5 R’s

During my training in the military I learned some valuable skills. The greatest advice that I was given for success in the military was the 5r’s by a First Sergeant in San Antonio. He was retiring that year and gave a small token of advice to his new soldiers.

The 5 r’s are; the right place at the right time, wearing the right uniform, the right attitude and ready to learn. Basically if you followed these 5 r’s you would advance quickly. Now this can be an especially hard lesson to learn. Not the first three, I mean mostly they consist of being organized and punctual. The last two involve internal organization, and often the workings of the inner man are far more complex than simply looking the part.

I just finished my first official year of homeschooling, and while I did start this process with some understanding and insight, looking back I can say that it didn’t go as expected all the time. Such is the beauty of homeschooling! But I have seen the 5 r’s at work. Obviously if you aren’t present you won’t be doing any learning. Pajamas and comfy clothes are basically the uniform of homeschoolers, but ready to learn? Right attitude? Those can be a bit more of a challenge. If the student is at all stressed or frustrated, they will not understand things as easily as another who is willing.

I found this to be true in teaching my children to read. We discussed, we encouraged, we took breaks, we reviewed, did rewards, basically everything I could imagine. But something was not clicking and worse yet a bad attitude had formed. Now just the sight of the book became a bad deal. Total aversion. So the new plan was to do a set number of pages and celebrate small accomplishments. Little by little, cause now we were going at a snail pace, we all saw improvements! And before long that student was picking up books left and right to read aloud, alone. Total turn around. Praise God!

Disservice to God having a poor attitude.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to death. Revelation 12:11.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Tim 2:3

Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul; then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell in. Isaiah 58:9-12.

To learn humility is to learn contentment in all circumstances. Humility is not in what we own or achieve, but in maintaining a teachable attitude, a willingness to bend to the will of the Father. Jan Silvious

The Great Mediator

Everyday I have to settle arguments. Literally every time I turn my back my children can be after each other and fighting. As a general rule, I keep everyone separated, at least I try to, for the most part. Car seats work great! I have no idea what I am going to do when they are all out of booster seats. Any suggestions? Separate cars?

But honestly, this is family. It is messy it is real and there is a very real need for forgiveness. Because hurts will come. Like it or not, kid will hurt kid, parent will hurt parent. There will be arguments, there will be battles.

But who is the real enemy? The Bible states that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. Well, we shouldn’t wrestle against flesh and blood; unfortunately there’s a lot is arguing violence and people that are unable and refuse to get along with others. For this very reason we develop teams. Be it political, social even sports have a way of creating division between individuals. That just proves that we can be passionate about anything and everything!

We need a mediator!

The word of God in 1 Timothy  Chapter 2 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” So we even need a mediator between ourselves and God. How supreme our Lord is!

The rest of the chapter tells about submissiveness and puts in order the way that God intended the family to operate. And what a blessing when that unit is working together in unity!

Now it’s part of my job description as parent to encourage and model healthy relationships and interactions; but as an adult I need something greater than a lesson in manners. I need the supreme power of the Holy Ghost to be able to talk and successfully navigate certain relationships because like it or not there are some difficult people in this world.

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from good works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9: 13-15.

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest your  be condemned: behold, the judge standers before the door. James 5:9

Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? James 4: 11-12 (NASB).

The strongest relationships don’t come easily, they are earned.

emotional healing

When is the last time you cried?

Crying is an everyday thing for me right now. I don’t want to analyze it, I’m not looking for it’s deeper meaning. I’m just accepting it as it is and doing it. As much as I need to.

Most people have an immediate reaction to other people’s emotions. Help or avoid. You are either going to come running with tissues and a hug or avoid eye contact at all costs.

Quite a few years ago, I was in a mall walking around having a discussion on my cell phone. Now I’ve been know to show my emotions very easily and a stranger simply walked up to me gave me some advice and left. Years later, I still remember that kindness. It doesn’t really matter what it was about and I must be clear, I wasn’t yelling or mad at the person, I was sad.

