It's Not Me, It Must Be You

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.®

The Problem Is Not That We Have Expectations

As I study scripture, my thoughts merge and the topics emerge.  However, it is never concise, with all the loose strings neatly tied into a place. Which ever way I look, there are more scriptures to go deeper and wider than I could ever hope to comprehend fully.  This is why I could never get bored with attempting to get to know God and understand fully what a relationship with Him is really like.

Sometimes I think about how difficult and a struggle it is to have a fully satisfying relationship with something I have no ability to really see.  And how I am supposed to run to Him first, but I cannot feel His arms around me.  These are the things which cause us to fear, yet we really do believe in Him - but I cannot not say without fail.  Do you think God gets angry or does not have sympathy for us, knowing how desperately difficult it is? Actually, I think He is brought so much glory as we keep attempting to experience Him, no matter what the entire human race may think - it's a mute point.

Today I was studying "knowing" things and Love never fails kept coming to mind. For several months I have been meditating on knowing and being known.  It should not have surprised me when the verses I came to spoke about knowledge and love never failing.  Love NEVER fails, 1 Corinthians promises. I know love and sometimes it really does fall short of God's expectations.  When we want to be loved we sure know how to expect it from others: patient, kind, rejoices with truth, bears all things, believes all things, endures all things. Then we have the love is not list, just to clarify in case someone thinks there is a loop hole.  (Do not worry, we will be covering how we want to be let off the hook later ;)

We have been thinking about how long and far things are, so you must be prepare to plunge into Never.  Never means: not ever at anytime.  I thought back to the other verse I have been meditating on: the end of a thing is better than the beginning and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.  To which I thought, how can I expect a wonderful end when I do not really know how good, good can get?  Doesn't it seem odd?  How foolish we are to think God blames us for not getting something we have no comprehension of; not fully anyway.  This is why He promises, we cannot get it through what we know or what we have experienced....Expect So Much More!

Then I thought about life and pain.  Sometimes we do not want to find out what is ahead, or go back because we do not want to experience something painful.  But then wonderful wise Ecclesiastes came to mind - but the end is so much better than the momentary affliction.  If you do not attempt to get beyond it, you won't experience the great things.  Life is not easy; but easy is not a good life.  God wants excitement, laughter, enjoyment, fulfillment, zeal.  Think about powerful things and how if they are not in the hands of a skilled craftsman bad things can happen; emotions are the same; fury, lust, greed, insanity etc.

When we cannot handle a powerful thing, we cut it off.  Sometimes, we mistakenly call that peaceful or relaxed. But it is not, it is nothingness, detachment, isolation.  That sounds like misery to me when my heart craves peace, serenity and rich relationships.  Knowing these are the very hopes God has for the future, I thought again about "Love Never Fails". I also thought about all our painful memories and thought about God having an eternity of memories to deal with, as well as a universe of unrighteous people who hurt him.  So I studied more.

What good would it do God to destroy a bunch of broken, messed up creatures? All that would do is wipe out the ugliness along with everything He loved.  At the end of that there would be nothingness, no hope, no happy, no sadness, just a big God with an enormous empty space and a God sized love to give into nothing.  How sad is that?

God had to do something with all His righteous need for justice and since wiping us out would not satisfy His rage, anger, jealousy and all the stuff He wanted to stop remembering.  Christ said, I'll help you.  I am perfect and together we will never fail.  So God allowed it, Christ received it and together along with the Holy Spirit we can have a better ending than what we know of.  I cannot tell you how any of this will end because I have not gotten there yet.  But I can tell you to read the bible, after all it is His beginning, end and eternity.

I have so much more, but will stop for today.  I pray you think about all this and know...God is real, Christ is true and the Holy Spirit is with you - Expect more from God not less; more from yourself than you alone can do and hold others accountable, but not in a shameful way.  Let's raise the bar, Christ was raised from the dead! That is a pretty high expectation, don't you think!

Happy Easter Family,
Candace

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

How Long is Long?

How does one measure the depth of deep?

What limits the length of pain?

At what point does far begin?

What distance determines an end?

~ from Fabric of Life 

In 2006, I would have been about 44. I was studying God's word and journaled my reflections.  It is good for us to reflect on our growth and God's truth as we perceived it, to ensure we are striving to manifest the character of Christ.  My opening thought shows that I must have been also meditating on the lines listed above.  How long is long? What determines End........ To think that in my forties I felt I had already been alive for a long time, now seem rather ridiculous.  However, if I remember correctly, I thought the same thing around 20 as well.  God tells us that to Him one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day.  He also tells us that He is not slow as some might think to fulfill His promise, but rather He is patient for our sakes. Peter wrote about this and the end of all life asking: what kind of people ought you to be?

Here is the rest:

Be realistic about what your race is. Do not look for the quick fixes or things based on worldly limited understanding.  Do not seek to accomplish what you, in your own strength can accomplish.  This is settling for failure, or at the least something vain and will not be beneficial toward reaching the finish of your race.  Seek to understand, to gain wisdom; to be strengthened by the grace of God. Then you will be able to bring aid to less mature athletes; showing them what you learned, encouraging them to endure and be strengthened.  By sharing your story within God's whole story, you are telling Christ's story and adding their character in.  

"Above all else ....Guard your heart" Use discernment.  See with eye's wide open.  Do not hope only for what you know you can face; pray for the "day" and that God's glory be seen.  You can face the longest of distances if you look at them through truth, in His presence.  When others sense His peace in your situation, you blanket them with His peace to endure, if they will receive it.  This opens doorways which might have taken years, otherwise.  Allow the Lord to use you as His doorway, He to them and them to Him, in their time of need.  

Do not always be looking for what is in it for you.....Look far beyond yourself so that you might see what He is looking at.  He has already provided for all your needs, so that you may help another with exactly what He has given into you.  He never asks us to give beyond our measure.  See beyond yourself, but do not give from yourself - extend from the Lord.  To those who have been given much, much is expected.  "Do not taste the goodness of the Lord and turn back".  

Think on these things and decide for yourself in whom you believe.  I pray that we all are maturing, moment my moment, in His truth and the expression of His love.  How long will we suffer....until Christ returns to take us home.  But how we suffer can be determined through His mercy, grace and our will. 

With Hope in Christ Jesus ~ Kisses,

Candace

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

Please Do Not Give Me Another Opinion

How many opinions have we all listened to, not to mention given, throughout our lives. Not everyone opens up to get in the conversation of life, but we all have added our view points if, we breath, from time to time. Even if we cannot, or chose not to, speak our very presence speaks volumes. As we mature a shift happens. We gain enough experience that we can discern an opinion or theory, which may be based on very real information, from something deeper and richer. When we hear these words it is the difference between listening to Ercle verses Indiana Jones. The zeal of someone having traveled the very words they are speaking, having utilized what they believed and standing there in front of you is vastly different from the one who listens, reads, thinks and talks. 

Proverbs 15:23 States: To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Everything I have been studying this month subconsciously keeps aligning me with verses from Ecclesiastes. There is a purpose for everything under the sun, a time for all things, somethings are vain, enjoy life it is only for the living - and much more. Today as I was studying, I cross referenced with the verse from proverbs, typed above. I remembered Solomons desire for wisdom to ensure he was just in caring for everyone and how God blessed him with more wisdom than any man before or after. But Solomon was still just a man with opinions, if he was not speaking the words of God.

I had to look up the word apt to be sure I knew exactly what it meant. Two applications perfectly aligned with my studies this morning and made me stop and write this to share with you all : usually fitted or qualified; ready (as a tool in the hands of the conspirators). having a tendency; likely : ordinarily disposed; inclined (plausible as true) : suited to a purpose; especially (being to the point, an apt quotation).

What I was going to write this morning was about how everyone wants to make it to the top. There is so much talk about "our purpose" since The Purpose Driven Life. If life is for the living then of course we want to participate and not miss out. Today we are only taking a few steps into this deep topic for now.

Over simplifying to save much time, a leader has all things before him. He must decide each path and the way steps are made. He must go first on the very long journey, then return with the experience, full knowledge of what was successful verses what would fail. Servants have been told where to stand, what to do and what to see / or be on the watch for. They have nothing but time to notice and be about their current space. They have much more down time ........if they chose to have it.

Too many of us call our self leaders and then drag others down our path, our experience. We selfishly use them for our comfort and gain. This is not a leader, not a good leader anyway; these are the mannerisms of a servant who serves in vain. Think about all the biblical history we have about people wanting to get to the top. Now think about Christ. Since the beginning he was serving God, creating alongside Him and walking with Him. It was God who decided it was time for Christ to take a journey out from Him. Christ was pleased to take it and did not despise the road God chose, the purpose of his life or the fact that he had to wait till it was God's time and way.

Even when among us, Christ was serving all people, all the time as God would. It makes me think that it was not only a way for us to see God, but for Christ to remember every detail of Him. Divinely, honor was brought to God and God was blended into each current moment with Jesus, and those in his presence. Christ was very clear that every word He ever spoke was not his but His Fathers. He said if they saw him they could be assured they had seen His Father; therefore his mannerisms and directives were stimulated by the same things as well.

Jesus trusted God in every way, he went where he was told, did what was asked but more importantly he relied on his relationship and not just instructions. God allowed Christ to completely finish, withholding no experience, entrusting the fullness of the journey was a glorious thing. Ecclesiastes 7:8 states: Better is the end of a thing than the beginning; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Let us make no mistake, there is but One Leader, One Creator, One I Am. So, never run ahead, taking His position, proudly reaching the pinnacle and echoing out into the nothingness "Here I Am!!" Be pleased that you have purpose, right where He met you; not above it all, but while you were still in your mess. Your purpose was to be with Him, even in Him for ever - starting then!

There was only One time that He called you and you turned to hear Him and noticed exactly what He said. And from the middle of your chaos you lifted up your face, opened your mouth and from the depths of your heart said "Here I am!!" This was your moment and the start of "YOUR" journey - but your journey is not alone; it is His journey as well - that is why it is Yours!

There will be times when you are with others, there will be times when you are separated from others for a time. God has a reason for all things, but these things are not necessary for you or I to understand. Remember in all things what He tells you. Remember what He taught you and value them enough to bring them up. These are the mysterious moments when they see Him, as we see them, but also the Greatest Love above all men!

Today do not look for your life's purpose - that would be like saying God alone is simply not enough. Just sit down as Mary, grateful that He is with you; let all other anxieties wash away. Christ served, He sojourned and sat down. He led us right up to the Father and said please come on in.

I know this world is a noisy place and "in my opinion" it will not be quieting down. Shouldn't we do our part to help them hear His voice? What if we all spoke nothing but His words...the very same words that He said were Our Dad's? Hmmm.......but then again, we already do; even if we do not know it - because Christ said we do. I guess what I should ask then is this:

Who's child am I? Who's child are you? We may not see the resemblance, but everyone else knows the truth - it is as plain as the nose on our face!

Be still in His presence and bring Him to remembrance today.....or several day....or forever ;)

For the Love of God, in Jesus we are alive forever ~ kisses,
Candace

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

Can't You Just Be Happy?

Obviously many of you have not been with us through all 650 of our topics.  The study we have been on recently is under-girded by past subjects.  I looked back to find the first time we used the analogy of a toddler in relationship to free will and relationships; what is below is a combination of several topics from our archives.

Please think through the what we have been pondering: Common Thoughts of God, Not Man.  Remember, even thought all things are common to man, we are not supposed to think like men.  We are not to exchange the higher thoughts of God for the common lesser ideals the world deems as good, healthy or even wise:


Spiritually counseling others through family, individual and personal crisis for years, I get asked many questions and listen to many monologues in regard to others behavior and God's will.  People have asked me, "If God doesn't believe in divorce or retaliation then I have to ask, Doesn't God want me to be happy?  Others will state, "I think ____ because God wants me to be happy".  

God tells us not to lean on our own understanding.  He also tells us that His thoughts are not like our thoughts.  He is omnipresent, seeing the end of all time from the beginning of all time.  We cannot begin to perceive as He does or to comprehend what is best, just and fair for everyone involved.  However, we can believe that He desires for us to be well, at peace and be able to express that He is a good God.  Which means we must ask Him to explain our situations to us in ways that we may mature and be stable.

