In God we Trust?...

"I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America. 

and to the republic, for which it stands...One Nation, Under GOD, 

Indivisible...with Liberty and Justice for all."~ Francis Bellamy, 1892

We teach every child these words: but do we live by them? 
In America, it seems that we no longer desire to Stand as One nation...under God. 
Over the past 50 years, we have made a conscious decision to slowly turn away from God. We forcibly and systematically have fought to push God out of school, government, courts, politics, etc., in the name of 'Separation of Church and State.' We have even considered no longer calling America a 'Christian Nation,' recommended removing 'In God we Trust' from dollar bills, and contemplated forming alliances with those who worship other gods..in the name of 'peace' (and oil/money). If we look throughout biblical history, we must know that embracing these behaviors eventually result in the destruction of the people who do it...Yet we still look for His blessings on this Nation! 


I do find it interesting, though, that when tragedies occur, we are surprised, and look to God as if He has abandoned/forsaken us. For example, after September 11th Trade Center Attacks, you couldn't FIND a seat in the church, and people who had never prayed before were rushing to thier knees. I also noticed that there were people who cursed God as thier loved ones perished, questioning Him, and asking him 'Where were you when  ----  died? All those innocent people who had to suffer. Where was GOD through this tragedy?"  

A New Thing....Pregnant!!

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."~ Jeremiah 29:11

SO...I finished all of my Summer college classes!! *CHEER*

I excelled in all four subjects and ended the semester with Straight 'A's~ 4.0 GPA Baby!! *Cabbage Patch*
*Running Man*  *Butterfly* ...(Yeah, Yeah I'm old school.. lol)

I have been on a slight high, and motivated to do more. What I recently decided was that I am going to go for my Masters and get a heavier load for fall...15 units instead of 12 so that I can finish more quickly. I am even shooting for Honors Classes so that I can get the best scholarships available. Shouldn't be hard with my GPA. *pops collar* suddenly, I am understanding what God means by "Hope for the Future". He desires us to overcome, excel and have faith that He will work it all out in the end. And He makes the plans, not us. He already knows what he has in mind for us the moment we enter this earth, and places within us the means to succeed in it.

SPRING Cleaning!!

This entire past month we took time to travel across country. We started in Statesboro, went to Atlanta, then to Wyoming, Denver, New Mexico, Las Vegas, then finally California.  It was so wonderful to spend the extra time with the kids and allow them to see the countryside. We got to visit old friends, and reconnect with family that we hadn’t seen in years.  We also just enjoyed Gods creation.  We went through the Rocky Mountains and marveled at the Waterfalls, we saw deserts, plains and valleys. We experienced rain, hail, and extreme heat, sometimes all in one day!  The experience showed us that God may eventually move us again, or require us to go outside of our ‘Comfort Zone’, but we are to be okay with that. We have discovered over this past year that we are more adaptable than we ever knew, and so are our children. As long as we are doing His work, it doesn’t matter if we are called to go to the North Pole. Our furniture and things have been in storage for a year, and now we are accustomed to living out of boxes and in small spaces.  We have prayed for a home, but he won’t let us get comfortable. He wants us to go out and touch the world and change lives.

Genesis 12:1-3

¹ The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

 ² “I will make you into a great nation,
   and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
   and you will be a blessing.^[a]
3 I will bless those who bless you,
   and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
   will be blessed through you.”^[b]

 

Abraham was instructed to go away from the land that he lived in with his family, and find a new place to settle.  A place where God would bless him, and his family, and make his name great.  I can relate to the fear and anxiety of being called to a new environment, (maybe even one less favorable than the one he was already in), and having to uproot your life and family and step out on faith.  It’s the story of our lives.

Over the past year, our lives have changed dramatically. On a word from God, we went from a comfortable life in Atlanta, to a cramped, financially strapped existence in Tennessee. Our initial purpose was to come here and start a Youth Program, called LOL (Light of Life) Youth Empowerment Organization. Of course, that project had its complications due to greed and bad choice of partners.

Grace and Mercy...even for the 'Christian'!

                                                            John 8:1-11:  

 "Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.He straightens up again, and speaks to her. 'Where are your accusers?' he asks. 'Has no-one seen fit to condemn you?' She simply answers 'No-one, sir.' 'Then I do not condemn you either' says Jesus. 'Go on your way, and do not sin anymore.'"

This story always causes me to deeply reflect, and examine my heart when it comes to sin. It is a very well-known, familiar story, but whenever I read it, It still causes me to sit back and take a look at my own actions and realize that none of us are above judging ourselves. It is not just the story of some, but of all of us. I'm especially talking to fellow Christians. 

This week in one of our family bible studies, a young man proceeded to talk about adultery. He said that adultery was a sin on the top of God's list of hates. He claimed that it makes you unacceptable in the eyes of your spouse and God, and that it is hugely immoral. What he said seemed as if it made sense, and many of the listeners probably agreed with him, understandably. But I just felt there was something missing in His theory...at the time, I couldn't put my finger on it....and then later I realized...it was 'Grace' and 'Mercy'. 

Grace and Mercy are two different things. Grace is when you get something you don't deserve, like a unexpected blessing or gift. Mercy is when you don't get something that you do deserve, like a 'get out of jail free' card when you've done wrong. 

Both are God's attributes and given freely to those who seek Him.   

Little Miss Strawberry Shortcake...

'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,  "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11

When I was growing up, I would read huge books, write novels, and make up characters, and act them out. In the fourth grade, I was tested and determined to have a 12th grade reading level. I was placed in gifted classes, and went to Montessori school at one point. I would create board games from scratch, put together detailed ‘school plans’ and stay up for hours into the night, making fake school lessons. (replicating each page dozens of times, because I had no copier) Its pleased me to see people take something I had put together and learn something. I spent lots of time alone and to me it make no sense.  I loved to tell long stories, and hear long stories. People would get aggravated with my endless questions "and then what happened? And how did you LOOK while you said that to her? What was her response?" I loved to paint mental pictures. I spent alot of time alone in isolation, but it gave me time to develop my imagination. 

I constantly read books and among my favorite was Helen Keller, and usually other stories of people who had difficult upbringing and overcame the odds. I loved Strawberry Shortcake (I owned everything from her clothing to every toy that came out to the point where my Grandmother called me 'Strawberry Shortcake' sometimes), Pippi Longstocking, and Annie... all examples to me of independent children who lived on their own and were happy and thrived. Why was I drawn to these stories? Perhaps because in my own life I spent alot of time alone, raising myself, and was unknowingly soon to overcome great challenges. I used those stories to give me strength. How did I know I would eventually write scripts and teach drama, and work with girls and women in a teaching capacity, helping them to overcome their own temptations and challenges?. When I was younger, making my own plans, I said I wanted to be a Veterinarian, but God had other plans for me. I always said ‘Anything but a teacher!” Sometimes the last thing you think you want to do, is right where God places you!

Making Progress....through the Wilderness

       
Here is the completed Logo for my new Program, 'The Heartwood Project'. 
...Aint it beautiful?
What I love about it, is that it shows the heart of the tree, the roots, the branches and growth all at once. It's perfect! The entire program is designed to help others learn how to cut off the 'dead roots' of their past, re-generate new roots, and cultivate a healthy legacy for themselves and the next generation. The entire seminar will be done in a 'gardening' context, which will make it fun and interactive. At the same time, you will be required to 'dig up' some painful things that you will be able to finally overcome...for good, if you complete the entire course...which goes on for 40 days afterwards.

I can just about guarantee that it will be truly life-changing for those who attend! 

Mother's Day...for the True Mother 2's

In Memory of Patricia Lyle Smith: My 1st Substitute Mother...

On Mothers Day, I was truly grieved. Of course, I kept on the smiles, and pretended to be fine...but this is a blog, right? So...I have to write my inner feelings. Hopefully this will help someone else.

I just want to say that all Mothers dont deserve celebration just because they gave birth. I know this may sound rude and controversial...but there are some of us that grew up without hugs, kisses, affection, love, feelings of worth and acceptance....some of us who had mothers who were in the clubs and in the streets, and on drugs, and allowed all sorts of vile things to happen to thier children. Some of us who were not protected by the ones who were supposed to protect, or help by the arms designed to hold. Some who never looked out into the audience at a play or game and saw thier mother sitting there, proudly smiling and cheering them on.

...Some of us to whom Mother's Day has a whole nother meaning.

The Heat is On....

At my job, they are aware that I have ministry involvements. As a matter of  fact, upon hiring, I stated them up front. I let them know that I am the Drama Director at my church, and that I will be required to be there Wednesday nights, and Saturday and Sunday mornings. Also, Thursday nights I lead a Women's WOW phone bible study. This was put into the computer as my 'default availability'.

I noticed on my schedule last week that they had me scheduled for a meeting on Sunday morning. I promptly went to my supervisor and let her know tht I would not be able to attend the meeting, and that it is already stated on my default that I cant work Sundays. She asked me why, and I explained. At that point nothing else was said.

Monday, then I came in, three managers pulled me aside and asked why I wasnt at the meeting.

STOP PLAYING 'DRESS UP'!!

hyp·o·crite
[hip-uh-krit]  
–noun
1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
or the sake of your tradition.

I am so sick of hypocrites!! ~They give us Christians a BAD Name!

Would it surprise you to discover that Jesus didn't like hypocrites either? Not only were they insincere, He said, but they made a mockery of true faith and brought disgrace to it.
JESUS CHRIST did not mince words when it came to religious hypocrisy. That, more than anything else, is what got Him killed. His death was a staged assassination by a few religious hypocrites who The Lord was very effectively exposing to the people under their authority.
In fact, some of Jesus' strongest words were directed at people who claimed to follow God but in reality weren't obeying Him but were selfish and unloving and evil. On one occasion, He boldly condemned some of the religious leaders of His day with these words: "On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matthew 23:28). God knows our hearts and minds, He was reminding them - and nothing is hidden from Him.
Jesus: "..you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites!... 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in VAIN do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'" (Matthew 15:1-9 RSV)

Jesus was so straight up and direct, he was eventually killed for speaking against them. (Although we know he purposely laid down His life, thier intentions at the time were obviously to 'silence' him)

Taming the Tongue!

This past Friday in our family bible study, we discussed controlling our mouths. This is important for those who profess to be 'Christians' on Sunday's, but Monday thru Saturday say whatever comes out of thier mouths, no matter how hateful, disrespectful, or rebellious.
 
The Bible warns that believers who do not bring restraint to their tongue and speech have been deceived — and without such control over their words, their religious acts are worthless and hypocritical. “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26). It is a deception for any of us to think that Jesus can be Lord over our life, without also becoming Lord over our tongue.
……So too, though the tongue is a small part [of the body], it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites (James 3:5).

What I have learned too is that the more you start to operate in the 'Fruits of the Spirit' of Galatians, you will feel the need less and less to live by the flesh. It is hard to Break old habits, but easier when you REPLACE them with new habits.