Do you trust me?

It was one of those moments where you needed a helping hand. There was no way around it. I just couldn't reach what I wanted to see. I leaned over the edge as far as I could, but my own limited stretch wasn't enough. I needed just a few more inches and I could get it. I needed a hand. My friend quickly stuck out her hand and said, "Here...I got ya." I looked up and thought for a second and my entire life's moments of being on the receiving end of a practical joke filled my mind and it didn't take more than 10 seconds to say, "Ummm, that's okay, I'll wait." With her hand reaching closer to me, she exclaimed, "You do have trust issues!!" And She was right. I do. By now, her hand was right infront of my face, waiting...daring me to trust. I was being called out in an area she knows I am working on and didn't give up, actually challenged me to fight through it right in that moment. I looked her in the eye and grabbed her hand, she said, "I'm not gonna let go. If you go in, I will go in, but you're not going in. Now, go!" She had me. I had her. I made the reach. I didn't fall!! Trust Lesson-PASSED! WooHoooo!!

Doesn't God ask the same of us? Do you trust Me? There's something we cannot reach on our own, we need just a few more inches and there He stands reaching out His hand. Will we dare to trust Him? As I work through this issue of trust in my life, I know I am growing because the time of pause in between the anxious ponderings has grown less and less. There was a day when I said, "No thanks" and walked away in fear. Years later I began to trust a little more, analyze the situation deeply, weigh out the odds and choose to trust when I knew I couldn't get hurt (not sure that is trust more than just receiving a helping hand when there's no risk involved).

Trusting involves risk. Risk of being hurt (emotionally or physically). So the "what" or "who" you are trusting makes all the difference. If the hand being extended to me is the one of a complete stranger, I would not trust them to have my best interest at heart. I could certainly hope and trust, but there's a huge risk. If the helping hand is someone I have known to care for me and has a heart towards goodness and kindness, even if they have a silly side (aka:Practical Joker), I know I can trust them to hold on when they give me their word. When the hand offered is from a trusted person, you know they are trust worthy, you know they have your best in mind, you should trust and grab on. There's no reason not to. Being able to reach what you needed reinforces the bond of trust. Once again, it has been proven to you as trustworthy.

What is it you are trying to reach that is just a few inches away from your limited stretch? God stands graciously reaching out to you. Bottom line is that if "it" (whatever "it" is) is from God, then you can know that He has already gone before you and knows what's coming. Satan on the otherhand, wants you to trip you up and tempt you to not trust God. There will be testing of our faith...our trust. We must know Him enough through our relationship with Him to know when it is His hand you are reaching to hold on to. Grab the wrong hand and you will probably fall.

Where is your hope? Whom do you trust? Won't you look Him in the eye and take a hold of His hand, trusting Him fully? He is not going to let you go. If you go in, He will go in with you. Make the reach. Now GO!!!

"In You, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in Your righteousness deliver me! Incline Your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me,

a strong fortress to save me!  

For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name's sake You lead me and guide me; You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for You are my refuge.   

Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.

 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the distress of my soul, and You have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a broad place." Psalm 31"1-8

Father God, I praise You Lord God, my Abba Daddy, my Protector and Provider to be my trusting hand. Through those You have placed in my life to sharpen me and even challenge me to trust, I thank You. For the circumstances you allow that make me have to choose to trust or not, I thank You. I pray You, my Father and Friend above all others, find me faithful to trust You when I face something out of my reach. I know it must grieve You when I question Your strong hand stretched out for me. Forgive my unbelief Lord God. Do not let me waver. May I stand looking You in the eye with confidence and courage to trust Your hand. There is no greater reach than the one stretching out over The Cross. I desire with all my heart, mind, strength, soul and spirit to hold firm to Your outstretched arm. Give me greater discernment to know when and who to trust in this world. Thank You for the ones who have betrayed my trust for they are the ones who caused me to bring all my broken pieces to You to be mended so tenderly back together. And for those You have placed in my life to reinforce the bond of trust, I say Thank You!! Father God, it is You that I ultimately trust with every person and every circumstance in my life. Give me Your eyes and Your hands to know when to open mine. I praise You Faithful King and Father. Amen.

