LENT IS NOT ABOUT RELIGION

 

 

Ash Wednesday is February 22nd and so begins the season of Lent. I grew up a non-denominational Christian and had little experience with Lent. In fact, I remember working at a bookstore and wondering why, one particular evening, about a quarter of all our customers had dark crosses smeared on their foreheads. What I learned later on after gaining a few wonderful Catholic friends is that it is a ritual of Ash Wednesday mass in which ashes from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are marked on the believer. It signifies mourning and repentance. Many observers spend the next 46 days until Easter Sunday fasting and praying.
So enough with the history lesson… Why observe this holiday if you’re not religious? A few reasons…



Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#ixzz2v67m0VSO

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#MUYLYCoLQsLw0VLe.99

Ash Wednesday is February 22nd and so begins the season of Lent. I grew up a non-denominational Christian and had little experience with Lent. In fact, I remember working at a bookstore and wondering why, one particular evening, about a quarter of all our customers had dark crosses smeared on their foreheads. What I learned later on after gaining a few wonderful Catholic friends is that it is a ritual of Ash Wednesday mass in which ashes from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are marked on the believer. It signifies mourning and repentance. Many observers spend the next 46 days until Easter Sunday fasting and praying.
So enough with the history lesson… Why observe this holiday if you’re not religious? A few reasons…



Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#ixzz2v67m0VSO

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#MUYLYCoLQsLw0VLe.99

Ash Wednesday is February 22nd and so begins the season of Lent. I grew up a non-denominational Christian and had little experience with Lent. In fact, I remember working at a bookstore and wondering why, one particular evening, about a quarter of all our customers had dark crosses smeared on their foreheads. What I learned later on after gaining a few wonderful Catholic friends is that it is a ritual of Ash Wednesday mass in which ashes from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are marked on the believer. It signifies mourning and repentance. Many observers spend the next 46 days until Easter Sunday fasting and praying.
So enough with the history lesson… Why observe this holiday if you’re not religious? A few reasons…



Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#ixzz2v67m0VSO

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#MUYLYCoLQsLw0VLe.99

Today begins the season of Lent.
I grew up in a very traditional Catholic household and I was taught to observe many religious traditions during the season of lent.  I will admit that I had little knowledge of why I did certain things, In fact I remember thinking how silly it was to wear dark crosses smeared on our foreheads for the whole day. It was a ritual of Ash Wednesday mass in which ashes from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are marked on the believers forehead, it signifies mourning and repentance. Now that I understand more I appreciate the Ash Wednesday service!
 Many observers will spend the next 4o days until Easter Sunday fasting and praying.

So enough with the history lesson… Why observe this holiday if you’re not religious? or not catholic? Many feel lent is for the religious people, its not... its for us all!

I am still a bible believing Christian and thankful for my upbringing. However today I  currently attend a non denominational church not because I have anything negative to say about other religions but because I chose a change in my journey that brought me to a  place in which I understood and practiced things from my heart of understanding and not necessarily tradition or ritual.
 Again its a personal journey for each person, with that in mind this Blog entry is to share my personal reflection and observations about Lent and not to discuss religion. If your journey leads you to the relationship with Him then that is what matters!

LENT: A time to let go and become more like Christ. (I believe this is the goal in many traditional religions)  Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for Easter.
 Our sacrificing is all about formation. Kinda like Spring... Spring is all about the formation of new things coming from the ground. In the fall, nature falls away so that in the spring new things can spring from the empty places.

During Lent I fall away from worldly things so I may Fall more into Gods purposes and plans for me!

 Lent is a time for me to get real with myself and lament over my personal sins and losses. Lent allows me to refocus and reshape!
 I’m not saying that everyone should go around sad and pitiful for a month and a half, but Lent may be a good time to dig deep into your heart about your losses and your personal journey.

