As you all know my struggles is always with truth verses all the lies I was taught to believe...My walk with the Creator may not be pretty but it is real and about as raw as it can get.
One thing I have discovered in this walk is that truth seems to always be hidden in plain sight through layers of fear and conditioning. Peeling off those layers is painful and at times tedious but very necessary if you want to be free from bondage.
Since I have been writing this blog and doing interviews many layers have peeled of this ol girl... and with the many that have peeled there always seem to be more that needs peeling. I am beginning to see how this is a life long process... and how it is always an individual process for each of us.
Another thing I am beginning to understand is that truth can be found only within ourselves through the Creator of All. Oh, we might gleam some gem from others as it will resonate within our spirits as truth, however I really believe HE speaks to our spirits directly. HIS truth is planted in our DNA and as we seek the Real Christ... who is within us... I think that opens up our DNA of spiritual truth.
You know I prayed a while back that I wanted truth even if it killed me... I know a few other who dared to pray that also. Anyway what I am seeing is this.... it is killing me... it is killing the parts of me that has kept me separated from my Creator and kept me in fear and bondage most of my life. I am also discovering that there is a whole lot more in me that needs to die away....and that with each thing that dies a little more of me is set free to be what the Creator intended when He created me in the first place.
But then there is this part of me that tries to resist all the tearing away... lets face it, even that bad parts of us is at least familiar and at the most comfortable. Maybe not good, maybe not right and mostly makes us feel like crap... but it is familiar and isn't that the reason most of us resist change? The fear of the unknown?
But in saying all of that... I want truth and freedom more then I want the comfort of familiar. Because in my life it has not been all that comforting... only confusing and full of bondage.
Maybe my DNA is waking up? Maybe that is what has been resisting the system of things all along....thus the always questioning Judy...
Peace & Love,
Judy
Now here is a bit of a Gem.....read on...
WHAT SPIRIT ARE YOU OF?
(Luke 9:53-56)
The biggest semicolon in God’s presentation is the concept of spirit. Something is always motivating us. What motivates us is unseen, but its influences will eventually become obvious to those who encounter us. Even though what we may end up pursuing does not look inappropriate or wrong, the fruits of it may leave a bitter taste in the mouth of those who come in contact with you.
What spirit are you of is not an afterthought, but a complete challenge that will connect a person to environment, attitude and fruits. Peter’s overzealous enthusiasm to rebuke Jesus for speaking of His death would seem reasonable enough to the hearer or reader; however; Jesus turned around reciprocated as well as exposed who was behind Peter’s rebuke (Matthew 16:21-23). When James and John were ready to call fire from heaven down on the Samaritans, it seemed like a logical conclusion, but Jesus stated they did not know what spirit they were of. He had not come to destroy men, but to save them.
Judas’ confession of his betrayal of an innocent man (Jesus) seemed noble enough. However, the religious leaders had no intention of receiving his confession; therefore, he went out in despair and hung himself (Matthew 27:1-8).
The spirit behind these men may have been unseen, but the fruits that often stand by themselves have a common connection because of the spirit in operation. Separation at such points not only calls for a pause to consider what would follow as to the possible results of our actions, but it must make the right connection to ensure the integrity of how someone responds, interprets or handles a matter.
O ur examples in the previous paragraphs show us how limited and narrow our understanding can be about a matter. When we do consider it, there is usually a self-serving or critical spirit behind our critique or criticism of it. In such cases the semicolon is missing or there has been a failure to examine what the real spirit or motivation is behind us.
Is God trying to put a semicolon in your life when it comes to separation from the unholy, making connections to conditions or identifying the spirit behind your fruits and activities? It would serve each of us well if we would truly find the common ground with what is not seen, can be conveniently ignored, and what might not be convenient or popular.
Prayer: Lord, You try to use semicolons in our lives, but we often refuse to see the connection between such matters. Lord, help us to see Your punctuation in matters so that we can understand it, then make the right connection and come out with the right conclusion. Amen.
©2010 Rayola Kelley, Gentle Shepherd Ministries. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
http://www.gentleshepherd.com/
Questions or comments welcome. Email: http://us.mc800.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ministry@gentleshepherd.com
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
I made a 41????
If you didn't catch my post yesterday please go back and take a look... now here is a real gem for today...
: ) Judy
--------------------------------------------MountainWings A MountainWings Moment#1309 Wings Over The Mountains of Life-------------------------------------------------
I Made A 41============
Perhaps the only test score that I remember is the 41.I was in high school. The class was taught by one of the two teachers that impacted me most, Mr. Bales. The other teacher was Mrs. Drew from the seventh grade. It's amazing how I can remember from over 30 years ago my two most impacting teachers.
