Patricia's Principles for Living

Ants, God's Little Educators

2021-01-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

From time to time I'll start reading something that starts to fascinate me. This time it was ants. They are in just about every corner of the earth, but we barely take tme to notice them. They are industrious creatures that don't care if you notice them. They just keep going about their duties living out their lives with purpose. I'd ;like to sgare with you the lessons I've learned form God's little instructors.

Ten Lessons from the Ants Interesting the Scripture states that the ants are not just wise

they are extremely wise.

1. Ants look at the job they have to do and keep busy.

They start early on the monumental task of storing food for the winter.

Start early on big tasks and keep at it.

2. In the summer ants are preparing for the winter.

In times of abundance don’t neglect preparing for the future.

3. Ants build a storehouse of food even though they may not

be the ones who will eat it because their life expectancy is only 45 to 60 days.

Prepare for future generations.

4. Ants cooperate to move things larger than themselves.

Work in community to do something bigger than yourself.

5.Ants gather precious crumbs and store the remnants.

Remember even the small pieces are part of the

whole big thing, and just as useful. 6. While others are casting off perfectly good but small resources

the ants are gathering these cast offs into sustainable resources.

Have an eye outfor opportunities so as not to waste them. 7. While others are being careless – flicking crumbs here and there-

the ants are being careful.

Don’t neglect the small things they can lead to great gains. 8. Some ants are welcomed into places where they otherwise

might not inhabit because of their services. “Some birds put

ants in their feathers because the ants squirt formic acid

which gets rid of the parasites”

Be of use to somebody other than yourself. 9 Ants take care of their pre-born ant babies “At night the

worker ants move the eggs and larvae deep into the nest

to protect them from the cold”

Just because you’re not the queen ant doesn’t

mean your work is any less important. 10. Ants leave trails for other ants to find resources.

Be a good leader so that others can easily follow you.

I want to be at least as smart as an ant.

About that Ninety-Nine Dollars

2017-04-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Even at jeopardy of being late for an important appointment I refused to go above the posted 35 miles per hour speed limit. I may not be as righteous to adhere to posted signs on other roads when I'm in a hurry. However this stretch of the Martin Luther King Highway descending into Renton always got my respect. At least it did, after that day in 1980, when to my chagrin I found myself being stopped by one of our friendly Officers of the Peace, otherwise known as a policemen.

I was completely unaware that I was being followed by a police car. It wasn't until I noticed the flashing lights that I pulled over. I had been so intent on being on time for a meeting at First Baptist Church that everything else clouded my judgement and the speed limit. When the policeman asked me about my great hurry I explained I didn't want to be late for my meeting at the church. When he came back with my well deserved ticket he jovially said, "Just say the devil made me do it." - Which for those too young to know this was a popular phrase from comedian Flip Wilson's character, Geraldine.

That ticket cost me ninety-nine dollars. Considering that our mortgage at the time was only ninety dollars it was a lot of money we could ill afford. That experience chastened me. Chasten is another word for discipline. I was chastened/disciplined on that road. Paying for the ticket was painful. I remember my late husband Winston saying I should go fight the ticket in court. I told him I did it and that I would pay the ticket. Over thirty seven years later I still feel very respectful of that road.

My parents have long since passed away. However I think of how they helped to discipline my spirit and helped me mold my responses to situations. The true goal of discipline is not meant to harm it is meant to help. The ticket I received for speeding was meant to remind me that my actions could endanger me or someone else. I am fully convinced that one of the reasons we have people who have no compunction about killing or harming other people is that they were not chastened/disciplined as children. This does not necessarily mean spankings. God's word, the Bible, tells us that foolishness is wrapped up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction drives it far away. So now we have a bunch of people who did not have the foolishness driven away as children so it's still bound in their heart. Now they have the strength to do all the foolishness that comes into their minds. Therefore we have a group of unhinged, no ethics people running around killing, robbing and terrorizing others.

As a society, if we have the resolve, we can turn things around. Adults need to take responsibility for their own actions. Parents need to parent with the end goal of rearing responsible adults. We are all in this together. I think some people will get stuck on the rod thing and declare this is all wrong. However if you've ever planted a garden you know that without discipline, or a stake of some kind of rod some plants never reach their potential. Those plants like Kentucky Wonders, a type of green bean, need something to cling to. The rod acts as the support and steadying influence for the plant. Instead of thinking of a rod meaning beating, think of the rod as a parent or adult being the steadying influence in yours or another child's life. Even though I don't know that policeman's name he was a rod who chastened me that day and for that I thank him. There is no appointment worth having me be so unaware that I become a danger to myself or to others.

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Hebrews 12:11

Domestic Violence - A Present and Ancient Problem

2014-09-10T10:33:00.001-07:00

The Bible records the first horrific act of family violence in the story of Cain killing his brother Abel. God saw the anger that Cain was mistakenly harboring towards Abel. God talked with Cain. God told Cain that he had an opportunity to correct his mistake. Consumed by jealousy Cain refused to change his attitude. . Cain continued to make Abel the target of his wrath. Cain chose rage over reason. He overpowered and killed his unsuspecting and innocent brother.

Everything in creation was affected by Cain’s solitary action. Cain’s violence brought death to Abel, the disapproval of God, grief to the parents and a disillusioned life of hardship to himself. Even the earth found itself an unwilling participant as it was forced to receive Abel’s blood. Family violence has never been a confidential matter between the abuser and the abused. It disrupts life on so many levels and causes physical, mental, emotional and social pain to everyone. The injured party is no longer able to contribute to society as a fully functional member offering her/his gifts to a world that needs them.

Family violence causes emotional wounds to those who may not be the direct focus of aggression, but are still exposed to a violent environment. Family violence mentally impairs the perpetrator, who drowns out the voice of reason and God to not inflict pain on another human being. Family violence stamps out potential for future generations as it did to Abel. Family violence is usually carried out in secret and private behind closed doors, but it does not remain in one place.

How do we stop these insidious actions? Educate! We do so by shining light on this topic. Educate the survivors that they are just that, a prey of someone else’s unacceptable behavior, not a cause of it. Abel was not the cause of Cain’s behavior. Cain’s irrational jealousy and anger towards Abel was of his own making. Educate the perpetrator that he/she has a choice to consider the other as a person with dignity more than as an object of abuse. In essence, God told Cain that he was responsible for his own behavior and could change the outcome of his life.

Educate the community that family violence affects everyone, not just the persons being abused. The effects of family violence touch everyone because each person brings unique talents to a community and is not able to do so when cowering in fear and hiding. Educate the community that we all have a responsibility to acknowledge the fact that family violence takes place in every community regardless of socioeconomic standing.

Educate our young children that they are worthy human beings who do not deserve to be abused. Educate them to take responsibility for their actions not to harm others in actions or words. Educate our lawmakers that family violence damages all aspects of our community. The abusers must feel the weight of justice. As God demanded Cain to take responsibility for his actions, so we, as a society, must hold each other accountable for how we respond to those who are survivors of family violence.

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper." Genesis 4: 8-9

Yes, I am my brother's, sister's, neighbor's keeper when it comes to assisting them from being a victim of abuse. Are you?

Dormant Does Not Mean Dead!

2014-08-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

Last fall I could feel the chill of winter creeping into the atmosphere. What would happen to my beautiful red velvety geraniums that brought me so much pleasure during the summer? I hated to say good by to them. I wondered could they possibly live through the winter and bloom again if I brought them in from the approaching  frost,  I was willing to see if they could.

The wooden pot was very heavy so I enlisted some help to bring it into the unheated pool room.
All winter long I watched indifferently as they began to shed leaves. For months they lived without one drink of water from me, their neglectful owner. I began to ask myself why did I even bother bringing them in if I wasn't going to care for them? The dying brown leaves still did not move me to water the plant. One tenacious geranium kept hanging on for dear life.

Five months later spring arrived.  That one stubborn red geranium proved to be a survivor. I thought I might need help to move the pot outside to let the rest of the dying plant finish its decay. However the pot was light enough for me to lift and move alone. I was in no hurry to do anything about the plant so it set out side for a long time.

The Seattle spring rains came in torrents. My struggling geraniums got pelted over and over. Before summer arrived I left town for six weeks. When I came back I was shocked. That geranium was alive with new abundant budding shoots trailing out of the pot.

I started to think about what happened.  This plant had survived because it went dormant. That heavy pot  contained the moisture that it needed to survive the winter. It had conserved energy by shedding the leaves it did not need during the winter. There was life in the roots. When the spring came and it was warmed by the sun it burst into life again.

Sometimes to make it through life's winter one has to shed some things. Survival may mean letting some things die so that the energy can go to the essentials.  Like that plant I realized that I've been through several of life's winters. I am sure there are a few more of them in the future. What I've learned, from my geraniums is shed the non essentials. When life's winters come make sure the roots are getting what they need. Spring's sun and rain will come. Life goes on and I can do more than survive. I can, and so can you, bloom again.

Solange is Not Alone in Going Gangsta- We’ve all got one

2014-05-13T11:04:00.001-07:00

“Solange, Beyonce’s sister captured on elevator camera beating JZ,” screamed the headlines. None of us know what led up to this seemingly outrageous event. However I do know that all of us have a friend or family member who will go gangsta on someone who they think did us wrong. Even Jesus had a "Ride or die buddy" though his ride was pretty short. His name was Peter. Peter went gangsta in the Garden of Gethsemane. Remember Peter took a sword and cut off Malchus’ ear. King David, writer of the Psalms, had two first cousins, Joab and Abishai that he could not control. David said, “These sons of Zeruiah are too violent for me.” They were willing to cut off anyone’s head that they thought threatened David. Also Moses, in Numbers 11, had to quiet down Joshua from going after people who Joshua thought were out of line.

Now whether you have a relative or friend like this, or you are the one like this may I offer a word of advice. Well it actually comes from Jesus, not just to Solange, but to anyone who wants to fight other’s battles. Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword away, for those live by the sword die by the sword.” What keeps me sane and keeps me from going gangsta is I believe the Bible verse that vengeance is God’s and He will repay. Whether JZ deserved a beating or not I’ll probably never know. What I do know is “Smile!” There are cameras everywhere including elevators

The Head Will Follow

2014-03-21T07:58:00.001-07:00

My childhood home in Philadelphia shared the property line with one of the city’s trolley and bus terminuses. The old mustard yellow and green iron wheeled Route 23 trolley’s last stop was a child’s skip and a jump to our first step. Our miniscule side yard was a few feet from the trolley tracks separated by a sturdy black wrought iron fence. The protective iron vertical bars were less than six inches apart. A tangle of lilac and forsythia bushes completed this urban oasis.

I learned that a quick escape from this dead end peninsula could be accomplished by squeezing through the iron bars. The key to this feat was to put my head through first. If my head could go through sideways the rest of my body would follow. First time pursuers were baffled. They thought they had trapped me in the side yard only to find out I had mysteriously escaped.

As I ruminated on this long ago pleasant childhood memory I thought isn’t this like life. If I can get my head through a problem or a challenge the rest of my body follows. It’s not been negative people who have blocked my progress or development of ideas. It has been my thoughts that have trapped me. That voice in my head that’s told me what I could or could not do. When I’ve been able to get my head under control everything in me lines up and says let’s get this done. I’ve got to go because my head is telling me to get moving. There are some challenges I need to get through.

Learn to Compensate

2013-08-28T18:38:00.001-07:00

All of us have areas in our lives where we are weak.

The Book of Proverbs gives us insight on what to do to compensate for our weak areas. Strength and size do not have to doom one to always being in last place. We must learn to compensate for our weaknesses.

Proverbs 30:24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

1. 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
If you have been given only a little strength carry a little at a time out of season and start earlier.

2. 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
If you are weak without a coat of armor take advantage of the free natural resources around you.

3. 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
If you don’t have a natural leader, at least agree to march in step with others.

4. 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
Work quietly and use your God given or developed talents and go where you want.

Don't complain about what you do not have. Learn to compensate and use what you do have.

Secret Battles

2013-08-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

Some battles leave no outward marks. Samson fought a lion, but he was not injured or bruised. He was able to go back to his parents without a scratch or anything to identify that he had dueled with the lion and won. This was a private battle between the lion and Samson. There are some things we battle in life and get the victory over that not even the closest to us know anything about. They happen in secret places. When Samson goes back to where he left the lion there was nothing bitter left of the battle. His place of victory in battle became a sweet spot where bees had done their work.

You may wonder why this or that teacher or preacher, or sister or brother in the faith is able to bring you that sweet word of God. It’s because they have done battle in those secret places, the times when ordinarily the lions of this world would have rent them to pieces. However the Spirit of God came upon them and they defeated that enemy with time in prayer and God’s help. Don’t despise those times alone. Do the battles in secret places. Practice godliness when you are alone. Think of David alone in the field, Daniel alone in the lions’ den and Joseph sitting alone in a prison all practicing godliness . Today we do not take the time to be Holy and to speak often with God. Therefore we end up powerless and weak.

Today maybe your secret battle was at your computer screen when that pornographic picture popped up and you quickly switched it off and did not go back. Maybe that secret battle was with that wallet you found in the restroom and you turned it in, even though you saw hundred dollar bills peeking out. Today there are more ways to have secret battles, if you travel and you turn on the hotel television the seductive voice tells you no one has to know what you watched on the television on the adult movie channel. The voice tells you how the XX rated title will not show up on your bill. Oh yes there are secret battles. Are you winning? What sweet thing is there to memorialize your victory?

For the whole story read the Bible passage in Judges 14:1-9

One Person Can Make a Difference

2013-05-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

It is 7:06 am on an early fall Sunday morning. The sun has not risen and though light is visible no vegetation has dressed in their colors for the day. Nature’s palette is muted in shades of gray and black. There are thousands of people living around the peaceful Lake Washington which spans at this point from Mercer Island to Seattle. My house sits about a quarter mile above the lake. I relish the solitude as the Cascade Mountains begin to peer at me through my window. Quiet and serene the undisturbed mantle of the water bursts with a roar. One lone person in one loud and noisy motorboat shatters the morning’s stillness forcing those in its’ vicinity to stumble from their slumber in an undignified exit from their dreams.

The Best Benefit Plan

2013-05-16T05:17:00.001-07:00

One of the benefits that provided by my employer is health insurance. Once a year they allows us to change our insurance provider from among several different companies. We are given a list that compares what each company provides, and the co-pays. Mostly every plan has a co-pay. Hospitalizations can costs thousands of which some plans pay 100% and others only 80%. I was thinking of Psalms 103. It reminds us to remember the benefits God gives us. In God’s plan there are no co-pays. Jesus paid it all. God’s plan is not just a health plan it is a life plan. God forgives our sins, heals our diseases, gives a wardrobe and provides our attorney’s fees. Now if only I could get my employer to do the same.

And the Winner Is...

2012-02-26T18:11:00.000-08:00

Oscar mania has seized the media outlets. Actors, actresses, producers and directors will be waiting breathlessly to see who captures a coveted golden statuette. I think most people like to be recognized for outstanding and positive achievements

God knows His children like awards too. Therefore He has provided some awards for His children in this lifetime. I’ve counted up ten crowns that a child of God can have in this life time. Six of these crowns are for everyone and four are optional crowns.

The six crowns for everyone are
1. Crown of Loving kindness Psalm 103:4
2. Crown of glory and honor Psalm 8:5
3. Crown of Salvation Psalm 149:4
4. Crown of knowledge Psalm 14:18
5. Crown of Glory Proverbs 4:9
6. Crown of Blessings Proverbs 10:6

The four optional crowns are:
1. Gray hair is a crown Proverbs 16:31
2. Grandchildren are a crown Proverbs 16:6
3. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband Proverbs 12:4
4. The wealth of the wise is a crown Proverbs 14:24

Go ahead and celebrate! If you are a child of God you are a winner in several categories.

Red Soles

2012-02-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

Christian Louboutin designs women’s shoes that are recognized from afar by their red soles. When one sees the red bottoms one knows immediately that the shoes are outrageously expensive and exquisitely designed. These artfully designed stiletto confections are out of the price range of most average consumers. They are basically set apart for the very wealthy. One expects to see these distinctive shoes on the Parisian fashion runways. Seeing a woman sitting in a hotel lobby with the red bottom of her shoe showing causes one to wonder who is she, because not just anyone wear these shoes.

Thinking about the red bottom Louboutin shoes made me think of another person attired in red that made people ask the question of who he was. His feet were also distinctively red. His clothes were dipped in red too. People wanted to know who he was and why were his clothes red. His answer may be shocking to some, especially in this day and age when God is generally portrayed as being this benign and kindly grandfather. In the Bible in Isaiah 63, as in bas relief, we see a picture of Christ that may not be familiar to many people. His garments and shoes/feet are stained with the blood of His enemies. In this scene Christ said when He found no one to help Him take care of His enemies. Therefore during this Day of Judgment He decided to take care of them Himself. This scenario should indeed invoke a sense of fear if in the past one has cast off Christ. Less any despair there is a remedy for anyone who realizes they are an enemy of Christ. God set forth the solution in the work of the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ.

While one still has life and breath one can surrender to a forgiving God. Tell God that the truth that you cannot save yourself and that you accept the work of Christ as your own. The best thing about this is that it is free. You may not be able to own a pair of Christian Louboutin red soled shoes. However you can own the work of the red clothed Jesus.

Decorated and furnished

2012-01-31T07:57:00.000-08:00

I have to admit it I am a fan, okay I’ll tell the real truth, I’m a fanatic about HGTV. I love practically all of the shows about decorating, buying and selling homes. I sit in rapt attention as the experts tell the homeowners what upgrades they need to do to sell their homes. I am absolutely fascinated with the decorating chops of Candice Olsen, my favorite designer of all times. Before HGTV I used to buy Architectural Digest just to stare and salivate over the beautiful homes showcased in that magazine.

When selling one’s home all of the experts agree that it is harder to sell a home that is empty, devoid of all furnishings. If the home is tastefully decorated buyers can come in and imagine how their own family might live there. Empty homes appear cold and uninviting. In order to attract a higher price, especially on very high priced homes, the real estate agent may suggest that the seller engage an expert to stage the home. The transformation of these staged homes is astounding. Instead of an empty shell they become these warm family friendly places that get buyers salivating over the thought of living in that space.

As I was reading the Bible this morning the thought came to me. God wants for us to attract people to him? He wants us to invite people into our lives, our hearts, His home, to let them have a look around. When they see what God has done for us they are to think if her life was such a shambles or empty and God could refashion it to be like this, can’t God do the same for me? God wants us to be furnished in every way with grace, mercy compassion, goodness, generosity and kindness. God didn’t plan for us to be empty, cold and uninviting. Dear God help me to be thoroughly furnished so that I can fulfill your purposes of attracting people to Your kingdom.

Ticketless Passenger

2012-01-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

One day an owner of an airline decided that he would give free passage and accomodations to anyone who wanted to his beautiful private island. Only his airline company could land there. The only thing a person had to do was to either write for, or go to the airport and get a ticket. There was no other requirement, but to just ask for a ticket. One could even go to a travel agency or go online and ask for a ticket. Absolutely no one was denied a ticket, if the person asked for one. The person would show up the airport and get the next available seat assignment. Even if a family of fourteen wanted to go to this island the only requirement was that each individual had to have a ticket and get a seat assignment.

The airline became so well known that its nickname became Just Ask or JA. A fleet of planes was kept ready for 24 hour a day departure. No one was quite sure how the owner of the airline was able to keep this going year in and year out, but each person was happy to get on the plane and go to this resort.

One day a person decided to deliberately not get a ticket. Since the seats were free why be bothered with the hassle of getting a ticket. The person mused, “I am my own person and I feel I should just be able to skip this step.” Somehow the person got pass airport security and the gate agents without showing a ticket. The person took a seat on the plane.

Because of a dispute over the seat where that ticketless person was sitting, the flight attendant discovered that the person didn’t have a ticket. The person didn’t want to leave and had to be escorted off the plane by the police. Everyone on the plane and in the airport stared at the person being led away. Almost all agreed that the person had no ticket and should not be on the plane because the owner had a right to impose the rules of who rode his airlines for free. However one passenger cried and decided to get off the plane too, “That’s wrong,” said the offended passenger.“That person really wanted to go to the resort. You know we’ve all heard how it is so pleasant and beautiful. The weather is great and the beaches are wonderful. What a mean airline owner.” “I can’t fly an airline of an owner who will not let anyone who wants to go to that resort not go just because they don’t have a ticket.” “,Well” said another passenger to the disgruntled person as the offended passenger was leaving the plane, ”If you find another owner with another deal like this, have fun.”

One Golden Moment

2011-12-25T09:13:00.000-08:00

We sit laughingly around the huge mound of presents under the tree in the big living at my parent’s home on High Street in Philadelphia. The doorbell rings. In bounds the ones for whom we’re waiting, my sister and her husband and children from Virginia. . Here we all are, all of us together. My own husband, sons and I have flown in from the West Coast to spend the holidays on the East Coast. Tons of presents together with squiggly grandchildren and aunts, uncles and grandparents make for a memorable scene. For me it’s a golden moment in time. All is right in the world.

Christmas tree lights twinkle. Someone takes up the task to start calling names. Will we ever get through all of these presents? As the presents are picked up for distribution they seem to uncover another dozen hiding underneath. Well, there are eight brothers and sisters who have produced 12 grandchildren at this point. Such delight from squealing boys and girls and agreeing oohs and aahs from parents aunts and uncles. It is a golden moment in time. Three complete generations in one room: Mothers, Fathers, grandfather, grandmother and grandchildren, aunts and uncles. Fragrant smells from a waiting feast fill the air. It is indeed a golden moment in time.

Today as I think, and reflect on this distant scene I realize now that my golden moment was not everyone’s golden moment, for indeed my parents must have missed their mothers and fathers, their brothers and sisters. Yet now I see, this circle of life goes on. We have concentric circles. While one circle ripples and fades away another stone is splashed into the circle of life and begins its effects.

Yet my golden moment in time is one which I will treasure in my heart. At one time all I held dear was close at hand. My husband was close by my side. My children were at my knees. My parents were close at hand. All of my brothers and sisters were around to share in my various joys and sorrows.

Now my father, mother, husband, my brother-in-law, my two sisters,and my brother lay beneath earth’s sod, frozen in my golden moment of time. My hair has turned the color of snow. It’s my grand-children who give me their welcome hugs. My daughter-in-law helps to cook the meal. My sons ask me how I’m doing and if I need anything. My remaining brother, sisters and I start to realize that our time together will not be always.

The golden moment of time when all that we hold dear and the spanning of generations is brief. I see the new golden moments forming for grand-children, nieces and nephews. I’ll treasure those times for until we gather round the Heavenly Father’s throne our golden moments will fade for us and surely start anew for the next generation.

You Are Out of Order!

2011-12-20T07:31:00.000-08:00

Something is Out of Order in Christ Geneaology.
Wasn't the line of Christ supposed to pass through the oldest sons?
Shouldn't Christ's ancestors be as pure as the driven snow?
This just doesn't seem right.
Why is Jacob here?
He was not the oldest
He schemed to get the birthright
Why is Judah here?
He is not the oldest.
His brother oldest brother Reuben, sinned against his father, but he is not even the second one. He is the 4th child. his father was a polygamist too.
Why is Pharez here?
He was technically not the oldest
He had a sketchy beginning, a mother who pretended to be a prostitute to get pregnant in that family line.
Why is Boaz here?
Boaz's mother was a citizen of Jericho a former counter espionage agent and a former prostitute.
He doesn’t have the right background
What’s Solomon doing here?
He was not the oldest nor was he the child of David's first wife.
His father,David, murdered his mother’s, Bathsheba's, first husband
Urijah. Solomon does not have the proper pure background for the Messiah.

In other words there is room in Christ for you and me.
Jesus,the Messiah, family line comes through various seedy trails and peculiar circumstances and Jesus was the Son of God. There room and hope for all of us in God's family. I may be out of order but I'm so glad I'm here. Merry Christmas.

Have You Had Your Fruit Today?

2011-10-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

The rules of good nutrition states we must have fruit every day in order for us to keep our bodies in good workking order. If this is done in the natural how much more should we doing this in the spiritual? Daily we should be getting our Fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such as there is no law." I wonder what happen if we all got out fruit on a regular basis?
Your feedback is welcomed.

Hold on to the Promise!

2011-10-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

On that seventh day when the Israelites shouted, and those big old stout Jericho walls started to shake and reel back and forth. Inside Rahab's house they felt it too. Rahab's house reverberated with the sound of falling boulders. They could peek out and see the neighbors' houses on the wall going down. They could hear the crashing all around.

Inside Rahab's house her younger brother said, "Rahab are you sure that we can make it."Her sister shouted, "Rahab even if we survive this are you sure that they wont kill us." Through the din Rahab shouted, "Yes, I have a promise." "Is the cord still there?" she asked her father who was closest to the window. "Yes," he shouted over the roar of crumbling walls. "Yes it's there," cried her frightened mother. One terrified uncle was trying to get to the door to get out.

"I dont feel safe." he said as the house shook violently. "I can see Baleema's house going down and it looks just like this one," exclaimed her sister. "Dont go out," Rahab implored her uncle as the earth continued to shake. "Stay inside, we have a promise, and that cord is still there" she continued. "If you leave your death is certain," Rahab yelled.

"Do you think this God is able to save our part of the wall," asked her nephew in a quivering voice. Rahab shouted, "We're still here arent we, just hold on." Aunt Talia peeped out the window. "Oh my," she croaked out in barely a whisper, "I dont know whats happening it seems like the end of the world, the wall, the wall." The falling debris and the shuddering walls The awful sounds coming into the house of people's screams, curses and pleading to their gods was frightening to everyone inside the house. Rahab's house still stood surrounded by devastation. Rahab's part of the wall stood forlornly, but upright. That scarlet cord that she put in the window was still hanging the same place she put it the night that the spies left.

Finally the earth stopped shaking, the sounds of splitting wood, crashing pottery and the roaring of falling boulders and rocks stopped with one loud long crash. Inside Rahabs house the adults peered at each other from the places where they crawled. Looks of renewed terror started to appear in eyes across their tear stained faces. They heard what sounded like thousands of horsemen coming towards them. Someone peeked out the shuttered wooden windows. They were running towards Rahab's house, with drawn swords. The soldiers were running up heaps and jumping over broken pieces of the walls.

"Oh no we've survived the earthquake and the walls collapse, now we'll be killed with a sword," said Rahab's older brother. "Id rather kill myself than have those Jews kill me," shouted her brother as he drew out his dagger to stab himself in the heart. "No," said Rahab hoarsely, the air was thick with dust as the result of walls that fell all around them. "I have a promise,"she explained. "The soldiers promised that everyone in this house will be safe," said Rahab. "Just hold on we've come this far, don't give up," she pleaded.

There was a pushing and tugging on the stout wooden doors. The shaking earth had displaced the door and soldiers were using a battering ram to get to get it open. Everyone inside was holding their collective breath. "One, two, three," counted the soldiers. With one final hit of the battering ram the door burst open. In the door way Rahab and her family saw soldiers. Rahab focused her eyes. She recognized two of them. These were the men she had hidden under the flax. However this time they were fully dressed in battle gear. With them must have been two dozen soldiers. "Come on," shouted her deliverers. "We've come back just as we promised, " said the older of the two soldier spies.

"Is this your whole family," asked one of the spies? Inside that house on the wall, Rahab had managed to convince her mother, father, two sisters and three brothers ,sisters-in law and brothers in-law along with assorted uncles and aunts with their children to come inside her house. All in all she had a congregation of relatives including children which numbered forty.

As they prepared to leave her damaged, but standing, home Rahab turned to the window. She carefully took down the scarlet cord and looped it around her waist. "My promise ,my promise is secured," she whispered as she made her way out of her damaged house to her new life.

Acts 1:11 "..This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back.."

Come Out of Hiding!

2011-10-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.And the word of the LORD came to him:
"What are you doing here, Elijah?" I Kings 17:9

Well look, the "Great" Elijah in the cave. A prophet of God is hiding from Jezebel. Elijah wanted to die. Doesn't the New Testament tell us that Elijah was like the rest of us? Sometimes when people have done great things or have been used greatly by God I tend to think of them as superhuman. But, here's the proof that Elijah was like me. There have been times when I've wanted to be in cave or craved a quick end to my existence because the future just looked so bleak. I prayed to God just take me, and end this for me because no matter how hard I pray nothing seems to be going right. Two times in this passage God asked Elijah what he was doing in that cave.

When God has a job for us to do God doesnt expect us to go hide out in a cave. However God was and is merciful. God told Elijah to go back the way that he came. Go back to the desert. God then gave him three tasks to complete. Elijah had three anointings to do. Elijah was to anoint two kings and one prophet. God also heard Elijah's distress and loneliness in thinking he was the only faithful prophet left in Israel. Therefore God sent Elijah a new companion, Elisha and let Elijah know 7,000 others had not bowed to Baal either. Instead of answering Elijah's exit prayer God sent His word to remind Elijah that God was in charge and to keep going. This was not the time for Elijah to live in a cave. In our day it's not time for us to withdraw either. We need to take the message out and keep going and doing God's work.

Help, I'm Sick

2011-10-14T05:28:00.000-07:00

I attended a very nice luncheon at a friend’s house. However while I was sitting at the table I started to feel really sick. Not telling anyone of my condition I soon left and drove home. Dragging myself out of my car I made my way up the stairs. I tried to eat a little something but I was too tired to even chew. I made myself go to the couch in front of the television. I tried to watch Seattle’s Torchlight parade. I sat there in a near catatonic state not looking at the parade. When I woke up several hours later I staggered to my bedroom. I was still nauseous. I stumbled into the bathroom holding on to the walls and lay down hugging the cold toilet crying out to God to help me.

I didn’t know whether to call 911 or not. I just felt if I could vomit I might feel better. My stomach churned. I longed to vomit and be rid of what ever was ailing me. However I could find no relief. The nauseous feeling just made me weak and tired. You see I had eaten, for me, the forbidden food. Several years ago after being brought to the hospital by ambulance, I was told, by the emergency room doctor, to never eat fish again or I might have another near fatal reaction. Earlier that day I decided it had been a number of years and I would give it a try. Alas I was mistaken and I was a very sick woman. I fixed a trash can and put it by my bed just in case I couldn’t make it back to the bathroom in time. Fortunately God let me go to sleep. When I awoke in the morning I felt much better and I was much wiser. I don’t ever want that nauseous feeling again.

Later when reading a passage in Revelation I thought about what God does when He feels nauseous. God wanting to vomit you say? Well He tells us that sometimes that’s how He feels. God wants to vomit. Look at Revelation 3:15"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot--far better to be either cold or hot! 16You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit." (Message Bible) Wow! God states that the lukewarm state of the church makes Him sick. Thinking of my own misery I pray that I will be one hot believer. I don’t want to make God sick.

Hidden in Plain View

2011-10-05T09:57:00.001-07:00

God has put great people in plain view but often we don’t see them for who they are because they are children. We walk pass these children every day. For example in the book of Exodus in the Bible Moses was put right in Pharaoh’s house. Pharaoh was walking pass Moses every day, but he did not know who he was seeing. This was just a little boy, a little toddler named Moses hanging onto Pharaoh's daughter's skirt. He had no idea he was housing and feeding and educating the biggest threat to the economy and future of Egypt.

I imagine Pharaoh greeted him from time to time and asked him how he was doing. He asked about his studies. He bowed his head before Pharaoh as taught by his tutors. Moses was courteous, and spoke fluently in the Egyptian tongue. Moses knew the great works of Egyptian art and literature. He could read the hieroglyphics and knew their meaning. No one thought anything about it. Moses dressed in the Egyptian clothes. His eyes were lined with the black that defined his eye color. He looked like and acted like one of them. Moses ate the rich bounty of the king’s table.

However down in his heart Moses had a disconnect with his Egyptian life. His mother, Jochebed, had planted a seed in Moses while he nursed at her breast. She had breathed centuries of prayer into his mind as he imbibed her life giving milk. He was nourished by his father Amram’s touch and sister, Miriam’s gaze. The very child who once was in danger of having his life snuffed out lived freely in his parents' house protected by Pharaoh’s guard and with the king’s seal on it. Moses was in plain view but they did not know who he was. Moses parents did not know that they were nurturing their freedom and the deliverer of their people.

My question is what child are you walking by day by day. That child may have the mark of greatness on him or her. Do you know there is a war on for the hearts and minds of our children? Our children are in plain view. Interact with these future leaders. Pray for our children, encourage them and the parents who are raising them. These little ones will either lead into evil or into good. Let's do our part to make sure they are leading to good.

When's the Last Time You Cleaned Up?

2011-08-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

In the morning when I’m going out I try to look a little better. I don’t know if it really helps but it makes me feel better. I have a very quick routine of less than three minutes. I put on a face cream, a little foundational makeup powder and eyebrow pencil. I use my specially designed makeup brush and apply my product.

One day I was cleaning my bathroom wiping off everything. I looked at the light fixture and it also needed cleaning. I dampened a cloth and started to clean the glass fixture and also the light bulb. I saw something. The glass was coated with the same color as my makeup foundation. As I had been putting on makeup day after day small particles that I could not see were floating around resting on the light and the edges of pictures in the bathroom. Now it did not happen all of a sudden. It was gradual thing. There was the evidence on the cloth

This morning as I read the following verse it all came together. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV Just living in this world I am subtly influenced by things around me. Imperceptibly I am being squeezed into the world’s mold as the dust of sin sprinkles me day by day. This verse calls me to cleanse myself not necessarily because I am practicing sin but just by living in a sinful and fallen world.

There are verses in the Bible that tell us how we sholuld do this cleansing. These verses in Psalm 119:9-11 asks the question and gives and an answer. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (KJV)

Pardon me for leaving, but I need to do some clean up.

Fading Beauty, Right Priorities

2011-08-07T20:54:00.000-07:00

As I considered my life the following verse offers a great deal of comfort. But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”” 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

As we get older our physical beauty fades and strength diminishes. This is an expected part of the aging process as we make our journey to our long home. I am so glad that God is looking at the heart and not at my physical appearance. All the Botox treatments face lifts and liposuction cannot hide or improve an evil heart. Everyday I want my heart spirit to look more like Christ.

Dear God search my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me and renew in me a right spirit.

I Wonder

2011-04-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Could those who mocked Christ as He passed by on the way to Calvary be any of those who ate the Bread He miraculously multiplied?
I wonder

Could any of them be mockers of those whom Jesus healed?
I wonder

Could those who yelled, Crucify him have stood on Zion s Hill while He fed the crowd that day?
I wonder.

Could those who jeered him from below the cross have been laid by the road so that Christ could touch them, or they Him as He passed by?
I wonder

Could the woman with the issue of blood have been a mocker?
I wonder

What about Jarius and his daughter?
I wonder

Could the demoniac who was released from thousands of demons be a mocker?
I wonder

Was the Samaritan woman a mocker?
I wonder

Or the Syrophonecian woman who wanted relief for her child be a mocker?
I wonder.

Could any of these been mockers?
I wonder

Could I who have received the grace of God, a precious gift become a mocker?
I wonder..

God's Benefit Plan

2011-04-13T04:26:00.000-07:00

One of the benefits that is provided by my employer is health insurance. Once a year we are allowed to change our insurance provider from among several different agencies. We are given a list that compares what each company provides, costs and co-pays. Mostly every plan has a co-pay. Hospitalizations can costs thousands of dollars. Some plans pay 100% of the costs and others only 80%.

As I considered my employer's benefit plan I was reminded of the benefits God gives me. In God’s plan there are no co-pays. Jesus paid it all. God’s plan is not just a health plan it is a life plan. God forgives our sins, heals our diseases, gives a wardrobe of righteousness and provides our attorney’s fees through the sacrifice of Jesus. Now if only I could get my benefits plan to cover every aspect of my life too.

Psalm 103:1 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.