tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9468980839443721272024-03-12T13:44:01.418-07:00SERIOUSLY, Can We Talk?alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-10301187765348056402024-03-09T14:51:00.000-08:002024-03-10T11:38:22.331-07:00WOMEN FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS IN THE BIBLE!!!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpM4Maw7D1I9bLTOXpNATt8Lx_nLOBPsKfCn1AUegaBo1eABLodbvEopFf7uTVOBzIXzhZgbzFeB1vX21Brkhzq_MJ1D05H9WYXnUjaRHRMxoH25SeSW6rcKbXvDPa7J8xbBLgwtSNFubu0svowe4or2StJwbxBpYtx50zHuB47e1iVhGdfICf3R13kHLV" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="6240" data-original-width="4160" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpM4Maw7D1I9bLTOXpNATt8Lx_nLOBPsKfCn1AUegaBo1eABLodbvEopFf7uTVOBzIXzhZgbzFeB1vX21Brkhzq_MJ1D05H9WYXnUjaRHRMxoH25SeSW6rcKbXvDPa7J8xbBLgwtSNFubu0svowe4or2StJwbxBpYtx50zHuB47e1iVhGdfICf3R13kHLV=w143-h215" width="143" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Nk Ni on Unsplash</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>omen's History month is well on the way and what a year for celebrating! Today's children and teens have a wide variety of women to choose from for inspiration. </b> They come from all around the world and are in positions of great significance making our communities and the world at large better!</div></div></div><p></p><p><b>But even as we recognize the accomplishment of women now and in decades past </b>we cannot forget that women have been standing up for their rights in every era! <b> This was true even during Biblical times </b>when culturally, women were marginalized and considered property of their fathers and husbands.</p><p><b>These women were valued only as</b><b> assets to family wealth or human vessels to carry the next <i>male</i> <i>heir.</i> </b> That's why<b> Zelophehad Daughters in the Book of Numbers stand out in startling contrast. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">THE FIGHT FOR INHERITANCE RIGHTS</span></b></p><p><b><i>Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah</i> were the five daughters of Zelophehad, an Israelite heading for the Promise land. </b>After deliverance from Egyptian slavery Israelites were promised land<b> </b>flowing with <i>milk and honey </i>denoting its fruitfulness. <b> </b>God gave Moses instructions for dividing the conquered lands among His people and Joshua executed the plan (Joshua 17:3-4). <b>But Zelophehad died having no sons. Under current law his portion would be dispersed among male clan members. UNTIL, these five bold sisters stood up to Moses and the people <i>demanding their right to inherit!</i> (Numbers</b> <b>27:1-11)</b></p><p><b>They brought before Moses a case so strong that he had no choice but ask God for guidance! Our Just God heard and granted the sisters their rightful due and this set a legal precedence in Old Testament Law. </b>With this exception, to keep the land they had to marry within their clan keeping it in the family! (Numbers 36:6-12) </p><p><b>Yet, this fight continued for women until the mid-1800s.</b><b> In the United States <i>only single women</i> could own property and then under special circumstances. If married only their husbands could buy or own land. This changed later with the <i>Married Women's Property Act of 1848 </i>and by the 1900s every state passed laws giving women this right.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">THE FIGHT FOR FERTILITY RIGHTS</span></b></p><p><b>Two other women find their place among Women's Rights Activists in the Old Testament, Shiprah and Puah! (Exodus 1:15-21) </b>If it weren't for them, there would be no heirs to claim God's promises in Canaan! Perhaps Zelophehad daughters heard the story about the midwives in Egypt who risked their lives and took note! <b>Unlike the culture war women are fighting now, these women were trying to keep newborns alive! When the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt they grew in such numbers that Pharaoh felt threatened. </b>When a plan to <i>break them</i> with hard work and inferior resources didn't work, he resorted to murder. <b>He instructed the Hebrew midwives to kill every male Hebrew boy but let</b> <b>the girls live</b> <b> (Exodus 1:15-20). The midwives refused and prevented one of the first incidences of Jewish genocide in history.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">THE FIGHT FOR EQUAL RESPECT, HONOR, AND DIGNITY</span></b></p><p><b>However, The Greatest Women's Rights Activist in the Bible was not a woman!</b> Before the<i> Civil Rights Movement; Women's Rights Protests, and Black Lives/All Lives Matter Marches</i> with praises resounding for their martyrs; <b>there was One Who has always been in the forefront of Women's Rights...Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! </b></p><p><b>The small steps of liberty and value women gained in the Old Testament waned over the years. By the time of Christ, women were denied education even religious instruction. </b>They could not be a witness in legal matters (their word could not be trusted). They couldn't speak to men of note in public and their status was little more than household slaves. </p><p> <b>But Christ restored their dignity through His word and personal example! Mary of Bethany </b>sat at His feet along with His disciples (Luke 10:38-42)<b>. Mary Magdalene and other women </b>were the first witnesses of His resurrection (Luke 24:10). <b> He conversed with the Samaritan woman </b>boldly and openly. (John 4:7-26) <b>Thus, we see a woman evangelist and missionary in a foreign land and the birth of the Church Age heralded from the lips of a woman. </b>Throughout Christ's ministry we find women in His company as disciples, highlighted in teaching illustrations, and bearing witness to His glory. <b> His example continued throughout the Apostolic Age with Paul and others and although contested in some measure TODAY their significance cannot be denied!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">THE FIGHT FOR RIGHTS ALREADY WON!</span></b></p><p><b><i>Women's Rights is NOT coveting what belongs to men (Gen. 5:2)</i>. There are role distinctions that must be obeyed for spiritual order and harmony! <i>Women's Rights is NOT claiming rights that are not our own!</i> <i>God still calls the shots! (I Corin. 6:19-20) </i> But in the course of normal <i>respect, dignity, and</i> <i>justice </i>Christ has ALREADY leveled the playing field! </b>If you consider diversity, equality, and justice for women as a basic human right you can be sure that Christ felt the same (Galatians 3:28).<b> Getting contemporary cultures to agree seems to be the problem. And so we continue to remind them of the woman's contribution as we exercise with excellence our gifts and by celebrating our right to be acknowledged not just in March but EVERY DAY!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME..</span><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></b></i></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;"><br /></b></span></div><p><br /></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-1332242688743016932024-02-12T10:07:00.000-08:002024-02-12T10:07:08.597-08:00MESSY RELATIONSHIPS...Anchored in Love!<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZWkyc-MhXPBVr_SJkiDuIzzwcYlunj37Z9FUfmKIFOOOKu7kCa0t6BnywhtK0HwLoHiCi5OFPzgs4eMqa8P8p4O30gexxnhMNYGcL-CO00-MLesDramxKM5o7X4QrkvZM84y3IzwhI5MHwNC0DlNff35Biyc7mWcxoS7i7ihxB4j0Rj9z5rvoDt6632r/s3504/cathal-mac-an-bheatha-7kbP7sMkjo0-unsplash.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2336" data-original-width="3504" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZWkyc-MhXPBVr_SJkiDuIzzwcYlunj37Z9FUfmKIFOOOKu7kCa0t6BnywhtK0HwLoHiCi5OFPzgs4eMqa8P8p4O30gexxnhMNYGcL-CO00-MLesDramxKM5o7X4QrkvZM84y3IzwhI5MHwNC0DlNff35Biyc7mWcxoS7i7ihxB4j0Rj9z5rvoDt6632r/w229-h153/cathal-mac-an-bheatha-7kbP7sMkjo0-unsplash.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture: Cathal mac an breath (Unsplash)</span><br /><br /></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>ell, it's that time of year again, Valentine's Day. <i>The Hallmark Channel on steroids!</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Forgive my cynicism.</b> I'm all about showing love. And as Dionne Warwick once sang, <i>What the World Needs Now is Love...</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> <span style="color: #cc0000;">WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS <i>HYPOCRISY!</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>Grabbing a card from the <i>Dollar Tree</i>, grocery store flowers, maybe a stuffed animal or boxed candy and calling it love!<b> I'm not knocking any of these as long as the Giver has put some thought into it! But if you're doing it just for show...then send me a text with an emoji!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> But Sisters, how do you respond to something like that when you <i>really want</i> t<i>o hold onto the relationship?</i> When you vowed to God you'd hang in there no matter what if you're married!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Many Christian women are in relationships that are high maintenance and just down right messy! It's not that you are <i>unequally yoked</i><i> </i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%206%3A14&version=NIV" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:14</a> but you have a spouse or significant other who doesn't affirm you the way you desire. A great guy in every other way but <i>not fluent in your particular love language</i>!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>These</b> <b>DIFFICULT</b> <b>relationships</b> <b>require more than a once or twice a year compulsory show of affection. They need something</b> <b>EXTRA to survive! Something <i>stronger </i>than sentiment, <i>more authentic than</i> </b><b><i>materialistic expressions</i></b><b> hyped by culture. THEY NEED ANCHORED LOVE!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">ANCHORED LOVE DEFINED</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span>Click Here</span><span>:</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206%3A27-36&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 6:27-36</a><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Anchored love is living out the mandate of Jesus who compels us to love those who don't deserve it</b>. <i>To serve without thank yous</i>, <i>sacrifice without complaining,</i> and <i>to</i> <i>forgive over and over</i>. <b>It is the essence of <i>Agape</i> <i>love--</i></b> <i><b>unconditional and usually non-reciprocal. </b></i> Different than<b> <i>Eros love (</i></b><b>romantic, emotional, or physical) </b>it does not dissipate over time! More intense than<b> <i>Philia</i> <i>love (friendship) which has its place</i> in marriage but if that's all you have it's no more than a transactional agreement--what you can get out of it!<i> Agape love </i></b><b>is the highest form of love! </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>When you don't get the attention or gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and the like, Anchored love will remind you that beautiful flowers will die! Candy will be eaten with nothing left but wrappers in a few days! Jewelry will get lost among the multitude of other items in your jewelry box! But not so with Anchored love!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">ANCHORED LOVE SEALED</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Click Here:</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%201%3A13&version=NIV" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:13</a><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Messy relationships are <i>hard </i>but are easier to navigate if they are<i> sealed in Christ.</i> This is a fact! </b>You can't show or receive <i>Anchored love with grace</i> on your own<b>. John 15:5b reminds us that <i>without God we</i> <i>can do nothing.</i> Without the Holy Spirit you will not love the way Christ commands. </b>Reliance on the Holy Spirit enables you to <i><b>love past disappointments! Feel</b></i> <i><b>joy in meager efforts</b> <b>of affection!</b></i> And keep you from <b><i>Facebook Envy</i></b> as you scroll through pictures of elaborate gifts and dinner! <b><i>You</i></b> <b><i>have peace knowing your true self worth and are satisfied that bills are paid, your children are cared for; and when you really need him, he'll be there</i></b>! <b>This is the Spiritual fruit of a love <i>sealed in the Holy</i> <i>Spirit </i>(Galatians 5:22)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">ANCHORED LOVE DELIVERED</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Click Here:</span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205%3A8&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 5:8</a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>No Valentine exists that can compare with the love Christ shows for those who trust in Him! From the time of Adam, we've had a messy relationship with the Lord! Yet, He loves us still! </b>We are the crown of His creation (Psalm 8:5)<b>. On Calvary He sent His love to us </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">signed sealed and delivered! </i><b>A valentine fashioned on a blood-stained cross. With the stripes from beatings He wrote to the world: </b><b style="font-style: italic;">Will You Be Mine!? </b><b>An Elaborate dinner awaits all who will accept Him as Savior (Revelation 19:6-9) and we are sealed forever more in His love (Ephesians 4:30)!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Dear Sisters, Dionne was right! What the world needs now <i>IS LOVE</i> but NOT the artificial kind! We need <i>ANCHORED LOVE</i>.... even if it comes wrapped in MESSY RELATIONSHIPS!</b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEdvEycZrwLx7C1MGX090oFDRWlruHuLUNwnSHC3tfqzoACJ3lysLqZQKjETPhAbIjoyyencelymK78s3pHRjBoFP0Hbl28iTYwUVrv0OV3J2b1fVmIGI4rqcwlcVUtBZn0q7-blGeIZ5ZqCWK7RfoUVuKHOwb9AuZEmcTKtxdvHiwTpl0Vi8uXWmlp_w/s626/heart-with-christian-cross-vector-heart-icon-isolated-religious-conceptual-symbol_118339-1892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="626" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEdvEycZrwLx7C1MGX090oFDRWlruHuLUNwnSHC3tfqzoACJ3lysLqZQKjETPhAbIjoyyencelymK78s3pHRjBoFP0Hbl28iTYwUVrv0OV3J2b1fVmIGI4rqcwlcVUtBZn0q7-blGeIZ5ZqCWK7RfoUVuKHOwb9AuZEmcTKtxdvHiwTpl0Vi8uXWmlp_w/w253-h253/heart-with-christian-cross-vector-heart-icon-isolated-religious-conceptual-symbol_118339-1892.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME..</span><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></b></i></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;"><br /></b></span></div></div><p></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-74582941924709982882024-01-09T07:56:00.000-08:002024-01-09T09:24:30.260-08:00HOLD FAST! The ANCHOR of HOPE<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp8ixhftU9cm74U-1O4xvQWVoUPIUQWjafMI9TJ7ezBMRA8UxLaJ2Sqryrc76Jvkh7dl2x_cmmo-gqoYTVUa6Aaz9y4b7XnGTavilgYBGIgnQ-aWHNuVmMH3yA-32daMlNa7WMNeFUH9yp1R5Gk3ZATCLIkJCDlUNPEiBYdUvva6daJ8dbq7PR7QEdSrB/s600/photo-1597910037310-7dd8ddb93e24.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp8ixhftU9cm74U-1O4xvQWVoUPIUQWjafMI9TJ7ezBMRA8UxLaJ2Sqryrc76Jvkh7dl2x_cmmo-gqoYTVUa6Aaz9y4b7XnGTavilgYBGIgnQ-aWHNuVmMH3yA-32daMlNa7WMNeFUH9yp1R5Gk3ZATCLIkJCDlUNPEiBYdUvva6daJ8dbq7PR7QEdSrB/s320/photo-1597910037310-7dd8ddb93e24.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Picture credit: Sam Moghalam Khamseh<br />from [Unsplash]</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b> A</b></span><b>m I the only one who senses Year 2024 will be particularly unsettling? </b>I'm definitely a <i>landlubber</i>, one uniquely comfortable on the <i>shores of life, </i>but recently I've developed the heart of a mariner. I'm diligently looking out to sea and preparing for the uncertainty of a coming storm.<br /><p></p><p> <b>From childhood I've heard this sailors rhyme:</b> <i>Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning!<b> </b></i><b>What I didn't realize was its biblical source: JESUS!</b></p><p><b> Matthew 16:1-4 reads like this: </b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span> <i>The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew a sign from heaven. </i></p><p><b><i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">2</span> </span><span style="color: #990000;">He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #990000;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span>And in the morning, it will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></i></b></p><p><i><b> </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 </span>A wicked and adulterous generation seekers after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them and departed.</i></p><p><b>Like the ancient religious leaders we often demand of God a sign from heaven to help us, guide us even comfort us through the storms yet to come but do we not see that it has already been given? IT IS HOPE!! God tells us not to FEAR but to Hold Fast to OUR HOPE IN CHRIST perfectly illustrated in I Thessalonians 5:21-22 <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/1-thessalonians/passage/?q=1+thessalonians+5:21-22#:~:text=21%20Prove%20all%20things%3B%20hold,from%20all%20appearance%20of%20evil." target="_blank">Click Here</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>TEST ALL THINGS!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">We are inundated with information: <i>truth, half-truths and down right lies!</i> </b><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">It comes from everywhere </span></span>and very little can be trusted. What is true for us now was the same for the Apostle Paul who gave this warning to the Christians at Thessalonica! In the first few verses of this chapter he tells them to be awake and alert for Christ could come at any time! To live as children of light in this dark world. In other words don't '<i>fall for the okie doke'</i> as the Old school saints would say: examine or test, <i>the validity of the information you receive with the Word of God </i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Click Here</b></span><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>:</b></span> <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/romans/2-18.html#:~:text=Romans%202%3A18%20in%20Other%20Translations&text=18%20You%20know%20what%20he,informed%20on%20the%20latest%20doctrines!" target="_blank">Romans 2:18</a></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>HOLD FAST!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Even with thorough examination of the Word and the discipline it demands, Christians may have difficulties </b>but<b> </b>we must not give up! <b>To hold fast in nautical terms means to<i> grab on to something solid and secure to keep from being swept overboard. </i> </b>I don't have to tell you how rocky the seas of change are today. Even as I write socially, politically, mentally, economically~we are experiencing it all! <b>Yet, The Lord Jesus Christ the Rock on which our anchor of hope holds will keep us steady, keeping us true to all that we have learned! <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Click Here:</span> <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+7:24-27" target="_blank">Matthew 7:24-27</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>AVOID EVIL!</b></span></span></p><p><b>There was a reason in Jesus' High Priestly Prayer recorded in John 17:15 that He asked God not to keep us from the cares and woes of this world or its deadly influence. </b>He didn't ask that we be spared by way of escape at all but to be protected from the evil one." He then in the 17th verse exclaimed: <b>"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth!" If we know TRUTH then we know EVIL when we see and hear it! So its incumbent upon us to avoid even its "appearance"as shown earlier in I Thessalonians 5:22. <i> TEST, HOLD AND AVOID EVIL! </i>Do this and your anchor will hold!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>IN TIMES LIKE THESE</b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>In times like this you need a Savior,</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>In times like these you need an anchor,</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Be very sure, be very sure</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Your anchor holds and grips the Solid rock!</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Hymn by Ruth Caye Jones, Copyright 1944)</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">MORE SCRIPTURES TO ENCOURAGE YOU: Hebrews 10:23-25; Mark 9:23; Psalm 71:14; Romans 12:12; Romans 15:13; Jeremiah 29:11; I Peter 1:3; Isaiah 40:31</span></b></p><p><i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME..</span><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></b></i></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.</b></span></p><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;"><br /></b></span></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-29162721096875427182023-12-09T07:14:00.000-08:002023-12-09T07:14:22.236-08:00UNHAPPY "HOLY" DAYS!!!<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphBNOG8szGqE9Zs72p62fHh8Hm2x3xxAa6ItuyHMfTMOio_CTcOPJjrwVOB1-6EO5Vm0YSeePg6OWJqyF7LBW2YDlFHj1wYgUpaqZHqxRoI2JdCViTgtva6cR3rR0HXJhwJYRMxGBO8aXKXFEsmIrQ_Uv5Bay13n8JKSGqrq2PRvpqDGuxQJI_dXs5laT/s4752/josh-harrison-jY_fTS7ZE98-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3068" data-original-width="4752" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphBNOG8szGqE9Zs72p62fHh8Hm2x3xxAa6ItuyHMfTMOio_CTcOPJjrwVOB1-6EO5Vm0YSeePg6OWJqyF7LBW2YDlFHj1wYgUpaqZHqxRoI2JdCViTgtva6cR3rR0HXJhwJYRMxGBO8aXKXFEsmIrQ_Uv5Bay13n8JKSGqrq2PRvpqDGuxQJI_dXs5laT/s320/josh-harrison-jY_fTS7ZE98-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Josh Harrison [Unsplash]<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up</i></b></div><b><div style="text-align: left;"><b> a guard against them day and night. (Nehemiah 4:9)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">π΅</span><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>t's the most wonderful time of the year..</b>.</span></i><span style="font-size: x-large;">π΅</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Well it should be Anyway!</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>This time of year what is commonly referred to as the <i>Christmas season </i>is really in the Christian tradition, Advent!</b> The word <i>Advent </i>simply means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. But for us it's much more. It is a time to <i>celebrate and prepare!</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b><i>CELEBRATION AND PREPARATION</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>The celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ's <i>first coming</i> and preparation for His <i>second coming </i></b> <b>(the timing scientifically unknown yet uniquely sacred to His Saints)</b>. But for many it is interrupted by<i> Bad Actors</i> of the holiday season. A powerful reminder that advent can be the <b><i>UNHOLIEST TIME OF THE YEAR! </i></b><b>God's Word warns us that as sheep among wolves we should be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves"(Matthew 10:16). </b>We need to remember that dishonorable people are also preparing with wickedly ingenuous ways to cause innocent people harm.