by admin | Aug 11, 2009 | Personal
The dictionary has several meanings for the word ‘hero’…..here is one:
“a man or woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities.”
Works for me! Usually we think of heroes as someone who has saved others or achieved some awesome athletic accomplishment. That is great, however, I want to share something a little different.
One of my heros is a woman I have known for twenty-some years. For eighteen of those years she has fought an illness that caused weeping open sores–that hurt and itch unmercifully. She could not wear make-up, jewelry, or certain fabrics–things we women take for granted.
As a single woman with a career she sought out doctors from three states. Also alternative health avenues, supplements, allergy tests, advice, diets and you just name it, she has tried it–even some experimental medications.
From a spiritual side she has been open continually to prayer, deliverance, study and building her faith.
Why is she a hero to me? Because through all the years of pain, discomfort, embarrassment, trials, tests and failures, she has had an unbelievably great attitude. She has managed to hold down positions of employment and her bosses value the job she does, quickly, efficiently and how she always goes the extra mile…..plus, great plus….her warm, friendly attitude.
Has she had some bad days, some ‘down’ times…..duh! Yeah! But never stays in a ‘pity party’ or let it affect her outlook on life.
There are probably many of these kind of heros in the world….if you know one, please tell them and maybe do something special for them, to let them know you see their gifts in spite of all their difficulties.
The happy ending to this story– MaryAnne is in the process of moving to an area of the country that has been a desire of her heart for years. She is physically better than any time since this started and she has great faith she is healed, because the Word says, “By His stripes we are healed!” She would tells others, never give up or give in….Trust God and choose Life! WOW! She is my hero!
Pressing in and pressing on….
by admin | Aug 6, 2009 | Jesus Talk, Kingdom Comments, Personal
Talking to the Holy Spirit about writing a blog….lots of things on my mind, however He said write on “Good and Evil”; and He is the Senior Partner in our relationship, so I said, “Well, OK then…..however, I will need Your help as that wasn’t on my mind.”
There are so many issues that we disagree on…..in the Church….to sprinkle or dunk in baptism….are the ‘gifts’ or ‘tongues’ for today. In politics, etc. And one that comes to mind was an issue debated during the campaign. When talking about abortion, our now President Obama, said, “If you believe life begins at conception, then we have nothing to talk about.”
I was some what surprised because I think anyone who is elected to the Presidency of our country must be intelligent and educated. Then I realized I used to think the way he does…..well, not really….I didn’t think…..I just assumed that babies have life when they come into the world. Then I met Jesus personally and I began to think about things like abortion and learned the scientific truth and the Biblical truth of life from the very beginning.
So what seems right to President Obama is a lack of knowledge of God’s ways and scientific facts about the growth and development of a fetus. How many others lack that knowledge and how do we get the word, the understanding to them? It actually seems ‘good’ to many not to bring in unwanted babies, and to others abortion is not an answer it is ‘death’ not life, and is evil.
To some who believe they are ‘gay’…..that it is a good lifestyle. They feel it is ‘good’ that they have found someone to love and who loves them. Others believe it is un-natural and evil.
I understand from the Bible, anything that is not faith is sin. Boy, you put ‘good’ or ‘evil’ to that and you could sure be confused, because faith to one is different than faith to another. And, P. S. to that, God is not the author of confusion.
Years ago, in an attempt to be more ‘holy’ I fasted and prayed for 8 days. I was going for 40 days but only made it 8. That night when I went to sleep I told the Lord He could have my ‘halo’ back, I just couldn’t cut it…..I gave up. Then next morning I felt the presence of Lord on me and I rushed into a quiet room and fell to my knees to hear, “You have never loved Me, you love what is right.” Tears poured out of my heart in repentance and sadness. I immediately knew what He meant. I felt convicted, yet still loved…..repentant but forgiven. My life was changed from that moment and I remember it clearly.