Mr. Rogers, the famous children’s television star is known for the story about ‘looking for the helpers.’ The people that in the midst of chaos and crying, offer a tissue and are willing to bear another’s burdens. To just be kind.

In my opinion, someone’s true character shows when emotions appear. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, sometimes a smile is all that is necessary. But think if he impact you can have on someone’s life if you do a little more? How can you be someone’s Good Samaritan?

dinner conversations

Raising kids is hard work.!

I thought that was better with an exclamation mark. Cause you don’t start out thinking it’s going to be rough. Nope, you start out with a whole lot of dreams about tea parties, playing ball in the backyard, maybe even graduation ceremonies where your child earned top honors. Then time starts drifting by, months pass in a blink and before you know it years have gone by.

There is nothing as precious as time.

How do we cherish these years? How do we not become burnt out? How do we successfully savor the moment while planning for the next and cherishing what has already happened? Dinner.

The single time of day where we can collectively sit enjoy share and savor. Not hurriedly devour and then tackle the next thing. But to replenish our bodies as well as our spirits.

Now, my children are still young and mostly our dinners are spent telling someone to chew before they eat. I mean talk! But exactly that. I have said those exact words! I mean how can you even chew before you eat? They go hand in hand.

So because it’s one of my children’s memory verses, I started a tradition of my own. Let the table be a place to worship. Let the table be our time of reflection and honor to the one who gave us all of our blessings. Let us reverence Him in how we spend our dinner.

Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Unfolding the rose

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry. But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this was to do.

Noticing the younger preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem…

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God’s design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so sweetly.

Then in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God’s design,

Then how can I have the wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in Him for leading

Each moment of my day.

I will look to Him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,

Only my Heavenly Father knows.

I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

Author Unknown

Suffering

“Iron till it be thoroughly heated is incapable to be wrought; so God sees good to cast some men into the furnace of affliction, and then he heats them on His anvil into what frame He pleases.”

—Anne Bradstreet

“When I’m not healthy mentally, that reciprocates into feeling horrible physically.”

—Olivia Vollmar

When my husband was struggling with addiction, I would try to justify his actions. Trying to place blame wherever I could, just so I could find the root and hopefully pull it up. When that didn’t work, I tried to talk about it. I tired to put it in terms like, “every time you do this you are literally killing yourself. So how about the next time you do this I just slit my wrist.” Now that really didn’t work, but sure was dramatic! People just say stupid stuff when they are afraid. And that’s what this is. Real life! It’s messy. Addictions can do so much harm! To everyone! And if you are single thinking no one cares about you, that you are insignificant, think again. You have me! I care about you! Sure, maybe we haven’t met but I have never found a person that I could not find one thing about them that I didn’t like. I compliment strangers. And more than that, you have a Father. A Heavenly Father who designed you and loves you more than you could ever comprehend. It’s important not to doubt that. We often compare God to people that we have and know. I can understand that, He did become man and sacrificed himself for us, but never once did he harm anyone. He did all of that out of pure love, that we could find salvation, be restored, walk in grace, and most importantly get to know Him. Call on Him when we need help, and listen to His advice. Never once did He hurt others. Never once did He even go back on His word.

Now I have wrestled with addictions myself, I am not free from sin. But an important thing here is that we struggled and didn’t give up on each other. And maybe this particular thing isn’t something that affects you; but chances are there is something, no life is without a struggle or struggles. I just want to encourage someone going through their hard time; that there is hope, healing and joy to be had in life despite our battles. Amen

I can remember very early in our marriage getting into some kind of argument and Michael leaving. I was pretty worried and new in my walk of faith so I just said out loud, “Jesus, bring him home.” It wasn’t two minutes later that I heard the door open, then footsteps to where I was sitting and a resolution to whatever it was we were discussing.

Now that may not seem like a big deal, but I look back on that day as a pivotal step in our marriage. Not that he was coming to find me, like I had all the answers cause I didn’t and don’t. But because of our willingness to work things out, to communicate and despite of the circumstances to choose to love one another.