The eighth grade. It was a time when I, like most, didn't know what I was to be in life. The drama of that time of youth was simply get through school and make the long walk home.
There are some things that will still be like the eighth grade when you get to be eighty.
The test was the final for the class. I remember anxiously waiting as Mr. Bales passed out test after test. It was a rather difficult test. I didn't know how well I had done but I knew there were things on it that I didn't know.
The air whooshed around the pages as it made a gentle sound plopping down. It was a rhythm as each student received their test - plop, plop, plop.
I heard groan after groan that accompanied the plops.I could tell by the groans that the grades weren't looking good.
Mr. Bales dropped the stapled pages on my desk.
There in big red numbers, circled to draw attention,was my grade.
41
Groan!!!
I moved my paper where it wasn't in plain view, a 41 is not something that you wanted your classmates to see.
After the final plop, Mr. Bales stood behind the worn desk thathad stood guard over countless students before me. He addressed the none too jubilant class.
"The grades were not very good, none of you passed, so I will have to consider grading on a scale," Mr. Bales announced.
"The highest grade in the class was a 41, so all of you flunked," were the final words that I remember.
A 41. That's me.
Suddenly my dismal looking final didn't look quite so bad.There were at least 30 students in the class. I had the highest grade. I felt a whole lot better.
I walked home that day with the low but high grade safely tucked away in my book satchel. My mother knew that I had a big test that day and asked me as soon as I got home, "how did you do on your test."
"I made a 41," I said.
My mother's expression changed. A frown now stood where a smile was a few seconds earlier. I knew that I had to explain and explain fast. "But mother, I had the highest grade in the class," I proudly stated.
I knew that statement would change things. I had the highest grade in the class, that made a difference.
My mother said, "You flunked."
"But I had the highest grade in the class!" I replied.
"I don't care what everyone else had, you flunked. It doesn'tmatter if everyone else flunked too, what matters is what you do," my mother firmly answered.
For years, I thought that was a harsh judgment. My mother was always that way. It didn't matter what the other kids did, it only mattered what I did and that I did it excellently.
We often don't understand the wisdom of good parents until we ourselves stand in the parenting shoes. My mother's philosophy has carried me throughout life. Don't worry about what the crowd does.
The crowd often goes the wrong way.
If you follow the crowd, you will go to the same destination as the crowd. The path of the crowd is wide and it is crowded.The path to pass the tests of life is narrow and there are very few people on it.
The path up the mountain is narrow; it is not crowded.
The path to health is narrow; it is not crowded.
The path to harmony, peace and happiness with your spouse is narrow; it is not crowded.
The path to peace with yourself and the world is narrow; it is not crowded.
I made a 41 and was proud of it, but it would not have gotten me through the real tests.
The majority of spouses are not faithful, it's the crowd, and even though you may be the smoothest deceiver of the group, you are on the road to failure; it's not a passing grade.
The crowd eats fattening unhealthy fast food. That food sends you to an early appointment with the doctor and the funeral director. It's the food of the crowd.
The crowd spends no special time in prayer and meditation each day. That leads to an unhealthy spirit. It's the way of the crowd.
Thirty years after my mother said that she didn't care if I was the best failure in the class, I understand why.
"Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
That's a quote that my mother lives by.
We often take comfort in the crowd; the only problem is that the crowd is not comfortable.
PASS the class!
~A MountainWings Original~
Thank you for inviting MountainWings in your mailbox.See you tomorrow.
Forward this issue to a friend or send them the link below:http://www.mountainwings.com/past/1309.htm
: ) Judy
--------------------------------------------MountainWings A MountainWings Moment#1309 Wings Over The Mountains of Life-------------------------------------------------
I Made A 41============
Perhaps the only test score that I remember is the 41.I was in high school. The class was taught by one of the two teachers that impacted me most, Mr. Bales. The other teacher was Mrs. Drew from the seventh grade. It's amazing how I can remember from over 30 years ago my two most impacting teachers.
The eighth grade. It was a time when I, like most, didn't know what I was to be in life. The drama of that time of youth was simply get through school and make the long walk home.
There are some things that will still be like the eighth grade when you get to be eighty.
The test was the final for the class. I remember anxiously waiting as Mr. Bales passed out test after test. It was a rather difficult test. I didn't know how well I had done but I knew there were things on it that I didn't know.
The air whooshed around the pages as it made a gentle sound plopping down. It was a rhythm as each student received their test - plop, plop, plop.
I heard groan after groan that accompanied the plops.I could tell by the groans that the grades weren't looking good.
Mr. Bales dropped the stapled pages on my desk.
There in big red numbers, circled to draw attention,was my grade.
41
Groan!!!
I moved my paper where it wasn't in plain view, a 41 is not something that you wanted your classmates to see.
