If You Can?

Jesus said, “'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23

The New Testament story in the Book of Mark is remarkable!

A crowd quickly gathers around Jesus when father and his son approaches calling out “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” Matthew 9:17-18

Did you notice the immediate illustration of faith the father of the child had in Jesus? It's the way he addressed Him... “Teacher!” If the father didn’t believe Jesus could heal his son, he would never address Him as Teacher. The Scripture further explains what happens to the man’s son when a spirit strikes him.

Today, in 2009, we might refer to such medical illnesses based on his symptoms as a seizure disorder. But do you wonder why can we don't see miracles in our present day as in what some refer to as "Biblical" days? I have witnessed miraculous healings through prayer. I have seen God’s mighty power heal several individuals afflicted with health problems and emotional issues. I believe deep seeded faith had everything to do with it.

Why don’t we don't see more miracle healings today? Jesus answers the question thousands of years ago which is applicable today...

“And He answered them, ‘O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring Him to Me!’” Mark 9:19

Jesus speaks to those standing around as they call Him “Teacher” as the crowd continues to grow so eager to hear more of His knowledge on how to live their lives. Yet, they are an “unbelieving generation!” Is that not the same eagerness many of us have, yet the ones who believe, how deep is your faith? How far are you willing to shed your old ways of "unbelief" or barriers that may be blocking God's work in you or another you pray for?

Why do you suppose people do not relate to the Bible in today?

Many of us are a non-believing generation, which seems to be spreading down through the generations at a rampant pace. That's the sad part. The Bible is on target with today's problems and issues as it was WAY back then. Personally, I did not read the Bible as I should before I was mentored. I was draw to learn the Bible. It became passionate resource for when I needed guidance from God.

As a world that is becoming smaller with satellite communications, most would think our technology would help advance spreading the Word of the Gospel, witnessing unprecedented miracles of God. Instead, it seems to permeate the message versus enforcing it.

By not seeing grand miracles such as healings from cancer or seizures as a result of casting out bad spirits as in the times Jesus walked this earth, then we might ask ourselves if we have faith... a deep seeded faith... enough to pray with someone and believe with all your heart and soul they will be healed in Jesus Christ's name?

If we had deeper faith, walked the way the Lord would have us in each of our lives, I believe we would see the news headlines talk about more miracles and less mediocrity!

Could it be the media is a distraction to guide us as a nation into a trance, keeping our attention on the latest chaos? That is pure and simply the devil creating a distraction to keep us velcroed to our chairs. There is nothing wrong with watching the TV or listening to the radio, etc. But we need to balance our time wisely.

Do any of us give God as much time as you watch TV, or do any other hobby?

Miracles are happening all around in simple ways all the time. But when God lays it on any of our hearts to pray with someone or to pray for someone... are we sincere?

Do we really pray for one another with faith like it was our own life is at stake?

In the story... it was a father's child who needed healing. God bless all the little ones who suffer from such atrocities.

I had to examine my own faith and it was far from where it is currently, and I still have a long ways to go in learning more about God in every way!

If you have faith in Jesus with God's Word in your heart and believe HE will heal you from physical or emotional problems, He will!

But is it His will?

It's God’s decision if you are healed on earth or in heaven in you believe in Jesus, but God tells us He searches our hearts all the time. God makes that call as He sees the big picture, but I also believe God can change things if we ask, earnestly. Pray for God to heal someone if you believe and have faith. You doubt in your mind someone may not be healed then pray that they would be comforted by God as they struggle or their family struggles.

God answers prayers but what if we don't ask... how can He answer?

It may be a health or emotional problem you're facing is a mission for God to work through you as demonstrate strong unwavering faith in Him. Max Lucado's devotion was in a similar topic this week. It is faith that makes or breaks your belief. Lack of faith dwindles or diminishes your belief.

Every day, we should awake refreshed with greater faith in our Father in Heaven! Believe and watch miracles unfold all around as you pray to the Father. Ask Him to open up your spiritual eyes! Ask God to show you how to deepen your faith in Him.

Jesus cast out the demon in the boy because the child's father believed Jesus could heal him. The last verse... Jesus answering His disciples when they asked “Why could we not drive it out?” Jesus replied “This kind of cannot come out by anything but prayer!”

Pray to God for your faith to be strengthened by Him!

Believe when others doubt!

Rejoice over the smallest of miracles. God will place bigger miracles in your life as you pray to Him, praise Him, and please Him by showing others you have unwavering faith in God!

Be a believer from the tip of your toes to the top of your head and everything in between. Then and only then will you be able to experience faith in God in a new and deeper way!

If You can?

Do you doubt healing by Jesus thinking “if He can?” Then perhaps all of our prayer to Jesus should be “Yes, You can… through me!”

Believers cannot be believers if they don’t fully believe.

It’s all or nothing for God.

Believe, pray for faith, and the possible will happen!

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*Scripture references are NASB

The Smell of Fear Downwind

I awoke this morning distressed with a whiff of fear as I almost allowed myself to briefly panic as the bait of evil lurked in the distance trying to have me wallow in self pity, worthlessness, and "What good am I doing for God?"

If you give into self versus leaning on God, you might as well go out and roll around in a pig pen. That’s exactly what the enemy wants your spiritual world to be like. He wants you to stink to high heaven!

Instead of allowing “me” to be all about “me,” I have learned to promptly retreat to the Lord in prayer as I read Scripture out loud at times when my faith needs assurance. It has taken many months to understand how to handle days like today. This lesson was NOT learned overnight.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

As I continue to pray for God to open up a door for more work, tears began streaming down my face. My business is drying up like a dust bowl but I keep going forward because I sure as heck don’t want to go back to the way I was living.

My modest freelance business has provided me with feast and famine times. There have been projects overflowing with abundant blessings to meet and exceed my bills. Then there are other times when no projects are in sight as famine kicks in. I believe it’s God’s way of teaching me to handle the good with the bad, and still have a happy heart as we are expected to depend on God and be thankful to Him at all times.

“…in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

It’s not an easy learning task but the blessings from God’s lessons are mighty, powerful and fearless as the enemy attempts to attack and destroy.

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

During feast times, I always feel confident and secure as money is the key factor. During the famine season, or dry spells, I have learned to swallow my pride as I humbly work any job where my skills could be used.

In the everyday natural world, you will often sense or smell fear unless you are living in God's spiritual world which is simply learning more about God!

Remember God is a Spirit! There are two worlds evolving on earth at the same time. The spiritual world many Christians don’t seem to care to discuss (possibly based on fear?) and the natural world as we see things in plain vision.

When God arrives in your life as He did in mine, I welcomed Him with open arms asking to be cleansed from my old ways. He answered my prayer request. When He pulled my spiritual nose plugs out... “WHOA! WHAT IS THAT AWFUL SMELL???” It was fear of being what God wanted me to be instead of what I knew how to be.

Fear attracts the enemy out of thin air like stink on a stick. The devil scourers the earth as a fear monger, spiritually trying to entice you with the stench of fear. His number one goal is for any of us to return to our old comfort zone and reject God.

Remember, God DOES NOT give you the spirit of fear! So where does it come from? If it ain’t from God, then it must be from the side of E V I L which is “live” spelled backwards. Interesting??? How do you "live"... backwards or forwards?

It was not until my struggles became reality then I not only sympathized but empathized with others who are in worse shape than my situation. But here’s the GREAT news!!! God promises He will meet our needs! He has met mine since I stepped out on faith and long before my first cry on this earth.

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

Reality Check: Stench of Fear Alert!

Today is a day like most Christians experience from time to time as you draw nearer to the Lord. God is breaking down barriers and taking away issues which keep us from being what He needs us to be for Him. Some how when that happens intuitively, our innerds start freaking!

When I begin to wear down during my financial famine, I sense the enemy is waiting on the edge of my God's safety zone around me as he tries to lure me back into my old life. I can just see the enemy with his party hats and party horns as he is ready to have a fireworks celebration in honor of my demise as fear is the factor and the smell draws him like flies to honey!

Fortunately, the adversary must have been greatly disappointed with this believer as I continue to lean on the Word of God for His strength.

The unwavering fluctuating fear I experience at times reminds me of a 24 hour virus. There is no self cure. There is not a quick fix. Only the Great Physician can heal your troubled fears and dispose of your anxiety. Then rest in Him as Jesus tells us in the Book of Matthew… "I will give you rest.”

It was a realistic day in the life of this Christian. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if this blog or anything I do for God is the right direction. Those doubts were placed in my mind to create despair and fear as the enemy wants me to return to my sinful life and ignore God.

As I sign off, I assure you the stench of fear did not linger around me for very long as God’s sweet words of comfort were sent to me through an earthly angel named Hoskins. God bless him!

I share my struggles with for one reason only… not for pity… but to be honest. Stepping out on faith is harder work than a regular job with a regular income. I know deadlines intimately having made a career in the publishing business. And believe me, the earthly deadlines we think are important are nothing compared to the final deadline that will come when Jesus returns!

I know what it’s like to having a great salary, live in my own home, be able to pay my mortgage with plenty of food in the pantry and lots of nice clothes in my closet.

I needed to experience the famine to fully appreciate the feast! And my famine is STILL A LONG ways from true famine. Thank you God for the rich blessings in my life!

The only true way to experience God’s blessings is to learn what His blessings entail. Remember to thank God in every situation. Should you ever go without, you will have walked as many souls are doing currently in our own country! It’s a lesson many Americans, including myself need, or needed, to learn as only God can teach when we allow Him to really unplug your spiritual senses! Are you too wired into this world? God unplugged is phenonmenal!

Don’t be afraid, or fear, to live in God’s world on this earth. Let go and let God assures your maturity in Christ and will allow you to walk closer to Him.

In God’s world, fear stays downwind, permanently!

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God First

"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.” Isaiah 44:6 (NASB)

I share these Scriptures with you as I do with myself as a reminder of who God is, and should be in every life. First. God should be first. God should always be first.

Any less than placing God first in your life each day as a Christian simply means God is not the center of your life. That places self in the center of your life with God shoved to the side.

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8 (NIV)

If your soul and spirit represent a fruit tree, how deep are your roots into the most nurturing soil known to man… God’s Holy Word, the Bible?

How can your fruit tree grow in a corner if you allow other non-producing items or issues to stand where the tree of life should be getting complete nourishment with water and the Son’s light?

Is there any fruit to bear on your tree?

If so, is the fruit partially mature?

Personally, my fruit tree needed a lot of nurturing. I had a lot of dead limbs that needed pruning, and my fruit was not fully mature. I didn’t soak up the Son’s light, nor did I have my roots in the right soil, God’s Word. I was watered down and water logged with my own direction and way of thinking.

“Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:2 (NIV)

God is first in my life. Not just for a season or a reason. God is first in my life for the rest of my life! He loves me… you… everyone… unconditionally!

There is no reason to question my devotion or loyalty. I'm not crazy. For some who will read "Preprayer Yourself" and have known me from high school, college, and/or in my professional career before I stepped out on faith, you may be wondering if I have lost my mind. No. I finally found my mind…set. And it is for God… ALL about God… God FIRST!

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

I had a great deal to learn. Patience was at the top of my list. And not just for a few hours but to be patient all the time. I did not realize how impatient I was until the love of God won over the rage of my deep seeded anger which stemmed from my childhood. (BEFORE my little brother was born whom I love very much.) That is a L-O-N-G time to carry around stinky baggage I didn’t realize was so heavy, much less having it hang all over me spiritually! God's angels probably held their noses while keeping me safe!

When I learned more about compassion, I became gentler learning to illustrate kindness and thoughtfulness. God taught me through the geriatrics He placed in my life that didn't have any family and would have annoyed the family if they had. When one in particular passed away last fall, I could see where she had been good for me, and through God, I had been good for her. God taught us both great lessons through one another. Since God is a Spirit, that is how God works... through others and through you as you allow Him. Being mean-spirited is NOT of God.

In striving to reach humility... well I'm ashamed to admit it was buried way down deep inside. Through God’s love and discipline, I finally learned what it was like to be humble in spirit to God.

He is the reason I am alive instead of just walking through life wasting time as if I have years to live. We're not promised tomorrow. We live as if we are, but we only have this moment as we breath. Yes, agendas are important, but my point is... why waste time when you get make a difference in you!

I try to enjoy each day with the sorrowful and happy times just like most anyone else. But I do so because I pray away my burdens. (Matthew 11:28-30)


God always comes through as He provides for me in ways I would never have imagined. God is faithful. God is love. God is merciful.

“Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 1:21 (NIV)

In my life before 2007, God was not first. God was not second. God was not third. God was. That’s it. God was. I deprived my own life from knowing God in the fullest.

I knew there was more to learn about God’s Word, but who else can I blame about NOT knowing the Holy Spirit all those years?

Should I have blamed my minister?

Should I have blamed my parents?

Should I have blamed other Christians?

Who should I have blamed?

Let me present these questions in another way.

Who am I (and you) going to answer to on Judgment Day?

Will it be my (your) minister, my (your) parents, other Christians?

No.... Christa will be answering!

Perhaps there could have been more taught in our church at the time so I was more aware. But I am an adult. I make my choices. God did not have my attention because I did not give God my attention.

When I was a young child, turning into a teenager, I knew I was called by God to serve Him in His ministry. But I was afraid. I went in other directions. Plus it was not cool to be so “goody two shoes,” even though I was never a "party" person, or a trouble maker. I did have vices I have had to give to God. My life is all the better for coming clean. But it is by His grace I was able to be cleansed.

Good deeds will not get any one into heaven. You can be good all day long and all night long, but it is professing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior by faith that gets a soul into heaven!

I pray you will place God first if you aren't already focused on God. He is a Spirit and HE is all around you. He sees what you do, He hears what you say, He feels what you feel… every second you are alive on this earth. When I learned that fact, I was ashamed of my behavior. I was ashamed that I had not walked Christ-like, even though I would say I had been a good person. But I could have been better. Now I work towards being better as I place God first.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Colossians 1:15 (NASB)

What to know more about God? READ. I should have years ago.

