"Wrestling With Satan"

Hello, my dear friends,

         I learned  what wrestling was like in the days of the apostles. I read that it's not like the planned wrestling of today. Two guys would go into the arena, naked., The wrestlers would fight till someone died. Then the winner, would desecrate the dead body. He would poke out the eyes,  pull out the tongue, take off the persons genitals and stuff it in his mouth. Then to top that , he would cut open the abdominal cavity,

 making fun of the looser. Leaving the dead person. To be fully humiliated.

This is what we need to keep in mind as we read in Galatians six, that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against all the powers in the heavenly realm. This is what Satan wants to do with you and me.  When we read that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, the bible is serious. We are on his hit list.

  We hear the words,  Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy,  so often, that we do not take it to heart.

I want to leave you with this. Isn't God wonderful, he does not leave us at the mercy of the devil. Jesus was manifested so that the works of Satan, would  be destroyed.

The word of God says, greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. And no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and last of all, The weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but mighty....

We serve a powerful God!!!!!     

May God fill you with his strength, wisdom and power!!

"Playing A Game With Bitterness"

My Dear Friends,

Sorry about the delay on this blog., I hit a writers block, and I'm having trouble with my health, so I have not been feeling up to par.

I'm reading this book called “Biblical Foundations of Freedom,” Destroying Satan's Lies with God's truth. It is by, Art Mathias, I have been learning a lot, and God is using it to bring me into freedom on different issues.

I came across a good point that I would like to share with you today. It is helping me to change my perspective on marriage. Getting it more lined up with Gods perspective.

I have been learning about bitterness. It talks about, spending time with a bitter person, mentioning that when we encounter a person that is bitter, we play a game like tennis with them. We cop an attitude when we are around some-one who is bitter, so because of our own attitude, bitterness flows from our spirit towards them.

So, it ends up, me being bitter towards them, and then, they in turn become bitter towards me. (A tennis game in progress.)

I was thinking about this, and how true that is, especially in marriage. I repented of doing this, and decided instead of picking up a racket of bitterness, I would pick up a racket of love. Every time that he would throw out bitterness, I would hit the ball with love. And I would try to start the game with love and not cop an attitude.

This has actually helped me. I have gotten a more loving attitude towards my husband. And now I keep saying to myself I am going to hit that ball with love. And have actually found myself being able to do that. I guess that God is really changing my heart!

The Bible tells me that love does not fail!   My friend mentioned another verse that is very good,   1 Peter 1:8 ...Love will cover a multitude of sin.

I want to mention one more thing, There are seven things that are related to bitterness. Unforgiveness, resentment, retaliation, anger, hatred, violence, and finally murder. All starting with unforgiveness. Wow, now I know why Jesus made such a big issue with loving, and forgiving. And not even to go to bed angry.  Now, I know where it will lead.

So, I encourage you, and me, to hit that ball of bitterness or any thing else that is not loving, with a racket of love.

 And lets work on not going to bed angry.

Remember Love never fails!

 I'm speaking to my self also.

May God Bless You, my readers.    

"Fun,Nacho Bake"

My Dear Friends,

The other day I talked about veggiegal.com, well here is another healthy fun meal.

Fun, Nacho Bake,

You take a whole bag of BAKED Tositos chips.

crush the chips into small pieces, not dust,

You then take a can of diced tomatoes, MEXICAN Style, put them into the bowl over the chips, then you add TWO cans or jars of Picante sauce, (We used hot, which looses a lot of it's hotness with all the other ingredients.)  We also added a small pinch of fresh cilantro.   And a small can of hot diced green chilies  (4 oz)

you then mix all the sauces into the chips, making sure it all gets moist.

The ingredients call for Mexican style frozen corn, but at this time we only had a small amount of frozen corn, so we put that plus a can of whole kernel corn into the mix. (We drained the can)

We then added a big 290z  can of black beans, drained.

Once everything is mixed and moist, put into a 13 inch casserole  dish  and cover it with cheese, you can use soy cheese. 

but we used shredded mild cheddar and Monterey jack cheese cuz it's cheaper.

Cover the top with cheese and put it into the oven at 350, uncovered.  Cook for about 35-40 minutes.

Voila, enjoy a great healthy fun meal.  (I added a few sun chips on the side) 

Sassy Salad

Hi, My Dear Readers,
I made a sassy salad, that I served with dinner guest.  It turned out so good, that I thought I would share the list of ingredients with you.