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>SCAMS, PORCH PIRATES & IDENTITY THEFTS</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">As we move deeper and deeper into the world of technology and social media we find evil has kept pace as well! <b>Even though we are consistently warned and have expensive apps at our disposal none can guarantee <i>absolute</i> safety from theft</b>. During the holidays we are busier than ever which means that we become distracted more easily. <b>A phone call sounding like a loved one in trouble; a text from an online shopping store warning you of expensive purchases being charged are all meant to frightened you into giving up confidential information.</b> <b>FEAR</b> is a well used and faithful tactic that works during this season! <b>"But God has not given us the spirit of fear but power, love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">TEMPTATION, RELAPSES & SELF HARM</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>We must not forget that <i>every </i>danger a Saint faces does not come from outside. "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak, Jesus says in Matthew 26:41. </b>Emotions and temptations run the gamut during this season of supposed joy and festivities. <b>Everyone wants to capture the feeling of lightness and giddiness to temper at least for awhile the troubles plaguing us at other times!</b> But remember my post from a few weeks ago, <i><b>The High Cost of Misspent Emotions! For some the cost is bondage and even death!</b></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Single Sisters: Beware of <i>Holiday Hookups</i> as temporary relief from loneliness!</b> <b>Business Owners:</b> <b>avoid</b> <b>price hikes or the use of inferior materials to boost profits and make up for <i>Down Times</i> in sales! And one more! Saints don't like to talk about this one! Buying or charging an expensive outfit for a party; wearing it hiding the price tag and then returning it to the store after Christmas! THIS IS DECEPTION AND IT IS THEFT!!! (Leviticus 19:11)</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><i>CHRISTMAS, ADVENT, KWANZAA, YULETIDE</i> - Call it what you want...</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"> BUT IF JESUS AIN'T HAPPY, IT AIN'T HOLY AND YOU WON'T BE HAPPY EITHER!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME..</span><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-56436417463239937672023-11-08T04:23:00.004-08:002023-11-08T08:05:14.209-08:00A HOLIDAY "TWIST" ON THE "TOTAL WOMAN" QUITS!!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi-x_xVaTyHoxGodOg3q7uDdnVlgsPVPsBHh6pZb2kcFp2H7jpeQhRthrwNxRBEG9fgAXHn-IzvUMdB4lIvzO-2XBMOagP9psfQ5GrQifDS3auJgc1i5iHqCyzkaL8I6HiVnbbkCbsmeUXLqFrDOPw1IHdUqKSW8R-UzwIP0c1KBc3fCML9xwV1Gzve4Y/s244/Picture1.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="137" data-original-width="244" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi-x_xVaTyHoxGodOg3q7uDdnVlgsPVPsBHh6pZb2kcFp2H7jpeQhRthrwNxRBEG9fgAXHn-IzvUMdB4lIvzO-2XBMOagP9psfQ5GrQifDS3auJgc1i5iHqCyzkaL8I6HiVnbbkCbsmeUXLqFrDOPw1IHdUqKSW8R-UzwIP0c1KBc3fCML9xwV1Gzve4Y/w329-h186/Picture1.png" width="329" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">I</span><b>t's been almost four weeks and </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Total Woman: The Bible Study </i><b>is still resonating in my spirit! </b><i>How about you? Have your emotions been recently challenged? Still finding it hard to manage those negative thoughts and feelings? </i><p></p><p><b><i>Maybe Emotional Spirituality (our study theme) is not a problem for you any more! </i>Well hang on to your"Halo" Sister... <i><span style="color: #800180;">THE HOLIDAYS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!</span></i></b></p><p><b>If there was ever a time Saints could suffer a relapse in <i>Emotional Spirituality</i> it's during the holidays. Those stressful times between Thanksgiving and New Years Day! </b> Don't think because you attended a bible study or go to church each week that this year will be different! You won't find a difference in escalating grocery prices and crime. Common items you want will still be in short supply. And you"ll still feel the affects of high pressure demands on your time and money. <b>The Difference (if any) will Be In YOU! </b> <b>REMEMBER....</b> <b style="font-style: italic;">YOU'RE COMPLETE IN CHRIST! </b><i><b><u>(</u>click here) </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%202%3A9-10&version=NIV" target="_blank">Colossians 2:9-10</a></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">NOTHING MISSING, NOTHING BROKEN, NOTHING LOST!</span></span></b></i></p><p><b><i> Refresh yourself with the study's teachings by Geri Scazzero's, The Emotionally Healthy Woman: Eight Things You Have to Quit to Change Your Life (Zondervan, 2013) </i></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><i>Quit being Afraid of What Others Think! -</i> </b><span><i><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">Every year you host the family dinner but this year you don't have the time, money or energy. Yet, you don't want to disappoint or rock the boat! What should you do? Pretend you're okay with it and complain or ask for additional help or maybe a change of venue! </span><b> (click here)</b><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201%3A10&version=NIV" target="_blank">Galatians 1:10</a></span></i></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i style="font-weight: bold;">Quit Lying! - </i><span><i><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">Over spending during the holidays is almost a "given" in most households. We buy gifts you can't afford, for people you don't like, or out of guilt because somebody gave you one last year! You suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out) so you attend every holiday gathering, eat too much of the wrong things, too often but swear you'll take off the extra weight in the new year! You say it's being in the Christmas spirit, but when you step on the scales or the credit card bill comes you get depressed! Now what spirit is ruling you? </span><b>(click here)</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204%3A17&version=NIV" target="_blank">James 4:17</a></i></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i style="font-weight: bold;">Quit Faulty Thinking! - </i><span><i><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">The holidays are a perfect time to let those negative thoughts flow free! Relationships become strained and are often severely broken because of innocent words spoken that someone misinterpreted! </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #800180;"><i>We make things "personal" that have nothing to do with us! Family and work s</i></span></b><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">tresses cause nerves to be on edge and attitudes testy making us think the worse about others simply because we "feel" some kinda way! Our feelings are not reliable information. Beware my Sisters and extend extra grace in these situations! </span><b> (click here) <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204%3A8&version=NIV" target="_blank">Philippians 4:8</a></b></i></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i style="font-weight: bold;">Quit Living Someone Else's Life - </i><span><i><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">We all want to be liked and to some degree please others. But when doing so changes who you are this is a problem! Not only for us but also for God! He has made each of us unique in every part of our being. Even identical twins aren't really "identical!" Temptations abound during this season. We try to impress others with social media posts in holiday attire. Go places we don't ordinarily frequent behaving in ways that just doesn't fit who we are! Get a grip and enjoy Your Authentic Beautiful Self! God makes no mistake!</span><b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span>(click here) <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202%3A10&version=NIV" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:10</a></b></i></span></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>GO BACK TO YOUR SPIRITUAL TOOLBOX!</b></span></i></p><p><b>Everything we need to get through<i> any </i>season of life is in God's Word! </b>He knows and understands our weaknesses and flaws!<b> (click here)</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204%3A15&version=NIV" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:15</a> That's why He cautions us through the men and women of the bible to:</p><p>π¦ <b>PRAY WITHOUT CEASING</b>! <b>(click here) </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205%3A17-19&version=KJV" target="_blank">I Thessalonians 5:17</a> </p><p><b>π¦ READ HIS WORD!</b> <b>(click here)</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A16-17&version=ESV" target="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16-17</a> </p><p>π¦ <b>RENEW YOUR MIND!</b> <b>(click here)</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012%3A2&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 12:2</a> </p><p><b>π PRACTICE SELF CONTROL!</b> <b>(click here)</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209%3A27&version=ESV" target="_blank">I Corinthians 9:27</a> </p><p>π <b>EXAMINE YOUR SELF DAILY!</b> <b>(click here)</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2013%3A5&version=NIV" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 13:5</a> </p><p>π <b>REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS!! (click here)</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204%3A4&version=NIV" target="_blank">Philippians 4:4</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS!!!</span></b>π</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><i><b>UNTIL NEXT TIME...</b></i></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.</b></span></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-32676469942970987782023-10-05T07:54:00.004-07:002023-10-05T08:29:58.039-07:00THE HIGH COST OF 'MISSPENT' EMOTIONS!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21oEw4aMkXZZex3GeKxbjCFB4embbRhXbttLa3L4UCU43-hFnM1huCW_X-qaFc7ZClPfmpo8d4MUr_D7lufX9NoCbwr_2INdGBIW8BbAEUJr4W4G9B1LlHrwcYBc9XLM2QNXWcwOv1pRogFHeiv7xmTjXAEljcNrjW7QYrfQizchzd-WuU6TQVL4gK6wr/s640/smiley-2979107_640.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21oEw4aMkXZZex3GeKxbjCFB4embbRhXbttLa3L4UCU43-hFnM1huCW_X-qaFc7ZClPfmpo8d4MUr_D7lufX9NoCbwr_2INdGBIW8BbAEUJr4W4G9B1LlHrwcYBc9XLM2QNXWcwOv1pRogFHeiv7xmTjXAEljcNrjW7QYrfQizchzd-WuU6TQVL4gK6wr/w460-h203/smiley-2979107_640.jpg" width="460" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>"<i>Each of you should use whatever gift you have<br />received to serve others, as faithful stewards of<br />God's grace in its various forms." (I Peter 4:10</i>)<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">G</span><span><b>reetings Faithful Readers, excuse me if I'm a bit </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">emotional</i><b> (pun intended) but I'm just coming off an intense Bible study for women entitled: <i>Total Woman: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality</i>! </b>A hundred or so of my Sisters in Christ and I took a <i>deep dive</i> into a rather sensitive area of our being and found some interesting results. </span><div><br /></div><div><b>The Bible study was a sequel to a March church event sponsored by our Health and Women's ministry.</b> An exposition and forum featuring experts gave attendees holistic approaches to our mental, physical and financial health. <b>We were informed! We were enlightened! But we needed just a little more motivation!</b> <b>Where would we find it? </b> <b>Not surprisingly, in</b> <b>The All-Encompassing Word of God!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Apostle Peter says this: <i> <b>His (God's) divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having expected the corruption that is in the world through lust. </b></i></div><div><b><i>(I Peter 1:3-4)</i></b></div><div><p></p><div><span><b>Sisters, when it comes to living the abundant life, Christ promises in John 10:10, we must consider what makes us different than God's other creations--</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Our Emotions!</i><b> </b>As God's <b><i>relational rulers</i></b> of the world, we have unique strengths in nurture and relationships </span>and can experience emotions in a very intense way! <b><i>So is this a Blessing or a Curse!? Let's explore that idea!</i></b></div></div><div><span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>Emotions are a Gift from God!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b>James 1:17 reminds us that <i>every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. </i>Humans are the pinnacle, the crown of all that God created (Psalm 8:5) and with that royal position comes heavy responsibilities and accountability!</b> Who but mankind can enjoy the relationship we have with Almighty God. <b>We can speak to Him; feel His presence, and He even shares His secrets with us (Psalms 25:14)! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i><b>Emotions are Powerful and Must Be Controlled!</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Much like dynamite or nitroglycerin, our emotions are fragile and can become explosive!</b> <b>When sin entered the world it <i>tainted</i> all that God created and certified <i>Very Good</i> (Genesis 1:31)</b>. This included emotions residing deep within our human nature <b>(Romans 5:12).</b> Therefore, we were forced into a battle between <b><i>God's intended good</i> <i>and Satan's evil purpos</i>es</b> <b>(Genesis 50:20).</b> <b>Driven by our thoughts, desires, and beliefs we're in a brutal but not hopeless battle. Still, this fight takes incredible <i>Spiritual Energy!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>Emotions Need an Outlet!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b>When <i>ignited,</i> emotions have to go somewhere! Even the negative ones! </b> We just have to make sure they end up in the right place. <b>We do ourselves no favor when we pretend we don't feel what we feel! </b>Culturally, the world has </span>distorted God's design for human emotion: <b><i>Men are not supposed to cry! Women are too emotional! People show strength when they suffer in silence! If it feels good do it! </i></b>Any of these taken out of proper context can lead to devastating effects. <i><b>That's why we need to count the cost (calculate the consequences) </b></i><i><b>for the emotional </b></i><i><b>energy we expend in all situations!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Emotions have a Cost </span></i> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><div><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">The subject of</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> stewardship</i><b> (using and managing resources for the glory of God) generally comes about when talking of tithing or some type of giving in the church! </b>We are cautioned about where and how we spend our money<b>.</b></span><b> But it goes way beyond that. It covers all of God's gifts: Time, Money, Talents, Health, Relationships, Energy, Climate, Information. Everything we have as an asset is gifted to us and GOD</b><b> OWNS IT ALL!</b><b> (Psalms 24:1-2) Like everything, all mentioned have a cost and if abused or used neglectfully can be very expensive!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>1. ANGER: </b>Jobs/careers (yours or your family's); friends, or even loss of life</div><div><b>2. JEALOUSY: </b>A precious relationship; your integrity, bondage to unhealthy behaviors</div><div><b>3. ANXIETY: </b>Physical health issues and mental disorders of every kind</div><div><b>4</b>. <b>STRESS: </b>All of the above and can Spiritually put you in a free-fall of hopelessness and depression</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>Negative Emotions Can Be Redirected!</i> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>(The Word of God is the best resource for developing a plan to steward and manage our emotions.)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div>Although<b> </b>the word <i>emotion</i> never occurs in the bible, there are many examples given of its positive and negative results. <b>Unlike many self-help manuals or therapeutic regimens, Emotional Redirection begins with a <i>Change of One's mindset</i> and conforming it to Christ's (Philippians 2:5; Romans 12:2).</b> We then move to a more effective course in <b><i>Behavior Modification</i></b>: <i><b>The </b></i><b style="font-style: italic;">Put off and Put on Principle (Ephesians 4:22-24). </b> <b>We finalize with a</b> <b>Maintenance Program</b><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b><b style="font-style: italic;">of Prayer, Praise, and regular Power Fillings of the Holy Spirit </b><b>(Galatians 5:16; 5:22) </b></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>All of America seems to be on a Health Kick! Work Out, Eat Plant Base, Fast, and Sleep More! Yet, we are STILL one of the most Emotionally Unhealthy countries in the world. Without a doubt we are the most violent and our current government officials in shameful disarray! </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>These are God-Size Problems to be sure! But we can help by taking care of ONE of them!!! Ourselves! Let's commit to getting Emotionally Healthy and then Pass it On to Others! <span> Not to do so is β¦.</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">A COST WE JUST CAN'T AFFORD!</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b>UNTIL NEXT TIME...</b></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.</b></span></span></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-24786480276146527462023-09-04T04:32:00.000-07:002023-09-04T04:32:01.008-07:00THE JOURNEY ''BACK'' TO SISTERHOOD (FINALE) - Drama Queens!!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4fBwfrKK3n2k9jqSY2UoAPSxwkhSAzs9rq81otlNLL9qLb7b8o-AgQwVfML3PX8AFz7ly6y14Mfs2MXfkxgsViaAeQyiJWp7tbcMxKDncdpc4TQ5ZHkMc7mNrQLm3wdgNLSjDYPNG340mav8X2z7pXEJfYy7BY93AGiXKCNNfkNnIBp8cfFBXSdm1R_X/s275/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4fBwfrKK3n2k9jqSY2UoAPSxwkhSAzs9rq81otlNLL9qLb7b8o-AgQwVfML3PX8AFz7ly6y14Mfs2MXfkxgsViaAeQyiJWp7tbcMxKDncdpc4TQ5ZHkMc7mNrQLm3wdgNLSjDYPNG340mav8X2z7pXEJfYy7BY93AGiXKCNNfkNnIBp8cfFBXSdm1R_X/s1600/images-1.jpeg" width="183" /></a></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">W</b>hy is it that just when a sister friend relationship starts coming together, the <i>Drama Queen</i> shows up? <b> It never fails, somewhere between those wonderful fun-filled social activities and long chats of sharing, she </b><b>makes her appearance!</b></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>One little comment gets taken way out of context and before you know it...here comes the <i>drama</i>! </b>All of a sudden the conversation gets strange or even non-existent and when you ask what's wrong, the face drops to the floor, eyes water up and it all comes out..."<i style="font-weight: bold;">I never thought you would ever treat me like that...After all we've been through I thought for sure you would have my back!" </i>Always over the top with everything <i>normal stuff </i>doesn't happen to a DQ, it's a national crisis in her life.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>But Lord, you gotta love those Drama Queen Sisters. I mean REALLY, the Lord says you HAVE TO! I Corinthians 13:7 says this:<i> </i></b><i>Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</i></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /><i></i>The best way to handle a Drama Queen friend is to not feed into her theatrics. <b>Down play the seriousness of the situation </b>and although it will take a few times for her to get the message; it won't be long before she moves on to the next person. <b> Remember no <i>Diva wants to play to an empty theater! </i>It's no fun if she doesn't get the right response.</b></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>A second way, is to set limits to how long you will give them a listening ear. If on social media, simply stop responding! If you're face to face, find a way to shorten the conversation. </b>Move to another conversation as quickly as possible. Not rudely but firmly give your attention to another person in the room or even distance yourself by focusing on an activity that will take you away from the situation. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b><b>Now of course a real Drama Queen will want to tag along or even hunt you down if you escape too quickly. But you can honestly tell her that <i>this is time that you must spend by yourself to do some thinking </i>and when isn't taking a break from the busyness of this world not warranted. Even Jesus did this! (Mark 1:35-36).</b></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b><b>An opposite approach may also work. You pick a time and place and actually spend some time with her! These dear sisters are starving for attention, but seeking it in highly annoying and inappropriate ways! </b>Let her vent for a few minutes and then stop her with some thought-provoking questions. Keep them rational and objective, free from emotion:</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /><b>Did this really happen, just like that? Have you prayed about it? </b> <b>What three things could you do to address this issue? </b>The point is to try to reduce the emotional fuel behind all the theatrics and help her think through the issues.<b><br /></b><br /><b>Last but not least, make sure the Drama Queen knows that she is not the only sister that you can connect with as a friend, companion, or acquaintance. </b>As much as she would like to believe that you simply cannot live without her, prove to her that her friendship although cherished will not be allowed to consume you emotionally or your time!</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>By all means, treat your Drama Queen sister with patience and tenderness. Pray for her, pray with her but do not handicap her by feeding into a behavior that will eventually devastate all her relationships and actually pushes God off the throne of her heart.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>UNTIL NEXT TIME...</b></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 18px;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.</b><b><br /></b></span><p></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-18545652969220355282023-08-04T04:59:00.000-07:002023-08-04T04:59:03.906-07:00THE JOURNEY "BACK" TO SISTERHOOD! - Tell The Truth!!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fwUIecW3pSxcR9l94XHMXwPIZaHaWiwIKOGZo2K2GYtA4DpK98Ey_I3CiPoCJbO6vwYMv-KrugDOfguOI6W0XHHWVUwz65FZ64Dg60hnc_xqKq1zwHCZnOFqTIcprqPSrB1JheKvypYibgp795LMXPn-ohUNw3YM06C_Fqw5zBTpi2ZNk1AOabR_h9DF/s200/images.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="200" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fwUIecW3pSxcR9l94XHMXwPIZaHaWiwIKOGZo2K2GYtA4DpK98Ey_I3CiPoCJbO6vwYMv-KrugDOfguOI6W0XHHWVUwz65FZ64Dg60hnc_xqKq1zwHCZnOFqTIcprqPSrB1JheKvypYibgp795LMXPn-ohUNw3YM06C_Fqw5zBTpi2ZNk1AOabR_h9DF/w174-h131/images.jpeg" width="174" /></a></div><span><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">I</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>n last month's blog, I challenged "Real Sisters" to show love, patience, and forbearance with those often touchy, and difficult women in our lives. </b>The recent Pandemic tested our <i>sisterhood relationships</i> in incredible ways, leaving some of the most cherished ones, lying in the dust! The purpose of this series is to <i>recapture </i>the essence of what <i>true sisterhood </i>is really like! </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I asked you to finish a list already started and here are a few of your comments in "blue":</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"ONLY A REAL SISTAH ....."</span></b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b style="color: #333333;">1. Will tell you about a good store sale even though you've just had a big argument! </b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b style="color: #333333;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: 400;"></span><b style="color: #333333;">2. Listens quietly to your drama but won't let you hang up until she's prayed for you!</b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b style="color: #333333;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: 400;"></span><b style="color: #333333;">3. Gives you space to develop a relationship with others without getting offended! </b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b style="color: #333333;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: 400;"></span><b style="color: #333333;">4. Loves you enough to tell you when you're wrong and tries to get you back on track!</b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b style="color: #333333;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;"></span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">5. Will complement you when you look good in something you're wearing but tell you the truth if it doesn't look right on you.</span></b></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b>6. A real </b></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b>sister doesn't have to call you every day but has your back when you need her.</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b>7. Will listen patiently when you "vent" and show the ugly "you" but never reveal a word you have said.</b></span></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">In Other Words</span></p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Is a friend truly a friend if she won't be honest with you? </b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"> The politically correct answer is, of course not! You want a true sister friend to be comfortable and trust worthy enough to tell you the truth about yourself when it is needed. </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">But what happens when that's put to the test? </b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"> </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">When she tells you something you don't want to hear and can't even believe!</b><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">I'm not talking about making judgment calls, character assassinations, or otherwise petty comments we women indulge in. </b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Just being brutally honest in order to protect you from harming yourself or another and desiring to see God's best for your life.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The truth is that we all have <i>blind spots</i> when it comes to admitting to things that put us in a bad light! </b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">It might be our behavior, our attitude, sometimes even our loved ones. All these are deeply personal and can trigger emotions in us so ferocious that it would make a football defensive linebacker cower down!</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Very much like when driving, a </b><i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">blind spot </i><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">is</b><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"> </b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">something very close and so obvious that it should be readily seen, but isn't. In this case it is something we ignore because it is unpleasant or too difficult to deal with. </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Now who can't relate to that? But this is where a <i>true</i> friend is needed to help us out! To give us perspective. Take a look at Proverbs 27:6.</b><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #990000; text-align: justify;">"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."</b></div><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #990000; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>There is a two-fold interpretation of this saying from the Bible's Book of Wisdom, Proverbs. </b> First, it tells us that we can depend on a friend telling us the truth about ourselves in a <b>trustworthy and reliable way</b>. <b>She's not going to go behind our back and bad mouth us to someone else. She's coming straight to the source! That's actually the meaning of the Hebrew word <i>emunah</i> in this scripture. It's literal meaning is "faithful".</b></span></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">But it also means that she does so with great risk! She may <i style="font-weight: bold;">wound you temporarily to bring out the good in a situation </i>but takes the chance of losing your friendship and suffer the consequences of years of anger and bitterness if it is not received well!</span></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Still, isn't it better to hear it from someone you love than in the streets?</b> That's where those phony friends (the <i>kiss butt enemies in the the verse) </i>will take it. T<b>hey have no qualms about allowing you to live in the devastation of your <i>blind spots</i> then <i>blind side </i>you with insults and abandon you when you hit the wall! </b></span></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>On our journey to learning what real sisterhood is all about. Let's think about what matters most! </b>Instead of gathering to ourselves <i style="font-weight: bold;">silly sisters</i> willing to tell us what we want to hear; let's find some <b>mature women </b>with enough love to tell us what we need to know,<b> and back bone and patience enough to take it, when we </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">go foul</i><b> on them and lash out because we don't want to hear it!</b></span></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>UNTIL NEXT TIME...</b></span></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><p></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space.</b></div><p><span face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #990000; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-45255828370601416862023-07-01T10:02:00.003-07:002023-07-01T10:02:37.266-07:00THE JOURNEY "BACK" TO SISTERHOOD! - Part One<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO_0eOrH83NKAl4reGMiWvZ6hj6sP6MbQg1SIKO4TRQXyNyBnnNByfQoKG6xNv4tUqo7pNwwJ6xQ02byWoLfgTK-3XG41nyQ-ytSe_ycH3M2uuxZA-b7U60EFKxxgZueIQHAU0-bfpiCkYTRtE7BX8P8HDcoAukQyUvmsXgm6qS3GoeT6cWkBBqmatDul/s188/sisterhood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="188" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO_0eOrH83NKAl4reGMiWvZ6hj6sP6MbQg1SIKO4TRQXyNyBnnNByfQoKG6xNv4tUqo7pNwwJ6xQ02byWoLfgTK-3XG41nyQ-ytSe_ycH3M2uuxZA-b7U60EFKxxgZueIQHAU0-bfpiCkYTRtE7BX8P8HDcoAukQyUvmsXgm6qS3GoeT6cWkBBqmatDul/s1600/sisterhood.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Bear one another's burdens...<br />Galatians 6:2</b></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><b><i>It's been almost four years since the COVID Pandemic and we're still feeling its effects! One close to home for me, is how social distancing, vaccine controversies, and technology altered treasured relationships - especially with my Spiritual sisters!</i></b></p><p></p><p><b><i>With this in mind, I'm reposting a series written several years ago to remind us to value old connections and give insights for keeping new connections fresh and vibrant no matter what comes next!</i></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> <span><span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span><i><b> * * * * *</b></i></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #800180;">Me and you, us never part, (Makidada); Me and you, us have one heart,</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #800180;">(Makidada); Ain't no ocean, ain't no sea (Makidada); Keep my sister</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #800180;">away from me (Makidada)...</span></i></b></div><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></b></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(From the movie, <i>The Color Purple,</i> 1985, Warner Bros. Films)</span></b></div><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span> </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><b>can't help it</b>. Every time I come across a rerun of this Stephen Spielberg film, I have to watch at least this part: </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Celie and Nettie's heart wrenching love expressed so poignantly in their clapping song</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">. (<b><i>Makidada </i></b>is Swahili for <b>"Little Sister!") </b>Maybe it's because it conjures up afresh, the love I have for my own sisters, all four are now with the Lord. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">All those things they used do that drove me up the wall, doesn't really matter. </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The personality flaws</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">, </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">annoying habits</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">, </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">and even the occasional underhanded schemes to get what they wanted is of no concern. This fact remains...<i>ride or die...</i>we were sisters and not even eternity will change that!</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"> </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> Nothing will keep us apart! Our relationship was not by <i>personal </i>choice but came down <i>biologically </i>through our parents...simply put, we're blood! </b><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">This is not unlike our <i>Spiritual Sisters. </i>They<i> </i>do not come by choice, but through our Savior, Jesus Christ. We're also Blood! United and sealed with <i>His </i>Blood throughout eternity (Ephesians 4:5-6). </b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"> Why then do we exhibit such intolerance, impatience, and down right hostility when offended by a Sister in Christ?</span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> I understand that we are all human, with real feelings and emotions. It hurts when wounded by another Saint! But I also realize that none of us are ALWAYS <i>operating in the Spirit </i>(Galatians 5:22). </b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Which means we're open to attack by another Christian at any time. And by no means are we exempt from doing some </span><i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">sniping </i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">of our own. So get used to it!</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Still the Bible refuses to give us a pass! </b><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">W</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">hat would happen if we took that </span><i style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth </i><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">adage literally (Matt. 5:38)...</span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">we both would</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"> </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">end up blind with no teeth!</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"> God insist</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">s</span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> that for the sake of <i>Spiritual Sisterhood, </i> we learn to <i>rejoice when persecuted (Matthew 5:11-12) and forgive those who wronged us (Ephesians 4:32). </i>I know...</b><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">I know, it sounds straight up crazy, counter intuitive, inane, even impossible....But doesn't it sounds just like Jesus?</b><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"></span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Relationships are incredibly complex and none are so complex as those between women! It takes work, it takes prayer. But let me tell you if you can find a way to work it out, it is well worth the effort! I'd like to start a little Sister Good will with a list on this blog. Let's create some positive love language for sisters. I've put a few thoughts down but I want to hear yours. Please read, add your own comments then post on your favorite social media site. Not on FB, IG, or Twitter? </b><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><p></p><div><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the pencil and the no comments will change to a writing space. I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! HERE WE GO!</b></span></span><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;"></span><b>"ONLY A REAL SISTAH ....."</b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b>1. Will tell you about a good store sale even though you've just had a big argument! </b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;"></span><b>2. Listens quietly to your drama but won't let you hang up until she's prayed for you!</b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;"></span><b>3. Gives you space to develop a relationship with others without getting offended! </b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;"></span><b>4. Loves you enough to tell you when you're wrong and tries to get you back on track!</b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;"></span><b>5.</b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;"></span><b>6.</b><br style="font-weight: 400;" /><b><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 400;"></span><b>7.</b></b></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-30984009129890098702023-05-30T06:51:00.000-07:002023-05-30T06:51:42.905-07:00SECRET THINGS!!!<p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1rTd9yeESCVGHqeSj3W_8r97pp2JWnIs64HJF3OB_udo_8IXubEReRJ5i_2k5GzpIc20QVa-YxFltoglscihb-uiiwz8DBZoxbA6aPLON41I1V5HzY9ejGv2QeuwuAnlC7x-IHVyyEHCAAqrtIHyE2Oi3TlTZeQ6ZE-0T7STECoj9s5AnZShumvCbw/s400/photo-1661930309081-113e4019aa27.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="400" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1rTd9yeESCVGHqeSj3W_8r97pp2JWnIs64HJF3OB_udo_8IXubEReRJ5i_2k5GzpIc20QVa-YxFltoglscihb-uiiwz8DBZoxbA6aPLON41I1V5HzY9ejGv2QeuwuAnlC7x-IHVyyEHCAAqrtIHyE2Oi3TlTZeQ6ZE-0T7STECoj9s5AnZShumvCbw/w247-h170/photo-1661930309081-113e4019aa27.jpeg" width="247" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo image from Unsplash</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>hat is so intriguing about a secret? </b>Is it the <i>delicious</i> power of knowing something only you or a few know? Does it create an <i>exclusive</i> bond of trust with another? Or maybe it just makes you feel <i>special</i>?<br /><p></p><p> <b>Knowing and keeping secrets from a human perspective <i>can</i> lead to negative and <i>sometimes</i> dangerous consequences.</b> But this is not so when the <b>One who holds the Secrets can be Totally Trusted!</b></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><i><b>The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)</b></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>God is the Ultimate Secret Keeper!</b> <b>Even those who won't acknowledge Him will agree! For there are some things that Believers and Non-believers share when it comes to wondering about the Secret Things of God! Such As..</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>SECRETS ABOUT HIMSELF!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>God is both Transcendent and Immanent: </b>God cannot be understood or seen physically in<b> </b>our<b> </b>natural and finite state.<b> </b> He is invisible and no one can see Him and live. (John 4:24; Exodus 33:20) Yet, He IS knowable! He dwells and is ever present within us with His Spirit. (I Corinthians 3:16; Acts 17:27-28) In the spirit we are empowered, strengthened and comforted by His presence. He is never far away from His children!</li><li><b>He has No Beginning and No End: </b>God is Self-existent. He was not created not even in the minds of others (as some would have you believe). He is Sovereign and is not dependent on any one other than Himself. He exists solely for His own purposes and will be so for eternity. (Colossians 1:16-17)</li><li><b>His Wisdom is beyond our understanding: </b>Even the <i>knowable </i>parts He <i>reveals</i> will cause us to <i>scratch our heads</i>! Some things we just won't understand. That is why our relationship with God is built on FAITH. We just have to Trust Him! (Isaiah 55:8-9; Hebrews 11:1)</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">SECRETS ABOUT HIS CREATION!</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The Universe: </b>Man estimates that the observable universe has at least <i>two trillion</i> galaxies. Our earth is located on the Milky Way and is just one of them! So, <i>could there be life then on other planets?</i></li><li><b>The Human Body: </b>The adult body has about five liters of blood circulating through it continuously. It also has an average of five million pores (tiny holes) in the skin that allows it to breathe and rids the body of toxins. <i>Yet there's never a leak of that blood or any blood loss at all unless an injury occurs from the outside. How could this be?</i></li><li><b>Plant Life:</b> A mustard seed is only 1-2 millimeters in diameter (a pencil dot) but can produce a tree 2.7 meters tall (2,700 times its size). <i>Who but God could do this?</i></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="color: #38761d;">SECRETS</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">ABOUT SPIRITUAL MATTERS!</span></b></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Why an All-Powerful God allows Evil</b> (Romans 8:28) </li><li><b>How One Man's death secures the Salvation of uncountable souls throughout generations </b>(Romans 5:12)</li><li><b>What happens during physical death</b> ((I Corinthians 15:55-58)</li><li><b>When Christ is coming back</b> (Matthew 24) </li></ul></div>You may have noticed that no commentary, only scripture is given for this last section. This is because man is STILL grappling with these questions and God is showing us the only place an answer can be found and the only ones He will share it with!<div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><i>The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and He will shew them His covenant.</i></span> <span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29);"><i>(Psalm 25:14)</i></span></span></b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); color: #38761d; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(56, 118, 29); color: #38761d; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><b>THE SECRET IS IN THE <u>BOOK</u>!!!!</b></span></div><p></p><div><br /></div><div><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="text-align: center;"></b></span></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span>If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </span></i></b></p><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></i></b></div></div></div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-36625518893178336812023-05-04T09:46:00.000-07:002023-05-04T09:46:11.995-07:00There's Nothing Like the Feeling of 'NEW'!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HF6XwptzBn_2KY5h-X4bVcnyT-2TZXyS99AV8f6dEvSC3WAsLGIWZb86ZrOPr2dIYqAJ6rsJgrlFZiFB3MhcA1b1SKu7Vjm8p4qNjfIt6cBMXskqIVmADlF0Oyg6-wPojJGAr9xVzyPYKMRmjEmFHaqaMpo-ukRWGAvP6LcOGrSfJtYlYySfC2oq3w/s600/photo-1678723782413-89b86181ab1d.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HF6XwptzBn_2KY5h-X4bVcnyT-2TZXyS99AV8f6dEvSC3WAsLGIWZb86ZrOPr2dIYqAJ6rsJgrlFZiFB3MhcA1b1SKu7Vjm8p4qNjfIt6cBMXskqIVmADlF0Oyg6-wPojJGAr9xVzyPYKMRmjEmFHaqaMpo-ukRWGAvP6LcOGrSfJtYlYySfC2oq3w/s320/photo-1678723782413-89b86181ab1d.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><b> </b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b> </span><b>am of the generation that still appreciates things that are <i>new!</i> Southern born from a family of ten children, we didn't always have the luxury of buying or wearing things straight from the manufacturer.</b><p></p><p><b>I guess that's why I still love the smell of a new car; the comfort of a brand new mattress, or the sound of new appliances <i>doing their thing</i>, softly and efficiently. </b></p><p><b>Not <i>new</i> as in cheap or artificial. There's plenty of that kind of stuff. Things quickly made to satisfy the desire to look rich without paying the price. But that which is authentic, long lasting and of the highest quality.</b></p><p><b>The greatest example of the <i>Newness </i>I'm referring to is when the Lord led me to this particular Bible verse early in my Christian life:</b></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (</span><span style="font-size: medium;">2 Corinthians 5:17)</span></span></i></b></p><p><b>Although, I am no longer deprived of new things <i>materially</i>, I am STILL in awe of my God Who allows me to experience this <i>new</i> feeling <i>spiritually</i>.</b></p><p><b>π NEW MERCIES that awaken me each morning - <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lamentations%203%3A22-23&version=NIV" target="_blank">Click Here</a></b></p><p><b>π </b><b>NEW FORGIVENESS for my sins - <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201%3A9&version=NIV" target="_blank">Click Here</a> </b></p><p><b>π </b><b>NEW NATURE controlling my attitudes and lusts -<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203%3A10&version=NIV" target="_blank">Click Here</a></b></p><p><b>π </b><b>NEW HOPE in times of discouragement and despair - <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A16&version=NIV" target="_blank">Click Here</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>As Christians we should never forget the wonder of our salvation experience! Like children who devalue and discard an item as soon as the <i>newness </i>wears off we become satisfied with the artificial when the genuine is right at hand</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Instead we should approach each day and each blessing as a season of newness in our life. Our God is </b><b>about making things Brand New! He doesn't refurbish or renovate. He completely changes us from the inside out. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Are you STILL thirsting for the FAKE when you can have the REAL DEAL my friend? Here's another reminder from God's Word:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for He makes the storm clouds. And He will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(Zechariah 10:1)</span></i></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></b></div><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="text-align: center;"></b></span></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span>If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </span></i></b></p><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></i></b></div></div><p></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-10485642922690391212023-04-03T08:31:00.000-07:002023-04-03T08:31:21.126-07:00When God Is Not Enough: Some Reflections<p><br /></p><span style="font-size: large;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGqukEyg8fugNClvdHS63HAyIYu__pFOTof6dZTlrNexCo6bpvxKjgIC7cqeaAxcmJrW6VS2H_x7U2n4JbujVQDUOQcK8y3zdz-FjxVUNACmlTK-krAT_QlJDL8afDV8e3ESjWlt9d2gkg__dHCm0VYLhVQJZY2YJVhZle3JeuVfYY4Ou5GPTKBpYBQ/s3880/i-am_nah--S4OsO0c6Ts-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3880" data-original-width="2856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGqukEyg8fugNClvdHS63HAyIYu__pFOTof6dZTlrNexCo6bpvxKjgIC7cqeaAxcmJrW6VS2H_x7U2n4JbujVQDUOQcK8y3zdz-FjxVUNACmlTK-krAT_QlJDL8afDV8e3ESjWlt9d2gkg__dHCm0VYLhVQJZY2YJVhZle3JeuVfYY4Ou5GPTKBpYBQ/s320/i-am_nah--S4OsO0c6Ts-unsplash.jpg" width="236" /></a></div></div>I</span><b>t's hard to imagine these words ever coming from a Christian's mouth:</b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> "Lord, You're just not enough!"</b></span></p><p>Yet, it happens more often than you think. If not spoken aloud, the sentiment seeps seamlessly from the deepest core of our being into our daily living. It comes out in our conversation with others. As we make future plans for ourselves or our children. When difficulties arise. <b>Even when we pray!</b> </p><p><b>The truth is that we live in a <i>Fallen World,</i> marred by sin and never meant to replace or satisfy the deepest longings of a Saint's heart (</b>Ecclesiastes 6<b>). </b>If you're finding yourself struggling with the reality of your dual citizenship--<i>in the world but not of the world </i>(Philippians 3:20). <b>Don't be Alarmed! Don't Panic! Don't get Discouraged!</b><b style="text-align: justify;"> </b></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>When God is Not Enough:</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1.</b> <b>You've Lost your Focus: Romans 12:2; Hebrews 12:2; Luke 10:38-42; Matthew 16:24</b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span>We've become distracted and over stimulated by the pitiful offerings of our surroundings. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> The Enemy competes with the Lord for our time and attention bombarding us with the </div><div style="text-align: left;"> temporal rather than the eternal.<b> Our ambitions are distorted yet gloriously affirmed and</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> we fall prey to fleshly pleasures. </b>Disillusioned when all fail, we then blame God!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2. You've Lost your Perspective:</b> <b>Matthew 6:33; I John 2:15-17; Proverbs 4:25-27; 2 Chronicles </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> 20:15</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> <span> This is a natural response to loss of focus. David, Elijah, and Jesus's disciples at some point </span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> experienced this in their lives. It can come after a great victory or a great loss, when we are fearful </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> or simply <i>just</i> <i>full of ourselves!</i> <b>It makes us think and do what we ordinarily wouldn't</b>. It creates </div><div style="text-align: left;"> doubt, stress, and fear. We forget <b>Who's really in charge </b>and are no longer beacons of hope but</div><div style="text-align: left;"> deterrents to the Gospel.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>3. You've Forgotten God's Promises:</b> <b>Numbers 23:19; Psalm 145:13; I Corinthians 1:9; </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> I Thessalonians 5:24</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b>Thankfully, the conditions described above can be temporary experiences and not a pattern<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> of your life. They are after all common to every human. <b>But we have what unbelievers do not.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> We have the promises of God! </b> One bible scholar says more than 7,000. Each of these promises</div><div style="text-align: left;"> conditional or unconditional refute any claim that God is NOT Enough! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>If I find in myself a desire</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>which no experience in this world</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>can satisfy, the most probable</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>explanation is that I was made</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>for another world.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>-C.S. Lewis, <i>Mere Christianity</i> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> <b>PRAYER FOR TODAY</b></span>: <b>"God, whom do I have in heaven but you? And besides you,</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span> <span> <span> </span></span>there is nothing on earth I desire. Let that be my prayer,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><b> </b><span><b> </b><span><b> </b><span><b> </b><span><b> </b><span><b> </b><span><b> </b><span><b> </b><span><b> </b><span><b> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span> </span></span>because you are enough. AMEN"</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="text-align: center;"></b></span></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span>If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </span></i></b></p><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></i></b></div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-18673646988036104102023-03-02T09:05:00.000-08:002023-03-02T09:05:56.536-08:00TELLING OUR STORIES!!!<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP0WBbkZMMfWB6RsCEOuFBpnU4VXMG6isdZnq359w4vGaZB2kC_DpJTchXIoWoim4ZpEY2SIwebqFHEdDPXou1pylTcTE9OEMUn536qINO-rKUcLRLlDMFMd6-IWwxY-jgpa5dhro8AScOCPbG408EmM8qOLFSVLdvChmAshiBMmGBDUHVt-ZjzW01g/s6016/christina-wocintechchat-com-rCyiK4_aaWw-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP0WBbkZMMfWB6RsCEOuFBpnU4VXMG6isdZnq359w4vGaZB2kC_DpJTchXIoWoim4ZpEY2SIwebqFHEdDPXou1pylTcTE9OEMUn536qINO-rKUcLRLlDMFMd6-IWwxY-jgpa5dhro8AScOCPbG408EmM8qOLFSVLdvChmAshiBMmGBDUHVt-ZjzW01g/s320/christina-wocintechchat-com-rCyiK4_aaWw-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Christina@WOCintechchat.com</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> <span style="font-size: large;">M</span>arch is here Sisters, and if you're in my part of the country we are experiencing some really spring like weather! </b>But don't get too comfortable it could change any time!<div><br /></div><div>Unlike the weather, the one thing that doesn't change is the powerful and positive impact women have been making in our world! <b>March is National Women's History Month! The 2023 theme is: <i>"Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories."</i></b><p>It's all about <b>highlighting the accomplishments of women past and present who have been active in print and broadcast media, television, newspapers, magazines, etc. And since technology has been the newest frontier to conquer, our presence in the world of podcasts and social media. </b>We've got plenty to talk about, to bring our unique perspective to and we're doing it! <b> Now that's exciting isn't it?</b></p><p><b>You want to hear something just as exciting? YOUR STORY!</b></p><p><b>Yes, Dear Sisters, you too have a story to tell! And looking at the way the world is trying to bend the minds of our young people, we need to get to it! FAST~ So how do you do that?! </b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">TELL YOUR FAMILY HISTORY! </span> I challenge you to find the Heroes and Sheroes in your own family and share their stories. The FIRST college graduates, FIRST preachers, FIRST land and business owners. </b> It's no secret that there is a strategic force rising within our nation to wipe out the significant contributions that people of color have made. Legislation however can not take away your history. The legacy of your family and neighbors that you can pass on!</p><p><span style="color: #800180;"><b>TELL YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY!</b> </span> In telling your story it is inevitable that something painful or even shameful from your past may rear its head. <b>This must not be hidden.</b> These are the things that if you have dealt with them makes us stronger and better. <b><i>How will generational curses be broken if they are not acknowledged? How can we teach our children to trust us rather than social media influencers if we're not honest with them about everything?</i> We're living in an age in which nothing in our past can be absolutely buried. </b>Know this, a simple google search, DNA test, or people search could possibly tell it all but out of context and without the true story! Let them hear it from us first!</p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">TELL YOUR SALVATION HISTORY! </span>I love this old adage: <i>"Every Saint has a past and every Sinner has a future!" </i> It puts us all on an even playing field! None of us is as good as we think we are! Romans 3:23 tells us, <i>All have sinned and fallen short.... </i><b>The quicker we are to give our B.C. </b><b> <i>(Before Christ) </i></b><b>testimony the easier it will be for others to understand God's Amazing Grace!</b> When sharing the Gospel of Christ <b>use your life first,<i> then</i> open the Bible! </b>It still stuns me when someone tells me, "<i>You've been a Christian so long, you just don't understand what I'm going through!" </i> <b> The flesh never forgets! We who are Overcomers struggle daily. We've just learned how to use the tools God gives us a little better than some others. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">TELL THE BIBLE'S HISTORY!</span> </b>Still confused about where to begin YOUR story? <b>Go to God's Word!</b> <b><i>HIS STORY IS OUR STORY</i>: Our CREATION, SIN, AND REDEMPTION!!!</b></p><p>M<b>y church's Prayer Ministry is doing just that! This month on our 6:30 A.M. Prayer line we're celebrating Women's History every day by telling the stories of one of our Bible Sisters! Stories of <i>Faith, Pain, Betrayal, Foolishness, Envy, Courage, and Humility.</i> If you are honest you will find your own story in the lives of one or more of these women! The good news is that you will also find God's Love, Hope, and Glory in there too!</b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">Join us: Monday- Friday: 6:30 am-6:45 am (EST) - (267) 807--9495; Access code: 181-134-529# </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="text-align: center;"></b></span></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span>If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </span></i></b></p></div><p> </p></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-61246836416314855332023-01-31T11:42:00.001-08:002023-01-31T11:42:46.709-08:00DON'T FORGET WHAT COMES AFTER SAINTS!!!!<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidut1PSKtObqcpF3DlN4xTTlOG9Uy5K4_JW61QLxTMQ5xeefdfl0HHrjb7zLTDhXOXl2mJYAW8Dz9Gd_4JBLwe45zLUC9bAk_0cY9Pw5_QGRb0ukeihe-2-smQ34_uE6kbx7uoTMk1aCEm49M9CZxs__M9nsyk91uh2auL8q9-Ste_Fpwppvg8DWdsgA/s500/photo-1497621122273-f5cfb6065c56.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidut1PSKtObqcpF3DlN4xTTlOG9Uy5K4_JW61QLxTMQ5xeefdfl0HHrjb7zLTDhXOXl2mJYAW8Dz9Gd_4JBLwe45zLUC9bAk_0cY9Pw5_QGRb0ukeihe-2-smQ34_uE6kbx7uoTMk1aCEm49M9CZxs__M9nsyk91uh2auL8q9-Ste_Fpwppvg8DWdsgA/w304-h228/photo-1497621122273-f5cfb6065c56.jpeg" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Photo by Aron Burden, Unsplash]</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">G</span>reetings Friends! It's been a minute since I've posted but all is well with me and I can proclaim with confidence that GOD IS STILL GOOD!</b> I hope as you read this you can say the same!<div><br /></div><div>We're only 31 days into the new year and already <b>I've had to regroup mentally for the changes, challenges, and chaos this</b><b> year is already showing us! But </b>hang in there <b>Help is on the way!</b></div><div><p></p><p> <i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><b>How do I know? "Cause the Bible tells me so!"</b></span></i></p><p><b>Speaking of the WORD</b>, the Lord dropped a bit of spiritual insight on me this morning that I'd like to share. Upon reading one of my devotionals, I came across what I thought was a <i>familiar verse notation </i>and upon reviewing it <i>from the Bible</i> found it wasn't what I thought it was.<b> It was the verse that <i>came after! What a gem of wisdom I would have missed if I hadn't gone just a little bit further in God's Word!</i></b></p><p>It got me wondering...about our<b> </b><i><b>deception of assumption</b>... </i>thinking you know the full meaning and context of a familiar scripture, simply because you've heard it so often. <b>Here are a few examples!</b></p><p></p><b><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Psalms 37:4 </span>- <i>Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart... BUT</i></b></div></b><b><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">π37:5 says:</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-style: italic;"> Commit your way to the Lord, Trust Him, (then) He shall bring your desires to pass. </span>It makes a big difference doesn't it? You can't just <i>like</i> what the Lord is doing, you've got to come with some responsibility and dedication of your own.</b></div></b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Romans 8:28</span> - <i>And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... THIS </i>is usually where the speaker stops ignoring all the important things that follow. Here's the rest! </b><b><span>... f</span><i><span>or those who are called according to his purpose.</span></i></b></div><div><b>π<i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> 8:29 -For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. </span> </i>Why is this important? We get pretty particular about the <i>things </i>God chooses to use to conform us to the image of His Son! Who wants to believe that <i>suffering, persecution, disabilities</i> <i>and the like</i> could actually be a Holy Calling? Yet, we cite this verse as if we do! </b></div><div><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Matthew 6:33</span> - <i>Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. </i>Sounds like a simple way of getting anything you need from the Lord! Doesn't it? The previous verses did mention food, drink, clothing and shelter. The key to interpreting this verse is summarized in the one afterwards.</b></div><div><b>π <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Matthew 6:34 says: </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-style: italic;">Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. </span>Nowhere do we get to choose our meals, style of clothing or size of our homes, but isn't that what we spend considerable time doing? By skipping the next verse we miss the whole point. Our security is not in things but faith in our loving God!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>How easy it is to get in the habit of quoting scriptures because they make us sound so spiritual, so brave, so stable....when truth be told to get the full benefit of God's Word we need to go FURTHER IN AND DEEPER DOWN!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>teaching, rebuking, correcting and training</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>in righteousness, <span style="color: #2b00fe;">so that the man of God may</span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">be thoroughly </span></i></b></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><b><i>equipped for every good work.</i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><b><i>(2 Timothy 3:16-17)</i></b></span></span></div><div><b><i><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span><br /></i></b></div><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="text-align: center;"></b></span></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span>If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </span></i></b></p><div><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></i></b></div></div><p></p></div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-85155059797588962082022-06-30T12:25:00.002-07:002022-07-01T02:35:29.189-07:00THE GENERATIONAL FAITH GAP!<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn0dnZMz8X0cxV5Fy9PBCHegz6ZcAUTd4d3_XS24UqyqwLOBqQxsVGA36w6AZgFKi-ENTdNXE9d7DSwZ-6OSMqdZqAevDxZZ1AA-XY2wSP5sx_knHaTHzGwDObNW0D7QWNxdSb6b5SX1sWbwhYY70S8b-e1_-NYAfsVdACDwVEyHG-ME0SG_MccSuKg/s510/praying-5406270__340.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn0dnZMz8X0cxV5Fy9PBCHegz6ZcAUTd4d3_XS24UqyqwLOBqQxsVGA36w6AZgFKi-ENTdNXE9d7DSwZ-6OSMqdZqAevDxZZ1AA-XY2wSP5sx_knHaTHzGwDObNW0D7QWNxdSb6b5SX1sWbwhYY70S8b-e1_-NYAfsVdACDwVEyHG-ME0SG_MccSuKg/w332-h221/praying-5406270__340.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>Image by Tep Ro from Pixabay</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b><div style="font-weight: 400;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">"</span><span style="font-size: medium;">T</span></i></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>rain up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart</b></i></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b> from it." (Prov. 22:6)</b></i></span></div><div style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><b>How many times have you heard this?</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Probably enough to give any speaker casual assent to its truths, but did it really resonate in your heart!?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><b>Here's another one!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>your mother, Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well." (2 Timothy 1:5)</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Truth be told, there exist for many a Christian parent a<b> <i>huge gap </i>between the admonition of the Proverbs writer and the confidence of the Apostle Paul in</b> <b>64 AD!</b> One can only imagine how large that gulf has become now that we're in the 21st century! <b> How do I know this? Because in an <i>openly candid </i>conversation with my 18 year old grandson it became my own reality! He point blank told me, <span style="color: #990000;">He Does Not Pray!!!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>He didn't say he didn't believe in God or that he didn't want ME to PRAY for him...he just doesn't do it himself! </b><b><span style="color: #990000;">So, what's the big deal! </span><span>But to me it's a <span style="color: #cc0000;">VERY BIG DEAL!</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(116, 27, 71);">This is the child that I personally led to a faith in Christ at the age of eight years old! Who as a </b><i style="caret-color: rgb(116, 27, 71); font-weight: bold;">grandparent </i><b style="caret-color: rgb(116, 27, 71);">wouldn't let him put a morsel of food in his mouth before saying Grace! Who made sure that overnight stays ended with a</b><i style="caret-color: rgb(116, 27, 71); font-weight: bold;"> prayer on our knees </i><b style="caret-color: rgb(116, 27, 71);">before bedtime! Who read him bible stories and on occasions when he had to go to school from our house, </b><i style="caret-color: rgb(116, 27, 71); font-weight: bold;">we prayed before he stepped out the door!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(116, 27, 71);"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(116, 27, 71);"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS FAITH?</i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f_EroprVQYt06qjtetZDm0KSqt5ciXRoXCsNpFWA3VNUDUaIEKeYY2z1NmA1U5RSDMJic-NjnQIlj7ZCPCZbfT-NY92J3AubuazyS4jOsO6ENkibHN49ampsFOoQnbFF6Uzb5hGlXXxX2cC3irTdlTiqHpXAzvXrrz-BS_frKYyGUgLQsHqADmZcug/s5184/samantha-sophia-NaWKMlp3tVs-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f_EroprVQYt06qjtetZDm0KSqt5ciXRoXCsNpFWA3VNUDUaIEKeYY2z1NmA1U5RSDMJic-NjnQIlj7ZCPCZbfT-NY92J3AubuazyS4jOsO6ENkibHN49ampsFOoQnbFF6Uzb5hGlXXxX2cC3irTdlTiqHpXAzvXrrz-BS_frKYyGUgLQsHqADmZcug/s320/samantha-sophia-NaWKMlp3tVs-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@samanthasophia?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Samantha Sophia</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/passing-on-faith?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a><br /><br /><span style="text-align: start;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table> <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I was deeply concerned! I talked to the Lord quite awhile about it! I even re-read his journal, the one I'd started before he was born and I had PROOF! <i>I have prayed <u>consistently</u> for his soul; that he grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! (Ephesians 6:4) </i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">WAS THIS NOT ENOUGH, LORD!?</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Then I began to recall the many prayer requests of parents and grandparents for covering of their <i>Prodigal </i>children. I did a literature search that confirmed the plethora of sermons, blogs, and biblical/ cultural studies regarding the lack of interest by our children in <i>All things Spiritual! </i>The conclusion for many:<i> <span style="color: #990000;">FAITH IN GOD IS NOT A PRIORITY! THE BIBLE HAS NO AUTHORITY IN LIFE DECISIONS!</span></i></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">THE BIG SURPRISE!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb9VHVvfFKuEc41q8iH3_gN_wyf3hj9Wmd66W_15I30WYEX-MwVUIg8JdneKX_3kNl4EaIVia0tvPJZ89YvWVViJmjpJp8wRML-DFNaD_pyC_lBnMKWrM3Fh5JMQEkTJ4zxfzjCvQZmnOvcfrOz6pMNxISBxlUbhHrZ0oP3jrfi2lH2DbU_q_6d0MvA/s3344/ekoate-nwaforlor-XLRivrl9mNI-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3344" data-original-width="3218" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb9VHVvfFKuEc41q8iH3_gN_wyf3hj9Wmd66W_15I30WYEX-MwVUIg8JdneKX_3kNl4EaIVia0tvPJZ89YvWVViJmjpJp8wRML-DFNaD_pyC_lBnMKWrM3Fh5JMQEkTJ4zxfzjCvQZmnOvcfrOz6pMNxISBxlUbhHrZ0oP3jrfi2lH2DbU_q_6d0MvA/s320/ekoate-nwaforlor-XLRivrl9mNI-unsplash.jpg" width="308" /></a></div></b><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@ekographs?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Ekoate Nwaforlor</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/bored?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a><span style="text-align: start;"></span><b><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>What may surprise you is that this </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Faith Gap</i><b> is not just among those from unchurched homes. Parents whose children went to private <i>Christian</i> schools; who made sure their children were in Sunday school, AWANA, Vacation Bible School, Youth bible studies and camps, even those who ministered in various positions at church fell into this camp! This is not to say that these things are not beneficial or that time and money was wasted! Just that they MAY NOT be enough when they meet the real world without you around!</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><b>START DEEP CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FAITH NOW!</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b> IF YOU DARE! Ask your sons, daughters or grandchildren </b><span style="color: #660000; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">(without fear of punishment or judgment )</span><b> any of the following questions: </b><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Be keenly aware of <i>answers designed to tell you what they think you want to hear </i>to avoid the <i>God Talk</i>! I warn you this may be uncomfortable for both of you!!!</b></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span>1. How do you <i>really feel </i>about attending church or church events?</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span>2. Do you believe that the Bible is the only truth that exist in the world?</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span>3. Is there anything in the Bible that you think might not be true for today?</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span>4. What do you think happens when people die?</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span>5. Is Jesus the only way a person can go to heaven?</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span>6. Do you pray? (If YES, how often? Do you pray when others are watching?)</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">7. Where does God fit in your personal, education or career plans?</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i><b>WHAT I'M LEARNING!</b></i></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">It's <i>NEVER TOO LATE</i> to reach a child suffering from a <i>Faith Gap</i> (one who is unsaved, uninterested in Spiritual matters, or who you believe may be saved but not walking with the Lord!</span>) <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203%3A9&version=NIV" target="_blank">Click here:</a></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Enemy wants you to believe his <i>BIG LIE </i>that <i>You no longer have influence </i> because they are not in your home! What the Apostle Paul was saying to Timothy in the scripture cited earlier (2 Timothy 1:5) was only the confirmation of Deuteronomy 11:19 <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2011%3A19&version=NIV" target="_blank">Click here:</a>. </b></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The <i>SECOND BIG LIE: The older generation is not needed! Stop sharing Christ and your life in Christ with them because they will not listen any way!</i></b></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> I was much encouraged in my research by this YouTube video by Rob Rienow, <i>Never Too Late: Encouraging Faith in Your Adult Child.</i></b></span> <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Click here:</span></b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2JAMWEkWcc" target="_blank">Visionary Parenting</a></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Four Principles Rob Rienow shares to help new and struggling parents or grandparents nurture faith in their children -- a significant source of </b><i><b>Faith Gaps in our loved ones: <span style="color: #2b00fe;">(A) Offer <u>your</u> heart to the Lord; (B) Turn your heart to your child (Luke 1:16-17; Matt. 9:36); (C) Draw your child's heart to yours (Proverbs. 23:24-26); then (D) Point your child's heart to God .</span></b></i></span></li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><b>PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AS I PRAY FOR YOU </b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><b>AND ALL OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN!!</b></span></i></div></div><div><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="text-align: center;"></b></span></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span>If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </span></i></b></p><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div></div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-17466204391461336972022-05-31T09:48:00.001-07:002022-06-01T04:42:39.386-07:00IS AMERICA LIVING BY THE SWORD?<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2bLvvYynL9ErC2sYFH5pW4cS0U6z_-mvgah9Z_gO5aHwRQOwQwnEyl7mRo0Rr7vbQieBtfcB8hC6sBH-qD--7qeV-SZtfz1ipkCqWN7YkMahmWh8oTsCjfG2_KNHH004WiYlpx98Zjf8Qo4scsCLJs7d7OQN9sqPp0Ufc-JB7tWLN771DHd8jJ5d9w/s600/grave_with_flowers_184917.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2bLvvYynL9ErC2sYFH5pW4cS0U6z_-mvgah9Z_gO5aHwRQOwQwnEyl7mRo0Rr7vbQieBtfcB8hC6sBH-qD--7qeV-SZtfz1ipkCqWN7YkMahmWh8oTsCjfG2_KNHH004WiYlpx98Zjf8Qo4scsCLJs7d7OQN9sqPp0Ufc-JB7tWLN771DHd8jJ5d9w/w310-h177/grave_with_flowers_184917.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>P<span style="font-size: x-small;">hoto : Peter Kratochvil, all-free download.com</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-size: medium;">t</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span>us</span>ed to be that the only place you'd find a flower memorial was in a cemetery or perhaps a church. Today, a drive through many urban neighborhoods will find flowers, candles, and even teddy bears marking the spot where a life was taken tragically.</b></span><div><b><br /></b><div><b>It is a common <i>Sign of Our Times!</i></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Monday, May 30 is Memorial Day in our country. It is the official holiday for remembering military, civic leaders, and loved ones passed on into eternity. For many it is the first occasion for big family cookouts!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> If you live in my vicinity, checkered flags, and race cars decorate homes and businesses, welcoming the thousands of<i> 500 Parade and Race</i> fans that come in for the weekend. But for others, like myself, it is a trip to burial grounds to pause for a moment to honor the lives of our deceased. And frankly, <i>We've had far too many of those lately!</i></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i><b>Blood Stained Communities Are Weeping!</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RODLGZrzT2gm8bSGF8Ryq9bWascd_QfojGPWgI5Y7wm1IfwU3zNUgWhIGWzyvBmkkeuvPdormsFm9QDLmqPjH-5U0lrSSVs3kQ9WlNCRcNRYWHF86i5E5Re81ge2I2Elh2iiqeQ_Rm1IGxoIUu35Z0QyGXmvvznEfK01F2Gvkh0Te2hBtSFh4dnJSw/s1920/daniele-levis-pelusi-PagYVUPlf40-unsplash-2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RODLGZrzT2gm8bSGF8Ryq9bWascd_QfojGPWgI5Y7wm1IfwU3zNUgWhIGWzyvBmkkeuvPdormsFm9QDLmqPjH-5U0lrSSVs3kQ9WlNCRcNRYWHF86i5E5Re81ge2I2Elh2iiqeQ_Rm1IGxoIUu35Z0QyGXmvvznEfK01F2Gvkh0Te2hBtSFh4dnJSw/s320/daniele-levis-pelusi-PagYVUPlf40-unsplash-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><b>Photo: Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash</b></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table></div></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Families in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas are weeping not celebrating this week! What was once considered a typical day turned into a nightmare in only a matter of minutes! Ordinary</b></div><div><b>people making a quick stop at the grocery store for a needed item and little children putting finishing touches on projects were excited about the last weeks of school. In their excitement they had no idea what was coming next. These are simple and common occurrences in America, right? <i>Well the violence that ensued has also become quite common. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>How Long and Why Here?</i></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I keep hearing every time thereβs a mass shooting that this occurs more often in America than other developed countries! Why is that so? Let's review our countryβs history! Whether you call yourself a βPatriotβ or not, guns have been a central part of our quest for βThe American Dreamβ but now this dream has become an βAmerican Nightmare!β There have been 17, 913 gun violent deaths this year as of May 30, 2022. There have been three mass shooting since May 24th! Both the acts of violence and the advocating for more guns give rise to our current crisis. Shutting off rhetoric from the arguments of both sides, I shift to a more reliable source, God's Word.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Iβm reminded of Jesusβ response to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter thought himself a protector of good against evil by using violence. He cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest during the arrest of Jesus. Matthew 26:52-54 records Jesus' response. After healing the servant's ear he says: </b><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><i><b><span style="color: #990000;">βPut your sword back in its place,β</span></b></i></span><i><b><span style="color: #990000;"> Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">βfor all who draw the sword will die by the sword. <span class="text Matt-26-53" id="en-NIV-24108"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? <span class="text Matt-26-54" id="en-NIV-24109"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?β</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I draw your attention to the questions Jesus poses in verse 54. The call for prayer and the ultimate fulfillment of scripture. Prayer is always appropriate in times like this and although we've heard over and over from political pundits: <i>"our thoughts and prayers are with you</i>!" I doubt most have actually considered prayer as a serious strategy! </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Next comes the cry for stricter gun legislation! Indeed, there are some simple yet still elusive regulations that may be helpful but the question inevitably comes up, "<i>Can you </i></b><i style="font-weight: bold;">legislate morality?</i><b>" Martin Luther King, Jr,'s answer is poignant:</b><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #990000;">"</span></i></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(55, 56, 57);"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000;">It may be true that morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. It may be true that the law cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless. The law cannot make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important also.</span><span style="color: #660000;">"</span></span></i></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Lastly, in considering whether America is <i> living by the sword. </i>We undoubtedly are horrified by the frequency of the violence we are experiencing but should we be surprised?! Even as we grow increasingly frustrated with the ineffectiveness of our leaders to do anything we know behind it all is fear or purely selfish motives. Jesus reminds us that Scripture indeed is being fulfilled not only in this present time but as it has already been done in the past. Earnest Bible readers will recall this passage in Genesis 6 during the time of Noah:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times;"><i><b><span class="text Gen-6-11" id="en-ESV-149"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">11 </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="text Gen-6-12" id="en-ESV-150"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span><span style="font-size: medium;">And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="text Gen-6-13" id="en-ESV-151"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">13<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">And God said to Noah, βI have determined to make an end of all flesh,</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.</span></span></b></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Try Living By The Sword of Truth Instead!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgEubQKJoSR_CqYJcCb4yW4Jhb_A0jx2y0m4KD0sH33NsZFK8VJt7dG9XcF4OV_gyU-woDBrNeTf4lNBpV9bhdE6rClhxQMbheNmPRT1FOy4bxUtDOKgj1sNMP8Y8L7TZjwgc31jHM0sp9s3Zp4_VynNfS8eLsO6h2hXDc_JLIXY65cvx9acS92jahQ/s4592/aaron-burden-GJZXSzjB_AY-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="4592" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgEubQKJoSR_CqYJcCb4yW4Jhb_A0jx2y0m4KD0sH33NsZFK8VJt7dG9XcF4OV_gyU-woDBrNeTf4lNBpV9bhdE6rClhxQMbheNmPRT1FOy4bxUtDOKgj1sNMP8Y8L7TZjwgc31jHM0sp9s3Zp4_VynNfS8eLsO6h2hXDc_JLIXY65cvx9acS92jahQ/s320/aaron-burden-GJZXSzjB_AY-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Photo by: Aar</b>on Burden on Unsplash</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> There is something hypocritical about the numerous references to God and His Word in American culture yet are never considered when addressing societal problems. </b><b><i><span style="color: #990000;"> In God We Trust is on our money </span></i>but avarice and greed is the cornerstones of much we deem successful.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> .<span style="color: #990000;">..<i>And justice For All</i></span> are words in our <i>Pledge of Allegiance</i> to the United States yet injustice prevails on the backs of unjust laws and use of legal loopholes that ensure it is only available to those who can buy it!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> <i><span style="color: #990000;">Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness</span></i> as stated in the United States <i>Declaration of Independence,</i> is a given right to <i>all</i> humans endowed by their Creator. But immigration laws block certain people often violently and inhumanely, from these fruits while embracing others who cross over for a better life on our shores. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Remember however, that there is a sword that one day ALL will live by and it too will bring about death and destruction. The difference will be <i>Who is Wielding it in Power</i> - CHRIST, THE LORD ALMIGHTY!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><i>From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><i>to strike down the nations, and he will rule</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><i>them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress </i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><i>of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><i>(Rev. 19:15)</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p><b style="color: red;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-58353510191449018272022-03-31T11:37:00.002-07:002022-03-31T16:39:41.815-07:00GIVING UP OUR RIGHT TO BE RIGHT!<p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKndezQTU-TIul8nS8jdwU5qz6bNz90Cng0AuWZu1uzoNxHHunVOcxIc6GXJMpJlUZNuIZbsGt7nT1sVdDVTUYajdJKJMmmphdWvmJNr6Vew1-1-xZIqCC8aOIeOvUsRh87fLhqBu-Ukg9KmXB8jPTA1p1m55i-mWwwhwp_GIik2zhGFMVQumiZ8va4w/s640/afif-kusuma-mv38TB_Ljj8-unsplash.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKndezQTU-TIul8nS8jdwU5qz6bNz90Cng0AuWZu1uzoNxHHunVOcxIc6GXJMpJlUZNuIZbsGt7nT1sVdDVTUYajdJKJMmmphdWvmJNr6Vew1-1-xZIqCC8aOIeOvUsRh87fLhqBu-Ukg9KmXB8jPTA1p1m55i-mWwwhwp_GIik2zhGFMVQumiZ8va4w/w289-h162/afif-kusuma-mv38TB_Ljj8-unsplash.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sensible people control their temper, they earn<br />respect by overlooking wrongs. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Prov. 19:11 NLT)</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: medium;">here is an African proverb that goes something like this..<i>When elephants fight, it's the grass that gets hurt!</i></span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>True Dat</i>, my friends~</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'm so over, all the mess that's going on in this world, locally and globally. </b>So much so that when we began this year's <i>Lenten season,</i> I didn't have to think too long about what I would give up as my spiritual offering! Yes, the fried foods and sweets would be a part of it but<b> I needed somehow to make a <i>Statement of Peace</i>. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, the politicians in Washington wouldn't hear it. Violators in the streets wouldn't hear it. Certainly, Vladimir Putin in Russia won't care, but <b>it would resound loudly in my own personal life and especially my home! This year I gave up my <i>right to be right! (It hasn't been easy.)</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>A 40-Day Fast In Humility</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Admittedly, I've been known on occasion to go into my <i>Right Fighting</i> bag on issues I'm passionate about.</b> Those standards and principles I believe have shaped and formed my experiences and character. <b>Heck! for most of them I could even find <i>biblical proof </i>to justify my right to fight! </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Right Fighter: A person who places a</b><br /><b>higher value on being right than anything else.</b><br /><b>Must have the last word and becomes emotional </b><br /><b>when people do not agree with them.</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">But through prayer and self reflection (the purpose of Lent) God gave me insight into what is worth fighting for and what's not! I was becoming a <i>Right Fighter, </i>dangerously on the edge of alienating some very important people in my life. Besides that, I wasn't fighting wisely or biblically! [Click here] <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2018%3A2&version=NIV" target="_blank">Biblical Wisdom</a></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>What Jesus Taught Me</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="text-align: left;">As we all should, I started my new learning curve, in God's Word. Remember the expression from years back, WWJD (<i>What would Jesus do?</i>). In this case it's what He already DID! During His 40 days in the wilderness</b><span style="text-align: left;">, </span></span><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He had multiple occasions to assert His rights and prove His divinity. But He took another approach. He got the <i>Last</i> <i>Word</i>, without having to fight for it! </span> </b><b style="text-align: left;"> [Click here]</b><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204%3A1-11&version=NIV" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Jesus in the Wilderness</a><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus' Wilderness Experience solidified three important lessons for me: </span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;">πWhen we insist on being right we miss a lot! (We learn nothing new!)</span></b><br /></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(128, 1, 128);">The Enemy is shrewd in his attacks and is a master of distraction. While we're busy loading verbal</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 1, 128); font-style: italic;"><span> </span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(128, 1, 128);">ammo to shoot down our opponent, he's filling our minds with prideful thoughts. We're going for the temporary win, while his sights are set on the long game, crippling your </i><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 1, 128);"><i>soul!</i></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(128, 1, 128);"><br /></i></b></span></div><b style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;">π</span></b><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">When we insist on being right, time and energy is wasted!</span></b><br /><b><br /></b><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>If you know that you're right, that should be enough! The Lord does not ask us to <u>prove</u> <u>ourselves</u> to anyone but Himself. When we study His Word, it's not to prove that we are great scholars, but to be approved by its Author. </i>[Click Here]<i> </i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%202%3A15&version=NIV" target="_blank">2 Timothy 2:15</a> </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>When the Holy Spirit changes us from our sinful past, we don't have to prove we have been changed to nay sayers, just go ahead and do the will of the Lord in spite of them. </i>[Click </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Here] <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012%3A2&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 12:2</a></span></b></div><p></p><div><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;">πWhen we insist on being right, it doesn't mean that it will lead to a positive change in the other person!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Trying to change the mind of someone who is as adamant about what they believe as you are is useless! For all that the Devil tried to tempt Jesus with and was proven to be outwitted and outmatched, he was still the Devil when he left Him in the wilderness. Only God can change a heart, and He will only change a mind if that person is willing!</i> [Click Here] <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2013%3A34&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 13:34</a></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>The Power of Saying....OKAY!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Jesus tests involved the </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life.</i><b> My 40-Day Fast is about half-way complete and I am dealing with the same. </b>While under attack of the Enemy (and I've had a couple of real bouts!), it would have been so easy to get into my flesh, especially when the attack seemed unprovoked and the other person clearly in the wrong! <b>The <i>Right Fighter</i> in me, was telling me to <i>Go For It! Defend your rights!</i> But the Holy Spirit, said, <i>Just Say Okay and move on! </i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><i>When I Said "Okay" This is What Happened!</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1. Tempers cooled down! </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Sometimes your opponent just wants to know they are heard. </i><b>Proverbs 15:1 says that </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">a soft answer turns away wrath; but a harsh word stirs up anger. </i>Frankly,<i> </i>I had tried this before and it didn't work, but now that I had a different perspective, <i><b>I got a different result!</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>2. "I" became less defensive!</b> <i><b>You'd be surprised what one step back and a few deep breaths will do. </b></i>In a physical battle, it is unwise to lay down your weapons, but in a <i>spiritual battle</i>, it's the wisest thing you can do! [Click here] <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2010%3A4&version=NIV" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 10:4</a> <b>We don't have to be on the defensive because the battle is not ours but the Lord's. Give it to Him knowing that your pride <i>is the only thing that will keep you from doing it!</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>3. I was more concerned about <i>my witness</i> than what others thought of me. </b> Backing down isn't easy for a <i>Right Fighter! </i>After all we've been trained to be one all our lives. <b>In school we competed to give the right answers. In sports never give the ball to an opponent and say, <i>Okay, have it your way!</i> It's just not heard of! But sometimes saying OKAY is exactly what is needed.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Being right at all costs, I've learned is too high a cost to pay if you end up miserable, bitter and alone. </b>It's too costly, if it stresses you to the point that you need medication or therapy to deal with the anxiety and pain.<b> If saying OKAY saves your sanity and a healthy relationship what so hard about itβ¦</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Sometimes Being a Right Fighter</b><br /><b>Serves No One But Yourself!</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p><b style="color: red;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div></div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-25549169270033211692022-02-28T10:04:00.001-08:002022-02-28T10:34:48.391-08:00WEβRE ALL IN RECOVERYβ¦From Something!!!<p></p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwDYS-n9hzQ4WPDL6000EG_D0ZaWcrmZrA2ubfz4teCI5Gpu61Wi-38ZQKudvD4jEH7BlNjLyizBtIP4LD6L97n5eS0Us8cbMac21SsznDLciNrV7_FlU5C396nyB810q_ddnTn-xd8pCmu8uiVMEJZ7wcCF73xorcW8oT5vCeX7rKBI3ux-WJIwjFWQ=s740" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="740" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwDYS-n9hzQ4WPDL6000EG_D0ZaWcrmZrA2ubfz4teCI5Gpu61Wi-38ZQKudvD4jEH7BlNjLyizBtIP4LD6L97n5eS0Us8cbMac21SsznDLciNrV7_FlU5C396nyB810q_ddnTn-xd8pCmu8uiVMEJZ7wcCF73xorcW8oT5vCeX7rKBI3ux-WJIwjFWQ=w304-h221" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Image provided by FreePik.com</span><span style="font-size: small;">]</span><i><b><br />For all have sinned and fall short of the <br />glory of God. (Rom. 3:23 <span style="font-size: x-small;">KJV</span>) </b></i><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <b><span style="font-size: large;">F</span>or most of my life, I've <i>skirted around </i>any dealings I might have with an addict. </b>Even if they happened to be in my own family! I loved them dearly when they were sober but distanced myself when they overindulged.<p></p><p><b>This was partly because of their obnoxious behavior.</b> As I matured a bit, it was because of my disdain for them and my arrogance. <b>After all, how weak or dense must you be NOT to know when to stop using?!</b></p><p><b>It wasn't until I began to understand the physiological and spiritual complexities of addiction that I really gained empathy for a <i>drunk</i> or a <i>druggie</i> (</b>derogatory terms I've tried never to use again.)</p><p><b>My education started when I attended a Christmas program at my church.</b> It was called, <i><b>Donβt Handicap Your Holidays With A Hangover! </b></i><b>It was presented by the drug and alcohol ministry.</b> I went to support spiritual sisters who were recovering addicts or were married to one. (We have a ministry for the latter as well). <b> I had worshipped and served with these ladies in other ministries and we had grown quite close.</b></p><p><b>Over the years Iβd heard their testimony regarding the challenges of maintaining sobriety but like many in my congregation, declined invitations to learn more. </b> Until, as they say in A.A. (Alchoholics Anonymous), <b><i>I made a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself. </i> Had I become so righteous that I could serve alongside of my sisters, even teach them the Word of God and not learn more about what they were going through? </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Recovery's Language Translated</b></span></p><p> <b>It was only as I began to learn the meaning behind terms</b> <b>I'd heard but discarded</b> (I thought they didn't pertain to me), <b>that I became enlightened! I was no longer an <i>outsider</i> in these workshops! I was in CHURCH! All this felt familiar! Below is a brief description of some A. A. terminology and how they correspond to our Biblical mandate for Christian living: </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Big Book </span>(A.A.) <span style="font-size: medium;">400 pages of principles and prayers adaptable for life altering changes.</span> </b></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bible -</span> <i><span style="font-size: medium;">66 books of principles, prayers, and illustrations for living a Christian life.</span></i></span></b></li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Denial </span>(A.A.) - <span style="font-size: medium;">A refusal to admit the truth or reality of the condition.</span></b></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Scripture: </span></b></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. </span>(I John 1:8)</i></b></span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Detox </span>(A.A.) -<span style="font-size: medium;">treatment for getting over the physical effects of substance abuse</span></b></li><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Scripture: <i>Repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (Acts 3:19)</i></span></span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Fellowship</span> (A.A.) - <span>Being with others who care and hold you accountable while you go through recovery.</span></span></b></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Church - <i>A body of believers unified in love and spirit with shared values. who study, serve and practice with you the spiritual victorious life in Christ.</i></span></b></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Program</span> (A.A.) - <span style="font-size: medium;">The <i>Big Book's</i> system of recovery - <i>The Twelve Steps of Recovery</i></span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Scripture: All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)</span> </i></span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Terminally Unique </span>(A.A.) - <span style="font-size: medium;">An addict's idea that they're exempt from the authority and counsel of the program.</span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Scripture: No one is righteous no not one! <i>(Rom. 3:10); Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. (Psalm 119:67).</i></span></b></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Recovery's Steps Simplified</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">π£</span><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">ADMIT</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> you are a sinner and </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">powerless to keep yourself from sin on a permanent basis. It is every Christian's desire to be <i>free from the</i> <i>power of sin </i>in their lives but living in this fallen world we need a consistent cleansing.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> [click here] <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201%3A9&version=NIV" target="_blank">To be Cleansed</a></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">π£ </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">SEARCH</span> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">your heart daily for areas of anger, bitterness, idolatry, or an unforgiving spirit. We often fool ourselves in thinking we're okay because we've learned to check our emotions and we do good things. But is this enough?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">[click here]</span><span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139%3A23-24&version=NIV" target="_blank">For Spiritual Check ups</a></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">π£ </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">ASK</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">for help openly and humbly, confessing every wrong to Almighty God who is willing and able to forgive you and love you unconditionally. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">[click here] <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20103%3A12-13&version=NIV" target="_blank">Forgiveness of Every Sin</a></span></b></p><p><b><span><span style="font-size: large;">π£ </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">PRAY</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span>daily for yourself and others! The journey is not over just because you dodged the Enemy's attack this time. Prayer and meditation on scripture will keep your mind and strengthen your heart as you prepare the next battle!</span></span></b></p><p><b><span><span style="font-size: medium;">[click here] <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206%3A10-18&version=NIV" target="_blank">To Dress For Battle</a></span></span></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Recovery's Road Map to Victory</span></b><br /><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">G.O.D.</span></b></p><p><b>In the world of </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Alcholics Anonymous</i><b> the acronym G.O.D. means </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Good Orderly Direction.</i><b> </b>It is a concept used to help addicts embrace spirituality as a means to overcome substance abuse. It is a <i>spiritual friendly</i> way to engage agnostics or atheists who are in recovery.<b> Sometimes the phrase <i>Higher Power</i> or a <i>power higher than yourself </i>is used. In their search for relief, addicts may have sought all types of religious experiences.</b> Somewhere perhaps they may have been offended by those who call themselves Christian, so I can understand the thought behind it. <b> </b></p><p><b>But in the world of the <i>Christian, GOD</i> is EVERYTHING! </b>God is sufficient to meet every need we could ever have. We don't have to look any further than the cross to know that He is the ultimate <b>OVERCOMER </b>of every sin and disease. <b> He is not just the GOD of our UNDERSTANDING, He is God whether we understand or not! </b>He doesn't just offer a solution for our sinful behavior,<b> HE IS THE SOLUTION! </b></p><p><b>My Christian friends in recovery always makes the distinction between G.O.D. and HOLY GOD! They will sometime talk about the BIG BOOK, but will always tell you about God's Book! What they have taught me is that I'm no better than they. I, too am seeking a way to STAY CLEAN! When I RELAPSE into sinful behavior, I go into RECOVERY--I fall on my knees PRAY and ask for FORGIVENESS and then I get up and try ALL OVER AGAIN!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><i>HI, MY NAME IS CAROLYN AND I AM A SINNER IN RECOVERY!</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><b style="color: red;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-17676530495567508482022-01-31T14:48:00.001-08:002022-02-01T02:56:43.759-08:00GOD USES BROKEN THINGS<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXy33eHQA0mlxNg0HR3PR48fYouoL8vOJTwFzpRVpN3Wxy7Y7jl3nS3zModkoqjEigbT_wHEIbgx10EHqLBBwN79J14h7TrVVTI83_wPrEuTAijabSI4h8k7J70SHShMndhMlHf7FJZCz3ywrcAJUp_gVmFV1K-PPK3UlDg7eQdmoiwd-hEf7uF1_H6A=s5568" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXy33eHQA0mlxNg0HR3PR48fYouoL8vOJTwFzpRVpN3Wxy7Y7jl3nS3zModkoqjEigbT_wHEIbgx10EHqLBBwN79J14h7TrVVTI83_wPrEuTAijabSI4h8k7J70SHShMndhMlHf7FJZCz3ywrcAJUp_gVmFV1K-PPK3UlDg7eQdmoiwd-hEf7uF1_H6A=w203-h190" width="203" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by CHUTTLESNAP on UNSPLASH</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>hat do people do with broken things? Throw them away! Set aside to fix one day! Or find another purpose for it!</b><p></p><p><b>Do you ever feel like that?</b> <b>Thrown away, tossed aside and just waiting for somebody to fix what's broken inside you?</b> <b> If so, I know Someone Who can!</b></p><p><b>The three pictures shown below represent three women in the bible that Jesus <i>Repaired, Renewed, or Repurposed</i> for His glory. He can do the same for you...if you let Him!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">REPAIRED</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihZ4KwT4QYSTaifsKWMRMBmL01K0tB3VUkNt6-5fGgJyjqcLormIfulzFPgRE9LYcLnHDJaSCUWkvMYCBM3I52l5jS1MxMiL94-nETCK9nQAmAPnv369nR6hKIIsEzGJZW_ruUzg4u1OnG7PfmQ8c4kAD16Q5aHkxzaMcZWYcnxHkrKmuasbgsA0_52w=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihZ4KwT4QYSTaifsKWMRMBmL01K0tB3VUkNt6-5fGgJyjqcLormIfulzFPgRE9LYcLnHDJaSCUWkvMYCBM3I52l5jS1MxMiL94-nETCK9nQAmAPnv369nR6hKIIsEzGJZW_ruUzg4u1OnG7PfmQ8c4kAD16Q5aHkxzaMcZWYcnxHkrKmuasbgsA0_52w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ashim d'Silva on UNSPLASH</div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>π </i></b><b>The Bleeding Woman</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208%3A43-50&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 8:43-50</a> </span><span>[click to read scripture]</span><br />Commonly known as the <i>Woman with the issue of blood</i>, this sister roamed the countryside for 12 years looking for a fix no soothsayer, prophet or seer could give. She spent all her money, endured incredible shame and frustration until one day she met Jesus, the One who answered all her prayers.<div><br /></div><div><b>A woman during her time of mentruation was considered unclean in this culture! </b> We do not know how old she was or her ethnicity but if she was a Hebrew she was a walking pariah. She could not participate in religious services. <b>Anything she touched or sat on was defiled</b>. She was not permitted to do certain house chores especially ones in the kitchen. If she was a young woman, no man would marry her. <b>If she was married her husband wouldn't have sex with her.</b> And you can imagine the dirty looks she got when passing other women on the street!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Some women today might relate to this bleeding woman. </b>They may have trouble getting pregnant because of endometriosis or some other medical condition. Lupus or MS is robbing her of the energy and funds she needs to do all her heart desires. <b>Maybe it's not a <i>physical impairment</i> but something just as personal and debilitating.</b> A past reputation that just won't die. Painful relationships that hinder her confidence and causes her to self sabotage new ones! <b>Don't lose hope dear friend! God STILL has a plan for your life!</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Read the scripture</b>. Christ answered the silent cries of this woman. His compassion for her brokenness surpassed the pain she endured. <b>He can do the same for you! You're already as low as you can get, so why not muster enough strength to touch the hem of His garment. Be filled with His miraculous power!</b> <b>Receive even as this bleeding woman did these words:</b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"<i>Daughter</i>, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. "Go in peace."</span></b></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">RENEWED</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjONDX9gbYHYmjv_SuHItJbIAOjp3mig5jz9rsTyWxHKH62fBVZRMIDc-4iOFQPkTXP2ABzMGNTa_lnhORaK4XfcwlwgeLPyoOpPVsf5IFEj16vtjNd0dDGwZRfvHVPa0in7YYt6RS6iOux1TZ6DyXFS-1R7Br1rYDSgLeN_me1FEGpJeOCUkrrE--wOg=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1718" data-original-width="3000" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjONDX9gbYHYmjv_SuHItJbIAOjp3mig5jz9rsTyWxHKH62fBVZRMIDc-4iOFQPkTXP2ABzMGNTa_lnhORaK4XfcwlwgeLPyoOpPVsf5IFEj16vtjNd0dDGwZRfvHVPa0in7YYt6RS6iOux1TZ6DyXFS-1R7Br1rYDSgLeN_me1FEGpJeOCUkrrE--wOg=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Photo by Noah Buscher on UNSPLASH<span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>π </i>The Anointing Sinner</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207%3A36-50&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 7:36-50</a> </span><span>[click to read scripture]</span><br /><div>The gospel of Luke gives us one of three references for unnamed women who anointed Jesus. This scenario takes place at the home of Simon the Pharisee. <b>Only God could have given this woman the courage to disrupt a gathering of men in the home of someone who despised her!</b> <b>But it is this kind of boldness God honors because it brings Him glory! </b> What her particular sin was we're not told. <b> It didn't matter to Christ. But to Simon the Pharisee it was highly offensive. </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Again consider the status of women at this time.</b> Second class citizens who were denied formal religious education. <b>Silenced in public by men unless addressed.</b> Her word meant nothing, not even as a witness to a crime. Simon a member of the religious upper echelon would not have allowed her entrance let alone access to a guest! <b>But this anointing (more like <i>anointed) </i>sinner set aside her shame. Her love and appreciation was all that mattered. </b>She did<b> </b>not care what her devotion to Christ would cost her!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>It is estimated that the value of the alabaster jar of perfume she used would be upward of $5,000 but the cost was nothing compared to the forgiveness she received</b>. The sacrifice this <i>anointed </i>sinner made lets me know that she embraced the meaning of Romans 12:1-2, years before it was written. <b>She offered her body (possibly to be beaten) and her savings as a <i>living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. </i>She wasn't concerned with cultural norms (conformities) but was <i>transformed and renewed</i> <i>in her mind</i> proving that God's will was more important than her pride.</b> <b>His will is that all mankind be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4) <i> The truth of who you are in Christ!</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">REPURPOSED</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGfqJo_TKcpyVbzqTsdwO_zhsBz80gmbWMXkSX5GQ1taxUkDhkyWgsIJz8w34nqTripeH0iuliJUfx0QoMHSKj2UJ9P3JptcfTqlXxa9QJyuUodGpnxL3o2Hev5UeUpdXxw8e6_vR8VEwLwjBkZ_Kl7YPtLrYu4SwEskzsXzMxCPm4hUyg3rNz2IFGBA=s5899" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5899" data-original-width="3819" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGfqJo_TKcpyVbzqTsdwO_zhsBz80gmbWMXkSX5GQ1taxUkDhkyWgsIJz8w34nqTripeH0iuliJUfx0QoMHSKj2UJ9P3JptcfTqlXxa9QJyuUodGpnxL3o2Hev5UeUpdXxw8e6_vR8VEwLwjBkZ_Kl7YPtLrYu4SwEskzsXzMxCPm4hUyg3rNz2IFGBA=s320" width="207" /></a></div>Photo by Vitamina Poleznova on UNSPLASH<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>π </i>The Possessed Woman</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208%3A1-3&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 8:1-3</a> </span><span>[click to read scripture]</span><br /><p></p><p><b>I always look for an opportunity to set the record straight about Mary Magdalene. Many Christian books and articles say that she was a prostitute but this is not biblically correct</b>. She was a woman who was demon possessed! Jesus delivered her from seven demons as a matter of fact. <b>However, this did not keep her from becoming one of His most faithful disciples. She was not one of <i>The Twelve,</i> but she was present during pivotal times in Jesus' ministry. Along with other women she supported Christ's ministry financially and was the first witness at His resurrection. </b> </p><p><b>Mary's life must have been horrific as she fought the effects of demon possession. No doubt it affected her mentally and physically. </b>This is not unlike conditions that manifest in similar ways today. <b>Those who suffer are not called <i>demon possessed</i>, but feel just as miserable. </b> They too feel marginalized from society and often take medications with unpleasant side effects to help them get through the day. <b>Can God use them in His Kingdom? Most certainly!</b></p><p><b>Elijah, the prophet suffered from depression, Jonah had anger problems. Samson exhibited chronic behavior disorders and Isaac may have had some intellectual weaknesses. Jacob had a bad hip and was crippled! </b></p><p><b>Here's the Bottom line: <i>Man's Inability is no match for God's Capabilities.</i> He takes the old and makes new again! </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b> <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i><span>T</span><span>herefore, </span></i><span> <i>if anyone is in Christ He is a new creation. The old has passed away;</i></span></span></b></div></b><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> behold the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)</span></i></b></div></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Brokenness is God's Requirement</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for </i></b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Maximum Usefulness!"</i></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">-DR. CHARLES STANLEY</span></b></p><p><b style="color: red;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="color: red;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div></div></div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-90558267202164687602021-12-30T18:48:00.001-08:002021-12-31T11:55:16.370-08:00Some Problems You Just Have To GROW Into!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7umMTI4Pq42UJ2ttRS92qbEaUOO7ZDcKhXq-ExGtJc-Gg_Mn_ncnxkrNcPc4WVRj458NSjo2pbBm23sJqNnaGHMALoDarXCM-0P93A_nsaCSVo-KtV9PJy_DWWTpOo-6uu98zH1C4aTQQS0hJzCvrjVct47ZzR_oduFQNhLmdI9-VUlUpeqKMczUBWw=s1920" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7umMTI4Pq42UJ2ttRS92qbEaUOO7ZDcKhXq-ExGtJc-Gg_Mn_ncnxkrNcPc4WVRj458NSjo2pbBm23sJqNnaGHMALoDarXCM-0P93A_nsaCSVo-KtV9PJy_DWWTpOo-6uu98zH1C4aTQQS0hJzCvrjVct47ZzR_oduFQNhLmdI9-VUlUpeqKMczUBWw=s320" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">R</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>emember when you were a child and your parents bought you clothes that were two sizes too big! </b>No matter how much you complained: <i><span style="color: #990000;"><b>They don't fit right! They make me look goofy! I feel stupid! </b></span></i> Their response was always the same - <i style="font-weight: bold;">Quit your whining... YOU'LL GROW INTO THEM!</i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I've found in many cases, this is a good way to look at our trials. </b> We can't do much about them so we might as well learn how to grow into them...<i><b>Spiritually that is!</b></i></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">James 1:2-4 </span><span style="font-size: medium;">says this:</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"> <i>Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.