Mask? No, Thank You.

No, this post is not about Halloween, or participating in the "festivities" associated with it. This post is about being real. Many of you know that I've gone through some really hard times lately, and much of it was of my own making. However, what you don't know, is how much better I'm doing, now that I've taken my mask completely off.

For the most part, I tried to be authentic and real, but when you get right down to the fact of the matter, I wasn't being nearly real enough. You see, I fell into that trap that so many Christians fall into. The one where we think we have to be somebody we aren't so that we can portray an image of "Christlikeness." The problem with that is, if we're portraying an image, then we are most definitely NOT being Christlike. I thank the Lord that He showed me the error of my ways.

I've become so much healthier in the last few months than I ever dreamed I could be. And I have alot farther to go. My marriage and my family have been under attack lately, and it is so reassuring to know that now that I am who I am, and not someone I think I should be, I'm able to withstand the many temptations he throws my way.

Some of the things I've been through in the last few months is rebuilding a damaged marriage (we're still working on that one, but we ARE getting there.) I've also learned that I was pregnant again, after almost a year of trying; and then learning that once again the pregnancy wasn't viable. I just had the D&C last Monday, to rid my body of the products of the pregnancy that would not leave on their own. (There was NO embryonic material...in other words, no baby. Only the gestational sac.) That was heart breaking, but I am still holding strong in the Lord.

I am learning to hold fast in the Lord, and to meditate on His Word daily. I'm learning what it truly means to have a relationship with Him. I mean REALLY and TRULY have a relationship with Him. Not some country club membership, like so many Christians have. I'm not trying to put anyone down, I just wanted to share the changes that have occurred in my own life.

It's been awhile since I posted anything here, and while I don't have any great insights to offer to anyone, other than to "check yourself" to see that the relationship you have with the Lord is real and true. It's amazing the changes that I have felt, and seen in my own life and that of my family. I just wanted to update everyone, and to let you all know that I'm still around. Just not online so much anymore. I'm learning (or re-learning) to sew, I've decided to go back to school to become a counselor, and I'm actively working my recovery. So much accomplished through the Good Lord's help. I pray you all are blessed, and I will continue to pray for all of you.

Passion Week

Here in the west, we celebrate this week as Passion Week. Sunday was the beginning of the week that led up to Christ's death and resurrection for all. Sunday was the day that we call Palm Sunday. It was the day that Jesus went into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the mulitudes went befor Him, crying Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed [them] in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:8-9 KJV

It's hard for me to imagine that this event took place not even a week before a multitude would again come to Him, but this time, they would be coming against Him. That the multitude would be coming to see Him crucified. After Jesus entered Jerusalem, He entered the temple and cleansed it of all the money changers, who had made His House into a "den of thieves". He then taught daily in the temple. He had a vast audience that hung on His every word. The cleansing of the temple (this for the second time) took place on Monday.

On Tuesday, Jesus gave us the most important commandment. That is, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and that the second is like it: To love your neighbor as yourself. We are told that these two are the most important of God's commands. It was on this day that Jesus confuted both the Sadducees and the Pharisees, because He spoke truth. Matthew 22

Nothing is said of Wednesday, except that this was also a day that Jesus taught in the temple. Then we see that Thursday, the Lord is explaining to His disciples, at the Last Supper what would shortly come to pass. He prays over His disciples and all that would here His Word. That the Lord would not take us out of this world, but would protect us from evil.

What a dramatic statement! We are in this world, but we are not to be of it. What does this mean? From much study, and prayer, I have learned that this means that we are not to seclude ourselves in strictly Christian fellowship, but are to lead unbelievers to Christ. We cannot do that, if we keep to ourselves. However, while we are in the world, we are to remain as pure as is humanly possible, so that we represent Christ accurately. We are to be Christ-like. Have you gone outside your Christian circle today?

Sometimes, I find that it is a daunting task, to step outside that which is safe. To step into the world, and witness to an unbeliever, and yet that is precisely what Jesus tells us to do. We cannot do this, if we place ourselves as an exclusive "society". God's love and salvation is for all, not just us, and how can we expect "Well done, good and faithful servant." if we have not stepped outside our boxes and done what was commanded of us? I pray that the Lord gives me strength to witness this week, to those that may not be in my inner Christian circle of friends. That I will find the strength and the love to witness to others His great love for all.

Please "stay tuned" for part two of the Passion Week. Blessings to you.