Jesus said, “They will know you by how you love one another.” When our focus is on good and evil, we will strive to be right at any cost–we will judge without thinking, let alone any counsel from the Holy Spirit. When our focus is loving, forgiving and ‘what will bring life’ to a situation, we will get the help we need from the Holy Spirit. There are times we will be called to stand for our faith and trust in Jesus….hopefully not at the expense of others.
Loving and helping people the way they are, not the way we want them, is the toughest thing in life. We must lay down the fuse-lit-bombs of good and evil, and take up the artillery of mercy, grace and forgiveness…..and pray for those we don’t agree with…..especially those we don’t agree with!
Pressing in and pressing on….
by admin | Jul 26, 2009 | Personal
I am reading a Christian book….and I don’t know about you but I feel guilty when I don’t agree with someone (the opinions in their book), however, there are times we just don’t! Because I write, I know the ‘blood, sweat and tears’ it takes to get one written, edited (and that never ends) and published. But, I sure disagree with this author!
This book is on women and the author is stressing ‘beauty’. She writes well about many things however, she says the cry of a girl or woman’s heart is, “Am I attractive? Am I beautiful?” From the time we are little girls through out woman-hood, that we women need to hear that from our fathers, husbands, etc. And I assume little boys need to know they are strong and handsome.
Well, if we grow up in America we might think that is true. We have the cute, thin little Barbie Doll, and the handsome Ken. Even in the church we have been pressed into stereo-type attire and admire the thin, the cute, and the pretty. While perfectly wonderful women and girls are ignored and left to feel rejected. How many men and boys are rejected because of some physical problem?
We are programed from cartoons to full length movies that to be beautiful is the prize. TV Anchor women and men lose their jobs when their beauty ‘wains’. Not so much any more…..some of the older people are still popular. How many of them have had face lifts, tummy tucks and what ever? Again, in the church as well. Well-known speakers have face lifts because they face the public and are on TV. What example does that give to others to enjoy, respect and accept what comes with old age–is it a blessing or a curse? What example do we set when we don’t honor and give special place with a gracious attitude to the ones who aren’t all they want to be?
If beauty was the answer, Marilyn Monroe would have been the happiest person on the planet……Michael Jackson would not have had a personal relationship with a Plastic Surgeon.
Our true heart’s cry is to be accepted, whether man or woman, girl or boy. We join cults, gangs, groups–drink, take drugs–have sex–under peer pressure to be ‘accepted’. Even in church and at work we work our heart out to be accepted.
The good newsis that when we receive Jesus into our heart–by a heart-felt decision of our will–we have just been accepted into the Kingdom of God by our Heavenly Father, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is so simple most of us miss it….I did, for years. But like so many simple things it is complex in that we must know and understand this experientially for it to penetrate our brain–to have this acceptance thing all settled, a done deal. So that we feel secure in who we are, not how we look. We just feel beautiful because Jesus loves us!
Raising children we need to reinforce how much we love them because of who they are, not always how they look, until they are old enough to receive Jesus themselves. And, they should know how much they are accepted because we have modeled and taught them.
The book of Galatians in the bible is very big on clearing out ‘bondage’ Paul saw with some of the Christians…..Chapter 3, verse 1, he says, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you? “ verse 28 tells us (as do many other places in Scripture) “we are all one in Christ Jesus.” Through Him we all have ‘acceptance’. Paul was not referring to beauty as I am, but to bias because of gender, nationality, etc.
Now being worthy is another thing. We can never do enough to be worthy…..but because we are part of Jesus who is worthy, God considers us worthy also. So we can feel…..yes, I said ‘feel’ worthy by just experiencentially knowing we are part of all He is. Our position with God is secure, however, our ‘condition’ on earth depends upon how we think and what actions we take.
Jesus gives us the security we need to then, be the best we can be….because we want to! Look the best ossbile….because we want to–not because it is demanded by society….and enjoy ourselves and others for who they are inside and out without bias to beauty. God has put great beauty in the world. I love trees, but none are alike and they all have some bad spots or some weird shapes (especially after some years)….flowers too. Yet I would not reject them because they are not perfect or match up to some painting or picture as we do each other.
Then when we truly know this, what we do is determined by who we know we are!
I didn’t mean to imply that we don’t all enjoy a heart-felt compliment on how we look….men or women….we all do. But our security cannot depend upon it. The nicest, most sincere, loving people I have known were not beautiful-beautiful, but have had a special glow that comes from ‘character’ and the love of God beaming through.
There are people who are naturally beautiful. I think they really have a hard job not to get caught up in their looks, and lost in working to keep them. My heart cries out for those who are trapped or rejected by society’s norm.
In a song we sang at church today, one line was “All authority and power has been given to Him (Jesus)”. I thought to myself, “And Jesus belongs to me.” What a happy thought! Does Jesus belong to you? Is He yours to have forever? How could we have anything to give us more security than that!
Pressing in and pressing on….
by admin | Jul 14, 2009 | Personal
There has been so much coverage on Michael Jackson, and some on Farrah Fawcett….appropriately as both were loved and treasured by family and friends. Also, Ed McMahon left us recently…..a favorite for many years.
However, I discovered someone I think was overlooked. Because a friend and I decided to watch THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN movie last weekend, we found information on the Internet, I want to share. Harve Presnell played the role of J J Brown, a wealthy gold miner in Colorado who married Molly Brown who became famous because of the heroic survival of Molly from the sinking of the Titanic. Based on some facts the movie is one of the most delightful musicals ever filmed. Harve has a wonderful voice and was great in the role, with Debbie Reynolds playing Molly.
A tall (6’4″), imposing baritone with roots in the musical theater, Harve Presnell played the hubby of “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” on Broadway (1960), on tour (1962), and in the movie with Debbie Reynolds (1964). But filmed musicals were on the wane, and he spent four decades on stage until such films as “Fargo” (1996) made him a viable character player of the big screen. Also, many character parts on TV.
Each generation has those entertainers that touch the heart and make you feel as though you know them. Michael was certainly one of them. Since I am an older movie and entertainment “buff” I wanted to give homage to one of my favorites–Harve Presnell. Harve left us on June 30, 2009.
I pray the Lord will comfort the families of all these entertainers and their movies, CDs and DVDs will leave a lasting legacy for all who cared about them.
A dear friend named John went to be with the Lord as well, this last month. John and his wife, Caroline did no entertaining, but set an example for all who know and love them, in their marriage and their life style. They gave many hours to the Healing Rooms, and in other forms of ministry. John had a good career as a Senior Pilot for a major airline (before he retired), a loving father and husband.
Famous or not, loved ones leave (so to speak) daily. How grateful we are for what they meant to our lives but that brings up a couple of things we should ask ourselves. One, do we tell our friends and family how much they mean to us on a regular basis. Two, do we pray for those we know…..and for those we don’t know…..like entertainers, and media people. Our prayers are powerful and we need to care enough to bring our requests to the Lord so they will be blessed.
I also want to recommend THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN movie. One of the songs Harve sings in the movie, I’LL NEVER SAY NO TO YOU is unbelievably romantic, and Debbie Reynolds singing the words “I hate the word down, I love the word up….” will lift the mood of any listener and the background of the Colorado mountains is the sheer beauty of God’s creation. I celebrate the joy Harve Presnell brings to my heart, and I am so glad Debbie Reynolds is still with us.
All of this makes us reflect on our own lives…..what are we doing…..what could we do, so that we fill our lives with love and joy. I highly recommend Christ Jesus as the answer to all the needs of mankind….just inviting Him into our hearts turns the corner of peace, enjoying the Grace extended to all who wish to receive.
Pressing in and pressing on….
by admin | Jun 25, 2009 | Jesus Talk, Personal, Spiritual Warfare, etc., Uncategorized
The move is out! Yes, I went to see it…..and left the theater smiling….the movie was very good! But, wait a minute…. I have a question! Where are the angels and demons in that movie? You will find them addressed and exposed in ANGELS AND DEMONS; HOLLYWOOD KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE.!
I chose not see the movie or read the book, The Da Vinci Code. Author of the book, Ron Brown had a hit, and I was devastated because I felt it was an ‘evil’ indictment of the truth contained in the Bible. I prayed that the Lord would protect those who did read the book or see the movie, would not be influenced.
One of my young adult grandsons went to see the Da Vinci Code , and his report back to me was, “What a bunch of junk! Ugh!!” I invited the same grandson to see the movie ANGELS AND DEMONS, the movie based on the book by Ron Brown, with me. I prayed about going, and had my own personal agenda for wanting to see the movie.
I thought it was a really good mystery, and was not ‘put off’ by the theme around the Catholic Church (since much of it was filmed in Rome, I assume the Catholic Church was OK with it??) I liked the movie…..my grandson thought it was just one level above OK. That was actually an endorsement on his part as young people now days see so many exciting movies, and so many awesome special effects….it takes a lot to get them specifically excited about any one film.
SO OK, HERE IS MY QUESTION…..WHERE ARE THE ANGELS AND DEMONS IN THE MOVIE? Anyone who does not believe in the devil and demons is not reading the Bible. It is pretty clear in Scripture who they are, what they do, and that they are real. Should we focus on that…..ABSOLUTELY NOT. But for believing Christians to be unaware of their place in this world leads to great deception. We should absolutely focus and be conscious of our relationship with Jesus, our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit so that we can address, in faith, and wisdom any evil situation that comes our way.
Not once in the movie do I recall the mention of the devil or demons. Angels were mentioned, because they were shown on the fronts of Churches, etc. in stone images. Was the devil in the movie……oh, yes…..there was real ugly evil being portrayed, and the battle was tough to say the least…..but never communicated verbally what they were fighting. Not at all like the excellent job Mel Gibson did in his movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST–where the devil and his demons were obvious.
This morning I heard Pat Robertson answer an email to the 700 Club, where a young lady stated that she read in her Bible about demons and yet she heard very little of it in the church…..were demons real. Pat said yes, and gave incidents he had experienced in India….but also warned her not to focus on those things but rather on the Lord! Good response!
We go through seasons in Church where we focus on healing, or angels, or prayer, or deliverance (the casting out of demons) one at a time. A few years ago there was a lot of talk in the church about deliverance. It got so out of hand in some places they were casting demons out of everything from chewing gum to house slippers. That is one reason the Pastors back away from deliverance teaching. Actually wouldn’t it be good if we taught and were aware of all the Bible all the time….not in just seasons of interest.
Like the young lady who sent in the email to the 700 Club, I asked the same question years ago. Only, I asked the Holy Spirit for the Truth. He led me to people and meetings where I could learn and know the Truth of His Word. That opened the door to helping many people to be delivered of sins, problems, obsessive behavior and illness, and so on–primarily Christians.
Knowing the need for knowledge I wrote a book of our experiences–ANGELS AND DEMONS; HOLLYWOOD KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE! It is not a hand-book on deliverance, just information to identify the battle, and examples both bad and good that we have dealt with. (There are many good books on deliverance in the book stores)
Why the sub-title HOLLYWOOD KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE, because the devil has no problem revealing and inspiring writers of horror films, supernatural phenomena, and stories of demons. The devil knows that it will de-sensitize young people to the truth. The devil knows church people will not go see the films, or create films on the truth of spiritual warfare. Demonic inspired films make the church look inept, powerless and weak. They do focus on evil and glorify their destructive wickedness–all adding to the deception in the world.
So, I encourage you to buy my book and get an interesting first hand look at God’s Truth and the devil’s deception. It is available as an e-book at the top of this page and in published book form by going to www.angelsdemonsbook.com
So is the movie, ANGELS AND DEMONS a fraud? Well, just a play on words…..yes, to me because I expected dialog and interchange between angels and demons. A fraud to others…. no….. if they just came to see a good movie.
Pressing in and pressing on….
