March 31, 2011

Characters and His Cause - And So It Continues

Repost from September 18 2010 in support of Genesis in Chinese Characters

 which is on Ministry in Words page - click their page tab if you have not already read it!

Cause to Continue
(GWT)from Psalms 12 Help, O LORD. No godly person is left. Faithful people have vanished from among Adam's descendants! All people speak foolishly. They speak with flattering lips. They say one thing but mean another. May the LORD cut off every flattering lip and every bragging tongue that has said, "We will overcome with our tongues. With lips such as ours, who can be our master?" "Because oppressed people are robbed and needy people groan, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will provide safety for those who long for it." The promises of the LORD are pure, like silver refined in a furnace and purified seven times. O LORD, you will protect them. You will keep each one safe from those people forever. Wicked people parade around when immorality increases among Adam's descendants. For the choir director; a psalm by David.
Genesis 2:22 (GWT, NAS)
Then the LORD God formed a woman from the rib that he had taken from the man. He brought her to the man.

The LORD God fashioned F56 into a woman the R63 rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.

Banah – Hebrew word that we translated into fashioned or formed.

Hebrew Definition:

1. to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue

2. to build a house (ie, establish a family)

3. to be build

4. to be rebuilt established (figuratively of restored exiles) made permanent

5.to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine)

Through God’s creativity He created life that would procreate living souls and one creation that had this potential as an empowered image of them to co-create living souls with a spirit. This was the reason that none were found suitable.
He required of Adam to subdue all things, tame the creatures use all the resources that God had created for good. God had already set in place all parameters of protection, separation – Adam was supposed to carry out these things as a living image of God. When we look back at the meaning of the rib we can see why he chose the rib and not the thigh bone, for instance. The rib has meaning of marriage, the walls or beams of God temple. God fills the temple Adam takes care of it all and Eve helped to build establish and give Adam a “cause to continue” this good fight.

If we do not respect, uphold, tame all that God has given us we become what destroys it. If you are a man – remember that the woman God gave you is your “Cause to Continue”. Respect God, show Him how much you love Him by protecting your love….your wife. As you will read tomorrow – Adam basically said – I now understand and have a Cause to Fight for this it is now outside me so that I may see. I will leave my mother and father and this love and I will then BE united. That is something larger than me and my “Cause to Continue”
This is my prayer: that we will all learn from Adam and Ever as God tells us this love story and become all that He implores us to be …..for His kingdom and glory.

Sorry that it is not translated as well. I simply do not have that ability :(

However, if I can be of assistance please contact us by post, e-mail or phone.

With the Love of our Christ,
Candace

As Always please let us know your thoughts on what we are studying by commenting!

March 29, 2011

Childs Play and a Watchful Eye

Thinking deeply, perfectly placing our thoughts is what we are striving to obtain through this journey of our minds. We are kicking the dust and debris methodically. Not only will it do us no good, but it will do much harm if we simply continue in our haphazard ways of navigating through the moments of our lives.

Our thoughts God tells us are like the words that created them – wonderful seeds. At least that was His intent. So what happened?? We know the answer to that – Satan! Perversion of truth, distortion of reality, however you want to classify it takes a marvelous helpful plan and slowly, methodically grows poisonous or weak plants that cannot be used and are even dangerous to our very life if not aware.

We also are looking at being still, closing the flood gates on the chaos trying to force us to panic, get up, run or hide. There is nothing to worry about unless we have gotten ourselves in a crisis situation. However crisis in an impact point when we have gotten off track and too many harmful elements are pressing in on us. Most of the moments we deal with are not “true” crisis. We often react as if they are – which is the reason why we have to be methodical, patient, faithful instead of impatiently reaching out to grab fear, panic and always trying to trash “all” things to just be Rid Of IT.

We must understand that if we are going to glean experiential knowledge of information, ideologies or biblical truths we have to “use” them. We must “trip, fall and fly a little” – Get down and dirty with it – roll around with it, sometimes even break things a bit because we are experimenting. It’s all “Good”!!

I had a great conversation with our Dad the other day he explained some things to me about this. He has everything monitored. It’s like an educational play zone for kids. We are padded from the sharp corners, baby gates at kitchen and stair, outlet covers, the works. However, sometimes we get a bit too smart for our britches and want to see what is behind those things and get hurt. And there you have it the crying starts baby gets a booboo.

I am not meaning to minimize the hurts and pains we go through – but that baby, even though we are alarmed and that bump may be hideous to look at we all make it okay – right?

God was also explaining to me that the things (material things etc) are kind of like the things we buy for babies. They are necessary as well as useful but mostly functional. They are not things we keep forever, they have a purpose. He was telling me that the things of this earth are like the items we sell at a garage sell. We still believe they have value and they are desirable but we let them go so that others may have what they need. We donate them at times when people need and we have more than enough.

This is why He tells us not to cling to our “stuff”. He wants us to remember, this is our baby stuff. Our adult and eternal things are waiting for us in our future, where we will be all grown up and can’t harm it due to our needing to trip, fall, fly and shattering it all.

So today, I desire for you to think and hopefully draw or write about one of your “play time” learning experiences. Look around at the children in your midst today and give your selves as much of a break as you give them when they are learning. I thank God that He see us, loves us, protects and provides for us all the while knowing that we are precious babies just learning – and one day we will hear Him say “My, my you have gotten so big sugar!” Let’s just pray He’s not a cheek pincher – not that there’s anything wrong with that =D.

Kisses,
Candace

March 27, 2011

Do Not Lean on Your Own Understanding - Stand Upright on His

It is vitally important to understand how God works verses how man thinks. We avoid suffering at all cost. We feel entitled to have what we perceive "everyone else" has. We do not understand why we have to do without when we see others that are no better than we are getting "good things". I wish I could say,as a generalization, that we are comforted in these situations knowing that Christ and many others did not receive here on earth what they deserved. But sometimes we get cynical and think God must be punishing us, if He wasn't mad at us we would be getting everything we want. (Kinda like spoiled brats don't ya think?)

The truth is, just what we thought about yesterday. There is a reason things happen like they do. A really GOOD reason. When things like this happen, remember we are the lights in the pits of earthly lives. Think about this: What if God allows you to go without because He trusts you to show someone that is weak or lost that those "things" "positions" what ever it might be, are not the most important thing. They are not worth loosing moments, hours, days, years of peace and joy. Or worse yet loosing your eternity in heaven with Him.

God calls us His Delight. He does not call us His Dark and Doomed. I pray that we can have His heart, Hear His words and Feel His Spirit as it fills our continence. They I pray that we all our Little Light to Shine in the pits of this fallen world. Share his mercy today and you enjoy His grace.....

Write about it, below is a Psalm by King David be mused =D
With Love -Kisses
Candace

Psalm 62 (GWT)
For the choir director; according to Jeduthun; a psalm by David.
My soul waits calmly for God alone.
My salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my savior—my stronghold.
I cannot be severely shaken.
How long will all of you attack a person?
How long will you try to murder him,
as though he were a leaning wall or a sagging fence?
They plan to force him out of his high position.
They are happy to lie.
They bless with their mouths,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah
Wait calmly for God alone, my soul,
because my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my savior—my stronghold.
I cannot be shaken.
My salvation and my glory depend on God.
God is the rock of my strength, my refuge.
Trust him at all times, you people.
Pour out your hearts in his presence.
God is our refuge.
Selah
Common people are only a whisper in the wind.
Important people are only a delusion.
When all of them are weighed on a scale, they amount to nothing.
They are less than a whisper in the wind.
Do not count on extortion to make you rich.
Do not hope to gain anything through robbery.
When riches increase, do not depend on them.
God has spoken once.
I have heard it said twice:
“Power belongs to God.
Mercy belongs to you, O Lord.
You reward a person based on what he has done.”

March 22, 2011

"Your Place or Mine?"

Just to be clear -I am make most of my observations and discernment based on how unlovely I can be at times.  I say this because I would never want anyone to think I am pointing a finger toward them.  I have enough material of tripping, falling and flying to be an unquenchable source of what NOT to do.  Thank God He  continues to grow me into useful what TO do materials as well.  But that is not of me - I am and will always be the what NOT to do without His "extra" on my ordinary.  And yes, that is the reason for my extraordinary hope, faith and perseverance of all things.

But down to business now:
We have been speaking about getting alone with our thoughts.  But not in the same old way.  Instead of being isolated from insight we are trying to be still in His presence with our thoughts.  If Satan comes to divide and separate, he has a reason.  The reason is we alone cannot find wisdom.  We use the same information as before but try to find enlightenment.  How many of us can admit that unless we add a new ingredient you cannot get a new recipe.  So again, we will only be making the same ole' recipe for disaster if we don't spice it up.

What spices do you choose?  Think over the season-ings of your life.  Did you add some tips from the top chef?  Did you invite him into your kitchen so you could stay in control or did you request to have an opportunity to observe, take notes and learn from the best in his Rock Star culinary kitchen???  Just some things to thing about.

I ask these silly questions to get us focused on this: 

Do you usually expect God to sit around and wait for you to be ready to speak with Him, or do you Go to Him, laying down your scheduling demands to be available for Him? 
Why do we expect God to jump because "we are too busy" to fit Him in?  Did you know that God is a jealous God and sometimes He says "you will speak and I will not hear"  "You will no longer hear my voice"  "You will request and receive not".  These were real people that He loved, cared about, cared for.  He cried out I long to gather you as a hen gathers its chicks under wing, but you refused.

Today I pray that we not refuse Him.  I am posting Oz Hillmans devotion to reflect on.  An art work "In His Presence" and you can go into the archives for the poetry "His Shadow" or "In His Presence" to reflect on .

God bless you all,
Kisses,
Candace

 










David's Source of Direction
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 22 2011

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." - Psalm 143:8

David is the only person in the Bible whom God describes as a man after His own heart. Despite David's many setbacks he continually sought to know and do God's will in his life. Like many of us, his will got in the way of a sinless life.

In the morning hour, David sought to hear from God. I can imagine David sitting on the open deck of his palace looking over the hills of Jerusalem, listening to God. There, in his morning watch, he felt God's unfailing love. He reaffirmed his trust in God. He also understood that the key to knowing God's will lay in spending such moments alone to reflect on what God had done and was doing in his life.

"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground" (Psalm 143:10).

Sometimes we fall prey to believing that God is not concerned, and that He does not lead us in our work life. We are tempted to think that He leads us in other areas, but not in our daily workplace. The truth is that God is in every aspect of life and desires to direct us.

Do you need direction in your life today? If so, David provides the best example of gaining direction. Set aside the morning hour to draw close to His presence. There, you will sense His unfailing love for you. His direction for your life will be a natural by-product of this time of communion with Him. Ask God to lead you by His Spirit today.

March 21, 2011

"I Spy with My Little Eye"

Can God Heal Your Vision without Lasik’s?
I can put this in a nutshell for us – Yes, because vision does not start with what is in front of you. It starts with the building blocks of yesterday. We only see what we believe is really there! Once we no longer believe what we thought we saw - we now see what we "believe is really there" and so on and so forth.  Crazy or sane?  What does God say?

We live by faith, not by sight. Yet faith comes by hearing – or so I have heard and read. I chose to believe those statements even when I had no proof yet.  And that is what my dad used to say is “proof in the pudding”.( I still don’t actually get that saying – ha-ha. )

We have had so many discussions about the science of interpreting the things in our midst and the snapshot our mind portrays as the full sight, so I will not regurgitate all that again. (I know…hold your applause).

The reason we are going here yet again is because God’s wisdom on “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” is so multifaceted that we can’t drain His knowledge on the subject. Today, our purpose is to some handy tools of His trade as we tinker with our segmented thoughts / conversations which are running non-stop in our minds.

We have been trying to discern the promises of God on which we can build our faith. We know we have to plant them in our mind in order to counteract the misinformation which has been stored. I know you all have been diligent about doing this EVERY day – Right!

That’s awesome…so today, take out some of those “Conversations with YOUR Dad” after you read this. Write another conversation with Him. Write your thoughts if you choose. Ask Him some questions and be amazed at how He responds through situations, things you read or what others say. You might even be able to hear Him whisper the answer to you before any of those things actually take place.  If so,  He will simply use these encounters to confirm that you are indeed hearing His voice - so that you will believe.  Isn't He awesome!

To help us out,  we are going to look at one of Isaiah’s “Conversations with My Dad”. Isaiah is much better at conversing with our Dad than I am.  But I'm not going to get self conscious about that - I am just going to keep listening and believing He created us for conversation and relationship.  Why else would He have said "I do not desire sacrifice, but a body to call my own?"  All this today,  should put so many thoughts into perspective.
Remember as you are reading these verses that the Lord is talking about triumph. As you read it you might possibly have to remind yourself, segment upon segment, to have hopeful thoughts. And we are only reading it – no doubt, this is similar to some of our lives at times.
We begin in Chapter 24:1(GWT)

The Lord is going to turn the earth into a desolate wasteland. He will mar the face of the earth and scatter the people living on it. The same will happen to people and priests, male slaves and masters, female slaves and masters, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, debtors and creditors.

The earth will be completely laid waste and stripped because the Lord has spoken. The earth dries up and withers. The world wastes away and withers. The great leaders of the earth waste away. The earth is polluted by those who live on it because they’ve disobeyed the Lord’s teachings, violated his laws, and rejected the everlasting promise.

That is why a curse devours the earth, and its people are punished for their guilt. That is why those who live on the earth are burned up, and only a few people are left.

New wine dries up, and grapevines waste away. All happy people groan. Joyful tambourine music stops. Noisy celebrations cease. Joyful harp music stops. People no longer drink wine when they sing. Liquor tastes bad to its drinkers. The ruined city lies desolate. The entrance to every house is barred shut. People in the streets call for wine. All joy passes away, and the earth’s happiness is banished. The city is left in ruins. Its gate is battered to pieces.

That is the way it will be on earth among the nations. They will be like an olive tree which has been shaken or like what’s left after the grape harvest. They raise their voices. They shout for joy. From the sea they sing joyfully about the Lord’s majesty. Honor the Lord in the east. Honor the name of the Lord God of Israel along the coast lands. From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise that honor the Righteous One.

But I kept saying. “I’m wasting away! I’m wasting away!” “How horrible it is for me!” “Traitors continue to betray, and their treachery grows worse and worse.”

Disasters, pits and traps are in store for those who live on earth. Whoever flees from news of a disaster will fall into a pit. ‘Whoever climbs out of that pit will be caught in a trap. The floodgates in the sky will be opened, and the foundations of the earth will shake. The earth will be completely broken. The earth will shake back and forth violently. The earth will stagger. The earth will stumble like a drunk, and sway like a shack in the wind. Its disobedience weighs heavy on it. It will fall and not get up again.

On that day the Lord will punish heaven’s armies in heaven and earth’s kings on earth. They’ll be gathered like prisoners in a jail and locked in prison. After a long time they’ll be punished. The moon will be embarrassed. The sun will be ashamed, because the Lord of Armies will rule on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. He will be glorious in the presence of his respected leaders.

Did you stick with Isaiah long enough to hear the Gospel? Do you know what I mean? The Gospel is the good news which follows the bad news – the Gospel is “always in all ways” the reason for our Hope. And He made a request of us – to ALWAYS be ready to give them a reason for our hope.
 So here was Isaiah’s, in Chapter 25:1-9 (GWT)

O Lord, you are my God. I will highly honor you; I will praise your name. You have done miraculous things. You have been completely reliable in carrying out your plans from long ago.

You have turned cities into ruins, fortified cities into piles of rubble, and foreigners’ palaces into cities that will never be rebuilt. That is why strong people will honor you, and cities ruled by the world’s tyrants will fear you. You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rain, and shade from the heat. (A tyrant’s breath is like a rainstorm against a wall, like heat in a dry land.) You calm the uproar of foreigners. The song of tyrants is silenced like heat that is reduced by the shadow of a cloud.

On this mountain the Lord of Armies will prepare for all people a feast with the best foods, a banquet with aged wines, with the best foods and the finest wines. On this mountain he will remove the veil of grief covering all people and the mask covering all nations. He will swallow up death forever!

The Almighty Lord will wipe away tears from every face, and he will remove the disgrace of his people from the whole earth.

The Lord has spoken. On that day His people will say, “This is OUR God; we waited for Him and now HE will save us.”

I thank God for Isaiah; for his Love and diligence to “write for God”. I pray that we believe, write, paint, sing and profess what we believe to honor of Him. I heard Him whisper to me once’ “If it is so, so it is and soon they will see it to BE”. I request that we “see by faith”, because His son made this request available to us. I request that our “voices join together” as the ONE in the wilderness even this very moment. And I request that we “run toward what we hear” so that we will be there to usher Him in with the praise He deserves, as ALL eyes See, bend their knees and receive.

For this is Gods good and pleasing will – that none should experience his anger. Instead, that we put on faith and love as a breastplate and our hope of salvation through Christ as a helmet. Now clothed in our Glorious armor let us fight with the joy in our heart. May we pierce them with the Loving truth which brings life – not death which their weapons bring.

In Him we can DO this – honest!
In Him we are ONE and Risen INDEED!

Kisses,
Candace

March 18, 2011

Seeking Wise Counsel

Since we have been speaking on the topic of "Livin' the Dream", today we will be pondering the scripture that God gives us in regard to seeking wise counsel.  In proverbs - which is our "go-to" scripture for wisdom and discernment it states: A strong man knows how to use his strength, but a person with knowledge is even more powerful.  After all, with the right strategy you can wage war, and with many advisers there is victory.  So, how do we make sense of the times when those we "believe" to be Godly counsel are "seemingly" throwing wrecking balls at what we are building????


Remember we are to "count the cost" before we build things.  This process is explained in Ecclesiastes where we are told about the time for all things under the sun.  We have a time of gathering information before we run off like Peter and start blabbering senseless - albeit passionately honest thoughts.  I certainly am not saying that we are not correct - I AM stating that it might not be the time, we might not have a clear vision for their thought.  People need to "SEE" what we see. 

When things are a "new idea" people have nothing to base it on.  We all know and believe that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow - we state that over and over again.  But we also state over and over again where He is telling us you will be amazed because I am going to do "a new thing". 

Do not differ you hope - differ your discouragement and cling to your hope. Seek His voice as you listen to their opinions to help you "count the cost", but NEVER differ His plans for theirs.  As I state in the opening of Deeply, Honestly, Passionately, Freely programs: 

Today, be still and listen to where God is leading you.  Write it down for all to see that it IS God - just like He instructed Habakkuk.  He is not speaking to just one or two of us - unless we are the only ones listening and desiring to allow Him to transform us.  I don't believe that to be the case - what about you?

My prayer is for all of us to see his face today - listen for what He says and then thank Him for giving us a piece of eternity to accomplish -  "Just being in the moments of today".

With Love,
Candace

This devotion by Os reflects a bit more on this topic:

Do You Know God's Calling On Your Life? An excellent tool is available to help you discover the strengths, interests, gifts, and skills God wired into you to fulfill your calling. Excellent for adults as well as young adults and teens. Learn More



Discerning the Work of God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

"Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me." - Nehemiah 6:14

Nehemiah set out to rebuild the wall at Jerusalem that had been destroyed. Nehemiah held a position in the Persian Empire that would be comparable to Chief of Staff in our government. Nehemiah wept over the destruction of the city wall and repented for the sins of his generation and the generations before him that had led to the fall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah responded to the news by seeking approval from his superior to take time off to rebuild the wall. Tobiah and Sanballat met Nehemiah's action with resistance, as did Noadiah the prophetess and other prophets. These were the religious and political leaders of his day. They became distractions to his work and opposed him.
Whenever God does a new work, it is often met with resistance by those in the established religious community, and sometimes among those from whom we would expect support. Jesus met the same resistance when He began His public ministry. This same phenomenon happens today. When God begins a new work that cannot be easily explained based upon prior experiences, many make the mistake of assuming it not to be of God. The very people who should embrace and encourage the work become the source of skepticism and opposition. God tells us that His ways are not our ways. He does things in ways beyond our limited understanding.

Before you are tempted to criticize or oppose something that looks different from your past experience, ask God for wisdom and discernment. Examine why you might be tempted to oppose it. The Lord cannot be put in a box. He delights in doing things in ways that may not fit our former paradigms.
Everyone’s journey is as unique as they are, no one can tell you how to journey your path except the creator of your path. We are looking to the creature, instead of the creator. The creature is to aid, not to answer. As I heard the whisper one day, “the answer is the sojourning,  the question an endless plight, be still and know that I am God and I love you, deeply, honestly, passionately so that you will know freedom and can love freely just as I would for me, always in all ways.

March 16, 2011

Praise in Pros for our Lord’s Prayer

Conversations with My Dad:
What a glorious, magnificent, joy filled day Dad!
My heart, mind and soul entwined in your spirit indeed
You are the first, the everlasting
And I am your child, set free

Seeking always your kingdom
Before I search for anything else
Your face, your words, your friendship
Is my truest and deepest desire

You loved me and called me – to hold me
To heal me from all this life’s fate
Now that my Savior has risen
All days ahead are well

Teach us to know your good pleasure
Keep us as we test what we know
Stir us to lean in to your lessons
To strengthen even to the marrow of our bones

Join us together to blanket
The universe with your incorruptible Love
Save them from the disasters surrounding them
We’ll reach in so that you may reach through

Bind us together in your spirit
Break all the bondage which decays
You are Zoe life everlasting
Not of us ~ they are delivered by your hand

Send in the armies of angels
Provide where there once was lack
All things, in you, come together
All things are whole, strong and sound

Release your breath for the helpers
Release the provision for all needs
Release those held down and broken
As their redeemer is seen in the redeemed

You are Hosanna in the highest
Yet you choose to dwell in mere men
Out of darkness you have empowered us
Leaving us here ~ yet not leaving us at all

You promise to never forsake us
We must choose to seek your face
Your face is constantly around us
In those who do not hide in the masquerade

Expose the common misconceptions
Heal their eyes to see
Melt their façade in our presence
You promise to defeat EVERY foe

Let us have mercy on their condition
Scared and exposed they must hide
They do not believe in the Savior
So they must find a way to survive

Lead them not into temptation
But deliver them into your peace
Your presence now available through Jesus
Behind Him is their safe place from harm

Thank you for the strength of your body
The knowledge of your incomprehensible mind
The might of YHWH our Father
The power of Elohim bringing joy
The divine entrance of all by El Shaddai

All Glory falls to you, our redeemer
The Lover of our very soul
You sustain and transform us
All for the cause of “true love”

In Christ Jesus name
All things here are accomplished
On earth as it is in the heavens above.
Hallelujah - Shalom
~Candace Huffmaster

Today I ask that you all find a time to fill your heart with these words, raise your voice speaking them our loud, and believe in Him to accomplish all things in always ~simply because He love us.

Thank you for being One with us all,  today and forever, as we do the work of the Father ~All over the world, and "to infinity and beyond" as Buzz Lightyear would say.

Kisses,
C

March 14, 2011

Praise in Pros

Conversations With My Dad:
Journal Entry Monday March 14, 2011

Good Morning Daddy~

I thank you that all that you are is more than enough for all our needs.  I praise you for loving  us unconditionally.  The joy in my heart raises my eyes to see, that nothing can come between us due to your divine care.  Circumstance or situations will never command my will to forsake you in fear of their strength.  The only voice I will follow is your voice which rescued me.

The others are your enemy and from them you protect all.  Your body cannot be harmed ~ and I am cupped in your strong embrace.  Your mighty arm lifts me high above where they are bound.  Your Kindgdom each day comes to save us from this place.

Be alive and well in each of us this day.  You are - the Great I Am.  I Am, becuase you are.  I believe in what you have said, spoken in compassion and Love.  Your son came to deliver all.  May He live in Spirit through our souls.  He is our head and Way, your Spirit increases in strength.  Together we are the One, Leading all into your Shekinah glory and grace.

Shine bright this day my Lord.  May I help you prepare their feast.  The words that give life in full: their salvation, their provision, their peace.  Fill their minds, etch their hearts,bind around their wrists, adorn their necks ~ cover them in your Love.  Oh, the joy that will spill into our streets!

Lord God Almighty reigns.  He is alive in the moments of this day.  Look for Him as you go on your way.  Merge with Him as He serves.  He is feeding the masses in many small ways.  Sometimes He requests your voice, other times the glance of your face.  Always the prayers of your lips and the gentleness of your able hands.

Nothing He asks is too small.  Nothing He gives will fall short.  Always an ever present help.  Never forsaking their needs. 

Our God is King of Kings.  Our Lord is Lord of Lords.  His Spirit is Almighty in all ways.  Let us humble ourselves as we participate, in the delightful work of His will.  Hosannah in the Highest ~ yet a mere servant amidst human forms.  This is the King that we serve; this is the Mighty I Am.

Live strong in us; raise us up.  Perch our ears to hear you speak. Clutch our soul within your Spirits strength.  Move us in harmony and peace to achieve your grand plans.  Your vision is all that we need.  Our obedience is at your command. 

Let it be done to us one and all; as you will provide and delight.  For this day is your alone, and you give it so all might be blessed.

In Christ alone, we are with you.  Through all you are, we are One.
Amen,
Candace

Running From The Dream

 Heart and Mind of an Artisan
Through the eyes of true love
All things are beautiful when seen
There is no lack or division
The lesser and imperfect are complete

The eyes of God are always searching
Seeking that which He calls His Delight
We are His children and name sake
He is the love of our lives
Together we reach to each other
Throughout the days past and yet to come
His heights and the depths merge together
His love everlasting searching all
In true spirit protecting while teaching
Always encouraging us bringing us joy
Our out pour of praise is unto Him
The one who began all things

He IS and forever Will be
The creator of all in all ways
The giver of life everlasting
The protector of all intricacies unknown
The redeemer of that which is forsaken
The healer of harm hurt and hate

We live because you first loved us
Your love covers our bodies of shame
We wear this glory unto you
Exposed - your brilliance is seen

Each imperfect and rough without you
Yet namesake designs through your artisan craft
Each of us objects of your making
Given life to not be cold and flat

We are creatures created for conversation
Living out YOUR passionate dreams
May WE never leave nor forsake YOU.
May nothing ever pass from your sight.

By Candace Huffmaster 2011 ©All Rights Reserved

We have been looking at our thoughts - Deeply.  We have been discussing our Dreams.  We have been writing our thoughts and illustrating some pieces of them.  Tomorrow we will  be going on a journey with Hagar.  She was living a dream, but not hers.  She was living a nightmare.  Yet she named the Lord "Your Are the God Who Watches Over Me"? 


 13Hagar named the Lord, who had been speaking to her, “You Are the God Who Watches Over Me.” She said, “This is the place where I watched the one who watches over me.” 14This is why the well is named Beer Lahai Roi [Well of the Living One Who Watches Over Me]. It is still there between Kadesh and Bered. Genesis 16:13 GWT

May each of your continue to keep your neck stretched out focused on His promise.  May you wait with joy, work hard with your hands, pray deeply to cover us all and sing the new song that He gives you each day.
With the Love of our Christ,
Kisses,
C

March 13, 2011

Spring Forward

Just Reminding you all to "Spring Forward".
 May there be spring in the air, spring in your step and sunshine on your face each day forward.

Hope you all enjoy this wonderful Sunday,
Candace

March 12, 2011

Letters, Words, Phrases of Praise

Good Saturday Morning my lovelies,

I know you are already writing - but if you are blocked I jotted a quick poem to stir you.  Remember, you don't have to write pros.  It doesn't even have to be original - adapt something and make it your own.  That is exactly what we do with the bible ya know.  God just asks us to think on it, meditate on it and then let it take on your life and you it's. 

So to day, walk around in your cloak of letters, words and phrases that praise God.  Write them, speak them, sing them.  Reach through someones chaos and touch them with them.  Let God be in every moment of your day - because He is you know!

That is my prayer for us all today,
Kisses in Christ,
Candace

Letter, Words, Phrases of Praise

Writing and thinking; thinking and writing
Fills the lines of this day
As my thoughts go
So goes my life
This is the truth that I say

The glory of God
 Fills the letters that combine
The words come together to praise

All moments are His
This day he has blessed
Glory to His name on High

By Candace Huffmaster

March 11, 2011

City Called Deliverance

I hope you all are feeling better by now.  Not to worry we are meeting at a new time to keep us on track.  Because next Friday is "Facial Day!"  Our team of aestheticians will arrive a bit early so don't be alarmed.  I am sending the details of who is scheduled when after I find out your schedules for next week. 

Today and tomorrow I want you to think about "your thoughts".  That won't be difficult 'Cause you already do that all the time!  THIS time however, I want you to write them down.  Don't judge them simply write them.  You can write all of them, some of them, part of them....I don't care.  "JUST WRITE THEM!"

We can be like Dr Seuss - you can write them on a house, you can write them on a mouse.  You can write them on a train......

Seriously though.  We have to at least take a peak at the voices we are giving space to.  So here is a little thing I like to call "City Called Deliverance".  I hope it is a muse for you.

My love to you all and prayers for health, wholeness and joy,
Kisses,
Candace

“City Called Deliverance”




Nothing….
Empty….
Blue….
Where do I go?
What should I do?

Vague whispers surround me….
Do I hear what they say?
“I long to love you; to be by your side”
Why such a battle?
Why can’t you stay?
Where do you run to?
For what do you long?
Why can’t it be me with you?
Why is this wrong?

Inside I am screaming; longing for love
My exterior looks unaffected: complete and whole
Internally yearning, pleading for a touch
For someone who won’t hurt me,
To love me…. no matter what.

Vague whispers surround me…
Could they be true?
Questions start flooding…
Chaos fills my mind.
Do I dare risk it?
Will arms hold - while hands punch?
One more brutal moment
All pieces will fall.

Inside I am screaming longing for love
From someone who won’t hurt me
To love me…no matter what.

Vague whispers surround me…
It is clear what they say
A provision of deliverance
A gift of a new life.
“I long to love you: to be by your side”

Can I trust in this savior?
Does He truly know the way?
He says He will guard me with His Mercy and grace

Inside I am screaming……. loving for love
His promise is before me
Removing the cause of my pain
He’s a lifeline of rescue, clearing my way
Dusting the path to see thing in full
He is still waiting….Calling my name

Vague whispers surround me…..
“I long to love you: to be by your side”
He says he won’t hurt me,
In him I can trust
He promises to never leave me
“To love me…. no matter what.”

My exterior looks unaffected: complete and whole
One more brutal moment – all pieces will fall
His touch is eternally gentle,
His arm there to protect
His hands not bent to harm me
His grip won’t let me slip

Vague whispers surround me…
“To love me…no matter what.”
My defense now abandoned
I’m opened to my Lord
I trust He will love me
My shepherd, shield and sword
In Him I will be vulnerable
For there is no division or strife

Vague whispers surround me …
At times their pain is loud
My exterior seems unaffected
Internally, now whole
God holds me in these moments
The whispers, gentle and true
Wooing me into His family
A shelter for all who come in
Protecting us from the torrents
And debris whistling through the air

Vague whispers surround me….
Speaking guidance I trust
Warning us of the battlefield
Exposing the line that’s drawn

From inside I hear them screaming
Longing for love…..
From someone who won’t hurt them
To love them…no matter what.

Vague whispers surround them….
Do they hear what is said?
“I long to love you; to be by your side”
Why such a battle?
Why can’t you stay?
Where do you run to?
For what do you long?
Why can’t it be me with you?
Why is this wrong?

Vague whispers surround them…..
Will they believe it’s the truth?
Yours is the choice of which you call home
The poison is all around you, venomous bites
The flame upon those arrows, destroys upon contact

Vague whispers surround them….
Will it be clear for them to see?
Come within our walls, there is refuge here
You will not need to worry, the Creator is here
All timing is his, our wars have been won
The groaning is from the doomed
They’re struggling to hang on
Leave them and enter,
They are home by free choice
Our intent is to free you
Be released from their demise
Our door must close tightly, now you must rest
No more can they hurt you,
Make you cry, leave you cold
Our Father’s arms are around you,
His peace, now you’ll know

Vague whispers surround them…
“I long to love you; to be by your side”
With warmth from inside you, never to fade
Encircled by arms longing to embrace
So forever I will keep you, so you will know you are safe.
By Candace Huffmaster

Candace Huffmaster 2006© All Rights Reserved. 

March 9, 2011

Confidence In Numbers - by Oz Hillman

Continuing our thoughts on growing our faith think on what Oz has to say on our Deeply topic:
I have great confidence in all that God is doing within each of your lives. I know I will have great bragging rights as to how each of you encourage me to keep on with what I do by the way you grow in your understanding and stand tall in your faith.


I thank God for each of you,
Candace


Confidence in Numbers
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, March 09 2011

"David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, 'I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg You, take away the guilt of Your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.'" - 2 Samuel 24:10
It just seems to be human nature. As we grow in wealth and ability, our confidence moves from complete trust in the Lord to trust in our resources. King David decided one day that he needed to know how many fighting men he had in his army. This was a grievous sin in the nation of Israel. God always made it clear to the nation that He, not their army, was their source. It was against the law of God to number the troops. David's general, Joab, knew the serious nature of such an action.

But Joab replied to the king, "May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?" (2 Samuel 24:3)

Joab knew that David was treading in dangerous waters when he brought up the idea to him. But David had it in his mind that this is what he was going to do. And he did. The result: God judged David for this sin by smiting the nation with a plague that resulted in the loss of 70,000 lives.

Recently, I was having lunch with a former stockbroker who lost everything in the 1987 stock crash in the United States. He made an interesting comment. "You cannot know how to fully trust the Lord in the financial area until you really have to. When I lost everything, I was forced to trust Him when I knew I could not pay my next bill unless God provided. This was the time I learned to trust God. I never had to trust God before I lost my money because I had plenty. We don't willingly enter this level of trust with God."

Ask God today to keep you from trusting in your own resources. Ask Him how to balance trust and blessing from Him this day.

March 8, 2011

God is Reasonable

As a general assumption in regards to our societal mindset, I believe we are a bit too over achiever focused.   It is very obvious that we believe we can do anything if we just know how to do it.  We are supposed to be "self" sufficient.  We are annoyed by anyone who "can't pull their own weight".  We believe relationships are supposed to be "happy and convenient".  Everything is supposed to be geographically desirable or it's too much of an effort.  Children are to be like little adults, fully able to control themselves without stressing anyone out or embarrassing others.  The list goes on and on.....

Maybe this is a little over the top - I will let you be the judge.  But I started noticing how we even hold this over achiever's mentality and expectation with our salvation and new life in Christ.  When we think of getting saved, we think "Pow Wham" my life will be all fine now.  None of this "no pain, no gain" stuff.   We just wait till we know enough and have lived how we want to live - then in our own strength we will say it's time and start implementing everything.  Why don't we just have a belly laugh once and for all - right her, right now! 

I thank God that He knows us - how we think, act and what motivates us.  And He still chose us!  If we can't see in that alone just how  "loving, just and reasonable" he is,  then the rest is really going to be hard for us. In reality all we do is choose to finally let Him in.  Then He will start showing us things - hopefully we will be willing to give new ways a try - hence the "trip, fall, fly" process.

God IS reasonable and He shows us this continually. For instance,  He explained to us not to start off with a 5 course meal as we digest  these new things.  He suggested that we start as a baby with milk - like a newborn.  He understood that we would have to start out with something that all we had to do was focus and learn.  It also had to be something with a quick turn around.  Remember, He knows us well.

He chose something that we could see, experience emotional feeling of relief  about  - which would also  bring great joy as well as be able to multiply:  our provision.  And yet this is the one thing which is the hardest for us to trust Him with! Coincidence? I think not!  The truth is, in order for us to trust Him, we must COMPLETELY let go of  trusting in our "self". 

Do you think it is a coincidence? 

Think about these things:
  • He wants us to have faith in Him
  • Even if we speak like we believe something, we will not "trust" it till we have seen or heard it proven
This is what I think is so very cool about faith - we actually get to use our brains, discover, question and find the truth.  (Yes I am a full fledged geek - people don't expect this about me =D)  God tells us that Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things Not seen in Hebrews 11:1.

So He promises He will make it tangible in some way.  It's not some mysterious, elusive, enigma.  There is substance and evidence - that's proof!  He tells us that His words make it manifest or produces it.

 For the word of God is active and living. This means we must know His words in order to speak them to produce the real and tangible.  But here in lies a problem because we will not speak something we do not have faith in - remember we are over achiever's who don't want to be made a spectacle of. 

Again, God is reasonable.  He knew we were going to be of this mentality.  So He, in advance, told us how to achieve this feat with success.  in Romans 10:17 So then - faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

We simply have to listen - how hard is that.  Well, pretty hard when the voices or words are telling us the truth.  But give it a try.  God loves you and me.......and He IS reasonable, loving and just.

Today, just read about how He desires to provide for you.  It's a promise, just like the birds, flowers and trees.  He will provide for you - always in all ways.

I thank Him, from all of us, for His providing a safe place for you to receive this, what a luxury it is to have your own computer.  He has nourished our body, given us comprehension and sustenance to sustain us yet another grand day.  Continue on Living His Dream!

With love,
Candace

March 7, 2011

Their Road is Wide Open - Why Isn't Mine?

2 Peter 1:3-11


3He gives us everything we need for life and for holy living. He gives it through His great power. As we come to know Him better, we learn that He called us to share His own shining-greatness and perfect life. 4Through His shining-greatness and perfect life, He has given us promises. These promises are of great worth and no amount of money can buy them. Through these promises you can have God's own life in you now that you have gotten away from the sinful things of the world which came from wrong desires of the flesh.


5Do your best to add holy living to your faith. Then add to this a better understanding. 6As you have a better understanding be able to say no when you need to. Do not give up. And as you wait and do not give up, live God-like. 7As you live God-like, be kind to Christian brothers and love them. 8If you have all these things and keep growing in them, they will keep you from being of no use and from having no fruit when it comes to knowing our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if you do not have these things, you are blind and cannot see far. You forget God saved you from your old life of sin. 10Christian brothers, make sure you are among those He has chosen and called out for His own. As long as you do these things, you will never trip and fall. 11In this way, the road will be made wide open for you. And you will go into the holy nation that lasts forever of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One Who saves.


We have been speaking about road blocks, casting down false imaginations, truth, trust and transformation. I have said this before, and will probably state it again –“I do not believe anyone chooses to have a difficult life, I think they don’t understand how to do life differently – they need help not condescending scrutiny from pious people. But then again – those people I believe are doing the best they can as well. So let’s give each other a break –Okay?" Let’s try to give a hand up when a brother or sister is down – we all fail at this so let’s stop pointing fingers so much (somebody might sprain a wrist )

Adding to what we have been reflecting on, let’s look at what might cause us to “trip”. * Go back and read information on The Stones You Are Holding. If you do not have that – let me know and I will forward it to you. I can say from experience of my life and those we work with it's usually FEAR.  Pop psychology will talk about our emotions beneath a seemingly placid surface then the ice cap above, which is labeled anger. While this is valid, if we were ever willing to look at what we fear, why we give up our peace, then before too long there would be no propellant inciting combustion.  Peace is the only thing we can cling to, while we look through these emotional puzzle pieces, which will extinguish the sparks.  But it has to be REAL peace, not something we manufactured to psych ourselves out.  When we put the squeeze on those things they will crumble - Only God's promises can be clung to without crumbling.

When we do not have something to ground us – we as humans get confused. We have no idea where to turn. Then we gather too many ideas and become panicked. God is loving and kind. He does not want us to worry. He wants us to “pray”, “trust”, “prepare” – but in peace. He tells us everything we need to know in advance – the good, the bad and the ugly! Why? So that we are not caught off guard – He even explained this to us.

We are going to start looking at what He promised us and asked us to believe in faith that He is faithful. So plan yourselves and get ready to grow. Then we will start our engines and GO about our days with peace and joy.

So Today, continue writing about what you believe.  It will make for fascinating reading one day; I promise!

My love to you all – may His peace permeate you in all ways…..ALWAYS,

Kisses,
Candace

March 6, 2011

Striving Versus Abiding

Enjoy this today by Os Hillman   - My prayers are with you all,
Candace


TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." - Psalm 127:1a


What does it mean for the Lord to build the house? It almost seems a contradiction when we consider that we might be the builders in this passage. God wants us to allow Him to build the house. He explains further:

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for He grants sleep to those He loves" (Psalm 127:1-2).
God is telling us there is a way of working without striving. There is a way to conduct business without sweating and toiling for outcome. His warning to each of us is to avoid thinking that outcome is based on our sweat and toil. Outcome is based on obedience. That outcome is sometimes more than we deserve. Sometimes it is less than we hoped for. His desire for each of us is to see Him working in our daily work life. He wants us to avoid looking to our own effort to gain an outcome.

One day Jesus called out to Peter from the shore of the lake and suggested he throw his net on the other side of the boat. It was this simple act of obedience that yielded a tremendous catch that he would not have received unless he obeyed.

We are called to work; He is called to bring forth the fruit. He is the vine. We are the branches. Fruit comes forth naturally from a healthy tree.

Today, ask God to show you when you enter into striving. Ask Him to show you the difference between loving trust and obedience and striving for outcome. It can be challenging for us to balance this in our daily work experience. He wants to help us walk in this freedom and rest.

March 5, 2011

Re-Invention???

There were a few of you that could not attend our meeting yesterday - We Discussed the past weeks segments and started conversations on "Living the Dream".   We will be building on this all week and going deeper as we go "Deeply" into the thoughts that comprise the life we walk around in.
1 Peter 5:6,7  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time ~ casting all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you.

As I was spending time with our Dad today, I was asking Him some of my "always curious" questions.  I figure He appreciates them since He created me so incredibly curious.  I love the way He designed for us to have a new day ~ a clean slate each and every morning.  It is His own humongous safely net for us to "trip, fall, fly" throughout each and every moment; kinda like a little bird learning how to fly in the safety of it's mom's care.  I truly thank Him that each is fresh and in place for excitement, adventure and many ways to utilize my causal or purposeful curiosity.  Each moment is like this whether we do the same thing with it or not~isn't it? 

I thought about how God promises us that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  How he doesn't get bored with who He is!  So why do we humans gravitate toward the ketch saying these days "Re-invent Yourself"?

What do we believe "WE" can invent that is better than His original design?  We are daily supposed to be coming into the enlightenment of What He is - which will expose another piece of who we are.  If we are faithful to Him as He is to us to complete us, then we will be transformed "one enlightened moment" upon the other. 

God promised that He is faithful to complete us.  And I believe that ~What about you?

I pray for those of us that feel pressured to "reinvent" your-self and I ask today in this very moment for Gods winds of wisdom to gently swarm around us ~ lifting our veil so that we might hear His truth whisper in our ear:
"You were invented long ago ~ Now you are learning to perform as you were created ~ Let me guide you, My Delight."  " Listen to how you were originally designed to perform ~ Take a few test runs, I will never leave you or forsake you ~ Trust in Me ~ I trust my design."  "I had a vision of your success and I planned all you would need to have it in full ~ Enjoy your run THIS DAY ~ I enjoy seeing you try your understanding." 
"Believe in Me ~ I believe in all you can do!" 

"I Love you ~ I am YOUR creator".
That is what I believe He would whisper to you today.

With the love of our Christ, wrapped in His glory ~ desiring for Him to Radiate this place and enlighten us with His peace,
Candace

March 3, 2011

In His Presence


 



by Candace Huffmaster © 2011 Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc. 



Jump on over to http://www.seecreativityspeaks.blogspot.com/ for your "to do" list for today on Deeply. 

Visit http://www.kbtrue.blogspot.com/ to see what True Beauty looks like.

The blend of all these site are to help us all understand what True Beauty thinks, acts and looks like isn't that a beautiful thing? Won't you join us!

Kisses,
Candace




March 2, 2011

Taking Our Frustrations Out On Objects

“They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them, and that rock was Christ.”
 “We shouldn’t put the Lord to the test as some of them did.”

In 1 Corinthians 10 these verses are speaking of God's people as they were being led by Moses.  God was imploring them to learn from others experiences. The old testement is filled with many trip, fall, fly experiences.  Christ came so that we could see the difference between doing life through "the best of our abiliy" verses "the best of God's ability".  Yet we still want to "do it OUR way!"  Why?  Believe me when I say I pose this question to myself as much as anyone else here.

Think about when Christ was in the desert being tempted. Satan suggested that Christ turn the stone into bread. Christ knew he had to trust the love of God, not test Him. He followed that by stating God’s word, “Man cannot live on bread alone but from every word that precedes from the mouth of God”.

I have often pondered and conversed with God about the reason Moses didn’t get to enter the promised land but only see if from afar. I believe that God desired him to exemplify that we are to converse through relationship, love. Striking that rock was a complex reaction. I think it probably stemmed from Moses’ frustration with the people and feeling a bit out of contol of the situation.  He was lashing out. He wanted to demonstrate power…But.his power or Gods?”

Think about this - Christ is our rock, through Him we are delivered, rescued, saved eternally for relationship.  If Christ is our rock would it be as if Moses was striking Christ himself?  That is a bit brutal to think - but it offers us a parallel.  To me,  that would make more sense as to why Moses was not allow to enter in. (But that could be way off base ya know- just pondering)

How would if feel to want to be seen as loving and giving, only for someone to make it look as though it took their brute force to MAKE you give it?  How do we act as though we are forcing God to give us something He was already going to freely give us?  I can only imagine how that must make God feel. There is no liberty or joy in that.

God tells us "where there is Christ, there is liberty". Gods idea of having Moses speak to the rock explaining God's love and provision while the water starts bursting forth would have been magnificent. . That being said, I cannot begin to wrap my mind around all the pressures that Moses must have been under. So I am going to just thank God for getting him through it all and allowing Moses to see the promise even if from a distance. Moses must have been elated knowing God had delivered them so he could get finally get some rest.

I pray that we not tolerate insecurity and pride, but that we allow His spirit to transform us as we walk through out the emotional reactions we subject ourselves, others and His kingdom to. May God be glorified as we trust in Him to provide as He sees fit and in His timing. Let us exemplify this rock as our altar - where we lay our ways of accomplishing things down to do it the way God has requested.  Knowing that by this - His life may pour out and all may come to the knowledge of His saving grace.

Enjoy this day….it is a gift directly from His hand. And you didn’t even have to force Him to give it to you, did you?
Kisses,
Candace



March 1, 2011

Pieces of Peace

My peace I leave you - Not as this world has but the peace of my Father.  If you knew my Father you would know me - You have seen me, you have seen my Father.  God first loved the world and gave His only begotten Son ~ God is Love. Love is the highest calling...............

If we believe all the above pieces of scripture - how does Fear even have opportunity to enter into our thoughts???  Satan and his angels fell, they now spend their whole existence trying to make us believe we too are going to fall.  Those angels made a choice,  their choice was to enter into this spiritual battle with God. 

God created us to be pieces of His peace - right here on this plane.  He told us His story, who's we are to be "if we choose to accept Him".  Today as we are thinking deeply about the roads we have traveled and the thoughts we were thinking along the way, won't you take a step outside?  Go outside the walls of your home or work even if just for one moment.  Go outside the walls of your own thoughts if just for one moment.  Look up into this magnificent space above us.  Realize if just for this one moment that you are connected to all life.  All that you see - you are a piece of it and it of you because it is part of the God of the universe and you are a piece of all that is. 

No matter how we might try we cannot disconnect from life.  Even in death God says we still exist.  Today, think life, think love, think bigger than any problem you have had, will have or face during your waking hours today.  They are but passing moments and you have made it through so much - that alone should prove to you that you CAN make it - Just don't quit, give up or lay down.  Take a rest - sure! But praise God in your rest and He will raise you up with more courage, power and vision of victory through Love.

I also added a devotional by Os Hillman - addressing forgiveness - I know you will understand the reasoning. 

If you can't get outside -or the day is not as pretty where you are - watch this video from U2 - Magnificent.  I hope it encourages you to find your voice and raise it to our Lord God Almighty ~and go ahead sing out with that original voice God gave you for him to enjoy (don't worry if no one else enjoys it =D)

My love to you all today and forever,
Candace





Learning the Art of Forgiveness
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, March 01 2011



"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us" (Luke 11:4).

"I'm sorry for speaking to you harshly last night," I said. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me to add the second and most important part of my admission. "Will you forgive me?" Without this request we have only partially repented of our sin. It is important to humble ourselves before those we sin against. This is repentance. If we only say we are sorry we are only stating remorse for our actions.

Jesus modeled this in the Lords Prayer: "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us" (Luke 11:4). When I owned my advertising agency I once filed a lawsuit against a client who refused to pay a $140,000 bill. However, the Lord instructed me that because I had also sinned in the situation, I was to drop the suit. My next move was to talk to my former client. I tried phoning him, but he wouldn't return my calls. Finally, I reached his secretary and said, "I want you to take this message down and give it to your boss, word for word - no changes: 'I have sinned against you. I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I ask your forgiveness for filing the lawsuit against you. You are no longer obligated to pay the balance you owe me if you don't feel you owe it.'"

I could hear the secretary begin to cry on the other end of the line. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. About an hour later, my former client called. We hadn't spoken for six months. We reconciled the relationship.

The next few years were incredibly difficult because of the financial setback I suffered, but God provided for my needs. Looking back, I realize that this was my Judas Test. I passed the test when I let go of my resentment and asked to be forgiven, and God was glorified in the situation.