</i></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The words </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">perfect</i><b> and </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">complete</i><b> in this scripture means to be entirely whole with no part wanting or unsound. A body without blemish or defect. <i>In other words to be</i> </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">spiritually mature! </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here lies t</span>he problem for most of us. Trials overwhelm us. They feel a lot like <i>walking around in clothes that are too big. </i> Indeed they ARE! </b>But like Jesus' own disciples we have to learn to grow in our faith. <b> Pain, disappointments, and confusion are natural occurrences in a Believer's life. </b>Don't believe me? Here are some examples from the New Testament:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>WORRY AND STRESS</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy4jNXNts9rr9D4A2zFVOHGz2wa1YnFRrhpdvfQfnHAQQfj7hL3toHrePzCtGQR4lF0kh-rto1dIAVUFgbo1nOVYkRF0FmxgEtAZnF2OZthYy6qRWyttKJKgb1DHZ01xoVbMKPp8SOt9jz-4sFVKlMi2-Mc_n_3CphxG8f4iuEzNP3n84QCFuFl-_l5g=s4267" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4267" data-original-width="3145" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy4jNXNts9rr9D4A2zFVOHGz2wa1YnFRrhpdvfQfnHAQQfj7hL3toHrePzCtGQR4lF0kh-rto1dIAVUFgbo1nOVYkRF0FmxgEtAZnF2OZthYy6qRWyttKJKgb1DHZ01xoVbMKPp8SOt9jz-4sFVKlMi2-Mc_n_3CphxG8f4iuEzNP3n84QCFuFl-_l5g=w229-h246" width="229" /></a></div><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: whitesmoke; text-align: start;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 13px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #111111;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@pwign?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition-duration: 0.1s, 0.1s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out;">Anh Nguyen</a><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #111111;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/worry?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition-duration: 0.1s, 0.1s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out;">Unsplash</a></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 13px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mary and Martha</span> are two sisters familiar to bible readers. They loved Jesus but had no problem being emotionally vulnerable in front of Him. Unlike some Christians they didn't hide their spiritual weaknesses with fake smiles and religious platitudes. </b>What they felt, they felt deeply and expressed it openly to the Lord.<b> </b></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><b>In Luke 10 Jesus and His twelve disciples made an unexpected visit to their home around meal time. </b>The customary preparations could have been easily handled by two skilled women, but Martha found herself shouldering most of the responsibility. <b> Sister Mary was sitting at the Master's feet enjoying the stimulating conversation. When Martha complained to Jesus, His words echoed across the ages to the ears of today's </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>squabbling siblings. <i> Stop Your Whining! (my translation). </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[click here to read His actual words]</span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010%3A41-42&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 10:41</a></b></span></p></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>PERSONAL TRAUMA</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEins0y0xSEunaaZpZiHBCETwlWHY4Eop7A7K98kgi4pgNzGXlYThnQbueVeFeG1xSN2YnBytfMARif6Du1pWlhFAJf8yZHoLIMJ72ZFso9qIlB95FKVivvN5sVBphXMc_01u9SreSzfykFwtJVcdq9tFaGkEFesGnVMeyME5rB55G5XyJCsSi8DDUeS-w=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEins0y0xSEunaaZpZiHBCETwlWHY4Eop7A7K98kgi4pgNzGXlYThnQbueVeFeG1xSN2YnBytfMARif6Du1pWlhFAJf8yZHoLIMJ72ZFso9qIlB95FKVivvN5sVBphXMc_01u9SreSzfykFwtJVcdq9tFaGkEFesGnVMeyME5rB55G5XyJCsSi8DDUeS-w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: whitesmoke; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@martin_lostak?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition-duration: 0.1s, 0.1s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out;">Martin Lostak</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/waiting-room?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition-duration: 0.1s, 0.1s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out;">Unsplash</a></div></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>One would be hard pressed to find another person in the bible who went through as much trauma as the Apostle Paul. From the moment of his spiritual conversion physical ailments ravaged his bodies. </b>After he was healed from blindness, a </span><span style="font-size: medium;">suffering of another kind set in. <b> He was shunned by other Christians. (Acts 9:26-28) Talk about <i>Church Hurt!</i></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-size: x-large;"> </i></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">When the Spirit led him on three missionary journeys it only got worse. He describes his ordeals in 2 Corinthians 11:21-28 <span style="color: #2b00fe;"> [click here] <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2011%3A21-28&version=NIV" target="_blank">Paul's Sufferings</a></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In spite of it all, Paul finished the work God gave him. His problems didn't make him <i>bitter but better!</i> In the next chapter we find a spiritually mature Paul making this powerful statement regarding what is called his <i>Thorn in the Flesh</i>: <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:8-9) </i></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">EMOTIONAL INSECURITY</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV8mCp4S8O_gEJpW4GgOOmSzDO5HMZkX9ve3-cYjpG_CTB0iBdzicVRm5w3TZzXiZ6DRTyLKNfW-a8dtkrsoD1HrbA3K30B7cmu5KjSBNIH1ZW0rLUyts2H5Ouicqqqlh4KTRnlz10sRmwhQKPFjqBNV6m0lzHTcHWGyJtx5d4YWtRuUqMzhTjk1bEjQ=s5523" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5523" data-original-width="3682" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV8mCp4S8O_gEJpW4GgOOmSzDO5HMZkX9ve3-cYjpG_CTB0iBdzicVRm5w3TZzXiZ6DRTyLKNfW-a8dtkrsoD1HrbA3K30B7cmu5KjSBNIH1ZW0rLUyts2H5Ouicqqqlh4KTRnlz10sRmwhQKPFjqBNV6m0lzHTcHWGyJtx5d4YWtRuUqMzhTjk1bEjQ=s320" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: whitesmoke; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@sseeker?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition-duration: 0.1s, 0.1s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Stormseeker</a><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: whitesmoke; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/fear?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip: ink; transition-duration: 0.1s, 0.1s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Inside our minds and hearts is a person most people would never meet unless forced by external circumstances. Fear, pride, and self consciousness lurks there. </b>But this is where the Spirit of the Lord does His greatest work.<b> Most of us can identify with the disciples in Mark 4:38-40. Raging winds in storms can easily bring panic and thoughts of pending devastation. </b>With Jesus by our side, we feel emboldened and believe we can conquer anything.<b> But sense His absence for even a moment and we become like an infant craving His protection. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The words Jesus spoke to the wind could also be spoken to His disciples in every age. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">[click here]</span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%204%3A38-40&version=ERV" target="_blank">Jesus Calms the Storm</a> In another translation verse 39 reads like this: "Quiet! Be still! As a loving parent, Jesus whispers those words to each of us when we start to fret about our problems! </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>It is easy to whine and complain about difficulties, but it's a lot easier to just lean on Jesus and ask Him to grow us up in the midst of them. (I Peter 5:7) But don't worry! We'll get there! Just like those shoes and coats your Mama forced you to wear. One day, they'll fit JUST RIGHT!</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><b style="color: red;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div dir="rtl"><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-38238612455539882452021-11-30T11:45:00.000-08:002021-11-30T11:45:17.976-08:00DELIVER US FROM EVIL...<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlZAlAi31diw5RgrzDHIP91aLJoGDqVj8tvj9uygp-SU-8k5bOv8LU8bufpf2fGgYbCC6Cs2eeBEJZHAFEf_VjVWAvpw1GreZMAuqQLX10Ba89oQvvya3vYmMPlycMK9FRaJ0cmos8OIe/s2048/daniel-lincoln-23fk429Ayok-unsplash.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlZAlAi31diw5RgrzDHIP91aLJoGDqVj8tvj9uygp-SU-8k5bOv8LU8bufpf2fGgYbCC6Cs2eeBEJZHAFEf_VjVWAvpw1GreZMAuqQLX10Ba89oQvvya3vYmMPlycMK9FRaJ0cmos8OIe/w220-h320/daniel-lincoln-23fk429Ayok-unsplash.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo by Daniel Lincoln on Unsplash)</span></b></div><b><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></b></td></tr></tbody></table><i></i><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b>"There is no future for a people who deny their past!"</b></span></i></i></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-size: medium;">t's no secret that carnal man has an unpleasant relationship with the truth. There's something innate that causes him to suppress what is valid and could not be dismissed if only faced with the clear eyes of righteousness. Yet time and time again, when given a choice, the choice made is to deny!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Not long ago a <i>Denialist</i> (One who denies the existence, truth, or validity of something despite proof or strong evidence) limited himself to select doctrines or dogma. It seemed to lean frequently toward the religious, but now extends over many disciplines, i.e. media, science, education, etc. That's what I believe we're seeing today!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'd just begun to wrap my head around the notion of C.R.T. (Critical Race Theory) being harmful to children if taught in schools, when another controversy arose over whether the Holocaust should be presented in a less violent way. <i> </i></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><i>Tell me how you do that?</i> </b></span></p><p><span><b>During WWII six million Jews (men, women and children) were murdered, starved, gassed, and the gold taken out of their teeth to fill Hitler's treasury! </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>And don't get me started on America's historic legacy of violence and injustice. We've always been a <i>bloody nation!</i> Indeed, much of America's wealth was built on the backs of <i>Black Slavery</i> and the poor in our society. It's not anything to be proud of, for sure, but it shouldn't be denied. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>As to Blacks, this term - <i>The</i> <i>Peculiar Institution </i>should give you pause.<i> </i>It is a euphemism<i> </i>illustrating a well-defined organization of cheap human labor and its economic benefits. This alone belies the claim of those who say racism and injustice in the U.S. is NOT systemic. Clearly some folks don't know their own history.</b></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">According to historian, Henry Louis Gates, during the <i>Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (16th-19th century) </i> 12.5 million Africans were shipped to the New World. 10.7 million survived the <i>Middle Passage </i>disembarking in North America, the Caribbean and South<i> </i>America<i>. </i>In America, upon emancipation, approximately 3.9 million people became legally free. Legislation had to put in place to assure they were not forced back into servitude after the devastation caused by the Civil War!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i> Deniers DO NOT want this taught in our schools!</i></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Like so much of the world's evil crimes against humanity, some would rather deny it than deal with this ugly and uncomfortable truth:<span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i> There is no one righteous--not even one!</i> (Romans 3:10)</span> The carnal, corrupt, and selfish man that we are is quick to cry out to God in prayer: <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil</i>...</span></b></span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-weight: bold;">(Matthew 6:13) </span><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;">BUT WHAT IF THE EVIL IS YOU!?</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">We would ALL love to protect our children from Evil! But it's TOO LATE! They have SEEN too much, HEARD too much! This is the double-edged sword of modern technology, telephones, television, and social media The damage has already been done! </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT WE CAN DO IS TEACH THEM TRUTH AND RESPONSIBILITY! The two are not mutually exclusive! They CAN STILL exist at the same time if we do what is GOOD, JUST, AND RIGHT: <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><i>He has told you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? </i>(Micah 6:8)</span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);">Taking responsibility does not make you any less of an American or a Patriot! It doesn't mean that acknowledging our nation's sinful past should cripple or paralyze you with false guilt! But neither should it blind you to truth! The evil that is before us cannot stand if we simply take heed to what Scripture has been telling us all along:</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE!</b></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><i>Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person [Adam] did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death.</i> <i>Another person [Jesus] did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, He got us into life! </i> (Romans 5:19 Message Bible) [My emphasis in brackets]</span></span> </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>NO MAN IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><b><i>Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. </i>(Romans 12:3 NLT)</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>GOD IS JUST AND WE ALL WILL PAY!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);">Righteousness and </i><i>justice</i><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"> are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. </i><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);">(Psalm 89:14) <i>But woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. </i>(Luke 11:42)</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>CANCEL CULTURE DOES NOT APPLY HERE! </b></span></span><b> We can no longer allow what is </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>embarrassing, distasteful, or politically inconvenient to prevent us from mobilizing, unifying and hopefully garnering strength to salvage the threads of hope still remaining in the hearts of generations coming behind us!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"> IGNORANCE MY DEAR FRIENDS IS NO LONGER BLISS!</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p><b style="color: red;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</b></p><div dir="rtl"><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p></div><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-36738837756111932232021-10-15T07:22:00.003-07:002021-10-15T08:41:58.358-07:00The ULTIMATE Tell-All Book!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jt7kB5P1c4K9m511LLcwP1AJWsgExbsiIYIrlfkPADQ9CVmZxh6eCRKIUfM6loEVjfe7GydFT150sqOlwqK5aZ0NeeOfy-M65kwBLb9ZvtAwKO0TOf70kiCZlCugULtA4Si8QtP_FdCW/s2048/jessica-ruscello-OQSCtabGkSY-unsplash.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jt7kB5P1c4K9m511LLcwP1AJWsgExbsiIYIrlfkPADQ9CVmZxh6eCRKIUfM6loEVjfe7GydFT150sqOlwqK5aZ0NeeOfy-M65kwBLb9ZvtAwKO0TOf70kiCZlCugULtA4Si8QtP_FdCW/s320/jessica-ruscello-OQSCtabGkSY-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">A</span>s a voracious reader, it blows my mind the number of books published each year. </b>One source, <b>UNESCO</b> (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) <b>cited</b> <b>2.2 million new titles worldwide. And that's old data!</b><p></p><p><b>Among the most popular it seems are those scandalous Tell-All books. </b> Say what you want about the political upheaval we've been experiencing in the U.S., <b>it's certainly been good for the book publishing industry and their authors.</b> </p><p><b> Seems like a new one is coming out every month. Everyone wants to know the inside scoop behind all those media headlines.</b> <b><i>The juicier the better! </i></b> <b>What's a Tell-All book? </b> Well, obviously the term speaks for itself but just to make it official here's one definition.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Tell-All: A biography or memoir that reveals intimate details about its subject.</span> </i> </b></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">[Oxford Dictionary]</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><b>I'm no </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Book Influencer </i><b>like Oprah (I once heard that a title added to her <i>Book</i> <i>Club</i> list makes copies fly off the store shelf. It's called <i>The Oprah Effect!</i>) but here's a Tell-All book you've just got to try.....THE BIBLE! </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><b>I had to re-check my sources but the following is <span style="font-size: medium;">STILL TRUE:</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><b><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #990000;">"The Bible is the best-selling book of all time, having sold around 5 billion copies to date...is also the most translated book in human history."</span> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">[alltopeverything.com]</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes, Indeed! </span>It comes in hardback, paperback, kindle, audible, braille, and just about any format you can think of and you know what? IT'S 100% TRUE! </b>No need for<b> FACT CHECKING,</b> just read and enjoy! <b>Uh huh! I knew it! You just had a flash back to <i>Sis. So and So's</i> </b>S<b>unday school class back in the day! </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Bible reading as you recall back then was s-o-o-o-o boring! All those <i>thee's, thou's and </i></b></span><b><i>whithersoevers</i> made it hard to understand and relate to what was going on! NOT ANY MORE! </b>You can find God's Word in a translation and at a reading level to fit your personal style. <b> As for the YAWN FACTOR, if you want a TELL-ALL, the Bible is the best one on the market! </b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Sex, crime, greed, and complicated family relationships run from the Old to the New Testament. Everything from serial killers to political empire take-downs. Just to whet your appetite, start with the life of Joseph (Genesis chapters 37-50). King David's tumultuous reign (I and II Samuel). The escapades of evil Queen Jezebel (I and II Kings) and the heroic battles of Joshua (Book of Joshua ).</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>But more than its historical and literary value and all those titillating back stories of the lives of others, there is a SPIRITUAL value that outweighs them all. This great TELL-ALL book tells US ABOUT <u>OURSELVES</u>! </b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>π </b><b> <span style="font-size: medium;">It is a MIRROR of our hearts:</span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201%3A23-25&version=" target="_blank">James 1:23 -25 (click here)</a>. </b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>π </b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">It is a GPS for our souls:</span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119%3A105&version=NIV" target="_blank">Psalm 119:105 (click here)</a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>π </b> <b><span style="font-size: medium;">It is THERAPY for our minds:</span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204%3A8&version=NIV" target="_blank">Philippians 4:8 (click here)</a></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> And, if this is not enough, think of how COST-EFFECTIVE it is! ONE BOOK has the following and much, much more!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful</i></span></b><br /><i><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">to teach us what is true and to </span></b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>make us realize</b></span></i><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: #990000;"><i>what is wrong in our lives. It corrects where we</i></b><br /><b style="caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color: #990000;"><i>are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b>[2 Timothy 3:16 NLT]</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What a bargain! Seriously, if in a conversation someone asks you if you've heard about the latest TELL-ALL book about a celebrity, why not tell them about THIS ONE!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: red;">UNTIL NEXT TIME</b></p><div dir="rtl"><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p></div>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-55927899482606584342021-09-16T05:31:00.002-07:002021-09-16T17:11:00.439-07:00REAL WORLD....This is Not a Test!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZAkQT7GSjcRxQJXsnBmANFr2v06QroqBhdvADnnofF_0fQE6tPiquGFObrt3Vfv5uD01satpJ3_AemBSAJ2feQOSNUGbkSIEMYfvU1dN0StB6jH_h9UmQteYth3XaFr736NbT1PU6RFn/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZAkQT7GSjcRxQJXsnBmANFr2v06QroqBhdvADnnofF_0fQE6tPiquGFObrt3Vfv5uD01satpJ3_AemBSAJ2feQOSNUGbkSIEMYfvU1dN0StB6jH_h9UmQteYth3XaFr736NbT1PU6RFn/" width="320" /></a></div><b><i>In this world you will have tribulation</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>but be of good cheer for I have overcome</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>the world. (John 16:33 KJV)</i></b><br /><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span><b>s our nation celebrated the 20th anniversary of 9/11 a common question was asked: </b><i><b> Do you remember where you were September 11, 2001?</b> </i> Tag lines for the plethora of posters and signs generally included phrases like this: <i><b>Never Forget! We Remember! Gone But Not Forgotten! </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I REMEMBER IT WELL! (You probably do too!)</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>On a <i>Girls Trip</i> to New York a few years ago, we visited <i>Ground Zero </i>and <i>The National September 11 Memorial and Museum</i>. </b> <b>It was a sobering and emotionally devastating experience</b>. I can only imagine the trauma the people in New York must still feel having lived through that horrible day. <b> But honestly over the past 19 years whenever this anniversary rolls around, </b>I try hard to think about anything BUT that tragic time! <b>I pray for the families who are still grieving and of course ask God for protection from future attacks but because so many tragedies are <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">still occurring, </span></i>it is </b><b>almost overshadowed in my opinion!