Don't Drink the Kool-Aid...Turn It In For Living Water

2 Timothy 2:16

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Purge my heart of the things that break yours

Isaiah 5:6

"Woe to me!" For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.

Cleanse my tongue oh God with burning coal.

Matthew 7:1-2

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Free my speech from the judgements bestowed upon myself

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Lord I don't want to drink the Kool-Aid.... Sustain me with your living water!!!

A Jounrey Through the Valley

PSALMS 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Whenever I find myself struggling with a situation I always seem to find some solace in the 23rd Psalm. Verse four is particularly comforting to me. The other day I was reading through this passage and began to wonder about the phrase " Your rod and staff, they comfort me". Now I don't know about you, but the idea of an intangible rod (stick) and staff (again a stick) does not seem to be of much comfort to me. So why is it that I find comfort in this verse?

In doing some research I found that while I originally viewed the rod and staff as large wooden sticks, I could not have been more mistaken. According to Strong's Concordance the word rod referred to in this verse is a "mark of authority" and the translation of staff is "support of every kind".

In learning the meanings behind these words, this verse has taken on a whole new meaning to me. The notion that I find comfort in God and the idea of him being there is no longer the message conveyed when I read this verse. In order to find that comfort the Psalmist talks about something is required on my behalf.

To find the comfort talked about in this verse there must first be an acknowledgement on my behalf that the Lord is with me. Next, I must acknowledge and submit to the authority of the Lord in my life. I can see no other way of finding comfort in authority unless I am fully submitted to it. Lastly, I must embrace the support given by the Lord. Often times we take the support offered to us by the Lord for granted. Whether it be the word, other believers, or a strong prayer ethic, God has supplied us with many levels of support throughout our lives.
While I still love the mental image of myself walking through a dark valley alongside a larger than life God, the uncovered meaning of this verse has opened my eyes to the reality that my relationship with the Lord is such a two way street, and obedience and action on my behalf is vital.

Blessings From Above

A tiny little heartbeat with two tiny kicking feet, my world has been rearranged. Two tiny little arms with hands lifted high, my world will never be the same.

May this little life praise you from the womb, may their heart be transformed even now.

Overwhelmed by your blessings I sit speechless in my home. Lord you have given me more than I can even know.

May I honor you with this gift you have given. May your heart be shown in my every move. God give me the abilityto impact a generation, a generation that is growing within my womb.

$$$$$$$$$ Questions......

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.......

I am simply using this blog as a sounding board for the insane (or maybe sane) thoughts running through my brain at this time in my life. I want to start by saying I am so very grateful for all of the blessings God has given to my husband and I. I know we are truly blessed beyond measure. I don't want anyone to think I am anti- wealth or anti-possessions.

This morning I was reading the word and I was reading in the book of Philippians. I have been challenged beyond measure while being exposed to the raw emotion and devotion pouring from the heart of Paul to the Philippian church. It was toward the end of my reading I came across the verse in chapter 4 verse 19. I have heard this verse my whole life. Most of the time when the verse is presented it is done so in the context of an offering message. This message has always been conveyed to me in a way as a promise that "if I give I will never need". However, I noticed something else about this verse for the first time in my life. If you go back to verse 12 in the same chapter I see something that blows that ideal of never needing out of the water.

Philippians 4:12... I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

When Paul is talking about God supplying the needs of His people according to His glory in Christ Jesus, this can't mean earthly possessions or carnal needs. I heard someone tell me once verse 19 applied to food and shelter....this is what God promised......If this is the case then why has Paul learned to be content through hunger and want?

My question then is this? Why is it then that as the church in America we believe we are entitled to riches, excess, and even are carnal needs being met? In Philippians I see a devoted desperately in love apostle of God speaking of his times of greatest need, and his ability to be content within them. Paul NEEDED.....Paul was HUNGRY.....Paul was content during these time.....DO I THINK I AM ENTITLED TO MORE THAN PAUL????????????????

This morning I have been challenged in a GREAT way!!!! I desire to seek the riches of God according to the His glory in Christ, because in this context I believe they hold the answers to being content even in my hour of need!!!!!!