Lent observance is mourning. I’m not saying that everyone should go around sad and pitiful for a month and a half, but Lent may be a good time to dig deep into your heart about your losses. One of the biggest issues people don’t even realize that they have is a lack of grief. You lost a job, a spouse, a friend, or even a period of time in your life that you enjoyed is over. Did you properly grieve it? A lot of times, we walk around still carrying the weight of something we’ve

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#ixzz2v6aNqdvE

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#7YlbJGkYGWDOMYBC.99

Lent observance is mourning. I’m not saying that everyone should go around sad and pitiful for a month and a half, but Lent may be a good time to dig deep into your heart about your losses. One of the biggest issues people don’t even realize that they have is a lack of grief. You lost a job, a spouse, a friend, or even a period of time in your life that you enjoyed is over. Did you properly grieve it? A lot of times, we walk around still carrying the weight of something we’ve

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#ixzz2v6aNqdvE

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/inspirationreport/2012/02/6-reasons-to-observe-lent-even-if-youre-not-catholic.html#7YlbJGkYGWDOMYBC.99

If I just walk through the tradition of just "doing" the lent ritual it has no benefits... just tradition.

Let me share a few reasons why I continue to observe this time and what it looks like for me this year

Fasting during lent develops an Iron Core. Fasting can be very hard.  It requires self-discipline and a certain strength of character. Not everyone can give up something that they love. But if you really want to see exactly what you’re made up, I challenge you to give up one luxury. Just one. Coffee, social media, cookies, swearing, wine or whatever you indulge in. It’s not only a good way to kick a bad habit, but it shows you just how tough you really are
.
Sacrifice is good for the soul. Many religions (in fact all of the major ones) require and/or advocate fasting. I do not do this for any religious obligation. I do this to work out more of my salvation with Christ.  You learn to depend more on Christ during this time just as Jesus relied on His father for 40 days in the wilderness. I learn to lean more into the Spirit not my religion or tradition.
No matter what you believe, Lent is a season for all of us because the idea of denying oneself to focus on something greater is part of why God created us.

Lent is not about focusing on Fish and chips on Friday and supporting the local church. I do not mean to say this in a rude way but we have to come to GRIPS with the true reason of sacrifice.
For the longest time growing up I only knew that Lent meant Fish and Chips on Friday...that was the extent.

This Lent season I again desire to refocus, reshape and relate with God and His dreams for me!

 I truly desire all God has for me but I feel I let myself and ways get in the pathway of all the NEW God has for me!  
If he took such a drastic step of sacrifice for my salvation and dreams then I believe I will give time and sacrifice  to meet him more towards the middle of my dreams!

 Can you imagine what God will reveal during this time of reflection?

We choose to give something up in order to grow closer to God. God has taught me the deeper meaning of lent along my journey and I no longer see the surface of many man made traditions.

When I see Ashes on the foreheads today I remember and celebrate that He met me where I was at, He loves me and died for me.

 Friends, when we go 40 days without something we have will have withdrawals.

 Let the spirit meet you.

Notice how much a certain thing can take over your life.
 Our "certain thing"  may be different for all.

I know what God spoke to me personally in regards to my "certain thing" so I am daring to do what God has laid on my heart and I am excited to go beyond the physical and focus on the abundance rather then the lack of what I am "giving up"

So remember Lent is that span of time that commemorated Jesus 40 day fasting and temptation in the desert and Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus Resurrection from the grave!

During this time span what people and religions do will differ from person to person and church to church.

Lent no matter what should symbolize your personal journey of reflection, repentance, refocusing, self denial and celebration.

 I have many friends that choose not to give up but to commit to doing more of something such as a set devotional time, regular prayer time or the study of a specific topic.

I love the 40 day study of Christ Journey in the wilderness. I will blog a few entries along the way in the next 40 days.

The choice to observe lent is a personal one- the whole point friends is to focus your heart and mind a little more toward Christ during the journey of Easter.
Be careful not to fast or give up in VAIN or because of guilt and requirements. I urge you to pray and ask God what He would love to do in your life and you'll be amazed at what happens and how He reveals.

I remember many years back during lent I promised to not miss one Sunday service and for that season in my life that was a sacrifice but that sacrifice changed the next season of my life.

God has plans my friends for something NEW!

Take the 40 day challenge and  observe out of desire and not for religious expectations, only then will you experience a different outcome.

Please visit my post from LAST YEAR and perhaps try this family devotion and Easter project!

 

Remember Lent is not about religion but your relationship with God.
What are your thoughts about Lent? How do you observe with your family? Is this a new challenge you will take with me? Share your thoughts!

Blessings friends

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

The reading below was taken from today's bible reading, click the link above in the tool bar to follow the planned daily readings for the week! 

