Forgiveness: Ask for it and Give it...

Photo Credit: Dew Photography

 "You were always one of the strongest and most well-grounded Christians I knew. What happened to you?'

That was basically the statement & question spoken to me after I had been through one of the worst times. That statement hurt me. Today, I am being transparent. Some of this has been alluded to along the way with this blog. I have told you all that we have moved to another state. Even told you, I had been disobedient and it not only hurt me but others in my life.  As Paul Harvey would say, "Here is the rest of the story..." Well, not the complete story for out of respect and privacy to my Sweetie’s request "some things will stay close to the chest."

Last August, an incident brought me to my knees (not in prayer either) that most would consider an annoyance.  Per honoring Sweetie’s aforementioned request, this is all I will say about the actual incident. What I need to share is how this incident affected me? I became extremely ill. I couldn't eat or sleep. Even lost 25lbs in 10 days. My doctor said normally she would have been happy about me losing 25lbs but not this way. I was in a bad place. My doctor put me on one medicine for the anxiety and another to sleep. I would have times of crying uncontrollably. I wasn't able to think clearly or even function. Basically, I was a wreck or as some of younger friends would say "ONE HOT MESS!"


I even went to a counselor and her response was she didn't think she would be of much help for my situation. However, if I wanted to pay $90.00 per visit we could schedule more visits.

Too many people, my response was not appropriate or expected of a Christian. Much less a Christian involved in ministry and holding leadership positions. That hurt me. Who gives us the right to determine what is the proper response? Confession Time: In two separate instances in my past, I had thought the same statement, which had been made to me about other Christians.

 I couldn't explain, at the time to my friends, family, church family or ministry partners, why I was responding the way I did. In retrospect, I can and have explained on this blog (read the list on the related blog's link) how disobedience can affect one's life and what God revealed to me. I have asked God to forgive me for my disobedience. Thank you Jesus for being there for me with open arms. 

Why tell you all this? Because it is important for others to realize those in leadership and ministry are human. We can be hurt. We are fallible. We need love and grace. God has and is healing me from my hurt. I love and have forgiven. In my heart, I believe those involved would not hurt me intentionally.  Also, I pray He is healing and helping those hurt by my actions. 

Have you hurt or been hurt? Take it to God. Ask forgiveness and give forgiveness. 

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you"

Matthew 6:14

Write and Speak One Time with God...

Photo Credit: Dew Photography
Wording (slightly modified): Beth Kinder

"I would rather write and speak one time with the power of God to touch thousands, 

than to write and speak thousands of time and impact no one"---Beth Kinder, Remade Ministries

The above statement rocked my world last week upon reading it. Many of you know, I am attending a writer and speaker conference at the end of July. What some may not know is I have been writing to complete and then edit, edit, edit and re-edit my book proposal and sample chapters. By the way...did I mention there is some editing happening during this process. :-)

During all of this writing, I came across the information a non-fiction book is normally 25,000-50,000 words. I was stressing a little....ok it was more than a little. The reason, my book currently is at 7,000+ words with 5 of the proposed 8 chapters having their first draft complete.

Then Beth's weekly "ReMade" blog email came. God opened my eyes. Yes, I understand there is an industry standard on word count. However, if I am not writing with His power than it will not matter if my word count is 100,000 for the impact will not be there.

It is amazing how a simple email at the appropriate "God appointed time" can have loving discipline, encouragement and focus from my Savior.

Beth's blog can viewed here. Go and check it out and give her some encouragement in the comment section. 

Association to Participation to Assimilation...

ASSOCIATION~PARTICIPATION~ASSIMILATION

"Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possession were so great that they could not dwell together"

In Genesis 13:6, we find Abraham and Lot in a position where separation became necessary. Both men had become prosperous and the present land could not handle all the livestock. Abraham did not want a dispute with his nephew. Therefore, he let Lot choose what land he would take. 

"And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar" Genesis 13:10

It is interesting that Lot thought of himself and not the Uncle who had taken care of him. The Uncle who treated him like a son. Instead, Lot saw the better land and grabbed it with no thought for his elder. He did not consider his family bond with his Uncle when his eyes saw something better. Lot went towards the land of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot associated himself with Sodom and Gomorrah.  In Genesis 14, we see Lot living in Sodom. This results in him being captured when Sodom is attacked by other Kings. Abraham did not forget his nephew. Upon hearing of his capture, Abraham went with his men to retrieve Lot. Abraham brought back not only Lot but all the goods, women and the people of Sodom (Genesis 14:16). We see here that Lot's association (living near Sodom) lead to participation (living and fighting the war of Sodom against other kings.) 

We are so like Lot. 

We start associating, which leads to participating in areas marked "Do No Enter". Areas, we know that are not good for us. 

It could be reading books (certain popular erotica titles) that produce lustful thoughts.

We must be careful for participation normally leads to assimilation.

Hop on over to Genesis 19 with me. 

"Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom."

Genesis 19:1a

We find Lot is no longer only living near Sodom (Association) or fighting Sodom's battles (Participation), but he is among the leadership (Assimilation). Leadership of an area would be at the gate of a city. Proverbs 31:23 shows the proverbial woman's husband sitting among the elders of the gate. It is not stated whether Lot is a part of  the leadership or just amongst them. This is not the point. The point is Lot has progressed from association with Sodom & Gomorrah to participation and now to assimilation. 

What exactly is assimilation? 

Whenever I hear the word, my first thought is The Borg in "Star Trek: Next Generation." 

You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. 

Yet, I digress. 

Bing.com's definition is "integration into a group, the process in which one group takes on the cultural and other traits of a larger group."

What does all of this have to do with you & me?

 It is imperative that we see the slide from one step to the next is a slow progression. A former client would always say in her testimony, "I didn't wake up one day and decide to be a drug addict." 

Do you see association, participation or assimilation in your life? Don't despair. The great thing about God is He made a way for Lot to be saved when Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed. And He has made a way for you too. Run to Jesus today & let Him bring you back to where you belong...

In loving fellowship with Him 

Now, Lot's wife...that is a story for another day.

Thanks to Pastor Dale Hewitt @ Grace Church of Fredericksburg for introducing the concept of "Association~Participation~Assimilation" in his June 3rd sermon. You can listen to his sermon on the church website: www.gcofonline.com

Thanking God for Fellow Writers...

This week I want to take a minute to say, "Thanks" to all my fellow writers out in the social world. Each of you has truly been an encouragement to me the past couple weeks. 

Everyone from Jeff Goins with the "Great Writer Challenge" to Beth at Remade Ministries. Plus, there is Josh Kilen, Veronica at SimplyMe~My Walk, Tracy Steel and Michelle Lazurek to name a few. Many of us are new friends and I look am grateful to God for bringing each of you into my life. However, this list would not be complete without adding my long time friend, 

who is also a writer and has finished his first book ("Darker Shade of Gray"), Eric Voliva. 

As each of us knows writing can be a lonely endeavor and it blesses me greatly to have other writers cheering me on. :-) I encourage everyone to check out their links and show them some love.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."---Galatians 6:9 & 10

Day 6: Great Writer's Challenge...

Today's challenge was to "steal" as Jeff describes it and write about it. In natural Jeff Goins' style, steal does not have the connotation we would normally think of the word steal. He is showing us how we spend so much time trying to be creative that we never create. In Ecclesiastes, it states there is nothing new under the sun. Once we grasp this we can move forward with God's plan. 

Currently, I am writing a non-fiction book. I have done what Jeff describes in his post for today. How you ask?  I have been doing my job for 5 years. During this time, I have read many articles and a book or two on the subject of my book. While writing, I have given credit where it is due, but have also put my own interpretation on what has already been said. As a Christian in this field of business, I am further showing the Christian viewpoint. 

