"Post Ranch versus Missions"

  I have saved a pamphlet for several years now of a 'get away' place located on hwy 1 in Big Sur, California. My thinking, at the time I received this pamphlet in the mail, as requested by me, was far different than my thinking  is today. See, when I tucked it away in my drawer, I thought it could be a place that my husband and I could celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this coming November.

But, it was January, of this year that fate changed the course, for “Post Ranch Inn”. The pamphlet was never thought about again, until now.
While sitting in the 'toilet' closet, yes, toilet, I looked down and saw the pamphlet in my stash of reading material. I opened it up again, and began to see something throughout it that I did not see several years back. I was only smitten by the photographs..(they still smote me, actually)
The italicized advertisement quotes from the Post Ranch, seemed to convey something a little ironic, as to where I am today.  My heart was directed differently, as I read through the pamphlet again, as if it was the first time I saw it....but this time, there was a different pull, though I know my husband and I could thoroughly enjoy a weekend in the lap of luxury.......but tough to do when feelings are diverse. Below is a touch of the words I read.

“If you have ever dreamed of sleeping on a cloud this may be as close as you can get.” Brilliant magazine.
“Pulse-quickening views, absolute privacy and a Zen-like harmony with the divine surroundings make lovers' hearts leap.” USA Today.

As I read the words that could steal anyone's heart and capture a moment of escape for the powerful sense of retreat, I began to reflect on where my heart has been since January, with this particular invitation, which changed the direction of my thinking for 6 months now..

The invitation was this: In August, I am leading a team of women to INDIA to assist in guiding a Women's conference to the indigenous women of small villages. Their pamphlet, which grabbed my heart strings, did not display anything quite appealing as “Post Ranch Inn" on highway 1, but rather it spoke to me in this tone; “A silent but very positive revolution is going on in India, with a movement called Women with a mission”.
And, I said yes, to this invitation, and with the approval of my husband, Post Ranch Inn became the vague applause of something that might never happen, and it's just OK .

Also, in October, for 15 days, I will be in Nepalgung, Nepal (the 'Armpit' as the locals call it) to celebrate in the 10^th anniversary of the Mission work where my sister Rhonda and her husband David have helped to establish churches and encourage leaders for Christ all through a couple who prayed for 8 years to God, for help.
My sisters first over seas journey to Nepal took place during the introduction and courtship and marriage to my husband Charlie. I married him 6 weeks after the set up. My sister was in Nepal for 3 months and during her trip and my courtship, all the shenanigan's of plans for the 'instant' wedding were taking place without her. Charlie and I didn't wait to unite in marriage before she came home....merely because we were ready to move forward, almost immediately after our first date, which was day two after we met.
I was also afraid my sister would have talked me out of marriage.....after all, she is my sis, shouldn't she question me?!
My sweet sister cried as life began to change for both her and I. I had a sense of certainty that she would one day understand, though I could not explain it at the time. It has come full circle.

“One of the Top Spas in North, America.” Travel + Leisure.
Post Ranch Inn
I love my husband, my dog, my house, life and the beauty of America and all that surrounds my life, and how very blessed I have been to live right where I know God has placed me. Strangely, I have always had a love and sense of desire for California. I am not sure why exactly, but I just like it. Every single time I have visited, I dreamed of its beauty and its song..
But, never did I imagine going to Nepal, much less INDIA. But, much like my 6 week courtship to my husband, 10 years ago, I am never really surprised at what comes into my life.

The accommodations where I will visit, late summer and fall will be nothing compared to the scenes that surround BIG SUR. However, the pulling of my heart strings for the brochure that captivated my heart were more dominate than the power of luxurious consumption. (do not get me wrong...I think it's much needed for most and well deserved!) I could feel the same pull, for India, just as I did when I accepted Charlie's proposal for marriage. "Lets do this." I thought.

Over the last 10 years, my sis has began to see exactly what I knew I could not explain. But as her heart grew for Nepal, my heart grew for serving my husband faithfully and also for ministry toward women. I learned daily about marriage-ministry and missions, and they all have their challenges. But, a heart united towards a new adventure toward love, becomes a team. It's a Spirit of love for the unknown and the unreached and through it, becomes a change.....and that change happened in me.