This is only part of our story. The hero is not him. It certainly is not me. It is God. By going through these difficulties, continuing to be honest with God and ourselves, we have been able to learn and change. Is it hard work? You bet, and so worth it. We have been faithful to church, a very necessary part of our spiritual selves. But understanding that the work had begun and remaining malleable to the process is the key.

Too often we can sit in self-pity and wonder why all these terrible things happen to us. And that is okay! There is a time to mourn the life you always thought you were going to have. But there is also a purpose and greater meaning to the struggle that you are in, others. We are not in this alone. There’s what literally billions of people in this world? How many of them do you reason have experienced the same thing you are going through? Or something you have overcome? Do you think they could use a friend? Do you think you could look past your own misery for a minute to help another? In the meantime, it may take the sting out of your own circumstance.

The last step to the twelve step program is actually helping others, because you see when you help others you are actually helping yourself. Cementing the fact that you are still a ‘work in progress’ and able to operate in ways that bring new life to a seemingly dying situation.

His word says to be strong and of good courage. As a matter of fact it also promises that there will be trials, there will be hard times. But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, mount up like eagles, walk and not be weary.

You can get through this, and most often it is through a letting go of power. Recognizing that you cannot fix everything yourself and allowing His divine power to give you the strength and willpower to overcome those obstacles, whatever they are.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Romans 5: 3-5.

And if children, then heads; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:17-18.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Romans 15:13-14.

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potters house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the Potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so that he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Jeremiah 18:1-4.

But now, O Lord, thou art our father: we are the clay, and thou our potter, and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-11.

Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. Hebrews 5:8.

God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about himself. – Joni Eareckson Tada

History

Right priorities and good time management demand an awareness that today is the only time with which we ever have to work. The past is irretrievably gone, and the future is only a possibility. Dorothy Kelley Patterson

I’m just going to get right down to it. My brother took his life. 

I can not justify or reason this, only he and God know what he was dealing with and I will leave it at that. 

What I can say is that I tried to do the same. In my teenage years, I spent a night with a friend. You know, had a sleep over. Only we didn’t just stay home and watch movies and eat popcorn. This friend introduced me to some of her friends, one of whom was a young man that would take my virginity that night.

Again, we could reason and discuss the fact that I didn’t have a good family life, I’m sure I didn’t have a long relationship with this friend to know enough about her and her circles. We could discuss the fact that I wasn’t ‘fighting for my life’ or held at gunpoint. But literally beneath some trees, on a dirt path, was where I lost all innocence.

From that point on I felt an absolute whirlwind of emotions. Fear, shame, disgust, disappointment.

But now this became my secret. Like I said I didn’t exactly have a “Leave it to Beaver” home life. No one made me cookies and listened to my day and tried to make it all better. No one knew.

With this secret certain truths became all that I would hold on to. 1. I had committed a sin 2. I was going to hell. 

No one told me this, no one was pointing a finger at me and condemning me to hell. I was building this reality of my own based on a limited knowledge of God and scripture. And this was how I was going to cope with my issue, this was how I was going to continue in pain. 

Until I decided that I had had enough. If my fate was already sealed why not face it right now? So I started thinking, planning and doing harmful things. My cycle of pain only became worse. I was self mutilating, I was destructive, and I was detaching myself from life.

Obviously the story doesn’t end there and I wasn’t actually successful in killing myself. Literally the only thing that gave me hope was the fact that I had also determined that suicide would literally send me straight to hell; and I was more afraid of that then going through with it.

Now I know my history. I’ve lived it. I do not know yours or his or any other stranger on the street. But what I do know is that I don’t want any of that to happen to anyone else. I don’t want someone to harbor a secret so long that it literally becomes a cancer. I don’t want people, especially children, to not feel safe. I don’t want to find out that someone was really having a hard time and not do all that I could to help. So if it means putting it all down in writing, exposing every last detail in the hope that it reaches another lost and hurting person, so be it. 

The GOOD NEWS here, literally the only reason I am putting this out there is so that all who read it know about forgiveness. 

