ROYAL KISS ~ HONEYMOON DELAYED

The magic moment every wedding guest waits for ~ the KISS.  The kiss is at the end of the wedding ceremony and it almost gives you the impression that it seals the deal. Every bride waits with anticipation for that moment wondering just how her groom will display his love for her in front of the witnesses. I still to this day remember that moment when Dan kissed me.  I thought yes; all my dreams will come true.  I truly felt like royalty that very moment, just as every young woman does.

We married on Saturday April 29^th and on Monday it was back to work for both of us.  I was very disappointed not being able to experience a honeymoon immediately after the wedding, as would any young bride.  Ten years later Dan and I would finally be able to have our honeymoon.  I must say it was well worth the wait for we spent a week in beautiful Hawaii and loved every moment of it.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, Lord and King it’s like the kiss a bride experiences on her wedding day.  The kiss is a promise of many more intimate moments to come in our relationship.  A promise that if we are sincere participants of this relationship it will deepen and grow with each passing moment, month and year.  A promise of a deeper knowledge, wisdom and revelation of our beloved.

Sometimes as believers I think we His bride are experiencing a delayed honeymoon.  But I guarantee our honeymoon will happen.  Our King has promised we are going to experience the honeymoon of all honeymoons!

Just as I had to make preparations for my delayed honeymoon with Dan, we the Bride of Christ must make ourselves ready for the honeymoon of all centuries.  In Revelations 19:7b it says; For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

We have been given advance notice, however many of us are not prepared and the Bible says:

(Mat 22:8 NIV)  "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.

(Mat 22:14 NIV)  "For many are invited, but few are chosen."

(Mat. 7:21-23 NIV)  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Have you accepted the kiss of salvation?  Are you prepared for the honeymoon of a lifetime?  Some of us are and others are not; there is a promise for both:

(Rev 21:6-8 NIV)  He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

Oh yes, the King is coming!

(1 Tim 6:15 NKJV)  which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

(Rev 19:11-17 NKJV)  Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,

For more information on spiritual growth:

Read chapter nine; A LOYAL HEART AND A WILLING MIND from:  WE PROMISE ~ released summer of 2011 to a bookstore near you.

ROYAL WEDDING ~ ROYAL TREATMENT (Part 2)

Friday April 29^th, 2011 ~ Dan and I celebrate our 33^rd royal wedding anniversary. That’s right Will and Kate stole our date!  The least they could have done was invite us to the wedding of the century. 

Every year in December Dan has the job of writing important dates on the next year’s calendar.  Each year Dan writes our wedding anniversary date on the wrong date.  When I heard the announcement of the upcoming royal wedding date my ears perked because that is our date.  Due to the fact that Dan wrote the wrong date on the calendar he did not believe me when I told him the 29th is our date and the date Will and Kate chose.  In fact I had to get our marriage license out of the safe and show it to him before he believed me. I am real confident he will never mess up our anniversary date again, because from now on the TV will be blasting the royal wedding anniversary; now that is if this marriage endures.  Come on Will and Kate I am cheering you on to a lifelong commitment to marriage.

Unfortunately living together before marriage will increase your chance of divorce.

A study done by Bennett, Blan, and Bloom (American Sociological Review, 1988, Vol 53: 127-138) entitled, "Commitment and the Modern Union: Assessing the Link Between Premarital Cohabitation and Subsequent Marital Stability."

The point made by the authors is that, overall, the risk of divorce after living together is 80% higher than the risk of divorce after not living together, which is already too high. In other words, those who live together before marriage are almost twice as likely to divorce than those who did not live together. But they also point out that the risk of divorce is even higher if you don't live together more than three years prior to marriage. The longer you live together prior to marriage, the less the risk of divorce until after 8 years of living together, when the risk of divorce is equal to those who have not lived together.[i]

What can we do as married couples to ensure a marriage for a lifetime?

The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

If we are called a royal priesthood seems to me that we should treat one another royally.  How is this possible when two imperfect people live together?  Rest assured whatever the Lord calls us to do He will enable us to fulfill, if we yield the right-a-way.  Throughout scripture we are encouraged to deny ourselves and this is paramount when it comes to the marital union.

Our spouse is not our enemy; yet many times we treat them like the enemy.  The Bible tells us how to treat our enemies; certainly our spouse should be given much better treatment than the enemy.

(Prov 16:7 NKJV)  When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

(Prov 24:17 NKJV)  Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

(Mat 5:44 NKJV)  "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

(Luke 6:27 NKJV)  "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

(Rom 12:20 NKJV)  Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

We would do very well to follow the example of Jesus in John 13:5 (NKJV)  After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.  SERVE ONE ANOTHER

Think of something you could do today to bless and serve your spouse (even if they do not deserve it ~ remember about the enemy), then do it.  Blessings and serving are contagious!