I began to support my sis, never ever assuming I would travel to the other side of the World. My husband would just smile as I read each and every Newsletter she would write, after 17 ventures to her new found home.
With the compelling words written on the India brochure, and comparing the years and years of photo's and scripts of a newsletter written monthly by my sister,  I took a gulp of tears when I held “Post Ranch Inns” pamphlet, because I knew that over time, my heart was in fact in contrast with my previous ambitions.

I do not know what is waiting for me, with all the THOUSANDS of DOLLARS I have raised in support from others to SEND ME to the other side of the World, but I feel the impact of this journey will change my life as well as the lives of others. This is my hope. This is my desire. This is my enchantment.
India Gospel League You said Go ministries

The italicized ad in the "Post Ranch Inn" pamphlet jolted me with these words:
“Everything is in perfect harmony with nature. Fusing glass, stone, slate, indigenous woods, posh yet rustic with endless views of mountains, redwoods, and sky. -Conde Nast Travelers Gold List

No, that is not the destination I will travel to, and I may not ever get to experience such beauty, conducive to my pleasure. But I do recognize certain traits between the two and I will assume, diversity will be the common factor, as I choose Missions this time versus "Post Ranch Inn.".

With God, everything is in perfect harmony. Fusing glass could only mean the looking glass that reflects our resemblance of hope through the written Word of God. HE is the Stone....He is the Rock and that is where I stand. 'Indigenous' is a word used in the brochure about the women of India. I know that they are hidden from us, here in America, like the beauty we must go in search of, in order to find. Much like the wonders of the woods that bare no resemblance of home, I go. Rustic will be the entire adventure while traversing through the city of Bangalore and through the rough roads of India and Nepal, but I will remember to see the trees for the forest which I will be endlessly viewing, during this eventful and exciting journey. The only 'magical' thing about taking a risk to visit someplace unfamiliar, like India and Nepal, is to assume that all secluded much like Post Ranch Inn, is pretty much just a LEAP of faith.

Considering the Source

What in the World am I thinking?

I started a Vision wall. This means I have placed things in front of my desk, on the wall, which would provoke me to focus on the fact that my life has so much more to offer than my daily routines. 

I placed several framed articles, (fortunately/unfortunately about myself) including my first book and I hung them around a really cool shelf I found at a garage sale, that takes the shape of a lion. On the shelf are pictures of my deceased daddy. In one picture, he is holding his Bible and declaring another Spirit filled powerful sermon, I am certain. 

In my mind, when I look up at my wall, this encourages me to keep pressing forward to try and do the best in my pursuits for reaching the World for the Kingdom of God. My daddy was a preacher and that makes me a PK=Preacher's Kid. For me, it was always an honor and finally, I take it very serious. I've got stuff to do.
  

Probably much like many of 'us'-- our dads may have dealt with us by loving force and with much pleading toward God, to get us to open our eyes to the Truth. I am sure my dad always felt I was not fully living my potential.  I am sure at times I wasn't.
Then there are some dads who are just simply not involved in their children's lives. This was the case with my husband. Because of our polar opposite upbringing it actually has reflected at times negatively on our communication and even our emotional securities. But, with the aid I had been blessed with by being optimistic about life, I must remember I was the more fortunate one in my rearing and 'consider the source.' 
It's a good thing that God has no favor in showing His great love to us, because my husband could be so deep in depression on many occasions because of his upbringing. Instead, he has turned that negative into being a better dad to his own two grown kids, because of his misfortune. He built them a business which my husband has retired from and they now run. It's a good thing my Charlie found Jesus.

For years after my first and only divorce my dear daddy tried to encourage me to focus more on what was important. And with daddy, Jesus was the most important thing. 
It wasn't until the past ten years or so, while in my present marriage that I began truly seeking what I was actually born to do.

I was a hairdresser for 26 years. (still 'do' 3 widows every Friday)

I always wanted to be like a "Dear Abby" in a ministerial sort of way--and help become a mender of broken hearts. 
I had a lot of practice as a hairdresser/counselor. I truly wondered at times if I had a sign hanging outside the front of the Salon--Counselor! On a number of occasions, they just wanted to talk. I listened. I also, 'preached'.

Do you question what it is you are suppose to be doing because you are stuck in a place that you are not motivated or engaged in, with that job/marriage/business or 'calling'?

Well, I encourage you to make up your mind to focus on putting something before you that certainly interest you, but will actually become something that helps someone else, more dominantly than you. It was within the last two years of my ten year solace, because of my divorce, I posted a 5x7 hand written embossed paper on my front door where I could see it every time I went to open and close the door. The inscription were these words, which I wrote: "I want a partnership between equals for the purpose of Spiritual growth." I did not waver in what I knew I needed, and ultimately got what I had envisioned. My husband and I are going into our tenth year of marriage. Has it been a bed of  blooming roses? Of course not, that's why they are ROSES, they've got to have thrones.


Presently: My desire is to give a certain amount of money to a ministry in Honduras and I wrote that amount down on a 9x6 piece of paper and hung it on that Vision wall, with scotch tape and mounted to one of my picture frames. I am hoping soon this vision will happen as it is not esthetically classy to my decor.

I have another paper up on that wall that tells me for sure I am headed in the right direction. 

I've got my sights set on 3 mission trips, one in which I am leading the team, to India. The other two places are Honduras and Nepal. All to be a part of something outside of myself.

Last but not least, I have a very elaborate "thank you" framed from my niece and namesake Holly Knox Brookhouser, and the poignant line in her note to me are the words which encourages me the most, when I cannot seem to care about my 'successes'. A portion of her words written are this; "I am amazed at your open heart".... 
If nothing else on that wall keeps me going besides my sweet daddy who would relish in my journey thus far, is to know that someone is watching me who saw me and hopefully remains to see me with an open heart who wants to 'do' for people as I was privileged to do for her.

See, Visions are all different for various people, and if your Vision is centered to excel in life, maybe you should see it through the eyes of someone who directly believes you are qualified. Remember, through the good and the bad on your way to personal accomplishments in fulfilling your Vision; Consider the Source.   



  

A great chance of RAIN!

After waiting almost 6 months for 'our' vacation time to finally come, we find out, it's going to rain all week!
I checked the forecast in Ft. Lauderdale this morning, after checking many similar web-sites last night, (as if it is going to change) all I could see across the week were clouds! Last night, on one site,  I saw clouds across the week with a hint of sun on Wednesday. Well, yes, the forecast did change, because this morning, they added LIGHTENING BOLTS to the CLOUDS, and the 'hint of sun' was gone.

My husband and I made the assertive decision to cancel the whole trip. The condo, which we lost all our timeshare points, the non-refundable car and the non-refundable airline tickets. However we can rebook with the airlines for $150.00 a person, (along with added cost! whoopee!) but lost the Hotwire deal with Alamo, $157.00!

And just like that, it's OVER.

The great anticipation of going to the beach, touring by water the mansions of our "Venice" in America, gone. Then what about the BOAT SHOW?! The very reason we were going.

 Whaa-whaa!!! Whaa!

Oh, who cares, get over yourself I thought, after spending almost an hour pouting over the whole ordeal, I decided to rise above it and stop the insanity!

PAUSE:

Three days later.....HURRICANE SANDY HITS.
I guess somebody knew best for the situation. Thank you Jesus!

My heart goes out to all the Victims of Sandy's destruction.

ACCUSATIONS ARE IDLE TALK!

Who accuses you?

If we lived by accusations we would never do anything beyond deceptive words that try and guide us.

I write many times out of affliction, yet I write for the most part out of VICTORY I have over the defeating attacks of the ACCUSER. Did you know that the devil is real and every time you are faced with adversity in your life, it is actually him, the accuser, who is trying to pull you down? It is true, he wants to take you out, first by causing fear and insecurities in your soul and second by whispering things to you that you aimlessly begin to believe. But your Spirit is stronger, and you should always remember that.  You do not need to ever take on his accusations.

If I lived my life hearing the negative things that others have spoken about me, I would never do anything positive for the glory of God.

Words of affirmation are hard to receive while under attack, but this is why so many of the words we do not hear from others must be the very words we read in the written WORD of God. I know this is very difficult to do, when you feel you are being attacked or accused. But, I promise you, whomever is speaking ill against you, is probably not aware they are being used by the ACCUSER, the devil.

I have learned over my 50 years of living, that the things that other people say about me are really none of my business. You might think that you want to know what people say about you, but really you don't. It is none of your business!

People are unknowingly and even knowingly used to distract you from the TRUTH. Their purpose in doing this, when used by the ACCUSER, could result in taking you out of your positive position and to keep you from doing anything for the glory of God. Sounds like a trap to me.

If you are busy building, you cannot possibly be a part of the demolition process. This also means that you should not stop building even when others are trying desperately to demolish what you have constructed.

When others are tearing you down, it's because they are not wanting to be a part of the building process.

 Fear equals no Faith and No Faith equals fear.

You have to determine who's side you are on. I choose Faith.

I have faced, front on, all that I have written about in each paragraph above. If I had not experienced true let downs or idle talk about me or even regretfully participated in it about someone else, I would not be able to write this with the affirmative action in which my heart speaks.

We are ALL WRETCHED, without CHRIST WORKING IN AND THROUGH our lives! ALL OF US.

I am sure that people truly believe what they have said about me, or what I may have misspoken about someone else, is accurate. Well, maybe my insecurities have exposed my humanness and I have let many down, which is never a deliberate intent, but I'm sure I have done it. The ACCUSER takes anyone he can get on his team.

The difference in accusations and idle talk is ACCUSERS are used of the devil to destroy the Spirit life inside of us. Jesus says; “Satan comes but to Kill Steal and destroy—but I have come to bring life.” John 10:10

Do you know that the enemy does not care if our mortal body lives or dies, in fact he'd rather we live so he can continue to try and get us to work on his side! What he aims to kill, steal and destroy is our hope, our future, our destiny and our ambition to do great things for God. 

See, accusers are also thieves! They want nothing more than to take away your faith, your hope and your love. This is the demolition process. Don't yield to it. Walk away from it and look at the mirror image of God's Word. It is there that you can truly identify your life in who He says that you are.

Again, you have to determine who's side you are on.

I know that slander and back biting is a personal attack of the ACCUSER! (THE DEVIL!) I am not under subjection of the devil. But in the time of an attack, all you see is the ammunition of the accusations targeting right in your direction! Duck, don't bow! This is the accuser!

Look below: The redeemer of your soul and your Spirit! Listen to His Words.

Words of affirmation build, they do not tear down. Listen:

I am affirmed and encouraged by Jeremiah 31:3-4 "Long ago, the Lord said to Israel (we are a part of that promise) I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you.” (NLT)

Isaiah 43:4 “Others died that I might live, I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me, You are honored and I love you.”

Ephesians 1:6 “So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us, because we belong to his dearly beloved Son.”

Jeremiah 33:3 “Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets that are going to happen here."

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.” “Plans for your good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.”

Job 8:7 “And though you started with Little, you will end with much.”

The written word of God is a light and a lamp. It guides and it sustains my soul in the darkest time and in the most wonderful moments. I will never take for granted all that God has done for me, but I will also never forget HIS PROMISES TOWARD MY LIFE, are not just for me, but to work through me for HIS GLORY. I pray I aim only to bring Him glory, though in my weakness, HE is strong.

I take the Word of God literal. When I fail to believe every part of it, I fail to believe that HIS PROMISES are TRULY FOR ME AND THOSE THAT I LOVE.

If ever you feel I have wounded you, intentional or unintentional then I am failing to show the grace that God has so mercifully given to me. The accuser is tapping on all our shoulders, but we do not have to listen nor be lead by his tap. James says; “SUBMIT yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee.”

Don't let the ACCUSER ACCUSE YOU! Live in Victory from his tactics and lies. 

Do I ever feel qualified to do anything for the Lord, whether in ministry or in life in general, NO?! Do I feel I have learned it all and can do it all? NO! It is out of sheer obedience that I am able to do anything that I set out to do for the sake of the call for Jesus Christ. It is only by the grace of God that we are able to accomplish anything we decide to do, though we know we are suppose to do it.

My/your hope is and will always be in the optimistic and positive nature of hearing the “TRUTH AS WE ARE TAUGHT.” This is the ministry that the Lord has placed me in currently and I live to remain in, though the devil tries desperately to divert my ears to hear that he is more accurate than the words of TRUTH. 

It's a fight and a pace....... I will hopefully end the fight by resisting the ACCUSER and walk the pace that God has so faithfully promised to allow us to walk. 

Thanks for popping into my blog.....hope you are better suited to see you are Victorious! 

Don't be led by the ACCUSER! Listen to the ACCLAIMED promise of the Written Word of God.

The Line of People

In the midst of my day, I thought, I am going to take the time to bring a little fresh light on my blog.

Blogging can be so difficult when you feel the force to write. I applaud journalist who must meet a deadline and who feel the sense of urgency to come up with some 'news' to write about every single day. Something I need to discipline myself to do.

While it is on my mind, I thought I would write. I felt the sense of 'urgency' not because someone told me to do it, but because I thought I might one day forget.

Have you ever seen a vision? You know, the vision that you just can't explain, because you are wide awake but all of the sudden you see, like a dream something before your eyes? Well, I have. Once on a walk, I saw and 'heard' ten warrior type angels marching directly behind me, and I literally heard them come from the air above me, in a swift motion and took their position. It was truly amazing and not many people would ever believe it was so, but I do know that angels wait to hear from us. There are too many scriptures that prove they are given charge over us. When we pray, when we give, when we fast. I have sensed them all in these three areas. Just recently when I was praying at the end of my home Bible Study with 8 women I saw yet another vision. 

My eyes were closed, but suddenly I saw people standing behind each of the 8 women in my living room. The visual was not the most comforting of visions I have had in the past, but I know the significance is more important than the actual picture I saw. The people who were standing behind each of my friends, were all dressed in dingy white clothes and the lines faded in the distance. It's as if they were all dressed alike and they were not cleaned up at all. In fact they looked as if they had come from a concentration camp or something. It was sad, what I saw. 
I realized almost immediately that they were needing something that each of the women had. They were waiting, forlorn and a very sad countenance. 
Now let me explain that when you are in Bible study you are in direct connection with the WORDS of God. (II Timothy 3:15-16 ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.= (right standing with God.) So that the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.)
What I realized is that God was certainly showing me characteristics of people walking this earth. Most have no hope and they are aimlessly wondering around looking for a light or a place that can possibly clean them up or aid in helping them to feel alive again. 
The difference in my visual and the actual story I have witnessed of Corrie Ten Boom, who's story has touched thousands for centuries, after her horrific experience in Hitlers concentration camp. The people in Hitlers camp were not free to walk about and find hope. Cory and her sister found hope only in the faith they had and kept in the sight of the Lord.
The people in my vision were free to walk about. I knew this because they were there standing behind my friends. Yet, sadly, they were not truly free.
It amazes me how the heart of God can be shown through us if we are willing to just sit, take the time to study His word and pray. 
When Jesus was teaching, on the mountainside, in Matthew chapter 5 he says these words in verse 5. "When God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, the whole earth will belong to them." verse 6: "If they are 'hungry' and thirsty for justice, they will receive it in full.' 
Many mission minded evangelist appreciate this scripture particularly because it reaches the heart of the viewer and quite possibly grabs at their pocket book, in order to give to their foundation or ministry...which is not a bad thing.
But when I saw the dingy grey disheartened wanderers, all I could sense was that they were everywhere walking like zombies. 
These types of people according to my vision are not just in the homeless shelters and or the drug addicted facilities or even in halfway houses. They are actually your co-worker, your neighbor or even the woman you have a scheduled appointment with every six weeks. 
What ever the status and successes of women and men, there are many who are identical to the dead walking. WE have all at some point of our lives resembled this vision of people.

We are to reach these people. Furthermore, we are to most certainly turn around and see that they are there and that they have need of something we have.

True and pure success on this earth is to help people find ways to lead.

When a life is placed in your path, Jesus said; "The Kingdom of Heaven is given to them." 
Don't you want the people following after you to be with you in finding personal victory?

Jesus said; "FOLLOW ME" .....therefore, that's all I have to offer.



Teaching Truth as I was Taught

FIRST THINGS FIRST.

If I would even remotely began to write all that is on my mind tonight, it would be a chapter of a book, rather than a blog.

A man in Venice, Louisiana has blessed my heart with his passion, his servant hood and his love for people! His testimony of his devotions to the Lord rises up at various times inside of me and allows me to remember that GOD SUPPLIES ALL OUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY! Far too much to share here.

Jesse Morris and his wife Charlotte were scheduled to go to Nepal with my sister and brother in law, David on September 10 2012.
Because God has a "sense of humor" and sent the Hurricane, Isaac, to their small community, right on the peninsula of Louisiana they are not able to go to Nepal for serving the people of their community, because that is JUST WHAT THEY DO.

God knows exactly where he wants us and knows exactly when and how he wants to serve his people. It might not be on the other side of the world. It might be your neighbor next door.

Jesse and Charlotte and their team of precious people are serving many many meals daily since Isaac hit last week. Jessee's house and church were not damaged to the point of liveable, but other homes and business' were.
Opportunity struck this man of God to SERVE the people, show them love and give them hope.
They are feeding everyday at about 1,500  dollars a day. This has gone on for over 5 days. They amaze me!

I wonder at times how much faith I have, and then I hear the news of a small church on the tip end of the state in which I was born.
I wonder because I want what he's got.......just faith.....but I know too, that there is a price to pay for putting your faith into action.
Are we really willing to pay the price for the sake of the call?

I would like to go to Nepal with my sister....my thought is; 'Can God give me the funds to go, on this short notice?' Of course he can. But as I watch Jesse and Charlotte....I realize that God is going to do just about anything he wants to do with the conditioned heart toward Him, even if it means stay home and do the first thing first.

I wait.

Five days and I might be on a plane to Nepal.....only God knows--only God.

What is a Kingdom?

'If you are divided against a kingdom, you and the 'kingdom' will not stand."

This is the very reason I want to live in a Kingdom (Also NATION) with the approval of God! How can that be possible you might ask, while we live here on this earth with all of its division. Well, there is a portion of a scripture I will tell you about that completely hit me one day while reading the BIBLE.

First I gotta tell ya that several years back, probably in the 90's, I remember singing along to one of my praise and worship Cd’s. I use to play this particular CD a lot in my car and this is what I would sing:

“Righteousness, Peace, Joy in the Holy Ghost, Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost, that’s the Kingdom of God.” “Don't you want to be a part of the Kingdom? Don't you want to be a part of the Kingdom? Don't you want to be a part of the Kingdom, come on everybody!”

Of course the song had more verses, but what struck me that particular day while I was reading the Bible in the book of Matthew, is that Jesus is CLEARLY describing how we could live undivided, so take heed. If we could possibly hear what he is trying to say in this passage, we would see that our Kingdom, His Kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. But it seems more contrary at times, even in my personal life, though I strive for more unity than division.

When I was married the first time in 1985 I had entered into a new 'kingdom' of my life which was marriage. We lived in harmony most of the time and we both loved the Lord and even went to church in Tulsa, almost faithfully. At least faithfully on Sunday mornings.

We both worked, too much, and we became more and more dependent on our jobs than each other, or the love we had for the Lord or the love we once cherished in each other.

As several years went by, my 'kingdom' began to vanish of the things it was built on. Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. I slowly watched my 'castle/kingdom' fade away. We divided from each other after four and a half years of marriage we become even more distant with a separation. That separation lasted about eight weeks.

During the time of that split, my husband called me from Kansas city and he told me that when he was sitting out on his fathers deck listening to secular music, a song came on the radio and the words to the song were this:

         “So raise your hands to heaven and pray that we'll be back together someday, 

tonight I need your sweet caress hold me in the darkness- tonight you calm my restlessness, you relieve my sadness.” 

He said when he listened to the words he could see me when I worshiped and he could see me when I prayed and he could also see me forgiving him, again. 

Ultimately he came home but tragically we parted ways permanently five years later.

Our kingdom was merely always divided. When you begin to leave Jesus who is the King of all, out of your life, you will fall. And you will not just fall with a skinned knee, you will fall in utter desolation.

My marriage ended in divorce and I was single for ten years, but the God I love and serve is a restorer to those who love him and call on him. Yes, it took ten years to get re-married, but like Jesus said; “A house divided against itself will not stand!”

I have told my husband whom the Lord gave to me after that tragic divorce and being single for 10 years, that our kingdom must never be divided. Oh, I can tell you, it's been a real struggle at times to remain in the footsteps of righteousness, within this marriage, but I know from experience that keeping the Holy Spirit actively alive, is the only thing that will keep your kingdom together.

Even the devil doesn't know how to keep himself together as he battles against himself! When we participate in the same 'weakness/strength' of the devil we will FALL! Jesus explains it in the very NEXT verse  in Matthew, that if the devil tries to drive out the demons with his own power, such as pride, greed, lust, wrath, gluttony envy or sloth then he is dis-unified! So, how then will a kingdom last or stand?

I could see this in chapter 12, how Jesus described (Amplified version) those who were against or rather divided in ANY Kingdom will be brought down to desolation (gloom) and laid to waste, and then Jesus goes on to say; that NO CITY or HOUSE divided against itself will last or continue to stand.

IF WE REMAIN IN UNITY BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD WE WILL STAND—BUT IF YOU ARE NOT WITH GOD, THEN UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE AGAINST HIM.

My daddy used to have a bumper sticker on his truck that said; “Grove Oklahoma belongs to Jesus, Get saved or get out of town!”

I used to be a little embarrassed at times with my daddy's crass and nonchalant way he had about him. But where he lived and what he did was wholeheartedly urging people to wake up to what God himself is trying to tell us. We got use to him being bold.

WAKE -UP and stop dividing yourself against the kingdom of God. Daddy said many things that reckoned something inside of me, because he was 'stubborn' about his love for Jesus. 

I was so nervous when my daddy was asked to the the service of my High School's Baccalaureate ceremony, the year I graduated. I don't really remember him embarrassing me with his strong southern twang accent he never lost after moving to Oklahoma, I always thought it was charming. 

I actually remember thinking how delighted I was that he told a funny story about a rooster, that made everyone think and laugh. (I wish I had his notes from that day, it would mean so much to me!) He got an applause, but he was never again asked to deliver the message at any other Grove Baccalaureate ceremonies again. I am certain he must have shared the salvation message, something I was very use to. Regardless, I smiled, I do remember that. (32 years ago)

When I read the words of my Jesus, I can hear the same determination of my daddy desiring nothing but best for his daughter. That is the same thing our God wants from us. 

What daddy meant was the very same thing that Jesus meant. GET WITH THE UNITY OF YOUR GOD OR GET OUT OF TOWN. 

You see, if we do not get into unity with Jesus and His words to us, as a city, as a nation, as a church as a family as a marriage etc. etc.....we will FALL. Yes, we have a gracious God and Yes, he has shown us much mercy, but if we do not heed to the voice of our Savior then he is describing to us in his words like he was speaking to the disciples and the Pharisee's in that chapter, that desolation will happen. (Matthew 12) Look around.

It was people that delivered our Messiah into the hands of the enemy to be hung on the cross. The same 'people' delivers His precious Holy Spirit to the hands of the enemy when we are in discord and leave him out of our lives.

YET, Jesus forgives them all! But unfortunately anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit, woe to him. (12:32) See, Jesus gave himself freely to this World by God, but when God took him into eternity and now he sits at the right hand of the father making intercession for you and me, he is interceding because the Holy Spirit, who is Jesus' Spirit, Gods Spirit, is here for us and his intercession and his presence is so that we will take notice of how powerful He can be in our lives. We must let him.

See, Righteousness, Peace and Joy are in the Holy Spirit and when that is quenched or stifled or put away from unity—it leaves us desolate! It leave us for ruin. We cannot function without the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot live in unity without his power working in our lives. We cannot be of any good to Jesus if we are not walking in the way he has taught us through the Word to do. 

He wants us to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work. That is why he lived, died and rose again, so that we would always be able to know him by the power of the Holy Spirit who is always willing and waiting to be there working in and through us.

GOD is for us, who then can be against us?.....Us!

Let's get into UNITY. Home-Church-City-Family-Job- and-NATION!

We do not want to be laid to waste.

side note: I was reading from my mother's amplified Bible, when I found this verse I have written about in this blog . She had given me this Bible shortly after my daddy died— in the front of the Bible she wrote; “The Great Revival with Rodney Howard Brown" was taking place and she thought it was important to jot that down right under her name.

My parents were both touched in a mighty way at that Revival and many people ridiculed Rodney Howard Brown because of all the laughter that took place in his meetings. 

The enemy DOES NOT WANT RIGHTEOUSNESS PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST, BECAUSE THAT KINGDOM BELONGS TO GOD.

Right under my mothers notation about the revival, she wrote: I Corinthians 1:18 and 2:14-16 Basically it says; “Most men do not receive God and they see the Word as folly and they see it as very absurd, but unfortunately, they are perishing and need Jesus.

But to me and to you, it is giving us POWER to walk in the KINGDOM OF GOD!