Behind Closed Doors

What's going on behind closed doors? Well, the only people who really know are the people actually behind them. Behind closed doors, fun things can happen but so can ugly things. From the Price is Right, Door #3 to the doors of neglect, lots can happen behind closed doors. Blessings and curses. Smiles can hide pain just as a tear can represent joy.
A friend recently posted about asking for peace and while I turned the focus on Christ, His peace and all things happen for a reason, trust Him, everything has a purpose be it correction, refining, teaching or testing, someone else responded to the posts with "life is full of crap" sentiments. Hope, Peace, Strength, Patience, Grace. This is the difference between a Believer and a Non-Believer (aside from the Cross and Salvation of course.) As a Believer in Christ Jesus, I have Hope through my Faith that He is in control. He will provide and protect me. A non-believer hopes in self....self wishing, self doing, self religion. 
This post isn't about defining the differences between Believers and Non-Believers. I say these things to make the point that ALL HAVE SINNED and there is nothing on this earth untouched by it's destruction. Bad stuff happens to EVERYONE! Behind every closed door there is joy and pain. Some doors shield just how extreme it may be.
Just the fact that we are human beings living in community on this earth, should be enough to call us all to be kind, to protect, to help the weak, be good, do good. As Believers however, we are called to "love one another," "help those in need," "encourage," "intercede," "rebuke." All the things mentioned in the previous post last week. We are charged with caring what goes on behind closed doors.
So, what is my point?!? Because we cannot see through "doors," it is imperative that we listen for the discerning and tender voice of the Holy Spirit to call us over to knock on certain doors. No, not to be a busy-body, God wouldn't call you to knock a door to do something He wouldn't do. If you are a Christian, you are Christ-like, then you would go in the same heart and motive as Christ. To love.
Maybe there is a Joy to be shared! Maybe there is pain to care for. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to lead you as His hands and feet. Don't hesitate for when we live according to His direction, we know there is a reason for everything and we cannot possibly know why or what. Our part is follow. It is God's part to know. We can't possibly have all the answers but we can be available, willing to be a vessel for God's reach. 
There are soooo many people hurting behind closed doors. May God find us faithful when He calls, knowing that He is in control, He will provide, He will lead, trusting that "for those who love God, all things work together for good." Romans 8:28 alongside the Saving Cross. May we rely not on our wisdom but on His wisdom to share in the sorrow and be the hands and feet of The One Who Loves unconditionally, Who Heals the brokenhearted, gives Joy to the grieved, Strengthens the weak. 
If you are the one sitting behind closed doors that is hurting, be encouraged knowing The Father above you sees you. You are not sitting there alone. He is your help in times of need. There is no one who loves you more that the Lord God. Do not conceal your pain. What is hidden in darkness leads to destruction. Reach out and open your door...put aside all that hinders- shame, pride, sin, guilt, fear, worry. Freedom is just on the other side of that door.
Whichever side of the door you find yourself, put your trust in the One Who is trustworthy. Go where He leads. Be encouraged....read Psalm 119 and remember this:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush andSeba in exchange for you. 4 Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you." Isaiah 43:2-5

How are YOU doing? It's easy to judge other's, but what about us.

REMINDER: My blogging is meant to be a tool of remembrance, for me personally and for the reader...the public venue of blogging allows me to share these testimonies with you in hopes somone else will also be encouraged. I refer back at times in my online journaling in a call to remember what God has and is doing in my life.
If you were led here, then there must be something for you. There are no coincidences. Here is part 2 of my study today...going to print this and use as a further study at another time.
Blessings, Michele


From The Ministry of Encouragement:

How does God want us to relate to one another in the Body of Christ?

Romans 12:10—Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:16—Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to asso­ciate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 13:8—Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one an­other, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Romans 14:13—Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
Romans 15:7—Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:14—I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of good­ness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
Romans 16:16—Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greet­ings.
1 Corinthians 1:10—I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Galatians 5:13—You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2—Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:32—Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 5:19—Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:21—Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Colossians 3:13—Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:16—Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11—Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

In short we are exhorted to: honor, live in harmony with, stop passing judgment on, love, accept, greet, instruct, speak to, submit, forebear, forgive, teach, admonish and encourage one another.

Encouragement for the Soul

My Husband has gifted me a day of study and here I sit with a cup of hot Pumpkin Spice coffee in one hand and my laptop in my lap as I relax into God's message for me today about Encouragment and being an Encourager in The Kingdom. God has continued to affirm to me that my giftedness from Him is Encouragement. I used to always have the thought, "How is a hug or a WAY TO GO!!!! helping turn others towards Christ and the Cross?!?" Satan was clever to minimize this gift for sooo many years. I felt unimportant in my "lack of ministry."

My Family 2012
My Husband Josh of 19years....our kiddos:
Collin (15), Cody (12), Kaitlyn (7), Corey (5)

Just a Mom and a Wife, those callings I can affirm and I knew how valuable they were. I mattered there. I made a difference in my home. My thinking about "encouraging others" was shrunken down to make other people happy, make things pretty, give lots of hugs, say nice and positive things, be a helper wherever needed, put everyone elses needs before your own.

