February 24, 2014

Letting Go Is Hard To Do

The hardest thing for me to let go of sometimes are the things I am studying and praying about.  It is difficult at times for me to release, when I know that tomorrow I will uncover another truth.  What I am confident in is one thing, we must care for today....today.  Tomorrow will care for itself as well. If we are going to relax and enjoy our days we must flee some things to pursue other things.  When we sit on things too long they loose their "best" ratings.  One obvious example is the manna which God showered down from the heavens.

All of us, each and every day are in pursuit of happiness; that is hope.  But real hope and happiness does not have its origin in worldly things where it can be trapped; it encompasses and gives life to those things, which otherwise would be hollow instead of hallow.  These thoughts raised up a curious chain of idea's which began with this:

People want to give; but they do not want to be taken advantage of.
If we desire to give and our motivation is to give someone the advantage of receiving our gift, then there should be no rub in the passing.  This means that we have to look at where the friction might take place.  We will not retrace our topics on view points and gifts today.  If you have not been with us during those discussions click on the link enclosed through-out this post.

God's word explains that we should give when we are empowered to do so.  He also shares with us several view points to encourage us as we discern all the actions and emotions taking place.  When we give freely from the wealth which He has hidden within us, we shine brightly and spotlight charity, revealing His presence in their time of need.  He came to give others THE advantage.  He gives without hypocrisy, without expectation of reciprocity because He needs nothing and gives what cannot be obtained through man's means.

The rub only comes if someone must pry our fingers from what ever is being extended, in order to take possession and leave our presence.  Sometimes we are remiss to recall the stance of the giver: they have no authority or rights to whatever is given away.  It no longer belongs to the them, once it passes into the possession of the receiver.  The other person is now the owner and the use or lack there of is for at their discretion.  If an invitation is extended we may join in with their experience and celebrate.

Sometimes the giver feels a slight...rub, as if something is not as satisfying as it should be.  Our reward should be the satisfaction of giving another an advantage. In so doing we exemplify the priceless advantage which Christ gave us.  His advantage was like a rare, one of a kind, irreplaceable gemstone which came straight from the compassionate heart of the Magnificent Giver.  James 1:17 states it best, in my opinion:

Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

When we stand by waiting for acknowledgement or an exchange of some type we are expecting some type of closure before we can stamp the experience "satisfied". Obviously, this means the blister is being produced due to the obstacle of our own need for due satisfaction; underneath it all we were in pursuit of our own happiness.

Paul wisely addressed this issue in verse 6 and 9 of the same chapter:
"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment".
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

When we read the first verse it feels smooth to the senses, peaceful.....But the second is filled with obstacles, bumping and tenderness, depression and disappointment.

Paul comes to a close by telling Timothy to share these instructions with others in Christ for the building up of His image and not the "branding" of the man's image.  This is another common struggle we have with the ancient world.  Something are simply human nature and human nature is not the nature of Christ (verse 17-19):

Instruct those who are rich in this present world:

  •  Not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
  • to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share ~ storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
I will end today, asking for you to think about times when you have felt like you wanted to give, but held back due to thoughts of being taken advantage of. Think about times when you gave but felt slighted, maybe a bit bitter.....you kind of felt that rub.  As Paul wrote to Timothy, I write this to each of us; just fill the blank with your name: 

"O, _________________, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly empty chatter ~ the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge ~ which some have professed....and in this gone astray from the faith."


"Grace be with you....."

Kisses,
Candace





Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®





February 17, 2014

Emergency Responders

"The rain came down, , the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house........"

As we have been processing the thoughts of our realities verses God's reality and all man being subjected to futility, we have all been bombarded with hazardous weather conditions. This reminded many people of the absurdity of self protection and how dependent we truly are upon His supernatural intercession during times of helplessness.

Of course, when things happen God's words flood in to my memory and verses begin to align with conditions in our midst.  When the verses from Matthew chapter 7 came to mind, I had to pick up my bible and jump into it:

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (24-27)

Much of the time, when reading the verses in the past, my focus was drawn to wisely building a house on a good foundation.  Maybe it was due to the weather conditions, but the big opening scene, I saw this time from God's word, was the storm rolling in.  And as the local fire station alarms went off again I got it: This life is all about our responses to the things which come toward us!


  • How will we respond to what rains down on us?
  • How will we respond to what rises up around us?
  • How will we respond to the forces that blow against us?
This life beats against us, that is the truth. Do we have the wisdom to know when to move, where to enter and the strength to stand till the winds are gone?  Fear of the unknown is always there; what are we up against? Which unknown will we lay down to? We know we cannot stand forever and we will be overtaken by an unknown from time to time.  No one is invincible; if by nothing else there will be death for us all.

If the gateway to the unknown we enter is a mystery of God, we may trust that He is for us and willing to uphold us through all things.  The Lord desires to share His victories with those relying on His undying love; that does not mean we will never be afraid when entering the unfamiliar or out of our control.  Fear however is an unmerciful lord, desiring to grieve us and steal anything which resembles a hope of a future; yet many will muster up all the strength they can to pass through this wide open space. 

When the storm clouds roll in....who is your Lord? When the rivers of life begin to rise up.....what traits will you employ? When the winds swirl in chaotic formations....who is the Master of your thoughts?  While there is no storm on our horizon here this day, maybe we should pause and think about these things.  

As the storm was rolling out this past week, the ice and snow were melting and the winds were whipping the moisture back home, my family and I had a conversation about how we all respond to natural catastrophes. We felt that this brings out virtues of Godliness toward others which should bring a bit of shame and humility to our "Christmas" attitudes. 

As the children of God and followers of our Lord, we should be standing at every street corner sprinkling salt (and this time it could be literally along with some sand or cat litter!) and showing others a guiding light.  If we are His body, and we are to be out in the world why do we keep all our salt in the church? Doesn't that make us more like one of those salt licks that my grandpa used to have in his field? Shouldn't we be out responding instead of expecting all the urgencies to come running to us?  And what about our lights? Aren't we rather hiding it at times under the bushel of the church roof?  

Just things I think about often.....and thought I would extend the invitation to have your thoughts merge ;)

Kisses,
C

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

February 14, 2014

It's Valentines Day!

Our Post today is located on our Kisses C page, this link will take you to Above All Else: Love.

As Philippians 4:8 encourages us, if you need something lovely and pure to think on today please take the time to allow yourself to be encouraged and click the link ;)

You all are God's forever Valentine.....Above all Else!
With Love,
Candace

February 9, 2014

Should A Perceived Inflection Reflect On Them?

 Today I was having lunch with my husband and we were conversing about misreading others when communicating through emails, texts, letter and what-not. From many conversations I have had with others over the years it is not a new thing.  The overarching theme of my studies, research, group topics and now personal conversations appear to harmonize on this: How important it is to NOT impose our own thoughts onto others and especially to demand it be their truth because we see it.
Has anyone ever taken something you've said out of context and used it to support something you do not agree with? I would it was not purposeful, simply their honest interpretation; none-the-less they misrepresent you, aligning you with other things.  In order to properly interpret what someone has written or what their true meaning is when speaking, we must have an understanding of who they are.  We can superficially know language, inflections and perceive an environment however, these things alone can lead us to superimpose our own ideals and take the other person "out of context" to who "they really are".
People make assumptions based on their own life history, bits of information and belief systems; yes, we all have some form of a belief system in place.  We must realize that applying additional context to what another states has more to do with our own motives, thoughts and very little to do with them. Otherwise we would pause and allow others to speak for themselves to reveal who "they are"; instead of giving them our persona.
Why do we communicate anyway? Have you ever just parked on that thought?  Needless to say I have!  It all boils down to one thing for me: to relate with others! If I did not care to have intimate relationships with people I would simply shut up!  But I do....so I don't ;)
The reason I thought about all this was God, of course.  God does not have a form for us to be drawn to His appearance.  He uses words to tell us what He looks like and not in terms of vanity, but the depths of the real person.  We must have a relationship with the bible to properly read His intentions, otherwise we will take Him "out of context " based on our own thoughts; that is all idolatry is.
God ends the bible, in Revelations, telling everyone not to take away from or add anything to what He has said: His character and identity.  He does not desire for us to project a false image out there for others who are just getting to know Him or may not yet be interested.  He would like the opportunity to reveal Himself to them through those of us who know Him intimately, by way of seeing us walk with Him day by day.  When they believe we see Him, hopefully they will pick up His life story - His love story to all mankind.  He will woo them into the same relationship page after page and journey with them too.  After all who in the world can resist our Lord!  
Let me tie it all up real pretty for us: 
The bible is not a book it is a relationship with the Lord God Almighty and He is mighty real.  Don't take my word for it.....those are His words!  I think of His relationship with Peter and how I know Peter believe in the Lords faithfulness, yet Christ said "O you of little faith" to him.  Peter still had some thoughts He needed to cast down, as we all do and will continue to.  God knew how difficult it would be to move from needing to hear Him say to us " o you of great faith " into "O You of Great Faithfulness " and with being able to see Him and cling to a flesh and blood human form it would just be to difficult to get us there. Well, that's my opinion.
I thank God for His Divinity; I do not even have anything else to say....today anyway ;)
Kisses,
Candace

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

February 7, 2014

The Bull By The Horns

As usual most of the things we discuss are regarding our thoughts.  It is impossible to ever have peace if we are not willing and able to comparatively sifting through our reality verses what others tell us our reality is.  Kind of crazy if we just stop long enough to put down all the pieces and ponder: What is reality anyway?  God told us we must be able to cast down our false imaginations. This would imply that we are capable of discerning the truth.

