What if??

I know the cross is foolishness to those who do not believe, I know those who do not believe think they are right. I sure did and was willing to say it without reservation. But the fact that we all start out with an inner voice, God-conscienceness. That tells me at sometime before we press down that inner voice, before he is quenched and grieved, I believe he causes all of us to sometime ask ourselves, WHAT IF I'M WRONG!! We ask ourselves that question about such lesser things, I know I asked myself that question, and even deeper and to the point, I know God directly asked me that question WHAT IF YOU ARE WRONG? So is it just me or did you come to the place where you asked that of yourself, or did he ask that of you? And did that help to further draw you to him, or do you stand in the crowd that says we believe foolishness....and if you do stand with that crowd ARE YOU SURE 100% I believe it was Fanny Crosby (blind writer of many old hymns)...that said she was so sure she would swing over top of hell singing "Blessed Assurance" By the way, God says it is the FOOL who says in his heart there is no God, not those who believe in the cross, everyone becomes a believer at death, not everyone rejoices in it though! A one second after death conversion is no conversion at all but is eternal damnation, knowing the truth and knowing you are separated from God forever because you rejected his call to you......So ask yourself honestly no-one but you and God present........WHAT IF YOU ARE WRONG?




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The Communion of Community...

I love these pictures...


Mostly because of the memories that surround them, that you can't see


In progression, they tell a story of individual lives,
coming along side and becoming community



God intended us to live in community not isolated,
we are better when we live within community where we can share and grow

You see at the time these were taken, life, Satan, and some very toxic relationships had turned me to isolation, And I was down for the count. You know the kind of days when you want to pull the covers over your head and never move out of the bed! Or like when Elijah sat discouraged, tired and defeated ready to give up and die, because it was too scary and too hard. Ever had one of those days?

Just as God brought ravens to Elijah's rescue, God brought a handful of good friends to see me through, when everyone else, yes mine own familiar friends that I went into the sanctuary with as David said; Turned their backs on me without even asking my side of the story.
Ahhhhh but those faithful friends walked alongside me, counseled me, listened to me, corrected me where needed, encouraged me often, stood by me at the risk of their own well being, ate with me, laughed with me, cried with me, opened the word with me, prayed with me and for me, trusted God with me when none of us could see the answers, but knew God would not leave us nor forsake any of us.
I was with 2 of these friends when I took these pictures, 2 years ago, and at the time of these pictures none of us knew how the story would be written for or against us, we just knew we had our God and a few good friends that could be transparent with, and pour our hearts out to. To me this is what God had in mind when he made us to need and desire community. We are stronger in community, we are wiser in community, we are better in community, we grow in community, we mature in community.
To the glory of God, we had different paths to get where we are today, but certainly as of the time of this writing we all are healed because of community, stronger because of community,sharpened within community and better equipped to help others heal within the safety of community.
And you thought these were just some random pictures of some horses......

2Bclear or more to the point, 2Bcrystalclear....

Strange how something makes an impression on us, and it can have such a profound effect on us that it becomes us, we embrace it, it becomes our mantra....



Or was it maybe always meant to be, is it who we have always been, possibly even who we were born to be and through life and revelation of our own being we come to the knowledge that has always been us? Something possibly Sovreignly designed and destined for us from before the foundation of the world. Yes this is the belief to which I subscribe, and the reality that I live on a daily basis. Some might call it being comfortable in my own skin, The truth to which I subscribe is that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that this truth allows me to know just how loved I am. And I awake again and it is just as true today as it was yesterday and more so as I sink down into the truth that has certainly set me free.
For many years I have known the meaning of my name:
Crystal: Brilliantly Clear
So what about it? Well for years I would say it means what you see is what you get because that was what it meant to me, and I didn't think much more about it! Oh until the giver of life came and completely changed my life around and I began to see meaning in even the smallest things. I was very interested as I looked into the bible how God would emphasize the meaning of a name and that it totally embodied who that person was. I then began to think of my own name and what that said about me? Yes what you see is what you get, but what does that mean and what impact is it meant to have on me and on those around me? I began to realize to be brilliantly clear meant being totally transparent, see through, no masks, no facades! And I knew that is how my life was intended to be lived out, not just for me, but for those around me who may not be able to as easily live that way. This is why my email, my car tag all reflect this saying 2Bclear, 2Bcrystalclear, O2Bcrystal clear, it is a reflection of who I am to be in Christ. And when I am living Spirit-Filled, is when I come closest to fulfilling who I was made to be. And as I have come to a new understanding of that, God has allowed me to again see a new meaning to my name to be Brilliantly clear, also says to me that I am free from sin, clear...Brilliantly Clear never to be judged on my sin, but now free 2Bclearly who I was made to be... no longer 2 just B Clear but 2Bcrystalclear.........

Miss Ariana Lynn~~~Miss America

I have always heard that good things come in small packages! What an understatement, this little girl has changed my life in a way words could never express. There are not too many times in life that I have been left speechless, when I think of how incredibly blessed my family is to have such a wonderful addition as little Miss Ariana is, truly there are not words to describe. What an impact for good she is to all of us, she is sheer pleasure and pure joy, to each one of us. I can already see that her name "Ariana Lynn"~~meaning~~"Holy Beautiful" is absolutely who God has made her to be, certainly she is hope for the future and my prayer everyday is that she will have a Holy Beautiful impact on all she comes in contact with, all the days of her life. So today, September 4, 2010, the 6 month milestone of her birth, (wow does time go quickly)I just want to publicly thank my Lord and my God for blessing us with her in our lives, as I spill over about how much joy she has brought I want to make sure I state, that my God the giver of all we have and ever will have is to be honored and glorified above all else, for HE alone is worthy of all my praise. I have always been taught to be careful not to worship the gift above the giver, and I know that "Little Miss Ariana" is the one gift to be most careful with. Lord we know without you there would be no joy in anything, your life within gives the ability to enjoy to the fullest all we have, your son is the greatest gift I will ever have and gives the ability to enjoy all else, Thank You for salvation, and may you bring this wonderful gift to Ariana at the earliest age possible, may you always be real to her and may she serve you all her days with unmatched passion!!

Supernatural Eye Exam

I have had my share of eye exams, but I can tell you for sure that this past Friday July 30, 2010 will be the most memorable ever......I was supposed to be leaving for Cuba on this day, or so we thought. Life is what happens while we make our plans!
So let me back up a week and catch you up. Saturday July 24th I received an email that was unbelievable, with all preparations just about complete, bags packed, All teaching printed and ready....the email said our Visa's were not yet signed, the Cuban Govt closed because of heat until Wednesday July 28th, and we needed the govt, immigration and the council of churches to all sign off before we could leave and we only had until 5pm Wednesday before we would have to cancel the flight and hotel to recoup some of the monies raised. We prayed, many fasted, and we knew only God could answer now, and we fell at his mercy and his will.....the days leading up to Wednesday were intensely prayerful, Wednesday was just intense in every sense of the word. As I walked into my training class in downtown Bethesda at 1:30I was awaiting the email that would tell our fate with much anticipation. At about 1:38 the email came and our hopes that were so close to becoming reality were come to an end, and I must confess I was devastated on many levels. It was all I could do to get through this class............God knew I needed to be in Bethesda and spend the next few hours with my best friend, Kim Sheffield. What a blessing it was to spend the time with her, and ponder the goodness and sovreignty of God with someone whom I have many times shared the highest highs and also the lowest lows. God was in it all, no doubt in my mind. It was home and to bed not really wanting to stay awake to this any longer today, Thursday proved to be one of those long days that never end before a 10 day vacation~~ I decided I needed to be off anyway and I would get some of my projects around home finished and make good use of the free time!
Christina and Sarah already had a plan for Christina to have her eyes examined at Washington Eye Specialists, in Providence hospital (where Sarah works) Since Christina would be having her eyes dialated I offered to drive and then had Sarah set up my eye exam, which I haven't followed up on in 2 years....it seemed to only make sense, I was going to be there anyway! Oh my I had no idea how set up it was.
We went in very early, and by 7:15 I was being taken back to the intake room where the technician would begin initial testing and eyedrops to finish off my tests. He was a nice man and after putting me in the room, he said he would be right back, when he came back he was shaking like a leaf on a tree, and I asked him if he was OK? He told me that his 19 year old son had just been rear-ended. Of course I asked if his son was alright and he said "yes I am just upset because he is far away and I cannot see him". I asked where he was and he said Miami. Out of the abundance of my own heart I said to him, "I was supposed to fly to Miami this afternoon and on to Cuba on a missions trip". He looked at me and said "I am from Cuba"(WOW)He then asked me if I had famiy there and again I said "no a missions trip with my church". He said "what city are you going to most people go to Havana or Santiago de Cuba", I said "No we were supposed to fly into Holguin and drive further down to Bayamo". At this point tears flowed down his face and he said to me "This is my city, my sister is there and is an Opthamologist,I will speak to her you must stay with her" I reiterated that we would not be going as my tears flowed down eyedrops and all, because our Visa's were not signed in time. He said "Yes this is the way of the Cuban govt" He then asked me what religion I was and I told him Baptist. He said "Good, because there are many false religion in Cuba" and he spoke of the National Church Voodoo, as he said "The religion of Fidel Castro, you can see little children in white sheets walking the streets, part of the black magic. He said I will pray that you can go to my people they need you to come. I was able to then tell him that it was not about any religion but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that we enter into when we except his payment for our sin, on the cross and that it is the only way to be saved from our sin, he said yes this is what you must tell them when you go. We cried, we hugged, we stood amazed both of us, knowing this was way bigger than we were, we some how finished his part of the exam, but believe me my eyes were wide open now sight pretty clear that God had reached down in his Sovreignty and set this up. As I was about to go into the next room and wait for Dr Gafouri, Manuel said to me "I could have picked any chart this morning, I think God picked your chart for me"! What are the chances I have never met anyone from Bayamo in my life. And on this day that I was to meet the people of Bayamo, God brought Cuba right to me, and I was able to tell Manuel of Jesus unfailing love ina supernatural way that I could not set up at all. WOW, WOW, WOW!! And when I got home God illuminated these verses just to put the icing on the cake!
Ephesians 1:17-19~~ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, THAT YE MAY KNOW THE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power~~
O how he displayed the exceeding greatness of his power to me today and hopefully it will be an emcouragement to a whole team of people, who along with me, had our hopes dashed and questioned for a moment whether or not to believe for this ever again. The eyes of my understanding being opened wide, I know the hope of my calling and know also one day my faith will become sight on this trip...in his perfect timing!! To God be the Glory Great things he hath done!

Chosen Before the Foundation of the World......