Because I Am Redeemed. The second definition for redeemed, right after to buy back is the following: 2

: to free from what distresses or harms: such as

a : to free from captivity by payment of ransom

b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental

c : to release from blame or debt : clear

d : to free from the consequences of sin

Did you read that right? It clearly says that I am freed from the consequence of sin. I am released from the blame. And do you know how I come about this? Not by myself. Seriously, no amount of wisdom, no self help book, no 12 step program gave me this. It was given to me at Calvary. When Jesus Christ’s blood was shed, that sacrifice, that perfect sacrifice made it possible for my forgiveness. 

If I could rewind for just a bit here. Because I didn’t know that I was forgiven all those years ago. I wasn’t aware of Grace or Love as God delivers. My secret was eventually found, I went through therapy, I kept living thinking all was okay. Does that sound familiar? Just going through the motions, just putting one foot in front of the other. Just making it one more week. Not really being satisfied. 

A lot of us live that way. I would wager to say that most marriages are that way. Just hanging in there. Emotional depression is what I would call it. Sitting on a pew but not really getting involved. Or having the Bible on a shelf and never actually looking through it because you know the preacher gives a message on Sunday and that should be enough to keep me in the safe zone. Or avoiding real conversations with real people, people that actually know your history and know your hurts. People that won’t let you keep hurting. People that will pray for you in the middle of the night and literally petition God to give you another chance. More time. 

Well, what are you actually going to do with that chance? Waste it away?

Don’t let your past hurts become your present prisons and your future death sentence. Be free! 

How?

Obey His command. Read His Word. Submit yourself to a Bible-preaching Pastor. Seek salvation daily. Repent. Be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, even if you were baptized before, even if you did that as a baby or a kid, do it right as an adult. He didn’t shower the earth with rain in Noah’s day, He flooded it. The same goes for us. Baptism by full immersion is the only way. Be redeemed! It is available to you. 

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 31-39.

Confusing conviction

Just another roadblock

This month I was on the search for works of the Holy Spirit. I wanted more clarification on whether something is of me or of Him. A thought, an action, an inclination.

Because you see sometimes it may be confusing, so let’s see:

He will guide the believer: Then the Spirit said to Phillip, “Go bear and overtake his chariot.” Acts 8:29 

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14.

He will give assurance of salvation:

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we must also be glorified together. Romans 8:14-17.

He will be the believer’s teacher: But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 1 John 2:27.

He will intercede: Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26.

He will comfort: And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He May abide with you forever- John 14:16.

He will sanctify: Bit we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

Beloved- constantly being loved by God.

Sanctification- set apart, part of the salvation process.

He will accomplish regeneration: That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6.

He will make you aware of sin: And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement. John 16:8.

He will convince you of the truth of the gospel: And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father and you see Me no more; of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged. However when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears he will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. John 16:8-9, 13,14.

He will empower you to witness: But you shall receive power when the HolySpirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnessed to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Jude’s and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were filled with theHoly Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31.

He will destroy the power of sin on your life: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has mad me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8: 2-6.

He will lead and even control your life: For as many as are led by he Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lists against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-25.

He will distribute gifts to be used in the kingdom: There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the workings of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all of these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

Lies

It’s a lie. That story where people come to God and all of a sudden life is so wonderful and things are just great and there’s not a cloud in the sky. 

It’s simply not true. I mean it may be true for those people but it certainly hasn’t been true for me. It has been nothing but hard work.

Then again, things aren’t worth having unless you’ve had to work for them, right? You simply don’t appreciate what you have when it is freely given to you. I remember my first job, that paycheck was probably meager but hey I put those hours in, I earned that money and it was mine to do with what I wanted. I think I’m supposed to stop here and talk about tithing but I will save that for another day.

Lies

People sugar coat things. They want others to believe them or join their side for the fact of sheer numbers. But when something is real, when something is actually profound even a blind person can recognize it.

Now applying that to the spiritual realm, which is what I most like talking about if you haven’t noticed, we are all given a measure of faith. One person will very rarely have the same as another. So what has been hard for someone may seem like a walk in the park for others, perception is personal. And on this ‘walk of faith’ we have a decision. We can either stop and be defeated at the very sign of doubt; or we can rise above naysayers, choose not to listen to friends that are just trying to help, and resist the urge to even allow our minds to focus on the negative. We can do that! It is possible!

Life is often compared to a race. And all races are hard, they are meant to be that way, there are going to be challenges. But if we stop to watch another person, study their techniques, copy their form all of a sudden we are probably caught off track. Horses wear blinders for a reason, distractions are fatal. Keep your focus, remember your promise, keep the faith and forget what anyone else is doing. You will meet your maker one day, you will give an account for it all. Personally l like to sprint that final 500 yards or so, always have, but that’s what I’ve learned about myself. How are you training for the race? What are you conditioning yourself for?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as in the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 9: 24-25.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 1-2.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7.

Man bun

Good grief, things are looking strange these days. On a walk recently, I spotted a man without a shirt wearing a jean skirt and knee boots! Then on another outing, the cutest bun on top of a head that also spotted a beard…

I’m not hallucinating cause my system has been clean for years, but someone around here is confused, and I’m pretty sure it’s not me.

This has nothing to do with world peace or diplomacy between countries but how much sense does it make? I thought Halloween was once a year, one day actually. People can be whatever they want with what they have, they can add subtract accentuate or disguise. This is just so odd. 

Reminds me of this children’s book I read a little while ago. A little warthog wanted to look like the ‘other’ animals and envied their features. Long trunk, unique stripes or spots, elaborate feathers you get the picture. But his magic didn’t work as planned and he made the warthog tribe into bizarre- looking phenotypes. And in doing so took the unique features of the other animals and had them looking like warthogs, in a way. Cause let’s face it a giraffe is a giraffe no matter if you shave off his spots. An elephant is still an elephant even if his horns are shaved off. The book ends with everyone going back to normal and the little warthog becomes part of the group, after being honest with them and apologizing.

No matter what is on the outside, can you honestly say that you love and admire yourself? Not to the point of disgust, where people don’t really want to be around you; but just enough to have confidence in your own actions and abilities. Not trying to take on another person’ s attributes.

I’ve heard it said that women are so capable and doing so much that men don’t quite know how to be men anymore. I think that’s a statement meant to avoid reality and give excuses to the lazy man that wants to chill with a beer and a video game. Women aren’t anything they haven’t always been, maybe men need a wake up call and should carry their own weight. Until then leave the skirts and hairstyles to those that can actually pull it off. And if you’re confused about which sex you are, talk to your mother.

Speaking of parents, maybe someone reading this has a child who is struggling. Maybe they have been having a hard time for years, love them! Don’t give up on them and pray with all that is in you on their behalf, after all they probably learned their stubbornness from you show them what it really means, take a stand.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14

Love suffers long and is kind; Love does not envy; love does not Pease itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stopped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let them throw a stone at her first.” And again He stopped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one byone, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “ No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:3-11.

This is not meant to raise eyebrows, point fingers, or snicker about so and so; this is meant so that we each take responsibility and do something about our brothers and sisters that are struggling. And to point out that we actually don’t have it all figured out and need improvements ourselves. I have had many friends over the years and regardless of their sexual preference, choice in clothes, or music I loved them for who they are. I teach my daughter everyday that she is beautiful that her personality, her love for others, the way she smiles and brightens up a room regardless of the conversation or mood those are the things I love most about her. Not that her clothes are whatever brand, her shoes are brand new, even if every strand of hair is perfectly in place; cause honestly she likes it wild and so do I. It is the inner man, the soul that I am most careful with, because if she knows that she is worth something she will not defile herself to fit into some magazine ad saying you need to be a size two to be loved, or if your bronzer is not perfect you can’t win that man. Forget that, those men aren’t worth having.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:1.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24.

He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend. Proverbs 22:11.