After the final plop, Mr. Bales stood behind the worn desk thathad stood guard over countless students before me. He addressed the none too jubilant class.
"The grades were not very good, none of you passed, so I will have to consider grading on a scale," Mr. Bales announced.
"The highest grade in the class was a 41, so all of you flunked," were the final words that I remember.
A 41. That's me.
Suddenly my dismal looking final didn't look quite so bad.There were at least 30 students in the class. I had the highest grade. I felt a whole lot better.
I walked home that day with the low but high grade safely tucked away in my book satchel. My mother knew that I had a big test that day and asked me as soon as I got home, "how did you do on your test."
"I made a 41," I said.
My mother's expression changed. A frown now stood where a smile was a few seconds earlier. I knew that I had to explain and explain fast. "But mother, I had the highest grade in the class," I proudly stated.
I knew that statement would change things. I had the highest grade in the class, that made a difference.
My mother said, "You flunked."
"But I had the highest grade in the class!" I replied.
"I don't care what everyone else had, you flunked. It doesn'tmatter if everyone else flunked too, what matters is what you do," my mother firmly answered.
For years, I thought that was a harsh judgment. My mother was always that way. It didn't matter what the other kids did, it only mattered what I did and that I did it excellently.
We often don't understand the wisdom of good parents until we ourselves stand in the parenting shoes. My mother's philosophy has carried me throughout life. Don't worry about what the crowd does.
The crowd often goes the wrong way.
If you follow the crowd, you will go to the same destination as the crowd. The path of the crowd is wide and it is crowded.The path to pass the tests of life is narrow and there are very few people on it.
The path up the mountain is narrow; it is not crowded.
The path to health is narrow; it is not crowded.
The path to harmony, peace and happiness with your spouse is narrow; it is not crowded.
The path to peace with yourself and the world is narrow; it is not crowded.
I made a 41 and was proud of it, but it would not have gotten me through the real tests.
The majority of spouses are not faithful, it's the crowd, and even though you may be the smoothest deceiver of the group, you are on the road to failure; it's not a passing grade.
The crowd eats fattening unhealthy fast food. That food sends you to an early appointment with the doctor and the funeral director. It's the food of the crowd.
The crowd spends no special time in prayer and meditation each day. That leads to an unhealthy spirit. It's the way of the crowd.
Thirty years after my mother said that she didn't care if I was the best failure in the class, I understand why.
"Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
That's a quote that my mother lives by.
We often take comfort in the crowd; the only problem is that the crowd is not comfortable.
PASS the class!
~A MountainWings Original~
Thank you for inviting MountainWings in your mailbox.See you tomorrow.
Forward this issue to a friend or send them the link below:http://www.mountainwings.com/past/1309.htm
Monday, February 8, 2010
Even I can be humbled
Yeah....even I can be humbled now and then... please read on...
Love & Prayers,
Judy
"As The Hammer Falls"
-Bryan Hupperts (Apr 9, 2004).
Exhausted from a night's work, I sat down on my living room
couch and fell asleep. In my mind's eye, I saw a hammer
in the far, distant sky. At first, it seemed to be a mere
speck but as I watched, I saw it begin to grow in size and
began a ramming speed run towards earth.
All around me I became aware of people speaking in their
private thoughts many bitter angry accusations and
lamentations. As if a collective fist of rage were joined
together shaking towards the sky, I began to hear
accusations such as, "God, how could you?" and "Why God, why?"
My own heart betrayed me even as I worshipped God; deep
inside I heard myself accuse also accuse him with, "Why
has my life been so hard? Why have I wrestled with illness
for so long? Where is the healing you promised? I lay
hands on the sick and& nothing. Where is your promise,
O Lord God? Did you lie? Have you forgotten your promises to me?"
I was deeply ashamed of the flood of accusations that
flowed from the secret place of my heart. And then I
realized that my inner thoughts were louder in heaven
than my spoken words.
I looked up and the hammer had grown larger and began to
fill the sky. A moaning chorus of human lament and rage
spiraled in a choir of accusations against the Most High.
"My husband left me and it YOUR fault, God. "
"My business is not prospering. I gave money, 10 percent
and more. Where is the blessing you promised?"
Then it occurred to me that these were Christians making
these accusations!
Voices of unbelievers chimed in agreeing with the accusing
saints. "If you're so good, why is there war and disease?
Why did my father molest me? Why did my car break
down on my way to the interview? I needed that job. Curse you, O God!"
As the swell of accusations rose to crescendo in fever
pitch, I repented of the evil intent of my heart and was
forgiven. The shadow of the hammer now covered the
earth and filled the sky. It came swiftly, menacingly as
I imagined the mythical hammer of the Norse demon god
Thor would fall. Destruction seemed certain.