I cut up Romaine lettuce put in the big bowl, then 3/4ths of a cumber cut in slices, then in half.  I cut up radishes, some red cabbage, small tomatoes, a package that had baby carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, which I then cut up into small pieces.  The salad was a big hit.  My guest had seconds and raved how good it was.  It's nice to have a big healthy salad that meets the expatiation of dinner guest.  Served with a few different style dressings.   

"Avocado Health Drink" / Getting Healthy

My Dear Readers,

My husband did some research on the internet to find ways of eating healthier. He found this one site called veggiegal.com on Net Flex. She has a video on eating vegetarian, and different recipes and links to other sites with more recipes. We started to check these sites out and have used a couple of her recipes, they are very good.

One of the things that we are doing is eating Ezekiel Bread, (Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Bread) it is very healthy and has no flour in it. Also, if we have cereal like Raisin Bran, we just use apple juice instead of milk. (It's not bad) We also put a few shakes of cinnamon and ginger into our food or drinks. It is an anti inflammatory, and has helped my husband walk again. At one point he was almost in a wheel-chair.

Since eating very little meat and lots of fruit and veg. We both have lost weight and are healthier.

So I thought I would share this healthy avocado breakfast drink that we got from veggiegal.com We drink it almost every day.

you take a handful of fresh spinach

you then chop it up, and put it in a blender.

you take a quarter size pinch of cilantro, and chop it up, then  put in blender.

you then take a lime, and cut it  into eight pieces

you then fa-lay it (taking out the insides and cutting it up.)  when you put into the blender you add the juice that squirted out.

you take about a fourth of a cumber, and cut it up. add to blender.   We add a little ginger, cayenne, garlic, onion powder, and  sea salt, or regular salt.  I then add a whole ripe avocado.  Spooning it out of the skin.  If you are like me, I leave a touch of it in the skin, so I can eat it!.  I then add about a cup of water and turn the blender on.  You don't need to mix prior to this.   

Our little blender makes almost two full cups.   It is very filling and healthy.  Please let me know if you have tried this and what you thought of this.  Enjoy!

  

"Strangle or Love"

Last night and this morning I have been having a hard time dealing with my husband. God has been dealing with me in crucifying the flesh. In my morning prayer this morning I was going over the fruits of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit, again. ( Found in Galatians 5:19-25)  I realized that in my flesh I wanted to strangle My husband. I knew that God loved him and wanted to use me to show Crickett His love. Again, If I couldn't love my husband how could I love the world, it starts with the home. 

 Anyway, I also knew that before I could love my husband, I had to receive an abundance so God's love could over flow to Crickett. I spent some time thinking and  receiving God's love.  While I was still a sinner, God loved me. I went through the list, receiving God's love,joy, kindness, gentleness, long-suffering.....I was doing good as long as my husband was sleeping.

When Crickett got up, I asked him if he would like some waffles.  He said, " sure."  I noticed that I only had enough eggs to make cookies, but not waffles.   I called my neighbor, an older single guy, and asked if I could borrow a couple of eggs. The first thing he said when he knew it was me, was," Hi there beautiful."  Boy did that make my day.   I happily told Crickett what he said, as I was going out the door. to go get them. When my neighbor got to the door, he had four eggs, he asked, "what's for breakfast."

 I said,  "waffles" then I asked him if he wanted to join us.  He said, yes.

I made breakfast as he talked with Crickett. After he ate and left, I was thinking, boy, I think I'll call him up everyday, just so I can hear those words. ( I sure don't hear them from my husband.)  Then the Holy Spirit reminded me that, that was the flesh!   Another realization of how strong the flesh is.  How I like those complements!  I then spent some time repenting. I had a hard time calming my flesh down. I prayed that God would help me to love the things that He loves and to hate what he hates.  

Before dinner my husband and I went for a walk.  It was starting to get dark and when I heard a dog barking I got scared,and grabbed for his belt loop. I was still a little raw, regarding dogs.   Crickett gave me a little lecture,and when I commented, he came back with you can be a big B---- why don't you use that energy to go towards the dogs. That hurt!   I wanted to respond.   In the past, I would bring him up, especially if he does the same thing.   I remembered that I was working on the fruits of the spirit. So, for the first time, I kept my mouth shut.

Oh it is so hard to crucify the flesh!   

“Chocolate Chip Cookie Lovers”

 My dear readers,
To all of you who like chocolate chip cookies. 

I was encouraged to put a little food on my site. so here goes.  I just made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies for my husband.  It was so good, (actually, the best I've ever had.) I thought I would share it with you. I used Hershey's Special Dark, real mildly sweet chocolate instead of the Hershey chunks.  I used the recipe on the back of the package.  I  used for the first time, unsalted sweet cream Butter, (which the body digests easier than the imitation ones.)  The butter made them very creamy, it was perfect. The cookie melted in my mouth.   Now, I like my cookies pretty flat and chewy.  And that's just how they turned out.   I try not to stir more then necessary because the more you stir, the more air gets in the mix, the fatter the cookies.   Also, I try to use a little less flour for the same reason.   In the past, I would have trouble with the bottoms of the cookies burning, so, I now use a smaller baking sheet inside a bigger one, so I have a double layer of protection.   I let the cookies cook for 12 minutes instead of the 8 to 10 minutes the package calls for. The cookies come out golden brown,   Perfect.    So, for all you chocolate lovers enjoy!        

The Grave Hole/ Rosh Hashanah and Repentance

My Dear Friends

I was reminded of a time when God was doing a lot of healing. I had this impression of being in a grave hole with this small shovel. I was not allowed to come out until I had it all smooth and clean. The dirt was packed hard and clean every where except this one corner where a small stream of sand would pour down every time I shoveled that area. At that rate, I was never going to get out of the hole.

God was really dealing with me and my striving to be perfect. I did not believe I could be loved or accepted until I was perfect.

This is the week of Rosh Hashanah, which is  the biblical “Feast of Trumpets” it's considered to be both joyous and somber: joyous because it's a celebration of the new year and somber because custom has it as a “Day of Judgment” in that it is a day of looking back and taking stock of one's life over the past year. It is a time of forgiveness, both personally and spiritually. Personally we should seek to forgive those who have hurt us, and seek forgiveness from those we have harmed. Also, it is a time to remember God has forgiven us!

As I think about that grave hole now, how far I have come! I am no longer in that hole.  I am on top of the ground, never to go down again. I no longer have to strive to be perfect, the Bible says that God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

                                                       ------

During this time of repentance, purging from you, Lord, no matter what comes up, YOU LOVE ME!

You know all about me. You know what is in my heart and attitude. You know all the dirt and stains that I have. When you adapted me, you took me as I was.

 I can imagine You, God, buying a rusty, filthy pot that has been used and abused and the inside all filled with stains. I know that you look at that pot with a vision and a plan. You know exactly what  to do, to bring that pot to where you can put your most precious ointment in it. That's how you see me.  It's because of your love for me that you clean, scrub and bring to the surface everything that  is not right.

Lord, I want to be your shinny vessel that you have envisioned me to be. I want to be pure and Holy.  I want to be able to hold your precious ointment. With fear and trembling, I give you permission to go through this house of mine, the attic, the main house, the basement, the cellar, under the beds, in the closets, in the corners, with a large flash light. I give you permission to expose to the light, the dirt, stains, bad attitudes, selfishness, anger, hatred, unforgiveness, that is in me. I come to you in humility, as a sinner. 

 I thank-you that you will not show me everything that there is wrong with me all at once. You will only give me what I can handle and I thank-you for the verse in 1^st John 1:9,  If I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank-you!

May we all be able to pray this prayer!  God so wants to clean us up, so we can  become the men and women of God that he has envisioned us to be.

Remember, It's not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit say's the Lord.

May you have a Blessed Day and Rosh Hashanah.

Dog Attack And Gods Protection

On Monday, (9-5-11) I had a pretty terrifying experience!   My husband Crickett, and I got up early to go to this guys house, to look at cars.  I'll call him Bob.  When we got there, there were about six dogs that were on the large property.  They looked like pit bull and something.  We walked around, looking at all the cars and stuff.   The place looked like a junk yard.  The dogs didn't bother us.   At one point, I was able to call one of the dogs over.  He sniffed my hand, and I gave his head a pat.

Bob needed to have his computer looked at, so Crickett, went into this small, over crowded trailer to help him.  I thought I would look around.   Very carefully, I made my way through a maze of stuff, amazed by all the different things that he had.   I walked past this small trailer where a young man was staying to help with the property.  I heard movement inside, so I quickly walked away. 

  I was looking in this one area, when one of the dogs, gave a loud bark.  The dog seemed far away.  I said, “It's OK,” then all of a sudden all the six dogs came at me.  Before I could blink, they were in front of me.  The dogs started to bark aggressively and nip, both my arms and legs.  I  walked backwards.   Panic and fear took over.  I was terrified!  I was afraid to grab something for defense.  I was afraid they would  get angrier.   I was getting more and more scarred.  I didn't know what to do.  The dogs knew that I was scared.  I did not want to make matters worse by screaming, so with some control, I calmly yelled,  "help me, Please!   Help me!"   It seemed liked forever.  The dogs were not relenting.

Finally, this guy came over holding this six foot stick.   My rescuer!   He told the dogs to get back and escorted me to where my husband was.  I was never so glad to see someone, in all my life.  I don't know what would of happened if he was not around.   How long could I have held off the dogs?  Was I going to be eaten alive?     I was very, very, shook up!   I started to cry.   One nip was so hard that it made a big bruise on my leg and a small hole where a tooth broke the skin. 

My husband was so preoccupied with the computer that when I came in, he hardly noticed.  They did not realize the significance of what just happened.  Without even looking, my husband asked if any skin was broken.   I said, I didn't think so.   He said, “You'll be ok.”  Then Bob added, “I'm sorry that you had to experience that.”

The computer was pretty messed up.    Crickett was trying to fix it and put these virus protectors on it.   We were there for hours and hours.  When they wanted a break they would go out side.  I would stay in the small trailer and just cry, to afraid to go out the door.  At one point in the afternoon, I was ready to go out

side with them, but when I saw a dog close by, I quickly changed my mind.

Finally it was time to leave, I held on to Cricketts hand for dear life.  I made sure Bob was close by.  I heard the dogs following behind, panic set in again.  I quickly jumped into the truck, heart pounding a mile a minute.

After getting home and eating a quick meal, I called a friend for prayer.  I needed peace!  Crickett  gave me a hug and I just cried and cried, the thought of all those dogs, really freaked me out..

                                                    Very, Very, Traumatic!

  

I've been encouraged that if that happens again, to pick up something to defend my self.    If your going to go down, go down fighting.   Also, a dog may try to bite the back of the neck, so clasp your hands together to protect that area.   With elbows forward, try to protect your face.  If you have a knife, use it.  And If at all possible stay standing.  If you fall down, they will think they won, and may not give-up. 

In the midst of all this, I want to give Praise to God.   As bad as it was, (and it was very bad!) it could have been worse.   The dogs could of violently growled and bit me all over.   They could of torn me into pieces.

I also want to Praise God For the location the dogs came after me.  I had walked in places that no one would of heard me.  I also Praise God that, that guy was in the trailer and that he heard me. 


                               And I Praise God that I'm still alive to talk about this! 

I  want to leave you with this.  In Romans, 8:28  It says,"I know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."       I believe that God is going to use this in many ways.  May you all be Blessed and be SAFE!

"Touched By God"

My Dear Friends,

Yesterday, I was on the bus going to a cleaning job.   I was reading 2^nd peter 1...in the living translation.  When I got to the part where Peter repeats what God says, during Jesus transformation, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”   I almost cried, I was hoping in my heart, that I would bring Joy to God also.

This morning I spent some time praying.  Giving the day to the Lord.   My husband got up and so I spent time with him before he left for work.   I was hoping that my friend would call, and spend time with her.

Mean-while I was getting ready to work on creating some earrings, when I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to read a couple verses in the bible.  So, I  read in 1^st Corinthians 6:13, ...Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body.   That really touched me.   My body is for the Lord.  I am his temple.   How could I want this temple to have unforgiveness, anger, ect...  How could I walk in the flesh, if I am the temple of the living God.  That really helped me.  I've been dealing with crucifying the old man.   Romans chapter 6 and 8 have been very helpful.  In Romans 8:13, it says, by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body.   It is not the flesh that does this, but the Spirit.

  Here's another part of The Lord for the body, that touched me.   here I am, desiring my friend to call, when right here I have  my Father, who sacrificed his Son, so that I could have a relationship with Him.   How privileged I am, I really felt that God wanted to spend time with me!   I went to the couch and asked God, my Father, to join me.  I brought my Bible and started to talk to Him.  My month old dark calico kitten, joined us.    I mentioned  how neat these baby kittens are, and I sensed that he wanted me to choose this kitten to keep instead of the other calico.   I asked,  "are you sure, this one wines when you pick it up."  I did not want a kitten that wined if I picked it up.   I wanted one of the other two.   Not this one.  I sensed he was telling me, that's why I want you to have this one, because it's more timid.   I also want you to have it, because my heart is for the one that is rejected and not wanted.  Another lesson in His love.

As I was taking all this in, the other two kittens joined us on the couch.  I was watching them play, appreciating God's creation.  I felt that He was saying that he created them, and gave them the ability to jump, play and be loving.   And that just like he created them, he created me, my talents, my compassion.  He was letting me know that he loved me, and that just as I took pleasure in watching the cats, He takes pleasure, (joy,) in watching me.  He was answering my question, do I bring him joy.

So, instead of being with my friend, I was able to be with the God of the universe, my daddy.   He loves me and takes joy in watching me.   I want to leave you with this verse, Psalms139:13-14,  "God, you formed my

inward parts;  You covered me in my mother's womb.   I will praise You,  for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."     That's both you and I.   He formed us, loves us, has a plan for us, and is filled with joy in watching us.   May you be encouraged today!!

"Marriage, crucifying the flesh"

God is dealing with me strongly, regarding my marriage.  Since all ministry starts with the home and goes outward.  I can't love the unlovable, if I'm having trouble in my own house.  I have a friend that God has dealt with in her marriage.  She is very hard on me. The things that she tell's me is straight forward and  very hard to hear.  But I want to change, and I know that deep down she is right.   So, I want to encourage you ladies to hear whats hard to hear.  My goal in sharing all this is that you may grow and become the women and wives that God wants you to be.   May God give you the grace to hear and the strength to change.

In Colossians 3:5-10,&12-15,&17

It says, put to death your members which are on the earth, fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness which is idolatry.   Because of these things the wrath of God us coming upon the sons of disobedience in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.    But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him.

12-Therefore, as the elect of God, Holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful,

17- And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him.

We have to crucify our old nature and be alive to God.   My friend wanted me to read about Jesus and the crucifixion and see what He went through.  For to crucify the flesh is going to hurt, real bad!  Having to die!   Well, I was to see this very soon, my husband yelled at me sharply.  I did not want to have any thing to do with him at that moment.  I wanted to be as far from him as possible.  I went into the bathroom and cried, prayed, and had a tantrum.  My husband asked if I was going to the bathroom, or hiding.   Ooh, I was so mad.  I finally got my self together and slowly came out and said, "Crickett, stand up."  He did, I gave him a hug and said, “I know that you are frustrated and don't feel well, I'm sorry.”   Then I went into my bedroom.   I did not want to be around him.  I felt good that I was able to give him a hug, but I diffidently was not at a forgiving level.

I learned how you respond to someones sin, can be sin.   My husband yelled at me sharply, which was a sin. My response was anger, unforgiveness, resentment, and not wanting to be near him.   So, to his one sin, I committed four!  It took almost all night, before I would even lay near him.   I did not want to put the old nature to death.  It is so hard!   I just have to focus on the fact that Jesus forgave me and he loves me unconditionally and he wants me to forgive and love my husband unconditionally.  I kept praying that God would touch my husband, but the hard part is knowing that God wants to use me, to touch my husband.   It is so hard to give up hurt and unforgivness, and walk in unconditional love.

My friend also said that the only person that can change is YOU!  YOU have to look at your self as the problem and change you.   Ladies we are going to be held accountable for all of our actions and I don't think God is going to accept excuses.  You can no longer concentrate on what God can change in your mate, you have to concentrate on what God can change in you.   If you do that and nothing is different in your situation, just having a changed out look, can change your marriage.  My friend also reminded me that just maybe what takes the man to change is when he sees the miracle in you!

My friend shared that she never imagined her marriage to be where it is today.  God has truly done a miracle! Knowing her and praying together are giving me hope, strength and the will to do what is right.   Marriage is hard work!   You have to die to yourself and think of others more highly then you.  This process seems like it's going to take forever before you see something good come out of it.   But, what gives me hope is that my friend is seeing the fruit of her labor.   If God can do it for her, he is big enough to do that for me, and for you!   So ladies, the truth is, there is hope.

Together we are on the journey of life.  Together, we will learn, grow, and change.

May God Bless you all!  

Husband and agreement!

                                                       

Please hear me out, this blog may start to ruffle some feathers.  Please keep reading the next couple of blogs, and allow me to tell you what all has happened.

I was reading in the bible about the power of agreement, I made a sarcastic remark to God.    I have been married for eight years.   I have not been in agreement with my husband with any thing big or small.   I could count the number of times that we were in agreement, on one hand.

That day, I went to my friends house and we started to talk.  Some how agreeing with husbands came up and I started to tell her what I was going through.  She comes back at me saying, “that sounds selfish you are not trusting God.”  I took a deep breath and we talked and prayed.   When we prayed, it was powerful!   God dealt with me.  I had to deal with anger, unforgiveness, resentfulness, pride, fear, and rebellion.   By the time we were through I was exhausted.   But I felt a whole lot lighter on the inside.

A couple of days went by, and as I was e-mailing a friend, she mentioned that husband's are not just to be the head of the family, but to be the spiritual head also.   Which I knew, but now God was dealing with me on a personal level.    Conviction set in.   I needed to get help working through this.    I called a man of God and we talked and prayed.

God had put a lot of things in me, and I know that God had a big plan for my life.   I desired to marry a missionary and have a partner to pray with, and touch peoples lives with. I waited 43 years to get married because of those desires.   I honestly felt that he was there to help me, and not the other way around.   So, I had to put things in order.  I had to change my heart and trust God.   If I do what I'm supposed to do, be his help mate, then God would be big enough to work out everything he put in me.

I wondered about making goals and plans with Crickett. (could that even be possible!) At that moment he was feeling to depressed for me to even want to approach him.   But my desire that someday we could do that.   Now, this was all a VERY BIG step for me.

A few days later I was back at my friends house and she told me that when God was dealing with her, she would pray, let his desires be my desires and his thoughts my thoughts.   Wow, could I actually do that? After a few hard minutes, we prayed. I was able to repeat line by line everything she had written on a piece of paper. (and it got very personal.)

So, during these couple of weeks,

I learned, to be in agreement with my husband.

I learned, to be his helper.

And finally, I learned to pray and ask God that his desires and thoughts, be my desires and thoughts.

Wow, what a concept!

Diffidently, not what the world teaches.  Please read on to see what happened.

I had a chance to put into practice, agreeing with my husband on something big.   My husband came to me and asked if we had to be stuck in the desert, would I be interested in trying to get this house, if things worked out.  I told him that I did not think we were going to be here for ever.   I then shared with Crickett all that I had learned these past couple of weeks, and I asked him if he really wanted to get this house.   He said no, that he did not want to be in California. (which I knew) and then he said, Colorado.  So with my heart, I said, “I agree.”

My heart had changed and with sincerity I was able to say, I agree.   I was feeling confident at this point, that God could accomplish what ever he put in me, if I became Crickett's help-mate.   For the bottom line is,  God put desires in me, and I 'm believing He can get them out of me.    We looked at some nice places on global earth, that would meet our needs.  Seeing that I was receptive he then started to talk about farming, houses, and games on the computer.

 My heart was being filled with compassion for him. I was feeling closer then I had been in a long time.  This whole marriage has been nothing but division.  It is amazing how not being divided can touch your heart, and bring you peace.    I had no idea that this was so powerful.   I'm hoping things will start to turn around.       

My Son Royce, And His Birthday Miracle

He's now all grown up!

When my son Royce, was going to turn ten, I was thinking about what kind of birthday party to give him. During this time he was really interested in any thing Egyptian. So I thought if God has Egypt for my son, like he has Africa for me, then I would honor that and give him an Egyptian Birthday Party.  I found Egyptian invitations, which my son passed to ten of his friends to come and then spend the night.   I came up with some games and planned to serve hot dogs.

This thought came into my head, why don't you make something Egyptian to eat.  I thought about it, but not knowing anything about Egyptian food, ( I did not have a computer at that time) the thought came in, then went out.   

I was a struggling single mom who was getting a box of food from my sons christian school.   The party was going to be on Friday and the box of food came on Thursday.   Do you know what was in that box?  You guessed it, Egyptian food!   We got a box of Egyptian rice, it mentioned the Nile river and how they made rice.  I couldn't believe it!   That was no accident!   The day before an Egyptian Birthday Party there is a box of Egyptian rice.   When we saw that, a couple things touched my heart, one, it was like God gave Royce a special birthday present, and second, that God was honoring me for giving Royce an Egyptian birthday party. and saying that he was involved in it.