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Photo courtesy of Keith1999

What Is A Proverbs 31 Woman Wannabe?

This post is for Ryan (the atheist) and for anyone else that wants to know exactly what I mean when I say I am a "Proverbs 31 Woman Wannabe".

First, I must share with you what Proverbs 31 says about this kind of woman:

Virtuousness:
Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
Pro 31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

Industriousness:
Pro 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
Pro 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
Pro 31:19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
Pro 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
Pro 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Homemaker:
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
Pro 31:15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
Pro 31:22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Pro 31:27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Godliness:
Pro 31:17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
Pro 31:20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pro 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
Pro 31:29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."
Pro 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Now, to be sure, I do not fit every single one of these verses. But I would like to. I do not spin my own fabrics, and that's something I'm not so sure I would want to do. However, the idea of being able to make clothing for my family, that is both pretty and fashionable, and saves our family money is something that at some point I hope to do.

I do not have maidservants, either. That would be nice, but I'd probably just end up talking to them all day, rather than gettig anything done. I'm just a social person that way.

I do want to be a virtuous wife. I want my husband and children to praise me; to in essence be able to say truthfully that I am a good wife and mother.

I yearn to reach out to the poor, and to help them. I pray that I can always speak about my Lord with kindness and gentleness.
I strive each day not to be lazy or idle (though I don't always succeed.)

I pray each day that my husband will be successful in everything he endeavors, and he is (though not necessarily through anything that I do.) I pray each day that I am a help to him in that area, and never a hindrance. I strive each day to earn his trust, and to not do evil towards him, so that he always trusts me.

It is always on my mind that my outer "beauty" may fade, and not everyone will see me as charming, however that will not matter, because I will have beauty on the inside. My Lord will have provided it.

I would also like to help my husband provide for our family and our future, by making money doing something worthwhile, that also glorifies the Lord.

And lastly, but most definitely not least, I want to always glorify the Lord, and continue to walk the narrow path of His ways.

This to me is what it means to be a Proverbs 31 Woman, and why I am a Wannabe. I probably will never actually make it to Proverbs 31 Woman status in my life, and I doubt that the original Proverbs 31 Woman did it all at once- we already know she didn't do it all on her own. If you strive to be a Proverbs 31 Woman, consider yourself welcomed to the "Wannabe club". All Wannabe's welcome. If you've already arrived, and are no longer a Wannabe, please do share your success story, I'm sure we'd all like to hear how we can succeed too. Blessing to you all.

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Photo courtesy of litlnemo

Attending the Masquerade

There is a masquerade ball occurring around the world, in these times, and we've all been invited. However, I for one will not be attending. You see, I believe in the words of Jesus:

'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment."And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31 NKJV

There are those that would have you believe that Christianity is about hate, and God's wrath, but it is NOT! Certainly, God's wrath will be poured out, but God did not call any of us to pour it out for Him.

I was asked recently about my opinion of the views and actions fo a certain "church", and I have to say that I am sickened and broken hearted over what they teach to their congregants. Westboro Baptist Church is wholly a cult of hate! Despite the term "baptist" in their name, they are not affiliated with any denomination.

“The slogans that Fred Phelps and his group are promoting are unscriptural and very inappropriate,” says Dwayne Hastings, director of communications for the Southern Baptist Convention’s ethics and religious-liberty commission. “Southern Baptists stand on the word of God in believing that homosexuality is wrong and that, as the Bible says, it’s an abomination to God. But God does not hate the homosexual…. To those who are unaware of the orthodox Christian view of homosexuality, Fred Phelps presents a distorted and, in fact, perverted view of God’s word in his message of hate.”

- Condem Sin - and sinner, by Robert Stacy McCain. Insight on the News, Volume: 15. Issue: 30, August 16, 1999. Page 32 [fn1]

To all that want to know what Christianity is really about, I say, read your bible! Do not follow misguided fanatics of cults such as this. Keep the mask off your face!

How are we to be true Christ followers? It's easy: Love our neighbors as ourselves. There is no commandment greater than these:

'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment."And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31 NKJV

[fn1] Westboro Baptist Church: Fred Phelps

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Photo courtesy of Chiarra Marra

The Son (Author Unknown)

I received this in an email today. I don't know who the original author is, but I was so moved I had to share it with you all. If you've read it before, I beg your forgiveness. Blessings to you all!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 NKJV

The SON

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the
real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

"We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE