Wednesday, February 13, 2013

God...Make Me Like a Duck!


There is nothing like observing a family of ducks swimming in a pond or lake. It is one of the most beautiful things. They swim so majestically and effortlessly like they have not a care in the world. The ducks webbed feet are paddling away underneath the water but look as calm as can be above it. 
I remember one cold day that I brought my two sons to a local park that had a pond and playground. As we sat there enjoying the view of the ducks; my oldest son Trey asked, "Mom, why is it that the ducks don't wear coats and we do?" I remember chuckling at his innocence and answered him, "Because God made them with waterproof coats. The cold and the water cannot touch their skin so they stay warm and dry and safe." Trey being the inquisitive and persistent 6 year old asked another question, "Then why didn't God give us that kind of coat?" I was surprised at that question and scrambled to find a good answer and in my attempt stated, "Because we need to take off our coats and the ducks need to keep theirs on." I wish I could tell you that the questions stopped at that point....but they continued. What sweet memories.

Many times that day I thought about that question. And I asked God, "why is it that we as humans are so prone to hurt, bitterness and unforgiveness?" At that time in my life I was personally struggling with some relationship issues and had found myself feeling the sting of hurt and I was carrying a heavy load. God literally spoke to me that night in prayer and stated, "Jonna, I want to make you like a duck." I remember crying and feeling heaviness being lifted off of my shoulders. It was the beginning of a healing that I didn't even truly realize that I needed. I had been hauling bitterness and resentment and it had been affecting every part of my life. 

You see God created the duck to live on land, fly in the air and swim in the water so that it could be comfortable in several totally opposite situations. Ducks waddle along on dry ground and can quickly and easily glide across the water at a moments notice and then of course seamlessly take off and fly in the air. Feathers perfectly placed by it's creator act as a barrier to allow water to simply roll off of their body. A duck does not even notice the rain water because it is a creature that is able to adapt to all environments. Water is not something that is unexpected but anticipated as the duck encounters it every day. Therefore, it does not stop to get out of the rain or fight to stay dry but simply goes on with its daily routine. 

When we become Children of God by accepting Jesus Christ, like the duck, we have a dual citizenship. I know this seems far fetched in some ways but hear me out! We live on this planet Earth but our hearts inhabit Heaven. These are two very different places with extremely opposite atmospheres and conflicting principles. Yet we are not to conform to this Earth in order to survive but rather live victoriously until we make our transition into heaven. The Bible tells us that there would be various trials in our lives according to Jame 1:8 and that we need to count it all as joy.


You see ducks aren't just waterproof without any work. They are diligent with "preening" their feather's constantly. Ducks nibble at their feathers and this motion distributes oil from a gland that covers the feathers from head to toe as well as remove scales and parasites. The oil makes the top layer of their feathers water-resistant and causes them to be bouyant and the water to literally, 'roll off their backs'. Being waterproof allows the ducks to stay in the water for long periods of time and not be affected by the cold at all. Without being waterpoof the duck's feathers will become saturated, their heart could stop beating and the heavy weight could cause the duck to possibly drown!

Living successfully in differing environments is definitely not without it's challenges! God though has equipped ALL His creations for adaptability and given all of us tools for survival. Just as ducks expect and anticipate the rain we too should prepare ourselves for adversity and recognize it when it is occuring. The Word of God and His oil of annointing will cause us to be bouyant and rise above all the "stuff" that tries to distract us and hurt us. We have to protect our heart from becoming hardened because we are called to live out our life with love. David wrote in Psalms 69 with a heavy heart because of insults from others and he was crying out to be rescued. If you are struggling today to keep your head above the water you need to know that God has already done His part...now you have to do yours.

Remember that the Lord knows exactly what is going on in your life and He is watching intently! You can easily decide to be that graceful duck swimming and content on knowing that all cares rest on the heavenly Father. When offenses creep up and the cold and wet try to get you down remember to look up and say, "God make me like a duck!" and watch the things that "so easily beset us" in this life just roll off your back leaving you happy, content and amazingly unaffected. 

Jonna











Monday, February 11, 2013

Compassion is a Verb


So many people tell me that I am such a compassionate and loving person. I sincerely appreciate the compliment but it is truly a God-given attribute and it is not without any sad and faulty beginnings. Don't get me wrong...I have always loved people. I grew up watching my mom and dad give literally the clothes off their back to people that were in need. I was raised in an environment of giving, loving and investing in people. And despite that I made a horrible mistake one day that I will never easily forget. 


I was in Junior High and there was a new boy at my school that was close to 6 foot tall, had failed several grades and had some unsual facial features which made him stand out BIG time. Everybody made fun of him and no matter where he was or what he was doing there was always someone calling him names and taking jabs at him. I felt sorry for him. He would just put his head down and never say anything back.       
    

