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!