Beware of Folly

Here is a word for you from the Word.

Proverbs 9:13-18

The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment. “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave [or of Sheol, the nether world]. NIV

That picture of Folly says one thing to me. It says that Folly offers us something below the real price. People are going on their way, they are pursuing their legitimate ends, and Folly impinges upon them with a suggestion that somehow if they turn aside and buy from her and receive what she has to offer, they will be getting a special bargain.

I have come to the conclusion that in the spiritual life there really aren’t any bargains. God doesn’t bargain with us. He doesn’t offer bargains. He doesn’t reduce His prices. And if you ever find somebody who is offering something spiritual at a reduced price, beware; it is not a genuine offer. It comes from Folly and from deception.

There is a price for spiritual blessings. There’s a price for spiritual riches. The price is twofold: commitment and discipline. Folly is undisciplined. She will try to persuade you that you can get it without discipline; that you don’t have to make a real life commitment. Don’t listen to her, she’s deceiving you, she’s turning you aside from the right way. - Derek Prince

The Right to Correction. Dr. Derek Prince

Here is a word for you from the Word.

Proverbs 9:7-9

Whoever corrects a mocker brings on insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. NIV

Nothing sorts out people more sharply and more quickly than their reaction to reproof and instruction. If a person gets angry when he is reproved or instructed, the Bible says he is a mocker. It says he is a wicked man. But if a man is righteous, when he is reproved and instructed, he will be grateful, he will respond with love, he will ask for more.

This poses a question for me that I often face up to and I think each one of us needs to face up to it from time to time. How do I personally react to correction and reproof? Do I get angry? Do I want to answer back? Do I want to throw it away and say, “That isn’t right, it isn’t fair, I don’t deserve that”? I hope not. I hope you don’t react like that.

Remember that your reaction to correction and to reproof is going to clearly indicate your character. If you get angry, you reject it. Then you’re a mocker, you’re a wicked person. I’ve seen this is true in life. Beware of a wrong reaction to correction. - Derek Prince

For another great resource from Derek Prince Ministries, check out the new Derek Prince Podcast on iTunes. It’s quick, it’s easy and best of all it’s absolutely free.

Also, be sure to listen in on this week's broadcast of Derek Prince Legacy Radio as Derek brings more straight forward, practical teaching to help keep you spiritually strong.

Seek Wisdom from Dr. Derek Prince

Seek Wisdom

Here is a word for you from the Word.
Wisdom is Speaking:

Proverbs 8:17

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. NIV

If you determine to seek wisdom, you will find her. She will not hide from you. She sets her conditions, but she is willing to be found. Then she continues speaking:

With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. NIV

The blessings that come with wisdom cannot be estimated. And then wisdom describes the way to walk:

I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and make their treasuries full. NIV

I believe the real important condition there to inheriting those blessings and enjoying them is to love wisdom. Love is a strong word. Love means putting wisdom first. It means devoting time to wisdom. It means sacrificing other things to achieve wisdom, but the reward is so great.

The fruit of wisdom better than fine gold. What wisdom yields surpasses choice silver. Riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. If our heart attitude toward wisdom is right, then all these will be the outcome of that relationship.

Make your mind up that you are going to love wisdom. I would say it is right to love wisdom passionately. I believe that many times, as Christians, we are too tepid, we are too lukewarm. We need to have a passionate love of wisdom. - Derek Prince

For another great resource from Derek Prince Ministries, check out the new Derek Prince Podcast on iTunes. It’s quick, it’s easy and best of all it’s absolutely free.

Where O WHERE, Are WE?!

Where O WHERE, Are WE?!
©Sue Ray (of Sonshine, Silliness & Legends)
All Rights Reserved

It's 11pm, somewhere nearby a car alarm goes off, disrupting my sleep. I peek out my curtains to see where the noise is coming from, and suddenly in that moment, I know. A babies cries are heard, not audibly?, more in my head. I know a child is hungry, or suffering some other form of abuse. A woman screams, a shot is fired, and another, and another.

Have you heard the alarm, have you heard that babies cries? Whether you realize it or not, you probably have. In today's society, people don't like really like to get involved in the problems of other people. Let them hit bottom, and they'll figure it out. In the meantime, We pray, & We're safe.... But ARE WE??

Have you ever found yourself smack dab in the middle of life, when all of a sudden, everything comes "unglued" so to speak? Chances are at some time or another you have. Our lives are full of trials and tribulations. God allows us to go through these, so that we will rely on Him and, in doing so HE will make us Strong.

Take a moment to ponder this thought? What if, God, didn't want to get involved? What if He never came to earth? Where would WE be? He could have been like that you know. He could have decided on that first sin, to just say? Ah, heck with it, they'll never learn. He could have, but He didn't. He chose us, so that we might choose Him.

I've often wondered how it is that we end up, where we are in life. To many, this is because we have chosen to be, wherever it is we are. And while that's true to some extent, I also believe when God created us, the plan was set in motion for our lives. So in another sense, I wonder if the choices we make would have to be in some way ingrained in our beings, that this is where we're going, this is the path we are to travel... kind of like auto-pilot if you will.

Just writing that got me thinking... "Wow, that's pretty deep... I'm not sure if *I* even understand that.

God gave me the attached song one night not long after I'd fled from my marriage and the life that had become overwhelming to me. I can see the path that God KNEW I would be taking. He prepared me years earlier by pointing me to the verse that I would cling to like a lifeline. "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." (Psalm 18:32 NIV)

Just a few years later, I was asked to lead a 2 day retreat at the women's prison, and did so using that as the main scripture theme. So it should have come as no surprise that when I was in the midst of my marital struggle, this verse would play a central theme in the song God gave me that night; and yet to some degree the thrill, exhilaration, and humbleness I felt that God was using my struggle for something so powerful took my breath away.

Ironically, while the central theme remained the same, the scripture verses that I read as this song came into existence were NOT the same ones that I had used for the retreat. One of these days I need to find the piece of paper I'd written the song on that night, as I had notated the verses God took me through on it as well. To this day, that main scripture verse gets me through the struggles of life.

When I was younger, I can't even remember the number of times, I planned on running away from home. The funny thing was, it was always clear to my parents... I made no bones about it, I wanted out. I can still picture one of the first times, standing in the hallway, ready for adventure, white suitcase in my hand, ready to head for greener pastures.

Much like God, my parents were way smarter than I, and used some kind of logic that blew the wind out of my sails. So I'd always end up, my suitcase unpacked, right back where I started from.

Looking back, I realize that even then, God knew what He was doing... Shaping me, and molding me into the person I would grow into. His design had taken root, and though many times, stubborn and sure that there was something better out there, I was, and still am, right where God planned me to be, growing deeper in understanding all the while. As a child, I was probably NOT NEARRRRLY as stubborn as others... My daughters, ventured, to areas in life I couldn't even begin to fathom. *I* have encountered things, that many will never experience. I would hazard a guess that the same can be said for your life experiences.

We're all on this journey called life, with enough differences to make us unique, and enough similarities to make us able to learn and grow from each other. The concept is mind boggling, but the end result is a tapestry that contains such beauty, it can ONLY have been designed by God.

Looking back on your own life, Can you pinpoint the times in life God has armed you with the strength to persevere in a difficult situation?


His Way is Perfect
©Sue Ray (of Sonshine, Silliness & Legends)
All Rights Reserved - 2001

The world's become a crazy place
There's violence everywhere
A child lives in misery
But many just don't care

Is it any wonder then, as we've turned
From all that's true
And tried to serve some other God
Ruin & misery describe you

(chorus)
As for God, His way is perfect
Faith is a shield of victory
He can make the darkness light
But where O where are we
--
He's the rock that can't be beat
He'll make our feet that of a deer
If we would only turn to him
And give away our fear

What Happened O so long ago
Seems all to be in vain
When a person flees from one they love
'cause they just cant take the pain

Peace and joy aren't far away
If you'll just reach out your hand
He'll be beside you all the way
'cause it's time to take a stand

(chorus x2)

As for God, His way is perfect
Faith is a shield of victory
He shed his blood for one and all
But where O where are we


His Way Is Perfect 1999 Retreat Scripture References from the NIV

Abandonment: Matthew 26:38-46
38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

Tears: Psalm 56:8
8 Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll - are they not in your record?

Hope: 1 Corinthians 10:11-13
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Joy: Psalm 139:1-10
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Faith: Matthew 17:20
20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Stumbling Blocks: John 10:28-30
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

Walking with God: Genesis 41:38
38 So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God

Strength: Psalm 18:30-36
30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God besides the LORD ? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. 36 You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

Wisdom hates evil

Proverbs 8:12-13

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. NIV

Wisdom comes to us in the Scripture sometimes as a person and speaks to us in a very personal tone of voice. Wisdom presents to us a choice. Wisdom shows us the dividing of the pathway-the pathway of life and the pathway of death. Wisdom warns us that if we are to walk in the pathway of life we have to hate evil. There is no room for compromise.

Those who are walking in that pathway cannot in any way permit themselves to entertain the thoughts of evil. We have to watch our own lives, our own behavior. We have to guard against the things that wisdom hates. Wisdom hates pride and arrogance. These are subtle things that may begin to grow up in our lives without us scarcely being aware of them. Evil behavior and perverse speech-these are things that wisdom hates, and if we are to walk in the way of life we have to hate what wisdom hates. We have to side with the Lord against sin and iniquity, rebellion and deception. We have to dethrone these things from our hearts and to make room there for wisdom-wisdom with prudence, with knowledge and with discretion. We have to bear in mind continually that all the counsel of wisdom, all the instruction and even the admonition of wisdom is designed for our good. - Derek Prince

For another great resource from Derek Prince Ministries, check out the new Derek Prince Podcast on iTunes. It’s quick, it’s easy and best of all it’s absolutely free.

Also, be sure to listen in on this week's broadcast of Derek Prince Legacy Radio as Derek brings more straight forward, practical teaching to help keep you spiritually strong.

Wonder Woman to the Rescue!
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I have what I like to call 'Wonder Woman' syndrome - I have to be careful not to jump into things to quickly without thinking them through because I want to save or would like to think I can save the world - Fully KNOWING I can't!!! lol Luckily I realized this a few years back and have learned it's better to think things through lest I become overwhelmed, though I STILL find myself doing this now and then....
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Like a freight train on a collision course... in my minds eye, I see Wonder Woman there, just in the nick of time as the train is about to go off the deep end. Using her mighty powers, she slows the train before it's too late... before things get toooo out of control.
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This past weekend was one of those overwhelming times. As my daughter & her little family are getting ready to move out of state, I found myself volunteering to have my granddaughter spend the night and then spend all... (and I do mean ALL) day with me on Sunday. This, after I'd just finished a most excruciating yet exhilarating week in training to become a 'Peer Counselor'. Excruciating, because of the amount of information that was stuffed into my brain, and exhilarating because it was a training that I was really excited about and enjoyed beyond anything I'd experienced in a long time.
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Taking a deep breath, 'Wonder Woman' stops the train, before it derails. She says to herself, 'We need to slow this thing down', take a breath and regroup, after all Rome wasn't built in a day.
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Recognizing a need to slow down is a fairly new skill for this Wonder Woman - as the train comes to a slow chug, I pat myself on the back for having noticed where the train was headed. There's still much I want to conquer, putting my training of that from last week, and an earlier training I'd received to help me notice such things to good use, is a priority and something I'm feeling a need and a desire to concentrate on.
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For those of you who know me, this might mean I don't get back to you as quickly as I once would have as I take a little extra time to focus.
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'Don't lose sight of that destination' she says, you're getting there.
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Wonder Woman to the Rescue!
©Sue Ray (of Sonshine, Silliness, & Legends) 2008
All Rights Reserved
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Ps.18:32

The Flying Nun

The Flying Nun

I remember when I was younger, one of the programs that I'd loved to watch was the Flying Nun. I'm sure you can imagine the excitement I must have felt when I came across it in the TV Series Videos on Netflix. I’d been like a kid atChristmas waiting for the first one to come in the mail.

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So one afternoon several months ago, I was watching, oh I think it was the 3rd episode... I'm not sure which season, when Sister Batrill received a treasure chest via air freight which, had belonged to her now deceased 87 year old Aunt. Ohhhh the things they removed from that thing! lol A Big Blue Feather Boa, A Wig, etc...

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It was comical because She had been telling the Sisters what a Sweet Little Ole Lady her Aunt was and out comes all this stuff and a black negligee. Anyhow, the last thing she pulled out was a bright red Parasol... Our dear Flying Nun thought it would help to temper her flying & landing.

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As she went up, flying through the air with that umbrella, I got to thinking. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to do that? I know there have been times I'd like to have been able to do just that. I know where I'da flown... Straight up & into God's lap. Sometimes I've felt like I've been living someone else’s life…

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I don't know when it started, but I DO know, that there have been times I wondered what on earth was going on. Once upon a time I would never have thought & done some of the silly things I can now say that I've done in the past. I certainly wouldn't say I'd have enjoyed them.. but I HAVE done some really off the wall stuff, and enjoyed them at that time. Looking back, I just shake my head, as I know God must've been doing.

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There have been times I've found I wasn't so sure I really knew, or even liked this person I had become back then. I could so easily place the blame elsewhere, and I have to admit, at times I did.. But I always knew I was responsible for the choices I made.

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Sometimes I would think if we rewound my life a bit... Ya ever have those moments?? Did you wonder, too as I did, Can we do it Lord…. Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please!!???

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Those were the times, I'd have loved more than anything, to be able fly right up & to crawl into my Heavenly Father's lap!What's that? I see…. Oh, so that's not how it works…

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Darn, & I was hopin... weren't you? But I Give Thanks that He is ALWAYS ready to walk us through, whatever comes our way. It IS sometimes more than a little tough. Having a friend like Him beside us, well that DOES make a big difference…

Can you see Him as I do

that mighty God of ours,

sitting in His big ole chair

with that sketchbook in His hand?

Can you see Him as I do

drawing pics of me and you

as we go about our lives

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Can you see Him as I do

that mighty God of ours,

sitting in His big ole chair

with that tissue, in His hands?

Can you see Him as I do

drying up those tears you cry

when you just don't understand

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Can you see Him as I do

that mighty God of ours,

sitting in His big ole chair

with His arms stretched open wide?

Can you see Him as I do

waiting for you to say

Abba Daddy I have found

you have plans I just can't see

and I don't have to worry 'cause

I know You're looking after me

-

Well creep on up over here

let me show you how it's done

Put your hand in His my friend

as He sketches one by one

Climb upon His lap and

this is what you'll see

Our Abba Daddy sketching out

the lives, of you, and me..

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Maybe it seems crazy,

but to Him you're everything

He just wants to be the one you turn to

He wants to be your King

-

Can you see Him as I do

that mighty God of ours,

sitting in His Big Ole chair

with that sketchbook in His hand

Can you see Him as I do,

as He turns around to say

Hush my child, all is fine

for I have heard you pray

The Flying Nun's bright red umbrella turned inside out, and she catapulted, landing in the Convent's garden pond... TOTALLY drenched, she cried out, "God? What does Mary Poppins got that I haven't got?" How many times have you found YOURSELF comparing the gifts He gave you, to those of another?

God is the ONLY artist of the Sketchbook for this life of mine...
The Flying Nun - ©Sue Ray, May 2007
Sketches from God - ©Sue Ray, Jan 2006

Sonshine, Silliness, & Legends Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Oh for a Good Nap !!

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard; I could tell
from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was
well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;
he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the
hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.




An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

The Overcoming Spirit!

"The Word for Today", brought to you by Rhema Broadcasting Group in association with The Vine - www.thevine.co.nz™

The Overcoming Spirit! Their weakness was turned to strength. - Hebrews 11:34 NLT

A grindstone can make a diamond shine, or reduce solid rock to dust. It depends what you're made of. Charles Steinmetz, one of the founders of General Electric, was made of the right stuff. Crippled from birth, he was so short in stature that he looked like a dwarf. His mother died before he reached his first birthday. His father was poor but he was determined that young Charles would have an education. Charles couldn't run and play games like normal boys, so he decided to devote himself to science. He set this goal: "I will make discoveries that help other people." When Charles immigrated to the United States he couldn't speak a word of English. His face was swollen from the cold he'd endured on the boat passage. His sight was defective. His clothes were shabby. The port authorities were tempted to return him to Switzerland. But he stayed and found a job that paid $12 a week. There he showed amazing abilities. The infant company, General Electric, quickly realised his incredible potential. His career was marked by unparalleled research and development.

When he died in 1923 one writer said, "He had the mind of an angel and the soul of a seer." What did Charles Steinmetz have? The overcoming Spirit! Do you have it?If what you're doing doesn't produce resistance, it's not worth doing. The winners in your Bible are described this way: "Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle" (Heb 11:34 NLT).

What turns weakness into strength? Faith that refuses to back up, back down, or settle for less than what God has promised.

SoulFood Bible Readings: Hos 11-14, Lk 2:34-40, Ps 21, Pr 14:17-20

RAPTURED BY A PIZZA - almost.

I thought I would repost this because it might just be time for the funny side of christianity. I first posted this on BC a longgg time ago, but for those that havent read it, here it is again.

A day in the life of a window washer (well, a blonde one anyway)... I nearly was raptured by a pizza.

Its really not easy being a blonde christian window washer living in a mini hollywood mecca .... Strange things happen and there are just too many blonde moments - I wouldnt recommend it as a career for the level headed.
umm...... People ask me all the time if I see any 'interesting' sights as a window washer, and I have to admit, that I dont!
I think I miss all the action because Im too busy trying to untangle myself from flying squeegees and drowning myself with water.
butttt... I do meet some interesting people along the way and have interesting experiences
Mostly though, 'things happen' when I wash windows.

Like the day a couple of weeks ago....

There I was, mid afternoon cleaning the windows of a local pizza restaurant.

Now, this small quaint restaurant looks out over the carpark of a small but very busy shopping center. It has windows that reach from floor to ceiling.They hadnt opened for business yet that night, and from the outside I saw the waitresses busy setting up.
I finished the outside, tapped on the window and Tom the boss let me in, where I promptly started cleaning the inside windows.
From the view I had, it was a cloudy but mild overcast day, and I heard Tom singing in the background and the clatter of cutlery and crockery being prepared for the night.
I was in such a happy mood that day, and was singing to myself.

La la laa....
I reached up with the squeegee and did my famous wonder window washer woman swirl (cmon, its an art using a squeegee you know... actually, it took a lot of practise to be able to swirl the squeegee - I remember the first day I decided to impress a client with my expertise and somehow the squeegee and I departed ways and it went flying......... - but, thats another story).

Anyway... so la la la, washing the windows and swirling and twirling my squeegee.
Tom was animatedly yapping in the background and between song I answered chatted with him.
It was when I had the squeegee up mid air I heard it.
I felt it.
I stopped.
Frozen.
Suddenly, the ground beneath me began to vibrate slightly and shake.
I looked down. umm.... hmm.... I looked outside and up at the sky.
There was a low rumble - and looking into the cloudy sky, I thought, oh wowwww.... jet planes must be flying low today.
You know how that feels dont you ?
When one of those super duper things fly over you? ????

I couldnt see a thing. Because the doors were closed, I couldnt hear anything that was happening from outside either - except, I heard this low rumble and the ground shaking - so, I looked across the carpark.

It was mildly busy.... I expected to see other people looking up.
But nope !!!
Everyone else was acting normal...
Was everyone deaf ?
Was I the only one that could hear this looming, sound ?
I put my squeegee down and banged my hands against my ears and shook my head.
Maybe its vertigo !
Nope, it kept boom boom boooming and vvrrrrrring in my ears.
I looked up at the sky again... nada !
So, I turned around, and saw Tom and the waitresses still going about their business, setting tables, and Tom was busy flipping pizza bases in the air.

Hmmm...... I turned around and stared out the window again.

Suddenly it stopped. just stopped!.
So, I picked up my squeegee and started again.
Strange, I thought - God, what WAS that ? I started to have a conversation with Him..... and suddenly ... booom booom booom vrrrr vrrrr vrrrrr..... and the whole earth started shaking again !!!!! this time, it was distantly louder!

Oh my gosh !!!
I thought, this is wierrrrrd.
I looked up at the sky again, across the carpark again.
Nothing.
No one took any notice.
And then something happened.

It struck me, if I could hear this,
.... and no one else could
..... and I was a christian
..... and Jesus was coming back soon
..... umm..... (well yeah, I got all my doctrinal theory mixed up at that point lol, geesh, you know, I didnt care much about doctrine at that point all I knew is that it could be an imminent sign of the times !!! )
Gosh....... I shocked myself.
I was shockkkked... umm.... now what Lord ?

I looked again, and no one was taking any notice of this boom boom vrrr vrrrr beneath my feet, surrounding me and vibration filled the air.

Maybe I should run outside and warn everyone ?

"Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming!!!"

I put my squeegee down, and in an almost act of bravery, reached for the door to run outside. But then, I thought, well umm.....maybe there is something else I should do..

So, in my quick thinking, I started to prayyyyy ....
if this WAS the rapture, well, gee, I wouldnt get time to get home to my kids !!!!

I tried to look calm on the outside..... (I tried very very hard)

I prayed in the spirit and you know, it energized me soo much !
mannn I had that squeegee flying down the window and doing swirls and twirls whilst I prayed for my kids safety, that Jesus wouldnt forget them, that they would be safe, oh, and Lord have mercy on my parents too
... umm.. and my sis and her family and
.... oh and whilst Im at it Lord, can you let Tom know you are coming toooo ?? !!!!!

I gulped.
The rumbling vibrating sound was descending upon me and I tried to hold that squeegee steady, but I was shaking sooo much.

I closed my eyes for a moment.
And then........ the noise stopped again !

Well, by this time, I had a tear growing inside my eyes......

He's forgotten me !
I didnt get raptured !!!!!!
Oh Lordddd, forgive meeeee....... where did You go ?

Lord ???
Helppppppppppp !!!!!!! (well okay, this was all silent in my head, but I knew Jesus could hear me ! )
I stood in stunned silence,
.... now get a grip eli, get a grip, it doesnt happen that way, you know that.....err, do I ?
ummm yes you do....
well, then why........ oh sigh.
Just keep cleaning windows would ya.so.....
I picked up my squeegee once more, still trying to fathom out what happened.

And the noise STARTED AGAIN !!!!

Right, this time, I was beside myself.

I looked up at the sky, across the carpark.
I looked back at Tom and his staff.
No one was taking any notice !!
My eardrums had burst, that must be it !!!
Thats why I was hearing this !
Or maybe, just maybe, God was giving me plenty of warning (coz He knows Im blonde lol and these things take time...
He twinkles his eye and I am still trying to work out should I open or shut my own).

I looked back at Tom again.....and with the ground vibrating heavily beneath me, I turned to him, very prepared now to warn him that Jesus was on His way NOW and he had to take notice and repent straight away !!!

.... and I said......"Tom..."
"yes eli ?"
"are you okay my dear? "
"ummm yes Tom
.... umm..... Tom..... can you hear that noise ????? "
"what noise eli ? "
(I gulped, oh Lord, thats it, Im convinced now, if he cant hear it and I can....)
"err..... THAT noise Tom...
you know........
the vrroooom vrooom boom booom.... "
and my teeth were chattering and I gave him a visual display of the vibration surrounding me, shaking my body.

"err....... eli ? "
" Tom ? .... can you, can you hear it ? "
"yes eli, I can hear it "
(ohhh Hallelujah Lord !!!! He is gonna be saved, Im not the only one here !!!)

"eli......... "
"yes Tom"

"thats my new pizza oven".

Oh.
Oh............

I turned around sheepishly and closed my eyes, my face bright red with embarrassment.

"Lord" I said, "why didnt you tell me ?"

I cringed inside.

"Well, I did eli, you My daughter, werent listening... you were too busy panicking"

"oh"

"well, Lord, umm - Im sure glad this is our secret... "

"yes" He said "it is "

"thanks Lord"and we laughed together.

Im sure glad God had a sense of humor when He made me.

Yep, you meet the strangest people washing windows.

PRAYER REQUEST - by Anna Gossen

Urgent prayer needed
Please pray for a fourteen years old kid from my church. He had a farm accident last summer. A huge silos-ball fall from the tractor onto him. He had been in comma but was miraculously restored. He had some metal plates placed in his spine, but gotten prematurely taken out. His health went down, but no one took the responsibility to do the surgery, till they took him to a hospital that is specialized for young people. There the surgery has been postponed also because they did not have the enough blood conserved, he has a very rear blood type, which was mixed with something else last surgery. This morning his grandma called and said that he is in surgery right now.Please pray that Julian will be restored to health, and the surgeons will do a good job. He has had cancer as a baby and has developed enormous resistance and strength, yet without God's presence at the surgery he is lost.
Anna Gossen, 10 minutes ago

HOW THIS SITE WORKS!!

As per Pulse Groups message:-
My name is Jerry Callon, but on here I am known as Linuswyatt [blame Google for that, not me..Lolololol]

On the left hand side , you can see who are the contributors so far.
Above that is a list of the various blog titles. Click on what ever title you want to read. Latest blog at the top, older blogs further down.
At the bottom of each Blog OR "Post" is a small number & "responses". IF YOU WANT TO leave a response or comment OR only read others comments; click on responses, you can then read what others are saying and make your own comments!!!Eli's 1st "welcome" blog has 3 comments [OR RESPONSES] so far!!

If you have been invited to contribute; use the navigation bar at the top to Sign In, then look for "Dashboard" and from there you'll find access to several things including setting up your own profile and "Create a Post or Blog. Simple as that.

What now?

Well I'm here!! What do I do now??

This makes sense to me!!

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From Kononia House Ministries

THE MYSTERY WOMAN

The Second Epistle of John is among the most neglected books of the New Testament. It, like his third epistle, is simply a short personal letter from the Apostle. There is little doubt that the Apostle John was the author, but there are a number of conjectures as to whom it was written: someone called "the Elect Lady."

(This article contains a conjecture that would seem to have no support from the extensive list of commentaries which have been consulted; however, bear with us and judge for yourself.)

The Recipient

The letter is addressed eklekte kuria, "the Elect Lady," and her children. Kuria is a feminine proper name; but eklekte is a strange construction, never assigned to any other individual in the New Testament as a single predicate. There are two prevailing views among the abundance of expositors:

(1) To the Church at large

Most commentators regard this as simply an idiom for the Church in a collective sense. And yet, the Church is never pictured as having children. In fact, the Church is always presented as a virgin and as a bride.

The view of kuria taken as a symbolic description of the Christian Church has been the dominant view as early as Jerome. The view of believers as "children of the church" may have been comfortable for Jerome, et al., for ecclesiastical reasons, but it flies in the face of Scriptural usage: we are "children of God," not "children of the church." It is also significant that this word does not appear elsewhere with this signification.

The further allusion to the recipient's sister and her children (v.13) would also seem fatal to this view but for the preponderance of the expositional history which has attended this epistle.

(2) To a prominent individual within the church

A straightforward reading of the letter would seem to indicate that the letter is addressed to some prominent member of the local church, and this has also been a common alternative interpretation. The writer knows her sister and her sister's children (v.13). This view would make this the only book in the Bible specifically addressed to a woman.

A Provocative Conjecture

Who would be the most "Elect Lady" in the entire Bible? To me, the most likely prima facie suggestion (which, however, is not even discussed among most commentators) would be that the recipient of this intimate letter is the most "elect" of all women, the very one that Jesus Himself entrusted to John's personal care: Mary, the mother of Jesus!

In fact, it is surprising that Jesus didn't consign her to one of her other four sons. Jesus was raised among a family of at least seven: five brothers and two sisters. James and Jude became believers after the resurrection and, in fact, each wrote the books in the New Testament that bear their names. Jesus appeared to James after His resurrection. If our surmise is correct - and it is only a surmise - the others probably also became believers.

And Mary did have a sister as alluded to in verse 13. We know so little of her subsequent history from the Scriptures; there are only minimal allusions in the Book of Acts. She apparently remained in the care of John in his retirement in Ephesus.

Obviously, most of what is commonly published by the Roman Catholic Church has been contrived to promote a number of doctrinal heresies. Most Biblical believers, from their revulsion to the tragic and heretical deification of Mary, tend to disregard her altogether and ignore her situation and predicament.

The "Elect Lady" is loved "by all they that have known the Truth" (v.1). Who else would be loved by all other believers? To whom else could this refer? This, too, seems to point to far more than simply a prominent personage within their local church!

Clearly, the prominence of "truth," in concert with "love," is the keynote of this letter. John uses the word "Truth" five times in the first four verses. He uses the word "love" four times. However, in this letter, we learn that Truth "dwells in us and shall be with us forever" (v. 2). "The Truth" may be intended as a more personal title.

Even Pilate's cynical question still echoes in our ears, "What is Truth?" For believers, Jesus' declaration is conclusive and comprehensive: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

It would seem that John is using, here, Truth as a title of Jesus Christ, just as he so often uses the Logos, the Word. (The recipient of John's letter also was not a latecomer: she was there "from the beginning.") If our suspicion is correct, it would place a unique complexion on the entire letter, and it would also yield a number of other significant insights.

We should not presume that any of us is beyond the need for encouragement or exhortation. Why would Mary - a blessed but human believer - be any exception? Especially during a time when widespread attacks on the deity of Jesus Christ was the topic of the day! Mary was subject to the same frailties as we are: pride, doubts, and a need of frequent encouragement, counsel, and, perhaps, exhortation. A tendency toward pride could certainly have been her most serious challenge: the most blessed of all women who had ever walked the earth! And yet, having to live with the clouds of legitimacy, and other doctrinal issues, over her firstborn.

Read through the Second Epistle of John from Mary's perspective, and see what the Spirit confirms to you.

The Key Lesson

In any case, John's letters focus on our walking in love, in truth, and in the intimate knowledge of God. They deal with, in a sense, a challenge similar to the indictment by the Prophet Hosea: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." - Hosea 4:1

The issue in all three letters is that love and truth must be practiced, or "walked." "To walk in the truth" means to obey it. It is easier to study the truth, or even argue about the truth, than it is to obey it. Knowing the truth is more than giving assent to a series of doctrines; it means that the believer's life is controlled by a love for the truth and a desire to magnify the truth.

Who are the deceived?

From Kononia House Ministries.

SAME-SEX ATTRACTION, CAUSES AND CURES

Dozens of gay and lesbian couples were married in California Monday evening, starting at 5:01pm when same-sex marriages officially became legal in the state. Some of those who rushed to sign up for marriage licenses were from out-of-state; unlike Massachusetts, California has no law requiring residency to obtain a marriage license. All of the new unions may yet be nullified, though. California voters can go to the polls in November to overturn the state Supreme Court’s ruling, and reinstate the state ban on same-sex marriages.

The promotion of gay marriage pulls from two basic assumptions, that:
1) homosexual attraction is inborn and genetic;
2) homosexual attraction, though found in a relatively small portion of the population, is still normal and harmless.

If people believe that homosexuals are normal and are truly “born that way”, then it is easy to argue that gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to marry just as other minorities are allowed to marry. These consider discrimination against same-sex couples as a cruel denial of basic human rights.

The gay and lesbian political machine has been working hard for decades to promote those two assumptions. Neither, however, is close to having been proven. While a significant number of gays and lesbians truly feel that they were “different” from birth, there is little to prove that same-sex attraction is purely genetic. Homosexuality flies in the face of basic laws of procreation, and cannot therefore be considered “normal”, and there is plenty of evidence that the lifestyles of gay men tend to be anything other than harmless.

In July, 1993, the magazine Science announced the existence of the “gay gene.” Of course, what the research actually determined was more like, “There could possibly be maybe a chance that this particular gene could conceivably have an influence on being gay. Sort of.” Unfortunately, many people in the public assumed an actual gay gene had been found, and the idea that people are “born gay” took off.

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association voted to remove homosexuality from the list of psychiatric illnesses. According to a survey reported in the journal Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality in 1977, though, 69 percent of psychiatrists still considered homosexuality a disorder.

The fact is that the “experts” don’t know exactly what causes homosexual attraction. The APA does see it as a combination of nature and nurture. Certain trends pop up, though. Sensitive personalities, poor relationships with fathers, forceful mothers, trauma in childhood, early sexual activity and/or molestation, early rejection by peers – things that leave small children longing for love or acceptance, or that create an extreme sense of inadequacy – are the sorts of things in the backgrounds of many unwilling homosexuals. Then there is the spiritual aspect, which is even harder to nail down in politically correct America.

Ex-Gays

Perhaps the biggest arguments against the “born that way” mantra are the many men and women who have changed. The process is often difficult and takes a long time and careful, loving therapy. When the foundational causes of the same-sex attraction are addressed and dealt with, however, significant numbers of once-homosexuals have become heterosexual. They have been freed from something that was a chain around their necks and hearts, and have rejoiced in becoming whole.

Former lesbian Debbie Thurman says, “I can count myself among the growing numbers of men and women who have overcome a significant struggle with same-sex attraction. While our stories and the degree to which we have found wholeness may be different, the central themes are often similar. Frequently, you will find we came from broken homes, were alienated from one or both parents, were sexually abused as children, are sensitive by temperament, and suffered from depression.

"…Sticky problems arise when a number of those who have 'always felt' homosexual begin moving along the continuum of feeling less so, and at the same time, actually begin feeling better about themselves. How dare we forsake the gay cause célebrè? Like crabs trying to escape from a bucket, gay activists begin dragging us down.

“Detractors insist that measurable results must be quick, and that change 'isn't change' if it requires a long process. These same people generally see life as a continual 'journey' in all other respects. But if someone gives up during the long process, that is somehow 'proof' that change is a sham. Never mind that overeaters, alcoholics or drug addicts fall off the wagon every day. The standard for sexual identity change remains 'all or nothing'!

“So where are the mental health professionals who will stand up and challenge these untruths? Why do they allow the APA to hijack the truth?”

Regardless of what the politically-charged APA accepts, the Bible consistently condemns same-sex sexual intercourse as wrong. At the same time, Jesus Christ specifically came to save those who were lost. That’s all of us. He loves us. He died for our sins, and through the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, we can all be freed from the various chains that hang around our necks. According to Paul in Romans 1:18-32, homosexuality has a root cause in a culture’s turning away from God the Creator. It’s easy to attack people lost in same-sex attraction, but we are all responsible as a culture to truly put Christ first in our lives, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we do that, maybe we will have fewer young people falling prey to the lie of homosexuality.

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Cor 6:9-11 (NKJV)

Related Links:

• The APA's Pro-Gay 'River of Denial' - NARTH
• Gay Couples Tie The Knot In California - USA Today
• What Do Clinical Studies Say About Same Sex Attraction? - NARTH
• Stories Of Those Who Have Overcome Same-Sex Attraction - Exodus International

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Where should we Start

It is my considered understanding that an active and powerful Faith in Jesus starts with a good comprehension of what it means to confess He is Our Creator; We are HIS created being. I find many christians while verbally agreeing with this truth; do not fully take it on-board in their heart.

Do you feel this idea maybe wrong or maybe even right????