Cheap Candy

"A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much." - Proverbs 20:19 NIV

      Gossiping. What's so wrong with it anyway? We know gossiping is frowned upon, but why? I'm going to share a few reason as to why gossiping is hurtful for the gossiper and for the those being gossiped about.

     "Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words. Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?" - Proverbs 18:7-8 THE MESSAGE

    Gossiping stops us from healing. We continually rehearse painful events, ripping off our scabs, causing us to begin bleeding again. Bottom line, a gossip never heals. They get stuck looking backwards instead of moving forward with their life.

    Gossiping causes division and separates close friends. The word "separate" does not provide the visual we need for what really happens. A gossip severs close friends. It's not a clean break. It's a painful cutting and ripping, and our words caused it.
    Gossiping is self-righteous. When we gossip we are often judging others. In order to judge another, we would have to be claiming perfection. Of course, only God is perfect. We make mistakes all the time.
    Gossiping destroys our credibility. When I'm around a gossip the first thing that pops into my head is, "I'm never opening up to them!" and I'm being completely honest. Is that how we want people to think of us?
     Gossiping is slanderous. We tell our side of the story without giving the other person a chance to speak for themselves. "In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines"  - Proverbs 18:17 NIV  "The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him." - NKJ

   Summing it up, gossiping creates loss. It could be a loss of a friend, a job, an opportunity, respect, healing etc. We not only create that loss for ourselves but for others. When we engage in gossiping we are participating in tearing something down when we were created to build up.

      It comes down to integrity. Ask yourself, "What am I hoping to gain by gossiping?" we rarely participate in behavior that does not have a pay off. Be honest and search yourself. What's the pay off? God can help us find ways to meet those needs in healthier ways.

"Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief."

- Proverbs 21:23 THE MESSAGE

Trust God

Happy 2yrs!

      This October my hubby and I celebrated two years of marriage (read about how we met HERE.) October is a special month for us. It's also my hubby's birthday month and the month we bought our house. To celebrate such a fun season we took a road trip to Nashville, TN. It was beyond fun. We've always loved road tripping together. The open road, music, quality time,  random stops etc all make it one of our favorite things to do. We drove through north Texas and straight across Arkansas - next time we want to spend a little more time in Arkansas, because of our schedule, we didn't get to see the mountains. 

       Once we arrive in Nashville there was so much to do. We visited the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum and toured the Reba exhibit along with other artist features. We toured RCA's famed Studio B (insane!!). We also enjoyed walking down Music Row and listening to live music on Broadway. We even visited the Grand Ole Opry and the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Next time we are going to catch a show at the Opry. 

         After soaking up Nashville for a few days we headed to Memphis, TN to see ELVIS! Graceland was a trip, a serious time warp. Only half the house was open to the public. Elvis never allowed anyone upstairs and it remains that way today. After touring his house we toured his automobile collection and his private plane. I must say, I'm thankful at how design has evolved. Everything in Graceland seemed dark, narrow and extremely gaudy. It's hard to believe people lived like that. As for the spirit of Elvis, the Graceland tour along with studio B really gave me a sense of who he really was outside of his celebrity status. It was fascinating.
      Interesting facts about Elvis: * Elvis had a identical twin, Jesse Garon, that died at birth. *Elvis greeted everyone when he arrived at the studio. He wanted everyone to know they were appreciated. * Elvis was an artist and had to set the mood for each song. He often used colored lighting or no lights (pitch black) to achieve the right emotion while recording. For example the song, "Are you lonesome tonight" was record in the dark, you can hear Elvis hit his head on the microphone towards the end of the song. *Elvis didn't start wearing crazy clothes because of fame, according to his classmates, Elvis was very flamboyant and quirky since grade school and was made fun of for it. *Elvis was extremely generous. He gave away numerous cars and paid off people's debt (even strangers).
       After spending some time in Memphis, hubby and I headed home with hopes of visiting again soon. Nashville definitely holds a special place in our hearts. Hubby always jokes about us packing up and moving....we'll see...maybe one day.

Shine

Light for Others

The struggle many of us face....to eliminate or illuminate.

Distractions instead of destiny

    There are so many opportunities to build in today's world that if we aren't careful we will be building distractions instead of destiny. Just because we can build something doesn't mean it's God's will for us to build it. 

     I've have to be careful of this as well. I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Even as a kid I was always trying to create something from nothing whether it was art work, a club with friends, or small business.  I've learned over my lifetime that my ideas can sometimes, well, most of the time, out run God. I can get trapped in doing many things and forget the main thing,"God's called you as a Christian writer". 

    It's hard for me to picture myself having a "normal" life as some may call it because my experiences have left me far from "normal" in the ways I think, feel and take in the world around me. This aspect of myself has caused me to jump out ahead with new ideas that I usually regret because I haven't spent time seeking God first. Any free birds out there know what I mean?

      We are capable of many things, but not all things are destiny - most things are distractions. If God hasn't given you a word about something I wouldn't spend enormous amounts of time or money perusing it. Take it from someone who has done many things in vain, and chased countless whims. God always gets His way with His children. It's better to spent time in prayer and WAIT for the go-ahead than it is to spend weeks, months, even years sowing into a dead end. I even have to wonder if these whims are from the enemy himself, trying to keep us from doing what we were meant to do. 

     Ideas are great. Creating art is freeing. Building something is exciting. And keeping the main thing the main things can quickly become oh so boring. But we have to develop self discipline, which is really hard for some of us. The discipline to focus and drive it home. 

    The Holy Spirit gives me little sayings that help me focus and live the life God wants of me. I'd share them all but they are really personal at times (many make up chapters in my two devotional books). The current one is the one I'm sharing with you now, "Distractions or Destiny?" I'm going to start running my gazillion ideas past it before moving ahead with anything!

       We are either sowing into distractions or destiny.

Diluted versions

       We are so much more vibrant than we often know. In order to live a life that continually carries it's maximum energy, color and potency, we must uncover what's diluting us in the first place.
      There are many ways to become a diluted version of yourself, but the two main culprits I've found are A.) passed trauma  B.) people pleasing (in the form of being "balanced", "politically correct", or "Popular"). The key is honesty. We have to be honest with ourselves and do a little inward investigating.
     What passed trauma have you experienced? It could be something dramatic to something sublet and unnoticeable to others. How has it affected you? What have those experiences robbed from your life?
        As for people pleasing, the truth may not be balanced. The call God's put on your life may swing so far one way that you are out of balance to earthly standards, but it's that drive, focus and fiery passion that will help you accomplish the very things you were born to do. To walk in your full potency you may have to give up being popular.
      If you've lost this edge and feel like a diluted version on yourself, pin point what's draining the color and life out of your life and allow God to transform you in those areas. It's a life long journey. I felt diluted for much of my life, but through soul searching, doing the hard work (counseling, classes, reading etc), and being honest with myself about insecurities and things that have held me down I continually sense a new level of vibrancy as each productive year passes.
     How about you? Do you feel watered down? You were created to live at maximum strength.

Your love sets me free

Spirit of the age

    "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." - 2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV

 "If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get." - 2 Corinthians 4:4 THE MESSAGE

    There are greater days ahead. I'm not a doom and gloom Christian. I believe that those who stay connected to Him will continue to go from glory to glory, victory to victory no matter what happens around us. Our best days are ahead. But that does not mean everyone will continue on the path of light. Many will be devoured by the spirit of the age and follow the voice of deception. Many will leave their pure unadulterated faith for a compromised new age faith that enjoys a little bit of everything - creating their own god.

     How do we avoid such a down fall as the majority begin floating down steam? We avoid it by staying focused. By reading our Bibles and praying in the Holy Spirit. If you are not filled, it's time to be filled with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit will empower you, He will teach you, guide you and lead you on paths of righteousness. He is our helper.

       There is a way that is cool, it's seen as mature, cultured, worldly and hip and then there is a way that is right and true. We have to choose which way we will go. It won't always be easy, but the choice is ours. There are greater days ahead and an eternal weight of glory awaiting those who will not turn their backs and follow a god created by man.

"My truth"

   The new age saying, "My truth" is becoming more mainstream and gaining momentum as more people begin to incorporate it in their every day lives. "You follow your truth and I'll follow my truth". Even Christians are beginning to include this phrase in their conversation, "That's your truth, not mine".
    As a Christian what is "my truth", anyway? If you are a Bible believing, Jesus following, Christian then Jesus is your truth. He said it himself in John 14:6 NIV, "I am the way and the truth and the life." 

   He didn't merely say He taught truth, but that He is truth. Jesus makes many bold claims throughout the Bible, this is why the leaders of the day were so upset. I'm sure they wouldn't have minded Him so much if He simply said "I share truth", or left it at, "I follow truth", but He didn't. He said, "I am...". He was calling Himself God and they knew it. It infuriated them to the point of wanting Him dead. 

   We are faced with the same Jesus today. He is saying to us, "I am the way and the truth and the life." There is no other way, truth or life. He's either "my truth" or He isn't. He didn't leave it open for compromise. His radical claims force us to make a choice. 

    As a Christian "my truth" is based on the one who calls Himself "truth". If "my truth" adds up to anything other than Jesus then "my truth" is sadly being used as justification for "my deception". Your truth, my truth, their truth, none of it matters in the end. What matters is if we embraced THE TRUTH, Jesus.

The Reward

Unconditionally

Brokenness has taught them...

True intercessory folk are often entrusted with knowledge only for them as they give themselves to the groan of His heart. So the intercessors are not tattle-tales; they do not use their gift to lord over another or as a badge of importance. Brokenness has taught them that quiet, trustworthy obedience is better demonstrated. - Don Nori Sr., Former CEO at Destiny Image Inc.

 

       Ever wonder why God reveals His secrets to you? It's so we can pray. :-) When I was younger I'd get so frustrated when God would reveal things to me. I was like, "Okay? What am I suppose to do with this?" Eventually, I learned from older and wiser people that it was God's calling to pray. 

       His secrets are revealed so we know how to pray. Prayer changes everything! Some people don't have anyone praying for them. :-( No father, mother, grandma etc. out there speaking blessings over their life or asking for a hedge of protection. 

       When we are shown something it's because God trusts us with the information. Trusts that we will love and not hate. Trusts that we will weep with them and for them and not puff up with pride. Trusts that we will be moved with compassion for things that are breaking His heart. :-)

        The Lord trusts you with His secrets because He knows you are broken. Don't despise the broken pieces in your life. They have been used to shape you into exactly what He wanted - a usable vessel.

When inspiration hits

      I have 50 draft articles in my blog account. Those are articles I started but laid aside to finish, "tomorrow". The thing is when inspiration hits, we need to respect it and give it the time it requires to create what it's intended to create, otherwise we lose momentum. Like ME!! And my 50 draft articles!! What in the world!!

     I'm still excited and a believer in each article, but it's slightly overwhelming to think about capturing the same frame of mind and spirit to finish them all. I'm slightly disappointed with myself for putting off so many.

     I'm learning from this feeling of disappointment to pound out each message as it comes because "tomorrow" never really comes. Inspiration beckons me toward something else and I never get a chance to come back and finish what needed to be finished yesterday. I need to complete each article while I'm in the flow.

        Hopefully some of these draft articles make it onto my blog eventually.

Happy Fall

        Happy Fall from my baby boy, Winston the Basset Hound. He's trying to run off with my pumpkin lid. :-) 

        Should Christians carve pumpkins? As with Yoga, I can only share what I believe to be true after researching the topic myself.

       Where it started, "The Celts would hollow out turnips, then carve faces in them and place candles inside.  The turnips were then either placed in the windows, to keep evil spirits from entering a home, or carried around as lanterns.  This tradition eventually melded with the North American tradition of carving pumpkins.  At this point, the carving of pumpkins, which had been around in North America before Halloween was popularly introduced, became associated almost exclusively with Halloween (around the 19th century)."

        So why were American's carving pumpkins if it was not for Halloween as many mistakenly think? The answer is, for lanterns. A hollowed out pumpkin made a great lantern on the table or on a stick in the yard and even down a road to light up the night before electricity. I don't have a problem making a cute fall lantern every October. When the Irish came to America and saw how much better pumpkins were for lanterns they stopped using potatoes, beets and turnips and began using American pumpkins, since then we only hear about the "dark side" of carving pumpkins and completely forget that pumpkins were carved as lanterns, not faces to welcome the dead.

        Carving a fall lantern or carving a Jack-o'-lantern or demon face would be the same difference as a Christian stretching vs a Christian participating in yoga. They look similar but completely different.

          The legend of Stingy Jack is sorta creepy, you can read it HERE along with the Celtic tradition of using glowing jack-o-lanterns, to welcome deceased loved ones and protect against malevolent spirits. Though I did carve faces into my pumpkins as a kid, I will not allow my future kids to participate, or even go trick or treating.

       However, I love the idea of going to the pumpkin patch, and making fall lanterns with my family. Then sitting outside on a crisp cool night, sipping something warm and enjoying our lanterns, sharing our thankfulness and making memories together.

No such thing as Christian yoga

      We abstain from things offered to idols -Acts 15:29

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. -Romans 12:1-2 NIV

      Yoga is a trend that's growing with great momentum in America. Should Christians practice Yoga? This is a hot topic that gets tempers to flare, trust me, I've gotten in several debates about it. I can't force anyone to see it my way, there are many different opinions, but I can share what I believe to be true about this issue. 

       Yoga is rooted in Hinduism. Oneness with the universe is the goal of all yoga. That's also known as the process of enlightenment, or union with Brahman (Hinduism's highest god). As Christians we are only to be in union with our God, and yoked to Him.

        Spiritual dangers of yoga: 

- Many yoga classes instruct students in astral projection, or "stepping outside" of the body, which poses a serious spiritual danger.

- The word "namaste," often said at the close of yoga classes, means, "I bow to the god within you."   - The sound "om," chanted in many yoga classes, is meant to bring students into a trance so they can join with the universal mind.

 - The "salute to the sun" posture, used at the beginning of most classes, pays homage to the Hindu sun god. 

       It's impossible to extract Hindu spiritualism from yoga. Every pose is a pose to a different god. Can Christians stretch? Yes! But next time you are in a yoga pose remember these are postures that are offered to the 330 million Hindu gods. You are giving offerings, praise and worship to another god. How can we do this as Christians? Some yoga classes in America will even have statues or pictures of the god's for you to "bow" in front of, as it is in India. The best thing I've heard about this subject is, Christians participating in Yoga would be like a Hindu or Buddhist taking communion.

Grace forever

“Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.” 

- Brennan Manning
April 27, 1934 – April 12, 2013

Influential ministries in my life

      How did you become who you are today? If you are Christians, I'm sure you'd say, God. I agree, God deserves all the praise. But who did God use to help shape you, grow you and mature you spiritually? Lots of ministries have sowed a little here and there, but there are specific people that have played bigger roles in my life.

        If I had to make a short list of the most influential, life changing, people in my spiritual walk with God it would be as such: (not in order)

John Paul Jackson - His teaching on dreams and holiness gave me a safe place to learn about the encounters and events in my own life. Learning to understand God in this way has shaped and directed my life greatly. God is speaking, are we listening?

Jason Upton - Jason Upton's intimate worship and truth speaking revolutionized my time with God and changed the path my spiritual life was heading in. I first heard of Jason Upton through a "dreamer" friend, and first saw a video of him at Jentezen Francklin's church. I've even heard angles singing at one of his events, which has happened several times at his events from what's I've heard. Jason Upton eventually opened the door for me to discover Jonathan David Helser who has been a great influence as well.

Jonathan David Helser - Jonathan's musical style has a folk country sound. It's so relaxing. I've been listening to him since 2005. One word - intimacy. Check him out, his sounds brings healing to broken hearts and encouragement to the weary. This is the first ministry that truly showed me what the family of God should look like in heart and action. His farm house internships and events are something truly sincere. I'd love my future kids to participate in something like that.

Joel Osteen  - I sat under Joel Osteen for 10 years. I'm so happy God used Joel to built such a firm foundation at such a young age. Because of Joel I have a foundation of hope. You don't realize how important this is until you go to other churches and meet other Christians and see how defeated and depressed people are. I'm so thankful that I know how to encourage myself and build myself up with God's promises. He was truly my first pastor (other than random places I went as a kid). He's deposited a measure of faith in me that can never been taken. I will always have a "glass half full" perspective. God is for me!

Jentezen Franklin - His teaching about Python really helped point me in the right direction as a teenager. . I will never forget the video skit about Python at his church. He went on to minister to me greatly with all his other books as well. Not to mention, fasting. Fasting has changed my hubby's and my life. So many miracles and breakthroughs!

Leo Tyler - Healthy Soul Ministries is an amazing discipleship program that my husband and I spent several years sitting under. Leo opened our eyes to a freedom process that truly works for us. We discovered our personality types, how to identify and be healed of past hurts and walk in our new nature. As a psychology lover, Leo's christian class changed our life.

Kim Clement - Kim's whimsical and quirky prophetic style are a true gift. He's so far out of the box that you can't helped but be refreshed. It's a nice change of pace. His encouraging and musical nature have a special place in my heart.

Dreams & Mysteries

       I love the new program airing on Daystar, Dreams and Mysteries. It comes on every Thursday at 9:30c. On this program John Paul Jackson teaches about dreams and mysteries. Last night He discussed the difference between Prophets and Psychics. I'm thrilled he shared this information on such a large platform like Daystar. Unfortunately, many Christians  read their horoscopes and run to Mediums for answers. They're getting the enemies plans for their lives, even if it sounds good. Some may argue, "But the reading was accurate!". John Paul Jackson touched on this as well and talked about the difference between revelation and information. A psychic makes information sound like revelation.

       John Paul Jackson is very close to my heart. I've been following his ministry and teachings since 1999, when he was less known. So seeing him on Daystar weekly, not just as a special guest, is like sharing a close friend with the world. He's been so faithful all these years and I'm excited for this new opportunity God's opened for him. I know he is blessing many.

        I've had dreams since I was a child. I was even harassed by nightmares and wasn't able to sleep. John Paul says that many dreamers have the same experience growing up and I  agree. Many of my "dreamer" friends had nightmares growing up. The enemy likes to attack your gifts. One of the best ways to discover your gifts is to look at the attacks that come against you, and ask, "What's this attack trying to stop me from doing?".

        If you feel that you're gifted in this way: as a seer, prophet or a spiritually sensative person in some way, check out John Paul Jackson's teachings. He's very well balanced and backs everything with scripture. It's hard to find solid teaching in this area because many are either extremely religious and against it, or whack-a-doodles on the other end of the spectrum. John Paul's ministry, over the years, has helped me develop deeper intimacy with God, learn to hear His voice more clearly and has encouraged a holy life.

          I've you've missed any of Dreams and Mysteries episodes you can watch online, HERE.

One topic in my next book

          I hope you are excited about my next book. I know the subject may throw some for a loop but I truly believe the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about this. Without giving away everything in my next book I'd like to ask you to think about the Bible's account of Peter walking on the water.   

          Many of us have heard this account used in sermons about leaving our comfort zone, but is this really the point of the story? When we are taught something early on, we may find it difficult to think about the story outside of the box that we've always heard it. But the Lord's been speaking to me about this particular account as I finish up my forth book.

        Was it really out of Peter's comfort zone to jump out of the boat? Peter was a man of action. He was gutsy. Out of everyone I'd expect such action from Peter - no surprise. It wasn't his only bold move. It's not as if Peter was shy and timid. Do we see anyone else trying to walk on water? So, what could this account be telling us if it's not about stepping from our comfort zone?

            I'll leave it at that until my book is released! :-)