I understand these dilemmas, we all do; they are common to everyone.  Not everyone has been abused physically, but we all have been emotionally.  There were times when I was told that God sometimes wants these things to happen to us for various reasons.  I do not agree.  I believe that God desires us to love one another and to treat each other as He loves us.  He believes we should be able to choose what we believe and protects our right to act accordingly.  He lovingly tells us the facts and expresses His desire for us to do what He faithfully advises, but much like a toddler we say NO, I don't want to.  God is not going to force us to change, but He will change us completely when we say "okay, I want to change".  

"Why will they not just stop doing what they do?", is another common question I am asked.  If any of us could just make all new habits and never fail, we would be the most self disciplined people God created. All we would have to do is take the list of laws and set our will power in place. This is what the pharisees and Sadducee's accomplished, rigid discipline.  Do you think they were "happy?"

The problem with rules without love, is that while we can push ourselves to do right, we usually do not love others well.  The reason is our focus is always on our self: how we look, how good we are doing in comparison to others.  This causes hatred, bitterness, isolation and many other ugly things. We cannot see anyone except ourselves.  If we cannot see real people, how can we possibly see an invisible God.

God understands that we cannot change without first being loved well.  It is through being loved completely that we are completely changed.  Do not think that God will put you in a place and abuse you in order to help another.  God, will use isolation, hard times and other things to get a rebellious souls to say "mercy".  There are times however, when others will be in your space, maybe friends, parents, a spouse or siblings and they will decide "I don't want to treat you right!" "I don't want to stop!"  These are the times when God's holy spirit will be right with you grieving and beseeching you to not retaliate due to hurt emotions.  

God expects us to be at peace, first with Him, then with others so that we may be at peace with ourselves.  When others mistreat us - God will help us deal righteously.  Romans 8 explains that just because evil was done, does not mean that evil will win out.  God will turn their hurts into help for someone else.  You see God doesn't need to harm us in order to teach us - But if we are not listening or others get onto our paths and create chaos, He is perfectly able to rectify the situation.

Let Him prove it to you - Christ is His first bit of proof, and He is ever interceding for a glorious victory!

Kisses,
Candace

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

Now THAT Is Something I Can Get Behind!

It is a commonality with us humans that we have a tendency to look at life out from the the view most commonly stamped “the terrible two’s”. At this age parents may stress a bit, however they know it is simply a phase of life and a right of passage.  We have another nifty rubber stamp in our arsenal, which we can slather in dark ink to stamp upon older humans “reverted to terrible two”.  Well I have news for those of us wielding our lofty rubber stamps, God has a couple of stamps of His own and He uses PERMANENT ink! Mine, his

We are sticking with our prior topics and build upon their deeper meanings.  I would like to open with a new truth to anchor us in His mind set….not mans. For this purpose I believe Hebrews 6: 16-20 is most fitting: 

People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

I have so many wonderful nuggets from God’s great treasure box to share with you all, so please bear with me if today’s information is less concise than usual. I feel almost like (stamp please) “a kid in a candy store” knowing all are amazing but too much is not a good thing! 

Let’s pick up with where we stopped last: When Christ rebuked the mind set of Peter notice He did not call Peter out on the carpet, why would He? No, he give credit where credit is due and this badge of dis-honor was pinned to Satan. However, don’t you know that it got Peters attention.  I am not saying that Peter had not had a momentary memory lapse, (stamp please) “he lost his head” for a moment. But Peter would never get behind the things of Satan and He would NEVER in his right mind walk into his tent!

In truth, Satan is not even a force which should trip us because we have the reckoning force in our arsenal.  We are also given the right to wield His truth to drive out any mocker who slithers into our camp.   We must remember that with power comes a mighty responsibility.  We must be committed to not wield this power for the desires of His enemy, as we have studied with this gift comes a promise from God to protect others from our misuse and a warning toward one allowing themselves to be an instrument in Satan’s hand.

(excuse my side bar statement please): Many times we are much like Peter, we speak first and ask questions later.  If we would all slow down, think about purpose, outcome, affect of the words which we are pronouncing and directives of actions we committing our self to, we might listen more and humbly speak less. 

To really understand Christ’s mind set in this moment, think about when we have a problem with a company.  To begin,  let’s assume this problem is something of urgent importance.  Would we depend on a customer service representative and waste precious breath and time, or head straight to the highest up guy in charge who calls the shots?  We all know we dismiss the small guy and blast “I want to speak with your supervisor!” or whoever the highest official is on the premises.  Christ was on first name basis with Satan, so He went straight to the top.

Today we are looking at this from Peters point of view, because sometimes we just need someone to make us aware of where we are standing and what we are up against; at least I do anyway. If you would like more scripture, this is not exhaustive, but it will help you compare the context I was reviewing: Matthew 12:22-37, Mark 4 and Luke 11:17-28

There are only two dynamic power houses in operation at present.  We may enter and take refuge in either camp, but it is impossible for us to be a dynamic force within both, we will call them frenemies.  When the this person cannot get behind either of those and commit they are stamped “Monkey in the Middle” and placed out side the camps to wander aimlessly around “No Mans” land.

No one can last long in this land, because no man is an island; we can never be “self” sufficient.  We are created to be interdependent.  Think it through: We are born out from a miraculous protective all giving force.  At the moment of detachment we are literally able to sustain life relying on our bodily supply for a very brief time.  We must depend upon the function of our environment for everything beyond that. 

Each powerhouse provides with a plethora of gifts to grow us up. What are we being nourished and sustained with? We have no choice for a time, but there is a moment when we have to choose. Over and over God stresses for us to understand if we are living amidst healthy things and being fed by His environment. As we grow, we are told to leave the home which formed our ideals and fed us their fare. This is the goal of each power, duplication of their identity.  We then become the representative strong man and we are directly reflecting who’s power gave us life. We take all their gifts call them good and give them out to everyone naturally and without any thought. 

God lovingly warned us in 2 Corinthians, of our accountability to be mindful of what we are behind: Take care what you listen to, by your standard of measure it shall be measured to you and more shall be given you besides.  We cannot sit at two tables …..we will starve in No Mans land.  There is no power there beyond self sufficiency.  Also there is a very real point of no re entry and we all know we cannot go back into the womb from which we came!

Lastly, please prayerfully sit with the verses below and ask yourself:

• Am I willing to allow myself to be interdependent?
• Do I despise the thought of not being self sufficient?
• Am I willing to belong to a larger entity and give when I want to be given into?
• Can I ask for help and see it as a blessing that someone is more qualified at something or do I have to be able to do everything?
• Will I allow myself to walk out of unhealthy alliances?
• Do I believe God would tolerate a frenemies in His intimate trusted “friendships?

Luke 11:22 But when someone stronger than he attack him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he relied and distributes his plunder. 

Matthew 12:30 Christ states: He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

2 Corinthians 10:4,5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Christ could have taken us out of the world, but He did not.  He has a battle plan and it does not involve subjecting ourselves to undue evil.  There is a No Mans Land for a reason, because He love ALL of us.  Remember, we are not God….nor their Savior or anyone’s Holy Spirit.  We do not have to stick around and mold anyone or discern if they are saved: For by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned. (Matthew 12:37) The only place self comes into play is choice.  We all get to chose for our self who we will get behind – I pray it is not your “self”.  As we know you will just implode!

Do not allow your thoughts to take any of this out of His context. Never forget, YOU are already loved my in a mighty way by the Lord God Almighty….no matter what camp you choose!

For the Cause of His Eternal Love, in Christ Jesus
Kisses,
Candace

   Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014 

  Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

We Just Do Not Think Alike, No Common Intersts

Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, " Get behind me Satan, you are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests...but on man's.

We have so many opinions, mantra's, spiritual insights and mandates constantly forcing their pings toward our  present state of mind.  It is as if they are stoning us if we do not align with them at times.  Those who cast stones, and sometimes it is us, need to consider our strength, aim and how we are poised in relation to others.

We can be honest with ourselves but unless our core thoughts are pure our clarity does not equate with purity in any way.  For instance:

• We all desire to beheld as glorious; but we do not necessarily allow our self to be glorified.  
• We all desire for God to grant us His power, but not necessarily to perform within His power for the glory of His Kingdom.
• We all pine for the justice of the Lord to come rescue us from evil, but we rebel when His justice is toward us.

If we are disciplined by God it is because we are His children.  Those of us who are known by God, are known because we know His son.  It is has nothing to do with if: we know His commandments; we know how to keep His commandments pretty well; we know most of the bible stories and their main characters; we listen to Christian music; we have know preachers; we go on mission trips or pray 10 times a day.  The ONLY reason we are known is because we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We can only have this intimate relationship through the fullness of the words He spoke.  

How close of a relationship do each of us have?  Will we bend just a little to coerce another...... Will we do good to be seen and justify.....Will we hate when another hold us accountable.......Can we be honest before there is ever a consequence felt by us......Can we be joyous if goodness is not extended or acknowledged.....Can we continue by only faith to persevere.....Can we stand up amidst a seated congregation, to honor Him as if we are engulfed within a crowd?

These questions are private, intimate and quiet personal.  They are not for us to share here, but between you and your Lord.  If you are early on in the process of sanctification do not fret, it is a Holy sojourn.  You may be at the sweet place of feeling those first few spiritual grievances which alert you of His presence.  Where ever you are just remember, He is with you for one soul purpose: giving you the common interests of God~ not man.

Today, if a someone meaning to inspire you encouraged you to seek out life by way of this avenue: To thine own self be true, we might sit with it and attempt to fit it in with scripture.  However, we must be aware that we already are a slave to please our selfish wants at the cost of what is eternally holy, lovely and pure.  As we walk intimately with the Lord He will shift our understanding allowing us to glean experiential knowledge of the who we are striving to be true to: The selfless son of God.

To the selfless One be true and May the peace of God be fully received by each of you today ~ share with all abandon!

Shalom

Kisses,
Candace

Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

Is the Integrity of Your Moral Fiber Being Tested?

Conflict, relationships and our own space within the fabric of human relationships is not easy to fully comprehend; nor is our behavior or choices we must make. When we attempt to resolve conflict, resolution is only possible as far as it depends on the least peaceable element. For this reason, God tenderly asks us to remember.....As much as it depends on YOU, be at peace; then entreats us to walk away from those who are not willing to receive your peace. 

In Luke 17:1-3 Jesus was counseling the disciples regarding human relations:

"It is inevitable that stumbling blocks should come.......but WOE TO HIM WHO THROUGH WHOM THEY COME!" "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should CAUSE one of these little ones to stumble"  Be on your guard!! If your brother sins REBUKE HIM; if he .......REPENTS.....forgive him..

We do not always remember this verse clearly. Sometimes others emotions can persuade us to sooth them instead of driving them toward the Lord God. Sometimes we are too selfish desiring them to be reconciled with us so WE feel comfortable...... But to repent means to turn away from the behavior which does  not align with God and to actually change the thoughts you have to His and allow them to take root so you will take those actions moving forward. This is how He transforms us into Peacemakers.

So when life circumstances begin to pull at the moral fibers and test every fiber of your integrity, do not fear....you will not unravel.  The truth is our moral fiber is woven together in the Holy Spirit and God will not allow this thread to disappoint. Knowing what God stated about the one who causes your fiber to be pulled till you think it would snap, but for the grace of God......shouldn't we cast our cares and fears upon Him and pray for the person before they take a serious plunge?We have covered these points in the past, but today....I needed this review! So I felt as though someone else might want a reminder as well:

First Point:We are a thread which God is desiring to use to darn wholes in a very bad weave job.  He has a magnificent "coverlet of love" which has been misused, worn out and is not blanketing those who desperately need His swaddling. 

Second Point:Darning defined by Meridian Dictionary as: to mend with interlacing stitches.  The Free Dictionary stated it is to mend ( a garment, for example) by weaving thread or yarn across a gap or hole.

Third Point: In order for a fabric to have integrity the weaves have to be perfectly laid out and pulled.  Also the fiber of each thread must have integrity.  Integrity is defined as: the quality or state of being complete or undivided.  Knowing this helps us understand this verse:

Ecc. 4:12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.My love to each of you.  May you feel me tuck each one of you in under His mighty blanket of love; and hear the sweet song of His heart as you drift of to sleep tonight.

Kisses,
Candace                                                                                          

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