Until one day God took me so far out into the Wilderness, I was sooo extremely thirsty, that the one drop of Living Water on my soul brought immeasurable replenishment. At one point, I had nothing left. I thought I was done. Then, Encouragement came. Though they looked much like my friends, it was the Lord who hugged me. It was the Lord who cheered me on to get up and run the race. It was the Lord who reminded me of His faithfulness and Truths. The Lord was my Encourager, through the hands and feet, hearts and souls of "others."

Encouragement saved my life, literally. I'd say that's a pretty valuable gift. Anything in and of the Lord is precious and valuable. It took being on the receiving end of the Gift to fully understand the Power of the Gift. I alone am nothing. I am dorky and not always "intellectually quick." I have to really fight hard to gain knowledge through repetition and experience. I, Michele, in the Lord, am able...Wow, that's an honor to say yet a humbling truth. (I feel another blog coming!!)
With this Truth and Testimony, I have walked in-courage best I know how, how He leads me to encourage others. It's more than a pat on the back. My heart and soul desire with holy passion to turn the face of the hurting one towards Christ, and that means revealing the Truth of the Cross, giving Hope to the hopeless, being the hands and feet and sometimes even the mouth of Christ to encourage them to flee from their current captivity/lies and run for Freedom/Truth in Jesus Name! 

Just like any other gift, we can use it, actually, we are commanded to use it in His Name. He is the One afterall who placed that holy passion in us. May we be found faithful to nourish it and guard it from the one who comes to steal and destroy all that is Good. Whatever your gifting is, know it is water to the soul.

Eventhough my gifting is Encouragment and this is the primary theme of my study today, we are reminded that we are ALL called to encourage one another and build each other up. So, as I take time to work through some of these Self Evaluations about myself and ask God to refine me, won't you too take the time to search your spirit through the filter of your gifting and seek His teaching and refining. Really take the time to pray through these. If you have to bookmark it and come back later to it, then do. May we find ourselves answering more "Yes" than "No"...

Choose today who you will serve. You can serve yourself. Or you can serve Christ. Be encouraged Gift of God.
Michele


Taken from The Ministry of Encouragment:

Regarding the coming of Christ, Paul told the Thessalonians to “encourage one another with these words”(1 Thess. 4:18). In other words, build up each other with these marvelous truths— remind each other of God’s promises—comfort one another with these assurances and provide for believer’s stability and security. False teaching leads to insecurity and instability. God’s Word leads to maturity (Eph. 4:14-15). In 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17, Paul says that God by His grace has given us “eternal encouragement.”

Self-evaluation: questions regarding the motivation and ministry of encouragement:

1. Do my words of encouragement outweigh words of correction or criticism?
2. Do people become more cheerful when they are around me?
3. Would my family consider me to be an encouraging person?
4. Is it easy for me to praise, thank and affirm others?
5. Do I apologize when I give a negative or discouraging report?
6. Have I been diligent in affirming those in my immediate sphere of influence?
7. Have I been diligent in encouraging the authorities God has placed over me?
8. Do I pass along good news and swallow gossip or do I do the reverse?
9. Does my conversation with friends generally build up or tear down people?
10. Do I think more about giving praise than receiving it?
11. Do I desire to counsel, comfort, encourage and exhort other people?
12. Am I able to encourage those who hurt or persecute me?
13. Have I recognized how encouraging God is to others as well as to me?
14. Does my impatience or anger get in the way of encouraging relationships?
15. Am I patient in listening to God so He can encourage my heart?

What are some benefits and blessing of being encouraged by others?

1. Encouragement helps others discover more about how God made them.
2. It helps them to better appreciate who they are and how they are gifted.
3. It increases their self-esteem and improves their self-concept.
4. It helps them to better love others as they love themselves (Mt. 19:19).
5. It helps them to be built up in the faith and increases their courage.
6. It helps them develop more healthy relationships with others.
7. It comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable
8. It gives them what they need, not just what they want.
9. It provides them with a much-needed inspiring role model.
10. It challenges them to provide a similar ministry to others.
11. It provides a positive mental outlook essential for healthy living.
12. It meets one of their most basic needs.
13. It contributes to the health of the church and enables it to function effectively.

How can we learn to spread “good” gossip?

It’s important to tell the people in your life how important they are to you. It’s also important for you to tell others how important they are. If you know something good about someone, spread it around. Don’t keep it a secret. Paul took the opportunity in his writings to brag on his fellow workers. He understood that it was part of the process of building strong relationships. Here are some things to keep in mind when you spread good gossip:

1. Be sincere! Cultivate the art of sincere praise (not flattery or lying).
2. Don’t use it like a cattle prod. The idea is not to brag on one person so that another feels shamed into doing better. This is not the best way to motivate someone. This leads only to resentment, or jealousy, or both.
3. Be consistent. Make sure that what you say publicly is consistent with what you say privately. If you compliment some one in public, but are critical in private, you’ll lose credibility and your relationship will suffer as a result.

Every time you interact with another person two things can happen: you can build that person up, or tear them down. Every time you interact with another person, you have a chance to practice holiness. We’re called to encourage. Encouraging others strengthens them. It helps them draw closer to Christ. That is the role we have to opportunity to play every time we interact with another person. Jesus said... “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40). What a wonderful opportunity, yet what an awesome responsibility! May God give us grace as we strive to play the role of encour­ager in the lives of those we meet.

What does the New Testament teach about the spiritual gift of encouragement?

The gift of encouragement involves the special ability of stimulating the faith of others (Rom.
12:8a). We all have the responsibility to be encouraging but some have a special gift or ability. Bill Gothard has identified some common characteristics of this gift:

Characteristics Emphasized by the Gift of Encouragement/Exhortation:

1. A desire to visualize specific achievement and prescribe precise steps of action (Phil. 3:17).
2. A tendency to avoid systems of information which lack practical application.
3. The ability to see how tribulation can produce new levels of maturity.
4. A dependence on visible acceptance when speaking to individuals or groups.
5. Discovery of insights that can be validated and illustrated from Scripture.
6. An enjoyment with those eager to follow specific steps of action.
7. A grief when teaching is not accompanied by practical steps of action.
8. A delight in personal conferences that result in new, helpful insights.
9. A motivation to urge people to their full spiritual maturity in Christ (Col. 1:28-29)
10. An ability to discern where a person is in their spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:1).
11. A strong desire to urge Christians on towards spiritual maturity (2 John 1:4).
12. Explaining truth with logical reasoning in order to make it acceptable (1 Cor. 15).
13. A desire for face to face interaction to insure a positive response (1 Thess. 2:17; 3:10).
14. A desire for harmony which is essential for spiritual maturity (Phil. 2:2).
15. The ability to see how tribulation can contribute to spiritual growth (2 Cor. 1:5; 4:17).

How can the gift of exhortation be misused or abused?

1. Raising the expectations of others prematurely.
2. Taking “family time” to counsel others.
3. Treating family and friends as “projects” rather than as persons.
4. Sharing private illustrations without permission.
5. Jumping into new projects without finishing existing ones.
6. Encouraging others to depend on them rather than God and their authorities.
7. Trusting visible results rather than a true change of heart.
8. Neglecting proper emphasis on basic Bible doctrines.
9. Giving counsel before discerning the type of person or problem.
10. The emphasis on specific steps may appear to simply the problem.
11. The urgency to give advice may come across as over-confidence.
12. The desire to provide a positive example may look like lack of interest in evangelism.
13. The use of Scripture for application may appear to take it out of context.
14. The emphasis on actions may appear insensitive to the feelings of others.

How important is the ministry of encouragement?

I believe that Dr. John Maxwell hit the nail on the head when he referred to “encouragement” as “oxygen for the soul.” If you deprive a soul of oxygen, it shrivels and it will not develop as God intended. Deprive a soul of encouragement and it will withdrawal into a shell. Deprive a soul of encouragement and it will live out a fearful existence. Deprive a soul of encouragement and it will be unable or incapable of encouraging others; it will be apathetic and cynical, pessi­mistic and lethargic. In the extreme, it may even wish that it were dead.

What Are Some Practical Ways We Can Encourage One Another?

1. Kind Words—affirmation, compliments, sincere praise, apology
2. Empathetic active listening and constructive feedback
3. Body language—cheerful look, smile, laughter
4. Godly example—the most powerful source
5. Physical touch—when appropriate
6. Providing hope—seeing a brighter future
7. Providing personal help and practical assistance
8. Assuring others of your prayers for them
9. Personal Challenge to grow
10. Spur one another to love and good deeds
11. Inspiring stories/examples
12. Remembering events
13. Giving to others—adding values to their lives
14. Sharing appropriate Scripture with others
15. Expressing appreciation
16. Rewarding accomplishments
17. Spreading good gossip
18. Caring, thoughtful, considerate actions
19. God’s Word—especially His promises
20. Our position in Christ
21. Unselfishly meeting needs
22. Empathizing with the hurting
23. Rejoicing with those who rejoice
24. Persuading others to trust/follow Christ
25. Exhort to persevere—to continue in the faith
26. Cheer up the faint hearted
27. Invitation to respond to the Gospel
28. Providing solace and consolation
29. Comfort and relieve those in distress
30. Urge on toward holiness

Is there anything we can do to encourage ourselves?

Sometimes we disappoint others or get blamed by others, rightly or wrongly, and we may find it difficult to find others to encourage us when we need it most. David had such an experience in 1 Samuel 30:6, “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters...” It is very instructive how David re­sponded to this difficult situation. The text says, “but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” We can and we must learn to encourage ourselves when there is no one around to encourage us. The key is, “in the Lord.” When Paul was writing to the Philippians from jail he exhorted them to “Rejoice in the Lord always...” (Phil. 4:4). There is always a realistic reason to be encouraged “in the Lord” and to rejoice “in the Lord.”

How specifically did David learn to encourage his heart in the Lord?

The Psalms help to answer this question. David encouraged himself through spiritual journaling and heartfelt, hon­est prayer. The Psalms are a window to David’s souls. They record man’s word to God and God’s Word to man—usually in that order. The Psalms often begin on a low note and an honest sharing of emotion, but as the writer reflects God’s truth through the eyes of faith he breaks out in praise and foresees better days. The Psalms encourage a dialogical relationship between God and his children. The Psalms are filled with praise for who God is, with thanks for what God does and with hope for what God has promised. They provide evidence of a strong faith by a man who was after God’s heart. Worship enables us to focus our faith on God and our hope in God and it is always uplifting and encouraging.

How is the word “encouragement” used in the Scripture?

1. Hope encourages—Psalm 31:24—Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
2. Encouraged to find our joy in the Lord—Psalm 100:1—Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
3. Encourage the oppressed—Isaiah 1:17—Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
4. The Spirit encourages—Acts 9:31—Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
5. Encouragement through words—Acts 15:32—Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
6. Encourage new Christians in the faith—Acts 16:40—After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left; Acts 20:1—When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia.
7. Encouragement through affirmation—Romans 1:8—First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world
8. Encouragement can be a spiritual gift—Romans 12:8a—if it is encouraging, let him encourage...
9. Encourage your neighbor—Romans 15:2—Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
10. The Scriptures encourage—Romans 15:4—For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
11. Encourage through the spiritual gift of preaching—1 Cor. 14:3—But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort; 1 Cor. 14:31—

Cute is Cute and Sexy is Sexy

Thought I'd share a real life example of a Girl Gone Wild as described in my current bible study. It is exactly the message I have been reflecting on over recents months regarding purity.

I watched as my husband encountered a temptress last night at the gym. He was stretching before his workout on 1 of the 3 benches when a woman, barely dressed came up to the same bench, and put her leg up next to his. Startled, he looked up at her only to be met with her chest bulging out of a lace halter top as she bent over in a stretch over her leg, extending from her short shorts. He could not help but see what was being tossed right infront of him. He quickly put his leg down and turned around and sat on the floor to continue stretching. Praise God he had the self-control to turn away. 

What was she thinking?!? What was he now thinking?!? 

It breaks my heart and makes my stomach sick thinking that women, of any age-our young children, teens and adults- have a desire to flaunt out what should be guarded as precious in an attempt to what...get attention?!? To Feel special or pretty? You would hope this woman wasn't thinking in her head "I want to seduce that man and ruin his mind and family." She probably was selfishly wanting affirmation and fulfillment in her desire as a beautiful woman as the woman in Proverbs 7 in our study.

I have 2 dear friends whose families have been recently devastated by pornography. It's a HUGE and destructive industry. We can blame the man for looking but shouldn't the sensuous woman be held accountable too?!? Sometimes it's thrown right in your face. He wasn't at a nude beach or a men's club. This was at our family gym and it happens everywhere, even on our phones now a days.

Women, we must be careful how we dress walking out the door and be aware of the looks we give men being friendly. I don't know about you but I can sense the flirt, and if you are near someone giving you a little flirt, flee! While we cannot control others, we are accountable to ourself. 
Cute can be cute, but sexy is sexy. And sexy belongs behind closed doors!! 

Ladies, we must PRAY PRAY PRAY for the men in our lives! Be it our spouses, Dad's, brothers, husbands, sons, nephews, friends, co-workers, we must stand for their purity and pray for their eyes to be blinded to all the Wild Things available to them. It's a HUGE war!! 