For the last 2 months I have been totally immersed in the book of Ephesians, It started as an Outline of the entire book for Sunday School, which quickly turned into 4 main topics that I already knew I would be teaching in Cuba, but didn't realize that they were perfectly and in order set in the book of Ephesians.....(you think God might have known all along)? Well as is usual with me, the more I studied, the more I saw, the more I realized a lot of things for myself. I believe teaching comes from the abundance of the heart, that spills over.... I have made ready four shorter outlines for Cuba, even found a way to translate them into Spanish, with an ever increasing love, desire and anticipation I looked forward to July 30th to leave and meet the Cuban people.
My bible reflects many written dates next to John 15:16 as God has encouraged me and moved me forward in my faith, when men and circumstances have tried to tell me a very different story:
You have not chosen me, BUT I have chosen you, and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. That whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
This has been what his gentle voice has led me on saying all the while...so when I started studying Ephesians, chapter 1:4-7 stood out immediately, and God took me on a wonderful treasure hunt that strengthened my faith, and confidence in who I am IN HIM. Immediately I knew this message of hope and love needed to be conveyed to the oppressed ladies of Cuba... because I knew how much I need to be reminded often, and how much greater their oppression is in a spiritually dark land.
Little did I know that I was going to have to put on hold the desire to convey this to them and through this passage God would comfort my heart and assure me that this is not a no answer but a not now answer and that my faith will become sight at the right time. This was enough and I was anchored in the hope that is in Christ alone, but he is a very extravagant lover of our soul and he went way beyond this to comfort and assure me.......I know that I was Chosen in him before the foundation of the world......and that he has made me ACCEPTED 5487(charitoo- to grace; endue with special honour to be highly favoured) in the beloved. That greek word is used one other time in the new testament,
Luke 1:28-- and the angel came in unto her, and said Hail, thou that art HIGHLY FAVOURED 5487 (charitoo- to grace; endue with special honour; to be highly favoured) the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (this is a perfect passive participle, indicating an action done in the past that has continuing results! and being passive means that the subject is receiving the action of the verb)
I am so glad God allows us to go as deep as we want to go with him, and he is there to meet us with wonderful treasures that we will only see as we dig for them. "What measure you mete will be measured back unto you" Leaving no doubt of his love and care for us! O what a love affair we have with Jesus Christ that only ends where we leave off, he has SO MUCH MORE to give than we are able to receive. His is truly a surpassing glory! He has left me with no doubt that He has chosen me, and that it was before the foundation of the world, and that because of it I can also say with the ferver of Mary, that my soul too doth magnify the Lord, for he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.... Luke 1:46-55

Cuba Missions Trip Almost Here

View Larger Map

As the days wind down, I find myself moving closer to one of the most exciting events of my entire life! I am daily awestruck in the things The Lord is doing to prepare me personally, to prepare the words I will speak, To affect my heart for people I have never met.......but he knows each one individually, uniquely, personally!!
Looking at the map we will fly from BWI Friday July 30th stay in Miami overnight, and leave Miami Very early Saturday to Holguin, Cuba. From Holguin we will travel South west about an hour and a half to Bayamo which where will will work with the Cuban people all week. 6 of our 12 servants will work in our VBS teaching the Cuban people how to have a succesful VBS childrens ministry. 1 will work the the translators as she has done many times, 2 including myself will work with and teach the women, and 3 including Pastor Dennis (pastors and leadership), John Tatterson(evangelism), and William Rey(translation)will teach and lead the men. Our goal is to bring 12 sets of study books for twelve pastors, as many do not even have a bible, but to also impart teaching that can be reproduced and taught in the surrounding churches........what an awesome move of God to have the privilege to be part of.
As I outline the book of Ephesians in the most simplistic breakdown possible God has lead me to many different places to piece together an amazing journey of biblical truth for myself first and hopefully I will be able to by the Spirit impart it to the wonderful ladies we are about to meet. God willing my four topics will be:
Who We are in Christ (position)
Our walk in Christ (practical)
Our warfare in Christ (application) 2 parts
2 amazing things have happened since Friday that I would like to share, 1st one of my newly acquired clients at BB&T(this is only the second time we have met) asked me if we could showcase our missions trip on his gospel radio program (it airs in Lynchburg Va. his father owns the station and he runs it) Interviewing me live on air Friday the 23rd at 5pm KLLL fm gospel radio station, in anticipation of what we expect to do, and then another interview after we get back to actually speak of what God did in fact accomplish(that we know this side of heaven!) Wow that came out of left field, and this morning as I have been praying to know how to get my outline and lesson from English to Spanish I was looking for a map of Cuba and happened to get a pop-up of one of the most recently updated and technical online translation software that there is currently is on the market. Each a needed gentle loving nudge of Confirmation that God is equipping me, which confirms that it is a God call not mans call in my life..Oh how I praise him for his excellent greatness and continued show of absolute unconditional love to a sinner as myself!!
Once again he has confirmed to me a verse he has used to move me forward many times JOHN 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. That whatsoever you shall ask in my name he may give it you!! That verse has been a sweet Word in my heart, mind and walk with Christ many times over....Never as sweet as it is today I am overcome by my God, and that is exactly where I want to be. Please pray for our trip, safety, understanding, favor, impartation of the Word, and all that God desires that we could not possibly know or even understand...that we stay willing vessels meet for the masters use! Look for upcoming Praise Reports!

Water well, your own Garden!!

I read in a book years ago, that when you love much, you can expect that those around generally will not love to the same degree when you yourself are in need of being acknowledged or to feel special, and when it comes time for people to reciprocate, they will not as a general rule. It goes on to say, do not be hurt, discouraged, or bitter. Resolve to know it within yourself and choose to love greatly anyway! Experiencing love to this degree is reward in itself, and I can attest that it is indeed. This is true agape love and you experience the same heartache Christ does with his children.It goes further to say it is still better to be the one who greatly loves and to experience the heartache that comes when others let you down. I have tried very hard over the years to live by this mantra. I have done my best to "Hope thou in God" and rejoice in knowing that this pain that you
sometimes experience is entering into the fellowship of his sufferings.
Personally over the years and recently I can say I KNOW this is the right attitude and God delights in us as we walk this path and has special things planned for us no man can match! My heart is sinking in one of those times right now, and it is hard to process at the moment, I can easily pick up this cross for myself, I have experienced it many times over the years and have learned to delight in the Lord, and he WILL give me the (deepest longings and desires) of my heart that no-one can know, that is not my struggle today. Mine is to watch a "younger, less experienced person with a deep capacity to love struggle with this not for the first time, but for what seems like one of the deepest times. My heart breaks for this unnamed person who freely gives of his/herself all the time(trying to stay gender neutral and keep anonimity). I pray that just as the Lord has rescued me from the pit of self-doubt and self-pity ( a party no-one wants to show up for) he in turn will be faithful and I know he will, to teach this underling to continue forward and to love much, it is a true and rich blessing in itself, that truly Waters deep the soul!
To all those who understand the depth of God's word when he says many waters cannot quench love, Pull out your most beautiful watering can, and know that for a moment of time God says it is okay to turn it upon yourself and drink deep from the spring of "living" water that springs up unto eternal life. Love Deeply, Drink Freely...from the well that will never run dry, no matter the drought around you! Very quickly you will be rejuvenated, and you will look outward for those who are floundering in that same drought, but do not know how to save themselves, let alone anyone else. Before you know it you will once again be on the track of being the spring of eternal life that people grow accustomed to drinking from, because dear ones it is what you were born for and who you were purposed to be!

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Dressed for Success!

We all have a desire to look just right, you know not over dress, or under dress but to fit right in. Have you ever asked a friend or family member what they were wearing to gauge your own choice?? I am pretty sure we all have! So it got me thinking about our dress rituals, and how important looking good really is to us. O we spend a great deal of time looking for that perfect outfit, and when we are ready to wear it, even more time in preparation and primping. We judge each other on this one area of life with just a passing glance. We have cliches, careers and churches that dictate what we should and should not wear, and step out of line in one of those venues and literally you could be banished forever, we know we certainly better get on board! All you have to do is watch the previews to one of these new "reality" shows like Housewives of Orange County to see what this idea morphes into, or in my thinking degenerates into. I have to chuckle when it's even called Reality, let me tell you not in my world! Sadly though I know it is the reality of many! I can picture this starting with Adam & Eve (and it does) going around the garden trying on different leaves if you will, that was their remedy! We let our perceptions become our realities, and there are some pretty warped realities out there! That may sound judgemental to some and I am willing to take that risk, knowing where I am headed with this.
I am here today to think in an entirely different direction and dimension. First of all let's go back and realize the first clothing was coats of skins, of innocent animals that had to die so that God could show Adam & Eve just how horrific their sin really was to him. and let us also remember that, that was a picture of us being robed in the only thing that could cover our sin, and that is the righteousness of Jesus Christ that he gave to us when he was horrifically sacrificed (as those first animals pictured) as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. The bible talks about Solomon in all his glory not being clothed like the lilies of the field, it also tells us about a wedding and the refusal of some to wear the "given" garment but deciding to wear their own and being cast out into outer darkness. It also give us our example today in Isaiah 59:16-21 Jesus Christ coming to our rescue in his Armor, that when he ascended up he left with us, so that we would STAND!
The bible speaks about being clothed, metaphorically, and as it paints a picture of the Roman Soldier, I submit that it is real and it is a necessary apparel for today in the here and now of 2010. Much more than anything we will ever substitute it with from the mall and fashion magazines. So I would like to start here with a spiritual dress code (that is not new at all) one that in these last days will be essential to victorious living, and being more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 13:12 KJV The night is far spent the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Let's look at it this way, when you get up in the morning, what do you do? You Put off your night clothes, Right? All God is saying here is to put off your night clothes (works of darkness). We must first recognize and agree with God (that is literally what repentance is), not what we choose to believe about God or how we feel or think or even what we've heard, but what lines up with his word and his Holy Spirit in our lives.....So PUT OFF those things that don't agree, in morning devotion and prayer, that is the whole reason we wake up to God and his Word. So as we are cleansed with the washing of water, by the word (SHOWERED if you will) Ephesians 5:25-27 (in context of the church. i.e. the body, & marriage) So as we are changed from one level of glory to another level of glory...
2 Corinthians 3:18 we are now ready and able to get dressed. It is God's will to dress you every morning in the armor of light that he tells us to (willingly put on)
let us put on...has the idea of sinking down into, just like the sunsets down into the horizon literally. (if you have ever watched the sunset into the sea, you will have the picture I am talking about). This conjures for me the idea of disappearing into the armour of light, letting it take us over, losing ones self. Letting God's will rule and guarding it and it's preciousness with each and every piece of the armour of light that we are called to be clothed with.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally may be rendered, "from now on" or "henceforth" The Spiritual battle we are engaged in exists from now on...until the Lord returns for us, until then and right up to it is all out war. We are not in battle with a foe that plays by the rules he is malicious, and wants to take you down that is a fact! We do not fight a foe you can see with your natural eye but with your spiritual eye sight. So take unto you the WHOLE armour of God. It is God's armour, given to you as a joint heir with Christ, Isaiah 59:16-21 speaks of Christ and his putting on his armour........follow your example christian.......would you go out with your hair unbrushed, or your make-up not on....this is far more important not to leave home without. "That you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand". This implies that there will be no other way to make it and withstanding is a defensive term, you will have to defend the faith you have and the ground you have gained in your walk with Christ, and you will have to pull out all the weaponry to stand. Having your loins girt with truth, not only do you need the word of God which is the truth free flowing all around you but you will need to walk in it (apply) the truth you know, while you learn new truth everyday! This belt of truth is so important, just like your belt it holds the rest of your (outfit),(armor) together.
You will need to know your standing in Christ, and I am convinced the breast plate of righteousness is not practical righteousness (your own) but positional righteousness (Christ's) the righteousness given in exchange at salvation for our sin debt. The righteousness we do not earn, but are freely given. The righteousness that lets us know we are accepted (approved) in the beloved. It is critical that in our heart we know our standing in Christ and his unconditional love for us, so that we have the courage, confidence and strength to endure hardness as a good soldier.
Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace(bound under) in other words peace is bound under our feet, we have authority over peace,
1: because he made peace for us through the blood of his cross and we have overcome, but also,
2: we need to be prepared to take that peace to a lost and dying world. This is how we gain ground for the kingdom of God. I have read that the roman soldiers shoes were the most important part of their armor, they were strapped up to the knees (greaves) (which were like soccer shin guards) Usually made of brass to protect against traps set along the paths, and also they were cleated on the bottom to hold ground and also some were cleated so as to not allow backward motion only forward.....think about that as it pertains to our walk with Christ. If their feet or lower legs were injured (taken out) they would be rendered helpless... the same for us.... the Christian life is a forward motion. Above all, has the idea of more necessary than all else,1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Think about a soldier for a moment, his sword is in his strong arm, which arm is his shield in, his weak one or it covers his weaknesses or weak side. It is our defense, and the shield spoken of here is a large rectangular shield as large as a door, when troops put them together they could advance behind a large wall of protection. I have also read in commentaries that they would rub or (anoint the shield with oil to blind the enemy with the suns reflection.....go ahead sink into that for a moment, who did oil represent in the bible, the Holy Spirit? and if your faith is Spirit filled and led it does become blinding to our enemy, and will quench all the fiery darts thrown at you. The helmet of Salvation is a right knowledge of who you are in Christ and will protect your thought life which I believe is the frontline battle ground. 2Corinthians 10:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; In battle a head shot is almost always a fatal blow, and there is no difference in the Christian's life. You must guard your heart and mind(your thought life) with all diligence for out of it come the issues of life, that will either make us or break us! Now onto our 2 offensive weapons
1:the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God...2 things here this sword is (makira) a short sword or dagger, used skillfully for close in hand to hand combat. the implication is that you not only know the word of God but can apply it to the situation at hand correctly, and that brings us to another important point: the Word of God is (rhema) the spoken word, so it is not just head knowledge but the ability to speak the word of God directly to the confrontation and to those around us, and speaking it from the heart backed up by actions!! Which brings us to the other offensive weapon:
2: Prayer! Praying always in the Spirit with perseverance for ALL saints. It is our duty to pray for our needs and others,together and individually, as we are led by the Spirit of God.Think about a battle field for a moment, you are not out there alone their are many fighting right alongside of you, and prayer serves as the help you can give while you are fighting your own battle, but you can see (with spiritual eyes and discernment) that those around you are in need and the enemies closing in on them.You may not have time in the battle to stop and ask how can I pray (help) for you, you will many times need to rely on discernment, Through the Word of God and prayer, those are, and will be the only sure ways you will know the leading of the Spirit of God, in order to be effective in prayer and setting captive free from the clutches of the enemy through salvation, you must be led of the Spirit for he knows when and how to take new ground while defending the ground and progress already made........He will lead us(notice it is us not me) to victory, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.( more than implies overwhelming or surpassing victory) We all know that you don't wear a formal gown to an outside picnic anymore than you would wear cut-off shorts to a wedding or funeral. We need to be Spiritually clothed everyday, in order to be victorious for Christ, ARE YOU FULLY DRESSED TODAY, HAVING PUT OFF YOUR NIGHT CLOTHES AND PREPARED YOURSELF DAILY FOR THE BATTLE FOR SOULS AND FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD? IT BECOMES CHILDREN OF LIGHT TO BE DRESSED AND PREPARED EVERYDAY! SO DRESS FOR SUCCESS TODAY!!

Full Circle

The first time I ever heard the story of Hannah and how she prayed for a child and God gave her Samuel, and then she gave him back to God. I was a christian about a year, and about to dedicate my baby Sarah. What I learned that night as I stood by myself no-one standing with me, was that I was promising to live for God myself, therefore showing her and her siblings how to live for Christ. I must tell you as a woman married to an unsaved man, who saw no value in standing at the alter and making this vow before God and his people, I had no idea how I was going to carry this out, this was back in 1989. Today all the way into 2010, my time for the training is past, all I can now do is to continue to pray, knowing I was faithful to live for God, imperfectly but as sincerely and passionately as I have known to do. I did my best to instill christian principles into my 3 children's lives, and in the process faced divorce, supporting these kids by myself through their teenage years, and even had the privilege of taking custody of my niece Christina in 2002. many victories and many tragedies have transpired through these 21 years but the last 2 weeks have brought some of God's biggest blessings so far.



Mothers day 2010 I had the blessing and privilege to see my daughter and son-in-law stand at the very same alter I stood at alone, and dedicate themselves and little Ariana to the Lord 21 years later, and Pastor Tyson spoke out of the passage in
2 Timothy 1:5--When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which first dwelt in thy grandmother Lois and thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also. Only God, and myself knew this was the first passage I ever taught publicly, at a Mother daughter banquet many years ago. O Lord may I have the privilege of seeing Ariana dedicate her children one day!! And just as blessed tonight my niece Christina will go forward, and make public in her home church what she has waited 3 months to do, which will be her surrender to the mission field of God's choosing. When she left for college in Oklahoma last August one of our last conversations was for her to guard against making any emotional, man called decisions! I knew then that there was a very good chance God would call her to missions. So she obediently waited and prayed to make sure, and as she put it, every time she picks up her bible God brings her back to this decision, and she wanted to wait and make it public in her home church tonight! All praise be to my God from whom all blessings flow. And I still hold out in prayer that God is moving in my older 2 children's lives to bring them in line with his will for them. What a year of blessing and victory this has been and I believe God for all of my children that are really his...the fruit of the whom is his reward! Lord help me to continue to cut a path through which my family can follow and serve you together all the days of our lives.....As for me and my house we will serve the Lord, I can only speak that for myself and each of them have free will and must STAND-UP and speak it and live it for themselves, God bring each to that place on a daily basis, for I die daily!
Days turn into Weeks, Weeks into Months, Months into Years, Years into a Lifetime a Lifetime into a tale that will be told throughout all eternity