Are you creating or stalled while waiting to be creative?

Playing Church (Updated from 2007)....

I was looking over some of my older posts and thought I would share a few over this week. I have done some editing & updating before reposting (mainly grammar, spelling & adding some pictures):

Playing church not being the church

I talk with young people (no, I am not one), good, honest, wanting to serve God teenagers. One thing, I see, happening is these young people are getting fed up with the organized church playing church and not being the church! They want to go outside the four walls and minister to people, and tell them about Jesus.

We the adults in their lives would learn a valuable lesson from these young people....they are open and honest with each other about their struggles....none of them put on the "I'm fine" persona. Come on we all know what I am talking about....

A typical Sunday morning or for that fact any morning when we see someone we know (however, Sunday morning irks me the most):

"Hi! How are you?"
"I'm fine." (When you are not fine)

This response is so automatic that last week, I was out and someone saw me and all I said was "Hi." The person responded, "Just fine, thank you for asking." That is the response I got for merely saying "Hi"!?

The thing that scares me is somewhere along their college years something happens to these young people and before they know it these same young people start stuffing and hiding the hurt inside. They question: why do they not tell someone how they really are doing? Do we see the disservice and sad thing happening to our young people? They are turning into us.  Is that what school teaches them or is it what they think is suppose to happen when they graduate and grow-up!!

I, for one, am going to tell all the young people around me that becoming responsible and maturing DOES NOT mean to start "playing church" and to no longer be the church.

We should wake up and learn from our young people...some of them have it more together than the rest of us so-called grown-ups.  

I have been guilty of playing church instead of being the church. Your challenge is to search your heart and see if you have been playing church or being the church?

Day Three: 15 Habits of Great Writers...The Why Behind It All

This is a continuation of the posts I will be writing, while participating in the "15 Habits of Great Writers" Challenge. 

Day Three required us to write a secret filling in the following: “I am a ______”. Then we are to pull it out everyday and read it. The object of the exercise is for us to choose ourselves. (Jeff admits this exercise could sound a little hokey to some.)  Nonetheless, the idea’s premise is we have the tendency to choose everyone else in our lives and never choose ourselves.

We put what we need on the back burner. Confession: I do have a tendency to do this but am getting much better. Long story short, we went through some major adjustments in the last seven months including me having a total hysterectomy on May 2^nd (my birthday) requiring 6 weeks of recovery. During this time, I have come to realize that my identity is not in what I do but in whom I belong. 

I will be the first to admit this is not a new concept for me. As a Christian for the last 12 years, I have heard before my identity is in Christ. However, just because we have heard something repeatedly doesn’t mean we fully comprehend what is being said or how it looks. 

Before, we moved last October my life consisted of being a business owner, deaconess, bible study teacher, CBS assistant teaching director trainee, GROW Team Volunteer, and church media director. Also, don’t forget Child of God. We attended church three times a week. Sometimes more, if there were events or ministries we participated in meeting such as, Ladies Fellowship or GROW team. In one year, I had planned or participated in a College & Career Conference, Ladies Retreat Planning, VBS, and a youth mission camp.

Please hear this:

It was never expected of me by my church leadership to do all these things. The pressure was from myself. At the time, I thought I was being obedient and serving the Lord in all of these positions.

   

Then an incident happened that totally crumbled my world. What happened is not the point. Even how others or I reacted to the situation is not the point. Why it happened is the important part: Disobedience. 

Then God started to reveal things to me after He had removed everything:

1. God requires obedience (He may let us walk in disobedience for a time but there will be consequences)
2. We are not the only ones hurt in our disobedience
3. There are things that can you can do to cause people's feelings for you to change...even if neither party wants to admit it
4. Participating in church activities does not reveal or confirm our identity in Christ
5. I don't have to be at the church every time the doors are open
6. I am susceptible to being to deceived
7. I am a witness for Christ
8. God does not want me overworked, stressed out and frazzled
9. God gave me my marriage
10. My husband & daughter truly love me unconditionally

I was finding my identity in these activities instead of my relationship with Christ. I am not telling everyone to quit their involvement in their local church. What I am asking of you is to search your heart and see why you are doing the activities?

GONE, GONE, GONE....

Wow! I can't believe what just happened. My blog post totally disappeared. I started by hitting the back button and it wasn't there. I had saved it while working and wasn't concerned. Nonetheless, it is GONE!!! 

Therefore, I am starting from scratch. One good thing out of all this:

I will have definitely meet my writing goal for today. 

My whole other post was how I wanted to declare that I am a writer. It is part of a lesson in a  book called, "15 Habits of Great Writers" by Jeff Goins. There was stuff in there about Jesus being my passion and how I am going to write everything for Him. Yet, it is all GONE, GONE, GONE. 

Did I mention it is gone? 

So, instead of the other post which apparently wasn't meant to be....I am going to tell you the story of the blue heron in the picture above. It reinforced the lesson for me that things happen in God's timing, not ours. 

A while back, I took some graduation pictures for my friend's daughter. We met at the duck pond in our Central Park (no, not the one in New York). Upon my arrival, I saw this blue heron fly across the pond. I didn't get a shot of him. Ever since that day, whenever I would go to this particular spot to take pictures my eyes were searching for the blue heron. This all happened before my surgery on May 2nd. 

In the meantime, during my recovery my Aunt got some awesome shots of blue herons in the area where she lives. This fueled my desire to find the blue heron here. Plus, my Dad told me there were more herons in another part of our town. Alas, I was still recovering and had to wait before I could go out and take pictures. 

Then on Tuesday morning, my nephew sent me a picture text of a blue heron. I asked him where he saw it and he told me at the Central Park Pond.  

"When did you get the picture", I inquired. 

"Yesterday around 1:30pm", he text back. 

I was excited Mr. Heron was still around. As part of my continuing recovery, I am allowed to go up and down our three flights of steps from our apartment building twice per day. Well, I asked my daughter if she would like to go run an errand, which just happened to be in Central Park. Of course, I took my camera and we went to the pond. We were walking down the pier when my daughter said, "Mom, look there he is."  Mr. Heron was standing in the middle of a boatload of Canadian Geese and Ducks that were being fed by an older gentleman. It was so amazing. I kept snapping the camera. We were trying to figure out why he was standing in the middle of the other birds. It became clear when he walked a few feet forward and then snatched up one of the catfish in the pond. 

God provided not only for me to see and photo the blue heron. He let me see him have his lunch/dinner and to photograph part of it. God's timing is not ours, but His timing is perfect. 

Therefore, I realize when it is God's timing last night's disappearing post will be recreated. 

The following are the pictures I took of Mr. Heron yesterday (including the one at the top): 

Remember God's timing is not ours, but His timing is always perfect!

What are you waiting on God's timing for?

Day Two: 15 Habits of Great Writer...

Do you see the face?

“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, 

Your young men shall see visions.” 

Joel 2:28

I am a dreamer. Literally. At night, I dream about photography and writing. The problem with dreaming about these at night is one wakes up exhausted. This past week, my subconscious (dream world) has been extremely busy. Consequently, I have been rather tired the last couple days. This is not a good thing while one is still in recovery for it causes one to snap easily at loved ones. Needless to say, there has been a lot of apologizing in our home. My family greatly loves me and has been so forgiving. I am truly blessed.