One day after school there was a group of kids outside and I approached the crowd and recognized several of my friends. They were berating this boy from the way he looked, how old he was, the clothes that he wore, etc. I listened to the remarks until it was over. I stood in the group; silent but guilty by association. I wanted to take up for him and tell everyone to be quiet and leave him alone but I couldn't find the courage to speak up. After all...what would my friends say? What would the girl that I wanted to be friends with say if I said anything? I remember the last time I saw him; he was walking home with a few kids behind him. I am sure they were harassing him the whole way. 


The next day we got an announcement at school that our classmate had killed himself. He had went home wrote a suicide note, put a bag over his head, tied it around his neck and inhaled gasoline through a hose. In the newspaper it talked about how his father and him was new to the area and that he had recently lost his mother to cancer. I was devastated and my chest literally hurt. Some of my classmates actually laughed. I cried. 


It isn't popular sometimes to take a stand and do right when others around you don't seem to be. Since that fateful day I have replayed this scenario in my head a million times and asked myself what I could have done and how it might have ended differently if only I would have stood up for the guy. I cried out to God asking for forgiveness and to take the guilt away. I also prayed that the nightmares would disappear quickly...but they didn't. But slowly God did a work in my heart and I began to look at people through different eyes and I found myself being drawn to those eating by themselves, intervening when someone was being ridiculed, and just being more aware of people in general. I really feel like God placed in me a compassion for people that are hurting and a love for the unloveable. In many ways I feel He gave me another chance and I will NEVER let Him down again.

Compassion is a word of action. It is not observing from the sidelines; it is the heartfelt care for another with both intent and action. It exemplifies the character of God in who He is and how He responds to His children. In fact it is one of the Ten Commandments in "loving thy neighbor as yourself" and let's not forget..."The Golden Rule"! The compassion of Christ carries the notion of tenderness and affection. It is a feeling with and for others that is a fundamental and distinctive quality of God. He is the God of all comfort and the Father of compassion (Psalm 116:5; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Christ's compassion has no limits. He ignores categories of people that are set within society and touches those who would come to Him — no matter who they are or what they have done. The poor, disenfranchised, suffering, and marginalized in society are precious to God (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; 6:20; 7:22). Jesus cares for the oppressed and downtrodden (Luke 4:18,19). 

If we are going to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus then we need to be willing to stand and take action when it is uncomfortable, inconvenient and unpopular. Never think that what you say or do cannot make a difference in someones life.....it could actually be the difference between life or death.


--Shine your light!
     Jonna 

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Who is holding you back?

Inadequacy...it is such a nasty word. That one word fills my head full of thoughts of failures and regrets of things that I want to do but haven't tried or failed and never got back up. What is it in the small trip from the brain to the heart that instills such fear and intrepidation! We think too much!

A great word that is just as powerful is potential. It is essentially energy at rest. So in my estimation the only thing limiting us from being something we are not is our own inactivity whether that be in our mind or body.


The trouble with our feeling of inadequacy is that it robs God of marvelous opportunities to show off His power and ability through our weaknesses. Paul said, "Therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities." Why? Because they gave God such a wonderful chance to show off His perfection (2nd Corinthians 12:9-10). Nothing sabotages our potential more than thinking so little of ourselves that we never really give God a chance. We need to know that we are people of destiny and have a greater calling than what we can do on our own....if you can achieve something without faith than it isn't a big enough dream or vision. You need to think bigger, greater and higher and claim that you are that person even when you don't see it or feel it.

We must never forget who we REALLY are, what we are TO BECOME and how much God LOVES US. We must give God a chance to shine HIS perfection through us.


Adjust that Crown!
Jonna




Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Prayer of Presidential Proportions

A Prayer of Presidential Proportions:

I ask you, even now, to prepare the heart of the man who will lead this nation over these next four years. I pray that we, as YOUR people, will come together to pray for him and to bless him–whether we voted for him or not. God I pray that He will call out to you. Anoint and equip him to be a UNITER and not a divider. Show him where and how to build bridges and where he must stand on conviction. Help him to be a man of integrity and a man after your own heart. Teach him your ways and lead him in your truth. Protect him–body, soul, and spirit–and draw his heart closer to your own. Be his counselor, be his comforter, and be his strength.
Lord I ask for an unprecedented outpouring of your Spirit in the days ahead. I ask for a release of great healing throughout the nation … and in your church. Some are rejoicing today, and some are weeping–but may we extend great grace to one another even as our hearts respond differently. God forgive us for our small-minded and dogmatic ways. Forgive us for being so lost in our own opinions at times that we fail to see the very valid issues raised by those who think differently than us. Forgive us for turning on each other when we disagree and not showing LOVE. Forgive us for our pettiness and for so often majoring in the minors–help us to make the main thing, the main thing. And Jesus, you forever have been, and forever will be, the only MAIN thing.
Lord, we desire righteousous leaders and a President who will follow you with his whole heart–but even as we express that desire, we acknowledge that our future is not in the hands of a man. Our future is in YOUR hands. You are the Desire of Nations. You are the desire–and hope– of THIS nation. You are Lord of lords and King of kings. Your kingdom WILL come, your will WILL be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And the increase of YOUR government will know no end.
Regardless of who is President–Jesus, you are our King and the only One who will reign forever. For that, we are eternally grateful. Again Lord, thank you for continuing to bless America … may we ever live to bless you.
In your name, Jesus
~Amen

Thursday, August 30, 2012

*Lessons from a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

There aren't too many things as a ER Nurse that I categorize as shocking anymore; but every once in a while something happens that I never thought I would ever experience. I vividly remember the day that I found a moldy grilled cheese sandwich in the fat folds of a patient!  Even more amazing was the calm, even tone and demeanor her spouse used recalling the date two weeks prior that he cooked that very meal. 

It was very sad to attempt to help this severely obese woman who  was struggling to balance her spine on the stretcher because she was competing with 200 pounds of fat hanging over EACH side! Thanks to the assistance of a few unwilling co-workers I recruited; we were finally able to literally push and pull flesh on top of this lady to get one side rail up on her bed! It was when we were attempting to put the other side rail up that I made my discovery. My gloved-hand touched something strange and as I tugged on it between the skin folds and out came a precisely-cut triangular sandwich that smelled like something out of a horror movie!!

I am not proud of the fact that I gagged at the sight & smell of it. There are some things the senses were not made to endure or encounter & this is a great example. The skin that had been subjected to the rotten sandwich had broken down & infection had set in that was foul and draining pus. The patient said, "Oh I remember losing one of my sandwiches the other day. I had wondered what happened to it." She never seemed to notice the disgust on the staff faces or the obvious smell that was so very apparent to everyone around her. He husband verified the story by saying to her, "Yes. I made those sandwiches weeks ago."

The sad truth is that we all carry things that shouldn't be a part of us. Things such as lack of forgiveness, jealousy, bitterness, depression, anger, malice, judgment and negativity that can become a part of us & we don't even realize it! These things can cause infection to set in and literally make our mind, body & spirit sick. We will have a stench about us that will turn people away from us causing us to be isolated and alone. A sick or hurt person can and will spread their bacteria around to everyone they touch or see or speak to. It can go from a local infection to a systemic infection very quickly if not identified and treated quickly.


Now I had tons of questions swirling in my head that day such as, "Do you eat naked to get that lodged into your fat folds?" and "When is the last time you bathed?" But I suppressed those thoughts and went to work helping the lady and treating her with the dignity and respect she deserved. How she got in this condition is beyond me and my judgments weren't going to help her. 
The cool thing is that when God sees us he doesn't look at us with disgust; curl his nose up or even gag! He sees His creation that is beautiful. How amazing that he sees POTENTIAL even when we are in the middle of a MESS! I know he has got to shake His head at the situations we get ourselves into. But he doesn't judge us...He loves us. We can be like the prodigal son in Luke 15 laying in the mud with the pigs but HE has the ability to visualize us with a white robe, a ring and a new pair of shoes all the while enjoying a time of reconciliation. 
20-21"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'
 22-24"But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time." (the message)
You know that the son had to smell like the pigs!! But his father covered him and reconciled him, hugged and ate with him. God wants to do that with each if us. No matter where we have been or what we have done or are currently trying to hide...He wants to make it clean and bring healing into our lives. God is the God of MANY chances. He has a plan orchestrated for each one of us even in our stench and all we have to do is make the effort to want what He so willingly and freely wants to give. 

A Prayer for You:

God help me to open my blind eyes and see the true condition of my life. God if there be any thing within me that is causing an odor that is not pleasing to you; reveal it to me. Help me to see where I really am and where you want me to be. I long to be like you and I can't do it on my own. I need your healing power to wash over me today and make me clean. Take away the stench of yesterday and cover it with the washing of your blood that makes all things new. Thank you for your salvation power and that I can leave everything at your feet and walk away whole. I have faith in you as my savior and I humbly put every need and every care in your hands today. God give me new clothes, a new identity in 
you and bless my ever step I take in your name I pray. Amen.


Adjust that crown! 

Jonna


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Keep Calm and Carry On


Posters were produced and printed in 1939 by the United Kingdom at the beginning of the Second World War and was intended to be distributed in order to strengthen morale to the British public in the event of a wartime disaster. There were 3 posters made, "Freedom is in Peril. Defend it With all your Might", "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will bring us Victory", and "Keep Calm and Carry On". 
The posters were to be placed within 24 hours of the outbreak of war and were designed to have be uniform and have a unique and recognizable lettering that would resonate that it was a direct message from King George VI to his people; which explains the icon of a crown that was chosen to head the poster, rather than a photograph. These posters would be spread about town in windows of businesses and neighborhoods so that when the people would see it they would remember what the war was all about. When people would talk bad about what was going on in the war the slogans would hopefully encourage each other to say positive things and speak what was written. What a neat idea for the government to do to encourage their people!
We also have a direct message from our King! His written Word is a personal love letter and reminder to us about what this life is all about. Every story and every teaching is something we need to make our own and then share with others to bring liberty and victory.  And when we are going through rough situations and times we only need to look up to the Heavens and there we can communicate with OUR King! Our gracious God is waiting for us to call out to Him and he is easily accessible and powerful and has ALL the  authority to bring us peace, joy, and all the confidence that we need in what we feel is our darkest times to "Keep Calm and Carry On". 

Keep Calm and Sparkle On
Jonna

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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Faith it!


“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10, NIV)
So many people today are living in “survival” mode. They have a mentality that says, “If I can just make it through…” or “If I can just get by…” Of course, there are some seasons that are more difficult than others and sometimes it’s challenging to get a vision for just the next day. If you find yourself constantly living with a survival mentality then you are missing out on God’s best for you. Scripture doesn’t say, “Jesus came so you could survive.” No, it says that He came to give you a full and abundant life!

Many Christians will squeak by and get into heaven but they will not have the fingerprints of people and the crowns that God wants to bestow on his children. God created us to shine His light and His presence to this world and not to just "camp" here until He comes back for us! I believe that He has a path that we can take in faith that is called His will and it will lead us to the position and authority that each of us were placed on this Earth for. Now this place isn't going to be worry-free or carefree but it will require perseverance and reliance on God and it will be the most victorious and happiest that we will ever be. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us of the future that we have in God and the plans that he has for us...who wouldn't want to know the purposes that God has for them on this Earth? 
If you find yourself idling by and singing "kum by ya" then you need to take a giant leap of faith and begin to declare, “My days of survival are over; my days of thriving have begun!” I believe God will then open an unexpected door and will pour out His favor and blessing on you. He’ll make a way where there seems to be no way! Even if you’re in a tough time right now, remember those dry seasons don’t last, but the Word of God stands forever. Begin to decree what God says about your circumstances because you are created for more than to just get by — you are created to thrive!
A Prayer for Today
Father God, thank You for giving me abundant life through Jesus Christ. I believe that You have a good plan for my future and I am going to look for opportunities and look beyond myself in faithI declare that my days of thriving have begun as I continue to put your words and your promises to action as I learn to trust in You alone.  In Jesus’ name I decree is as so!  Amen.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Don't Give UP!



” …Run in such a way as to get the prize” 
(1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV).
Often when we have a dream or a promise placed in our heart, we chase after it with great expectation and we get so excited about our future! But along the way, we just might encounter a few bumps and unfortunately face some adversity. It is so easy to give up and think that it just wasn't "meant to be". What is important to remember is that it's not how we start that counts; it’s how we finish. Anybody can be fired up at the beginning, but it takes character to continue in the face of opposition. God will give us a plan for our lives and it is up to us to have the faith in who HE is for us to complete it.


Don’t stop at the halfway mark just because times are tough. Don’t quit because you don’t see anything happening. The scripture tells us not to walk by sight, but to walk by faith.
Today, if there’s something you’re believing for—a relationship to turn around, a business opportunity, a loved one that isn't living right or you need to overcome an addiction—keep pursuing it! Run your race to win the prize! Don’t settle until you see the fullness of what God has placed in you. As you stand strong in your faith, I believe God will pour out His favor and blessing upon you, and you will see the mighty blessings He has in store for you! He wants to see his people flourish and he also wants to see the active character of obedience worked out in our lives. When we show ourselves approved in the small things then He will give us something greater to pray and believe for....that my friend is living a victorious life in Christ.

Adjust that Crown!

Jonna
Heavenly Father, today I choose to stand strong in You. I set my focus on Your promises and choose to run my race with conviction. I let go of the past by faith today and press forward into the destiny You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

I will Rejoice and BE GLAD!