I began to cry out to people, "The hammer of God is
coming. It is going to fall. Judgment is swift and sure!"
But my voice was drowned out in dirge of lament and
accusation that went up from the earth.
And the hammer filled the whole sky and grew larger and
larger until it seemed we were but a tack under a large
sledgehammer about to be mercilessly crushed. And I
heard a voice rumbling like thunder say, "Behold, my Judgment!"
And then the hammer was suddenly very small in the
hands of a man in the attire of an ancient soldier. He raised
it up to an iron spike and began to nail it into the hand/wrist
of a bleeding, groaning man on a Cross. The hammer of
God began to fall in judgment on him!
I awoke shaken with wonder. Colossians 1:20 and 2:14
flashed through my mind. "By Him to reconcile all things to
Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
having made peace through the blood of His cross... Having
wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against
us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the
way, having nailed it to the cross."
The hammer of God's righteous and swift Judgment did fall
on our substitute sacrificial lamb, Jesus! May this blessed
truth comfort you who have come to saving faith in Christ.
1Thess 5:9, "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to
obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ!"
-Bryan Hupperts © 2004
SheepTrax Media
PO Box 270256
St. Louis, MO 63127 USA
www.SheepTrax.com
Copyright © 2004 Bryan Hupperts. Permission to distribute
this material via email, or individual copies, is automatically
granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial
purposes and will not be sold.
**************************************
Love & Prayers,
Judy
"As The Hammer Falls"
-Bryan Hupperts (Apr 9, 2004).
Exhausted from a night's work, I sat down on my living room
couch and fell asleep. In my mind's eye, I saw a hammer
in the far, distant sky. At first, it seemed to be a mere
speck but as I watched, I saw it begin to grow in size and
began a ramming speed run towards earth.
All around me I became aware of people speaking in their
private thoughts many bitter angry accusations and
lamentations. As if a collective fist of rage were joined
together shaking towards the sky, I began to hear
accusations such as, "God, how could you?" and "Why God, why?"
My own heart betrayed me even as I worshipped God; deep
inside I heard myself accuse also accuse him with, "Why
has my life been so hard? Why have I wrestled with illness
for so long? Where is the healing you promised? I lay
hands on the sick and& nothing. Where is your promise,
O Lord God? Did you lie? Have you forgotten your promises to me?"
I was deeply ashamed of the flood of accusations that
flowed from the secret place of my heart. And then I
realized that my inner thoughts were louder in heaven
than my spoken words.
I looked up and the hammer had grown larger and began to
fill the sky. A moaning chorus of human lament and rage
spiraled in a choir of accusations against the Most High.
"My husband left me and it YOUR fault, God. "
"My business is not prospering. I gave money, 10 percent
and more. Where is the blessing you promised?"
Then it occurred to me that these were Christians making
these accusations!
Voices of unbelievers chimed in agreeing with the accusing
saints. "If you're so good, why is there war and disease?
Why did my father molest me? Why did my car break
down on my way to the interview? I needed that job. Curse you, O God!"
As the swell of accusations rose to crescendo in fever
pitch, I repented of the evil intent of my heart and was
forgiven. The shadow of the hammer now covered the
earth and filled the sky. It came swiftly, menacingly as
I imagined the mythical hammer of the Norse demon god
Thor would fall. Destruction seemed certain.
I began to cry out to people, "The hammer of God is
coming. It is going to fall. Judgment is swift and sure!"
But my voice was drowned out in dirge of lament and
accusation that went up from the earth.
And the hammer filled the whole sky and grew larger and
larger until it seemed we were but a tack under a large
sledgehammer about to be mercilessly crushed. And I
heard a voice rumbling like thunder say, "Behold, my Judgment!"
And then the hammer was suddenly very small in the
hands of a man in the attire of an ancient soldier. He raised
it up to an iron spike and began to nail it into the hand/wrist
of a bleeding, groaning man on a Cross. The hammer of
God began to fall in judgment on him!
I awoke shaken with wonder. Colossians 1:20 and 2:14
flashed through my mind. "By Him to reconcile all things to
Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
having made peace through the blood of His cross... Having
wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against
us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the
way, having nailed it to the cross."
The hammer of God's righteous and swift Judgment did fall
on our substitute sacrificial lamb, Jesus! May this blessed
truth comfort you who have come to saving faith in Christ.
1Thess 5:9, "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to
obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ!"
-Bryan Hupperts © 2004
SheepTrax Media
PO Box 270256
St. Louis, MO 63127 USA
www.SheepTrax.com
Copyright © 2004 Bryan Hupperts. Permission to distribute
this material via email, or individual copies, is automatically
granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial
purposes and will not be sold.
**************************************
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