Busy as a Bee, Still called to Be...
Friday morning April 22nd at about 1am, I was laying on my newly covered IKEA couch bed breathing a short sigh of relief, Whew!! After a long week at work and every night ending around this time With my small group dinner Monday night for 3 wonderful ladies, Tuesday's unexpected late closing at work until after 8pm, Wednesday night having to drive 35 miles one-way(did I mention in the rain?) to Severna Parks Crisis Pregnancy Center to scout the job for Serve Annapolis May 8th as I am the Project scout and team leader and it was their only late hour evening and I had a Friday dead line. Now Thursday night I finally was able to paint the guest room I was now laying in looking at the final result. I was worn-out and still had a long day at work Friday. Followed by house guests and a day long Ladies Conference at church Saturday, (which by the way I was looking forward to all of this) Not only did I have big deadlines at work where I wanted to do excellently as it is only my second week now in my new office....But past all this I have several more big deadlines coming. There will be 3 big events at work in May with the possibility of more to be announced! But sometime in the midst of all this I need the quiet time to hear from God on what he wants prepared for the ladies to be taught on the August Cuba missions trip! There are letters that have to go out for my support to make the trip, and emails to team members for serve Annapolis......Oh did I mention emails from friends demanding my time and not so understanding when I have no time to give. One even told me I was unreliable, because I did not promptly respond? Any one want to trade lives?? I doubt it! And the truth is if anyone were to list out all they have to do in their busy week, I would shut my mouth and be glad to deal with mine!! Well the truth is, I am already thankful for all that God has given me, and forgive me if this has sounded like ranting and raving! It was never intended that way....I only wanted to capture the emotion that busy lives create so that I could then begin the real reason for my post. As I lay looking around the room I just finished painting and decorating. (nails in the wall, pictures hanging as soon as the paint was no longer tacky, no time to waste!!) Completely exhausted, but absolutely delighted with the outcome telling myself the exhaustion was all worth i, at least until the alarm goes off at 6am!!
My eyes fixed on the shelving and it's decorative pieces I just finished adding, and I read the verse that was before me.....Be still and know that I am God... Psalms 46:10......as tired as I now was be still was not going to be hard at all but before I knew it I was speaking out-loud to God. "How in the world am I going to be still in the midst of all these projects, deadlines, and people YOU put in my life? God did not answer me immediately, I'm sure I heard him burst into laughter at me though! Yes very soon I was answering my own question with the wisdom of his words not my own. I know I was called and placed by him in my new position at work and it's deadlines, the Conference leadership, the Serve Annapolis leadership, and no question about the Cuba trip and all that goes with that. But the painting, and dinners and all the extra I Want Too stuff well, that might be up for discussion. Nevertheless, here I lay it in the midst of it all and God reminded me it was not so much the BUSY BEE syndrome I was in that was wearing me out, it was that the extra-curricular activities were creating extra exertion, which could only be managed by him not me and it was time to give it all over, because the Be Still that I was in need of was on the inside not the outside.......he let me wear myself out so that he could tell me to roll it on him,not so much giving up any of the plans or work but relying on him to work it out so it would stop wearing me out! Don't you just love the way God takes his word and penetrates our lives right where we are and gets right to the point, you know "Crystal-Clear" he clears the junk out and says okay lets resume, fall in behind me and he gently leads the way and definitely saves the day. Friday morning when I woke-up at 6am more deadlines were looming and a whole lot of timing had to converge for it all to turn out right...timing that I could have never controlled anyway!! Needless to say all went well. I was able to end a fantastic work week with a great team of people dedicated to excellence as well, Friday night and Saturday were filled with wonderful fellowship with beautiful ladies. we even stayed up until 1:30 am at our Ladies "Pajama Party" with old and new friends! Saturday was filled with worship, teaching and hope.....today Church was awesome and I turned down a lunch date and even kept from seeing my little Ariana, so that I could BE Still inside and out and just reflect before picking up the new week that starts bright and early tomorrow, By the way thank you for sharing in that reflection, our God is an awesome God, he quiets the Busy Bees and fills their lives with honey that they know not of, he delights in bringing it to them that are STILL and KNOW that HE is GOD!! (emphasis mine)!!
He made us human BEINGS, not human DOINGS!!

Does lightning strike twice in the same place?

They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place!! Let me just say, who are they?? I mean really, now granted odds are very great that it won't strike twice BUT God's Word says nothing, NOTHING is impossible with God!! Whether lightning strikes twice in the same place or not, I thank God that he will work(strike) in the same place over and over again!!

My life is proof, and I am thankful. It was clear 2 years and 1 month ago when I came to BB&T not only was God in it but he was in the details. I left Citibank on February 8, 2008 and had in my heart that I needed 3 weeks to a month off in between jobs, I did not yet have my position when I left but on the 12 of February I signed my offer letter and was told my start date would be March 3, 2008 when I got back from the Dominican Republic. Three weeks of vacation just like I asked for, imagine that!!Not only was I very quickly became aware of some of why GOD put me in that job, in that place. I also have become aware in the last month that I was done, and was increasingly restless in Bowie.
Without warning last Thursday afternoon I saw a position become open in the BB&T branch 2 minutes from my house, I immediately got excited inside and began to pray, " God is it okay for me to go after this position. Is it your will. No matter how close it was to my house if it's wasn't God's will it would not be good! What I would begin to find out within that hour was the position was already filled and had been for over 2 weeks, and I was the one who would fill it. Also it was a mandatory move not optional. God took the decision away from me and I was told this was a good fit for me and a step up.....I had no choice as far as BB&T was concerned but at the same time they knew it was close to my home and it would bear a greater financial opportunity for me and I was told Monday the 5th of April that I would start my new position Monday the 12th of April one week later! WOW now there is God working (striking) in my life and in the details once again as it pertains to my financial life and where I would be placed to do his will. So while I do not know all the ins and outs of it, I do know God orchestrated my move took the decision away and even moved on management to put me there, I have seen a lot of mandatory moves that take people farther from home and put them in not so good of a situation...I am blessed and I know my managers do not determine my outcome God does........ every time. Be anxious for nothing, Let not your heart be troubled...........when you put God first and look to him to make your decisions he will and he will do it lightning fast and will strike in the same place as many times in the same life as it takes to fulfill his purposes in you and in me...All praise to him!!

Full Circle

Happy Easter!
2 years ago I made one of the hardest choices, I have ever made in this life! I waited along time to make the decision for several reasons:
1 I needed to know it was God moving me
2 I needed to know where he would move me
3 And if I could ever know or understand, why was he moving me.....not the reason men were giving me but the reason God was giving.
I believe I know the answers to these questions now, I can say for sure I was stepping out on the limb of faith not knowing any of these answers for sure at the time. But why would I be surprised God clearly says in his word "The just shall live by faith", not by SIGHT.
1 I know God moved me and set me where I am by his sovereign will, without a doubt!
2 I took a little time, prayer, and discernment but he made where "crystal-clear"
3 I was told it was because God was putting me on a shelf, and as I moved I knew I could be moving to a place of no favor, no activity if I was wrong! I am here to tell you that was not true, not even close! God is giving me some amazing service opportunities, that are stretching me beyond my abilities and my comfort zone...back out on that limb of faith!
If you haven't guessed I left the church I was saved in and served in for 20 years, 2 years ago, had that not happened I would not have experienced the growth that God has brought into my life, you know Pruning and growth a normal practice for a branch............ Not pleasant when it is cut but more beautiful when the new growth blossoms. As I study tonight for the small group I have the privilege to facilitate, I know I am where I should be, as I prepare to go to Cuba and look for curiculum for the ladies and pastors wives I will teach I know I am watching a dream and vision be fulfilled and expanded all at the same time! God is faithful. I decided for the first time in those two years to go to church with my daughter and her husband, you guessed it back to my old church for Easters evening service. As we were riding to church I looked over in a field and there on a tree sticking up alone in an empty field was a red winged blackbird!!! To most people that would mean nothing to me it was a confirmation from God that I was doing what I needed to do, to bring it all FULL CIRCLE!! I wasn't sure why or how I just knew it was right to go, and to hear the guest speaker preaching about having a dream , and a vision from God, and that he speaks to us and we(with vision) see BEYOND what others see...............the very thing that I was told I would be set on a shelf for? Go figure!! anyway it was a blessing to close my eyes and sing with people I have worshiped with so many times before. All were loving, open and kind and I felt as if time had healed the pain of the past and I am free from the pain that went with that past....as I have said many times time heals all wounds and I have come full circle in 2 years Thank You Lord for you mercy and grace and your healing HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

BLINDSIDE..................

Everyone can and will be blindsided at some point in life...that is a fact. I love the new release blindside, everything about it actually! When the narrator is talking about the job of the lineman to cover the quarterbacks blindside, that may well be my favorite part.
In life I have one that not only covers my blindside from the enemy, but also every now again blindsides me himself, with an unexpected blessing in the same way he protects me from the devils blindside attempts to destroy me. I sit now in a quandry wondering, is the protection or the blessing a greater show of his love? It doesn't take long to realize they go hand in hand!
One sets up the opportunity for the other. As I write this at the earliest beginnings of Resurrection Day, I know there will never be a bigger display of his love for me then when he allowed himself to be lead up Golgotha's hill and be stretched out on an old rugged, blood stained cross. The biggest display of love and blessing to all of mankind, at the same time protection, safety from the sin that will inevitably take each individual down to utter darkness without hope unless, we first admit it, second realize his payment for our sin is the ONLY acceptable one in God's eyes. Satan failed to see it, even if he knew the ramifications to himself and all those he takes with him, he was certainly blindsided by salvation, Jesus made an open show of him when he went down into hell itself and took the keys to hell and death,therefore saying O death where is thy sting because he removed it. He was victoriously triumphant, Satan was helpless to stop him. He couldn't stop him from rising, or the stone rolling away to release him I am sure as he rose to place the blood on the mercy seat in heaven, try as he may, he could not stop Christ, he was free of death and he was presenting the blood upon the mercy seat to the father in the holy of holies, to secure our freedom as well..................... Yes I would definitely say Satan was blindsided on that day, and in his fury he attempts to blindside many on a regular basis with an array of lies..... from you have plenty of time to a loving God would never send you to hell and every other lie in between whatever your leaning. It is our job to protect our fellow man kinds' blindside..through prayer, telling the good news far and near, living out an honest loving life before them, and always giving an answer of the hope that lieth within us. Paul is right if we have hope only in this life and Jesus did not rise again, we are of all men most miserable......PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME...He is not here He is Risen and I too will rise when he calls my name.....................to be blindsided by the blessings of heaven for all eternity!

So easy to say, so hard to do.

Be still and Know that I am God...
Every time I start to think I am trusting God completely, you can bet I am in for a new stretching of my faith!! I have been praying and receiving amazing answers from God beyond imagination for years. I do not know if I have ever in my life wanted something for someone else, with everything that is in me........so wouldn't it just figure that it would be someone that has pulled at my heart strings for as long as they have had life and breath!
This story deserves to be told from the beginning, I believe it will paint a picture that will make "clear" my heart. So way back on Thursday November 6, 1988 I had 2 of the most incredible things happen in one day, and by the way I DO NOT BELIEVE IN COINCIDENCES! I was asked if I died that day did I know for sure I would go to heaven, which led to me receiving Christ that night. I also found out I was pregnant with my youngest child Sarah. The 9 months that I was carrying her, God was carrying me into the life he purposed for me, one that many have said I am crazy for and some have turned their backs on me! I am sure many times I have fallen down, and made my share of mistakes...but I have never turned my back on God, as Peter said to whom would we go?
Well as we fast forward I tried my best over the years, through many trials and tribulations to teach my 3 children that God is Real, and he hears our prayers! As I grew in Christ they grew in stature....with their own personalities it was very evident to all that little Miss Sarah loved baby dolls and that would continue as she became everyone's favorite babysitter. She would write stories in school saying that when she grew up she wanted to be a mom and a babysitter.
( I had the great blessing of being a stay at home mom until she was 12 yrs old). On Thursday March 4, 2010 my beautiful daughter Sarah gave birth to my first grandchild "Ariana Lynn" which means "Holy Beautiful" And beautiful she is, my prayer is that she will live her life "Holy Beautiful" before the Lord.
There has never been a doubt in any person that knows Sarah that she was born to be a mom and a great one! Even in the 3 short weeks of Ariana's life it is clear that Sarah is far more comfortable with her baby and how to care for her than any brand new first time mom you have ever seen! ( Yes I know I am partial, but many others could testify of the validity of these words!!) Everyone knows that she is supposed to stay home and take care of her daughter, we have all known it for a very long time!! That also includes her husband! Let me say I love my son-in-law he is a good young man, he loves his God and my daughter, and loves his new baby. I can see outside looking in, that Sarah's heart is breaking because she does not want to go back to work, he is adamant that she will. Oh if I ever wanted to come to my daughters rescue in life it is now, but sadly I know outwardly I cannot. My prayer going to bed and waking is for Kenny's faith to be increased so that he can see God's provision for them. In a world that screams you must have this and you must have that, this is a battle that will be fought and won in prayer alone, for I believe he is making a decision from fear, not faith.........Mine is not the only faith being stretched, and I also know mine is not the one that will be stretched the most.... clearly God's only answer is "Be Still and Know that I am God" I know he is God, I am having trouble with the Be Still part......part of being still is being quiet and letting him handle it!! I have been spending many nights at my house, alone. (Their house is one street over from mine) If I stay home I can't say the wrong thing. But I know God wants me to enjoy my Daughter, Son-in-law and little Ariana while he works out the circumstances,and works on the hearts and teaches each one of us, those life lessons that cause each one to draw closer to him. I do believe that Psalms 37:4 is absolutely true today "Delight thyself also in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart........and wouldn't you know it the very next verse is my life verse Psalms 37:5 " COMMIT thy ways unto him; TRUST also in him; and he WILL bring it to pass" 2conditions, 1 promise COMMIT & TRUST he WILL. Wow I do not know about you but just writing that caused me to quiet down on the inside, right now I can "Be Still" I do KNOW he is God..................the end of the story is never until the last page is published, this is the first one.
God knows, and time will tell..............and much prayer will be given until the time God reveals his will..

If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole...

I love this story! I love how personal our God is even in a crowd! The woman with an issue of blood, comes up through the press of the crowd and while Jesus is on his way to heal Jarius' daughter, she says within herself if I touch the hem of his garment, I will be whole! And that she was, but of course as always with a personal God there is more.........Christ when he knew virtue went out of himself turns and says "Who touched me?" Think about that for a minute, Christ in whom all the God-head dwelt bodily, who knew and knows all things surely knew who touched him. So why the question? Surely he wanted to confirm with her that he knew what had taken place and as he is, wanted her to publicly confess him........but also imagine in that day and in that crowd those who possibly had judged her, as unclean. And by the laws standard she was, but Christ came to abolish the law and usher in grace........Ahhhhh grace! And before those who possibly knew her and had laughed her to scorn, he told her before all of them that her faith had made her WHOLE, clean, pure, righteous.....WHOLE!! After all the years and tears and money, and I am sure ridicule as well, WHOLE! (being in the perfect tense, this would have the same meaning as when Christ said on the cross it is finished) the distance is covered accomplished never again needing to be repeated. And that my friends is what happened when you and I were declared WHOLE!!
And then back to the matter at hand, in the time this took, word came that Jarius' daughter had died......................And in the midst of watching as he declared the woman WHOLE (by virtue that went out because of her faith) Jesus tells Jarius Do not be afraid ONLY believe, (just as you have witnessed with this woman, you too by your faith can have what you believe as well). Christ is causing Jarius to focus on him, the same crowd that just witnessed this healing were now laughing him (CHRIST) to scorn, because they heard the daughter was dead and instead of believing the one who spoke life they believed in the finality of death. If there is no God, no resurrection, then there is no hope! And for the crowd of unbelievers that was their reality and they were living out what they believed. Jesus speaks right to Jarius' issue, your daughter too will be made whole just as you have witnessed so shall you receive if you will press through the fear and the crowd and ONLY believe. I am so thankful that God knows me better than I know myself and he meets me where I am. If I believe I can touch him for what I need, if my faith is bolder, and I say speak the word only, or if I am scared to death and start to waver he speaks through the fear and says Be not afraid, ONLY believe. What is it you need to ONLY believe at this time, whether you are in possession of a faith that is mustard seed sized, or one that is full grown that comes boldly to his throne... Jesus himself says ONLY believe..............he will meet you where you are today come to him touch the hem of his garment and let him heal your issues with his blood and be WHOLE!

There are 3 things that help to clear my heart and mind.....

The Word of God, a beautiful sunrise, and yes a hot cup of coffee!! And it would be safe to say, in that order. There is nothing like getting away for even a short time and letting God speak to me in the midst of this crazy busy life, and to do it in a way that all of my senses are involved. It is my way of drinking it all in,(I'm sure you were wondering how I was going to work the coffee in, well there you have it)!! It is amazing how much better the day goes................. Living in reality, I can't get away for the sunrise every day, but as it's been said 2 out of 3 ain't bad. So most mornings it is The Word of God and coffee. It is my way of fulfilling one of my favorite verses everyday..............Bring an offering before the Lord; give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; WORSHIP the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The offering is me (Romans12 :1)... giving him the glory due his name is bowing my desires before him and giving him veto power in all my life(True Lordship).....The worship he makes easy, What a faithful loving God who is so intimately involved with every detail of my life, Worship is the overflow of thankfulness that he not only saved a wretch like me, but loves me unconditionally and shows me in the most extravagant ways...............how can you not enter your day seeing clearly after a morning like that, better yet, going on to affect others so that they see clearly too.