“This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
I remember singing the ever popular song in church called, "This is the Day", way back in the 1980's. In fact my childhood Pastors EJ and Mary Mills would get up in church to preach and if they thought we weren't happy enough or there was a feeling of gloom in the congregation then they would ask the pianist to come up and we would sing that song until we got happy! Sometimes I remember faking my cheerfulness and smiling VERY big so that we wouldn't have to sing it 5 thousand times! ha. Unfortunately, my parent's would take this great idea home and would use it when one of us were in a foul mood. I have very detailed memories of my sister Ketti and I having an arguement and my mother telling us to make up and then instructing us both to sing this song together. I know that we would have angry looks on our faces and rolling our eyes, (not to mention that neither one of us could sing), and we would sing it much slower and of course off key and it didn't sound anything cheerful or happy and if we weren't on the same words or it didn't sound convincing to her then she would make us stop and start over. She would also make sure that we were smiling and I know it was usually through clenched teeth. We would eventually try to sound excited so that this sickening ordeal would just be done with! What I would give for a recording or even a picture of that right now! ha. I never truly understood what my mom was trying to do back then....torture was my first thought!

Now that I am older and I have witnessed petty arguements and bitterness that develops in our lives from things that have no eternal value,  I understand what my sweet Pastor's as well as my Godly parents were trying to teach us. They saw the bigger picture and that life is a Gift and a wonderous thing! We get so bogged down with the little things sometimes that serve as only distractions and quickly forget about why we are here and all the things we should be happy about....if we truly realized it...we would never have a frown on our face and always be in an attitude of gratitude!

Every day that we are given is a precious gift from Almighty God. We should wake up every morning with a grateful attitude, full of faith and expectancy for what the Lord has in store. Sure, you may be facing some challenges in your every day life, or maybe things aren’t going the way you planned, but remember, each new day is a chance to stand strong in the midst of adversity and see the faithfulness of God. Be glad that God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Be glad that God has given you a sound, healthy mind. Rejoice that He is making a way where there seems to be no way! As you focus on the gift of every day and rejoice in what God has done in your life, you will begin to experience His increase and blessings. You’ll rise up higher and set the course to live in victory all the days of your life!

"This is the day. This is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice. I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made." ----song lyrics "This is the Day"

Keep Sparkling
Jonna

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Cry Out to God!


And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?”(Luke 18:7, NIV)
Have you been crying out to the Lord for something? Maybe there’s a situation in your life that’s been overwhelming, and you feel like you’ve done everything you know to do and can’t see a way through. Be encouraged today because we serve a God of justice! He is faithful to His Word, and He will always be faithful to you.
Not only is He a God of justice, He is your vindicator. One thing we have to remember is that our battle is not with the person who may have wronged us. Scripture says that the enemy of our souls, the accuser of the brethren is our ultimate enemy. Know today that God already has a plan; He already knows the future, and He will give you peace to do the right things and say the right things. 
Your part is to release the situation into His capable hands. You don’t have to straighten everybody out, or go tell your  "side" of the story to everyone you know in defense mode, that’s God’s job. Trust Him with your future because the God of justice is working things out on your behalf!

That person or situation that you fret about right now may never come to you and say the things you long to hear; including that word of "i am sorry". You may never be able to tell your side of the story but you have to learn to live in peace and pray for your enemies or those who have hurt you.....you will be a better person because of it...that is truly what Jesus would do. 
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, today I release every care, every concern, every situation that is beyond my control. I trust that You are working things out for my good, and You are bringing peace to my life. Thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Deception

All too often we can recognize deception AFTER the fact, like Eve in Genesis 3. Knowing beforehand the tactics of the enemy should give us ample time to stage a sturdy defense in our lives but somehow we have not learned from the mistakes, experiences or even the stories we have heard all of our lives that have occurred in history. We have to know our adversary's tactics and that the territory that he truly is after is YOU.

 You and I are the prized territory or more precisely our relationship with God. He doesn't want to capture our attention out of love or desire...satan just simply wants to keep us away from our Creator. We are all born with a sense of wonder and knowing that there is a God out there who is over us and loves us and the weapon of choice that seems quite effective in sabotaging that is DECEPTION.

 {Read Genesis 3:1-3}

 When the serpent's first attempt at making God seem "unfair" didn't work he moved on to his next test. Eve knew that she was made in God's image and that she was in a perfect and beautiful place so why did she listen to a serpent that was so beneath her in authority?

 1. To keep from being led astray, what could Eve have done differently?
Why was she talking to a snake anyway? Think about that....sometimes we find ourselves in a spot that is so shocking to our selves....how did we get here? Eve knew the instructions given by God regarding the garden and the tree and she should not have entertained the thoughts since that was the door that opened herself up. Stopping at the first thought; knowing that it was not RIGHT and then telling Adam would have prevented it from happening. Accountability with others will keep you going the right direction.  

 2. Do you believe that innocently desiring to defend the Word of God could lead to being deceived? "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by devils". 1 Timothy 4:1. Yes it can. Debating can open your mind to start thinking and believing something that isn't truth...always look to the Bible for truths and not to others opinions...debating never leads to salvation but living out the Word will. 

 3. Have you ever engaged in a religious debate with someone?
 Yes I have and it didn't end well. It is always best to agree to disagree and pray that their hearts will be open to truth. Hostility in debate is the real detriment as well as an attitude that "you are right" that isn't very becoming. I was trying so hard to "unravel" their beliefs and they were debating & using every scripture against me... It is all right to have differences of opinion on the non-essential matters like worship styles or days, pre-trib rapture, post-trib rapture, altars or not. Whether you believe one or the other, do not affect salvation.  Yet far too many Christians use these non-essential differences as justification for division and sometimes even insight anger. When this occurs, the love of God in our hearts is sacrificed to our pride. Instead of saying to one another, "I am right and you are wrong," we should be saying something like, "It is certainly possible that you are correct.  Now, let's work together to glorify God and expand His kingdom."  Perhaps this is too simplistic, but at least it displays an attitude of humility that helps to bring unity.  It is the devil that wants us to fall into division and bickering.

4. Do you believe that someone who is "deceived" can misinterpret the "Word of God"? Yes...deception will cause you to "see" things through a filter that isn't God like...you will know them by their "fruits" and that is usually when you will know that someone is deceived. Using the Word out of context or to prove their point isolating scripture etc.

 {Read 2 Corinthians 11:3}

 Our Adversary will never approach us initially from a point of contention or confrontation but in a place of common ground and in a comfortable or familiar environment to launch his attack. If we lower our guard and let him talk, he has the opportunity to establish a foothold.

 {Read Jeremiah 49:16 & Obadiah 1:3}

 5. What commanalities do you see between these two scriptures?
  The attitude of pride. 

 6. Does pride play a role in deception? If so, how?
Well, Satan is a deceiver. Paul says that, “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan wants us to think that we’re okay, that it’s others who have the problem. Psalm 36:2 describes someone who is full of pride, saying “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.” This is when we start pointing fingers at others and find ourselves out of God's will and no longer being submissive to leaders etc. Oswald Chambers, in "My Utmost for His Highest", says that pride ascribes God-like attributes to ourselves. We make ourselves God. When that happens, “we are always right, always first, always in control, and always the most important. We want everything to revolve around us and to be for us.”

7. How do denial and pride work together to deceive?
Because admitting that you are wrong is a sign of weakness in this world...it is the opposite of having a humble and forgiving spirit that is called of us in the Bible. Having an un-teachable spirit along with pride we will allow a WALL of deceit to be built around us so that we cannot "see" our true selves. Others will try to break it down but we will call it "hurt" but in actuality people in church or family are can see what you cannot.

 8. How can we check ourselves to see if we are self-deceived? Can you face the fact that you have blind spots?
What you see as a personal strength, others may actually see as a weakness! Maybe you see yourself as confident…but others see you as arrogant. Maybe you see yourself as clever…but others see you as sly. Maybe you see yourself as having a strong work ethic…but others see you as neglectful of your family, with warped priorities. I’m also reminded of Matthew 7, verses 1-5: 1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.  Verse 5 actually says we should judge others! – “then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  Precisely because of our tendency of self-deception, we need other believers to gently and kindly bring our blind spots to our attention.  It often seems like the only point that people draw out of these verses is “don’t judge others.”  They read verse one, and stop. They don’t keep reading. Read all the verses. However, to “see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”, means we must first pay attention to our own sin! Note verses 3 and 4. You can’t help others unless you first look thoroughly at your own life and deal with your own sins without excuses, rationalization, or evasion! When we have been humbled by our own sinful condition, only then are we in a position to help others face their sins too. I think perhaps the main point of these verses is that: As we grow in grace, we should become more severe in the judgment of ourselves, and more lenient in their judgment of others....this is how we can check for self-deceit. Are we constantly finding ourselves pointing our fingers AT others or seeing the negative in others...then that is a pretty good signs that we are in a state of deception. 

The devil is a covenant liar and he misrepresents everything he exchanges in communication and he uses illusion, confusion and diversion to keep engaging us until he can find a loose thread to unravel us. He masquerades himself to pretend something else is going on but in reality it is not; and that is the deception.

 {Read 2 Corinthians 11:14}

 In June of 1944, an exceptional U.S. Army unit went into action in Normandy. It's weapons included hundreds of inflatable tanks and one of a kind collections of sound effect records and it carried out it battlefield missions without firing a single shot. This unit was known as the "ghost army". Their mission was to create a traveling road show to deceive the Germans about the location and strength of American troops on battlefields accross Europe. They staged 20 battlefield deceptions, employing an array of inflatable tanks, trucks, jeeps and airplanes along with sound tracks, phony radio transmissions and even playacting to fool the enemy. Can you imagine the humiliation of the Germans in finding out that they were forced to retreat by blow up tanks and dummy paratroopers? ha. How sad! But we are standing against an enemy that knows ALL the tactics and if we allow ourselves to be entertained we will open ourselves up to great measures of manipulation. We must know that those who have been successfully deceived are quickly held captive by their own desires. Those who have been deceived already are now deceiving others and we need to know and discern that.

 {Read 2 Timothy 3:1-7}

 9. What does verse 6 say about the women who are preyed upon?
The women who are preyed upon by deceptive people are the unstable and needy women. These women allow themselves to be taken advantage of  and are often the ones who are depressed by their sinfulness and then take up every new religious fad that calls itself "truth." They get exploited every time and never really learn.

 10. What weaknesses do they have?
Isolated, unstable, depressed, feelings of guilt, guillable and have never forgiven themselves. For generations women have been viewed by humanity as a whole as the weaker vessel. By looking at the number of childbirths each year, I would say that we are NOT weak in body and by the increasing women CEO's being promoted; we are NOT weak in mind either. Like Eve, women have held a reputation as being "easily overtaken" as stated in the previous scripture , our "weak-will" is the source  of this thought. 

{Read 2 Timothy 3:13-17}

 11. What does the write of Timothy say we should be "convinced of"?
 Not to let it faze you.... Stick with what you learned and believed, be sure of the integrity of your teachers—There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

12. What four uses for the scripture are listed in verse 16?
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training.

 13. What do those four things equip us to do?
1) Teaching: A guide to life and a souce of absolute truth and timeless principles. 2) Rebuking: Conviction of sin in our lives. 3) Correcting: Helps others and ourselves to get back on track when we go astray; help us learn from our mistakes. 4) Training in Righteousness: Helps us grow in our faith and in developing wisdom for living. 

God has equipped women with a natural gift of discernment. When trained by the Word of God this discernment can become our secret weapon again deception! Honing and sharpening this tool will not only add alayer of protection against deception, but also draw us closer to the Spirit of God. Discern defined: perceive or recognize something, distinguish someone or something; "dis"-apart plus "cerne"-to separate. Isn't it just like God to give us a secret weapon against deception that causes the same trauma to the Enemy's camp that he puts on us? The ultimate goal of every attack against us is to separate and his deception is systematic, in hopes of isolating us to destroy us. The spiritual response weapon God has issued us to defend ourselves is discernment. When we possess this gift we will have a "forewarning system" like a radar that will alert the wisdom and knowledge that is in us to speak against the lies in confidence. The Word of God will prevent any firey dart to come against you. Speak the Word over your life and make every thought or word line up with the TRUTH.

 {Proverbs Chapter 2}

 Story Of The Remote Employee

Imagine you are hired to open up an office in Anchorage, Alaska. Your new boss gives you a high-tech looking two-way radio, a policy and procedure manual, and tells you that you will receive instructions once you arrive, and off you go. Upon arrival you hear your boss's voice over the radio, saying, "I will communicate to you through this radio unit. But take note: our competitors, our enemies, also have access to this channel. They will try to impersonate my voice with false messages to thwart our purposes." "Oh no!" you panic, "Then how will I know if it is you or the enemy giving me instructions?" Your boss's voice comes back over the radio: "Three ways. First, considering the situation, check every message supposedly from me against the policy and procedure manual. Since I wrote it, I'm not likely to ask you to violate it, right? Also, if I am not talking, don't focus in on the noise, pretending that I am. If I am not speaking, let the manual be your guide. Don't let any impersonating voice mislead you, or your own overactive imagination." "Second, since the Manual does not cover every situation, you will have to get to know my voice. I know, this will take time, and so I am not likely to ask you to do anything radical until we both have some low-risk successes under our belts. Remember, I understand the situation perfectly well, so I'll go slow at first. A time will come when I will be able to tell you to do the wildest things, and you will know it is me. In the short-term, you must be trained through low-risk experience." "Third, over time, my overall purpose for your work will begin to come into focus. You will begin to see the grand strategy in the policy and procedure manual, and the overall pattern of my true instructions. When this happens, you'll know instantly if what you hear through your unit is 'of me', just your imagination, or enemy misinformation. False instructions will begin to appear silly to you then. So take heart, and get to work." After reflecting on this a few moments, you hear your boss's voice again on the radio unit. "Take all of the money from petty cash and give it the next person that walks in, no questions asked." Hmmm... You look in the policy and procedure manual, and this is specifically forbidden. Besides, you know your boss wouldn't tell you to do something that risky right off. And also there was an certain "twang" to the voice, an appeal to something different within you, and a plan that was not in the long-term interests of the company. So, even though you are on a hostile channel, you are beginning to have hope that you can indeed do this job. ---this is a great example in discerning and hearing the voice of God.