As mentioned in my last post, I am participating in the  “15 Habits of Great Writers” Challenge with Jeff Goins. Today’s assignment, Day Two, was to get up two hours earlier than normal and write. Two hours earlier, for most, according to Jeff is 5am. However, we work night shift in this household and that is not the case. Two hours earlier here is between 8-9am. It is currently 9:30am and I am completing our assignment with no coffee. This is a dangerous avenue for coffee is my morning vitamin.  In case it slipped by you, I didn’t make it between 8-9am. But in my defense,  I have been awake on and off since 7am. In hindsight, probably should have gotten up at 7am completed the assignment and then gone back to bed…maybe and that is a slim maybe I would have fallen back to sleep.

The idea of the assignment is that one would be willing to sacrifice for their desire to write. This is a true statement but we all don’t fit into the 9-5 world and for me getting up and writing before my time with the Lord (and some coffee) is counterproductive. Rachel Olsen talked about a writer in her last post that wrote from 1am-5am everyday. My desire is to meet my writing goal each day but God made each of us differently; therefore our writing routines may not look the same.  .  

I encourage you to check out the “15 Habits of a Great Writer” Challenge (it is not to late to join) but remember God created you to write in His way and His timing. Search Him today to see what He wants. Just remember to keep writing. 

P.S. My Sweetie is not editing these 15 Habit posts. 

Therefore, any grammatical errors or weird stuff is fully mine. 

Challenge to my writer friends....

I signed up to do this challenge and am inviting my writer friends to join me...

Rhema or Logos... (May 31st)

Photo Credit: Dew Photography

God took me on a journey and taught me a lesson. When originally writing this post it wasn't apparent but now it is...all I can say is "Thank you Lord for being so patient with this child of yours."

Here is my story...

I have been reading Acts since March 30th of this year. As of today, May 22nd, I have read through Acts 24.

Some days I read a Chapter and move on the next day. Then other days, I read the same chapter for multiple days until God releases me to move on. It would be awesome to report that reading the same chapter for multiple days revealed some marvelous revelation of God...

Photo Credit: Eastgate.com

These are some things learned and remembered  from my journal such as:

1. Paul has a nephew who saves him when the Jews are plotting to kill him. Acts 23:16-22... Nice kid in my book :-)

2. There are apparently two Philips (Philip the Evangelist and Philip the Apostle). Still don't completely understand the difference here or even if there really is one. That is the fun of being a work in progress with God, we get to keep learning.

3. Peter's vision was with animals but he tells Cornelius the dream referring to the Gentile people. (Acts 10:28)

4. Acts 11:26 is the first time believers are called Christians.

5. All the Apostles, not just Thomas, had to see Jesus' hands, feet and side only Thomas touched. (This is actually in John not Acts but my journey through Acts led me to this)

6. Ananias and Sapphira (I wrote a whole blog post. You can read it here)

7. Peter and God seemed to have a three time theme (In Acts 10, sheet revealed 3 times. We know the cock crowed 3 times and Jesus asked Peter "Do you love me?" 3 times)

8. In Acts 12:7, the angel struck Peter's side to wake him. This amuses me...it probably shouldn't but does.

9. I left Acts 15 with a question, "Are we trying to have others conform to tradition instead of letting God transform them?"

10. Acts 17:16-34, God moved through Paul while he was waiting for Timothy & Silas to join him. He can do the same through our waiting periods, if we allow Him.

11. Acts 20: 8-10, Eutychus had "taken up dead" from his fall from the window.

12. Acts 21 has multiple people telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem. There is even a prophetic word given in verse 10 & 11.

13. In Acts 22, the people were listening until Paul said God would send him to the Gentiles. How often do we listen and agree with God until He says something we don't want to hear?

14. Acts 24, Paul had been in prison for two years while Felix was governor (Acts 24:7). This is only the time Paul has been under Felix's arrest.

Photo Credit: Unknown

Here is my lesson:

Quit spending time searching for the marvelous revelation and enjoy the Bible, for everything written in it is a marvelous revelation of Him and His love for us.

My mistake: I have been spending all my bible time chasing rhema and neglecting logos. When I should be in God's word everyday (logos) and letting the rhema happen in God's timing. 

 James Rae describes it as the following:

"Through daily reading of God's Word, which is referred to as the "logos," (logos), Christians will have knowledge of God and be able to memorize Scripture and to offer non-believers the truth that is written. But in addition to that, God wants to speak to His people and provide insight beyond human understanding. With the help of the Holy Spirit, portions of Scripture that were once words on a page will become rhema. They will have great significance and offer supernatural guidance, comfort, answers and assurances. "

My mistake is no different than people who go from place to place chasing signs and wonders; instead of focusing on a relationship with God. 

Here is your challenges today:

Go back through your journal and Bible reading for the last month asking God to reveal what He has been teaching you?

• Search your heart and see if like me, you have been chasing "rhema" and neglecting "logos"?

Linking up today with:

ONE DEGREE MINISTRIES

SIMPLY ME~MY WALK 

Flowerbeds and Weeds...

Veronica Herzing, a She Speaks Sister, is our guest blogger. Veronica has been married for 20 years to what she describes, "the most wonderful patient man alive." They have two children;  a son 23 years old, he is autistic and has Cystic Fibrosis. They also have daughter who is a Junior in college (the first in their family to attend college).

Veronica is the first in 4 generations to break the cycle of destructive behaviors in her family. As a "cradle" Catholic, which means she was baptized at 3 weeks old into the Catholic church.  She is a Lector, Director of Worship and an Adorer for Adoration Hour.  She has participated in 4 online Bible studies through Melissa Taylor and Proverbs 31; and is on the leadership team for Melissa Taylor's Online Bible study, as well as a group leader.  Veronica states, "I have learned to rely on Jesus for my every need, He truly is my EVERYTHING!!!!" You may visit Veronica's website, Simply Me~My Walk.

This morning I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and let’s just say I did not come out looking good in the whole thing. However after some time I made an amends…

Photo Credit: Bing Images

I decided to help my husband weed all our flowerbeds. As I was weeding I began praying for all my friends and family, everyone who is struggling, needing surgery, recovering from surgery, is in distress or just needing Jesus. As I was praying I came to the conclusion that my flowerbeds that are completely overgrown with weeds, dead flowers and haven’t been watered are very much like our lives. When weeding flowerbeds we do so because the weeds are taking over the beauty of the flowers we lovingly planted.

Now, if they are overgrown like mine were – it’s been over a month since I cared for them – then after weeding them they look very sparse where before they looked full, even though it was deceiving because they were full of weeds.

As I was weeding, I realized since the flowers haven’t been cared for in such a long time some of the good flowers and foliage had to be removed as well so the plant could sustain itself. How fitting – God is our Weeder, if we allow Him to be. He weeds us and in doing so ad He pulls the weeds (sin, negativity, bad habits, etc) He pulls up some of the good flowers (things that don’t harm us but don’t do us any good either, or take our focus off Him). It hurts when He does this, we seem sparse and very vulnerable as we go through the weeding but in doing so that’s when others will be able to see His work in our lives!! When our flowers bloom and the beauty is eye catching.

Photo Credit: Dew Photography

However, what if God weeds us and then we are never watered – the weeds grow back spreading even further, the flowers wilt and then no one can tell where the flowers start or the weeds end – it’s just chaos!

The flowers need watered and weeded constantly just as we do – God is our Weeder and His Word our Water ~ we grow, we blossom, we show the world His beauty and mighty hand when we allow Him to be our Weeder and our Water.  The thought “bloom where you are planted” comes to mind as I write this and I think it’s very fitting but just as fitting is the thought, don’t allow your flowerbeds to go without water or weeding for very long – it’s hard work to sort it all out afterwards, its much easier to water and weed daily.  So “tend to your flowerbeds daily” and then in doing so others will ask “how are your flowers so beautiful in this season of heat and drought” and you can give glory to the LORD by telling them about your Waterer!

~Weeds grow and spread with no water, taking over every area in the flowerbed, while the flowers wilt and die.  It is the same with your faith and relationship with the LORD.  

Have you watered yourself today? ~

Below are two pictures after we pulled up all the weeds and dead flowers, they don’t look that great now but wait in just a short while with some water and daily tending, they will be gorgeous in no time.

Photo Credit: Veronica Herzing


 

                                    

Cheering for God....

Do we spend as much time cheering for God as we do our favorite sports team? This is the question that entered my thoughts while watching Game 7 in the NHL Stanley Cup East Series Play-off. The game was the New York Rangers against the Washington Capitals. My darling daughter and I were cheering the Caps throughout the game until the last second of the game. In our household we cheer for hockey, lacrosse and our daughter cheers for NASCAR because of Trevor Bayne. Yet, my hope and prayer is we will always cheer loudest for JESUS!!! 

Then another thought entered my mind as the final seconds of the game sealed the Caps loss. Are you a fair-weather fan when it comes to your walk with Jesus? Do you walk with Him until things get tough or He has the audacity to expect you to leave your comfort zone?

Tomorrow, we will still root for the Caps. In our household we follow the Caps. We are not fair-weather fans in our household...yes, it is true while living in NC we rooted for the Canes but we still loved our Caps. 

Some of you are saying, "That's nice, but what does this have to do with Jesus?" Everything, because  a large majority of Christians are "fans" of Jesus and not "followers." Kyle Idleman discusses this in a true grit, real deal way in his book, "Not A Fan." When the crowds were being feed free meals and it wasn't requiring much of them Jesus was the 'deal'. However, when things got tough and the free meals were not flowing people walked away.

 Idleman in Chapter 5 discusses what he describes two camps of  the Fan Club.
 Take a minute and see if you identify with either of Idleman's camps:

"Camp 1: Your faith is something you were born into. You didn't choose it. Your faith has always been more about honoring your heritage than surrendering your heart. The problem here is you grew up acting & talking like a Christian but you never fell in love with Jesus.


Camp 2: These are fans who measure their faith by their hard work at learning and following the law. Their intellectual knowledge and behavioral compliance was their target. Yet, even though they were saying the right things, it wasn't a reflection of who they really are. You may say and do the right things, but that is not enough for Jesus. He wants all of you." (Not a Fan pages 70 & 71).


Jesus doesn't want fans. He wants committed sold-out followers. Which are you?

Check out Kyle Idleman's "Not A Fan" or the Not A Fan website to learn what it means to be a committed sold-out follower of Jesus Christ.

"Who do you focus on..." Archived YKP, LLC Post

Who do you focus on....new clients or loyal clients?

**An archived blog from my business blog...which is experiencing technical difficulties**

As the owner of a booking and promotion company for Independent Artist, I tend to want to recognize or reward the venues who give me loyal & consistent business. Yet, this is not as easy as it seems. Here are a few of the reasons why:  

• When I receive promo items, the people providing them always request they be used to obtain new clients not reward present ones. My thought, "how you obtain a client is how they will expect you to keep them." Why not work hard and show the potential client what you can do for them instead of bribing them to be your client? On the other hand, I wonder if it is bribing the new client with a one-time offer to get them as a client. Once hired, we can still show them how hard we work for our clients.
• When people show me loyalty and consistently book my clients; I want to show them we appreciate their business. We send thank you notes, but there is a part of me that wants to do more from time to time. This poses another question:"how do you decide who gets the rewards without causing dissension and jealousy with the venue operators." (A lot of them know each other)

Many of my family & friends have no concept or idea of what I do for a living. Therefore, I rarely talk with them about my business and the type of questions I have posted. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone who would like to weigh in would comment on this post or e-mail me: dawnwhitmore@suddenlink.net.

Not a "patient" Patient...

So tranquil...

It has been almost one week since my surgery. I must admit  to not being the most 'patient' Patient. My Sweetie and daughter have been awesome in helping me. They also take seriously their duties of making sure I do nothing on my "Do Not" list from the doctor.