Got questions? Ask God. I did. Guess what? He answers!

Prayer is free, better on bended knees.

God First!

Humble, Pray, Seek.

"...and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NASB)

This Scripture is powerful; perfect for our nation's time of self destruction. God can do, what no man can do! God can lead us out of bondage if we place Him first in our lives and our country!

The Scripture instructs what we must do for God to heal land...

1.) Humble yourselves before the Lord!

2.) Pray from your heart. Be sincere, if you desire God's miracles in this generation!

3.) Seek His Face... meaning seek God! Learn God, read His Word. Live by His ways, His will, then and 0nly then will His wonders bless the United States of America.

We are suffering, and will continue to suffer, because we are lazy in allowing this country to be led by many in public offices that are not trustworthy, and do not have our country's best interest at heart.

Our nation's future is at stake!

Pray for God to bless our current leaders; to correct our current course; and create within our hearts, the desire to be as Christ would have us to be.

"...and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NASB)

It's not too late, but it may be closer than any one would ever have imagined.

May God bless you!

May God bless our country!

May God bless our troops wherever they are serving on this 4th of July Day of Independence Day... and every day as men and women put their lives on the line for our freedom!

Humble, Pray, Seek.

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Faith, Family and Country: First Things First

“Thinking outside of the box” is exactly what the United States of America’s Founding Fathers did to create our country for freedom.

Freedom of religion speaks right to the very core of my heart as all the freedoms we are so privileged to enjoy in this great nation! Our country was founded on “In God, We Trust; Almighty God; Creator of the Universe; and the Father of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior; and as a joint heir, my Heavenly Father.”

How fortunate we have been for so many years to be abundantly blessed! How close we may be to losing the very freedom we have always known as it appears the U.S. laws of this nation land are quickly changing through with major recontruction and change we as a country can not literally afford to live with.

Just like anything else, freedom can be abused, creating deception; or freedom can exist with respect to do the right thing.

This afternoon I witnessed a Christian, who is a great leader in my humble opinion, take a stand for what is right. She is not running from anything. I believe she is running for God's directives as He is opening new pathways for Sarah Palin to help jolt America into action. I believe God is listening to sincere prayers from citizens who are hurting, begging for leadership from Him. Whether Sarah ever has another working title or not, she is entitled as a joint heir walking with the most precious title a soul could ever have for all eternity. She is a Christian.

She is in the process of giving up a title of political leadership. That doesn't maker her any less in the Father's eyes. Perhaps she will be blessed with a higher title with more responsibility, should she choose to run for public office again. Or if she decides to be a spokesperson endorsing what is right for this country! Whatever her aspirations, as long as she places God first, she will succeed no matter how many oppose her. When God protects His own, no harm will come to you.

Today, as I listened carefully to Sarah Palin's* speech, she aims to go beyond precendented limitations which seem to have confined her abilities to a political office of four walls. Or better said, a box! As I have watched, listened, and read a great deal about Sarah, she makes it clear that she is not content with doing business as usual; the same old ways of doing politics. What I sensed today was Sarah Palin stepping out on faith!

This blog or testimonial space will not be a forum for political insights or opinions, but for viewpoints when I see Christians from all walks of life, walking the walk and not just talking the talk!

Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska (like her or not), is a Christian who is boldly speaks her heart, her mind, and constantly speaks of God, prayer, and faith!

Based on the media reports and reading her statement, Sarah Palin will resign from her current position effective July 26, 2009. By not completing her full term as Governor of Alaska, I believe she is stepping out on faith to allow her to return to the freedom she a civilian. That makes perfect sense in choosing to speak on the eve of July 4th. It's about her having the freedom to speak out so this country will hopefully be able to continue to speak out. Whatever course of action she is led, Sarah's mission is to wake up America from the trance which seems to be more of a curse.

As a country, we have allowed our nation to be damaged by "politics as usual." This process started long before the current administration was voted into office. But it’s time to stop it! It’s time someone stepped out on faith and stepped up to speak out on what is ethically and morally going bad with our country.

I support her as I have no doubts she will put her best foot forward, whatever her political aspirations may be or not be. Why? Sarah chooses to place GOD FIRST!

“I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your loving kindness and Your truth from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:10 (NIV)

Can you name anyone else in public office who speaks of God, prayer and blessings?

I sense her decision based on her statements, to be truthful and from her heart. In her closing remarks today Sarah stated, “I gotta put First things first”... “look north to the future. God bless you!”

As she places God first in her decision making, Sarah is allowing God to guide her steps and direction, politically connected or as a spokesperson for what is right and truthful.

“He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.” Psalm 15:2 (NASB)

Sarah is in a position through God’s immense blessings of spiritual wisdom and knowledge, to help turn our country towards the very foundation in which it was created.

Our nation’s foundation of morals and ethics are diminishing quickly as if we were standing on sand instead of the Rock of Jesus Christ. If America does not return to what is Biblically right diverting from what is severely wrong... we as a nation will continue to be our own worst enemy.

In Sarah's decision to take an unusual direction by complete surprise, she broke the mold of what is politically correct "according" to every one's else rules!

Isn’t that what God asks each of us to do every day in shedding our old ways? To do what He lays on heart even if it's not a "normal" way of doing things?

“…knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin...” Romans 6:6 (NASB)

Sarah does not believe in corruption which is sin. That doesn't mean she is perfect, but she illustrates strong Christian values. She took a stand today for ethical values as she is putting a stop to government wasteful spending. Sarah could not do her job as governor stating that she was spending 80 percent of time on her job not doing what the residents of Alaska voted her to do.

Instead, she accomplished in two years, what was a four year agenda. How is that possible? Sarah Palin said it best... “I put my faith, family and country first!” She has her priorities in the right order!

I believe, Sarah gets blasted and ripped by so many people because it is a spiritual conflict. Many are drawn to her strength, yet many want to drain her to dust. I believe it is because Christ is within her which draws enormous crowds and also draws enormous amounts of heat. She is strong in her beliefs. She is a threat to the “old ways of doing things!” She is refreshing!

She has strategically positioned herself to “think outside the box.”

In thinking outside the box, have you ever thought the “box” could be your coffin? Why continue living like everyone else which may be dead ends in life, instead of new beginnings?

Have you ever thought how God can show each of us in our individual territories, small or large, many alternatives to get things accomplished versus “going along with what’s expected”... or “going along with the crowd,” just because it seemed the thing to do?

Until we, as a nation, decide to educate ourselves and quit listening to what the media is placing in front of us and read the facts, deception will create scales over our eyes versus seeing the truth of God. I know based on my vision before God knocked the scales off my eyes, I saw things my way. I was probably looking through rose colored glasses and didn't want to see or be educated on how life really is once you completely decide to allow Jesus in your heart. No more compromises, only commandments of God are allowed when a Christian prays to see things God's way.

“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again... Act 9:18 (NIV)

Although I do not condone cursing, Palin said one of her kids voted yes stating “Hell, yeah!” As she asked for their votes of stepping away from the office as governor, or stay in a battle with a relentless badgering which was garnering nothing for those who depend on Alaska, within the state and outside the state.

Sarah Palin was recently in Iraq on a visit. What comes to mind... and this is only my thought… if she were able to communicate or visit with her oldest son, Track, who is currently serving in Iraq for the United States Armed Forces, perhaps those were his words. I’m guessing Track is in a war zone a.k.a “hell zone!”

Track might see more than any of us could fathom. He puts his life on the line, as thousands of other troops do each day, for our freedom! I believe he would support his mother in anything that was right. It appears Sarah's goal is to get the attention of the American people to realize things need to be different than they are in this world. I base this on her outspoken views before and after the current president of the U.S.A.

Think outside the box!

Think outside of the same ol' same ways of doing! Live as God would call you to live; to be free from the enemy’s traps and snares.

“Those who seek my life lay snares for me; And those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction, And they devise treachery all day long.” Psalm 38:12 (NASB)

Sarah did just that today by walking away from traps and snares. She is a hunter. She knows when to avoid battles that are useless and not for the glory of God as a servant to Him or as a public servant!

On a much smaller level, I also followed God. When I stepped out on faith, it was a shock to say the least to many of my friends and family. It went against the grain! The upheaval I faced when I did as God called me to follow His lead, is tremendous but once you obey Him, learn to live as He would call you to live, it is extremely worthwhile! Now, that is REAL CHANGE!

Sarah will come out better for choosing her battles wisely. I believe this to be true because God also blessed me as I continue to seek Him to lead my direction. This blog spot is a direct result of obeying His direction, otherwise my testimony or what I have learned would never be shared.

I believe the Utmost High is listening to His children's prayers as our country appears to be headed south, figuratively speaking. Palin said “...look north to the future...” and she is right. In more ways than some may comprehend, God is working in her life.

I implore you to pray earnestly to the Father to turn our country back over to His ways. One day, we may all wake up with NO freedom, or Independence, or anything else our wonderful country has been so richly blessed from sea to shining sea!

There was a time when the United States of America placed God first! It’s time to get back to the basics of God!

I pray for Sarah Palin and many others who represent our Lord and Savior in whatever work they do for our Almighty God, wherever He leads them!

May God bless America!

May God bless you!

Please pray for God to lead our nation back to Him as our One faithful God!

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*Photograph by The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman/AP

Best Said

As far back as I can remember I’ve always had a “best friend” throughout my life for a season or a reason.

My first one was my Cocker Spaniel named Sandy. My mother named him for his blond buff color. As a four year old child, that was the beginning of my love for animals, especially dogs!

Sandy was loyal, happy to see me no matter what was going on in his world as he always had a sparkle in his eyes with his little short tail wagging with such excitement. He loved to be petted and he followed me wherever I went in our neighborhood.

Sandy was the best listener. If I didn’t see him, I called his name and he came running no matter how far apart we were in the yard. Usually, he was closer than I thought! I would hug and hold to Sandy when I was happy, sad or lonely. He never tired of our time together and neither did I. How special my first dog was for me as I was an only child at the time, illustrating unconditional love. How strange that dog spelled backwards is God.

Except for the little nubby tail wagging, that descriptive relationship pretty much depicts my friendship with Jesus Christ.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

I know Jesus must smile when I call out to Him because He’s always glad to hear from me. He never tires of my prayers and the time I spend with Him. He is the best listener I have ever known as I sense Him comforting me in times of distress or blessings every day which brings cheerfulness to my heart. And if He were to stand right in front of me as a human, I would hug him tightly and remind Him… He is my best friend and I love Him. And as Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, true friendship is free!

True friends don’t have to spend a penny on each another. If you have to buy your way into someone’s life… think again.

If you feel you are trying to buy another’s love so they will spend time with you… think again.

Real friendship is about the value of the friendship not the amount of money, but rather the amount of time. Time is a gift, paid in full by Jesus. Enjoy your time. Enjoy your real friends. Through God’s extravagant love and grace, salvation is free because Jesus died to pay our debt to sin.

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…” Romans 3:22 (NIV)

There is no ticket for sale to enter into heaven. A person must accept Jesus Christ through faith. If you haven’t, ask Jesus to come into your heart, your mind, your actions, your words, your family, your ways and your will of doing... then you can be a true representative of Christ, a true friend of Jesus, a true person of faith or true to yourself!

We all make mistakes. My Father in Heaven knows that often I feel as if my share of mistakes is beyond His quota! But that is the beauty of God's forgiveness; there is no quota!

Jesus took on all of our debts, transgressions and burdens. By asking forgiveness from Him; from others or as you give forgiveness to others… our quota is wiped cleaned. All is forgiven! When trusting in Jesus then we can become better in our lives for ourselves, and better as friends to others. As it is written…

"The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy." Matthew 18:32 (MSG)

By allowing your heart to be free of sin, your gift of love is freely given. There is no greater love than what I have for Jesus. He is the love of my life. He is the friend I have looked for many times when I turned to others instead of turning to prayer.

His incredible unconditional love which transcends time, hurt, joy or sadness, happens when I least expect it as I cross paths with dear friends. Those friends are angels without wings when we need to be reminded “You are loved.”

I am grateful to God for being able to experience friendships of unconditional love through my friends that love Him as I do.

When I stepped out on faith, I learned who my true friends were in Christ as they continue to stand by my side while Jesus stands for all of us as the One who showed us what real love is… when you lay your life down for another.

Trust doesn't come easy, but when I resigned from my corporate job, I trusted God to guide my steps as I knew He would protect me, provide for me and never leave my side. He did after all, lay down His life for every one!

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (NASB)

As I share my perspectives as I learn in reading Scriptures... “that one lay down his life for his friends” could be interpreted as stopping your life long enough for another by giving your time, yourself, your heart to those who need your full attention as a Christ-like companion.

There is no greater love than His love as I experience the best love possible from Him through my friends. I’m blessed by having a family of friends and friends who are in my immediate family. My relatives, who are my friends, have been the best friends I have ever had in my life. That’s a rare and wonderful gift. All friendships are a gift!

Jesus sets the example as He is always near to be your friend in the best of times and the worst of times... all the time!

Best said… I choose Him as He lives through those who choose Him. That's when the "best" is revealed in each of us as we become good and faithful friends.

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Do NOT Disturb!

My younger life was blessed in many so ways. I was an only child until I was seven years old. After that, my bedroom door stayed closed when my little brother became a toddler and grew up to enjoy pestering me. I probably lived with my bedroom door closed more than it was open. I never thought about making a “Do Not Disturb” sign to hang on my door. Then again, he was too young to read. But he always seemed to barge into whatever I was doing.

I’m sure I did the same thing to my parents when I was growing up. With their door closed, I would either knock or just go right in at times. My guess is they would have appreciated less interference and more politeness to always knock and not just walk right in.

Working in the marketing and public relations business for over 20 years, I can also tell you there is nothing more irritating than people coming and going in and out of your office door when you have a huge deadline. I have locked my door at work, only to have someone with a master key unlock it to grab my attention. PR takes a lot of patience and flexibility, which I have had garner over the years with so many projects and work due at once! That is an area God had to indeed teach me.

Lock it up tight!

The exterior doors to our homes have at least one lock if not a deadbolt, chain, or slide lock. Perhaps all three! This day and time, our society seems to be more careful about leaving their residence or work locations unlocked. In my hometown, many years ago, some of our neighbors never locked their houses. Instead left the keys in their cars whether at home or at work or while parked to go shopping. Locked doors were not an issue!

Now it seems we all have to be more cautious using wisdom as we pray for protection in the natural. When answering our doors at home to strangers, or traveling in a larger city it can be a good thing to lock your car doors even while sitting at red lights. It seems door locking has become a major priority in the past 30 years or less. We no longer live in a part of the world where you can simply leave your doors unlocked. At least if not locked, then it seems doors have to be shut for various reasons.

Doors being shut in the natural are a way of life. Doors shut in the spiritual are just the opposite. Jesus knocked on your door before you accepted Him by faith. When you said… “I want Jesus in my heart,” your spiritual door opened wide. As it is written…

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelations 3:20 (NASB)

Listen for His knock. Listen for His voice through others.

When praying for opportunities to reach others, I ask the Father to please open up a doorway or a passage way so I may be a vessel for Him. I pray for barriers to be moved so pathways can be cleared for His work to be done for God’s glory.

Before I stepped out on faith, I would never have thought to pray specifically in such a way or have a strong desire to be a vessel or instrument for God in this lifetime.

My spiritual door was shut! And shut tight! The sign hanging read “DO NOT DISTURB!” In fine print below, I am guessing it read something like… “I like my life like it is… thank you Jesus for saving me, and I look forward to seeing you in Heaven.”

That was the extent of my spiritual knowledge of God! I did not want my spiritual door to be open to whatever God wanted me to do! I wanted to do what I wanted to do but be saved. What I did was say… “Jesus, I can handle life. Thanks for watching over me, but I have it in control.” That is probably like asking a welcomed guest or friend to leave because you don’t want them around any longer! As Gomer Pyle use to say “For shame, For shame, For shame!”

I had to seek GOD before He entered my life again in a very intimate way to know Him personally. I had strayed away and my spiritual door was DEAD bolted!

You may be thinking… “But if you accepted Jesus Christ earlier in your life does that mean you are no longer saved?” I can’t give a definitive answer to the question on the subject of “once saved, always saved.” I do know we are expected and commanded as Christians to grow in God’s grace. Live by HIS rules as HE rules our life. Scriptures tells of this in the Bible.

God will never force Himself on anyway. He will leave you alone if that is your desire. But what a life you think you’re living only to learn that you shut Jesus out when it’s all said and done! You may have an angel walking around behind you in the spiritual world calling out “Dead one walking! Dead bolted and locked down.”

For those who believe when accept Jesus in your heart that’s it the end of God’s expectations for your life… It’s just the beginning! Your spiritual door should have a sign that reads “Come on in! Open to my Lord and Savior 24/7. How may I serve you?”

“…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:13-14 (NIV)

Give it a “think”…

How much is your door open to His way of living which begins with you… within you?

Have you just gone through the motions of asking Jesus to come into your heart by opening your door, only to have a spring attached to automatically close on Him as He stands there?

Have you accepted the call of acting like Jesus is in your heart by ripping off your spiritual door at the hinges???

From my personal experience; when I was touched by Jesus Christ, there was and continues to be, a devoted passion which wells up inside as the Holy Spirit comes alive! The desire to return to my old self and old ways diminished with discipline.

You will be tempted. Oh, yes! The enemy wants to board up your spiritual door, give you all the locks you want, and some you don’t want. ANY thing to keep you from opening your door to Jesus every day you’re granted a breath to do something for Him... or for others as He directs you... or in knowing God as you have never known Him!

So, I ask…

What sign do you have hanging on your spiritual door? Or is the passion of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and the Holy Spirit so entrenched in your soul that you no longer have a door but are open to Him all the time?

I challenge you to grow to know Him so you don’t even want a door between God and you any longer. Trust God on the inside of you so that on the outside of your body, house, car and work… you may have doors with keys to lock up things in the natural, but you naturally pray for God to motivate your spiritual doors to open up to Him.

He protects you. He loves you. He keeps you safe. Don’t slam your door on the Creator of the Universe locking Him out of your life. He is the reason you have a life... with all kinds of possibilities... in the natural and the spiritual. He can open doorways for you that you'd never imagined! But there is one door that has to be fully opened first... the one to your heart!

What if He never knocked again?

Dear Father,

I pray you will remove the hinges to know you, love you, and do your work as I give you the key to my heart and the door to go with it!

May everyone reading this prayer start by placing a welcome mat at their door in the natural and spiritual doors of their lives. May each one become more Christ-like, if they are not already in the place with you they need to be.

In Jesus Christ’s Name,

Amen!

Christa

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My Father is into Plaid

Growing up in the 1960s, my dad wore big plaid shorts called “Bermuda Shorts.” Back in the day, these shorts were acceptable fashion.

As hideous as they became, he would continue to wear his LOUD plaid shorts way into the 1980s. At that point in time, they were WAY out of style by society’s fashion standards. However, fashion trends have a tendency to come “back in style,” as did plaid shorts with the same knee length. This go around, they would be known in the fashion world as “madras plaid” with smaller printed plaid lines.

Well, the Heavenly Father is totally into Plaid because He is the first to create the fashionable plaid that is a "happening" look and feel no what year it is, or what's in style according to the world. As a matter of fact, He IS plaid as His presence and blessings cross back and forth from every direction, east to west to north to south, diagonally from every point and angle imaginable to the human existence.

When I first started mentoring my mother, she was trying to comprehend God being everywhere at the same time as He was... working, loving, protecting, healing, watching, doing, creating, sustaining, producing, providing, guiding, teaching, forgiving, blessing… well.... EVERY thing at the same time through the universe and this earth. The first idea that came to mind was mother's loveseat in the sunroom which is... plaid!

Plaids are usually multi-lined visuals used on fabric, desktop screens, printed publications… well just about any assortment of items these days can be seen in most any array of stripes up and down and back and forth as they go from “can to can’t!”

In describing God being everywhere, I also thought about the many threads of colors that weave the very fabric of our lives. Threads of healing. Threads of bonding. Threads of emotions. Threads of friendships or networks of friends that cross our lives. Threads of places, time, and space.

When you really get into the integral threads themselves, you realize how fragile each strand is alone. But when grouped with other threads, the color or the presence of their showing becomes stronger. That is why the Body of Christ is so important for fellowship and worship as we are members of the Body of Christ all over this globe and not by a membership in a certain church.

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)

As many denominations as the earth hosts, so is the manner in which we make up creation as humans who become Christians. Plaid is a reflection of diversity. As our society represents many walks of life, some we agree with… others we may not, regardless what we do and do not like about others, we are required to … not just “be” Christ-like but “act" Christ-like!

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7 (NIV)

God wants to enhance our threads. This can only can this be done through His strength. Alone we are weak, but when we depend completely on God, He is the source of our strength!

“The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2 (NIV)

Whenever I see plaid, which is my favorite color... I see God working in many ways in many of His children’s lives as paths cross. I am reminded my Heavenly Father is definitely into plaid! He is into threading the Good News!

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Flip Flop Friends

Solomon was given the gift of wisdom as God so blessed Him in writing most of the Book of Proverbs. It is one of several Books in the Bible I never tire of reading and referring to its scriptures. In reading Proverbs, I gain a tremendous amount of wonderful instruction.

The last chapter and verse is Chapter 31:31. In my Life Application Study Bible (NIV), the study notes state:

"The Book of Proverbs begins with the command to fear the Lord (1:7) and ends with the picture of a woman who fulfills this command. Her qualities are mentioned throughout the book: hard work, fear of God, respect for spouse, foresight, encouragement, care of others, concern for the poor, and wisdom in handling money. These qualities, when couple with fear of God, lead to enjoyment, success, honor, and worth. Proverbs is very practical for our day because it shows us how to become wise, make good decisions, and live according to God's ideal."*

Amazing how God blesses those who seek Him with a pure heart for learning wisdom, to be taught how to do what is right, just, and fair, in becoming a better member of the Body of Christ, a better member of your immediate family, and a better friend to all... especially to God.

Proverbs 17:17 was recently brought to my attention. Maybe because every time I have read this verse in the past, I would get mixed signals because of one word... "adversity."

Let's explore different translations.

Proverbs 17:17 states:

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (KJV)

"A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity." (NASB)

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (NIV)

"A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity." (AMB)

"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." (NLT)

"Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble." (MSG)

After reading different translations from six different Biblical sources, I finally comprehended "adversity" as help from your family in this verse.

Previously, when I read the word "adversity"... it projected trouble and hardships in my thoughts. But I learned a valuable lesson in taking the time to research a familiar verse I love to refer to.

In the last few posts, I have been sharing the way God is teaching me study one verse and absorb what is being said to me in various ways. Sometimes I don't see more than what the words state. Then I have "wow" moments when I become in awe of God in everything but particularly the Bible!

Proverbs 17:17 teaches me a great deal of wisdom as to what kind of friends I should seek, based on their fruits of the spirit. It reminds me what kind I friend I should be, based on my fruits of the spirit. (See Galatians 5:22-25 below.)

In my Study Bible, the descriptive notes at the bottom of the page for Proverbs 17:17 explains this Scripture far better than I could express:

"What kind of friend are you? There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true friend. The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty (loving at all times) -- being available to help in times of distress or personal struggles. Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they're not getting anything out of the relationship. Think of your friends and assess your loyalty to them. Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages."

So I pose the question.... are you "flip" or "flop" in your friendships?

Flip bends over backwards springing forward or anyway your friend needs you that is ethical and moral.

Flop lets others down. May even define someone using another friend for selfishness or lets the friendship die because they just don’t take the time to stay connected. The friendship may start out as a flip but may flopped because of circumstances beyond your control.

Or maybe that's the "flop drop" way of thinking....BEYOND OUR CONTROL. That's when we all need to give flop friends to God. Or if you are a flop, flip back to being a better friend! Remember, everything is in God’s control. But you also have to have the desire to work at friendships. It’s often said, friendships are like gardens, you have to work to keep them growing!

Personally, I want to please God first. Previously, I wanted to please my friends, first. No matter how much energy I placed in my friendships, inadvertently... something always flopped. Sometimes that's just how it goes. By allowing God to be in the center of your life, He will teach you to walk in flip(s) flops.

Since I've placed God first in my life, I have flipped in the right direction as God has placed many new friends in my life, reunited others… and also replaced many friends whom I thought with all my heart were my true friends. But they weren’t.

I know I have flopped at friendships as some of my friends have flopped on our friendship. As God leads, I learn to flip forwards instead experiencing a flop backwards into my old ways of trying to be everything for everyone. That is a sure walk down a path of failure for yourself and others.

In reflecting who are my friends… true friends… some I have known since elementary school and remain still close. Others I have met within the ten years and knew instantly we were Christian soul(ED) mates.

I have also been blessed immensely with new friends in the last two years whom I honestly felt like we have known each other ALL of our lives...since the days of first learning to ride a tricycle! Those friends are more like family than some members of family has been at times.

As you wear flip flops this summer, try to remember each step you take might start off as a flip... or even an unexpected flop at some point down life's friendship journey. What matters the most is the direction in which you take your friendships which begins with being the best person possible through the fruits of the spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25 (NASB)

I encourage you to give everything to the Father. If you flop at being a good friend, pray about it! God will soon have you flipping back on your feet as He will place good "souls/soles" in your life!

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*Life Application Study Bible (NIV) Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and Zondervan.

Devil at Every Level!

When a believer truly commits themselves to the Lord, He allows a learning process which includes all types of testing of your faith and devotion to Him in the natural and spiritually. In giving yourself to God, you are telling the devil… “Get out of my life…NOW!” But the devil is not going to leave you alone. It’s his job to pick at you, try to tempt you and to make you question your devotion to God in becoming more Christ-like.

Prove the devil wrong!

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

God tests His Followers to see if it's your will, your way or His will, His way you choose. Testing from the adversary, or the devil, happens. God allows things to occur as He uses the enemy to strengthen your faith in Him. When you think things seem to be going to wrong, usually that's a good sign that something good is about to happen. Or that is the way it has been in my growth with the Father.

My testimony on the subject is based on two specifics from many, many experiences in the beginning of tremendous adversarial times... or should I say... when I prayed for my spiritual eyes to be open to it.

One morning, I awoke with a sharp pain in my right lower quadrant. I thought "possible appendicitis," since I had a fever with chills in the middle of a hot summer in 2006. The pain was horrific and sporadic every 45 minutes. This cycle lasted for hours.

As the pain intensified, I knew I best head to the ER. After being thoroughly checked, the doctor really didn't know what was causing the pain, but perhaps it was a virus.

Later during night, I woke up with a severe rash from head to toe and all around my abdomen. Mother had casually mentioned Shingles earlier that day when I mentioned a tiny little strawberry rash on my right foot. So I went online to investigate. Yep. I definitely had Shingles. The next morning, I called my physician. By the time I had seen my doctor and my doctor had seen me… “The itch” started! I couldn't make my way to pharmacist fast enough to start the meds.

There didn't seem to be any type of relief until the meds started working while I was in agony, literally in tears. The more I itched... the more I scratched. The more I scratched... the more pain I felt from try to scratch an itch. The closest I can explain is when you have a really bad sunburn, but it itches and when you try to scratch it, YIKES!!! It was a “Catch 22.”

It was in pain everywhere clothing touched my skin. Worse than any sunburn from the beach in the older days of using baby oil to "tan" as it sizzled your skin. Prior to this outbreak, the only Shingles I was aware of where the type for housetops. But this Shingles does cover you... from head to toe if it's severe.

My doctor said I missed one pill, I may have another rash to appear after this episode. You can bet, I took my pills like clockwork. There didn’t seem to be much relief in sight except for the hope that the medication would make me well. I did take an over the counter medication which made me sleepy. The only other comfort was cool showers. I took three or four a day! Anything to find comfort.

At one point while showering I was so unbelievably miserable, I got down on my knees, praying and crying to the Father for relief. I had been praying… but I prayed like I'd never prayed before!

About the same time I was praying, mother received a phone call from one our family friends who knew I had been dealing with Shingles for several days. She had been watching a religious program. The host was praying for different people’s ailments, afflictions and illnesses. What caught her attention was a special prayer for someone who had Shingles and was praying for relief. The host continued to say that the person who was praying for a healing would be healed by Jesus.

Since I was in the shower, I didn't know about the prayer mentioned on the TV. After my shower of pleading and praying God for relief, the rashes were gone. I felt immediate relief! It was a miracle!

Call it whatever you may or may not believe… but I call it being healed by Jesus Christ! I believe in the power of prayer... and I believe it was me who God was blessing.

“For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” Psalm 22:24 (NIV)

I thanked God for the quickness for His answered prayer as the Shingles vamoosed! Later, I thought “If God was testing my endurance; I believe I made passed, but it was tough lesson.”

It was through that experience, I learned to appreciate Job as I learned more about His suffering, pain and how He endured. It was a summer I won’t forget! During that summer, I had many different types pain inflicted.

I had just been educated about the Holy Spirit a few months prior to all these occurences. I was also reading a lot about spiritual warfare. My mentor told me it was probably too soon to read one book that I could seem to put down. I needed to build a firm foundation in my faith by reading God’s Word.

I wished I had listened instead of allowing myself to be more drawn into the book. Finally, I carried the book and placed it on a top shelf in my garage storage room. I left it there for weeks.

One afternoon, I headed into the storage room. I completely forgot about the book. When I reached for a box on the top shelf, I don’t remember touching anything. Then out of nowhere, a heavy roll of unprinted news paper (used for packing) probably weighing about 30 lbs, came tumbling down and landed on my left big toe. "OUCH!!!!!!" was an understatement for the pain I felt immediately! It hurt so badly, I couldn’t cry. I thought I was going to pass out before I could get back to the house. As a matter of fact, I crawled! I could not put any weight on my foot without screaming. I was just getting past my second round of Shingles, now then the paper weight was a heavy load to bare.

Before the summer was over, I had three cases of Shingles! Yet, I never missed a pill.., not once.

Did I really want to grow spiritually and be a warrior for God? YES! There was no turning back.

My toe was severely bruised but was not broken and I didn't lose my toenail to my surprise. However, I wore sandals for months past the summer. I am grateful my toe was cracked into pieces! Praise the Lord! He is the only reason it didn’t break. As soon as the pain came, I immediately began to pray. As a matter of fact, I never did have any major physcial setbacks, just a lot of minor hindrances which made me think more about God’s ways as Job was an example of loyalty to God through much more suffering than I had lived to tell about.

When learning God’s Word, there is a great deal more to living in this world than what appears to the naked eye. Christians have two choices in seeking to mature and grow closer to God:

1.) Keep going forward with God

OR

2.) Shrink back from God.

I have learned there is a devil at every level of growth. A dear and deeply devoted Christian sister that I cherish named Dana, shared that phrase with me when her minister used it for a message. And it’s true!

Many things came about my first summer when God was just starting to remold me inside out. Sometimes I cannot begin to explain but experienced. I never had so much go wrong in such a short time BUT I was outright devoted to God for the first time in my life. I had NO desires to procedure on a wrong path away from God. with wrongful temptation!

“And that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:26 (NIV)

The more I learn from God and about God, the sweeter His Spirit grows on my journey with Him.

Mother once said that I reminded her of Job in the summer of 2006 due to so many things happening to me. What a compliment! It meant God was beginning to prepare me and test me as He disciplined my ways. I love God with all my heart! He is the center of my life. But I am human. I make mistakes. But I am willing to learn from my mistakes.... something I was not prepared to do before 2006. I was just going through the motions.

In the Bible, it speaks of Job's life in great detail. He had everything taken away from him, even had bodily harm come upon Him. But Job stayed devoted to God, if when Job questioned God, he continued to devote himself to God as his only God. Once God used Job as a prime example of endurance for all of us to learn from Job's challenges and success... he was blessed abundantly after his testing period! He is definitely the one who experienced “a devil at every level!”

“But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.” Job 36:15 (NIV)

This summer of 2009 marks three years I have devoted myself to knowing God like I never thought possible. Once I commited my heart to God and cleaned my life up, I learned that God's love in getting to know Him is contagious.

I have NO regrets for stepping out on faith for God. Have I questioned my devotion to Him or the call I feel He placed on my life? YES, many times! But only recently have I come to a place of no longer doubting what I am to do for God in my career or for work for His glory. With that comes a huge relief of self drudergy I was placing on me. I was self inflicing my self to kept from being healed bby not giving it all to the Father for a complete healing, spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Do you know Him…really know Him? He’s the best friend I'll ever had in my life. He continues to test my faith and our personal friendship to see if I am willing to go the distance.... the distance is all the way through heaven’s narrow gate!

To go the distance, there is a proverbial mountain of levels. At every level the devil is waiting... trying to keep tempt you to back down away from God.

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50 (NIV)

I encourage you to keep going forward... GO THE DISTANCE!

Learn the Words of God in your Bible for protection against the enemy. Keep in mind when you feel you are caving in to temptation, God is only a prayer away.

Our Heavenly Holy Father will “level” everything out in your life as you learn to balance and ascend to the next level as you become closer to God.

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Cotton Field Picked Me

When I first returned home, I would often take long walks as I strolled to parts of our small country farm. One night, the stars were out in full force with clear skies and not one cloud attempting to obscure the brilliance of God’s eyeball view as I gleamed at the beauty of His universe. It was a warm night and for some reason, I remember being restless. The cotton was just planted in the field beside the house with a little height on the newly sprung plants that would one day become stalks!

For some reason, I felt as if I were in the movie “Field of Dreams,” except there were no visions or anyone saying a repeated chant. Instead, I believe it was an innate calling from the Father to walk in this field for some reason.

Just about every time I would feel discouraged, I had a tendency to take a walk to have a silent little talk with Jesus in my thoughts. And just about every time, I would find myself in the same cotton field in just about the same place which was the middle of the field. I started referring to it as my “Field of Real.” It is my personal sanctuary.

A sanctuary is a refuge, a safe place, or a holy place. I use to automatically think of a church building, but then I learned to seek God in other places… just about anywhere in addition to a church service or place of worship.

Do you have a sanctuary… a place where you feel the Spirit of God moving you or teaching you as you read the Bible or anything motivation to learn more about Him? Or perhaps a place for just God and you to talk that is away from others?

In my “Field of Real,” which has an amazing peaceful serenity everything I walk to the middle, no matter how low or how high the cotton grows… or how low or how high my spirits become.. I always feel better! Even when the cotton has already been harvested, this cotton field has become a wonderful sanctuary. I dare say, no one else would probably get the same quiet, peaceful essence which seems to calm my spirit and soul as a gentle breeze makes me fully aware, God is with me.

I have felt His presence in other places, too. As I have also felt His lack of presence at other times in other places where it doesn’t seem the Father is honored or respected. Of course, He is there. It just doesn’t seem as obvious to me.

"This also will be my salvation, for a godless man may not come before His presence.” Job 13:16 (NASB)

Another astonishing happening as I walk out into my sanctuary as it never fails; one or all of our outside animals will come and join me. I find it delightfully rare since we are talking cats and dogs that don’t always get along with one another when they are closer the house. But in this cotton field, there is a peacefulness all around as the pets will take a place near me and lie down or sit. It amazes me how God works through the simplest of ways to see if we are noticing the little details in life.

Mostly I spend time in the field praying to the Father reverently talking out loud. There is no one else anywhere around, except the pets. It’s really like a prayer closet with invisible walls. I always feel better when I spend time in the field. It releases me, as I know God is hearing my prayers which I so grateful.

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10 (NIV)

According to this Scripture, I am not the only one who feels better when I release my sins by repenting. I have great support from the heavenly!

As I try more each day to live as I should for the Father, HIS will… HIS way! It is NOT an easy process to say the least. But I am such a better person now than I was before but it is all do to the fact that I am allowing God to pick me clean, just like the cotton so it can be used for other purposes.

My prayer continues to be, for God to use me in His fabric of ministry in some small way as His Word spins around our "rapidly getting smaller” world in which we live.

Now, wasn’t that a good cotton pickin’ devotional?

Grinnin' and pickin' up lessons as the Lord teaches as I am out-standing in my field!

“Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said ‘Amen’ and ‘Praise the LORD.’” 1 Chronicles 16:36 (NIV)

Amen and Praise the LORD!!!

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Bush-Hawgin' Overgrown Territory

There’s a great deal of emphasis placed on forgiveness in the Bible, more than I would have ever imagined especially after studying the New Testament in depth.

Look’s take a look at the simple definitions of what it is and what it is NOT of forgiveness.

"What is forgiveness?"

1.) Act of pardoning somebody for a mistake or wrongdoing*
2.) The tendency to forgive offenses readily and easily

It is giving pardon, clemency, mercy, amnesty, exoneration.

"What is not forgiving?"

1.) To consider somebody to be responsible for something wrong or unfortunate that has happened
2.) To find fault with someone

It is guilt, blame, charging, accusing, pointing the finger or holding accountable, criticize, reprimand, think badly of, condemn.

"So how do I forgive...if I must!?!"

You must. It is a direct order from God!

Colossians 3:13 states… “Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever had a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

God commands we are to forgive one another. And did you notice, He did not stutter!

When your heart is hardened due to someone’s words or actions that hurt you, caused you to feel bad… or maybe it happened to someone you love... WHATEVER caused the friction, we are to forgive!

When Jesus was speaking to thousands during His Sermon on the Mount, one of the many ways He taught mankind to seek a better life with the Heavenly Father was the Lord’s Prayer as it is written in Matthew 6:9-13.

Every sentence in the Lord’s Prayer is a wonderful example of how to pray to our Father. There were very few verses, but notice forgiveness was specifically instructed.

”And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

To grow in God’s ways, we must forgive others, and accept forgiveness from others… but also forgive ourselves!

"What's the first step?"

First, I had to earnestly decide in my heart to sincerely ask God for forgiveness of my sins. Then I asked the Lord to forgive me for hurting others. The next step was sharing with the Father I forgave others who hurt me.

But the hardest lesson for me was learning to forgive myself for so many failures and mistakes I had made in my life and failures I continue to make, even when I try not to. We're human. We will fail even in the smallest ways even when we put our best foot forward.

"That a tough commandment... I'm not so sure I can do this."

You can't do it alone. Pray to Jesus to place His courage, strength and guidance within your spirit. You will feel the Holy Spirit nudge you to contact someone, or write a note, or just ask God to forgive you. Whatever comes to mind, I encourage you to be obedient to Him. Don’t allow pride to separate you from receiving God’s blessings to the fullest in this life time. Don’t allow not forgiving to separate you from God in any way.

Jesus said, "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:15

It does not get any clearer than this commandment. It is not a maybe commandment. It is what we are instructed to do!

As I have learned to forgive, even those I had a very hard time forgiving, I discovered a tremendous amount of peace which replaced an unsettling in my spirit and soul. All I did was pray and give my concerns, ALL of them as they came to mind, to God.

I will use the following verses many times as I share because I depend on them greatly. Again, I encourage you to learn by placing these words in your heart as spiritual seeds to help you grown in your next level of faith.

Matthew 11:28-30… “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and earn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Here is another perspective I gained. “My burden is light.”

When I first learned this verse, I understood "light” to mean the opposite of “heavy,” as in picking up a suitcase. However, during was the middle of teaching a Bible Study class last summer, I read this Scripture and suddenly the word “light” revealed a completely different meaning… as in “light” from the sun or a lamp unto our feet, which is what God's Word is for us. That one word gave me tremendous insight.

My journey started with forgiveness. There was no way around it! And it continues to be an instrumental part of my walk, every day…sometimes many times a day.

Until we ask God to forgive us, especially when we choose not to forgive another… no matter what they did to you or against you… that just gives satan the upper hand in your life... your attitude.... being a witness for Christ. Then God sometimes seems far from you during times like these because He will test you... me... and others! He commands forgiveness. I take it seriously. Do you?

"What if I can't forgive?"

If you can’t find forgiveness in your heart, then share it with God in prayer. Tell Him you can’t seem to forgive someone or accept forgiveness. He will work with you and you will see how incredible God works things out. I am a living example of this prayer! He will walk you through forgiveness when you don't see any way possible for it to happen.

"What if I ask forgiveness but the other person won't forgive me or it doesn't seem they are going to forgive me?"

That issue is between the other person and God. Many times, you may discover when you ask forgiveness, the other person may not seek forgiveness from you! It's as if they did nothing wrong. Their attitude seems to be "So why do I need to ask you to forgive me?" That is between the other person and God!

“If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." John 20:23

Remember to keep your commandment with God. Each relationship with our Father in Heaven is a very personal and intimate "one on one" relationship. Keep your relationship with God at its best!

Mow down those wild weeds of unforgiving!

Forgiveness is like Bush-Hawgin' an over grown pasture. You have keep mowing down the tall grass, wild weeds and vines that have a tendency to take over your beautiful interior landscape. Once you do this on a regular basis, your pathway with God will have a much better view of yourself and those around you.

Crank up your tractor of Faith and plow into the Word of God to seek forgiveness! He has provided us with the tools and equipment, believers just need to learn to use them... and frequently!

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*Reference: Encarta Dictionary
All Scripture References are NASB.