12. End today's study by writing a personal prayer asking God for the discernment He promises in the Word.

 Lord, I pray that you would give me Your wisdom and understanding in all things. I know wisdom is better than gold and understanding better than silver (Proverbs 16:16), so make me rich in wisdom and wealthy in understanding. Thank You that You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21). Increase my wisdom and knowledge so I can see Your truth in every situation. Give me discernment for each decision I must make. Please help me to always seek Godly counsel and not look to the world and ungodly people for answers. Thank You, Lord, that You will give me the counsel and instruction I need, even as I sleep. Amen!


---From "When Women War: Common Enemy, Extraordinary Allies" Bible Study
written by Amie Dockery
www.whenwomen.org

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Crawfish Time!


Tasty Mud Bug!

"Most people show their tails & throw away their heads"  
                                                                  ---Don Gibson

Yes... a lovely quote from my husband! But it was so funny as we ate dinner tonight that the quote came alive! Seven people dove into 20 pounds of Crawfish at the Crawfish Shack in Crosby tonight, and as shells were flying and fingers being licked I realized that only a fraction of this poor crustacean is truly valued. The tail meat is eaten and then the rest of the creature is thrown into a large pile! There on a towering platter is the body of this mud bug with attached heads with eyes and whiskers sticking out eerily looking at you. It is just so sad! But thankfully no one at our table tried to "suck" the head of the crawfish; which the menu explained: is to "experience the tasty pancreas"! People will eat anything!

What I learned today is that crawfish has to be soaked in water multiple times to get the dirt out of them before cooking. If you miss this step then you have some gritty and dirty food that isn't edible! Then the poor creature is thrown into hot water and boiled with spices, potatoes and corn; if it is a dead crawfish it becomes mushy after boiling and the tail isn't curled up and that is a sure sign that you shouldn't eat it.

God please use all of me! I don't want to have only a small part of me valued and considered useable and the rest of me just tossed to the wayside in a useless heap! I refuse to be one of those people who uses their talents, abilities, voice and brains for things other than for God. I want to be smart, creative and cutting edge and not "lose" my head when it comes to my church, relationships and Godly things. Help us not to show "our tails" as well but be willing to be cleansed and be repentant so that when we find ourselves in hot water we will come out not only clean and useable but tasty for HIS kingdom and service!


Keep Sparkling!

-Jonna

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Check up from the Neck Up!!



Depth perception is the visual ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and the distance of an object. Depth sensation is the ability to move accurately, or to respond consistently based on the distances of objects in their physical environment. Eye perception and sensation are very important to a person because without it we just might be running into walls or falling down steps! We have got to SEE things in their true state to work, drive, read or do anything effectively!

Have you ever been out to eat with someone and they didn't have their glasses and they had to hold the menu 4 feet in front of them in order to read it? ha. Thank God I am not there...YET! it is amazing though how our eyes start wearing out as we age. When I turned 40 to the day I started having problems with seeing things at a distance or road signs!  it happened so suddenly and my eye doctor prescribed glasses! 


 22-23"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!"           Matthew 6:22-23 The Message                                                                                       

Most people go to the optometrist to get their eyes checked out on a yearly basis to see if a new prescription for glasses or contacts are needed. Tests such as Visual acuity, Refraction, Visual Field and Color tests are done. The size, shape of pupils as well as overall eye health is examined and assessed to make sure no diseases are affecting eye 
sight or that no infections are setting in. From uncontrolled Blood pressure to Diabetes you can lose your eye sight if your not taking care of your body and unfortunately people do not realize that. In the medical profession the eye issues are considered to be emergencies because without quick action lose your eye sight!

How much more often do we need to go the Great Physician to get our spiritual eyes and body examined? I say daily! If your squinting, having blurry vision, losing sight in an eye or experiencing "floaters" that are affecting the way you see things....it is imperative that you get seen STAT! If you find your self spewing hatefulness, accusing others, jealous or depressed then your body is out of whack and when that happens everything else is out of balance as well. Everyone has heard the saying that "hurting people hurt people". Well it is so true that if you are not living the way you should then your perspective is off and you are unable to live according to Phillipians 4:8 and it will show by your lack of fruits or should we say, "bad fruits". 
 8-9"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."         Phillipians 4:8 (MSG)                                                                           
Your eyes are the windows to your soul! Everything you "see" in life is filtered through many things that can distort or blur your true perspective. I am not talking about walking around with "rose-colored" glasses all the time because we all know that we have trials and struggles that comes our way that we have to really deal with. But having the ability to look to Jesus in our everyday lives and include Him in every thought and encounter will cause you to truly see things in a happier and more victorious way! You may find yourself stumbling around and doing things today that are so out of your character and not in line with the visual acuity God's Word shows us to live by....stop by the Emergency room of prayer or shout out a 911 to a friend... because we all need a "check-up from the neck-up"! 

Adjust that Crown!

--Jonna Gibson

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