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>However, it is because of this fact, that I paid more attention to the memorials this year. Especially the ones that featured human interest stories. As I viewed documentaries, I saw the endless piles of rubble and firefighters digging through the stench looking for remains. I saw pain still visible 20 years later on the faces of loved ones and young adult children who grew up not knowing a parent who perished that day. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>I listened closely to the newly released <i>live recordings, text messages, calls, and air traffic communication</i> of those in the air planes that crashed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon! I felt the panic and bewilderment of the flight crew, air traffic controllers, and military units trying to figure out where the attacks were coming from and what their next targets might be. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Out of the three to four hours of coverage I watched, one statement by an air traffic controller struck me to my core, he said: </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"IS THIS REAL WORLD OR A TEST!?"</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>To enhance national security, the military and commercial airlines routinely conduct simulations of hijackings. These are training exercises to test the <span style="color: #2b00fe;">preparedness of all involved</span> should a genuine hijacking take place. These tests are done with limited warning and all protocols are followed with speed and precision just as if it was really happening. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">September 11 was <i>Real World Not A Test </i>for our nation! So is COVID-19, the January 6 Insurrection, Escalating crime, Eviction crises and Voter disfranchisement! </span> <span><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Failed infrastructures (aeronautic, military, and social) show we are NOT prepared!! </span>But<span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></span><span>how prepared are you? Where will you be when the next tragedy strikes!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span>This is no Doom and Gloom message, only a <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>Spiritual Alert</i> </span>to make sure you have the proper tools whenever another hits!! Maybe this will help!</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">YOUR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">CHECK LIST! </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>1. New World Reservations Made (Eternal Security) _____ </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span> </span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203%3A16&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 3:16</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>2. Support Network in Place (Prayer warriors) _____ </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span> </span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205%3A13-16&version=NIV" target="_blank">James 5:13-16</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>3. Military Gear Accessible and Fully Equipped (Armor of God) _____ </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span> </span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206%3A13-18&version=NIV" target="_blank">Ephesians 6:10-18</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>4. Tactical Guide Handy (Bible verses memorized ) _____ </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span> </span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119%3A105&version=NIV" target="_blank">Psalm 119:105</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>5. Survival Kit Packed (water, food, first aid, purification) _____</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204%3A13-14&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 4:13-14</a> </span></span><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span><span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206%3A35&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 6:35</a></span></span><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span><span><span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205%3A13-15&version=NIV" target="_blank">James 5:13-15</a></span></span><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201%3A9&version=NIV" target="_blank">I John 1:9</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span><span><span><span> <span> </span></span><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><b> 6. </b> <b>Mental Alertness Recently Tested (Enemy Reconnaissance) _____ </b></span><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> <span> <b> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205%3A8&version=NIV" target="_blank">I Peter 5:8</a> </span></b></span></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span> <b>7. Mental Sustenance Intact (Hope) _____</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><b><span> <span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011%3A1&version=KJV" target="_blank">Hebrews 11:1</a></span></span><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>!UNTIL NEXT TIME</b></span></div><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: left;"><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p></div><p></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-63441144694889297962021-08-16T07:41:00.005-07:002021-08-16T09:44:53.089-07:00FAITH: A Shot in the Arm We All Need!<p> </p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqAmIjaz3VfQXFprXGlbpRLzpm9N6VAO133xZ4Xyg6djk9mnHyp3u_snP-SQIrWBC-dZ7cZvtH2gy_NPJSN7a3n3rX_cO83a0DlacdfdYvlOs9d1u63HvxEjrbXTiLCwylR0lKLZPujgE/s2048/hakan-nural-YCVUR2JgfHA-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1606" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqAmIjaz3VfQXFprXGlbpRLzpm9N6VAO133xZ4Xyg6djk9mnHyp3u_snP-SQIrWBC-dZ7cZvtH2gy_NPJSN7a3n3rX_cO83a0DlacdfdYvlOs9d1u63HvxEjrbXTiLCwylR0lKLZPujgE/w346-h280/hakan-nural-YCVUR2JgfHA-unsplash.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>"But without faith, it's impossible to please God,"</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>(Hebrews 11:6 KJV)</b></i></span></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">SMH</span> - </span><i>Shaking my head </i>this morning<i> </i>over the increasing deaths and hospitalizations from those infected with COVID 19! </b>I don't care which side of the debate you're on (vaccinations/no vaccinations - masks/no masks) <b>this stuff is real and people are dying out here</b>!<b> You might not want the COVID 19 vaccine but we ALL could use a <i>Booster Shot of Faith!</i></b></p><p><b>This post is for anyone who cares to read it, but being transparent, I'm hoping to get the ear of my sisters and brothers in Christ. </b>The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has set forth some pretty basic guidelines. <b>You can <i>choose</i> to follow them or not. This is <i>free will. </i>The Creator gave it to ALL mankind but it's especially relevant for Christians.</b> <b> I came across the following recently and it made me think. <i>Free will doesn't mean I do whatever I want. It means I have the freedom to do what is right!</i></b></p><p><b>In<i> </i>any case, <i>free will</i> <i>is a</i> <i>wonderful</i> <i>but</i> <i>risky</i> <i>gift </i>from the Lord. Wonderful because unlike His other creations we have a choice. Risky because we've proven over and over how foolishly we can abuse it! Sisters and Brothers I beg you - stop using this gift irresponsibly! Here are some facts straight from the bible we can stand on,</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">OUR FAITH WILL BE TESTED!</span></b></p><p><b> I have Christian family and friends who span the spectrum of debate. I bet you do too. This is post is not to <i>beat them into submission</i> one way or the other. I love them dearly and respect their decisions. I just want to share with you some of their arguments. If you've heard others, put them in the comments box: </b></p><p><span style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;">a) THOSE FOR IT</span><b> -</b><span><b> </b><i>I want to be a good steward.<b> </b></i></span><i>God has made this vaccine available like so many others to help preserve my health. I have faith in God that it will do what it's suppose to do.</i></p><p><b><span style="color: #660000;">b) THOSE AGAINST IT</span> -</b> <i>I don't trust the government. It was developed too fast. I heard it causes autism. <b> </b>I heard on social media.... My faith tells me when it's my time to die, I'll die, until then I'm trusting God will keep me safe.</i></p><p><b><span style="color: #660000;">c) THOSE WOULD IF I COULD </span>-<i> </i></b><i>I am under a doctor's care and advised not to for health reasons. I follow all other precautions, putting my faith in God for protection and safety from this and other diseases.</i></p><p><b> What do you see in each answer? A decision was made based on the premise of FAITH! But exactly what kind of faith? </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">OUR FAITH CAN BE MEASURED! </span></b></p><p><b> Searching the gospels, people from all walks of life came to Jesus with urgent requests. </b> <b>I found it interesting how often the requestor had to exercise <i>some level of faith</i> before Christ responded. They didn't walk around <i>waiting </i>to be blessed - they had to actually <i>DO SOMETHING FIRST</i>!! Here are a few examples:</b></p><p><b>πMatthew 12:10-13 - <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012%3A10-13&version=NIV" target="_blank">Jesus heals a Withered Hand</a> One Sabbath a man with a shriveled hand was brought to Jesus to heal. It was a set up by the Pharisees to see if He would break the Jewish law. Jesus told the man (vs. 13) <i>Stretch out your hand. So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. </i> Omnipotent Jesus could have easily touched the man or simply spoken a word. Healing would come. But even this cripple man had to make the effort. We don't know if he did it in fear or in pain but in anticipation of healing, the man </b><b>stretched out his hand!</b></p><p><b>π John 11:20-23 - <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011%3A1-6%2CJohn%2011%3A14-17%2CJohn%2011%3A20-23&version=NIV" target="_blank">Jesus raises Lazarus</a> Martha's encounter with Jesus after the death of her brother Lazarus is a familiar story. After four days in the grave, decay had begun and even Jesus' own disciples doubted anything could be done. Yet Martha had a strong belief that all was not lost. (vs. 21) <i>Lord, Martha said to Jesus, if you had been </i><i>here, my brother would not have died. </i>(vs 22) <i>But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. </i>Jesus asked only one thing of her. (vs 27)<i> Do you believe this. </i>She<i> believed </i>and Lazarus walked out of that tomb.</b></p><p><b>π John 2:1-11 - <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202%3A1-11&version=NIV" target="_blank">Jesus turns water to wine</a> Mary mentions to Jesus that more wine is needed for this important event. In spite of an ambiguous response from Jesus, she tells the servants (vs 5) - <i>Do whatever He tells you. </i>Jesus then gave a simple command. <i> </i>(vs.7)<i> Fill the jars with water; so they filled them to the brim. </i>(vs.) <i>Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet. They did so. </i>Mary had faith that Jesus would respond and took the first step. The servants obeyed which was the second step. </b><b>You know the end of the story. </b><b> <i>Trust <u>and</u> Obey </i>is more than just a song we sing!</b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b>FAITH WILL BE REWARDED!</b></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Here's the bottom line dear Christian friends. Wherever you stand on this debatable issue, your faith is on display for the world and your family to see. It is a life and death decision for us all. Only God knows how well it will stand up to the devastating events in life we face. Just remember this:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Little Faith <u>hopes</u> God will do it!</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> Strong faith <u>knows</u> that He will!</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Great faith says its <u>already done</u>! </i></span></b></div><p><b><i>I<span style="color: #660000;">F YOU CAN GET VACCINATED DO SO!</span></i><span style="color: #660000;"> <i>IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO, WEAR MASKS, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE AND ABOVE ALL STOP DISCOURAGING OTHERS WITH LIES AND UNCONFIRMED STORIES! </i></span></b></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #cc0000; text-align: left;">UNTIL NEXT TIME...</b></div><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-946898083944372127.post-30983691690300911842021-07-15T13:29:00.000-07:002021-07-15T13:29:12.945-07:00LORD, PLEASE STOP THIS WORLD....I Want to Get Off!!<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b>The World's State of Mind!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"<i>For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>but is from the world." (I John 2:16) </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mExXL_Sc9-6ZDDjTFdqv2AHa-rWhmzm0piRfPIScl2vReGcv_4KH_SY5VLrf-6oSolD6BSw1_npo0LDP7zSgrErCbKQqh1YVhcZbgQEb8EzQzMj76DRrTVCkHzGbu5oXkuZqfJiuQQu5/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mExXL_Sc9-6ZDDjTFdqv2AHa-rWhmzm0piRfPIScl2vReGcv_4KH_SY5VLrf-6oSolD6BSw1_npo0LDP7zSgrErCbKQqh1YVhcZbgQEb8EzQzMj76DRrTVCkHzGbu5oXkuZqfJiuQQu5/w211-h211/photo-1590647030647-0bc9c30cc07e.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">H</span><b>ello Readers, It's been awhile since I've posted a blog</b>. <b> I had to take a <i>Social Media Sabbatical</i> to tend to some pressing business called LIFE! </b> I know you feel me and no doubt have done something similar yourself in the past. <b>Sometimes for your mental and spiritual health you just have to SHUT IT DOWN! DIAL IT BACK! AND SIMPLY TAKE A BREAK! <span> </span></b><p></p><p><b>Still, a few good things have been happening since my last post!</b> <b>After about a year,</b> <b>I went back to regular <i>in-person </i>worship with my church family and man have I been blessed! </b> A good message from the Lord will<b> <i>feed your soul</i></b> no matter where you are, but there's nothing like sharing a spiritual meal with other saints. <b>My only grandson graduated high school and is now a student at a university a couple hours away so tears, open houses, and lots of reminiscing took place. And one other little thing, the Love of My Life and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary! </b></p><p><b>I <i>needed</i> <i>these high points in my lif</i>e as I again try to provide relevant commentary via this blog to what I observe from a spiritual perspective. I call it my <i>CHRISTIAN 'WOKE' MINISTRY</i>, to use a popular term. My goal is to provide biblical context and spiritual encouragement to my sisters and brothers in this growing chaotic world and to WAKE UP saints to what's really going on with the Enemy and his cohorts!</b></p><p><b>For example, <u>read the following scriptures,</u> then follow up with recent headliners from popular media to see what God is saying about our current world events!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">The World's State of Affairs!</span></b><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies and one who sows discord among the brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7hrHaB1uXXxCB2tir9zZg9M2VLf2FOmdjhNoMmjV_gsz9AJd0TPxHDuHqpo-p4o1Tf0hruzrrdtGEIk3AVPN9O8IjrrY59w9SG3nO0XVUUiy2jMZyLlkGVESEjCBnRmbXdlo6zrH-Jpa/s2048/daniele-levis-pelusi-UMZQ_cYWJns-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7hrHaB1uXXxCB2tir9zZg9M2VLf2FOmdjhNoMmjV_gsz9AJd0TPxHDuHqpo-p4o1Tf0hruzrrdtGEIk3AVPN9O8IjrrY59w9SG3nO0XVUUiy2jMZyLlkGVESEjCBnRmbXdlo6zrH-Jpa/s320/daniele-levis-pelusi-UMZQ_cYWJns-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">π <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">PRIDE -</span></b><b>"Richard Branson Beats Jeff Bezos in Billionaire Space Race"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (NBC News July 13, 2021)</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> <span> <span> </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Have you ever wondered if a person could have too much money? This escapade seems to be a good example. Psalm 24:1</b> <b>say:</b> <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>T<i>he earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein.</i> James 1:17: </b></span><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.</b></span>" </i><b>Everything we possess as humans come from the Lord and we are to be a good steward of these resources. Branson and Bezos will be held accountable for this vast waste while so many are suffering from hunger, sickness, and</b> <b>despair. I hope in eternity when they face Jesus that they will recall what their pride cost them and if it was worth the price they had to pay!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">π <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">LIES - "Many Americans Embrace Falsehoods About Critical Race Theory"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Reuters July 15, 2021)</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>It's hard to know where to start when recounting the many lies told over the past four years. </b>Truth is of such rarity and when presented, so vehemently disavowed that it is mind-boggling the stupidity of it all<b>! LIES: A former president is STILL president, </b>although a new one is in place and doing all the work! <b>Vaccines are bad for you WHILE </b>those who <i>are not</i> vaccinated are infected and dying at a faster rate than <b>the vaccinated. Negative history past or present is NOT HISTORY </b>but political propaganda!<b> Why such denial even in the face of undeniable truth? Why are so many "Shaken" by it? Are they afraid they won't pass this litmus test from the scriptures?: </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><i>"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? Who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur" (Psalm 15:1-3)</i> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">π<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <b>VIOLENCE- "2020 was the deadliest Gun Violence year in decades. So far, 2021 is Worse" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Washington Post, July 14, 2021) </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Let's stop denying it! We are living in a gun culture. <i>People would rather sell their first born than give up their guns and many are literally doing that! </i>Don't take my word for it, just turn on the news, any day and any time, almost anywhere in these United States. We shouldn't be surprised: Jesus spoke boldly about the use of violence to settle disputes: <i style="color: #2b00fe;">"Then said Jesus unto him (Peter), Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:52). "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God."(Matthew 5:9) </i>The solution to gun control is not the passing of more Gun Laws but heart control and only the Holy Spirit can control the heart! <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law! (Galatians 5:22-23)</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">π <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">WICKED PLANS AND EVIL PLOTS - "Suspects in Haitian President's Killing Met to Plan a Future Without Him". <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The New York Times, July 15, 2021)</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Assassinations of political leaders are as old as the Bible times. Just look at the Old Testament books of First and Second Kings for a start. Haiti is just a recent occurrence. </b>In my own teen years, I can recall three:<b> President John Kennedy, Rev. Martin Luther King, and U.S. Attorney General, Robert Kennedy. </b> Since then there have been other attempts.<b> Any country rife with crime, injustice violence, and socio-political instability is a prime target for such behavior and sadly we are one of them. Expect more of the same as the Second Coming of the Lord nears! </b><i>"<b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.</span></b></i><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">"(Proverbs 14:34) Also, " <i>When the righteous is in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked bearer rule, the people mourn.</i>" (Proverbs 29:2)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">π <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">SOWING DISCORD - "McConnell Seeks to Divide and Conquer Democrats"(the hill.com <span style="font-size: x-small;">June 13, 2021)</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>To find our government in such disarray is heart wrenching even for a Christian who knows that the only Ruling Authority in this world is Jesus Christ. The discord between our governing bodies: Republicans and Democrats, House and Senate, The Supreme Court and Congress is shameful. Our designated ruling bodies have lost their way! Instead of representing the interests of the people they are selfishly trying to preserve their own positions of power. The strategy that seems to be working is to <i>divide, derail and deny culpability for all their misdeeds.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Yet, government has a place and purpose in God's plan. Paul says so in <i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Romans 13:1, 3-5 -"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same; for he is the minister of God to thee </span></i></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);">forged. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he </i><i>bearer</i><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"> not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to </i></b><b><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);">executioner to execute wrath upon him that </i><i>doth</i><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"> evil. </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);">I don't know about you but I've stopped trying to make sense of all this NONSENSE! I've not yet given up ALL HOPE but when I cry out! LORD, PLEASE STOP THIS WORLD'S NONSENSE. I'm being sincere. This old adage is true and although most recall it from Malcom X first, it goes back much further! FOR AMERICA, 'THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!' meaning all our past arrogance, greed, and grasping for power has returned to bring us down in the eyes of the world, I just hope it BRINGS US TO OUR KNEES IN REPENTANCE!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #cc0000; text-align: left;">UNTIL NEXT TIME...</b></div><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p><b><i><span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="color: #990000;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.</span></span><span face=""> </span></span></span></span> </i></b></p>alittlewiser63http://www.blogger.com/profile/18420822051614055945noreply@blogger.com1