Meet Chloe's New Bird

Chloe's Bird

Chloe has a new pet.  Her name is: Sally, or Sunny, or maybe, Tweety.  We don't know for sure just yet.  It's hard to decide on just the right name for a new friend. 

Even harder is deciding what kind of bird she is.   Chloe told me yesterday that she is a parrot...but her mom says she's a parakeet. 

Last night was her (whatsername's) first night in Chloe's room.  I had to go in there this morning and greet her...

Whatever her name will be - she will be great company for a little 5 year old girl.  Chloe starts school (K) tomorrow and this little yellow whatsername will be waiting daily for her to come home.

I included a picture of Chloe in this blog.  We visited her classroom a few nights ago - it was her first time to see her room and sit in her chair.

Of course, being the grandmother, I am all kinds of excited about this.  She has lots of years ahead.  She will learn, grow and change. 

I pray blessings on her and all of the children
as they begin a new school year! 

   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
God bless them as they rise each day
Touch their little minds
Form them, every step of the way

By the Holy Spirit, let them learn
Guard their minds and
Give them grace also to discern

To know what is right and wrong
What is good and bad
Dear God, make them strong

All children are precious in Your sight
Not one is less than another
Guard them, Lord, with your Might

And we will shout from our heart
Thank You, God
For blessing their start
        -- grandmother

Blessings on my grandchildren:
Brooke, Scott,  Chloe, Ben
G-grands: Noah and Lexie

Amen.
...

Mr. Ahmadinejad, where are you?

Mr. Ahmadinejad, where have you gone?

He is a man driven to destroy the nation of Israel, so much so that he is forsaking his own country in a time of crisis. 

Ahmadinejad resembles a crazed Herod - with no focus or concern outside of an insane, demonic drive to wipe God's people from the face of the earth. 

He is busy creating headlines and spewing hatred toward Israel...such as:  Iran calls Israel's existence an 'insult to all of humanity'  - or how about: Israel is a cancerous tumor that must be wiped out.  Ahmadinejad called Israel "a corrupt, anti-human organized minority group standing up to all divine values."

Israel says:  The comments being made by Mr. Ahmadinejad are "reminiscent" of a letter written about the Jews and signed by Adolf Hitler in 1919.   Hitler’s letter  was referencing the "removal of Jews all together.  Twenty-two years later he implemented everything. 

How can Israel ignore the current statements made by Ahmadinejad of his desire to annihilate the Jews in light of Hitler's holocaust - the genocide of approximately six million European Jews during World War II, a systematic state-sponsored murder?  It happened to them once, it can happen again.  The Jews remember.  Ahmadinejad describes the Holocaust as nothing more than a myth.  Six million Jews were killed by German Nazis during World War II, and he calls it just a "myth."

While spewing hatred towards Israel, his own people are suffering from 6.3 and 6.4 earthquakes that rattled Iran’s northwest East Azerbaijan province this past Saturday.  The death toll is now 306, with 3,037 injured, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The quake mostly affected women and children, who were home in the afternoon. An estimated 16,000 people are homeless and no one trusts the government to help them.

Iran's leadership will pay dearly for cursing Israel.  Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse...

Ahmadinejad seeks an Islamic government in Iran that is free from democratic pretenses and devoid of modern concepts of human rights and the equality of the sexes; that seeks the acquisition of nuclear weapons, the elimination of Israel, the destruction of liberal democratic states and Western capitalism, and an end to the United States as a superpower, which is perceived as the greatest threat to the Islamic Republic's survival and the main obstacle to the accomplishment of its objectives.

The Iranian President has expressed public prayers for the Mahdi to return...even in the larger Sunni Islamic world, by claims that Usamah bin Ladin might be the (now occulted Mahdi)....  the Mahdi is the messiah for Islam, their rightly-guided one, who they say will come in a time of bloody chaos, before the end of time, and make the entire world Muslim.  In a conference Ahmadinejad said that the "Islamic Republic and the system of velayat-e faqih have no other mission but to prepare for the establishment of a world government . . . as the Imam [Mahdi] runs and manages the universe."

He must create this chaos in order for his prayers to be answered.  And he intends to destroy Israel in the process.  Even if it means ignoring his own people...as they attempt to dig their dead out of the rubble of a devastating earthquake.  One Iranian newspaper criticized his choice to abandon the country less than 48 hours after the quakes.

The Iranian president has a bloody chaos, just as he wanted, but it is not in Israel, it is in his own country.  It is his people who are hurting.  It is his citizens who are criticizing the minimal rescue efforts.  It is his people who are crying out for assistance. 

With At least 12 villages destroyed, and in 425 others, more than half to 80 percent of buildings   damaged - Mr. A. you should take a good long look at what is happening in your country - for God said that He will curse those who curse Israel.

My heart hurts for the innocent, the children...who have not asked for such pain.  God help us all.

God help us...all. 

My blog, now completed at 4:30am on a Saturday morning, will not be read by hundreds...I realize this.  But, in sharing my heart in the only platform available to me...I will know and God will know...that I see and I care....

I will bless the God of Israel.  I will bless Israel.

Amen.
... 

STOP...working for poverty

I posted this blog on 5.30.11.  Today I read the saved document and was encouraged by my own blog! I needed to be reminded that God can and will take the negative and the lack in a life and turn it around.  How like Him to stir us, lift us, and turn taunting, tormenting lack into plenty. 

Haggai 1:1-13 God’s people were not blessed. Due to a state of discouragement they had stopped their efforts in rebuilding the temple, and that’s another story. At this time they were living in nice houses while the house of God lay in ruin. They were self-seeking, trying to survive on their own strength and yet neglecting their spiritual life. The Kingdom didn’t come first. Therefore, everything for which they labored was perishing.

TRUTH: Opposition comes to stop you from receiving God’s blessings!

The people were so weighed down by the negatives of the situation that they couldn't rebuild God's temple, even though they had permission. They were discouraged because of the opposition of the Samaritans. This caused a sixteen year delay in rebuilding the temple and now it was lying in ruins. They continued to build their homes while the temple had a foundation, nothing more. When opposition hinders your efforts to fulfill the purpose of God in your life, your blessings are stifled, as well. The enemy's purpose goes far beyond 'you' and 'me' - the full picture of opposition's purpose is to block God from being glorified on this earth.

TRUTH: Our priorities reveal our dedication and love for spiritual things.

God is aware that you are not blessed! God knows that seeking Him has not been your priority. He realizes the cause behind your diminished zeal for spiritual things. He has full knowledge of the person, event, or situation responsible for the struggle in your life. Often, the struggle takes such a toll on you, physically and spiritually, until there’s no energy left to express your love for God. God knows that…and He is merciful.

TRUTH: It is disheartening to work hard and reap poverty!

You have worked hard to put food on the table, pay the rent, car payment, utilities, buy clothes, gas for the car…rest assured in the fact that God knows how hard it is on you and your family. He knows there’s not enough money left over at the end of the month.

God is love. Because of that love, grace abounds. Grace, God’s unmerited favor, flows out of love.

Verse 5 - “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; consider your ways.”  God instructs them to consider their ways - then He proceeds to tell them how bad their situation is! Look at verse 6.

1. You’ve worked hard and have nothing to show for it.
2. You eat; but you don’t have enough.
3. You drink; but you don’t have your fill.
4. You clothe yourselves, but you are still cold.
5. When you earn money, you’ve only earned it in order to put the money into a bag which has holes.

TRUTH: Opposition emptied you of all hope that things will one day be better.

Nothing changes. Week after week and month after month, you go to work, bring home the paycheck and still there’s not enough. Your thoughts are filled with 'not enough'. Guilt has taken up residence in your mind. “You aren’t good enough. You should make more money. You aren’t smart enough. You will never make it.” Opposition places the spotlight on you. Opposition wants to bring you down so that you can’t enjoy God’s blessings. Opposition knows that with a whipped mentality you are less powerful for the Kingdom. Yes, you love the Lord! But the fire shut up in your bones has just about gone out.

TRUTH: When you are in difficult situations, and your life is not pleasing to God…thus you are not blessed…but God comes with the answer!

Be encouraged! God sees your situation. He knows where you are. Haggai had a word from the LORD and he spoke that word to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and to Joshua, the high priest. (verse 3-6)

God has the answer. Leave the wilderness of “me” - lay “me” aside and move your mental focus to Him. It’s not about me, it’s all about Him. It’s not about you, it’s about Him. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. Let God talk to you. Believe what He has to say to you. Turn the spotlight off of you and on to Him. That alone will lift a huge burden from your heart. Turn to His Word - answers are inside that life-giving Word!

TRUTH: When God gives you the answer it will come with an assignment:

Haggai 1: 8 The answer to your situation is an assignment from Him. An assignment from God takes you from your situation of want into the state of being blessed. If the poverty listed in verse six was important enough for the Lord to talk about, then we can believe that the poverty points mentioned will be turned into plenty.

The assignment is to resume the work of the Lord! The assignment is to put Him first. Until you do, he will blow on your 'much' when you bring it home (verse 9)! God did this because they were taking care of themselves and ignoring His agenda! After blowing on their 'much', He also halted the dew and the fruit and then He called for a drought on the land!

God means business when He says.....Don't ignore me! When there is a drought, nothing comes forth from our labor! Carefully read verses 9-11.

TRUTH: Verse 13 is the key. When God says, I am with you, your spirit will be stirred and you will begin to work for the Kingdom and blessings will come.

Haggai 1 is a perfect example of Matthew 6:3 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Without a stirring in our spirit issuing from the Spirit of God, we become weary. When God stirs our spirit then hope comes alive again...we have a new vision! We have renewed energy because of hope.

TRUTH: God blessings are always the opposite of negative; the opposite of lack.

Here are five opposites of the negatives listed in verse 6:

1. There will be plenty to show for your labor.
2. You will eat and be satisfied.
3. You will drink and be filled.
4. You will clothe yourself - you will not be cold in winter.
5. When you earn money there will be enough to pay your bills and some to save.

TRUTH: The Lord takes pleasure in resumed spiritual activity. It makes Him happy. He is smiling because of the blessings that are to come upon you.

Conclusion:
1. Look at your situation.
2. List the negatives on paper.
3. Note the percentage of your effort spent on survival vs. seeking the Kingdom?
4. List all actions necessary to turn you from survival to seeking.
5. List opposites for the negatives created in step one.

Now, by faith, see the blessings in the unseen realm as coming into your natural realm. Call those things that are not…as though they are.

 ===

Another Civil War?



Shooting at the Family Research Council 8.15.12

Are we headed to another war within our borders?  A war between each other?   Have we become so divided that we can no longer tolerate our fellow Americans?  Is the rising tension between values escalating in our nation, just as tension once grew between the states?  I have questions!  

I remember the days when the political party was either  "Democrat or Republican" - Later the terms "Left - Right" rose to the surface. Now: it's "Conservative - Liberal" and today the line in the sand continues to be drawn.

Yesterday's shooting at the Family Research Center in Washington, D.C. is an event we need to take a good look at, rather than label it as simply another shooting...of which we are becoming accustomed to, as of late.   It has been noted that a spin was placed on liberal reporting of the incident, focusing on the bravery of the guard, and away from the shooter and what he said, nor his involvement at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 

The article, A shot from the darkness, by Judson Phillips.  (teapartynation.com) -- will enlighten you as to the plight of conservatives, christians, and those taking a stand for biblical principles:

       "Yesterday was a day we in the conservative movement will need to remember for a very long time. It represents something we had better learn about and learn to deal with quickly.   It is soon to be the new norm.  For conservatives, the message is simple. We must be on our guard. These are dangerous times for conservatives.  I wish I could say the shooting at the FRC yesterday was an isolated incident. It is not. It is an example of growing violence against conservatives in this nation.  Before this is all over, I fear there will not only be more violence against conservatives, I fear conservatives will be killed by some of these deranged far left wing activists.

Today, those labed as conservatives, are now being further defined as hate groups. 

"Even after the shooting of a security guard at the Family Research Council, the Huffington Post can’t stop slamming the pro-family organization as a “hate group.”  ~ ~ ~ They are right.  We are hate groups.  We hate everything that emanates from the pits of hell.  We hate what Satan has done and is doing to our country, our families, and our children.  We hate evil.  We hate demonic oppression.  But, we don't hate people.  We don't hate those who oppose what we stand for.  

The National Organization for Marriage, another active campaigner against same-sex marriage, issued a statement saying “Today’s attack is the clearest sign we’ve seen that labeling pro-marriage groups as ‘hateful’ must end,"

In early 1854, the first proto-Republican Party meeting took place in Ripon, Wisconsin. On June 6, 1854 on the outskirts of Jackson, Michigan upwards of 10,000 people turned out for a mass meeting "Under the Oaks." This led to the first organizing convention in Pittsburgh on February 22, 1856.
The Republican Party was formed and was based on the principle of opposing slavery's extension into the western territories.  The irony of our day:   Republicans are defending the right to proclaim our values as Christians.  It seems as though Republicans are still opposing slavery...but this time it is not a war between the states, but it is between individual free people in every state.  It is between right and wrong.  It is between sin and righteousness.  Everything the conservatives stand for...the liberals oppose...with a vengence.

History.com:  "Though on the surface the Civil War may have seemed a lopsided conflict, with the 23 states of the Union enjoying an enormous advantage in population, manufacturing (including arms production) and railroad construction, the Confederates had a strong military tradition, along with some of the best soldiers and commanders in the nation. They also had a cause they believed in: preserving their long-held traditions and institutions, chief among these being slavery."


Emerging within our society is a group with a cause.  A very determined cause.  An angry group.  Their cause is endeavouring to establish their right in our nation to marry those of the same sex.  There is an obvious desire to flaunt their sins openly and promote their cause publicly.  They are now using violence against faith-based operations - or against anyone who promotes a lifestyle in opposition to their cause.   

When a group believes in a cause...they will stop at nothing short of war to preserve and maintain that cause. 

God help us escape the omninous threat of another war as tensions escalate in our country and among our own people.  Let the church arise with a spirit of power and might and move swiftly away from "us four and no more" - reaching outside our walls with the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ - a message that will set all people free - from all slavery - and from all influence of the enemy -  this will bring peace in our borders.  Jesus Christ is our Peace. 

---------------------------------------

~The Family Research Council (FRC) is an American conservative Christian group and lobbying organization formed in the United States in 1981 by James Dobson was fully incorporated in 1983.   The function of the FRC is to promote what it considers to be traditional family values, by advocating and lobbying for socially conservative policies. It advocates against LGBT rights, abortion, divorce, embryonic stem-cell research, and pornography.   The organization has been involved in the politics of social policy, notably in controversy concerning its position on homosexuality.

IS the CHURCH coming ALIVE?



I shot this photo on Crow Mt.

This morning I listened to a portion of Perry Stone's weekly Manna-fest Online, The Spirit of Confusion and the Curse of Madness.

Click on this link to watch:  http://www.voe.org/component/youtube/?v=aaNni1kL8bQ

Leading into the program Stone related:
About every 4 years in the United States we go through a major transition of some kind with Washington, D.C. and our leadership.  It seems like there is an additional spirit of heaviness, and almost a confusion, that blankets the entire nation...almost during the entire year.  Based on Daniel 10, when there are transitions in nations, there is also a release of what is called a principalities of spirits.

Stone named three spirits (demonic warfare) that exist in the process of the spiritual warfare that we go through.  And these spirits create a general confusion.

1.  Lying spirit - 2 Chronicles 18:21
2.  Jealous spirit - Numbers 5:14
3.  Seducing spirit - I Timothy 4:1

I agree with his next statement, even though it is hard to swallow:   "Where is America and what is our problem?  Can I tell you?  Our problem is with the church.  Our problem is not with politics.  The politics are simply the fruit.  It's the church that's the root....because in the old days of the 1700-1800's the ministers were so involved with the nation and what was happening in the nation, that the pulpits were used to speak forth, and now the enemy is either trying to silence the voices or dull the voices of the people of God in America."

Due to the recent attack by Chicago politicians on Chick-fil-A because the owner stood for marriage according to biblical principles, we now see ministers taking a stand against demonic spirits that have silenced the churches far too long.   

FOX NEWS ONLINE ARTICLE:
Days after the big city boss blasted the chicken chain over its president's stance on same-sex marriage, an influential Baptist minister and Cardinal Francis George of the Archdiocese of Chicago struck back. The religious leaders, who support the traditional view of marriage, were incensed at Emanuel's claim that "Chick-fil-A's values are not Chicago's values."

"Do not disrespect us...We, too, are Chicago," the Rev. Charles Lyons of the Armitage Baptist Church thundered from the pulpit Sunday.

Lyons also had a warning for anyone trying to impose their values on his congregation.  "...if the thought police come to Armitage Baptist church, we will meet them at the door respectfully, unflinchingly, willing to die on this hill, holding a copy of the Sacred Scriptures in one hand and a copy of the U.S. Constitution in the other. (Lyons said in a sermon)

Three major events are happening.

1.  There is an open and blatant attack on anyone speaking up for Christian values.
2.  Demonic spirits are active in our country - especially this year.  (The lying spirit is evident:  Remember Reid's comments about Romney and his failure to pay taxes for 10 years:  The word is out...)
3.  Churches are coming alive!

The third point is obvious.  Read  Pastor Lyons remarks once more:
 "if the thought police come to Armitage Baptist church, we will meet them at the door respectfully, unflinchingly, willing to die on this hill, holding a copy of the Sacred Scriptures in one hand and a copy of the U.S. Constitution in the other.

Thank God for a pastor with backbone! 

Romans 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

 One pastor wrote:  It’s time to wake up! I don’t think that I need to take too much time to convince you that the Church, the Body of Christ, is sleepwalking through this present time. I see lots of activity, but is it the work that we have been given to do? I see tons of church buildings, but is what takes place in church buildings any different than the buildings of the Masonic Lodge, Kiwanis’ Club, or Country Club?

The apostle Paul said it is time to wake up because the clock is running out...we have less time to reach our world with the gospel  - - actually, you and I have less time now, than when we first clicked on this blog. 

"Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has ticked off the flocks by criticizing Chick-fil-A."  Emanuel did more than tick off the church.  He and others are shaking us and causing us to wake up from our slumbering state of ease. 

An article found on churchleaders.com lists 11 ways to wake up a church. I especially like #2: Eliminate committees and multiply the ministries.

I think the church is coming alive.  We must come alive.  Wake up. Suit up.  Our nation, our world, our children...all depend on the church to make a difference.
...

People and T-Shirt Advice



I snapped this photo in Celebration City, Fl - 2/2011

If there's little excitement in your life then you need to get out of the house more often and be with people.  People will entertain you. They won't know they are entertaining you...because they are just being normal people, doing what normal people do!

It (or rather, we) all started with just a little dirt. 

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

We came from dirt.  But, oh...when God breathed in us...we were never the same!  Ever felt like nothing more than dirt?  All you need is the breath of God to blow on you - and in you - and you become vibrant with life!  Well, that's not my subject for this blog, so let me get off this trail and back on to normal people and the entertainment they provide (without realizing it, of course).

2011, in the month of February, I was browsing in a small shop in Celebration City, Florida.  Oh, I love that little town!  Beautiful, unique - on the edge of Orlando. 

Anyway, in that little store a bubbly, outgoing lady was talking on her cell phone.  Obviously, she was giving advice to another female on the other end of the line.  She spoke these words of wisdom:

"Tell him your dream is to live happy, tired, and within your means."  

Now, I can't speculate as to what this conversation entailed.  Fully.  From both sides.  Nah...not a clue.  But, I did hurry to find pen and scrap paper to scribble that noteworthy phrase, lest I forget it within two minutes. 

The same shop provided another avenue of interest as one particular t-shirt caught my eye.  I should have bought one of them.  With the same pen and scrap paper I jotted down more advice: 

"Quit your job, buy a ticket, get a tan, fall in love, and never return."

I love t-shirt philosophy.  T-shirts deliver messages which can never be voiced...lest there is a blast of backlash! 

It's true.  People can entertain you.  See?  I've written a blog about my brief visit to a small shop in Celebration City. 

Now, go ... find a story. 

...

My Tribute to 11 Israeli Athletes, Victims 1972 Munich Massacre

Yizkor –
We Remember

IOC President Jacques Rogge won’t budge: There will be no minute’s silence for the Israeli victims of the 1972 Munich massacre at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

Rogge rejected the latest calls Saturday for a special observance to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches by Palestinian gunmen at the Munich Games.  They rejected the call to remember these people:

David Berger, Yossef Gutfreund, Moshe Weinberg, Eliezer Halfin, Mark Slavin, Yossef Romano, Kehat Shorr, Andre Spitzer, Amitzue Shapira, Yakov Springer, Ze/ev Friedman.

Forty years after 11 athletes were murdered in Munich, Israel still mourns alone.

This year, Ankie Spitzer, widow of Israeli fencing coach Andre Spitzer, one of the victims, launched a worldwide campaign for a minute of silence at the London Olympics to mark four decades since the tragedy.

The real answer, it seems, was conveyed verbally to Ankie Spitzer by that same Jacques Rogge. As she tells it, Rogge told her that "his hands were tied" since 46 Arab and Muslim countries belong to the IOC. In other words, there would be no minute of silence only because the victims were Israelis. She replied, "No, my husband's hands were tied, not yours."

I don't want Israel to mourn alone.  I don't want Israel to feel alone.  I don't want Israel to think America has forgotten them.  I'm just one person....but I am one that cares about Israel.

Although no one in Israel will ever read this blog; I know that the Holy Spirit is aware of what I do, say, and write.  So, I write this in honor of the eleven Israeli athletes and coaches murdered at the Munich Games. 

Genesis 12:3  (New Living Translation)
"I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you."

I bless the nation of Israel. 
...

WORKING FOR POVERTY?

WORKING FOR POVERTY? ...How to change things around

Haggai  1:1-13  God’s people were not blessed. Earlier they were in a state of discouragement due to the Samaritans and had stopped their efforts in rebuilding the temple, and that’s another story.  At this time they were living in nice houses while the house of God lay in ruin.  They were self-seeking, trying to survive on their own strength and yet neglecting their spiritual life.  The Kingdom didn’t come first. Therefore, everything they labored for was perishing. 

 TRUTH:  Opposition comes to stop you from receiving God’s blessings!  

The people were so weighed down by the negatives of the situation that they couldn't rebuild God's temple, even though they had permission. They were discouraged because of the opposition of the Samaritans. This caused a sixteen year delay in rebuilding the temple and now it was lying in ruins, yet they continued to build their homes. The temple had a foundation, nothing more. 

TRUTH:  Our priorities reveal our dedication and love for spiritual things.

He is aware that you are not blessed!   He knows seeking Him has not been a priority.  He also knows what caused your zeal for Him to diminish.  God has full knowledge of the person, event, or situation responsible for the struggle in your life.  That struggle has taken a toll on you, physically and spiritually, until there’s no energy left to express your love for God.  God knows that…and He is merciful.

TRUTH:  It is disheartening to work hard and reap poverty! 

You have worked hard to put food on the table, pay the rent, car payment, utilities, buy clothes, and gas for the car…rest assured in the fact that God knows how hard it is on you and your family.  He knows there’s not enough money left over at the end of the month. 

God is love.  Because of that love, grace abounds.  Grace, God’s unmerited favor, flows out of love.   

Verse 5 - Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.   God tells them to consider their ways and then He proceeds to tell them how bad their situation is!  Look at verse 6.

1.  You’ve worked hard and have nothing to show for it.

2.  You eat; but you don’t have enough.
3.  You drink; but you don’t have your fill.
4.  You clothe yourselves, but you are still cold.
5.  When you earn money, you’ve only earned it in order to put the money into a bag which has holes.

TRUTH:  Opposition emptied you of all hope that things will one day be better.  

Nothing has changed.  Week after week and month after month, you go to work, bring home the paycheck and still there’s not enough.  Your thoughts are filled with 'not enough'.  Guilt has taken up residence in your mind.  “You aren’t good enough.  You should make more money.  You aren’t smart enough.  You will never make it.”  Opposition places the spotlight on you.  Opposition wants to bring you down so that you can’t have God’s blessings.  Opposition knows that with a beaten-up mentality you are less powerful for the Kingdom.

TRUTH:  When you are in difficult situations, your life is not pleasing to God…and you are not blessed…God comes with the answer!   

 Be encouraged! God sees your situation. He knows where you are.  Haggai had a word from the LORD and he spoke that word to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and to Joshua, the high priest. (verse 3-6)

TRUTH:  When God gives you the answer it will come with an assignment:    
Haggai 1: 8  God sees your situation and the answer to your situation is an assignment from Him.   An assignment from God takes you from your situation into the state of being blessed.  If the poverty listed in verse six was important enough for the Lord to talk about, then we can believe that the poverty points mentioned will be turned into plenty. 

The assignment is to resume the work of the Lord!  The assignment is to put Him first.  Until you do, he will blow on your 'much' when you bring it home (verse 9)!   Why did God do this?  Because they were taking care of themselves and ignoring His agenda!  And, besides blowing on their 'much', He also halted the dew and the fruit and then He called for a drought on the land!  God means business when He says.....Don't ignore me!  When there is a drought, nothing comes forth from our labor!   Carefully read verses 9-11. 

TRUTH:  Verse 13 is the key.  When God says, I am with you, your spirit will be stirred and you will begin to work for the Kingdom and blessings will come.     

Haggai 1 is a perfect example of Matthew 6:3  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  You are weary because there has not been a stirring in your spirit issuing from the Spirit of God.  When God stirs our spirit then hope abounds....we can see that things will become better.  Energy comes from hope. 

TRUTH:  God blessings are always the opposite of negative, the opposite of lack.

Here are five opposites of the negatives listed in verse 6:

1.  There will be plenty to show for your labor.
2.  You will eat and be satisfied.
3.  You will drink and be filled.
4.  You will clothe yourself - you will not be cold in winter.
5.  When you earn money there will be enough to pay your bills and some to save.

 TRUTH:  The Lord takes pleasure, He is happy to see you involved in spiritual activity.  He is smiling because of the blessings that are to come upon you.

 Conclusion:

1.  Look at your situation.

2.  List the negatives on paper.
3.  Note the percentage of your effort spent on survival vs. seeking the Kingdom.
4.  List actions you can take in order to turn from survival to seeking.
5.  List opposites of the negatives in your life.

 Now, by faith see the blessings in the unseen realm as coming into your natural realm.  Call those things that are not…as though they are. 

Post these four words, “I am with you” (verse 13) in a prominent place.  Keep Him with you.

.....

The Flag of Israel- it's meaning.

The Flag of Israel

I sat in front of the computer scanning fb posts while sipping my usual morning cappuccino and I noticed a friend's fb post... Chrissie had clicked 'like' on a recent post by "I love Hebrew."  

This Post invited me to:

Read about the Israeli flag and how it was chosen-

what is the meaning of the blue and white colors,

 the Star of David, and more...

So I did.  And this is what I learned.

"The state of Israel was established in May 1948.  Five months later, the flag of Israel was adopted by the speaker of the Provisional Council of State.

The flag of Israel includes two blue stripes on white background with a Shield of David in the center.  It was inspired by the Ttallie (a prayer shawl) as a symbol.  The Star of David is a common symbol of the Jewish people from Biblical times.

A few scholars have claimed the the blue stripes on the flag actually represent the rivers Nile and Euphrates as the boundaries of Eretz Yisrael, the land promised to the Jews by G-d, as mentioned in the Old Testament.

The chosen colors, blue and white, symbolize trust and honesty.

Blue: represents loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.

The white color represents light, honesty, innocence, and peace."

~ ~ ~ ~

I learned something of great value today as I read about the meaning of this beautiful flag.  I hope you have, as well.   Although I love Israel greatly... understanding the meaning of their flag has touched the depths of my heart.  I'll never view the Israeli flag the same.

Months ago I wrestled with a desire to do something for Israel.  I was bothered that I had contributed nothing...zero...to that country, save a visit to their land many years ago.  I feel the pain of their struggle to remain a nation - to secure their borders - to live in peace...and I found a way to contribute a widow's mite.  It has brought much satisfaction to my soul.  I'll share it with you in a later blog.  Perhaps the Lord will place it on your heart to do something for Israel, too.

God bless the USA and the beloved land of Israel.  And thank  you Chrissie (from Florida) for your fb input...you are always a blessing.
...

Robert Morris' Msg: Honor

My words here...Morris' words in red below.

 

This blog will help understand how to accept the person that is unlovable.  Some people can be unlikable, cruel, rude, or small-minded, making it hard to love them.

 This story begins with my trip to Texas, just one month ago.

I visited my granddaughter, Brooke, and her husband, Josue. near Dallas and attended their church.  The message by Gateway pastor, Robert Morris, has stayed with me till this day... I wish someone had explained these principles to me many years ago, but, it's never to late to learn. 

Truth:  It's difficult to accept a person who is difficult!  It's hard to honor someone you don't like. 

Jesus said:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Eph. 4:2
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds," Hebrews 10:24

If we understand 'honor' and its effect...we will change our thoughts, words, and actions.  When those areas are changed in us - we then change our world.

Robert Morris listed the Principle of Honoring and the Principle of Receiving as something we can do to actually affect the people around us.

1)  The Principle of Honoring:  Mark 6:1-5.  Jesus could not do many miracles in his home town because he was dishonored.  They were offended by him.  He was limited because He was dishonored.

Two words:
a) Familiarity - The phrase, prophet without honor in his home town is quoted, even by unbelievers, but we skip over the phrase "In His Own House"....We know what he/she is like behind closed doors...we are familiar with him.

b) Offended:  We are offended by that person - and if we are offended, we will never honor that person.  That person has to be forgiven, even if what that person did is worthy of us being offended.

If dishonor hindered Jesus - it's possible that our lack of honoring also hinders that one from doing and being all that he/she can be.

Ephesians 6:2-3 " Honor.....That it may be well with you"  - How we treat other people affects us.

2)   The Principle of Receiving.  Matthew 10:40  "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me, receives Him who sent me." 

You may be living with a person, but you have not received that person.  If you will honor him  the Bible says that God will do something in your life.

How do I receive?  When you receive a person in your life as God's perfect gift to you, even though they are not perfect....you allow that person to be all God intended him to be in your life.  Until you do this, he can't be all that God intended him to be...and when you accept that person, you release that person to be all that God intended him to be in your life.

=========================================================
There is a difference between acceptance and approval.  We can accept a person but not approve of his behavior.  This is what the Lord requires of us.  Accept - love - honor.  Even when we don't want to...even when that person isn't deserving of honor. 

In a nutshell: 
I honor a person by accepting him and treating him with the love that is required of me in the Word.  Then I release that person!  Friction is gone.  I am at peace.  The opportunity for input into that person's life is increased.

Honoring the unlovable changes me.  I may choose to focus on the good in that person....and then I will sense that Holy Spirit is pleased with me. 

Honor and Release.  Acts of freedom.

Go and smile.  It's up to you.
...