For more on:  living together outside of marriage, sex, and honoring one another ~ check out the chapters ~ Honor Guards & Ours for the Keeping ~ Sex and Intimacy in the book WE PROMISE, to be released summer of 2011 at a bookstore near you.

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[i] http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi5025b_qa.html

ROYAL WEDDING ~ THE ROYAL TREATMENT

ROYAL WEDDING ~ THE ROYAL TREATMENT

A ROYAL WEDDING IS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE.  For months now we have heard of Prince William, Kate and all about the preparation needed to pull off this royal festive event. Hours and hours have been spent making sure no detail is left undone for this royal affair.   Back-up plans are in place for any incident or disaster that lingers in the shadows.  In fact back-up plans for the back-up plans are secure.  No expense has been spared for this royal gala.  This royal wedding is being called the event of the century. 

Prince William and Kate will be on their best behavior this week because the eyes of the world will be focused on their center stage.  No “Bridezilla” or “Prince Pissy” will surface this week, especially on Friday the royal wedding day.  They will be the picture of perfection, at least for one day.

Kate is experiencing every little girls dream, her Prince is sweeping her off her feet.  Prince William is commanding respect and honor other men may never receive.

With all this wedding preparation I wonder how much groundwork has been laid for a marital foundation that will endure a lifetime.  So much time and money has gone into this one day!  Do you think they will treat each other royally behind closed doors, when the world cannot see? 

We all know the scandal behind Prince Charles and Princess Diana.  Certainly they did not end up; happily ever after.  Evidently they did not give each other the royal treatment.

What is the royal treatment?  What can we do as married couples or those entering marriage that will truly set us up for a lifetime together?  Is there really a happily ever after?

Sunday we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Families everywhere gathered together to honor Jesus.  Did we honor Jesus?  Did we honor one another?  I bet if those gathering were displayed on a movie screen most of us would be embarrassed.  Why is it those we love the most and are close to get the royal boot in the behind instead of the royal treatment?  Why do we take advantage of the ones we love?  We exhibit self control in the workplace (most of us do) or we would get the royal boot out the door and experience unemployment.  What can we do to make our home a castle?

We will explore the answer to some of these questions this week.  Stay tuned for more on the royal treatment.

(Psa 127:1 NKJV)  Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

Be sure to also check out the chapter; HONOR GUARDS in WE PROMISE.  WE PROMISE is coming  to a bookstore near you this summer.

Campolo: Sunday's Coming

This says it all!

STS-133 Discovery Launch Final Mission 24 Feb 2011

4/22/11 The Lord often speaks to me just as I wake-up. This morning I saw a blast-off.  10,9,8,7...blast-off. I have never witnessed a lift-off in person but I have heard it is a sight to behold. Well I am here to tell you, it is nothing compared to the Resurrection Power of Jesus Christ. In fact “100” rockets lifting off at once could not compare, nothing can touch it and never will, PTL! Good Friday Morning.

 Matthew 27:50-54(NKJV) 
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Matthew 28:2-7(NKJV)
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW ~ IT'S FRIDAY BUT SUNDAY IS COMING

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

I have this problem.  No matter how many times I read something I write I cannot find the mistakes.  I know what I wanted to say and that is how I read it.  I need another set of eyes to edit what I write so the mistakes are found.  The funny thing is my daughter was supposed to edit WE PROMISE before I ever sent it off to publishers.  Due to the fact that my daughter knows me so well, she anticipated what I was going to say and did not catch many of the mistakes either.  Her major was in English and I felt fairly confident she would set me straight.  Then there was my husband who also was given the job of reading over the manuscript, to my dismay those who were close to me did not take this project seriously until a couple of offers came in from publishing companies.  I think we were all shocked, especially me.  The thing is I did not plan on writing a book.  I was consolidating material I had accumulated over the last several years while we had been teaching pre-marriage and counseling couples in marital crisis.  After completion of this manual I had the idea of; maybe someone would want to publish this.  Once we signed a contract my husband kicked it into overdrive and spent hundreds of hours scrutinizing the manuscript.  Dan actually has read WE PROMISE more than I have (giant kudos to you my love).  I also must acknowledge several others dear friends lent their eyes as well. 

I think I could now write a book on; how not to write a book (that is something to think about, book number two ~ HOW NOT TO WRITE A BOOK).  I must admit writing blogs is much funnier.  Although I want these blogs to be written well I am not worried about excellence.  I have started book number two (I really should be working on that right now instead of writing this) but I am telling you, it just is not as fun as writing a blog.

Back to my problem.

When I think about my problem of not seeing my mistakes I can easily relate this to my walk as a believer.  Sometimes it just takes an outside observer to set you straight and point out where you are blindsided. 

According to the Word of God:

(Proverbs 27:17 NKJV)  As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ truly are needed in our life, they help keep us on track and spur us on in the Lord.

(Hebrews 10:23-25 NKJV)  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Friday seemed to be a day of darkness.  The followers of Jesus were blindsided, they really did not understand what was going on, but when Sunday came ~ light displaced all the darkness and resurrection truth burst forth on the scene ~ setting the captives free from darkness!

Sunday is Easter and this is one Sunday where many people will attend churches that do not have regular church attendance.  May the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ be ever so evident in our churches this Sunday and may we spur each other onto excellence in the Lord.  Lord grant us clear vision to see you in your Holy fullness.

It’s Friday But Sunday is Coming (Tony Campolo)



BLURRED VISION

BLURRED VISION

Several years ago Dan and I checked-in at the airport.  With the boarding passes in my hand Dan asked me what terminal we were leaving from.  I promptly gave him the letter and number.  He began to study the terminal board and again asked; “what terminal did you say we were leaving from?  At my response he stopped an airport employee and asked for the terminal I had told him.  The employee’s response was, “sir that is not a terminal here”.  Dan quickly rips the boarding passes out of my hand and tells me to put my glasses on.  Unfortunately several years ago I needed glasses due to the fact that when I tried to read my vision was blurry.  Now you must understand I hate to wear glasses, it is so annoying.  However, I continue to make mistakes because I refuse the aid of the glasses that give me clear vision (Dan can attest to that).

That is what the enemy does to us as believers.  He (satan) blurs our vision causing deception to occur.  Instead of us seeing the truth clearly; we are refusing the aid of the Holy Word of God that will give us clear spiritual vision to see the truth.  We think things are just fine when in reality we are truly deceived.  I can attest to the fact that there have been times in my life when I thought I knew a truth, to find out latter down the road my spiritual vision had been blurred or even blinded. 

Certain issues or things in our lives can block us from having clear spiritual vision:

Lack of knowledge; Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) says; My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. (Proverbs 5:23 NKJV)

The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. (Proverbs 10:21 NKJV) 

Solution:

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) 

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 NKJV) 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 NKJV) 

Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18 NKJV) 

Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:2-3 NKJV) 

Sin:

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 1:15-20 NKJV) 

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2 NKJV) 

Solution:   True repentance.

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"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24 NKJV)

© 2011

Please note; the blogs I am writing do not contain excerpts from WE PROMISE.

For more about; knowledge, wisdom, sin and repentance obtain a copy of; WE PROMISE at a bookstore near you, this summer.  Check out the chapter:  A LOYAL HEART AND A WILLING MIND.

STONE FACED

STONE FACED

Have you ever experienced; talking to your spouse is like talking to a stone wall?  Sure you have.  Even the best of marriages will run into a STONE FACED MOUNTAIN.  Communicating can be one frustrating process.

Several days ago the Lord brought to my mind a picture of Mount Rushmore.  We have not had the opportunity of seeing that mountain of faces; but it is on our bucket list.  Maybe one day we will have the privilege of gazing at the master piece.  I would assume after standing there for thirty minutes looking up boredom would strike; it’s not like George, Abe, Teddy or Tom will carry on a conversation with you.  Hey, maybe we could hike up that mountain and discuss communication skills along the way, now there’s a thought.

Back to the mountain of faces; as I thought on this it reminded me of the challenges we all face as married couples in the area of communication.  As individuals we are so focused on our own desires that deception moves in and we become like faces on Mount Rushmore.

We have eyes but cannot see past ourselves.

We have ears that are deaf to what our spouse may be trying to say.

We have lips that may be left speechless because we do not know how to express ourselves, or we just plain do not want to talk about it.

We become an unmovable mountain; determined to have it our way or no way at all.

On the other hand; we may wish our spouse was like a face on that mountain because……

They could not walk away from you when you are talking.

You could do all the talking while their mouth is kept shut (now there’s a plan).

You would have their undivided attention.

You could yell and scream and not fear retaliation.

Unfortunately all of the above statements will do little to solve the problems you face as a couple.  And none of the above will enhance your communication skills.

Conflict resolution the secular world way will not have any lasting benefits.  Unless we as individuals learn how to repent and forgive, conflict resolution is like a Band-Aid on a gaping wound.

The Bible has much to say about repentance and forgiveness.  Learning how to apply and practice these Biblical principles will set in motion the platform for conflict resolution God’s way. 

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 2:5-9 (NIV)

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Mark 11:24-26 (NKJV)

In Honor of Marriage for a Lifetime;

Penny

© 2011

For more on Conflict Resolution ~ God’s Way…be sure to pick up a copy of WE PROMISE this summer at a bookstore near you.

WHY GETHSEMANE

WHY GETHSEMANE

For the last several weeks I found myself drawn to Gethsemane and what transpired in the garden.  We are approaching what is known as the Holy Week (Jesus’ last week before the crucifixion).  The more I thought on Gethsemane I began to wonder why Jesus chose to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to His arrest.  I realize in John 18: 2, it tells us that Jesus often met with His disciples in this garden; it was a familiar place.  When I think of gardens I think of a beautiful place, giving little if any thought to what took place to make the garden beautiful.  The more I dwelt on this and considered the process involved to make and maintain a garden I began to realize what a perfect place this was for our Savior to pour out His heart.  This was not just a garden of flowers but of olive trees and the very name Gethsemane means; oil press[i].  Jesus certainly was pressed beyond our comprehension.  According to Matthew 26:38 and Mark 14:34, His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  In Matthew 26:39 it says he fell with His face to the ground to pray.  Luke 22:44 tells us Jesus was in such anguish; He sweat blood that fell to the ground. 

I cannot come close to comprehending the sorrow that Jesus bore.  Only a few times in my life have I felt my heart so heavy with pain and anguish that I wondered will I move past this.  The few times this has happened, it was not about me personally, but about someone I loved dearly and was grieving for.  During these times as I poured my heart out to the Lord Jesus my chest felt as if it were going to explode, the weeping and wailing was incredibly intense.  My heart was in pain for the ones I loved. 

Jesus was bearing the sin and sorrow of everything evil and unholy for the sake of His children, the ones He loves.  As a mother I can slightly understand this because I would die for my children or take their places of pain, if I could.

Jesus did not go to this garden alone He took His disciples with Him.  Special invitation was given to Peter, James and John.  They went a little further with Him and were asked to watch and pray (Matthew 26:36, Luke 22:40, Mark 14:32).  They were told to do this so they would not fall into temptation (sin, the very thing Jesus would pay the price for).  I wonder if some of the sorrow Jesus felt was the disappointment that; three times He went back to ask the disciples to watch and pray with Him and they fell asleep (these were the very men He had spent the last three years with).  In fact in Mark 14:37, He asked Peter if he is asleep, but He calls him Simon.  I find this interesting because Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter earlier according to John 1:42.  The name Peter means “rock/stone” (John 1:42 NKJV).  Unfortunately very soon Peter would deny Christ three times.  Jesus foreknew this would happen (Matthew 26:31-35).

The hour was drawing near; Jesus poured His heart out to the Father with great travail He sowed righteous tears of anguish.  The Bible says in Psalms 126:5 (NIV), Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  What better place could our Savoir have sown tears than in a garden, the holy tears that would set the stage for the greatest miracle of all.

There is another hour that is drawing near, the last hour.  Our Lord has asked of us to fulfill an assignment.  God forbid that we fall asleep as the disciples did.  This is the hour that will lead to the return of our King.  What will our King find us doing?  Will we be going about life, tending to ourselves and our family, paying little attention to the lost world around us?  The Lord Jesus has called us now, what shall we do?  God has been working on my heart.  I sense a great stirring going on, to wake me up….Jesus help me, I do not want to fall short!

The Great Commission:
Mark 16:15-18(NKJV)
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 
they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Part #2 coming soon:  Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?

© 2011

[i] James Strong, S.T.D.,LL.D., Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible with Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries. (Christian Hertiage Publishing Company, Inc., 1988), G1068

1.   

freechristimages.org/biblestories/agony_in_the_garden.htm

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THE MOUSE TRAP

THE MOUSE TRAP

            One night years ago I got up and entered the bathroom.  To my horror there was a mouse in the house!  I slammed the bathroom door shut ran into the bedroom and violently woke Dan up out of a dead sleep.  I screamed at my husband declaring; “get up and kill the mouse that is in the bathroom”.  Dan armed himself with a broom charged into the bathroom and annihilated the mouse. 

            The next morning to my dismay not only had he annihilated the mouse, he had gouged our bathroom floor in several places.  Years went by before the floor was replaced; leaving a daily remaindered of the mouse killing night.

            How many of us do that to each other in our marital relationship?  We make a mountain out of a mole hill ~ blowing up over something little, leaving in place; gouges, cuts, bruises, imprints that take years to repair.  The Bible has much to say to us about how we are to interact with one another.  First we must identify the real cause behind these outbursts that occur in our relationships.

            According to James 4:1-3 (NKJV) it says:  Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 

James 3:9-12, 17 (NKJV)    With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.  Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. (v17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.     
 © 2011

For more information in regards to conflict resolution God’s way, be sure to obtain your copy of WE PROMISE coming to a bookstore near you, summer of 2011.    The blogs that I will be writing over the next few months are not excerpts taken out of We Promise.

 www.lightdawns.org         email:  ldm.wepromise@gmail.com

FLIP FLOPS

FLIP FLOP DAY

Last night I woke up and I was reminded of a picture one of my friends posted on Facebook.  The picture was of a sign that Krissa took while on vacation.  Dan and I are LAKERS to the fullest measure and our kind of weather is hot, sunny and dry.  If my husband had his way we would sell everything and move south, allowing us to be on a permanent Caribbean vacation.  We live on an inland lake in Michigan and I have told him there is no way I am moving unless I have a waterfront house…..so I guess we will have to settle for three months of sunny and warm instead of twelve.  Back to the sign.  It read:  Dear Lord, Let This Be A Flip Flop Day     ………..   As soon as I read this post I immediately replied and told Krissa she had my permission to rip that sign off, I wanted it (just kidding).  Dan and I would love for the only shoes in our closet to be flip flops!

After I woke up, lying in bed I began to think about this sign.  I felt the Lord had a message for me and you.  Many of us live our lives in a flip flop state.  The Bible says in James:

(James 1:6-8 NKJV)  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

So many times in my life I have wrestled with circumstances praying; “Lord do not let me flip flop, keep me steadfast in you”. 

Today I challenge us as believers; dig into God’s Word.  The only way we will be steadfast is if we have a rock solid foundation in the truth of the Word of God.  When trials come and they will (James 1:2-5), if we build up our inner man upon the Word of God nothing will be able to shake us.  We will not flip flop for our confidence and peace will be in Christ Jesus.

(Psa 112:7 NKJV)  He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

(1 Cor 15:58 NKJV)  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

(2 Cor 1:7 NKJV)  And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

(Col 1:23 NKJV)  if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

(Heb 6:19 NKJV)  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

Today I declare for me; flip flops are for my feet, not my mind, soul or spirit!  And may everyday be a hot sunny flip flop day…please Lord!

http://www.lightdawns.org/

May the Lord keep you in His never ending love,

TO MOUSSE OR NOT TO MOOSE THAT IS THE QUESTION

To Mousse or not to Moose that is the Question

Dan and I started dating in the 70’s when the afro hairstyle was all the rage.  One of the things that attracted me to my husband was his natural curly hair and he donned his afro in a very hot way.  He could have opened a hair salon, called it; “Curls R Us” and been the mascot.  Shortly after we married that style went by the wayside and for the next thirty years he kept his hair very short.  However, the last six months he decided to grow his hair out again revealing those gorgeous curls.  Each morning I get a real kick out of styling his hair.  Dan’s only complaint is; “you put so much mousse in my hair, I will never have to wear a hard hat again”.  When he said that I just cracked up because it reminded me of another moose.  One of Dan’s favorite sayings is; “you wanna moose around?”  We have a coffee cup that became a part of our collection more than thirty years ago.  The outside of the cup has a picture of a male moose hanging onto a tree.  On the inside of the cup is a female moose, lips smooched with the inscribed words; WANNA MOOSE AROUND?  Hum, I wonder does this give a whole new meaning to; you wanna moose around?”  Yes, we have sex and lots of it.  You may be wondering why on earth I would reveal such an intimate detail of our marriage. 

Dan has his PhD. In Christian Marriage and Family Therapy, including board certification in sexual therapy.  We have counseled with a staggering amount of Christian couples who have dysfunction in the sexual aspect of their marriage.  Sex truly is a gift from God reserved for husband and wife, to be enjoyed and treasured.

But my lover wouldn't take no for an answer,
   and the longer he knocked, the more excited I became.
I got up to open the door to my lover,
   sweetly ready to receive him,
Desiring and expectant
   as I turned the door handle. (Song of Solomon 5:4-6a)

For more information about sex and intimacy be sure to check out the book WE PROMISE.  To be released to a bookstore near you summer of 2011.

www.lightdawns.org