The party went great, we had games, fun, and Egyptian rice.  A day we will never forget!    

4/th of July, / Freedom

4/th of July Independence, Freedom! 

 While we remember this day, let's not forget that JESUS came to give Freedom, Restoration, Deliverance, Salvation, Healing, Reconciliation, and Forgiveness!  

 In Galatians, Paul states,"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us FREE, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage

Remember, if the Son makes you FREE, you shall be FREE indeed! 

                                      Enjoy the Fireworks!

                              Have a Blessed and safe Holiday.   

                                         

Pregnant and.........(For-Giving Self)..

I'm going to be very transparent and take a great risk. Oh, for the mercy of God. When I was growing up, I was looking for love in all the wrong places. I was dying for love. Now when I had sex, that's when I felt the most love. So, I got very promiscuous. At around 25, I gave my-self to the Lord, Body, mind and soul. For over a year I had sustained from any sexual relations. I had just gotten filled with the Holy Spirit and going to a Vineyard church.

I ended up going to Nebraska with this guy, (another story) I gave up my job, my church and my apt. Telling him that I was not going to have sex till marriage. I gave up my job, my church and my apt. Well, one thing led to another and we had sex. The moment we were through I knew that I was pregnant.

Deep down in side, I wanted to marry a missionary and knew that I was not in a good relationship. I wanted to die. I felt hopeless, and that my life was ruined. I gave up place, church, job, everything, I didn't know what to so. I called a pastor form the yellow pages and he assured me that my life was not over and that I could go back to California and make things right.

I talked with my parents. My Dad was going hunting in Colorado and that he would me meet and we would drive back to Ca.. together in my car. It so turned out that my pastor from the vineyard was doing a conference in Colorado. So I made arrangements to go to the conference then meet my Dad.

After my pastor preached they played the song, “Jesus Loves Me” I just started to cry and cry. I really did not know why I was crying. Then they played “Holy, Holy, Holy.” I realized I was crying because of the pregnancy. I went to my pastor and told him that over a year ago I committed my-self to the Lord and that I gave in and got pregnant. Could he pray for me and the baby. He did.

While I was walking back to my seat, the Holy Spirit said, “You have to forgive yourself” At that time, I had no confidence in me, so I started to look for someone to pray with me, to help me forgive my-self.

I desperately looked for someone, but every one was busy worshiping and did not seem to be at a place where I could interrupt them. I really looked! So, now I would have to do this all by myself. (Oh, how good God is, how when you take a step in His direction, he runs to meet you.) I took a deep breath and said, “Brenda, I forgive you for having sex, and I forgive you for getting pregnant.”

As soon as I said that, God delivered me! I felt pure and Holy! I felt like I had a born again virginity.

Even though I was carrying a baby, I knew that God saw me pure and Holy! I was jumping for joy.

God revealed how necessary and powerful forgiving self really is. God showed me His love,His mercy, and His compassion. This experience was a pivotal point in my life. From that time on, God has been healing and restoring my life.           

                                     I pray that this openness can touch someone's HEART today.             

To Be Bold For Christ!

To my new friends

I have been dealing with fear and rejection my whole life. God is delivering me. I do not want to walk in Fear on this blog sight. I choose to step out in boldness! I want to bring hope and encouragement. Salvation, which is being saved, deliverance, restoration,forgiveness, healing, joy, peace and love. Is brought about by the word and standing up and being a doer of the word and not a hearer only.

God's Word brings life. Jesus told us to love our enemies, To bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. That is HARD. But that is what God wants. In Matthew chapter 10 it talks about Jesus is bringing division, not peace but a sword. Enemies will be in your own house. Jesus goes on to say that we will be hated by all for His names sake. Jesus say's “ Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

He goes on to say in Matthew 6 “Blessed are you who when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. REJOICE and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Now whoever confesses Jesus before men, Jesus will confess before the Father who is in heaven.

I have been greatly afraid of what men say and think. I have been taught not to make waves. I have been afraid to stand up. I am not going to be able to stand if I don't practice standing and proclaiming that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's.

I choose to be bold and transparent. If you my readers hate me for it, then so be it. Now, folks, this is growth! It would be much easier for me to give feel good poems, and light testimonies but that would not help me, or you in the end. I desire to give hope with growth.