Speak life!

Ephesians 4:²⁹

Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it. (Amplified Bible)

Proverbs 12:18

Reckless words pierce like a sword,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

When I first got my spider plant for Christmas a couple years ago, it was big and bushy and GORGEOUS! I loved it!!! Well, soon it's beauty slowly started to fade as it wilted, curled up, and dried out its leaves one by one. The problem was the location of it. It was too far away from the window to properly acquire the light it needed, and therefore, slowly faded away.


My friend, Jana, lived out in a farm house with tons of windows and plenty of light. Because it was wilting, she said she would take it for me (and bring it back to life). Long story short, it came back to me about 4 months ago and was basically dead. I was sad. Of course, it wasn't my friend's fault, it simply quit thriving.


I figured I would plant something else in it, and since I hadn't done my spring flower planting yet (I still haven't planted...um...nope, not one thing), I stuck it on my picnic table outside with the rest of my flower pots that needed something housed in it. I was cleaning my yard today, and you would not believe what I saw!

I wondered where my bunny wind chime went!!!


I also saw this

(a pot with old junk in it from last year
...and weeds from this year)

But what caught my eye...


was this...

MY SPIDER PLANT CAME BACK TO LIFE!!!


I NEVER thought I would see it again.
It's been sitting outside on my picnic table
with no shelter. It's been exposed to
wind, rain, and heat, and many storms lately!!!


But somehow, someway,
even though I gave up on it,
...it survived...
and is thriving.


It isn't as big as it used to be,
but it's beautiful...


Not because of it's outward appearance...

but rather, because of where it has been...

...the storms it has survived...

...and because God decided this plant...

...was going to live...

...even though I gave up on it...

...when I thought it was dead...

...and when I THOUGHT it had NO potential!!!


Unfortunately, how many times have our thoughts, actions, or words decided that people in our lives were "goner's", that they were "lost" forever, that their mistakes were soooooooo huge that there was NO hope for them. If you are honest with yourself, you may find yourself thinking about that one person in your life now or in your past, who you secretly thought would NEVER "come around."


If our words (written or spoken) have the power to speak life or death, blessings or curses, then please tell me, "Why aren't we being more careful about what we say or write?"


(I'm speaking to myself as well!)


As I write, I think about words and "judgments" I have declared over my ex-husband, (whether just in thoughts, on paper, or outloud). God, I pray that you would take back the ground given to the enemy through word curses I have spoken over him, in the name of Jesus Christ. I pray they also would be broken.

So, Tony, if you ever find yourself reading this, I am sorry for declaring your failure for the past, present, and future, because Mr. Sparks, God has life for you, and until the day you take your last breath, God declares LIFE to your life!!! LIVE, WALK, and EMBRACE the life God has for you!!! I claim victory and success in your life. I claim freedom in your life. I claim wholeness in your life in Jesus Name!

Imagine what would happen if we all prayed and spoke like that often. Imagine how the world would change. Imagine if we did that as often as we could, (myself included) instead of trying to drudge up dirt on people, instead of trying to point out people's "flaws". Hmmm...

Just imagine....

Restorer...

***I was going through old posts and decided to re-post this. Most of you have read it before, but I know I have a new reader who needs the encouragement from our GOD who truly does RESTORE and HEAL!!!


(Original Post from 4/9/09)

GOD RESTORES!!!

I was diagnosed with depression when I was 14, and had my first suicide attempt at age 16. I started counseling when I was 8 because of sexual abuse by my dad's best friend. My dad committed suicide 2 days before I started 10th grade. I was 15. I had my first "real" boyfriend when I turned 16, within 2 weeks, I gave myself away to him. When I started crying, he said, "Don't worry, it'll be over real soon." Later that year after he was done with me, I realized guys only liked girls who "fooled around".

I experienced the tantalizing magnetism of liquor when I was 17. I then learned that guys don't like to just "fool around", and get angry when they don't get the whole package. Forced and unconsented became words very familiar to me. Alcohol made me feel attractive, and numbed out the experiences. When I turned 18, I realized I could go into a bar with a consenting parent. There, I learned a whole new game of seduction.

I found out I could get drunk for free just by flirting with guys who were old enough to be my father. I realized that it was alright to do more than flirt because it was expected there, and hey, everyone did it. I soon come to learn that those older guys got even angrier when they didn't get what they wanted. I was wanted and loved...until the next morning. I was desired and cherished...until the alcohol wore off. I was sought after and pursued...until I had nothing left to give. My best friend and I kept tabs and started a contest...

She won...but I still hit triple digits...

I kept a list of names for the day I would have to go back and tell them I was sick.

I also learned that smoking cigarettes and other things made me more attractive in the environment which I spent those two years. I learned that bars stay open all night on holidays when you are super friendly with the bartenders. Oh, the exciting things I learned...

I learned how to become numb to my feelings, as I learned what a razor blade could do. Popping pills made my night time excursions more lively, and helped me to stay awake. I also found out that once I vomited, I could drink more. I unsuspectingly learned that certain pills put in my drinks could make me do anything...and I couldn't stop it...

I learned what loneliness was...

I learned how to brush off rejection by drinking and sleeping, morning, afternoon, and night.

I learned that I could have everything I wanted (my booze, my drugs, and even rent money) just by having a few dates with a few men. I also learned that by having too much traffic in and out of your house, you could be evicted.

I learned what the inside of a "padded cell" in a psych unit looked like, and every year, like clockwork, I would return.

~Looking back on these recollections helps me to see that I do have a God that RESTORES! I am not the same girl as I used to be. I have a Savior who picked me up out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock. No one can ever convince me that God isn't real, because I am living proof.

I was locked inside a prison I built for myself and Jesus Christ is the only One who had the key. He is the only one who could have possibly untangled me from everything I was into. Some things disappeared quickly, others over time, but I look back, and the girl I described to you is no longer recognizable. The life I once lived is inconceivable to me, as well as to some of my friends.

I believe God healed me of my depression, I still have days where I have to fight for motivation, and have days when I want to sleep all day long. But instead of weeks of despair, I have a day. Instead of being hospitalized at least twice a year, I have not been back for 6 years.

God is the only permanent Restorer! And He is the ONLY one who will still be there in the most desolate time of your life when everyone else has abandoned you. He is the ONLY permanent "fix", and the ONLY one who can pull you out of the mud you have gotten yourself stuck in!!!

Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹ I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

³ He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

Busy girl...

Busyness...

...is common...

...lately...

...in my life...

...and I wonder...

...if those things I am staying busy with...

...are important...

Hmmm...

...thoughts to ponder...

...as I remain busy...

...for a couple more days...

...If I haven't been by...

...your blog lately...

...or sent you an e-mail...

...or made a phone call to you...

...or commented on your Facebook page...

...or sent you a thoughtful text message...

...or twittered as often as I normally do...

...or wrote a wonderful blog post...

...then maybe, just maybe, I might...

...actually be finally getting...

...my priorities straight...

...by spending time with my kids...

...doing my job...

...getting caught up on household projects...

...both inside and outside...

...and I might just be getting my wall painted...

...and spending time in my Bible...

...and baking for my family...

...and doing water aerobics...

...and losing 5 pounds (cool, huh?)...

...and keeping a food diary...

...and spending time visiting friends...

...in person, instead of just on the phone...

...or on the computer...

I feel like I am letting my "online" friends down by not keeping in touch recently; however, I think I am strengthening my IRL (In Real Life) relationships by spending more time in person, and less in front of the computer screen:)

So...

...as I wonder if those things taking...

...up my time right now...

...are important...

...hmmm...

...I would have to say...

...Absolutely!

And did you read the "5 pounds lost"???

Woot! Woot!

Training Ground...

I recently started excercising...

Not only did I start water aerobics with a friend, but I've also been exercising my thoughts.

Well, more like training...I recently started training.

My appetites are out-of-control: physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

It recently dawned on me that as long as I continue to do the same things over and over, I will continue to have the same results over and over. Now, this is rather obvious to the person who isn't very "hard-headed"; however, I tend to be very "stuck" in my ways...or should I say "have been stuck in my ways in the past" (as my words are another area of training ground for me).

My flesh totally has to be reigned in because I'm allowing it to reign over me! As a daughter of the King, I am allowing myself to be enslaved by all of these things that have no authority over me, yet I lay captive like a dead dog with no position or power.

I get very overwhelmed by the "big picture" of life, so I have to have it broken down in steps in order for the "big picture" to work in my life. It's just the way (at least for now) that my mind operates. I actually see the "big picture" and immediately declare defeat over the situation because there's "TOO much to do to "get there"...

So in reality, it's not the way my mind works, but rather the way the enemy plays on my emotions so I will "play dead" before the "game" even begins.

Physically, I am a 350+ lb. woman who is usually too tired to enjoy life. Over the years, I put on the weight as protection, to keep people away. Recently, I realized "I really, really LIKE people, and I want to be around people!" And truth be told, I really hide behind this computer screen TOO much because readers see my heart, not my weight. I am tired of being afraid to live! I am tired of not being able to run and play with my kids! I am tired of wearing overly huge clothes to try to hide the layers of fat rolls protruding from my body!

So, I started water aerobics, and started keeping a food diary of what I am eating. The big picture is that I want to be physically healthy. I am simply taking two steps toward that goal right now. THAT I can do! The big picture, no, but two steps, YES!

Emotionally, I choose depression and isolation as my "choice feelings". Not necessarily because I like them, but they are comfortable "clothes" to wear. They are the "shoes that have been broken in" and the "puzzle that has been put together a million times blindfolded". Do you have any clue how easily it is to keep people away when you are depressed??? NO ONE enjoys being around depressed people, not because they don't care, but because most of the time, they have NO idea what to do or say to make the depression go away!

And golly gee, have you ever tried to get through a "wall" an isolated person puts up? NOT very easy at all! But see, there seems to be a problem with these emotions because remember what I just said, "I realized I really, really like people, and I want to be around people!" Emotionally, there needs to be exercising of my mind and therefore, the training begins because I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MIND OF CHRIST AND CHRIST LOVES PEOPLE...

Don't even get me going on my spiritual life!!! Golly gee willikers (spell checker went wild over that one!)...

Being a Christian should NOT involve turning back or giving up! (in the fight of life anyway). The armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6, includes:

1) Helmet of Salvation
2) Sword of the Spirit
3) Breastplate of righteousness
4) Belt of Truth
5) Feet fitted with the gospel of peace
6) Shield of faith

NO WHERE in that passage does Paul explain a piece of armor for our backside! There's no "butt cushion" for when we don't feel like fighting anymore. There's also not a shield for our back to protect arrows from piercing our heart from behind.

If we were meant to turn back or give up in battle, there would have been spiritual armor analogies for those body parts, because when we are called into battle, we are given all the artillery and armor that we need to encounter the enemy.

So, let me ask you this question from Galations 5:7-8...

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you!"

And remind you of this from Ephesians 6:13...

"Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, TO STAND!"

Let me take you to Joshua 1:2...

"Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them , to the Israelites. I will give you EVERY place you set your foot, as I promised Moses."

...And Joshua 5:14-15

"...Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'what message does my Lord have for his servant?' The commander of the Lord's army replied, 'take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."

These are the verses God has taken me to lately in my "training manual", His Holy Word, the Bible, as I train for this chapter of my life. I am also reminded of the "if/then" themes throughout the Bible.

If you do your part, then God will do His. God doesn't NEED our help in order to do His part. He ALONE is God! But I believe there are times where He challenges us to LIVE out those things we say we believe in.

He says, "If you give me your false pretences about how YOU think I should handle this situation, THEN, and only then, can I TRULY show you exactly what I can do!"

And we know that God says...

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts!" Isaiah 55:8-9

So, let me ask you one more question...How can you move one step closer to God today and to step into the calling He's laid before you???

IF you "go there", THEN God will totally blow your socks off and show you HIS power in your situation!

One final thought from God as told to Joshua...

"...Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified, Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with your wherever you go!" Joshua 1:9

Striving & 'Getting there'...

Joshua 3:5
Joshua told the people,
"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the
LORD will do amazing things among you."

Consecrate: To make, or declare to be, sacred; to appropriate to sacred uses; to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the service or worship of God; as, to consecrate a church; to give (one's self) unreservedly, as to the service of God.

God has recently (o-kay, for QUITE AWHILE!) been telling me I need to get off of the fence and "dive into" the life He's called me to. It's been easy to sit on the sidelines and view others in their walk with the Lord. I watch as others go before me to see what their outcome will be as I am reserved by fear of the unknown.

I have had a relationship with the Lord for years, however, I am usually a "wallflower" in the dance of life. Fear of rejection and fears of many kinds keep me from being everything He wants me to be. I will "tiptoe" into the unknown slowly, become effective, but then eventually stand dormant, afraid to go any further.

My destiny has always been just out of my reach as I fear success. I understand how foolish that may seem to fear success, yet my past is full of failure, and there is a certain comfort in letting people down. That, I know how to recover from.

I know what it is like to rise into a place God has called me into only to miserably fail (Bigtime, I might add). That failure prevents me from trying again unfortunately. Not that I don't want to try, I just simply feel like I always screw things up, and I hate the feeling of letting God down.

Obviously, there are some incorrect mindsets in my above paragraphs in which God has been speaking to, one being: God doesn't ask me to be perfect, nor does He expect me to be.

I am hungry...I want everything God has promised...I want to be used by God...I want to be effective in the Kingdom of God...I want to feel as if I am accomplishing something...

Haha! But I am...

That is another mindset that has to go! Everytime I choose to write on this blog, I am allowing God to use my words to minister to others. Everytime I do a name picture, I am allowing God to speak through my hands and my heart. Everytime I open my mouth and pray for someone, God is shaking the spiritual realm of darkness through my prayers. Everytime I do one of the things God has called me to do, I am "inching" my way, one step closer, in my destiny.

Destiny isn't "arriving"... Destiny is living in the here and now, and I believe this is a life process we live out until the day God calls us heavenward.

I am always trying to "arrive"! Not sure what it is I am expecting as I strive to "get there": lack of pain? no more problems? never sinning? being 'perfect'? never 'getting it wrong'?

God is calling me to 'get there' or 'arrive' in the everyday decisions He places before me: Am I going to exercise or be lazy today? Am I going to read His word, the Holy Bible or the newspaper? Am I going to reach out and encourage my family in the Lord or am I going to criticize and judge? Am I going to reach out to my natural family or push them aside because they aren't where I think they should be? Am I going to 'walk the walk I talk' for my children or only in the presence of others?

Somewhere in my past, I was taught that I have to strive and 'be all that I can be', when I think God just simply wants us to "be" in His presence. There is a time to be a "Martha", but when God shows up in our presence, He simply just wants us to be "Mary", sitting at His feet and worshiping Him for HE IS HOLY! When we allow ourselves to simply "be", it is then that HE CAN "Do" through us.

For it is GOD who works in you to WILL and to ACT according to HIS good purpose. Philippians 2:13

We simply have to be vessels in which He can work through...

No words...

This morning I have no words, as I am in awe of everything the Lord is doing right now in my life. Enjoy these pictures of my sunrise this morning:)

Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. Nehemiah 9:5b-6

Stand United...

United we stand, divided we fall...

For whatever reason, I can tolerate an unbeliever's behavior more than the "wrong" behavior of a Christ follower. If God calls me to a higher standard than my neighbor who hasn't received salvation, then sister Christian down the road sure better be called to the same standards that I have to live by. Right? I mean, God is God, and He is unchanging, AND His "rules" apply to everyone...

If sister Christian or brother Christian commits a "sin" that God has directly spoken to me about being wrong, then in my mind, that person is in sin as well! It is my pet peeve to see anyone "get away with" what God has told me I cannot do. Seriously, if I can't do it, neither should they be able to...

Now either you are reading this saying, "You go girl! Get on your soapbox and preach it!"

...or you are saying, "Oooh, you better watch it girl, you're skating on thin ice, and need some 'talking' to..."

Over the years, God has gently spoken to me on this issue, but once in awhile, I find myself going "back there" to the above thoughts, and if you are there as well, then let me gently lead you to the scriptures where God led me to years ago. Then you can decide for yourself and for your life what God has to say on this issue.





Judging...
Condemning...
Pride...
Haughty...

Those words seem so negative, and I suppose if you look at your life, you may not see those words weaved into your heart. Let me speak a little more positive, because we are SURELY "better" people than that...

I wonder how often we justify our actions and thoughts in a "Christian" manner to prove that those things do NOT occupy our hearts. I mean...We are Christians and we are living holy and righteous before our King! Right?

We don't condemn others; we just tell the truth in love.

We don't judge others or gossip about them; we just talk behind their backs, (in concern of course!)

We don't have pride; we just KNOW if that was OUR ministry, we would do things a "better" way.

We are not haughty; We are just much, much, much wiser.

*Before you have right to speak to the sin in someone's life, you have no voice in their life. Unless you are a leader gently correcting and restoring that person,