Trust

Trust means I know that person will stand up for me, not degrade me, and not be deceptive in ways that aren't always about fidelity.

Faithmore

What do you fear?
Dark recesses of your mind...
What haunts your deepest thoughts?
Locked doors too panicked to open....
What consumes your sleepless nights?
Loud silence...
What holds you captive?
Self-fortresses....
What lives in the rooms of your heart?
UnSurrendered..
What seeds of doubt threaten your peace?
Faithless...
Are you lonely?
Sequestered...
What if those around you discovered you aren't as together as you seem?
Exposed...

What if none of it mattered?
Unshackled.....
What if you could walk in freedom to love and serve?
Delivered

What if only you had the power to determine your worth?
God loves me....

Fearless... fear LESS.... faithmore..... faith MORE.....

"He whom the son sets free, is free indeed." John 8:36

Making a Change

Making a change to be more patient, loving,unselfish, respectful,and humble may change not only your outlook, but those around you as well.

Apologies

Apologize and make amends if you have hurt someone. Do not apologize for being transparent, passionate, and unwilling to be trampled.

View of God

Your view of God determines your life story. If God is great in your viewpoint, your life will be amazing! (Excerpt Pastor Benito)

My Children's Memories

The greatest tragedy is to be the parent of a child, but choose to busy your life with other pursuits. Children do not believe you are busy; they believe they are not worth your time. Our children are only young for so long. I am so thankful for all the medical bills, stains on the carpet, and lack of "me time". This means my life is full of "them time". Thank you God for filling my life with the needs, demands, pursuits, inconveniences, joy, laughter, silliness, and every memory of my beautiful children. I wouldn't trade any of it for all the personal pursuits in the world.

 

Fear

When you learn to see fear as places where trust is about to grow, fear gives way to courage. -Christine Caine

No Laundry Help for Mama

I asked Alex for help with my math assignment just now. (This is the kid that helped me with pre-calculus.) My question was about the p-hat (p̂) symbol. The quote of the day goes to Alex Ybarra for his response!

"Sorry, mom, I stopped right before they started adding clothing to Math. It was hard enough when they started adding letters. Do your own laundry." ~ Alexander Ybarra

A Legacy Altered

Cycles of disolution,
Envelope my broken heart,
As the chasm between us grows wider each day,
Where has my protector gone

Cycles of the past repeating,
Who will be strong enough to step in,
Where is the righteous indignation,
To end the pattern of broken marriages

Cycles of disrespect,
Lives brought asunder,
How long will this continue,
Where has my defender gone,

Cycles of lives wandering aimlessly,
All searching for the promised oneness,
Most of us never find it,
Some become consumed in desperate loneliness

Cycles of loneliness,
Is it possible to feel desperately alone,
In a room full of other desolate souls,
All of us seeking to connect

How can we ever overcome,
The frailty and humanity of our fallen nature,
But for those that are able,
The reward is immeasurable

Yet the cost is greater than any,
And most unwilling to lose it all,
For that kind of extraordinary calling,
That kind of no ordinary love

So much easier to turn away,
Pretend the injustice is unseen,
I didn't do it,
Its not in my control

And in walking away,
In ignoring,
A life changing choice has been made,
A legacy altered

Rejection

"Rejection"

Rejection
Excluded from this world
World of facades
Life of pretense

Can't play the game
Not part of the click
No need to try
They will find me out

Illusions of religion and grandiosity
Reality unknown
No true God here
Just hypocrisy

Deception
Reject untruth
Refuse to play
You'll be left, too

Alone in your dreams
Escape from within
A child in chains
Longing to be free

Star Light

Star light
Star bright
I wished upon a star
And you appeared

Not real
Life of shadows
Can I make you laugh
May I live inside your heart

Will you walk on me as well
Lost integrity
Broken
Dishonesty

Star light
Star bright
I wished upon a star
And it disappeared

Better

You did the best you could and when you knew better you did better.
~ Maya Angelou

Feeling Angry or Insecure?

Seven NeedsTGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman05-22-2008

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds" (2 Cor 10:3-5).

Jerry had grown up with a father who was a successful workaholic. Although he lacked for nothing materially, he never sensed much warmth or compassion from his parents. Then, when Jerry was still in his early teens, his father died very suddenly. His large family was left with little support, and insecurity and fear became the dominating factors in the young man's life. Vowing to himself that he would never lack financial need again, Jerry worked hard at his business. A stronghold of idolatry brought reliance on the wealth he had accumulated rather than a prayerful dependency on God.

Arguments over money dominated his marriage. Distrust and greed permeated his home and business relationships. No one could "stand in his face" and tell him what to do. Finally, as his marriage disintegrated and his business gave signs of going under, Jerry renounced the strongholds of insecurity and fear that had made money his idol and had shaped his disbelieving view of God's ability to meet his need.

As the Holy Spirit brought conviction of the sins he had committed against so many people, he purposed to approach each one to seek forgiveness and make restitution wherever appropriate. His priorities shifted to God and family, then to close friends and business. God began to restore balance and intimacy with God and others as a result.

God created human beings with seven primary needs as represented in Genesis 1&2. Each of us has a need for:

1. Dignity

2. Authority

3. Blessing & Provision

4. Security

5. Purpose & Meaning

6. Freedom & Boundary

7. Intimate Love & Companionship

Whenever we seek to meet one or more of these basic needs outside God's design we have set the stage for the development of a generational stronghold. As in the case of Jerry, who in this case is the author, he needed to discover the needs he was attempting to meet through a demonic stronghold of insecurity and fear.

Generational strongholds can impact our relationship with God and others. Today, why not begin to investigate root issues that may be impacting you or your family.

This was a much needed way for me to start the day. How about you?