Recently we felt led to make some very big, very life changing decisions and it came with a truck load of opinions. Almost everyone we know had one (some good and some bad), but a very select few were able to point there opinions back to scripture. We really only had about 4 out of an upwards number of 50 opinions come back and say, "well this is what God's Word says about what you are doing"
I had to come to the realization that many of the opinions formed were based neither off of facts or scripture, but ideas of what others felt they were incapable of handling, and because they didn't feel equipped to handle a call like ours, in their minds we automatically became incapable as well. God doesn't call everyone to do everything. And, we know for sure that our God led decisions are ones that we even feel ill-prepared to walk out, but God never called us to do anything in our flesh. There we some that felt strongly optimistic, but they again were confident in our ability not God's.
It's difficult not to take people's opinions personally and especially not to let them become your own, but one thing we all need to remember in any decision is "What saith the Scripture?" No opinion matters, even if it is your own and even if it is meant with good intentions, if it doesn't line up with the word of God. There is not one huge decision that we've made in the last 10-12 months that hasn't lined up with the Word of God, but they haven't necessarily lined up with personal opinion and ideas of society as a whole.

Psalm 1:1-6 (NIV)

¹ Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

One thing we can say about the crazy decisions we make is that they work out for us. When we do what God says, our decisions have prospered. Ultimately, I want to be mindful that from here on out when I give an opinion on someone's life, I can back up what I have to say. Because my opinion doesn't matter if it doesn't line up with God. More importantly I like the way a friend of mine put it. "I'd value your opinion more if you gave it less."

Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 (NKJV)

² Do not be rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few.
³ For a dream comes through much activity,
And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.

We all need to remember that more often than not, having an opinion does not automatically equal the right to express it. Just because something wouldn't work for you, doesn't mean it can't work. Don't have a fool's voice. God is dealing with them on the same level as you. Sometimes counsel is needed. Sometimes we need to give it when it isn't asked for. Sometimes we need to not give it, even if it is asked for. But be sure that it is counsel that you are giving when you do and not just opinion.

Days 5 of 31 Days to Clean

Today's challenge would have been easy if I had windows in my kitchen, but I don't....so I opted to finally fold some over due laundry instead. Needless to say, 4 hours and about 6 baskets later, I wish I would have had a window or two to wash. That would have taken way less time. :D However, I am glad to finally be getting caught up on the laundry that has fallen by the wayside from countless weekends of business and weekdays trying to recover from the weekends.

My room which once looked like it was a war zone, was really just full of laundry baskets. That was the majority of what was overtaking my room. (In my defense, we did need a new dresser and to purchase more hangers. 2 tasks which I accomplished this week).

The other challenge was to prioritize my life. What were the 6 most important things in my life and how did I plan to attend to those things. I did come up with my 6, but I think I want to rearrange the order they are currently in. I think I may want to take an extra step as well and make a printout of them to hang on my fridge. It's one thing to write them down in a notebook, but I can actually work towards my goals if I can see them in plain view.

Tomorrow is a new day and it's the one I've actually been waiting for. I was excited when reading ahead about what day 6 will bring. I can't wait to write tomorrow once I finish my tasks.

Romancing your Children

Okay, I promised that as soon as I got something good I would post an actual bloggy blog and not just a tracker of my 31 Days progress. Well, here it is...
My friend Dionne and I were talking last night, and I've had this discussion with others in the past. We as parents need to "date" our children. We need to model true romance, before they become interested in it. We don't just put them on bikes and expect them to know how to ride. We don't put them behind the wheel of a car and just say "hey, have at it!" We don't just send them outside and have them cross the street. We practice those things with them. So why do we leave dating up to chance? The reality is that most of our parents did it that way, and most of theirs possibly did too. But, the generations get equally wiser (with technology) and dumber (with common sense) all at the same time, which means parents have to become more diligent in their work, not be passive.
I want to spend time taking my son out, teaching him how to open doors (which he already does), and pull out chairs. I want him to understand the things a woman SHOULD expect when she is giving him the pleasure of her time. And what things he should NOT expect in return for that time. But I also want him to have expectations from her as well as far as her conduct and behavior. These things do not just happen to fall into the knowledge of most children. They have to be planted and watered.
My daughters need to spend time with daddy having conversation that exercises their brains, having their chairs pulled out, their doors being opened, their hands being held with no expectation of more to come. They need to spend time with mommy learning how to dress for a date and how to be cute, classy, and lady-like.
All of my children need to know how to ask questions that define a person's character and morals. What kind of contact is appropriate in public, and definitely what is NOT OKAY in private, most of all what kind of expectations their parents have for them when we are trusting them to leave our tutelage and engage freely with the world.
Yes, my children are only 8, 4, and 3, but my preference is to set the standard now, so that when the time comes they won't be willing to settle for just anything. There needs to be a foundation laid so that their definition of dating isn't developed by what they see around them.
I don't want my daughters to chase a ring. I want the men to be beating down their door to fight for the place of honor with my daughters. I want my future daughter-in-law to count it a high honor to be with a man that treats her the way he does and she knows that she is set apart from other women. My future in-laws will know that my children were bred and molded with an expectation to be intentional in their mate choice and that they were given to my children as a gift from God, with mom and dad's blessing all over it.
Today's youth have become a bit reckless and ruthless in the dating arena and it is up to us as parents to change that pattern for our own homes. Just because it is that way for most, doesn't mean our children are damned to that verdict. Will doing these things guarantee a certain outcome...absolutely not, but it increases the chances of improving the situation GREATLY.
I want my children to be the difference, but I have to be a different parent to encourage that in them. All friends and prospective dates will be subject to an interview and if you don't pass, it's a no go. We have to make intentional choices now as parents so my kids will desire to be intentional later. My chance to make an impact is limited, so I have to strike while the iron is hot.
I pray that all of you take time to decide what it is you want for the future of your children and then begin to implement those things into their life now. Don't wait, because it could become too late. Romance them now, so that when someone else is trying to romance them later, they will have a standard to measure from.
I know I use this verse a lot, but it applies to so many things:

Proverbs 22:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Don't let society set their standards for dating. Show them you care enough to train them in that area and to be actively be involved when the time comes. I don't want just anyone being good enough for my kids. And, I want them to say "If my mom/dad can do that for/with me, then I expect at least that if not better from you."

Days 4 of 31 Days to Clean

Well I made it through Day 4 without a scratch. I honestly didn't complete the Mary challenge, but that was more of an I don't like doing things last minute type of thing. I have to prepare myself mentally for company, but that's because I tend to be a lone ranger type of girl.
The Martha challenge called for me to clean my oven out and also my microwave. I honestly dreaded doing the oven all night, but it was easy peasy!!! I turned the self-clean function on and me and my baby girl took a nap. Before that I just put a bowl of lemon water in the microwave for a few minutes to remove the gunk that was built up and I wiped it clean with a rag. I was finished in less than 5 minutes from start to finish. To be fair, my microwave was relatively clean, but I've got good information that even a microwave overloaded with splatter can be cleaned easily once some lemon and steamy water come into play.
I'm ready to end my night by doing my prep reading for Day 5 and I am going to see how I can put my Day 4 Mary Challenge on the calendar for either this weekend or early next week. I'm going to make every effort to complete every challenge in the book within the 31 days, because I want to reap all of the benefits.
For now, I am happy that with a little effort everyday, my kitchen is looking better than it has in a while. Even when I've worked hard at keeping my domain clean, I often neglect the daunting tasks like cleaning the oven and wiping down the tops of my cabinets. Now I just walk through my kitchen and smile.
In a few weeks I am going to see how to revamp my commission system with the kids to benefit me on a regular basis. They love it and I do too, but I think I need to have a regular paycard in place for them to just check off every week. :D

Days 2 and 3 of 31 Days to Clean

Yesterday was a bit of a jam packed day, so when I finally got a chance to sit and rest I did exactly that. Once I laid in the bed there was no getting back up to blog. Sorry y'all. lol

My Mary challenge called for me to come up with a way to give life in my home. It's funny, because my church has been on a mission to give life to people daily and I have found a number of ways to do that. I even encourage my children to make it a point to give life throughout their day, but when it came to my home I was stumped. I really was dumbfounded about the entire ordeal, so I asked my family for some suggestions about ways they would like to receive life. (Which turned out to be the assignment for day 3)

It hit me this morning as I went back over Day 2 that one thing I could do for my home is to FINALLY put up the Life Verses that I went to the trouble of picking individually, finding pictures to go with them, printing them, and framing them...only to leave them on top of my computer hutch because I was now waiting for the perfect day to hang them. I'm serious, for some reason the time just wasn't right...no clue what I was actually waiting for. But I got up this morning and did exactly that and it's funny how just putting up those little frames around my house really did give it life!!!

The other part of Day 2's challenge was to clean out the fridge and freezer. Freezer ,not bad at all...fridge was relatively decent. I was able to identify almost everything that needed to be cleaned from the fridge, accept the obscure furry greeness at the bottom of the cheese drawer. I can't begin to guess and I am pretty sure I don't want to.

For Day 3 I had to be a bit more daring. I am pretty short, so a step stool was not sufficient enough to battle the tops of my fridge and cabinets. That was a seamless task. I did however have a "DUH" moment when I needed to move all the medicines from the top of the fridge to wipe it down, and then realized that I could simplify the mess by putting them all in a container. They all fit perfectly and can still be conveniently accessed at the top of the fridge for the ones that are in daily use. But the mess is not out there screaming for all to see when they enter my kitchen.
It did also give me the opportunity to observe the things that I am more diligent in, like wiping down the cabinet doors. There wasn't anything thing on them that created shock and awe. It was just normal finger prints of the little hands that are constantly attempting to hunt and gather from my kitchen.

Like I said before I inadvertently completed my Mary challenge last night, but I am glad to know what little things I can do to make sure I give life to each of my kids. My husband and I had already begun doing something on a regular basis for one another, so that helps keep life in our marriage. I created little hint boxes (I love the Dating Divas), and so now we can put in our own ideas of what we would like and the other is free to choose what to do. It's a best of both worlds idea. We don't have to get frustrated about our ideas of nice being different. Each one of us has written specifically what we want. The other person just has to execute it. The items don't always have to be things, I know for me there are some acts of service in the box. The best way to show me that you love me or care for me is to 1)give me time to myself and 2)lighten my load as a Chief Home Executive.
I'm excited to see what Day 4 is going to bring. Doing this challenge has helped me focus on my physical and spiritual house, without becoming completely overwhelmed. I try to get other things done throughout the day too, but if I don't I find no need to fret about it. I accomplished my goal for today and burning myself out trying to be "patty perfect" is what gets me to the point where my home consumes me. So I am okay with taking this thing one day at a time. :D

Day 1 of 31 Days to Clean

I got up this morning, pumped and ready to go in my 31 Days to Clean challenge. I read the chapter and completed both the Mary and Martha tasks. I even took an extra step and took pictures of each room, which I had hoped to post, but I just don't think I am ready to be THAT transparent with the world.
I wrote in one of my groups today how shocked I was with myself that I can be transparent about so many transgressions in my past, but opening up a world view to my home has put me in a state of paralysis. I am so uncomfortable with opening up that part of myself and maybe it's because I don't feel I have overcome it the way I have other challenges in my life. As God works on my insecurities in this area, I promise I will post pictures, because there is someone out there who needs to see that CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome *fly lady*) is as much of a spiritual battle as it is physical.
I thought out the vision for my home and completed it with a few verses from Proverbs 31. The Virtuous Woman has always been a biblical mentor of mine and I felt it was very fitting for her to take this journey with me. In setting the vision for my home I was able to establish why I want to change things and how it will overall affect my ministry.
I'm ready to get the ball rolling tomorrow. There are a few things I need to pick up from the store to make this journey as successful as possible, but for the most part I am ready to go and face both my Mary and my Martha head on.

Cleaning House Spiritually and Physically

I know I've been hit or miss with this thing. I wanted to post last week, but I couldn't get my topic together mentally and then the week seemed to slip away from me, but I now have a challenge that I am starting with a friend in the morning and I think I would like to spend time blogging about my process.
Here is the back story: This past week I was feeling defeated about my house not being in the pristine condition I felt it should be in. I mean come on...I'm a stay at home mom, with 3 kids, a husband, and a social calendar that has gotten increasingly active over the past few months, but in my head it made NO SENSE that my house was not in perfect condition. There are times when it is what I like to call "company ready" but more often than not, my company doesn't like to show up with it is actually in that condition. (FYI: unexpected visitors is at the top of my list of things I absolutely loathe)
It's been bad enough at times, that I won't even call maintenance to fix something until I have had a a few days to get the house in presentable order, because I dare not let my maintenance people come in my home and think I am less than a decent homemaker. (there is a bit of sarcasm dripping in my voice just so you know.)
But in all seriousness, it began to take its toll on me, which it does from time to time and I really began to take it personally on a spiritual level. I prayed that God would help me in the area, because I felt like my home was a reflection of my life and my spirit...it could be presentable, but more often than not, it was a mess being protected by my ability to close people out of its walls. I felt very defeated and I just wanted God to show me how to not only overcome the feeling, but solve the issue.
Fast forward to my long awaited Girls' Night with a group of friends...once we got to really talking and giggling, the gloves came off and we got real and deep. We all divulged some part of our lives that showed our "mess", but it was so freeing to hear that other people felt less than perfect. One friend in particular happened to share with me an e-book she came across called 31 Days to Clean: A Martha House the Mary Way. www.amazon.com/dp/B004W3UK4M/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=13867154739&ref=pd_sl_2jdxvxcsl2_e She showed it to me because of the fact that I have been an advocate for being a life-giving Christian and there was a section on how we need to be life-givers. Little did she know that by handing me her cell phone to look at that book, she was answering a prayer for me that was eating me up on the inside.
One of our other friends immediately jumped in to help me figure out how to get the kindle app on my phone and I was able to download the sample. I went home that night and read all 125 of the sample pages and talked to my husband about ordering the whole book. He agreed and I did it, and my friend and I decided Monday morning we would start working this thing together, in an effort to renew our homes and our spirits.
This is at least the 2nd time God has used this woman to show me how not alone I really am in this season of my life and looking at the 2 of us, you would guess our lives were like night and day. (I know that's what I assumed). But, we have so much in common and it's those struggles that can seem so little and maybe even a bit stupid to some, that I feel God has blessed me with her to be the one person who truly understands.
I'm excited to take this journey with her and I am equally as excited to share this journey with all of you. I know there is someone else out there who needs this and is going to benefit from whatever growth I get from this, because they will see themselves in it. I'll be back tomorrow to let you know how well Day 1 of my 31 Days to Clean goes.

Misconception of God

Romans 12:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

Romans 12

A Living Sacrifice

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I am learning that our world is terribly misguided about the nature of God. His word speaks clearly about things that are and aren't acceptable to him and we all find fault within those things. He is not some magic genie that sits around only granting good. He does allow people to suffer the consequences of their actions. There is no scale that measures our good deeds against our bad, once we confess our sin it is removed. There is no manner of good works that will solely bring us favor in his eyes. It's our honest faith in him that is our ticket to heaven. Someone can do bad their entire life and in their final breath (honestly and wholeheartedly) confess him as savior, returning their life to him and go to heaven. Someone can do good their entire life,but never once acknowledge him and God states that their judgment is hell. Christianity is a way of life, not just a name. God is merciful and has the right to judge as he sees fit, but people cannot become consumed with the thought that our manner of suffering on earth or in death will give us a free pass.

Sin is sin, life is life, and most importantly God is GOD. He doesn't change with the times and neither should we. He loves unconditionally, and so should we. He forgives us our sins, and we need to forgive people who wrong us. He is our example of living a life without wavering our values. It can be done and because we are human we will fail at times (daily even), but we need to walk hard in his presence and keep him at the top of all things.

Romans 8:1-16

New International Version (NIV)

Life Through the Spirit

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,^[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.^[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[d] because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[g] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

I've taken notice that there are so many people walking around believing that God and Jesus sit about covering their eyes to sin and don't deal accordingly with it. God never said that in his Word...never.

Romans 1:18-32

New International Version (NIV)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ²⁵ They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

²⁶ Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. ²⁷ In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

²⁸ Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. ³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

It's time for Christians to step up and be the difference. We can't proclaim the gospel and act like all the unsaved out there, because it defiles our testimony. We have to show the world that although bad things happen to good people, God has mercy and is open to a relationship with every last one of us. We cannot be consumed by the "magic carpet riding God" perception that the world is trying to paint. God is a just God, but he is also merciful. He holds an expectation for his creation and he allows us the choice to walk in it or not, but he also lays out the guidelines and benefits for walking according to his will. And there are many who say they read the Bible and they know that God doesn't punish people for one act or another but it was painted out in no uncertain terms that denying Christ and giving into the world's perception of God is putting your soul in imminent danger.

It's not my job to lie to you and make you feel better about who you are and what you do. It is my job to love you unconditionally and show you the same love that Christ shows me, and to guide you as gently as possible into at least hearing God's will for all of our lives.

2 Timothy 2:24-25

New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

He loves every last person out there...Good or bad, right or wrong. It's our sin he hates; mine, yours, and every Joe Blow Bag'o'donuts. But accepting him, confessing to him, admitting our sins, and allowing him to work in our lives and develop a relationship with him...those are the only "deeds" that carry any meaning with him.

Ephesians 2:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Speak Words of Wisdom by Joyce Meyer

I feel like God is really trying to drive a point home, but at the same time he was using the events from yesterday and last night to counteract the negative emotions I was suffering the night before.
I had a friend text me to talk about some struggles she was going through as a mom. They were the same exact type of struggles I had with my youngest, so I totally understood. God used that moment to show me I did have valuable information to share and I could still help someone even if I wasn't as helpful as I would have liked to have been to someone else the other night.
Later that day two of my friends were having a conversation and one of them needed some advice on the military lifestyle. Deon told Cami that she was not at all going to be sympathetic to anything she was fretting over, so it may serve her well to call someone like me or our friend Leigh. She ended up calling me and we talked for probably about a good hour. I was able to give her perspective from someone who has lived a military lifestyle for almost 13 years.
Then the last call of the night was from a friend who had been sick and was going through some other personal struggles. Although it is more difficult for me to personally identify with her situation, I was able to bring about some food for thought that at least helped her to feel like she wasn't being crazy or over emotional about some things.
God took my horrible day of missteped words and reminded me that when I give him the time and focus he desires, I can be a very usable individual.
When it was time for me to lay down last night, he gave me this last little nugget to feed on:

Ending Your Day Right: Speak Words of Wisdom
by Joyce Meyer

For out of the fullness (the overflow, the super-abundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34

It is challenging to say right things when you feel totally wrong. When your emotions are running high or low, you are tempted to speak emotionally rather than sensibly. But you must allow wisdom to rise above emotion

God spoke about nonexistent things as if they already existed, and He created the world with faith-filled words. You are created in His image, and you can also call things that are not as though they are. You can speak positive things about yourself into the atmosphere and thereby "prophesy your future."

Think about the words you speak and you will learn a lot about yourself. As a Christian, you are God's representative, and your words should reflect His character. Meditating on the goodness of God will fill your heart with joy, and the words you speak will glorify Him and be a testimony to others.

Kat's Notes: I first have to remember to speak positive things into my own life, just like I attempt to do with others. My words affect me just as much as they affect other people and my tongue can positively or negatively affect the course my world takes.
Next I have to remember that I do have valuable words of wisdom to offer to others based on my own personal experiences. God has given me a special calling as a wife, mother, and friend and I have a ministry that will allow me to be a testimony to others about how to deal with the things that come with those titles.
I know someone else needed to hear these words. You have something of value to add to your own life, as well as others. It starts with the words you speak!

Be Slow to Speak by Joyce Meyer

Okay, apparently God is all over my behind today and he is using Joyce to drive his point home. I didn't get to do my devotion this morning before getting out of bed, so I took it with me to the bus stop to read while Peanut waited for his bus.
I tell my children to be slow to speak, but yesterday I didn't exercise that myself. Honestly, my intentions were great. But because I didn't properly organize my thoughts, what I intended to say to someone and what it actually appeared like when I wrote it were NOT at all the same message. So much so that I had to go back and publicly apologize and delete my posts.
I hate that a misuse of my words has now caused me to seem like the type of Christian I was actually ranting about and now I see messages being delivered that I know are wrong, but because they are being delivered in a more pleasant manner and after what could have easily been perceived as an attack on my part, the wrong message will likely plant a more fruitful seed than the one I was intending to plant.

Starting Your Day Right: Be Slow to Speak
by Joyce Meyer

For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good-whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). 1 Peter 3:10

Have you ever regretted something you said as soon as the words were out of your mouth? You can't take back the words you speak to others-and words can damage relationships. The Bible says that if you can control your mouth, you can control your whole body (see James 3:2).

Before you respond to people too quickly, stop and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say about your situation. James taught, "Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry" (James 1:19). Commit your mouth to God's service today, and use words that speak healing to others.

Kat's Notes: I just feel I need to spend time today reflecting on what is it God wants me to say and figuring out how and when to appropriately say it. I don't dink up in this area often, but when I do I apparently go full-throttle. lol My father has a philosophy of "keeping your mouth shut means rarely having to apologize."

Although I do feel there are times to speak up and it does need to be understood that some people are going to be offended no matter what you say or how gently you say it, but our job is to do as much preemptive damage control as possible, by praying about the words we share with others. I would much rather have earnestly prayed to God about what I NEEDED to say than to now have to earnestly apologize to God and others about what I already said. Slow to speak....Got it!
P.S. Don't worry, I'm working on the fact that I spent so much time being offended yesterday as well. :P

Experience God's Presence Tonight by Joyce Meyer

I read this devotion last night and it honestly was a right on time devotion. I just had one of those days where I know I should have spent time in God's face instead of spending time on facebook. By the end of the night I was overwhelmed, offended, and irritated by my own self. Then I read this devotion before bed and although it didn't make me feel completely better, it reminded me that seeking God honestly is my true source of peace and validity.

Ending your Day Right: Experience God's Presence Tonight
by Joyce Meyer

My soul yearns for You [O Lord] in the night, yes, my spirit within me seeks You earnestly. Isaiah 26:9

Have you ever noticed that in the quiet darkness of night there seems to be something special about the presence of God?
He is always with you, even during the daytime, and you can talk to Him anytime, even when you're busy. But during the day there are many distractions that keep you from focusing on His presence for an extended period of time. And by the end of the day you've often experienced problems and frustrations that can cause you to feel lonely and needy. It is then that you can finally give time and attention to the one who is the answer to your needs.
When you yearn for God in the night, seek Him earnestly, and you'll find He will minister to you in a special way. He will provide answers to any problems you may have, and He will give you peace and rest.

Kat's Notes: Honestly, after the day yesterday I will be spending today in God's full presence. No phone, no computer, just me and God today, because I let situations cause me to be tossed off balance and take my eyes off of his calling for me. Honestly, by the end of the day I had tainted my testimony and truly had to humble myself and admit that I make mistakes. I allowed myself to become so frustrated and irritated that I spoke out of line and did exactly the opposite of what my good intentions were designed to do. I plan to experience God's presence today and renew my experience tonight when I can shut off all my duties and focus 100% on God. I hope this helps someone else that suffered a case of the mondays (or whatever day of the week that kicked your behind) and felt defeated. Our victory comes in God.

The Process of Disciplined Faith

2 Peter 1:5-11

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Faith is a process. When we first come into our faith it is often easy to go strong and implement change, but as time goes on faith becomes an exercise regimen. We have to completely depend on the Holy Spirit in order for the changes not to be futile. This layered process starts with faith as the foundation, and the bricks of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love are added over time through God working within our lives and us building our personal relationship with him.

Allowing God to lay these bricks is like a master chef creating several dishes at once. You may be in one particular stage and I may be in another, but the idea in the end is an overall magnificent creation for all. Verse 11 says "...and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." I love that God not only lays out benchmarks for us to measure how we are coming along in our faith-walk, but he also paints a picture of the prize for doing his will.

I'm realizing over time that as the Holy Spirit works in me, getting to the next step isn't as hard as it once was. I was thinking as I prayed just last night that I realize I don't find myself apologizing to God as extensively as I once had to do. And my sense of wrongdoing kicks in a bit more quickly. When I first turned my life back over, I could spit off a laundry list of sins in my daily prayers, but now I've either caught myself and immediately asked for forgiveness or God has quickened my spirit before my flesh could step into action. I love being able to see how I've grown and I know that God is moving in my life. And I take satisfaction in being able to tell people that if God can do that kind of work in me, he can do it in anyone.

Faith is not a one stop shop deal. We all will probably spend the rest of our natural lives trying to develop our "faith skills" but I encourage you to spend time reflecting on where you are now verus where you once were. The process of disciplined faith isn't easy, but it's very satisfying.

Taking a Moment to Laugh at Life

I am really tickled by the fact that all week my kids and I were excited about the Phineas and Ferb movie that came on last night. We were also very disappointed that daddy wasn't going to be here to watch with us.
There used to be a time when dates included flowers, candlelit dinners, maybe a couple of drinks, nice clothes (sometimes), and spending time in the presence of one individual. Now most dates are made for a group of 5, ranging from ages 3-31, and they include pizza, pajamas, and cartoons.
If you would have asked me in 1996/1997 if in 2011 I would have anticipated that crowding around a tv to watch a cartoon movie would be the highlight of my week, I would have surely laughed and told you that you were crazy!
Now I can't imagine my life being any other way. My kids bring me so much joy. I love seeing how different they all are, yet they are all little combinations of my husband and myself. I may not be taking trips around the world or having late night dinners with movies and dancing, but I can definitely say I am living my life to the fullest...times 3. Almost any day can be some sort of adventure with them, and I love that they bring me back to the innocent things in life, when paying bills wasn't a concern, because there were more important things to do like go swimming and playing ball. :D

Psalm 127:3

Amplified Bible (AMP)

³Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.^(A)

Prune It or Burn It Down: There's More Than One Way To Bear Some Fruit

Matthew 7:25-27

New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

I wanted to start with Matthew 7:25-27 to illustrate that we are all going to face "storms" in life, so we have to be prepared to handle them. Those storms serve several purposes 1)To build our character, 2)To reflect our character, 3)To open our eyes to things around us, and 4)To send our eyes in the direction of God. I am sure there are more reason, but those are the ones I feel that help build my point today.

God uses life as a tool to build his kingdom. We often have to go through things in order to understand exactly who or where we don't want to be. With the negative messages we are constantly being sent by society to live for self, it becomes all too easy for us to be drawn into a messy way of living.

Personally speaking, I have gone down this road several times. I've allowed my thinking to become completely about how I feel, what I want, and poo on anyone else who thought I should feel differently. I had a moment the other day where I realized that the best times in my life have been when I put God at the center. I am able to think more clearly, move more slowly, and my decisions are considerate of others. When I begin to operate in the mindset that I can do things my way, it seems like life falls apart.

And I have to admit that it's often when these storms hit that my faith wavers. After a while God had to hit me with some bigger storms to get me back on track. I lost my cousin which was very difficult for me to understand. It was very unexpected and as strong as I thought my faith in God was...this time became a reflection of my character. It became a downward spiral from that point on.

We had our house broken into and our truck dumped by someone we trusted. One of my best friends received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. We moved back to our home state with no real plan intact, which caused a whirlwind of financial troubles. By the time things even began to look up, I had given up on God's plan for my marriage. I figured at this rate, I could do it better or at least be happier on my own.

I'd be a liar if I said there weren't things I enjoyed about being on my own, but after a while God made it a point to redirect me. He made it very clear that I was on a destructive path that would not only effect me, but I was going to damage my 3 babies, and even my husband in the process. Not only that but continuing in the direction I was going was putting lives that I touched at risk. I intended to move on with my life, but God made it clear that I couldn't write a new book if the old one hadn't reached its final chapter.

Here began the pruning process. First he gave me a dream where I had to take a test. My husband was in the dream with me and he suggested that I follow him to get to the testing site. I told him no and proceeded on my own path. Needless to say, I never got to my destination in the dream because I didn't follow my husband, and ultimately I failed the test. I spent weeks crying...often times for no reason known to myself. God was telling me I had to do something I DIDN'T want to do. He was telling me to reconcile a marriage I saw no point in reconciling.

I eventually asked my husband to move back in, but I was very clear that it was God's will...not mine. Things happened in a slow progression, which God knew I needed because if I would have had to jump in with both feet, I would have been running for the hills. We talked and we talked...AND WE TALKED, but things didn't necessarily get any better.

Zechariah 13:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ This third I will put into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

I finally had a conversation with God that started a fire. I let him know very verbally and clearly (like I had made everyone else aware) that I was not at all interested in making this marriage work, so if he was going to force me in this situation, he was going to have to also force some things to change. I was not a willing participant by any means, and I even prayed that God would just find a way to make it not work so I could go on with my life. But, if it were his will to push the issue, then change is what I really needed.

He began to refine and test the mess out of me....literally. I wish I could recall the exact moment of change, but I honestly can't. I guess God felt it was more beneficial to my story, for the transition to happen so smoothly it was almost unnoticeable. He worked on me, which in turn I believe worked on my husband.

Around my birthday was a big test that I think changed a lot of things. My husband hadn't really acknowledged my birthday and I was upset to say the least. Especially when he bought something for himself and expected me to be excited about it. It was not a pretty site around here and self kicked in urging me to remember this come birthday time for him and see if he felt differently about his initial response if it happened to him. (Yes, my mind got that petty and my friends didn't help, because the agreed with my mind. lol) However, God said it wasn't going to go down like that. His birthday hasn't come yet, but maybe in a month I can blog about what I came up with.

Then spiritually speaking, God had to begin to breakdown things I was holding my husband accountable for that he couldn't really responsible for. I wanted him to be a leader in his home, spiritually and physically, yet I never let him lead physically and spiritually he never had any examples. His home growing up was very different from mine. My mother was pretty much the spiritual head in our home and we were raised according to her beliefs. My dad worked a lot (which is one thing my husband and I had in common), but he did at least go to church with us and he believes in God.

My husband's mother took them to church and like me he attended private school, but there was no real expectation to apply the bible to everyday life. I knew from a young age that God had a calling on my life and I was raised accordingly. My husband was surrounded by God's word, but never expected to really live it. And to top it off, the head of his home didn't believe in God. So, we were at an impasse. How does a man become the leader in his home, when he really has never been shown how to lead, physically or spiritually? Well, only God could answer that and he apparently was going to give the answer to me.

I had to first soften my heart and understand that he didn't do the spiritual things because he didn't know how. I also had to acknowledge that he didn't do the physical things because I didn't let him. I spent more time being right than I did being still. God really had to break me down and pruning quickly turned to burning in order for me to get a character adjustment.

He used this situation for me to begin to lean consistently on him again. Throughout the 2 or so years I struggled with my life and faith, God had proven himself faithful to me and he waited patiently for me to return to him. I know I had to go through those things in order to know where I didn't want to be and definitely WHO I didn't want to be.

Once I was able to clear those things up, God was able to produce useful fruit. My attitude changed, my home changed, and I had hope that I had completely lost.

Galatians 5:13-26

New International Version (NIV)

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[b] 15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

I had to let go of myself and let God direct me to a place where I could have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, genuine goodness, , faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Light and dark cannot occupy the same space at the same time and neither can God's fruit and my mess. He began to show me what changes I could make (like leading the family in devotions) and then eventually my husband began to take the lead in those areas. When I sat back and let him make decisions instead of forcing mine, he was able to lead with freedom, and not worry about how I would respond.

Is it more work to do it God's way...absolutely, I have to be conscious about what I say and do, how it will effect others, and how God will feel about the choices I make, but the destructive way I was going before wasn't even really self-serving, because no one desires to destroy themselves. Satan was the only one winning when I went about things that way.

There are 2 messages I am trying to deliver here. 1)God uses things in our lives in order to prune us, build our character, and make us better for his calling on our lives. When we are able to see things God's way it paints an entirely different picture for how to proceed, but we have to be open to his perception and desire (or at least be honest with him when we can't).

2)) No matter what direction our lives take we are building a foundation for the storms that will come. My pastor has a phrase that I think paints an amazing picture and turns the light bulb on. "The winds will blow, the rain will fall, the floods will rise and you have to live in the house you've built." What kind of foundation are you building to weather the storms?

The one I had previously been building was only going to continue to crack and fall apart, and eventually tumble to the ground (if it hadn't already). I want to make sure that I am building a foundation that is going to hold strong during the next storm, because it's not a matter of if, but when it comes. Thankfully God was willing to burn me down to the root when pruning wasn't getting the job done and he allowed me to establish a new foundation that has been weatherproofed.

Breaking Down Baptism

My son and I began to talk about baptism today and I started searching the net for information I could use in order for him to make an informed choice about taking that step. Upon doing so though, I realized I needed the same information for myself.

I was born and raised Lutheran, so I was "baptized" as an infant. As an adult, I've considered doing it again, but someone how felt like I would be spitting on my parents' decision when I was a baby. Although I am no longer a practicing Lutheran, and haven't been for well over 10 years, somehow I felt like I would still be wrong for choosing to do it again in my adult life.

Over the past few months I have been feeling led to make that public proclamation of my faith, but I still had the internal battle waging within. But this week I decided I was committed to doing it. However, today I got to research the real meaning behind it and then received confirmation on the subject this evening at church.

As I searched for information earlier to share with my son, I came across this comparison of baptism to a wedding ring. http://www.centrikidblog.com/blog/explaining-baptism-to-kids.html In simplest form it's like this: A wedding ring doesn't make a non-married person married simply by placing it on their finger, just like the act of being baptized doesn't make someone a Christian. The ring is an outward symbol of the commitment that was made between two people and baptism is the same thing. Baptism is the outward symbol of the commitment you've made to God. If a married person doesn't wear their ring one day, they are still just as married and if a Christian person doesn't get baptized they are still just as Christian.

I pondered that analogy throughout the day and then was met with the same analogy this evening at church when they discussed the reason behind being baptized. It confirmed for me that I was on the right track with the information I was seeking out. I want it not only for myself, but for my baby boy too. He's old enough and mature enough to be able to make a conscious decision about his salvation, and although this is more like the 3rd step in the process, I want him to begin knowing what his options are and why at his age verses being my age before really seeking it out.

I should never have felt guilty for wanting to recommit my life in that way, and it's not that anyone made me feel that way. But, because I didn't fully understand it, I wasn't able to make the proper decision. With time I will have even more information, that I know I will want to share with others who are unsure about that step,but I am grateful to God for not keeping me in the dark about the beauty of baptism.

I'll share more as I find it...thanks for reading!!! :D

An Ant's Life by Joyce Meyer

1 Corinthians 9:27

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁷But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].

Paul is speaking here about self-control, self-denial, restraining the appetite, and subduing the flesh. Self-discipline is keeping yourself going in the right direction without someone making you do so. The problem is that somehow people have gotten the wrong idea that everything in life is supposed to be easy.

Proverbs 6:6-8 talks about the ant, "which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest." You need to be like the ant. You need to be a person who is self-motivated and self-disciplined; who does what is right because it is right, not because someone may be looking or because someone is making you do it.

Kat's Thoughts: This was a good one for me to read as I ended my day, because this morning I fell into a funk of "I just don't want to." There were things that needed to be done that I simply didn't want to do. I often have to fight to overcome my natural laziness. I want to sit and talk on the phone all day with my friends, watch tv, eat, and just do whatever it is I want to do. But what I want to do and what needs to be done are rarely the same thing.

As a mom, I know the kids are watching me and I have to stay disciplined in doing things no matter if I feel like it or not, because that is the expectation I hold for them. I expect their rooms to be cleaned. If I ask a question, I expect them to be honest even if they won't get caught. If I expect discipline out of others, I have to be willing to exercise it myself.

This also goes for my spiritual life. If I expect my kids to have a good attitude, then my attitude needs to be in check. If I expect them to be kind to others, they need to see that in me. If I want them to pray, I need to pray. And even if I am sure they aren't watching, that is who I need to be doing, because ultimately it is God that I am portraying out in the world and I need to have a Christ-like attitude at all times, because no matter what, he is watching and I will have to give account for all that I say and do in my life.

My Spiritualmom say "I try to speak in such a way that I never have to apologize." That is how we should all live; disciplined lives in thought and action. We should attempt to make every action, deed, and word one that will not require forgiveness later either from God or others. Of course, we are human and we are going to slip up, but also be disciplined enough to admit when you are wrong. If everyone in the world tried to live this way, I know it would be a much better place. But we can do our individual parts to make the difference and hopefully it will be paid forward. Someone sees your discipline and love, and they feel inclined to do the same. But it's something we always have to be willing to do, because you can't genuinely flip the switch off and on. Eventually you are going to slip up and power-off at the wrong time and someone will see it.

Five Star Dining

Ezekiel 44:23

New International Version (NIV)

²³ They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

Where we are being spiritually fed is very important. It seems to have become common practice in the church to be sweet and flowery in the things of God, but teaching life applicable, honest and at times painful lessons is not necessarily the norm anymore.

Our world is being dramatically changed with each generation. Things that weren't even talked about when our grandparents and parents were coming up are being plastered all over in our daily lives. Sex, greed, all kinds of wrong doing are not only openly discussed, but becoming socially acceptable forms of entertainment.

As believers we need to be counteracting that with how we are being fed spiritually and then what we are taking out into the world. It is important to be in a body of believers that speaks the truth, even when it can hurt or offend.

Proverbs 27:6

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁶Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful.

I want to be under the tutelage of individuals who are willing to wound me and my worldly thinking in order to help me achieve all that God has in store for me and in turn, I will be given the tools to do the same for others. That's not to say that the soft side of God needs to be disregarded, because it is equally as important, but we need to get the entire message...not just the comfortable stuff.

I've been a part of church bodies where "religion" came across as more important than relationship. Things were preached that could not necessarily be backed up biblically or rules were put into place that may have only been statutes for one individual's walk. Religious practices should not take precedence over building a strong foundation and personal relationship with God.

Ephesians 4:15

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

I've been blessed to also be a part of church bodies where speaking the truth in love was common and very much seen. My current pastor will often follow a strong statement with the fact that he is being honest because he loves his congregation and wants to see them spiritually succeed. I see it strong amongst our youth leaders. The kids are able to get truth that the world isn't giving them and they are shown genuine love in the process.

I've been at different churches over the past 10 years and I believe each one did serve a purpose. Some to show me what I absolutely didn't want, and some to show me what I absolutely needed. Some to soften my heart in areas that I never considered before and some to strengthen my walk in ways I never knew possible. There is a time and a season and it is important to follow God's lead of knowing when to stay and when to go, but how you are being fed can be the thing that will make or break your Christian walk.

It is important to hear the messages that are difficult to touch (Pornography, homosexuality, fornication, divorce, adultery, the way you live, your attitude towards others, being a sacrificial individual, etc.) and it needs to be matched with messages on God's true love (mercy, forgiveness, blessings, his sacrificial giving, etc).

When we are met with an even balance of love and truth we know that our spirits are dining sufficiently. And it will reflect in our walk which will in turn help to feed others spiritually.

1 Corinthians 3:9-17

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

The food that we take in is building a foundation, which can either be good or bad. It is important to know that we are receiving a proper foundation, because later we will have to answer for the foundations that we have also laid in others. If our foundation is cracked and unstable, what kind of foundation will we lay in others?

Test what you are being taught against the word, be sure it adds up. And most importantly get to know the word for yourself. Spending quiet time with God daily in prayer and reading will help guard against receiving spiritual junk food. If you know the word for yourself, it won't be as easy to be thrown on a whim by someone's humanity.

God wants you to receive the best dining available, because you will be inclined to share your meals with others either directly or indirectly. :D

Setting the Example

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹NOW ABOUT food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].

²If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary.

³But if one loves God truly [^[a]with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [^[b]recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].

⁴In this matter, then, of eating food offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing (has no real existence) and that there is no God but one.^(A)

⁵For although there may be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many of them, both of gods and of lords and masters,

⁶Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist].^(B)

⁷Nevertheless, not all [believers] possess this knowledge. But some, through being all their lives until now accustomed to [thinking of] idols [as real and living], still consider the food [offered to an idol] as that sacrificed to an [actual] god; and their weak consciences become defiled and injured if they eat [it].

⁸Now food [itself] will not cause our acceptance by God nor commend us to Him. Eating [food offered to idols] gives us no advantage; neither do we come short or become any worse if we do not eat [it].

⁹Only be careful that this power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours, does not [somehow] become a hindrance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or overscrupulous [giving them an impulse to sin].

¹⁰For suppose someone sees you, a man having knowledge [of God, with an intelligent view of this subject and] reclining at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged and emboldened [to violate his own conscientious scruples] if he is weak and uncertain, and eat what [to him] is for the purpose of idol worship?

¹¹And so by your enlightenment (your knowledge of spiritual things), this weak man is ruined (is lost and perishes)--the brother for whom Christ (the Messiah) died!

¹²And when you sin against your brethren in this way, wounding and damaging their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

¹³Therefore, if [my eating a] food is a cause of my brother's falling or of hindering [his spiritual advancement], I will not eat [such] flesh forever, lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to be offended.

Learning to break the do as I say not as I do mentality was not an easy one. I was in a very troubled place in my life when my niece first came to live with me and I didn't always set a stellar example of how to live.

When I went through a particular issue with her, I had a friend point out that she was doing things that she felt were okay, because my example hadn't been better than what she did. I had consistently operated under the mindset that I can do some things simply because this is my home, but she could not, because she wasn't an invested partner in the financial upkeep of the home.

Now, while this is all true (it is my home and I should be free to live in it the way I choose), I needed to take into consideration that I was also trying to teach her how to live outside of the confines of my home, where she wouldn't have our protection. God used 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 to really drive that point home to me. He allowed me to see that I had to conduct my life in a way that all my children would not be tempted to stumble in anyway. And I needed to be able to be open about mistakes I've made.

This caused me to sit my niece and son down, and apologize for the bad example I had been setting. I told them both I was committed to doing what I needed to do to ensure I was setting the proper example. Admitting that I had wronged them was definitely the first of many steps.

I also had to take into account that the spiritual and family dynamic I was displaying was not at all what I wanted for my children. I had to remember that I wasn't just training future citizens. I was training up a son that might one day be called to marry a woman and I was training up daughters who may be called to be someone's wife. Meaning I needed to be the kind of wife I wanted my son to seek and the kind of wife I wanted my daughters to be. I had to raise the bar as a mother. I really needed to follow Proverbs 22:6 and begin to train my children in the way they should go.

I'm not saying I was a bad mother, but I had to admit I wasn't being the best mother I could be, because I wasn't being the best wife, person, or Christian I could be. Once the Holy Spirit put that image in my mind, transitioning to do God's will was almost seamless. I do still struggle with my own selfish desires, but I've obtained enough outside feedback that my changes are very apparent and the difference is being seen in me and my family.

I love hearing my kids tell me that I am the best mom ever. I take comfort in my 2 moms (birth mother and spiritual mother) telling me they are proud of who I've become and that the changes in my life and attitude are heart warming. And, for me it's just one more thing I can say that God has to get the glory in. The changes are apparent in me, but he had to do the work to get me there.

When it comes to my marriage, I don't beat around the bush about where my heart was when we first reconciled. I was not interested in doing it God's way, but I knew that not doing so was not going to turn out well for me. I had to be open and honest with God, because he knew how I felt anyway. It was then that I think all these other seeds were able to be planted and God was able to move in my life. And, with that I was able to be an example in how you just have to keep things real with God. My niece is beginning to walk in her own new birth, and she often expresses that "it's hard." It is hard, but telling God you feel that way makes it easier. It's not likely to be an overnight transition, but it's one that God can make happen in such a way that you won't necessarily realize it's happened. Then one day you will just kind of go "Hey, it's not so hard anymore." You'll notice that God moved in ways you didn't even realize, because you opened up to him and let him work.

It is hard and sometimes it feels burdensome to know that I am not walking this walk just for myself. I have to be accountable for the example that I set, because the bible calls us to be an example. There are many verses that do just that within the 66 books of the bible.

1 Timothy 1:16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

Titus 2:7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

John 15:13 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

Psalm 71:7 My life is an example to many, because You have been my Strength and Protection.

Titus 2:12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

Ephesians 4:24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Philippians 3:13 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

But even with our natural struggle against that desire, we have to remember that Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Just let God know and he will be more than happy to honor a request in order for you to fulfill his word. That's a prayer that we can be confident is within his will, because it is in his word.

Someone is watching what you say, do, and how you live...even when you think no one is. Set the example...

*I found this testimony online when I was searching for verses on setting an example and I thought it painted a wonderful picture of the topic. http://azmissions.org/devotions/example.html

Sex and the Spirit

Proverbs 5:15-19

Amplified Bible (AMP)

^15[a]Drink waters out of your own cistern [of a pure marriage relationship], and fresh running waters out of your own well.

¹⁶Should your offspring be dispersed abroad as water brooks in the streets?

¹⁷[Confine yourself to your own wife] let your children be for you alone, and not the children of strangers with you.

¹⁸Let your fountain [of human life] be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity], and rejoice in the wife of your youth.

¹⁹Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant doe [tender, gentle, attractive]--let her bosom satisfy you at all times, and always be transported with delight in her love.

There has been a lot of conversation about sex in my home recently. Having a teen that was sexually active prior to getting into my grips, as well as an 8 year old that seems to be bombarded with messages outside of our influence means that I have to talk often, be open, and be as clear as possible.

Even my 3 and 4 year olds are asking questions about the human body and showing a level of maturity I am not aware that I had when I was in their age bracket. I don't recall becoming curious about the human body until at least the age of 10, but my kids are doing everything they can to be sure that mom (and especially dad) learn to let nothing shock them anymore. (It's really funny to watch my husband's face get all distorted when the kids come to ask a question he was truly not anticipating...lol)

I have had to be very honest and open with all my kids to whatever degree I have felt appropriate for their age level. With my teen I am very candid about things of a sexual nature. I admit my mistakes and wrong doings concerning my own sexuality and I am very graphic about the spiritual and physical consequences of not doing it God's way. Even though overall I have been fortunate, I did have some hard lessons to learn and they all could have been avoided if I would have made the choice to do things God's way instead of my own.

With my son, I am teaching him the things I think will be important for him to know as a teen and adult. I let him know that many of his friends are going to be having sex, but just because they are going to be doing those things, it doesn't make it okay. I let him know that I have an expectation for him to be more than a superficial "in name only" kind of Christian. I want him to truly reflect the image of Christ in actions and words.

The big thing I have made a common statement with my son and my niece is this;"It is not your right to sleep with someone whom you are not married to, because in the event that you don't marry that person, you have slept with another man's wife or another woman's husband." My eyes were opened to that way of thinking when I read Romances with Wolves (Link to article: www.everystudent.com/features/wolves.html). Once I got that perspective it was like being hit in the head. Wow, how many people do we know that would say "I would NEVER sleep with someone else's husband or wife." when in fact, they probably already did? This is a message I really want this next generation of kids to get, because the idea of marriageless sex is becoming so prevalent that we've pretty much become desensitized to it. I had even been guilty of just accepting it for what it was...times have changed. Lucky for us though, God hasn't and he is very clear on his expectations for our body, in no uncertain terms.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

New International Version (NIV)

Sexual Immorality

¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. ¹³ You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”^{[a] 17} But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.^[b]

¹⁸ Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

How do you argue with that? YOU CAN'T!!! God is very straight and to the point on what we are to do and not do with our bodies when it comes to sex. And he even reminds us that we tie ourselves to that person on a spiritual level. If you give yourself (sexually and spiritually) to multiple people, then what are you going to have left for your future spouse?

I also firmly believe that we open ourselves up to spiritual things we couldn't possibly be prepared for. I am gifted in discerning things and all it takes it a close, personal relationship with someone for me to be able to pick up on things no one else is even paying attention to. The times in my life when that has mixed in with sex, I have seen some very dark and ugly things that I could have gone the rest of my life without ever seeing. And, these are things that weren't necessarily out in the open for everyone to see, but they were revealed to me, because I had tied my spirit to that individual. In my marriage, it has been a beneficial gift and connection to have, because it let's me know when to pray, when to talk, and it takes some of the shock value out of big issues (having a situation briefing from God is always better than going in blind). But, outside of that...having that kind of tie to someone else has been devastating. It becomes a connection you no longer want, because you don't want to be exposed to those kinds of things unnecessarily.

I also believe that sex outside of marriage blinds us to things we NEED to see before saying "I do". When you start sleeping with someone, it take the investigative component out of the relationship, because then many things get tied back to the act of sex. We begin to look passed the fact that this individual does certain things or acts a certain way that isn't in agreement with our value system or personal desires, but we overlook them because "well, the sex is good."

We need to place a much higher value on marriage than our society does. I am not advocating that everyone gets married, but I am advocating that marriage and sex need to go hand in hand. If you want to have sex, be willing to wait for the person God has designed for you. Our society has made it common practice to put the cart before the horse.

Hebrews 13:4

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁴Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.

I wish I could say I followed God's design plan. But, I can at least say that I can speak out about the negative impacts of not doing so. I can be open and honest about reading God's word and then doing my own thing, and what kind of results come with those kinds of decisions. It's painful to know that I have slept with someone else's husband and I allowed someone to sleep with my husband's wife. I even have to be held accountable for sleeping with my husband prior to him being that. I believe that many of the issues suffered in our marriage were tied to that. I also believe that I was blinded by things going on because of our sexual relationship before being totally committed to one another. I am not saying I wouldn't have married him, because if that was God's plan, it was going to remain his plan. But, I think I would have been better prepared for what I was up against if I didn't have blinders on.

I wish I hadn't tied my soul to anyone else, because now my spirit is susceptible to things it didn't have to be. Sex is not just a physical act...it is very much a spiritual one and that is why God intended it to be reserved for and remain in the confines of marriage. As a parent, I encourage you to keep the dialogue open and fresh in your home. It's better to get to them as soon as you can, because someone else will be giving them the wrong message sooner than you think. As an individual, I pray you will read my story and learn from my mistakes. Even if you've already become sexually active, it isn't too late to give yourself back to God. And God's design for marriage and sex is artistic and wonderful. All you have to do is take time to read Song of Songs/Solomon to see that within the confines of marriage it is poetry in motion.

Resources for families and individuals:

www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/sexuality.aspx

www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.3781493/k.48C9/More_Articles_About_Sexual_Purity/apps/nl/newsletter3.asp

www.everystudent.com/menus/issues.html