It took one look at the girls at the school drop off line at the middle school and high schools to see what the girls were wearing for me as a Mom to begin petitioning harder for the purity of not only my own boys, but for the girls in our community too. I prayed for value and affirmations to be found within them, not from outward confirmations. For them to choose to respect themselves and those around them enough to not want attention that draws themselves or others to sin. 
Would my teens be strong enough to quickly turn away from the beautiful, good smelling, flesh revealing girls? Since I could not dress the girls myself, it was then I began praying first for the girls to become aware of their value and see themselves as valued and treasured, not something to be promoted for approval of the opposite sex. I became diligent praying for my boys to be blinded and shielded from the alluring flesh in front of them. I have seen this happen in my husband and in me so I know God can do that. He blinds us from things He knows we won't be able to not see. Other times, He helps our spirits to not see. I began pleading with God to help them be quick to turn their eyes and attention if it was laid obvious before them across the bench.
As for my husband, he is bombarded all day in this sex-driven culture and doors are always open for him. Sexual temptation is a serious war that must be fought for people of all ages and status, married or single. As his wife, it is imperative I stand in this battlefield with him. As his wife, I must war with him on his behalf that temptation would be quickly fled from and avoided. I am so proud of his strength and conviction to bounce his eyes (term from Every Man's Battle, book). There are always women on the other side of a bench looking for attention, so we must continue to intercede on behalf of our men, guarding ourselves too.

For the record, it's not just the woman who are the tempters. Boys/Men do it too wearing tight fitting jeans and shirts, giving off alluring signals, dawning their manly colognes, flaunting their body like Fabio. Men, just like women, have a need to feel wanted and noticed.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. This is a Gospel issue more than a purity issue and one people don't talk about frequently enough. 
"But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:17-20

May it start with us coming humbly before our God asking Him to bring to heart anything within us that does not honor True Womanhood in Christ's name by which we were created. There may be some things in our own lives we need to purge, or begin to value as precious once again. May we stand firm and courageous fighting on this huge battlefield for the sake of Christ. May we fervently petition on behalf of our men and boys to be blinded and disgusted by flesh that devours and treasure up the beauty that God intends to be the delight of their souls. Let it begin with us. Let us pray for our loved ones' purity and strength to cling to what is good and holy and flee quickly from temptation that leads to gratifying selfish and sinful desires.  

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Praying Blessings and Purity of Body, Mind and Heart for each of us! May the Lord be the apple of our eye just as we are to His. To God be all the Glory, body, mind and spirit.

What Spills Out Matters

OOOPPPS!!! TOO MANY THINGS IN MY HANDS!! I was carrying my Carry All bag, my purse, my sunglasses, my coffee mug and my Bible and as I leaned over to grab my keys, CRASH!! My Bible slipped out falling to ground and EVERYTHING fell out. UGH! Really, when is it ever a good time to drop something and have to spend time cleaning it up?!? I think...never!

Past church bulletins, children's color sheets, meeting notes, bookmarks, sermon notes jotted on a piece of paper when I had forgotten my journal. It all fell out. I've always held my Bible close as it was much like a Diary to me and the thought of someone seeing some of my personal notes would have been devastating. It wasn't until I noticed a friend of mine continually opening and sharing her Bible with others that God began to show me how my Bible was something I should be opening wide and not covering up before others. One day she asked me to look something up in hers and the thought crossed my mind how she must really trust me with something so personal. 

God used this "sharing your Bible" thing to teach me on a deeper level that although we should be clinging to and guarding the Word, we should freely give it and share it. Therefore, what's on the inside matters. Taking this to a deeper level...if I open my Bible, or my heart to someone, what will they see inside? What does GOD see inside? I pray goodness and truths and hope are found. Whatever spills out, I pray it's good. This means I must be careful with my choices, and choose wisely what I hold on to.

"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:43-45 

When you are knocked down, what spills out? Good or evil? Good fruit or bad fruit? What you hold onto in your heart matters. Although no one wants to admit that "evil" comes out of us, we must be honest and own our sin. Sin is evil.

"And He said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Mark 7:20-23 

It is never a good time to get knocked down. But it's only we are put to the test and shaken that what's on the inside can be honestly revealed. When something doesn't go your way, or someone says something ugly or incorrect about you, or even when the warfare against you is strong, what thoughts burst from within your heart and mind...and mouth? Remember that we also have to clean up our spill. The messier it is, the harder and longer it will take to clean up. 

Obviously when we are hurt, we are going to feel hurt, say we are hurt and even shed tears from being hurt, but what is attached to that hurt as it comes out? Gossip, revenge, deceit, bitterness, hatred? Or does your heart immediately cry out to the Lord for Him to take a hold of it as it breaks? Falling at the feet of Jesus and letting Him act on our behalf, strengthening in us at the same time with peace, forgiveness, self-control.

Like the commercial goes, "What's in your wallet?" Today, we must ask "What's in your heart?"

Forgiving and Just God,

How I pray for a heart that pleases You. When life shakes me up, give me eyes to see what You see in me that I may get rid of all the evil inside as it oozes out and fill my heart and soul with all that is good. Guide me Holy Spirit in self-control to make daily choices that led me on a path of goodness and mercy, purity and peace. Help me guard the influences around me, turning from all evil and taking in what is Good. Open my heart Father God and pour into me Your goodness and mercy, Your compassion and love and may I be bolder in sharing it with others. Your Word is a light unto my path, healing to my heart. Help me to hide Your Holy Word, engraving it into the depths of my mind, heart and soul so I may claim it's promises and power and rebuke the evil that tries to penetrate within it. I pray that when it is broken that it bleeds Your Blood which covers all my sin. Thank You Lord for Your perfect love. Be the core of me. Amen.

LOL...Tuesday Night JOY!!!!

We are The Dickerson Girls!!!! Living in a home with a man and 3 boys ages 15, 12 and 5, there is always action and believe it or not DRAMA!!! But that may be simply from the fact that there are SIX people living under the same roof and more than half of them are under the age of 15!!!!!

Tonight I am just returning home from my Tuesday Night WOMAN's Bible Study. It is led by an incredibly gifted, passionate and energetic, real, God-fearing and God-loving Woman of God. Her passion for Truth is contagious and as "iron sharpens iron" so she does. These Tuesday Night Studies have encouraged me and sharpened me in many ways, many more probably that I don't even realize until God one day says, "Lookie there!" Aside from the obvious study material and a teacher who is sure to drive home the "Better Get This" points, we also are held accountable for our scripture memory like no other!! If there was a buzzer, I bet she'd use it!! REALLY!!! 

It has been a fear of mine for most of my life to fail. Not only a fear of reflecting God in a negative light but also as a person who appears ignorant or "totally blonde." Years ago, I would have avoided a study like this where people are encouraged to talk and be vulnerable in their humanness. I would have run and not returned. Shy, Inadequate, not for me. I liked the video studies in large groups with obvious answers to the homework so I could hide in the back and be the first to leave before an social awkwardness in sued! I've heard the blonde jokes my whole life and yes they are funny but they also sink in, maybe not so funny afterall. I admit I do struggle with memory work with anything, not just scriptures and that feeds into my fear of feeling like a failure when I cannot remember something. As a Christian, if I followed all the commandments and trusted Him for everything and had His grace and joy and peace, I would not be having a bad day or a season of painful trials, right?!? How I thought I let God down every time I experienced a negative thought or behavior or didn't get something right. Not talking about how sin grieves Him, but me just being me and claiming to be His Child...how disappointed He must be in...me. 

One at a time, God brought into my life very special women who not only taught me Truths about God but also showed me Christ-like love. Not even knowing it, they were grace gifts to me from a loving God who saw me important enough to bring these amazing women into my life. 

So enters Tuesday Night Gals. I am asked to pray...outloud....infront of 20 people! Yikes! Please God don't make me look stupid infront of them. God, please help me remember their names so I don't look stupid. I am given the opportunity to do logistics and praying I don't mess something up horribly and reflect poorly on our teacher who I stand representing, and Christ, and NEHBC. Me, me, me. Week after week, this "me" turned to You.

I was given the opportunity to be myself, and be accepted and loved and challenged through these studies...it has been a tool God has and is using to draw my heart and mind into alignment with His. Do I trust Him to use even me?!? Can I walk in Grace that I can honor Him simply by trusting Him in these inadequacies I see in me. Do I trust that He has me covered!?! YES!!!!! FINALLY I can say YES!!! Time and time again He has shown me His amazing Grace!! Throughout the love poured through this unique core group, I am sharpened, cutting through to the heart and spirit, dividing truth from lies, bondages and a hardened heart. There is joy unending. There is freedom in real love. God has used these evenings to open up layers of "stuff."

Although I have to be honest that I prefer to pray quietly and blend in rather than be in the front and center of stuff, I count it a joy and honor to pray aloud. What a privilege to not only speak on others' behalf in intercession or petition but to share my own personal intimacy with the Lord with the other women. While I do stand with a reverent fear of words and purity of heart that pleases the Lord, there is no concern for what other think about me or my prayers. I am where I am and it is what it is! My relationship with the Lord is more important to me than anything anyone may say. I know that He loves me unconditionally because His Word says so, even though I don't fully get it and certainly don't deserve it, I do want my words and thoughts to be pleasing to Him; therefore there is no condemnation (aka:failing) with the Lord. He sees my heart and for that, I have freedom from judgement.

