Posted in Personal

Blessings To Our Military In Recognition Of Their Great Value!

Blessings on this Holiday Weekend….one in which we honor our men and women serving our Country all over the rld….we are so privileged to have them and those that have given their lives and destiny to protect freedom….one Nation Under God! May God bless and prosper, protect and give favor to  all of them, their families, and His love and empowering presence, where ever they are!

 

There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy. 25 in rural Iowa.  For generations, kids have painted slogans, names and obscenitis on this rock, changing its’ character many times.  A few months back, the rock received it’s latest paint job and  since then it has been left completely undistrubed.  The talented teenager is Ray ‘Bubba’ Sorensen!  Thanks so much….good job!

Last Chance For Free Book Offer….

Several months ago I decided to offer chapters of the book I wrote several years ago (and have added to…since then) called THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!

Working and praying with people for 23 years I have learned that very few (myself included) have a real picture of who God is and His power and plan for life.  I have a passion for seeking answers and to know more and more. 

I offered the book because I did not want anyone to miss it because of ‘money’–especially those in the rest of the world.  At the time of Jesus death on the cross He said, “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”  How interesting that His Heart and the Heart of the Father are almost  summed up in that one sentence.  Well…..hardly!  Since God is beyond anything we can truly conceive.

But it represents the Heart to heal and restore relationship and open the doors to a Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  If we learn true forgiveness, how to release ‘judgment’, to know the power of ‘repentance’ (that in the Greek means ‘to change the way we think’) it is a good foundation to build on for the rest of our life on this planet.

So if you have not taken advantage of accepting the free book, please do.  We will be taking it off the Blog on Tuesday, May 26th, following memorial day.  THAT IS JUST A LITTLE OVER A WEEK….I hope you won’t miss it.

I will be in the San Diego area doing a one day seminar on “SUPERNATURAL RULES OF ENGAGEMENT” on May 30th at Grace Community Church in San Marcos, California. 

Our publisher is working feverishly to have the book re-published and in print by that time.  The Seminar will cover just a small part of the book, and other topics the Lord has put on my heart to help people cope with today’s problems and challenges.  To sign up and receive more information just click on the page to the right of this message…..San Diego Meeting, May 30th Registration.

When Jesus left He said, “Go ye there fore, and teach all nations…..”  This is a wonderful time to be building the Kingdom of God, bringing His influence and forgiveness to the world.  When we set an example, influence others with the Love (wanting the best for everyone) of Jesus, the Holy Spirit will draw people in untold numbers into Eternity.   We have a precious privilege to be Ambassadors for Christ!

Pressing in and pressing on….

A Time Such As This….

There are so many things going on in the world as well as the United States, and we probably all have opinions on most of the events.  AT A TIME SUCH AS THIS…..what do we do?

When we have a heart’s desire to build the Kingdom of God on earth–when we want everyone to have the opportunity to know Jesus personally–when we love people and want the best for them–just what do we do?

When we state what we believe and stand our ground, too often it comes across as judgment.  In other words, we are right and you are wrong, scenario.  But does that really bring Life?  Can the Truth flourish in an atmosphere of condemnation?  My Bible says, “It is the goodness of God that brings men to repentance.”  (Romans 2:4)

One of my favorite Pastors says, “I don’t enter any battles I have no opportunity to change.”  And, I think that is what I am saying to myself these days, “Choose your battles carefully, Carol, that you do not strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.”

There are times when we must stand for Jesus and what we believe…..and I certainly pray I will be embolden when that happens.  However, there is a strong group–that I follow–in the Church who are saying we must (as Jesus directed in Matthew) to teach all Nations about the Kingdom of God.  That we must have an influence in media, government, the market, education, entertainment, the arts, family and so on.

We will definitely not make friends and influence people with attitudes of superiority, and hearts filled with judgment about how wrong our associates may be.  To even enter those fields we must be well equipped and ready to be the absolute best….for whatever is required.  Then we need to soak in the Love and Grace of God until it permeates our being and our hearts are filled with a desire to bless and care about everyone we meet.

Do we really trust the Holy Spirit?  Do we know that our part is to set an example, pray for others and trust Him to work?  Or do we think it is totally up to us to confront with what we know to be the truth, and people will change?  In 23 years of ministry I have not found that to work.  However, loving and caring with mercy and compassion, is overwhelming to even the nastiest of demons–their power pales under that kind of influence.

Carrie Prejean, Miss California, stood for what she believes and lost the crown for Miss USA.  She was put in a no-win situation by the question given her.  The Holy Spirit was there for her and has provided the help she has needed through the hours and days that followed. 

Ten or twelve years ago I was blessed to meet two great women of God, who were at the time living in Israel.  They worked in the community and never talked about Jesus openly, but prayed at night, for those who crossed their path during the day.  They learned as time went on, that Jesus was going personally to those individuals and they were accepting Him as their Messiah.  And to this day, my heart cries out that we would have that kind of faith for the Lord do His part when we do ours!  He is sooooo good at what He does and it is His plan after all.

If I love my neighbor as myself……how would I like Jesus presented to me ?

This is such a dazzling age.  Information and knowledge abounds everywhere.  But love?  It seems scarce and many are searching for it in all the wrong places.  I do not mean sentimental love….I mean the kind of love that truly cares about others and their welfare.  Jesus spent a great deal of time with those the Bible calls ‘sinners’ ….must be a clue there, for us! May we move, not in self-righteousness, but in the righteousness of Christ to move the Kingdom beyond our doors, for the King of all kings, our Jesus!

Pressing in and pressing on….

P S If you would like  hear Carrie’s testimony at her church, click here

http://inspirationmanifestation.com/142/miss-california-carrie-prejean-tells-all-at-church-interview.php

“Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?”

This has been on my heart for a couple of days, because I thing there is something related at Easter that has caused some confusion and could be a ‘pot hole’ in our road of faith. 

Jesus speaks while dying on the Cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” That is the first line of Psalms 22 and I have been taught in past that Jesus may have been quoting that Psalm, not just the first verse, but all of it, even though it was not recorded that way.  And, that could be true….however, I feel there is another explanation.

When we are in sin, or confusion, or fear it is hard if not impossible to hear God or sense His presence.  Many people are going through very difficult times and may feel God has deserted or forsaken them.

From the moment that Jesus said to our Heavenly Father,  “Not my will, but thy will be done.”  All the sin, abuse, mockery, trespass of the world was put on Jesus….at that moment.  Jesus began to feel the pressure, the torture, the mocking and abuse that those offenses would have brought upon those who committed them.  More than, it would seem,  any one human could endure, Jesus took that retribution upon himself, for each of us. 

God has said He would never leave or forsake us–and would He leave His Son who is doing His will?  I think not!  So no matter what we go through we must believe and trust He will never leave or forsake us, no matter what it seems at the time.

Just a few minutes later Jesus commends his spirit into the hands of the Father….he may have felt forsaken….and that was part of what he had to suffer as we do to finish the work set before him.  We can rejoice that nothing was left undone and it is finished!  How blessed we are! 

Pressing in and pressing on….

Take up our Cross and follow Jesus….

Celebrating the resurrected life of Jesus Christ this week brings to mind a scripture in three of the four Gospels in the New Testament:  Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23…..

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, ‘If any man will  come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me’.”

I delight in the fact that no matter how long we read the Bible we will find new understanding and revelation that will enhance and bless our lives.  One that came to my mind this week was on the above Scripture. 

The focus of course, is on Jesus, what He did, how He suffered for mankind, forgave and changed the world forever!  Thank God we dedicate a day to celebrate, honor and rejoice for our good fortune and love on Jesus, the man, the person He is for us today!  But, how do we take up our cross and follow Him?

I am sure there are many answers to the question.  I respectfully want to share mine!  When Jesus said, “Father Forgive them, they know not what they do!”  set in motion a supernatural phenomena that will never end.  Forgiveness and repentance have more power spiritually than an atom-powered locomotive on a down hill track.   That declaration of  forgiveness and the payment of His blood, His life, has taken the penalty of sin in the world, for those who chose to accept His gracious selfless gift–available to each and every person on the planet.

We can pick up our cross, and do as He did, in forgiving others.  (John 20:23)  This really does take denial of self, because most of the time we don’t feel like forgiving.  Wonder how much Jesus felt like forgiving as He hung on that cross racked with pain, having taken the weight of the world upon himself?  The magic of forgiveness is not a game or a shallow act of being humble but a decision of our will to have the will of the Father in Heaven, not ours! 

It is not always easy…..but always possible!  Because God has put supernatural power in the act of using our will to do His.  Sometimes we must get rid of our judgment of the person or incident to forgive.  Sometimes we need to be healed of the hurt or pain, to forgive.  But, the greatest power and reward comes when we forgive out of our pain, as Jesus did!

Forgiveness is not:

  • Stuffing our feelings and emotions!
  • Condoning the act–“Oh, it’s OK.”
  • Taking part in–“Well, it’s just this once.”
  •  Agreeing with–“Well, everyone does it.”

Forgiveness is, giving our pain, hurt and offense to a Heavenly Father, because the price has already been paid by Jesus, and the very act and declaration by a decision of our will, cleanses, heals and restores! 

Jesus died once and was resurrected to give abundant Life…..just once….and every year we are reminded because of Him we too, can deny self, pick up our cross and follow Him.  What a precious Easter gift He has given us! 

 Forgiveness never loses it’s power or effect.  Forgiveness can restore relationships, bond groups and communities together,  end wars and most of all, bring the presence of God right into our lives!  Thank you, Lord–You are so special and more than enough in every situation!

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!

Pressing in and pressing on….

Note:  If you are new to this Blog, you are invited to take advantage of the FREE BOOK OFFER given on the page to the right of an indepth study of this subject on forgiveness in the book–THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!