A Real Conundrum

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

~ 1 Cor. 10-12 

You would think that much of my time is spent helping others see their positioning / standing within the things going on in their lives. However, the largest part of my days are actually spent making sure I am positioned and standing......not by my own strength - God help me if I ever feel so secure that I omit this!

Obviously we all have problems, real or perceived. And I am sure it comes as no surprise that it would be unusual for someone to come to me saying "I have a problem; and I am the problem. Can you help me?". Another commonality I find is that most problems are not yet real. What I mean is, the problem that IS real is the panic building in their mind and anxiety in their heart because they perceive they are not going to get something they desire, or be able to prevent an undesired thing from happening. Helping people comprehend that what we think or feel can be distorting reality can be a real conundrum!

Fortunately or unfortunately, I am no different from those I support, when it comes to finding areas where our human nature can override spiritual truths we believe. These distortions in perception are what cause our conflicts - both with others and internally. For instance when a woman comes to me very hurt and conflicted. She tells me she is devastated, heart broken, because her spouse isn't "loving" toward her and she doesn't understand because all her efforts are to make sure they have a strong loving relationship.. But, when I ask her how she is responding to him and she tells me she is stone walling him: hasn't cook dinner and has hardly spoken to him since yesterday. It is obvious there is spiritual, personal and relational perspectives needing reconciliation before we discuss anything else..

Have you ever noticed that we can be truly correct in our truth, but fully incorrect in our standing, or how we carry it out. The conundrum is: how can I be trying to obtain love, working hard toward making opportunities for love and then ending up without "feeling" loved? The problem isn't Love, nor is our biggest problem "how our spouse is acting". The problem is we want something for our self; it is about me, not about them. Do you see that? When we do not get what we want, we will utilize whatever ammunition is at our fingertips to motivate the other person to move toward what we want.. Sadly, God's will is a easy reach to manipulate people. We will discuss this another time.

So how would the conversation go with her, you ask? Usually, I would ask her if she has wondered if her spouse felt loved by her; and not generically, but by her actions. We would discuss how wanting to "be loved" is certainly not the same thing as "desiring to be in a loving relationship". Ending with reading the letter of James, focusing on chapter 4 would be a wonderful place to open up conversations of what she sees happening in herself, her husband, their relationship with God and each other. .

The bottom line here is this: When we say we are not being loved, are we consistently being loving? Do we, will we, take a pause to think about Love before we act / react? I do not know too many people who think they won the Spousal Lottery 24/7 , but please do not live as though they did with you or me. We all are standing on shaky ground, even on a good day. But I praise God that He is able to make us stand when we depend on Him to deal with our little self made conundrums.

Remember, it is all in how you look at things; get yourself out of the way and you can see a much larger picture!

I pray to make it through the end of this day without tripping over myself and I pray the same for you. And I ask that we can see from His perspective instead of our small view.


- In Christ,

Kisses,
C

For more on this topic:
What Do You See
Your Doing It Wrong
How Long Can This Go On

© 2018 by Candace Huffmaster

 Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc ®

The Loop and the Loop Hole

To review, I am closing this out  Jeremiah 17: 10, 11. It is very hard to trust God when we have been very wounded by trusting broken people. God understand broken things act and react in broken ways. His loop hole in this insane hamster wheel, is to make us unbroken in His wholeness. The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately sick;who can understand it?

“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind,to give every man according to his ways,according to the fruit of his deeds.”Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,so is he who gets riches but not by justice;in the midst of his days they will leave him,and at his end he will be a fool.

Below is where we started, it is important to come full circle:

If God said it is not good to be alone, why are committed relationships so gut wrenching in comparison to our extra-curricular relations. Why do we make meaningful promises with a good intent and yet so flippantly forsake our own words. We are aware that we are pummeling hopes, dreams, commitments and compromising our loved ones abilities to painstakingly not retaliate in an evil way. But more significantly, they must continually attempt to trust in God and love well.God's desire is for us to run under His wing.......will we?

God is not a masochist; He knows we cannot uphold relationship commitments by sheer grit.   We are made in His image; and we are ABLE to do this …..Because He lives.  Don’t miss this: If we could do it without God, then He would not get to be intimate with people.  Not physically, because He doesn't have a body like ours. He created a loop hole though; He lives in this world now INSIDE us!  Again, don’t miss this:  It is not US who won’t leave people destitute.  It is God within us; we simply must allow His will to mature us.

Our weak willed spirit cringes at the thought of having to put up with all the icky, sticky, goo of close relationships. God said He wants to wrap us under wing...some people would think that is terribly suffocating! I had someone say to me once, “ I won’t leave you ........destitute.”   It appeared that they felt this should be something to trust, as if it could possibly sow up the deep wound they caused and numb my pain/suffering.  I said to myself, “Do they not realize destitute means left forsaken. 

We have discussed many times that we can only do our part – this is the reason God tells us, “Be at peace as far as it depends on YOU.”   No one can repair or reconcile a relationship without a reciprocating “you” involved; agreed?  If someone does not desire peace “with others” then they only desire comfort for them self.  The reason we get confused at times, is because some of the things others receive comfort from happens when they comfort us.  Maybe this is the reason for all the proverbs in regard to the deceptions of our feelings.   

Comfort is the nemesis to maturity, especially in our maturity within Christ’s body. God desires to lavish His love on everyone.  But as we see, not everyone wants to receive real love.  Who knows all the reasons why they find it terribly uncomfortable to stay close, really let others in.  Sometimes they find it too hard to keep distance and leave.   It does hurt and it even harms them, us and anyone else entangled. And, it deeply grieves the Holy Spirit, but they find all this easier than allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to work for them...And God keeps trying anyway.

We cannot force peace because then it is not kindness, it is controlling.   Do not allow yourself to be verbally bullied either, you are a peacemaker; not a mute point.   If you are attempting to relate with immaturity (or call it whatever you wish) it will repeatedly verbally and sometime physically desire to push you out the door, so to speak.  We do not have to take part in destroying relationships, but to not speak the truth in love also destroys intimacy.  

And lastly, remember:  With God as your witness, in all you say and do…..simultaneously you are His witness that He is alive and well in YOU!    This is why where Christ is there is liberty, so honor your commitments – Don’t leave God forsaken!

In Love with Christ,

Kisses,Candace

 Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

My Fabulous House of Cards

We have been kicking around the pieces of our lives attempt to discovering the deep seated beliefs we have anchored in our soul. I do realize most of you were not aware of this fact.  Question; if by chance you had known would you have participated with such openness?

We all must make a decision that we are either going to believe God is fully, meaning all aspects, who He says He is or either He is not what He says He is at all;  these are our only two options.  The general problem we all have is this:  We do not really know who God says He is, not all aspects based on only who He says He is.  But God knew this would be our common problem due to “the knowledge of good and evil”. 

God’s solution was to give us mercy and grace through Christ Jesus.  Once we can accept this truth – just the one mind you, He’s got us covered throughout the journey of discovery. He also doesn’t want us to keep believing misconceptions, so He sticks right with us ready and willing to clarify all the ambiguity and what not.  But fear makes us close down and attempt to run away and hide just like Adam and Eve did. 

We discuss our pieces of understanding without guilt, shame, condemnation, pride or arrogance.  If we do not open up, speak and listen to others compassionately as we embarrassingly expose our fragments of doubts, fears, ambiguity, frustration and everything which seemingly opposes what we profess we believe, then fear trumps our faith every time!  May that never be!! 

For this reason we constantly bring up the Trip, Fall, Fly patterns within our sojourn.  Again, common stuff here – no big surprise at all.  Just as God powerfully relates to each of us to ground and anchor His body here on earth, we must stretch ourselves to allow His embrace to under gird and unite us – and thank God we are called to be one.  Think about these things and review the information from the past several weeks. 

Pick up just one dusty piece and be ready to polish it off…..just one.  You can do, I know you ….and I trust Him, honestly!

Don’t be embarrassed if you are afraid to pick up a piece, maybe you are hesitant to even look toward the pile of pieces.  If so, try not to quit; simply pause.  Now, take a deep breath for me and ask yourself, kindly mind you, “Has the vine of my emotions swung me out only to drop me center stage?” 

Usually, when we attempt to isolate something uncomfortable, we begin to feel separated from everyone else, as though no one else in the world has ever dealt with this hideous thing.   And worse yet, all those “other folks” we begin envisioning sitting below us in the audience starring at our bewildered state.  But we know how to handle that, we simply picture everyone of them in their underpants!  However, that vision keeps getting interrupted by everyone staring up at us, on stage, under the spot light in nothing but OUR underpants – and they are decked out in the attire which would make us feel like a million bucks.  OK, so I might have overshot the emotional swinging, but you will understand in a moment.

Let me tell you a little golden nugget about emotions:  They build a house of cards around the one real piece of the puzzle which they are concealing.  We build these false images layer upon layer to protect the vulnerable piece; as well as our stage presence.  Often, we really do not realize we do this.  We might catch a glimpse of it, but it passes so quickly we believe it is the masquerade.  Then every once in awhile, God will gently allow the winds of change to blow toward your magnificent construction and hit …just one card……and quickly they all collapse into a one dimensional array.

There you have it.  This is what you are really looking at, or avoiding looking at ;)  Remember, it’s okay; it was just a silly house of cards.  Somewhere in that pile, however, is one brilliant piece of truth……….Let’s find it, together, and let it shine!

Kisses,

Candace

p.s.  There are enough cross-links in this to keep your mind moving forward if I get behind due to research.  Each time I re-read information I dust off another piece.  Yes , even I find fabulous card houses all around me; but now I ask God to blow the winds of change toward them - as He sees "I'm fit to handle it".

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc ®

 

Are YOU That Confident?

 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ~ Galatians 5:10

Here we read of Paul’s confidence in those he was speaking of, but how can we be confident that we are seeing clearly and prepared for the battles we see?  Well, with experience comes confidence.  So God let’s us spar each other – after all, iron sharpens iron right?

These “spars” that we go through are not the battle, they are with flesh and blood opponents.  This isn’t to say that they are not equally being used by the enemy, as they are by the advocate, our Father who is for us and not against us.

The enemy tries time and time again, using his entire arsenal to deceive us.  He wants us to think the training IS the battle, so that we will exchange our view point, for his lie.  He is on a mission; “Mission Persuasion”.  He is attempting to tire us, wear us down and overwhelm our brain with his distortions and half truths.  He knows he can get us to digress and start chasing rabbits instead of following Christ.  When we get off track he feels confident that he will be able to obliterate our hope as we start to get tangles up in the forest of deceptions taunting us with God isn’t coming…….and you can’t hold on much longer so you might as well just lay down to defeat and be done with it.

But God tells us the truth with no distortions.  He tells us “I have come to fight these battles, you are weak against these evil schemes, but I am strong.  I have already won! “Mission impossible” is what Satan is fighting – it is impossible for him to have a comeback.  Remember, through Me ALL things are possible – this is your mission, Mission Possible!  When you believe and keep perceiving in hope through faith, no one or anything can persuade you of another view.

Yesterday we looked at taking the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and standing in the might and power of the Lord. So, when Satan and all who have joined his evil forces are tempting you to shrink back – Remember the only thing that counts in this battle is your faith expressing itself in love. 

Paul made a statement and asked this question to those who had hope in Christ and were combating these same forces:   

You were running a “good race”, who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?

He goes on to encourage them of the confidence he has that they cannot be persuaded to “take” another view.

We must beware and not overly confident though, because the real snare is being set up to catch us, Paul tells them: But watch yourself or you may be tempted, each one should “test” his own actions.  This is the duel; can you walk away taking pride in your victory without comparing yourself to anyone else?  Or will you go for the “flesh wound”?

I pray that each of us only spar with each other, not as to enter into the final battle, but knowing we are here to strengthen each other; making each of us the best we can possibly be.  After all, that is our Mission!

With Love ~ Kisses,

Candace

^{©Candace Huffmaster, 2012  All Copy Rights Reserved}

^{Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™}

Love is Unconditional, Relationships are Conditional

Good Morning - I want to take a moment to wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  It is possible I will not post anything in preparation of an early meal (YIPPEE!!) 

Many of the e-mails bounced back from this post - no surprise since I was sending it from my BB device.  In order for you to understand the full meaning of today's post you need this part - If you already read this simply skip down below the second dotted line for today's information.

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Saturday November 19, 2011

Still pressed for time and have not been able to get these things proofed and loaded.  I have to pick back up and just send them as they are. These all lead into each other - and usually I take them "from private conversations and reorganize them into generic conversations"  However, there is no time for that.

Today I will start with Oct 18th - I pray these give you whatever answers or thoughts you are requesting:

Dad,

I do love you with all of my heart - The heart that you gave me planted deep in my flesh - which enlivens my soul to think all these thoughts

Without a spirit our mortal life ends - of this no one questions - the just do not know where to begin.  You tell us the beginning you tell us our earthly end.

You speak of the spirit realm to guide all our days: to prepare us for eternal life; to choose our self you say.

I think I see something of this space in between.  It is where the path crosses - our collisions of space - the time you will not cut short- the moments of our days.

If you had not paused us on the planet of earth, given us the space to think our broken thoughts, all of us who enter here would have been separated from you - and you could not allow that so you planted, you planned the perfect place called Eden to house the broken thoughts of man.

You planted him in the east corner - you protected the gates back in - you set flaming swords at the cross road, your truth and your right hand. 

You have the Highest of Angels covering all your truth, charging any invader back from whense he came.  Of destruction there will be nothing - You've ensured that victory will last.  From beginning through all ages all is held and place by the only I AM!

Lead us as you search us - the Holy Spirit is embracing all.  Through Christ were held together - His body will never be torn - The separation was done on the cross, to this day all things are shaking - as He kicks the dust from His feet.  Each day He fights this good fight and we pass through the shifting sands of time - to Be sifted, shaken and polished for His glorious head to shine.

The crown He wears is not ashes - no longer thorns ground from this found.  We are now brilliant gem stones and He displays us all with eternal pride.

Think about this and I will send the last part when I get back to my computer today.

With love and a holy kiss,

Candace

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East of Eden I planted man; my heart I riped to give him; My choice - by my very hand

If not for my deep pleasure of a birth, even I knew pain,these things we would not be mentioning; My all would have been into Me.

In that I found no good thing; for I had love too large to hold. It became useless and so heavy when it weighed upon me.

I created man to share it  - to carry it throughout their days; to teach them of its good pleasures of the liberty without the weight ~ but they must see past their own love or they will be buried by the pounds..... The pulse of every rivet as it presses them into the ground.

Water will surely save them - for it washes away the earth ~ Just as the family of Noah who I also gave a second birth. 

Then there too was Jonah who's life had a whale sized love - It sank Him straight to the bottom; it bound him to take his last breath; but through the waves I released him to take a second chance.

Though you walk at times through deep valleys and at times the desert seems hot ~ believe me when I tell you there are things you do not WANT to know.  While knowledge seems inviting ~ to understand evil seems sound ~ the only Tree worth its value is the Tree that brings you life.

The tree of choice bore all burdens ~ His blood cleansed the choice that was made.  You now have the chance to choose Eden ~ the home of the (7?) streams.  Walk in; between the cherubim ~ for their arrows will not touch your head ~ inside are my children and great pleasure ~ your family, your friends, your TRUE life.

Be Well - because all is Right.

Kisses C~

Duet 28:7  The Lord will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they shall come out against you one way and shall flee before you 7 ways.

“Could You Please Simply Sit Still?”

Lead them in Peace,

Walk them in Light,

               Listen through Love,

                                          We'll find Him in our sights….

 

Could You Please Just Sit Still?

We are thinking honestly about how to be a person of integrity. In considering the book of Galatians we have found some guiding principles to keep us on the right path. We have discussed how we usually know the right thing to do and I will even venture to say desire, to some degree, to actually follow through. If I believe that I am squeezed between a rock and a hard place. (Rather like "the space between what is above and below" we have been using as an analogy, right?) So what happens in this point of pressure? If you are anything like me, you want to run out from between the pressure points!

God’s word tells us we are pressed on all sides but not crushed. That does not sound like someone running around flailing as if they are dodging bullets to me. It sounds as if the person is grounded in one place; enduring the constant pressure and discomfort from all sides even if the forces bring them to the point of pain. Hence the encouraging scripture written for our remembrance - when you have done all to stand, stand! Not Run.........Stand!

Take a moment to pause, reflect on this before we get back into our letter of encouraging wisdom from Galatians:

We don’t have to move to find God...... He is already here. Our emotions want us to feel as if we "have to" go to someone, some place or some thing; when all we have to do is acknowledge, “in the moment”, His presence. Where in the world are we going when we say we have to go “find” God? To who on earth can we flee to, who can save us? As Peter said when Christ asked “are you going to leave me too?”,  “Lord, to who else would we go; you have the words to eternal life?”

When the rubber of your tire hits the road, where do you choose to go – toward the land of life, or back onto the road leading you through the moments into death?

We are such emotionally driven beings. Remember back in the “Deeply” series when we talked about how our emotions are directional tool for navigation, not the gasoline that makes us go? Today we are going to look at “What your life will look like or feel like when you and the Holy Ghost are in the groove moving along the heavenly highway.

This we know, there will be times when:

We believe God’s blessings are on the way; they simply have not reached us yet.
We will feel the need to be rescued perhaps -even feel it is necessary to remind Him of His promises.
We will feel insecure when others insult us for what we believe. This discomfort will stimulate a desire to shut them up or force “proof” that our trust is not foolish, which in our impatience we exemplify the foolishness of what we profess.
We will know we cannot do this in our own power and be afraid that we might not be able to hold on; well we cannot in our own strength; which means we must remember all His truth, speak it with the same conviction even if we are being emotionally / sometime physically pummeled.
This is when God says – AH I am starting to see something brilliant, their sparkle is showing. Our hope is what He sees – it alone radiates as the true witness to others as we keep choosing the steps of His principles which are before us, guiding us.
We will choose to speak about His word no matter the presumed power of those we are facing.
We will lift our hands to unite in love - as we pray to God who delivers all by His hand, in love.
We will remember and believe that our hope will push us through; hoist us up to a higher vantage point which will comfort us when we are enduring miserable, sorry conditions.
We will see that this is the journey from plight to flight. We will acknowledge that He has been moving us away from crawling along inch by inch into the ability to cover miles by simply the flap of a wing.

So bring all this to remembrance when arrogant people mock you or foolish people are cruel. Be on alert that evil is crouching, desiring to have its way with you. Instead of swaying from Peters resolve take his same path; use the protectors which kept him going straight:

Look away from their face and look into the face of God.
Do not listen to their lies, remember His truth.
Quickly remember how difficult, frustrating it was for you as you grew to the point where you are.
Quickly reflect on the joy you felt when you passed beyond the pressure, confusion and into the clarity, peace and joy on the other side.
When your anger burns because of wicked people who abandon His principles of love, remember that because of His mercy and instruction you are now above reproach. Remember that this is no longer your home; it is their home.
Be quick to pray for them, for their soul is overwhelmed with an endless longing for His regulations and they do not even understand that.
Remember that now our inheritance has nothing to do with this world. Our inheritance is the Lord God Almighty Himself! So we have nothing to fight over with them – they can have it all!
Choose to fight the good fight, seek to win Gods favor – request the kindness He promises to ease your pain and suffering.
Thank God for His mercy and loving-kindness to direct your feet back to His perfect will when you desire to enter into this unjust battle field.
Reflect on your life and your ways unto Him
Without hesitation run back to His principles – do not forget that they have set a snare which ties quickly around you.

I can hear some of you ask, “What should I do if I was confused, did not run fast enough or was deceived and became ensnared?” Good question and God has the answer:

Don’t Panic! Be Still! Forget about the trap, focus on fully remembering what you have been taught – don’t fall for the second part of their trap: The fear of Him not rescuing you!
When your nights are sleepless, don’t waste the time “wake up Oh sleeper!" as God says and give thanks to Him for His righteous written word which regulates ALL things.
Remember that even where you are bound up there are others within ear reach or sight that fears the Lord; who follow His guiding principles. As you seek to remember, find them, be there for them and allow them to be there for you – His mercy fills the earth!
Lastly, ask God to teach you more as you are paused in your “moments in between” from where you came from to where you are going. Reflect on His grace, be grateful that He will never leave you nor forsake you – Know that All Things are ALL Right!

• Even in your misery you found a friend or comfort – praise God that He heard your request for kindness and showed up with His faithful promise in your time of need.
• Request that He teach you to use Good Judgment and knowledge because you believe in His principles and guidance.
• Talk to Him about how you used to wander off before He allowed you to suffer.
• Bring to His remembrance and yours how you have grown beyond that – now you cling to His word, you keep it set before you desiring to not turn away from it.
• Speak of His goodness and how He does good things as you request to be taught His governing laws of life.
• Speak to Him about what you’ve seen and the value of His authority over all things
  1. Arrogant people smear me with lies
  2. Their hearts are cold and insensitive
  3. It is Good to suffer for awhile in order to learn the truth
  4. His ways are higher than our vanity and our riches are worthless in comparison to His wisdom
  5. Give praise to Him in honor and glory for creating you as you are – what you are and ask that He help you understand so that you may learn His commandment of loving-kindness
  6. Tell Him you desire all this, so that those who fear Him will see you and rejoice because your hope is grounded in the base of His truth, His word, His promise and His faithfulness
  7. Speak of how fair, righteous and just He is to allow you to learn in through protected experiences
  8. Ask for His mercy to comfort you as He promised
  9. Request His compassion to reach you right in these moments so that you may live and thrive by His instruction, energy and successful break through
  10. Ask that He show up as your mighty deliverance even as you reflect His image in all ways to: humble their arrogance,  speak truth covering their lies, change their vision, soften their heart so that they may fear the Lord and turn back toward you in hopes of seeing the way to Him
  11. Ask that your heart be filled with integrity in regard to His guiding principles so that you are above reproach

Do not turn away from God to face them; remember you must be heading them away from where they are! Show them the way, as YOU were shown, right from the beginning.

My Aunt Bonnie took the time to write down these quotes for me to share with you all, she thought they might bring you encouragement at some point (thank God for inherited family =D):

If you are going through Hell, keep going. – Winston Churchill

Do one thing every day that scares you. – Eleanor Roosevelt

I know this was a lot of information, but it is not a onetime read. Neither is the bible, by the way (wow that was a bit snarky – anyone have a spare “snark princess” tiara? I pray you forgive me….) Honestly, that was as much a reminder to myself as anyone else; but you already knew that, right =D)

Today I pray that your faith not fail. I ask you to pray fervently; Satan at times demands to sift us like wheat. I ask you to not fall asleep in your sorrow, but to be alert – aware that evil is crouching at your door waiting for that moment!

Tomorrow we will look at the bumpers which keep us on His lane when our faith happens to flail. Till then “Keep the peace!” No one will be lost on Christ’ watch, we know that in advance.

I pray that we Lead them in Peace, Walk them in Light, Listen through Love – because this is Good in His sight….

With Love, desiring to stimulate you toward Goodness….for Goodness Sake =D
Kisses,
Candace

©2011Candace Huffmaster, All Rights Reserved

Don't Rescue Me from THAT!

Psalms 31:1,2, 19-24  Your kindness is so great! You reserve it for those who fear you. Adam's descendants watch as you show it to those[For the choir director; a psalm by David.] I have taken refuge in you, O LORD. Never let me be put to shame. Save me because of your righteousness. Turn your ear toward me. Rescue me quickly. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.

Your kindness is so great! You reserve it for those who fear you. Adam's descendants watch as you show it to those who take refuge in you. You hide them in the secret place of your presence from those who scheme against them. You keep them in a shelter, safe from quarrelsome tongues. Thank the LORD! He has shown me the miracle of his mercy in a city under attack. When I was panic-stricken, I said, "I have been cut off from your sight." But you heard my pleas for mercy when I cried out to you for help. Love the LORD, all you godly ones! The LORD protects faithful people, but he pays back in full those who act arrogantly. Be strong, all who wait with hope for the LORD, and let your heart be courageous.

As I am growing in my experiential knowledge of reality, I am always amazed at how little on what I thought to be real was even real.  Yet if you had asked me in the past I would have make definite claims of my certainty.  It is mind boggling! 

So much of God's word is directed to understanding all this.  However, we must live a conscious existence in order to perceive it.  When did we, as a society decide it was alright to blame everything on our subconscious ways?  What has happened to accountability?  And I do not mean finger pointing piety, I mean loving, encouraging wisdom as protection from what would be done out of ignorance.  As a gross generalization I see us all taking a step back in our compassion as we allow others to "live and learn".  How cold and callous we have become.  What if God were like that?  He would be no different than man.  We do not want a God like that so we create a God that allows us to do what ever we want to do in ignorance and wallow in the blood of Christ to try and ease the grieving spirit within us. 

We are made in God's image, we were created to care, give aid, take the steps when rejected to keep caring and to speak up even when we know it is going to be met with strife and hostility.  AND then we are supposed to keep praying for the complete power of God to never give up on them, to press around them and whisper sweet truths till they can't live separated from Him any longer. 

We do not rescue them but when God desires to utilize us, equip us to physically get involved whether it be showing them snares up ahead, exposing false imaginations or simply extending peace, love and charity isn't it the least we can do.  After all He allowed us to reject Him, beat him, spit on him, kill him and then he went to hell and back for us.  And we think we've been through a lot!

I have a favor to ask of you -even if just for the next few minutes you just sit with Christ and tell him how much you love him and how sorry you are for taking him for granite at times - for minimizing what he went through for you / us.  Then just be in his presence with no expectations.  Simply allow him to have a couple of seconds with you to enjoy all he gave up so that he could be with you today.

In love with you all - through Christ,
Kisses,
Candace

I'm a Donkey on the Edge

Yesterday we stopped our conversation with Job being on the ledge.  Desiring to believe the best of Eliphaz, I assume this was his best attempt to talk Job down.  As we noted yesterday, his approach is a bit lacking.  Just when he should have stopped and given Job a moment to process ......he kicks the gas petal and runs him down.  And he goes on......and on.....and on for somewhere around 43 verses give or take.   I rather envision Mr Crisis coming through town. (If you were not with us, look back in the archives).  Sometimes our relationships seem as though they are nothing more than a "stubborn mule".  But we must take our eyes off the individuals and realize the true battle going on.  If you have not believed me when I have talked about being aware of the voices you are listening to - those in your "memory" or "conversations" going on and no one is there (role playing in your imagination) understand those thoughts ARE coming from something.  Still don't believe me....... here is a real example:

Eliphaz on his soap box delivered this:
7 “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent?


Or where were the upright destroyed?

8 “According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity

And those who sow trouble harvest it.

9 “By the breath of God they perish,

And by the blast of His anger they come to an end.

10 “The roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion,

And the teeth of the young lions are broken.

11 “The lion perishes for lack of prey,

And the whelps of the lioness are scattered.

12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily,

And my ear received a whisper of it.

13 “Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,

When deep sleep falls on men,

14 Dread came upon me, and trembling,

And made all my bones shake.

15 “Then a spirit passed by my face;

The hair of my flesh bristled up.

16 “It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;

A form was before my eyes;

There was silence, then I heard a voice:

17 ‘Can mankind be just before God?

Can a man be pure before his Maker?

18 ‘He puts no trust even in His servants;

And against His angels He charges error.

19 ‘How much more those who dwell in houses of clay,

Whose foundation is in the dust,

Who are crushed before the moth!

20 Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces;

Unobserved, they perish forever.

21 ‘Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them?

They die, yet without wisdom.’

Chapter 5
1 “Call now, is there anyone who will answer you?


And to which of the holy ones will you turn?

2 “For anger slays the foolish man,

And jealousy kills the simple.

3 “I have seen the foolish taking root,

And I cursed his abode immediately.

4 “His sons are far from safety,

They are even oppressed in the gate,

And there is no deliverer.

5 "His harvest the hungry devour

And take it to a place of thorns,

And the schemer is eager for their wealth.

6 “For affliction does not come from the dust,

Nor does trouble sprout from the ground,

7 For man is born for trouble,

As sparks fly upward.

8 “But as for me, I would seek God,

And I would place my cause before God;

9 Who does great and unsearchable things,

Wonders without number.

10 “He gives rain on the earth

And sends water on the fields,

11 So that He sets on high those who are lowly,

And those who mourn are lifted to safety.

12 “He frustrates the plotting of the shrewd,

So that their hands cannot attain success.

13 “He captures the wise by their own shrewdness,

And the advice of the cunning is quickly thwarted.

14 “By day they meet with darkness,

And grope at noon as in the night.

15 “But He saves from the sword of their mouth,

And the poor from the hand of the mighty.

16 “So the helpless has hope,

And unrighteousness must shut its mouth.

17 “Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,

So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

18 “For He inflicts pain, and gives relief;

He wounds, and His hands also heal.

19 "From six troublesHe will deliver you,

Even in seven evil will not touch you.

20 “In famine He will redeem you from death,

And in war from the power of the sword.

21 “You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,

And you will not be afraid of violence when it comes.

22 “You will laugh at violence and famine,

And you will not be afraid of wild beasts.

23 “For you will be in league with the stones of the field,

And the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.

24 “You will know that your tent is secure,

For you will visit your abode and fear no loss.

25 “You will know also that your descendants will be many,

And your offspring as the grass of the earth.

26 “You will come to the grave in full vigor,

Like the stacking of grain in its season.

27 “Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is.

Hear it, and know for yourself.”


Wow - there is so much to say about all this.  Here are some things to ponder:

How far will satan go to find the perfect person to fight in the flesh for HIS purpose?
Would you know enough to discern the spirits in your midst, or would they overtake you and move within their destruction?
Are you capable of  / have you had success with pulling the reigns in and overcoming the propensity to hit the gas pedal making you one with the adversary instead of one with God?

It is only through the power of the spirit and our free will allowing Him the victory that this is possible, I pray for us all to see these moments or intersections headed for calamity and fall to our knees requesting that we not be part of destruction to those around us.  It simply does not have to continue, but it is our choice. 

I beg of you to realize this day it is you and you alone who chooses life or death, and it is through each though kept, action taken and word spoken......please hear, see and truly choose life, for Christ sake and glory to be received by him.

In Him,
Kisses,
Candace

What Are You Clinging To?

We are not moving from this part of Job’s journey just yet.  We still have some examining to do …..there are still a few angles left unchecked.

Let’s read this from another translation, the NAS and I will emphasize a few things:

Job 2

AGAIN there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 

This does not sound as though Satan was excluded but it does elude that he was not sent an invite.  He was a party crasher!

And the Lord said to satan, “Have you considered My servant Job?  For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil.  And he STILL hold fast his integrity although YOU incited Me against him to ruin him WITHOUT CAUSE.

We see that satan did not speak first.  Which does not surprise me, every deceptive person speaks after they get what they came for.  I do love the way that the Lord made a public spectacle of satan offering Job up in character and hitting it home by stating “and He still holds fast his integrity”.  I admire how he is able to state the snare of satan and keep his cool.  Did you notice he didn’t get confrontational at all?  This is what I mean when I state “The truth does not have to be defended, it is simply the truth!”

God tells us not to enter into arguments with fools.  He tells us not to give pearls to swine.  But he does tell us to speak His truth to everyone.  He tells us that we are to hold others accountable but leave vengeance to Him and Him alone.  He promises that He is a just and loving God.  I believe Him what about you? 

Satan however is always going to act in line with his character so he has to incite God again stating:

Skin for skin!  Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.  However, put forth THY hand, NOW, and touch his bone…and his flesh…he WILL curse Thee….TO THY FACE!

He is saying come on God you know this will push him over the edge……test him…come on …..you know you want to do it.  Listen to his arrogance, it is despicable!  If he will treat the Lord God Almighty in this way you know he will not hold back any sucker punches with us! 

But “thank God” God is God.  He simply stated to satan:

Behold he is in YOUR power, only spare his life.

God reiterated that he did not have to do a thing, satan had the power if he could manipulate Job and He was not getting involved in acting so unloving toward someone He loved so.

Let’s look again now at what Job’s wife stated: 

Do you still hold fast your integrity?  Curse God and die!

What I find so15 fabulous here is how Satan had used his wife as a mouth piece, look how blatant he is.  The very thing that God said Job was holding fast to …..what was anchoring his steadfastness is what satan flung at him.  He is trying to push him like he did God by saying…..come on just drop your integrity in God, you know you want to …….it will feel SO good ……just this once ….what harm will it do……and your own flesh and blood the one you are united with in God is telling you to just forget about it!

I would like to end this today asking you to think about what it is you hold fast or cling to when the pressure is on and you are in crisis. Be careful that it is not a spouse, heavens knows they leave people all the time, they do not honor their commitments to God to love us and forsake others……till death do us part.  (Not to say that you should stay with someone who is abusive in any way, they were not honoring their commitment to God from the get go.  This is a generic statement at best okay…..) and we will get to the friends in a few days.  We should be clinging to our faith in the one who will never leave us nor forsake us.  Yet we are not to be islands.  We are to be interdependent, we speak of this all the time.

1 Corinthians 15:1,2

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain.

I pray that each of us receive the full measure of that which Christ died to afford us.  And I pray that we not weight the balances of our actions but in all ways look to Him who perfects us and disciplines us as loved children.

With the love of our Christ,

Candace

The Little Ms.

We have been speaking about characteristics of crisis and the fool. We have been considering the different scenarios or experiences we have personally had when we cross paths with such individuals. We also discussed that at times in our life we can be Crisis or Fool, however, there is a vast difference between a mistake when we lack understanding verses simply not caring about the effect we have on those around us.


Today we will be considering several passages from Proverbs and then looking at 1 Samuel 25 to read a real life account of what happens when you marry Mr. Fool. So climb aboard and strap in we’re going on his ride again!

Proverbs 8:1 (NAS) Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?

I am making an introduction today of Ms. Wisdom,( and no, I didn’t pick the gender the definition did that =D) all her words filled with discernment, discretion, loving reproofs, equality, compassion and love. She is peace loving with the heart of a teacher who is always carefully watching over those less wise. She is trustworthy, filled with integrity and loves the Lord her God with all that she is comprised of, her house stands firm because all that she desires is deeply rooted in God. She is very special so we researched her a bit more to find out that Understanding is her middle name. Without Understanding all that she is would never be able to reach those she desires to teach – Understanding is her action, it gives her volume, speed, perseverance.

Here is where we can find her in our cities, country side, roadways as we journey avoiding collisions with Mr. Crisis or the blind, foolish, naive travelers along our paths:

-On top of the heights
-Beside the way
-Where the paths meet
-Beside the gates
-At the openings to the city
-At the entrance of the doors
God was obviously referring to Ms. Wisdom in this passage from Jeremiah 6:16, 17:

Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it. And I set watchmen over you saying, “Listen to the sound of the trumpet!” But they said, “We will not listen”.

In Proverbs 10 we are told that to the fool doing wickedness is simply a sport. But it goes on to state that they live in fear – and not the fear of God. So they are correct, what they fear WILL come upon them. Remember what we were told in Habakkuk – know this and RUN, there is a reason that Ms. Wisdom does not do more than stand at the wayside and lift up her voice – if she goes where he goes she will be caught up in all his chaos and ruin. This is not God’s will for you – NEVER!

This is what the Proverbs states the situation will looks like for the Mr. Crisis and Mr. Fool:

-The years of the wicked will be shortened
-The expectation of the wicked perishes (hope deferred)
-Iniquity will be the ruin of his work
-He will be shaken and will not live in the good land of the Lord
-His perverted tongue will be cut out.

Why is this their outcome? Because of the following things:

-They use false weights and God finds this an abomination
-Their pride causes dishonor

It is their own falseness that will destroy them, their own riches they have built up will not be able to save them when God’s wrath comes twisting in….so even when they bribe you to stay or manipulate you with fear, don’t accept it…RUN!
Listen to Ms. Wisdom she is there to show you the way….follow her wise instruction, as Abigail did. Here is her story, I find it very uplifting.

Now, there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very rich man. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. This man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was sensible and beautiful, but he was harsh and mean. He was a descendant of Caleb.
While David was in the desert, he heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep. So David sent ten young men and told them, “Go to Carmel, visit Nabal, and greet him for me. Say to him, ‘May you live long! May you, your home, and all you have prosper! I hear that your sheepshearers are with you. Your shepherds have been with us, and we have not mistreated them. Nothing of theirs has been missing as long as they’ve been in Carmel. Ask your young men, and let them tell you. Be kind to my young men, since we have come on a special occasion. Please give us and your son David anything you can spare.’ ” When David’s young men came to Nabal, they repeated all of this to him for David, and then they waited.

“Who is David?” Nabal answered David’s servants. “Who is Jesse’s son? So many servants nowadays are leaving their masters. Should I take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to men coming from who knows where?”

David’s young men returned and told him all this.

“Each of you put on your swords!” David told his men. And everyone, including David, put on his sword. About four hundred men went with David, while two hundred men stayed with the supplies.

One of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “David sent messengers from the desert to greet our master, who yelled at them. Those men were very good to us. They didn’t mistreat us, and we found that nothing was missing wherever we went with them when we were in the fields. They were a wall protecting us day and night as long as we were watching the sheep near them. Now, consider what you should do because our master and his whole household are doomed. And he’s such a worthless man that it’s useless to talk to him.”

So Abigail quickly took 200 loaves of bread, 2 full wineskins, 5 butchered sheep, a bushel of roasted grain, 100 bunches of raisins, and 200 fig cakes and loaded them on donkeys. “Go on ahead,” she told her young men, “and I’ll follow you.” But she didn’t tell her husband Nabal about it.

She was riding on her donkey down a hidden mountain path when she met David and his men coming toward her. David had thought, “I guarded this man’s stuff in the desert for nothing! Not one of his possessions was missing. Yet, he has paid me back with evil when I was good to him. May God punish me if I leave even one of his men alive in the morning.”

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got down from her donkey. She immediately bowed down in front of David with her face touching the ground. After she bowed at his feet, she said, “Sir, let me be held responsible for this wrong. Please let me speak with you. Please listen to my words. You shouldn’t take this worthless person Nabal seriously. He is like his name. His name is Nabal [Godless Fool], and he’s foolish. But I didn’t see the young men you sent.

“The Lord has kept you from spilling innocent blood and from getting a victory by your own efforts. Now,
sir, I solemnly swear, as the Lord and you live, may your enemies and those who are trying to harm you end up like Nabal. Here is a gift I am bringing to you. May it be given to the young men who are in your service. Please forgive my offense. The Lord will certainly give you, sir, a lasting dynasty, because you are fighting the Lord’s battles. May evil never be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone pursued you and sought your life, your life is wrapped in the bundle of life which comes from the Lord your God. But he will dispose of the lives of your enemies like stones thrown from a sling. When the Lord does all the good he promised and makes you ruler of Israel, you shouldn’t have a troubled conscience because you spilled blood for no good reason and claimed your own victory. When the Lord has given you success, remember me.”

David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me. May your good judgment be blessed. Also, may you be blessed for keeping me from slaughtering people today and from getting a victory by my own efforts. But I solemnly swear—as the Lord God of Israel, who has kept me from harming you, lives—if you hadn’t come to meet me quickly, Nabal certainly wouldn’t have had one of his men left at dawn.”

Then David accepted what she brought him and told her, “Go home in peace. I’ve listened to what you’ve said and granted your request.”

When Abigail came to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his home. It was like a king’s banquet. He was in a good mood and very drunk, so she didn’t tell him anything until dawn. But in the morning, when the effects of the wine had worn off, his wife told him what had happened. Nabal’s heart failed, and he could not move.About ten days later the Lord made him even more sick, and Nabal died.

When David heard Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the Lord, who defended me against the insults of Nabal and kept me from doing wrong. The Lord has turned Nabal’s own wickedness back on him.”

Then David sent men on his behalf to propose marriage to Abigail. When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they told her, “David has sent us to you so that we can take you to him to be his wife.”

She bowed down with her face touching the ground. “I am ready to serve,” she said. “I am ready to wash the feet of my master’s servants.” Then Abigail quickly got up and rode on a donkey with five of her female servants following her. So she went with David’s messengers and became his wife.

David also married Ahinoam of Jezreel. Both she and Abigail were his wives. Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti, Laish’s son, who was from Gallim.

So for all of you that might be married to a character like Nabal, remember not to shut your ears to Ms. Wisdom, not to defer your hope in the Lord, not to seek revenge, not to act as the Godless Fool leaning on your own understanding….but I pray for us that in ALL our ways we will acknowledge Him, so that He will make our paths straight.

I ask you to consider this verse and make this request personally as I have for years: Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.

In the power and victory of Jesus Christ our Lord – let it be done to us as is His good pleasure ~ Amen, Hallelujah, Shalom,
Kisses,
Candace

What Is That Thing??

This post is for those of you that are not able to make it to a group. For those of you that do, it is a great review. We discuss so much in such a short time frame that it can be overwhelming at times. With that….
Based on some of the growth I have had personally over the years we were reflecting on discernment and wise counsel. As always we base our conversations on biblical principles and use real life situations to glean some experiential knowledge.

This was from a time when I was personally trying to resolve conflicts and live in harmony with those in my immediate surroundings. The conversation went like this:

“I am trying to understand some things”. “I have been thinking (no big surprise) about words we use with each other”. “Maybe by expressing what I am thinking, it will bring forth some understanding for us - if we can be honest with each other”.

“We both are intelligent enough to know, that in order to bring resolve, things have to be talked about.” “In my opinion, it is only fair for all individuals to have a chance to put their hurt, understanding etc. on the examining table for looking at and through.” “All individuals should try to search deeply from all aspects as if trying to figure out what the object is. Nothing should be judged at this point only expressed for the most clarity, like a brainstorming session.”

“ Think about it; a relationship is the best abilities of each individual bringing what they have to that table to name that object, find out what it is, what it does, if it is dangerous or safe to keep in their midst.” “Sometimes one person might have more or a different experience with the type of object. But even if they have less experience it does not mean that the each person shouldn’t extend their best understanding or knowledge forward. In fact when we are challenged and open to the questioning of others we must grow beyond our own limits. And in my opinion we should not simply accept what another states if we have no knowledge we should use all our discernment and knowledge to challenge the accuracy of what is being stated as a fact. This challenges the other individuals to think deeper, pull from more sources themselves in order to prove their case. “

“When all this is done in the spirit of helping the environment as a whole survive AND thrive then there should be harmony even if there are differences of opinions”. “ Think about it like this”:

“What if we were aliens and something foreign slipped into our space ship”. “ We would need the best of the best minds available to gear up and enter into the quarantined area as we investigated, probed, charted, challenged the safety of whatever it was”. “Would be open the hatch and throw it out? “Would we poke it and see if it spewed out acid that would destroy our ship – and us? “ “Would we simply keep it quarantined and watch it over time as we search for others to bring forth their expertise because we really had no earthly idea?”

There is a nugget of our last discussion – Journal about some things you have examined and I pray that each of you try to bring your A game to the next project. Please believe in the process of relationships and the value of growth.
We will get to some of the bible verses in the next few posts.

I pray that each of you enjoy your life remembering that we are aliens, exiles, foreigners in this world.  And I give thanks that we are no longer exiles, foreigners and aliens to the Kingdom of God - through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the Spirit of Him that keeps us alive and well - always and in all ways,
Kisses,
Candace


© 2007 Candace Huffmaster, All Rights Reserved

Mr. Fools Wild Ride

The Collateral Damage of Mr. Fool

We have been talking about the character of Crisis and how we need to not get onto the path with him, especially if we are crossing his path. We know that when crisis enters our lives it takes wisdom to minimize the collateral damage. We also know that wisdom comes from God, that our understanding is paled in comparison. For most of deeply we were looking at wisdom and pondering what where our beliefs align and where we thought differently. Now, in the Honestly Series we will be looking at the opposite of wisdom – the fool.


For our purposes we will call him Mr. Fool. Mr. Fool has many character traits. So, fasten your seat belts and hang on tight. We are taking a whirl on “Mr. Fools Wild Ride”. The bad news is that it has jumped off the track and headed straight toward Crisis. Hopefully, he will listen to Wisdom who is seated next to him…….at least for now.

For two weeks we will be on this roller coaster so take your Dramamine!

One of the first things we notice when jumping on board beside Fool is how contentious he is. Instead of giving you a simple definition of this trait we are going to look at Proverbs 18, please take time to read these passages. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words. This way hopefully we can wisely avoid years of conflicting relationships through this wisdom – Here is his story:

Fool was heartache to his father and bitter grief to his mother. His mouth was his ruin, as it was a ruin to his father. If it had not been for the Lord the bitterness and grief would have worked in his mother to goad her into a quarreling woman. But she was not she was sensible, she still grieved as she delve out knowledge endlessly asking Fool to control his words, consider what she was saying to help him be even-tempered, even to simply close his mouth so others would think he was wise and intelligent, but he always knew better than everyone else so he would cut them off and express his own opinions. He never found joy in understanding so he would move away from them and others who tried to open his eyes, mind and heart to the truth. Always out to get what he wanted for himself above all else, he became a loner.

Any time Fool saw that someone was not on board with him he had to quickly eradicate them. He would open his mouth expressing his own opinion knowing it would start an argument….actually provoking a beating. Every wise person would see how deep the waters of his ruin were and that if they did not leave they would drown in the storm he was calling in. As they would leave him their compassion would call out to him, “Fool your mouth is your ruin, and your lips are a trap to your soul. We pray that you will hear truth, turn from your ways and be saved from the destruction you are headed towards”.

While it is a normal part of growing, maturing and living to be foolish at times, hence Christ prayed for us before His death “Father forgive them for what they do not understand”, it is when this habit becomes your character and the foolish becomes the Fool that leads to the man who is an island. I pray that today you do not harden your heart as the Mr. Fools did in the past, but that you hear, turn from your own opinions and understanding to listen to God and then run to him …..to never again leave him or forsake him.

It is Gods’ will and good pleasure to deliver you eternally, starting in this life. Give Him the gift of your will and good pleasure to allow Him, His will.

Today write about some foolish moments in your life – go ahead, make it personal…you can because I do not think any of you are Mr. or Mrs. Fool, and all things are common among us – so you don’t have to hang your head in shame, okay?

With the Love of our Christ,
Kisses,

Candace

© Candace Huffmaster 2007, All Rights Reserved. 
 Right of Use donated to Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc for the purpose of web content and group materials

To use any portion of the "Deeply, Honestly, Passionately, Freely" Series contact us. We allow anyone to use the information with with permission and appropriate notations of copy right.

When Crisis Blows Through Your Town

1 Samuel 2:3 (NAS) “Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed.”

As we know all things are common to man. That means anything that is happening to you is not out of the ordinary. So when we use the cliché’ “You have no idea” that is simply not true. Why then do some individuals enter into these so called “common moments” and end up in crisis while others do not? Firstly, most of our “serious frustrations” are produced due to external events. The reason these events become serious is due to our lack of exposure to development in dealing with whatever it is; so it throws us off balance.

Yesterday we were looking at the importance of not “saving” everyone from their development and allowing God room to work on His creation as He sees fit. Today we are going to look at why.

Let’s say Crisis is an actual person, these would be his character traits: anxiety, self-blame, frequent sense of personal failure and guilt. When you look in his photo album you can see that his whole life is nothing more than one problem after another. There have been many people in Crisis’ life who truly love him. They understood the tremendous emotional impact this was for him and how this was diminishing his ability to see problems clearly; hendering his ability to stop the insane journey he was on. They desperately posted warning signs, tried to close roads and anything else they could do to clear his vision but each time he would simply put up blinders and hit the gas pedal. So….things could never be different and soon he was too far away for them to even be seem.

Now Crisis travels the roadways without breaking, he is oblivious to oncoming traffic – so YOU must beware as you travel. If you and he come to an intersection in life there is going to be a catastrophic calamity at that moment I pray that God intervene and the weight of his choices not fall upon you.

Tomorrow we will review something from deeply dealing with examination skills.

Today, write about how Crisis “missed you by that much” when he zoomed through your land.
See you in the MORNING my lovelies!

Kisses,
Candace

For Goodness Sake!!!

For Goodness Sake


We are steadily getting honest with ourselves, I know it is difficult, but I have faith that we all will make it through ….Christ. =D

As a review:

True love is Agape Love which is totally different from worldly love which demands its own way. Agape love is from God achieving what is best for the beloved knowing that pain is inevitable for both parties at times. (read love angle in the archives if you are unfamiliar with our topic)

What do we do when the beloved is in pain and their emotions desire to coerce us into giving them what they want instead of what they need?

How do we reconcile the hostility being propelled toward us and still be a giver of peace and love?

We translated that into the visual of the coliseum and spoke about only being able to extend love and peace – we must not become a warrior in that coliseum.

What we know about out human nature is that we are pain  "avoiders”. We discussed how this sets up habits and how if not rectified these habits build up generations with the same patterns of dealing with life in some very broken ways. These habits create upheaval, division and strife which are bondage and a curse to obtaining the fullness of life desired for us.

So let’s ponder a question we planted in the Deeply Series and see what has sprouted, okay?

The old adage “I am who I am - don’t try to change me”- Do we consider it selfish to love someone but then desire for them to be different? Our generations have been assaulted with the allusion of not accepting people like they are and “always” wanting to change them. Is this manipulative, selfish etc.?

The world has tried desperately to force us to perceive that each person must not be held accountable for living as they individually deem right verses righteousness.

So I ask….”Doesn’t God love us unconditionally…..Doesn’t He accept us just as we are?”
“Are all the scriptures lies where He requests that we put away our old life, old ways to be transformed by the renewing of our minds?”

Knowing that God is love, truth and the way we are to live in actions toward others, let’s see what He has to say on the subject and finally END this debate:

The truth is God states that if He did not love us He would not discipline us. Read Deuteronomy Chapter 11 later for full text; we are focusing on verses 1, 2, 11-21, 25-28:

Love the LORD your God, and do what he wants you to do. Always obey his laws, rules, and commands. Remember today the discipline you learned from the LORD your God. ({I’m not talking} to your children. They didn’t see or experience any of this.) You saw and experienced his great power—his mighty hand and powerful arm.

11-21 The land you’re about to enter is a land with hills and valleys, watered by rain from the sky. 12 It is a land the LORD your God cares about. He watches over it all year long. If you faithfully obey the commands that I’m giving you today, love the LORD your God, and serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, I will send rain on your land at the right time, both in the fall and in the spring. Then you will gather your own grain, new wine, and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your animals, and you will be able to eat all you want. Be careful, or you’ll be tempted to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. The LORD will become angry with you. He’ll shut the sky so that there’ll be no rain. Then the ground won’t grow any crops, and you’ll quickly disappear from this good land the LORD is giving you. Take these words of mine to heart and keep them in mind. {Write them down,} tie them around your wrist, and wear them as headbands as a reminder. Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. 20 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. Then you and your children will live for a long time in this land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors—as long as there’s a sky above the earth.



25-28 No one will be able to stop you. As the LORD your God promised, he will make people terrified of you wherever you go in this land. Today I’m giving you the choice of a blessing or a curse. You’ll be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I’m giving you today. You’ll be cursed if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God, if you turn from the way I’m commanding you to live today, and if you worship other gods you never knew.

Let’s really understand this discipline God speaks of: It is translated from a Hebrew word Muwcar meaning chastisement, punishment, correction, discipline, instruction and self control. Essentially it is a bond, a checking; restraint – all which result in education.

This discipline is written about in Proverbs many times.  Proverbs is the scripture we base our wisdom and discernment for maturation into the transformation of living holy, lovely and pure lives. The discipline it speaks of is usually oral and not corporal – yet think about our reactions when we do not get what we desire: we act like a child throwing a tantrum. We bully others with our words and actions then minimize our behavior by say its not a big deal because we did not inflict physical pain upon anyone.

Really? God has something to say about emotional abuse and it is not that it is okay. He states that it is real…it inflicts real physical pain to the point that you are actually murdering the individual. That individuals blood is upon your hands now….What will you do? Will you choose life, or will you choose death? The choice is yours to make – do they live or die based on your intent? Will you choose a blessing or a curse? The ultimate curse falls on YOUR head…..so “STOP IT!” For Goodness Sake….stop it. Choose differently, I beg of you.

Proverbs 22:14,15 states this: The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it from him.

The root word that Muwcar comes from is Yacar, which I will sum up in this definition: It is the intent of the discipline being to correct. It is the process of becoming educated when the proper amount of training and correction are imposed.

That my friend is love….

Paul summed it up in Colossians 2; I will summarize but go back and check me on it. ( all as I have advised you to do with all men. =D)

Paul is encouraging them as he expressed his fighting the good fight for their unity. He speaks of his assurance that God has built them up together in Christ, resulting in true knowledge and wisdom, so that no one may delude them with persuasive arguments. He implores them to not allow themselves to be taken captive through empty philosophy and deception according to traditions of men and elementary principles of this world rather than the deity of Christ. He reminds them that all such things have been nailed to the cross and Christ alone was the rule and authority over them, so they were not to let any man judge them “in regard to food, drink, festivals, new moons, Sabbath, because these are minor things or shadows of the important stuff.

He states that the good fight is all about is this: Putting aside malice, anger, wrath, slander and ANY ABUSIVE Speech. Not lying to each other because we are being renewed to a true knowledge and image of Christ where there is no distinction among others: Only Christ who is all and in all.

So, we must forgive as He forgave then go beyond the self part passing through to Love,which is the perfect bond holding us together: to let peace of Christ rule and have authority.

When we hold our words and give / allow His words priority and space,  there will be wisdom, teaching, admonishing, psalms, hymns and thankfulness in our hearts. If He is all and in all, what are you forcing him to say or do to someone today?

Winding this up now, the answer to the question is this:

You cannot love someone and then not care about their state and safety or growth. That would be the definition of Unloving. Love may however forgive all things – but it cannot cease to desire the removal of pain causing obtrusions in their environment.

Love is more sensitive than anger, bitterness etc, so obviously it gets wounded more easily. You cannot love and be disinterested or indifferent to the welfare of your beloved. Your desire is for them to be able to live in fullness, healthier, with loyal companions and prosperity that would not be obtainable in their lesser form.

This is why we must Love – when one suffers Christ suffers the ability to be perfectly unified and identifiable with all He deserves to have made manifest.

Do you love Him enough to truly love those in your body – family – marriage???

I pray that you be purposeful through Christ, not self, so that He may educate you on how to be interdependent in Love, Truth and Light for His glory and Namesake.

With Love,
Candace