Freedom of judgment brings such great joy to my heart after sooooo many years of guarding it so closely!!! God has blessed me sooooo much over the past few years that I sit here bubbling with joy, nearly laughing with a full heart, a sure testimony of the graciousness and goodness of God!! There is just something special that takes place with "the girls." There's a mutual understanding. There's a laugh that comes from the center of your heart that happens when girls are together. Yes, I love my husband and my kids but tonight I am focused on the relationships between Just the Girls and how precious and refreshing and fun it is. Sometimes it is hard, those relationships are out there too. But tonight, I am looking up to the Heavens counting one blessing at a time, naming all my Sister Friends by name!! How grateful I am for the gift of Sisterhood!! 

The blessings and lessons are many and I think my heart has bubbled over with many words so I will say Good Night and God Bless You with a heart full of His Love and Grace!!!

Thank You Jesus for blessing us in community within our families, church and and the world and especially for those near whom You have given to meet us in the center of our life, our heart where You placed them for such a time as this. I do not fear failing, just fear missing out on giving You due glory, honor and praise. Lord, forgive me when I sin and grieve You. My heart and mind want to be excellent for You and not for the impression of those watching. May my heart, mind and soul be so centered and grounded in You that I can stand confident and courageous in the face of the enemy. God, I worship You above all others for there is none like You!! My spirit and heart are full this Tuesday Night and I thank You Lord for that nourishment, encouragement and opportunity to experience joy in Your Name. Humbled and Happy, because You live, amen. 

Please Wait...Warming Up!

Sunday I was needing to make some copies for the kiddos and I had just enough time to make them. Afterall, I only needed 8 small copies. I could do that in 15 minutes, for sure.

Trying to save time, I headed to the downstairs copier which I hardly ever use. I clicked the button and it displayed "Warming up" on the panel. Hurry, Hurry...only have a second to warm up, I've got to go!!  As it warmed up, I got my papers ready to go....but I could not find the by-pass tray for my card stock. Well, maybe it handles both types of paper through it's feeder. Nope!! Paper jam! I soooo didn't have time for THAT!

I quickly took care of the paper jam and ran upstairs to the use the copier I was familiar with and could almost work on with my eyes closed! Cardstock in the by pass tray, 8 copies please..."Please wait. Warming up..." What?!?! I HAVE been waiting and you should already be warmed up Mr Big Copy Machine!!! I was surely out of minutes now!! It was just 8 copies I needed!!!

Anger at the machine filled me, as if it was the machine's fault that it was doing what was necessary to get me what I needed. By this time, I was sure that my group had gathered and I was missing out on the prayer time, more anger but this time at myself for not just coming up here to begin with when I knew it would get the job done. I put my hands on the Big Copier and took a deep breath, angry yet knowing I was doing all I could. In that pause, I began to  feel the calmness and correction of the Holy Spirit in that moment. 

Peace be still. 

Do not sin in your anger. 

Wait on Me. 

Be patient. 

All things work together for good.

The copier had to have that warming up time to work properly. After what seemed like 300 minutes, the display changed to "Ready." At the push of the button, copies were made and my task was done, making it downstairs to the bowing of the heads for our prayer time. Gracious God.

How much more efficient would we be if we too had a "warming up" period. Each time we approached a decision or situation a display read, "Please wait. Warming up...." Wouldn't we benefit in our efficiency if we took the time to wait and warm up, waiting on God to say "Ready." 

I was reminded today of a few things:

* While trying new things can be good, there are some truths that we must stick to so we don't end up in a "jam."

* Be careful who you hold responsible for your thoughts. They are yours afterall.

* Take time to "warm up." There is a reason athletes warm up and stretch before they compete, so they don't get hurt. Take that time to pause, take a deep breath inhaling the wisdom of God into our mind and soul.

* Wait till HE says you're "Ready." We should neither rush ahead of God or drag behind.

Father God,

There is no one as long suffering as You. Your patience and endurance are infinite. To You, time has an eternal view but for us, it's ticking away. The older we get, the faster it seems to go. Until we find ourselves in Glory where there is no timeline, help us manage the time here on Earth efficiently, in our bodies that are wasting away. Help us to wait and not rush the tasks You have before us. In our "warming up" periods, we ask the Holy Spirit to give us self-control in the moments that seem to take longer than we want them to. Help us trust You and Your perfect timing for everything we face. Your ways are good. Your ways are right.
Thank You Gracious God for having the Way and the plan for everything we face today and forever. Help us learn the discipline of "warming up" in You. In Your Son's Eternally Faithful Name, we pray, amen.

Psalm 25

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in You I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3 Indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long. 

6 Remember Your mercy, O LORD, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD! 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. 

11 For Your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. 14The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and 

He makes known to them His covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He will pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. 21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles."