Daddy....Are We There Yet???

Most of you know me.....you know how quirky I am, how I really enjoy my sense of humor - and at times I am the ONLY one laughing. "And yet, I still laugh!".  Most people say I am incredibly confident, or secure in my own skin.  I usually will disagree with that to some degree, because I know me.  Maybe what people see is that I am not afraid to do or say something even when I am shaking in my shoes. 

There is another side to this however, that if someone does not know me very well they might misinterpret.  When I state something, it is my view from where I am looking, what thoughts I have merged with what I see and the events that have lead me find experiential knowledge.  When I speak, I expect others to give with their best perceptions as well.  I do not know how else to seek solutions, solve problems and grow respectful relationships. I am seeking to correct my point of view if I am incorrect. Sometimes I get a bit befuddled  because I assume people know that if I am taking the time to engage in conversation with them then I believe what they might add from the same has great value! If I so show a confidence of sorts, it is only when I am basing my best and thought filled pondering on God - which brings me to Daddy...are we there yet?

I am closing in on 50 years now of tripping, falling and flapping till I fly....if only for brief moments in time.  My Daddy has been with me every step of the way and I know that.  These past 25 years have seen me whining at time "how much further"; "I'm bored"; "We aren't ever gonna get there are we"; "I gonna wet my pants if you don't stop"; "I'm hungry and car sick"! But God has known when to stop.  He knows when to switch highways, change vehicles, fuel up  all I have had to do is decided to go the miles with him and try to not be so difficult...and possibly - dare I say it - engage Him along the way :0 

I wish I could say there are not still day when I say....Dad, come on ..REALLY I have to still go further?  Don't you think you are expecting a bit much from me?  We both know who I am and what you are working with here.  But then he reminds me....You CAN do this, because I am in you, and you are in me and ALL things are possible because I AM.

Today, look in the car that you are riding in.  Maybe it has to be a bus because of all the people crammed in there with you - it shouldn't be though......

Think about that as you enjoy what Os has to say today, I did!
With love to each and everyone of you,
Kisses,
Candace

Hindrances to Christ's Rule - by Os Hillman

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4


The Bible says when Christ comes to live in your heart, old things are passed away, all things become new (see 2 Cor. 5:17). The Lord has put a new Spirit in us. Previously, I could not understand why so many of us who proclaimed Christ had such little impact on the kingdom of darkness. It seemed to me that our culture should be impacted much more if His children walked in the light as Jesus did. Jesus impacted His culture like no other man.



I saw many workplace believers, who proclaimed Christ, living no differently than a person who had not claimed Him as Lord. These men and women had a form of religion, but little power that reflected Christ's rule in their lives. Then one day God took me through a time of testing that led to a discovery of generational influences that impacted the way I viewed people and circumstances on a subconscious basis. I discovered this was a stronghold that had been implanted many generations earlier. Because the stronghold operated on a subconscious level, it was not easily recognizable. Strongholds keep us from being free to reflect Christ in and through our lives because they require allegiance until they are dealt with. Strongholds can often be so hidden that we would not even identify them as evil. A stronghold of fear, control, rebellion, insecurity, idolatry, pride, or bitterness may be hidden until it is revealed through circumstances.



All strongholds are built in our lives as a result of seeking to meet one or more of seven basic needs God has created in us. Once we believe a lie that God cannot meet a need without our effort, we open our spirit to a stronghold. The more lies we believe, the more we invite these strongholds to take root in our lives. Are you ineffective in your Christian experience? Are there besetting sins that seem to recur in your life? You may find that satan has built a fortress in your heart that has been there many generations. You must ask God's forgiveness for entertaining this stronghold, and you must renounce it. Then as Christ renews your mind and heart, you will see Christ's power released in your life like never before.