We have discussed in groups about who gets to be right and why. But it has been a while since we spoke of the matador and the coliseum.  Use the imagery and find what truths you are really wrestling with, may God Himself counsel you in His holy arena:

Picture an arena, with the crowds all around cheering about something.  Now observe that their focus is on you in the center of something which appears to be a coliseum.  There is a bull facing you, and believe it or not you are a matador!  You are thinking through all your past experiences as you attempt to ready yourself for survival by conceiving a plan.  Right now the bull is doing the same, you can see it in its eyes.  Suddenly, the bull is charging and you start moving .....flailing really.  In terror you grab onto this massive animals horns and jump to the side. The fierce bull snorts, shakes, bucks but you are still holding strong.  At this point you are simply grateful to still have the bull by the horns and to not be down in the dirt trampled beyond recognition. 

How many times are the thoughts we are wrestling with like that bull.  Revisit our conversations about keeping your peace and entering the coliseum today.  Who needs to have a bull by the horns anyway.  What do you have to prove to the crowds?  We know that the bull might allow us to "think" we have the advantage.  However, when push comes to shove.....the bull more often than not reeks havoc running us over.Do not allow your thoughts or the thoughts of others to "bully" you!

May God bless you and keep each and every one of you today in His peace which surpasses all understanding.  Ponder our verse from yesterday and think about the thoughts God has for you. Also, sometimes we are the bull toward God and others; I thank God He won't throw us to the ground and wait for the crowds to cheer Him on for our demise. He is VERY skilled as the righteous matador and I pray we all allow Him to train us up as one too!

With Love,
Candace
Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

February 6, 2014

What Did You Expect?

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ~ Jeremiah 29:11 KJ
How many times do we tell others we are waiting on God to show us what to do? Maybe we do not say exactly that; maybe we just do not know what to do and want to pray about it.  Maybe we do not pray about it, but rather speak with someone who we believe will pray about it or consult with us for directions.

Maybe we do this because we do not clearly discern what is ahead. Usually, it is to ease the uncomfortable situation of changing our minds when something better comes along. We do not have the advantage of being omnipresent; as if it would in anyway BE an advantage for even one human.

We all were submitted by the grace of God to the same limitation of futility. We rake others over the coals for not treating us "As THEY would want to be treated"; but what about when WE do not treat someone like we would want to be treated.  What should we expect?

God tells us the truth about it: you should forgive them and trust that I am a just God.

You do not have to tell me what is going through your mind right now - you can if you want....but I believe we all have exactly the same reaction.  After all, it was His desire to subject us all to the same futility, remember?  The common reaction discussed with me is this: I know that is what God desires and of course I forgive them and trust Him. But it is not that simple, I still have these "feelings" and I do not want to be "fake" around them.  If I am rude it will start a fight, and that is not Godly at all.

Our verse today stated: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you -  thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  If we are made in the image of God and filled with His Holy Spirit to empower us to be His witness / ambassador of His will, then it begins with our thoughts toward those individuals.  Will we extend thoughts of reconciliation with God and not worry about them reconciling with us till God has dealt with the end of those things? Will we chose NOT to enter into the coliseum where we will have to wield those evil weapons as expected?


If much of what we ask and do is miss guided, what is the answer? (not the simple God answer here, that is understood) ;) Have you ever paused to think about if all the time we are waiting on God to "order our steps and show us the way" He might be waiting on us to understand we do not listen and allow Him to show us all along the way moment by moment.  We just do not think it takes all that.  Much of the time we consider God more of an information desk, a crisis hot line or a travel agent.  I am sure there are many other hats we lay on His head.  

Remember this though, seriously....He does not wear hats; He wears crowns.  He is not man, He is God.  He does not build what we see, we are to see what He built.  He does not listen for our directives, He reveals His ways.  

Peter was always the first one wanting to go where ever Jesus went.  I am sure He was pleading with Him when He asked where He was going- as if he was all set and ready.  Jesus told him, you cannot go with me yet Peter, but you will.  God does not let us go into places which will give us an evil expected end.  That is death, and it is unnatural to God.  God is life and there is NO death in Him.

Let's stop killing people with thoughts and actions - it is unnatural for us in Christ.

To our New Nature, in Him and to Him be all the glory!

Kisses,
Candace


Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc

February 4, 2014

Consider This One Understood! ~ Should I?

We all have things which we assume are "understood".  However, as sure as we assume that someone proves us wrong, don't they? More often than not that is what I find with all of us.
With this in mind we are going to search our "understanding" in regard to this scripture from 2 Corinthians verse 17:
"Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit is THERE is liberty."
While many things ARE understood, the problem is we do not all understand by way of relating in a similar fashion.  Take Liberty for instance, let ask these questions:
Would we recognize it?
  • Do we know it by more than word associations?
  • Do we understand when we are attempting to steal it from someone?
  • Do we dare look at how this directly grieves the Holy Spirit Himself ~ beyond the human before our eyes?

If we desire to understand God, to come into a closer relationship with Christ, then we must subject ourselves to these deep ponderings and ask God:  Is this real because it is not at all like the "real world" handles things!
As an example of that statement, let's use the age old philosophical brain teaser: If a tree fall in the forest, and there is nobody around to hear, does it make a sound?  This question is directly related to how we interpret the word "sound": Is it being perceived as a physical phenomenon - the wave length disturbance or by human sense organs?
Any medium which moves air creates the "potential" interaction with a secondary medium to perceive the vibrations and assume a "sound". Sound is simply a subjective interaction with matter.  Stick with me it does get relative and interesting. Without, let's say, an ear to capture the interaction the vibration will pass by not noticed. Yet even without an ear, a deaf person would become aware due to the change in vibrations due to their heightened sensitivity to environmental movements.
Another important variable is recognition and interpretation.  We can all hear / feel things from the same source yet be dogmatic that our perceptions are indisputably correct.  The reason for this is our memories or lack of corresponding information stored in our brains.  
Can you see how limited we can become if we are not open to new thoughts?  Our perceptions limit our reality if we are closed minded; reducing us to the limited stimuli of our own.  In part this is understandable since we validate thoughts through physical sensory variables: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell and the corroborating pieces begin to form a mental picture which leads to our cohesive understanding. What we piecemeal together our brain stamps as "the real deal". It does not matter if there is not a solid form in front of us at the moment because we based our concept on things which WERE real in the past.  Somehow we decide that our best piece milled hunch is the good enough and we have "this one" covered.  
Now, before we get too far down this rabbit hole, let's apply this to today's topic Liberty.  To be sure we have all the information, let's understand the Greek word Eleutheria from which we derived the translation, liberty.  It means freedom, generosity, independence.  It is a blessing of the "economy of Grace."  It is a generosity in proportion to the Love of our God.
In order to live "there", in God's economy it is logical, based on the prior theory notes, that our brain must have the information stored and in place in order for us to become interactive with the vibrations / movements taking place in His spirit.  Do you see a bit more clearly the importance of Christ opening up His ministry with "change your thoughts" if you desire a transformed life?
If the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit is there is Liberty, it makes sense that when we are grieving the Spirit we are actually squelching the free movement of Christ.  Egad!  We do not have a Quantum Theory to test out the philosophy but James gave us a simple test which is very relative. He explained it like this, in James 1:22-27:
But prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror, for he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.  
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty (notice he did not call the Mosaic law perfect. but the law of LIBERTY) and abides by it not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer this man shall be blessed in what he does.
All these thoughts brought a really old lovely tune to my mind...and I had to ask does silence HAVE a sound? Do people really prefer Silence to the Sound of the Lord??? But as I thought it I had my answer: His Spirit is within us, helping us understand the deep wisdom of our Lord God and He will not ever again be silent! But that does not mean we will freely subject our selves to the Sound of His grieving.....but there will never be silence as long as our Creator has breath and HE will NEVER leave us alone. Why would He, is He mean and wants us to blindly wait for vibrations to shimmy us home?? NO!  He grieved at our mental blindness!
I pray we take heed to what the Lord gave us through James and not allow our memories to become stained by the world ~ but instead cleansed by His Spirit so we can inherit all His wonderful memories and encouraging thoughts of eternity.  
These are very Liberating Thoughts, think on them.  
With Love and encouraging prayers ~ Kisses,
Candace
I just had to listen to Simon and Garfunkel sing "The Sound of Silence". I was amazed at what I heard after considering all this. Hope you enjoy it too!


Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc