The Sun, The Son

I don't think it's any accident that we love the days where can feel, and see the sun. The sun seems to give us a renewed energy, we feel better under its light, and it embraces us with warmth. Nobody ever plans to go on vacation to a dark place. So it is with our Jesus, God's son. He is the true light of the world even in the darkest spots. He can instantly fill us with joy on a bad day. He provides us with His warmth.Enjoy your Son today!

Be the Storm

Long Story Short

Painting and Poem by Samarazone

Long Story Short

God created the earth and the seas.

He brought forth Adam then he made Eve.

They messed things up and now we all die.

So He sent Moses to help us see why.

He gave 10 commandments, to all of his people.

They built up churches and threw in a steeple.

They made more rules and called it religion.

God shook his head and knew he'd forgive them.

Then He sent Jesus who lived without sin.

He died on the cross, and now lives again.
Yet, there is one catch, it's a bit of a shift,

You can accept Jesus,  He is your gift.

After you do you'll be known as a Christian.

You won't be perfect, but you'll be forgiven.

A change will take place deep in your spirit.

You'll want the kingdom, it's what you inherit.

You will try to be good, helpful and kind.

People may hate you with God on your mind.

You'll still have free will, and use your own brain.

The choices you make may cause you some pain.

But when your life ends and you stand before God

Jesus will be there and towards Heaven he'll nod.

Where's the Love?

23 Psalm Explained

The Lord is my Sheperd...Protective Relationship

I shall not want...Supply, Provision

He makes me to lie down in green pastures...Rest

He leads me beside the still waters...Peaceful Refreshment

He restores my soul...Healing, Revitalization

He leads me in the path of righteousness...Leadership, Guidance

For His name sake...Higher Purpose

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...Testing

I shall fear no evil...Protection

For You are with me...Faithfulness

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me...Protection from enemy

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...Hope, Assurance

You annoint my head with oil...Care, Dedication

My cup runs over...Abundance

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...Blessing, Power of Grace

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...Security

Forever...Eternity

Heart Speaks

If I speak in fear, my heart will fill with holes,
Overcome my life; complicate my soul.

If I speak with jealousy, I'm just wasting time.
God put you on one path, he also gave me mine.

If I speak of past, my hurts, and my pains,
Never forgiving, my legacy is stained.

If I speak in lies, enjoying my deceptions,
Satan owns my tongue, without any exceptions.

If I speak in hate, I leave my good behind,
Thistles choke my heart; contaminate my mind.

If I speak in gossip, soon I'll discover,
My soul starts to wither; I may never recover.

If I speak in pride, shame will conquer me,
I'll be humiliated, for everyone to see.

But if I speak lovingly I am planting tiny seeds,
That one day may grow up, to be flowers instead of weeds.

~ Jules St. Jermaine~

Peace

For many years, I've chosen a theme under which I try to keep my focus for the entire year, kind of like a New Year's resolution. I research my word and learn as much about it as I can. My goal is to incorporate as much as possible into my everyday living, believing, and behavior. Sometimes I fail, and some days I succeed, but it's proven to be a journey that's worth it.

Some of the words I've chosen in the past are,  Mercy, Peace, Rest, and Love. Of all my choices, mercy has been my favorite, and peace was my most trying. God gave me some severe challenges with that one. So in the spirit of peace, I would ask you to join me, and have a God Blessed year.


Blessed are peacemakers for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 NIV

Friday Funny...Pray With Your Neighbor

Bitterness

Bitterness is the worst kind of disability. It affects every aspect of your mind, body and spirit. When held onto long enough it will destroy you. Bitterness is also a choice. You can choose to keep it or let it go. In the end, it will say more about you than anyone else.

In Matthew 5:5-9 it states, "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God."

The Bible does not say that blessed are the angry, bitter, jealous, and vengeful. Think about that for a moment. Are you hanging onto these emotions?  It's okay to feel angry when you have been wronged or hurt, but you need to forgive and let not the sun go down on your anger as the Bible states in Ephesians 4:26. God understands the feelings we have, but he also wants us to put them aside for the sake of peace.

I've found in my life that when someone is bitter towards me, I pray for them to be blessed. This may not be what you feel like doing but, it restores peace in your spirit and gives rest.

There are times when it best just to stay away from bitter people and pray for them from a distance. God is the only one who can soften their hearts, and nothing you can say or do will change them.

It also helps to forgive one another, for Christ died so our sins may be forgiven, and it is out of respect for our Lord that we do this. Forgiveness is an incredible gift for ourselves, by the way.  Take advantage of it and heal your own heart.

One final thought I have on fighting bitterness is to chose mercy. Mercy is a beautiful word and aids in the ability to forgive. Remember, bitterness is a choice. Guard your own heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23.

To Believe or Not to Believe

Photo Copyright of Sue Lamos

Used by permission

My friend took this photo while spending time in New York. At first glance, the flower appears to be incorporated into the building, but in reality, it was stuck in the concrete. This picture is an illusion, a depiction of something that is not true.

Many people today have come to believe that the Holy Bible is untrue. When one states this, are they calling the Bible an illusion? When I think of illusion, magic is the first thing that comes to my mind. Some magic is for fun or entertainment purposes,  and is harmless, but the magicians/illusionists in the Bible were ones who gained power from the demonic, told fortunes or made predictions. So I have to wonder if those who claim the Bible is no longer true, are they stating that it is for entertainment purposes or evil?

God's book, The Bible,  provides us with some hard to pronounce names, spanning many generations, and going through various experiences. The connections within are genius.  His book contains wisdom for all the ages, until the end of time. His truth is solid, firm, and unchanging. People's ideas may change, but it doesn't mean God's do. Most invaluable, He gives us the greatest gift we could ever receive as he invites us to accept that his only son, Jesus, who died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins; past, present, and future. To accept the gift of Jesus gives us hope that one day we will be with our Father in Heaven. How much better does that sounds than to spend our eternity with the Master Illusionist; Satan.

If you are questioning whether the Bible is outdated, untrue or an illusion, do yourself a favor before making a final decision, ask the One who inspired it for His opinion.

Love on Assignment

Do you have a person in your life who just always seems to yank your chain? You know, that person you try to be nice to, but they are so difficult to be around.

Mean people and easily offended people are hard to be around. No matter what you say they never seem to like you. Some of the ones I know would probably find something wrong with Jesus himself. If you attempt to be happy or pleasant, they seem to have a need to put you down. If you are having a sad day, they accuse you of feeling sorry for yourself. If you ask them questions, they are overly suspicious. If you give them an honest compliment, they think you want something. If you speak of something good in your life, they think you are bragging. There is no end to the contrary responses they will give you for trying to be a kind, caring and well, just a friend.

In John 13:34, NLT,  it states, "So now I am giving you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. As Christians, we should take this very seriously.

The saying that hurt people, hurt people, is true. Many responses from others come from a place of pain. Instead of letting these people infect our hearts I believe Jesus would want us to pray for them. We could ask God to wrap his loving arms around them, fill them with his love, and give them peace. It's a much better way to handle difficult people than what our natural instincts would have us do.

Love is an assignment God has given to all his people. He never said it would be easy, but as we all know, it's always worth it. 

Passive- Aggressive

If they often lie to you, they may be a Passive- Aggressive.

If they don't keep their promises, they may be a Passive- Aggressive.

If you say you want it, and they make sure you don't get it, they may be a Passive-Aggressive.

If you say you don't like it, and they do it more often, they may be a Passive Aggressive.

If they don't tell you what they are mad at, but punish you, they may be a Passive -Aggressive.

If everything is always your fault, they may be a Passive- Aggressive.

If they give you the silent treatment, they may be a Passive -Aggressive.

If they look at you with haughty eyes, they may be a Passive -Aggressive.

If they often speak to you in a mean tone, they may be a Passive-Aggressive.

If they don't mean what they say or say what they mean, they may be a Passive-Aggressive.

If they are often late or, "forgetful," they may be a Passive -Aggressive.

If they are blaming, and won't take responsibility for their actions, they may be a Passive-Aggressive.

If they make you out to be the evil person to their family and friends, while portraying themselves as the sweet one or victim, they may be a Passive-Aggressive.

If the majority of the time they are only nice to you when they want something, they may be a Passive -Aggressive.

If they are making you out to be the crazy one, they may be a Passive-Aggressive.

If they are easily offended by the trivial, they may be a Passive-Aggressive.

If they accuse you of being demanding, controlling, always putting them down, they may be a Passive -Aggressive.

If you aren't married to your Passive Aggressive, I suggest you run! If you have however taken the marriage vows then, you should realize there is probably nothing you can do to change them. They will never admit they are wrong. They will find ways to blame everything on you and nothing, and I mean nothing, is ever their fault. They will not take any responsibility for the relationship. They do whatever they want to do.

Over the years, you may have found that you can communicate with everyone in your life except the PA.  You may suspect your PA punishes you, but you don't ever have an understanding as to why. That's because they never tell you. They don't have the courage to speak what they want or mean. Instead, they make you suffer when you disappoint them.  Most likely by now you feel exhausted, confused, and broken-hearted.  The PA may have become your obsession. Before you give up or just leave, I have a few suggestions for you to try. I hope you will find these things helpful.

First, you need to refocus. You need to stop obsessing about them. Start thinking about yourself, and what it is you can do for you. You may already get accused by your PA of being self-centered because this is one of the many tactics they use to get at you, so this will be nothing new. Begin to focus on your needs and quit thinking so much about them.

Pray and ask God what it is you can do to move on with your life, to show you what you are good at, and how to restore your confidence. You could even ask Him how you could serve His kingdom.  God wants to be with you and to help you.

Another thing you need to stop doing is trying to fix your relationship with the PA. Yes, you heard me right, give up.  Give up and give it to God. Surrender. He knows what to work on first. Let Him do it.

If your PA gives you the silent treatment, go on with your life, and enjoy it. Don't waste time feeling sorry for yourself because they won't talk to you. Plenty of people out there will. If you don't have anyone else to talk to, then find someone.

I would suggest you keep your conversations to the necessary. Do not let them know anything you want, or don't want, because they will use that against you. If you find you are being punished, trust God to handle them. It was never their right to punish you in the first place. God commands that we love one another. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we are to punish.

Finally, Speak God's word often. His words are living and powerful. Find his promises in the Bible and say them out loud.  Pray for your PA too, and watch what God will do. He doesn't want either of you living pitifully. Our Lord didn't send his only son, Jesus, to die for you, so that you could live pathetic lives. He desires for you to live great lives, having big impacts on other people while filled with the Holy Spirit. And don't forget the most important thing of all, God loves you so! He will never leave or forsake you.