My camera is being missed and all the baby ducks and geese are growing fast.

"Peep's Brothers right before my surgery"

I am on medical leave from my business for a couple more weeks. God even took care of that by having my client hire a manager. She is handling things until I get back.

 All of this has given me lots of time to read and spend time in God's word. The one thing that keeps coming back to me is how even with all of today's technological advances;  the doctors found things inside me that were not expected.

What they did find is a praise! My doctor went in prepared to remove a fibroid cyst (possible tumor) instead they found a chocolate cyst along with Stage IV endometriosis. This did require a complete hysterectomy. Yet, I am at peace and know that God is in control.


As I ponder what the doctors found, I keep thinking of Jesus talking to the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. Ya know... about being whitewashed tombs. These people looked good on the outside but were unclean on the inside. Only Jesus could see the dirt and grime inside of them.

This leaves me with the thought of how am I spiritually? Do I look good on the outside but am "icky" on the inside? Have I let Jesus look inside to make sure that I am not a whitewashed tomb? Have you?

Greedy Little Glutton...

 Greedy Little Glutton…

This post was born from a comment my aunt made concerning a previous post, “Bother or Blessing.” I shared in that post (read it here) how bird lovers do not normally like squirrels. 

He was heading for the bird feeder before I interrupted him...

Here is an excerpt from my aunt’s comment:

“If they (the squirrels) were considerate of others they could share a life with me. As it is right now they remind me of humans that you give things to and they always want more. I fed them in the woods and all I ask is they leave the bird’s food alone…do not destroy the feeders…they never seem to get the message”

My aunt has a great love of wildlife and she tried to co-exist with the squirrels. However, the squirrels were greedy gluttons, who kept destroying her bird feeders and stealing all the bird’s food. 

When I read her comment, I was immediately struck with the fact she is right. Squirrels can be like humans. Some people can be greedy gluttons. It is okay to shake your head in agreement.

  

Did a name or face most likely “popped” into your mind? Most of us know someone that no matter how much you give them…it is never enough. They always want more. How do we handle these people? Are we truly helping them if we continue pouring into their bottomless pit?

My aunt tried co-existing with her little gluttons, but they just demand more. When they felt like she wasn’t giving enough they started destroying things (her bird feeders)...The person who “popped” into your mind is destroying. They destroy their relationships with others and with God. The majority of friends and family will become fed up with being used. They will have a serious distaste in their mouth when this person’s name comes up.

The sad part is for some reason this “popped in your mind” person doesn’t understand that God is all they need.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”

Philippians 4:19

Notice, that God wants to supply all our needs not our wants.

In my own life, there have been people who were gluttons just like the squirrels. How did I deal with them? I prayed for God’s guidance. In one situation, I truly God clearly directed me to pray for this person. God further released me from feeling this person had to be an active part of my life. Abba Daddy reassured me that I did not have to put myself in the position for them to take from me.

There was another person we will call her ‘Claire’. Claire always needed more and more. God used me and a few other select people to help Claire realize that God would supply all her needs. With Claire’s permission, we kept her accountable. When she would start seeking more and more to fulfill her life instead of her loving Father we would point it out to her. We did this in love.

Here is the “ouch” of this post for me. There have been times over my 45 years of life that I have been a glutton. Times that no matter what was given, there was more that I wanted.

 I have even been a glutton with God. I wanted Him all to myself instead of sharing Him with others. This breaks my Savior’s heart. I was just like the servant who buried his talent.  (Read Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:12-28)

Have you been a greedy little glutton (just like the squirrels)? Ask God to change you…He is changing ‘Claire’ day-by-day and He can change you?  Is God calling you to pray for someone but have distance? Do it without feeling guilty, just keep praying for them. Are you burying your talent and not sharing what God has given you? Take a step today and start sharing the gifts God has given you.