Exodus 16-18

New International Version (NIV)

Manna and Quail

16 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt!There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

At the very end of today's devotion I will share the step by step instructions to follow for your counter top make over! 
_________________________________________________________________

To make today's reading very simple... God speaks through Moses to remind the people that he will protect, provide and supervise iF AND ONLY iF they follow the directions.

Same is true today.
 God has so much He wants to pour into our lives but we need to do things His way. Following directions can be very difficult because that usually means things need to CHANGE in our lives. 

Change is hard.

I personally have a hard time following the Godly outline but when I sit and grumble God will help me to realize that He only gives these rules so I can  experience the BEST in this life. He is for me not against me! 

 Instructions are given to us by a loving Heavenly Father. When they are obeyed our lives will be more fulfilling, less complicated. Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear. We will receive the Lord’s promised blessings. 

He has said, “The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”²

You have but one life to live. Keep it as free from trouble as you can. 

God loves us so very much and He knows we grumble about life and make mistakes but He loves us unconditionally and will try to reach us in our personal places. 

I always remind my teenage son that obeying God can be tough. However, No matter what God loves everything about you and He will find a way to reach you even if you walked away. 

Following Gods instructions seems stifling for a teenager. They cant party, swear, get drunk or sleep around or tell white lies. It feels like God has cut the fun out of their lives. Rules are imporatant and God only gives us basic instruction to save us from learning things the hard way. We all do wrong things and God is not up there waiting to Spank us around.

 He is truly up there pleading with us to obey and avoid a life of crashes and mess ups. God is not just a set of laws He wants to walk life out with you and me and help us steer through life. Could you imagine the roads with no traffic laws?

He provides His instructions out of love and the desire to rain down spiritual blessings. 

Focus on Gods real love for you and then following His law will come naturally.

God used Moses in today's reading to teach His people some of the reasons they needed to obey instead of grumble. God never walked away from them,  He continued to provide while reaching and yet teaching! 

I am glad God never gives up on me! I struggle with following directions from time to time however, I have seen the hand of God in my life and that Glory reminds me of His blessings and it gets me turning around every time! 

Following directions can bring about the greatest change! 

This devotion reminded me of a recent home improvement project.

I really wanted to update my old formica countertops in my kitchen without spending to much money. 

I bought a kit from home depot and followed the instructions step by step.

The instructions brought about the most beautiful transformation! 

Take a look! 

 So in the first step we taped off and created boundaries! Sometimes Gods law can feel like we need to tape off things in our life.

Shout out to my amazing husband! 

Following all the instructions! 

It's a beautiful transformation. If you purchase the GianiGranite.com

kit the instructions are so simple and you can do this! Just follow the instructions and enjoy a beautiful solid transformation! 

It has 3 easy steps and a video to help you see everything in full detail, the kit cost me 78.00 and covered 35sq feet! 

Enjoy and just follow the instructions! 

Blessings friends! 

WHATS "NEW" IN 2014

Happy New Year!

Do you think it's ok to still be blowing our New Year horns 17 days after the official Calendar day celebration?

 It's really ok!  God blows His horn of celebration all year long!

The shofar (שופר‎) is a Jewish instrument most often made from a ram’s horn, though it can also be made from the horn of a sheep or goat. It makes a trumpet-like sound and is traditionally blown on Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year

God is really up to celebrating the NEW on a regular basis
Learn to BLOW YOUR HORN this year!

 

I like how the verse says NOW IT SPRINGS UP!

We will all have a "NOW" season all through the year. We need to be alert and wise so we may perceive this NOW thing springing up!

I believe God is good and He will allow us to learn how to TRACE our plans along side of him.
Only if we follow Him and make a commitment to Him in 2014. He has plans for your health, ministry, gifting, children, marriage, finances and much more.

I want to perceive those blessings this year, how about you?

PERCEIVE:
TO BECOME AWARE OR CONSCIOUS OF SOMETHING, TO COME TO REALIZE OR UNDERSTAND SOMETHING. TO LOOK IN A PARTICULAR WAY ON SOMEONE OR SOMETHING!

My first goal for 2014 will be to try harder  to create better habits when it comes to looking upon Jesus in a particular way.

 Jesus is the word and He became TRUTH and now dwells among us.

Lets look upon the WORD and realize something NEW  together throughout 2014.

I personally want the word to CHANGE me.
 
I desire to become aware of my personal surroundings so that I  may PERCEIVE  the NEW sketches that God is beginning to TRACE  in my life and those around me.

I want to notice his presence faster and become aware of His happenings.

May we together: BEHOLD
                                   DISCERN
                                       DISCOVER
                                              DISTINGUISH THE DIVINE
                                                    FEEL
                                                        GRASP
                                                              LOOK and MARK OUT
                                                                 OBSERVE AND SEIZE
                                                                          RECOGIZE
                                                                       SPOT AND SPY
                                                                              TAKE

What will be NEW here for 2014 to help you GRAB hold and perceive?

My goal is to create a virtual community in which we come together and commune over Gods word. Unpacking the TRUTH taught that day so we may become aware and discover all the
" NEWS" in 2014.

I encourage you to join my READING PLAN for the year.
(This is what you will see when you click the READING PLAN above)
I encourage you to print the page and stick it into your journal.



Jan 16: Gen 39-40; Matt 11
Jan 17: Gen 41-42; Matt 12:1-23
Jan 18: Gen 43-45; Matt 12:24-50
Jan 19: Gen 46-48; Matt 13:1-30
Jan 20: Gen 49-50; Matt 13:31-58
Jan 21: Ex 1-3; Matt 14:1-21
Jan 22: Ex 4-6; Matt 14:22-36
Jan 23: Ex 7-8; Matt 15:1-20
Jan 24: Ex 9-11; Matt 15:21-39
Jan 25: Ex 12-13; Matt 16
Jan 26: Ex 14-15; Matt 17
Jan 27: Ex 16-18; Matt 18:1-20
Jan 28: Ex 19-20; Matt 18:21-35
Jan 29: Ex 21-22; Matt 19
Jan 30: Ex 23-24; Matt 20:1-16
Jan 31: Ex 25-26; Matt 20:17-34

 

 This plan has a bible reading from old testament and new testament for you each day of the week all through 2014. Please grab a journal and make notes on what the Word is saying to you. God will make words jump off the page and He has a way of making you observe the truth, recognizing and distinguishing a divine truth meant for you and the plans you need to grasp and discover. The word is the way you begin to trace and perceive the DIVINE in your life.

My brightest and most glorious months, days and years have been when I was the most committed to studying the word. Its easy to get sloppy in life... this will have to be another topic for a blog this year!

Each WEDNESDAY I will be writing a devotion and unpacking the truths for that days verses.  I hope you join me and also share what the word has spoken to you on that WEDNESDAY or anytime during that week. Place your thoughts in the comment section at the end of the post or by emailing me at Heather@hbministries.com .
I would love to  share in the following post how others are beholding and perceiving Gods word!

When we mix GOD + FRIENDS = COMMUNITY
 
LOOK WHAT ELSE IS NEW:

In the FALL of 2014 my first book/ workbook study called "RUN" will be launched~

The #RUNPROJECT will be amazing, so fresh and well "NEW." It will be launched for the fall studies at my home church Northridge. I am grateful for the leaders and friends within my church that God has placed in my pathway to help get this project running is Gods direction.
I pray God opens doors for RUN to be apart of other churchs!
 I would love to come and encourage your ladies to RUN IN SUCH A WAY and leave you with a great 7 week study with 7 DVD teachings!
Hey lets plan a Conference or a retreat for 2015!

See God is always up to NEW and exciting things!
May our divine paths cross as we study and perceive Gods word together.

Lastly, I would love to share something else NEW with you!
My youngest daughter Alivia has decided to start her own blog community.

Alivia's Blog

Girlfriends = Giggles and Glitter and a whole lot of God now that's a community!

Take a look at alivia's first steps in learning how to blog and create community. she is such a spunky blessing.

http://aliviabaxter.blogspot.com/

                                              BEHOLD GOD IS DOING A NEW THING!

Do you want to Perceive the NEW in your life this year?
 
If so then Xerox off your reading plan, get your journal ready and lets get busy! sign up to receive the blogs daily in your inbox!

Thanks for allowing me to motivate and  teach you how to  discover truths from Gods word, this will be a great year!  

RUN IN SUCH A WAY

RUN IN SUCH A WAY

We sometimes get disappointed when things do not go our way and we tend to quit.

But what we do not realize is that maybe we did not do things the right way to begin with. Or maybe for whatever reason, we were not 100% committed to that dream, to that goal.

 And what I mean by committed, it is having your mind in total connection with that dream. We could desire, want something, but are our thoughts and words agreeing with what we really want to obtain?

IT MIND OVER MATTER

We might want to achieve that goal but we could be unconsciously pushing it away by doubting ourselves or even doubting that dream would ever come true. Our thoughts and our words are so powerful!

 capable of making miracles in our lives, but also misfortunes if misused.

For example, I dream about completing this book project I have been taking on with God for the past year. I dream about going out and speaking while enjoying the presence of  Gods people while stirring up wisdom and dreams in the hearts of thousands under one roof together!
 I want to fly from state to state and travel city to city and speak!
 that is my dream!
I declare this book will be the next generations "Purpose Drive Life" book!
 I believe this today.

Daily I have to keep my dream in check, how about you?

What is your DREAMS and DESIRES, I challenge you to comment me back and really put it out there! I cant wait to hear from you!

Everything you desire is a DREAM!

Todays word of the day comes from

 PROVERBS 4:23 
BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK. YOUR THOUGHTS RUN YOUR LIFE

Blessings,

 
 

A CALLING

WHAT IS THIS CALLING?

Being free from our past lives and becoming a servant of Jesus Christ in whatever capacity God begins to shape. Not a perfect servant but a servant in progress. 

Every dead area of your life make available for further review for God's life-changing power.

Maybe a relationship in your life has fell apart
Maybe you lost your job
Maybe you made a terrible mistake
Maybe you are stuck in sin
Maybe you are struggling with grief
Maybe you counted your marriage a loss


Everything looks dead and over, But it's not over! God is CALLING YOU!

Most of us give up on things way to soon and never consider hearing God's calling in the mess.
The mess is your MESSAGE

WITHOUT GOD IN YOUR LIFE NOTHING CAN RESUME HOPE.

So let us be clear, all of God's people partake of the one calling, a calling to holiness, hope, eternal life and the kingdom of God. And having accepted that call we then get down to the business of obeying the Word of God which includes working with our hands in whatever way possible so that we are not a burden on others and so that we will have something to share with those in need.

 You Were Made By God's Design To Serve Him In A Special and Unique Way Within The Church or Within The World, But Not Of The World.


God’s saving call is a call to a particular people -you.

Those whom God calls,  are nobodies, from the world’s viewpoint.
They are not wise, nor mighty, nor of noble parentage and birth; rather, they are foolish, weak, and lowly in the sight of men.
 Those who are called know themselves to be sinners, unworthy of God’s grace, deserving of His everlasting wrath. Yet God knows them as those whom He chose from eternity to be His people; those for whom Christ died and arose; those in whom the Spirit implants the new life of Christ; those made saints, and brought into the church of Christ. Every human being is called but not all respond.


When God calls us, He speaks to us.

 He does so, as we stand by nature in the world of sin and unbelief and ungodliness; loving the lie; and hating the law. And to us He says: “Come out of such ungodliness and unbelief. Stop having ungodly ambitions. Don’t strive after worldly greatness. Stop having fellowship with unbelievers. And come into the knowledge of the truth; walk in the light; and enjoy the saving fellowship of Jesus Christ, your Lord.”

This speech of God by which He calls is really nothing else than the voice of Jesus Christ.
Christ emphasizes this in John 10:3, calling Himself the Good Shepherd. 
Just as the earthly shepherd goes to the pen in which the sheep and goats of many different masters have spent the night, and calls his own by name to follow him, so does Jesus Christ call His own sheep, with His own voice, and they come.

This call comes to us through the preaching of the gospel, as the Spirit works by that preaching to save the elect. The first four chapters of I Corinthians explain this point.

 God is growing us into the mysteries of God. 

Are you hearing the preaching of God's word in some fashion?
This is very important


Today God reminded me personally to remain in my same calling. God has been preparing me and I tend to get sloppy with my life and calling. I need to remain faithful and strong as God is preparing me.

1 Corinthians 7:20 " Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called."
Stay FAITHFUL and put time into your calling and gifts! 

I pray today God spoke to you personally and positions you to go possess what He has called you to do! 

DREAMS

God gives us hopes and dreams to prepare us for the... "ON PURPOSE "things to happen in our lives! 

 He doesn't usually allow us to see the exact timing of His plan.

Although frustrating, not knowing the exact timing is often what keeps us in the program. There are times when we might give up if we knew how long it was going to take, but when we accept God's timing, we can learn to live in hope and enjoy our lives while God is working out the final destination . We know that God's plan for our lives is good, and when we entrust ourselves to Him, we can experience total peace and happiness.

God wants us to live by discernment—revelation knowledge, not head knowledge.
It's difficult to exercise discernment if you're always trying to figure everything out in the flesh.

. But when you're willing to say, "God, I can't figure this out, so I'm going to trust You to give me revelation that will set me free," then you can be comfortable in spite of not knowing.

Trusting God often requires a comfort in not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done.
We often say God is never late, but generally He isn't early either. Why? Because He uses times of waiting to stretch our faith in Him and to bring about change and growth in our lives.

I love this scripture... Habakkuk 1:5
"For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told"

WOW, That is so powerful!
God has a plan to work a work in our lives. Something so amazing.

What I am learning is while God is working His work we need to...WAIT WATCH and LISTEN.

We spend a lot of time waiting because change is a process.
Many people want change, but they don't want to go through the waiting process or the change and testing of character.

If we decide to wait God's way, we will learn to become patient and embrace the place. It takes practice, but as we let God help us in each situation, we develop patience, which is one of the most important Christian virtues. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). It's developed only under trial, so we must not run from difficult situations. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing (James 1:4).

The book of Genesis tells the story of Joseph, who waited many years for the fulfillment of the dream God had given him.

He was falsely accused and imprisoned before the time came for him to do what God had shown him he was to do. Exodus 13:17-18 tells us that God led the Israelites the longer, harder way on their journey to the Promised Land because He knew they were not yet ready to go in. There had to be time for their training, and they had to go through some very trying situations.
They wasted a lot of time wondering about God's timing, but God never failed to take care of them and show them what He wanted them to do.

The same is true in our lives. It has been many years after I received my call from God in June 2000 before I began to see bits and pieces of talent and gifts line up with His plans. Still today I am dreaming bigger yet waiting on HIS timing for the bigger plans.

look at the waiting as God's training period!

This time requires us to do what He tells us to do when He tells us to do it...without questioning or trying to figure everything out.

Proverbs 16:9 says, A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Proverbs 20:24 Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?

When God directs our paths, He sometimes leads us in ways that don't make sense, we're not always going to understand everything.

If we try to reason out everything, we will experience struggle, confusion and misery.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

When Dreams develop the desires of your heart begin to manifest— you see your bigger dreams.

Are you frustrated, crying out, "When, God, when?" Then you need to understand that God's timing is often a mystery.
He doesn't do things on our timetable.

His Word promises that He will not be late, not one single day.

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day" (Habakkuk 2:3 )


I just love that scripture!

God causes things to happen at exactly the right time!
Your job is not to figure things out but to keep your mind focused that you won't give up until you cross the finish line.
You will then line up with the radical, outrageous blessings of God!

Trusting God brings life

Believing brings rest

OBEDIENCE is the key to keeping the momentum. When God is silent, He is really working in those secret places! 

NO BARNYARD LIVING FOR ME!

WE HAVE ONE LIFE AND WE NEED TO LIVE IT RIGHT!

I CHALLENGE YOU TO ASK YOURSELF SOME QUESTIONS TODAY.

DO YOU FEEL STRONG, ADVENTUROUS, WISE, EXERCISING YOUR BEST VISION WHILE FLYING HIGHER AND STRONGER WITH THE STORMS THAT LIFE PRESENTS?

 

OR

 

DO YOU LIVE A COOPED UP LIFE. SCURRY FROM ONE PROBLEM TO ANOTHER, FEELING CONFINED, PREDICTABLE AND CAKED WITH BARNYARD MUD?

 

 

 

 

 

GOD CREATED US FRIENDS TO LIVE LIKE EAGLES!

 

WE WERE BORN FOR THE SKY!

 

 

THE LORD HAS CALLED US TO LIVE IN HEIGHTS, YET TO MANY OF US HUDDLE TOGETHER IN THE BARNYARD OF LIFE'S CIRCUMSTANCES CONTENTEDLY SCURRYING FOR THE SAFETY OF FAMILIES, OUR FINANCES AND OUR CAREERS. WE AT TIMES SETTLE FOR COMFORTABLE CRUMBS OF FAITH!

 

DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND...YOU WEREN'T MADE TO LIVE LIKE A CHICKEN

 The eagle loved his "chicken"  home and family but it seemed his spirit cried out for more.
One day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring. ”Oh,” the eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.”
The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar like those. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be like them.

 

 

Each time the eagle talked about his dreams, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That was what the eagle learned to believe. After time, the eagle stopped dreaming and continued to live his life as a chicken.
Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

Moral: You become what you believe you are. If you ever dream to become an eagle, follow your dreams, not the words of chickens

Do not let today's situation determine your self worth!

Dream big and be Determined to sore like an Eagle!

                                  Chicken

                                      or


                                   Eagle

                             

 

 

 

 

 

7 KEYS TO RAISING GODLY CHILDREN IN TODAYS WORLD

KEY VERSE:

Proverbs 22:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 KEYS To Godly Parenting

1) Develop a Passionate Relationship with God and then Talk to your child about Experiencing  God in and through  life.
In Deuteronomy 6:5-6, God instructs parents:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

*Talk about your personal stories when you need God showed up

*Allow your kids to see living faith through you

*Talk about it under the roof of your home

　

　

2) Make the Word of God Your Standard
We are living in a day that offers as many views on parenting as there are parents. It has been my experience that many Christians parent based on tradition (how they were reared by parents or grandparents), books written by a children’s psychologist, or advice from pediatricians. Unfortunately, many fail to consult the book authored by the One who created the family unit. God’s Word is full of instruction about training children.

*I personally have a verse for everything! Ask my kids:)
*Put a chalkboard up and put Gods word in a visible place(Example of a picture I have with the board during Easter season)

　


3) Parents Must Be on the Same Page
One common source of marital strife is disagreements concerning child rearing. To successfully parent their children a mom and dad must be on the same page. As previously stated, that page needs to be the Word of God. In Amos 3:3, God asks, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” The obvious answer is – No! Parents must make a commitment to search the Scriptures and read biblical based books that direct them to be in harmony. If parents are not in agreement, their children will skillfully manipulate to get their way.

*I screen shot my hubby a lot of text conversations with the Kids so dad can always be on TOP of things and take charge, but mom duty is to keep him up to pace when he is at work!


4) Protect Your Children
In a culture that is infiltrated with immoral thought, sexual immorality, ungodly media, and false teachers, to name but a few, it is absolutely essential that parents take responsibility for their children’s well being.

A major part of protection is to teach children truth so they will recognize lies that are seeking to take root in their hearts. Parents must have a fresh realization that it is not primarily the church’s responsibility to protect the mind or to train their child. It is their God ordained duty!


SOCIAL MEDIA : A HUGE issue today in middle school, many apps on phones that our young teens cannot handle! Find out about them... ASK.FM is by far the most harmful, found through an instagram account and usually has the link in the BIO of person on instagram.
Parents must shield their children by monitoring television, installing filters on Internet, regulating and overseeing the use of cell phones, and reviewing books and materials that are used at school.

GATHER CELL PHONES AT NIGHT AND PUT IN BASKET OR ON COUNTER
AND PARENTS YOU SHOULD KNOW PASS CODE TO YOUR CHILD'S PHONE!  THAT IS A MUST IN OUR HOME

5) Bless Your Children
, I remind parents that Jesus blessed these children in three important ways that they should also emulate:
Jesus took time for the children.
Jesus tenderly touched the children and offered loving affirmation.
Jesus used a tempered tongue with the children.
To bless your child is to speak a message that attaches high value and pictures a special future for them with an active commitment as a parent to help them fulfill it.

Moms, ask the Lord for Wisdom and discernment for that child.

Make sure you take time to regularly bless each of your children, tell the what you see in them and cast a blessed vision over them!



6)Influencers.

The old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” is true. Other adults in a child’s extended family, church, and school are influential. The support, advice, love, and help they offer are important ingredients in a child’s faith development. The more godly adults children have in their lives, the more likely they will become devoted Christ-followers.

Church small groups are very important! I suggest you plug your children in to one during the week


7)Prayer
Prayer opens the way for God, Himself, to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God’s messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us. The more they see prayer modeled at home and church, the more they become connected and committed to God.

*pray over the rooms! Go to this Blog and READ on how I pray through a child's room :


　PRAYING THROUGH A CHILDS ROOM



HAVE A FABULOUS DAY FRIENDS!