With Renewed Hope and Patience!

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14 NIV

Taking Paul's words to the church at Colosse literally makes a difference in how we need to approach this time in which we live. We must believe that prayers have and will continue to go forth on our behalf as the world watches the chaos in the WH that embroils our lives on a daily basis. Our hope must continually be in God and in the wisdom He will pour out on all who are willing to receive and accept it. For that reason, many of us are praying that Bob Mueller is willing to receive God's wisdom and act upon accordingly. America deserves much better than what we are experiencing as a nation with a fake leader in the Oval Office.

Though some may have thought with my posts lately that I've given up on our God, nothing could be further from the truth. My hope--is continually in He who inspires and encourages my daily walk. I look to Him to keep my tongue from going to far and my fingers from tapping out words that can be erased or retrieved before impacting those who see them. It's been an extremely difficult week for me to relinquish my thoughts and fingers to Holy Spirit. It is only because of Him that I have not unleashed a tirade so great that would make the devil blush. It is because of Him who I strive to please that I have not been totally "unpolitically correct."

Does my awareness of how words can negatively impact perception and perspective as to who I am matter? Of course it does! Words matter--whether coming from me or anyone else and unfortunately, that concept hasn't been able to breach the brains of the moron-in-chief. I'm not the only one who questions the WH idiot's ability to do anything other than bully and bluster his way around people.

He demonstrated his total ineptness at being empathic and a consoler-in-chief, but highlighted his insensitivity to others on a much greater scale than I thought possible. And to top off the week of foolishness and stupidity, he alludes to starting a war with North Korea after throwing Rex Tillerson under the bus. Reading a number of articles released by those in the media who are close to those in the White House, it was not surprising to hear that more than one of cabinet members have called him a moron because he has no knowledge of what he's supposed to be doing and resents anyone trying to guide him. For if--for any reason--he chose to be grateful to those who are at least trying to guide him, he'd have to admit he doesn't have a great brain, he doesn't have the best words, and he certainly doesn't have an IQ of 203 which he apparently tried to convince staffers that he has. If his IQ was 23, that would be a surprise.

But I digress. It is through reading The Word and being reminded of God's great love for us that renews my hope on a daily basis, and when I think I've reached the end of my rope, The Word helps me to make the knot bigger so I will have the patience I need to keep holding on--for the rescue I believe is coming in the revelation of truth provided by Special Counsel Bob Mueller. For every time the moron opens his mouth, a knot forms in my stomach, but I'm moving the knot from my stomach to the rope of hope from which we're all dangling since we never know what might come next. Pretty soon, the knot will be wide enough to hold a multitude of people and our hope--strengthens the rope--with each new knot. In our patience--holding onto the rope, resting on the knot--we possess our souls and we will not surrender our souls to the evil that abounds from the White House and the GOP or any other demonic influence.

While I wait for the hope of truth setting us all free to be Americans again--I'm still planning a bid for the White House and I pray, that those who review the information on my Face Book page, will find the evidence needed to prove, I am ready and willing to serve all Everyday Americans.

When The Vision is Revealed!

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." Habakkuk 2:1-3 NIV

Be encouraged! When God gives us a vision--even when we don't understand how it will all play out in our lives, we simply need to write it down--keeping it before us--until it comes to pass.

What is the vision given to you?

Some have been given visions of traveling to faraway places to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Write it down and plan the journey even when the resources are not known--keep it in front of you and remain stedfast in faith that God will bring it to pass. He is faithful to complete everything He starts in us.

Some have been given visions to start non-profit organizations to help those who have been unfortunate in life--to keep them from giving up hope and to promote their well-being--providing them the means to be self-sufficient in life.

Some have been given visions to start for-profit businesses that will be valuable in the kingdom as the Gospel is promoted within and without these businesses.

Some have been given visions to serve in government positions to keep those in leadership mindful of their purposes--according to God's plans.

Some have been given visions to teach--educate others both in secular environments and within The Body of Christ--so growth, character, and integrity remain a vital part of our society.

Some have been given visions to write--all that Holy Spirit inspires them to write and publish so all will access to what God is speaking to the hearts of all who are willing to listen.

Whatever God has shown us--through visions--we should write it down and prepare to receive all that He has planned for us--and when the plans are complete--we wait for Him to implement each step of the way so we'll get His results and not our own.

As a result of seeing the vision He has for me--I'm in the process of developing another site designed to discuss my books and those I review for others. I'm excited and receptive to hearing what others think as I begin this new phase and would appreciate whatever insight and feedback others are willing to give. Here's the link http://www.mhrlifewriter.com/

May God continue to give you vision and desire to see it through until the end. Write the vision, prepare to see it, and then wait for it!

Patience and Power!

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.Proverbs 16:32 NIV

Patience--having the ability and desire to calmly wait--for a number of things does much for our maturity as Believers and in establishing a model for others.

It is through patience that we preserve our souls from the tricks of the enemy who would have us to react--spontaneously--to everything that happens rather than calmly think things through--exercising wisdom in every decision.

Patience provides us with the persistence to teach others, allowing them time to learn and grow--especially in the ways of God. We do not or should not deter others from learning of God  and doing things His way by expecting them to have attained the wisdom that took us time to attain.

We have within our reach the blueprint for living--a life of peace and prosperity and consideration for others, but we miss it when we don't pay attention to the written Word--especially in Proverbs.

Is it because we lack the patience to explore and mediate and practice what is there? Or is it that we think we can bully our way through life--attempting to force our positions and thoughts onto others without push-back?

Unfortunately, we know that in a capitalistic society as well as others--those who hold the wealth hold the power to influence those in position to pave the roads with laws that are often unjust and vilify those who do not have spokespersons.

True power is held in the hearts of those who believe God and live according to His Word. It is with patience that we learn this infallible truth, not bullying others. The more we patiently learn of God and deliberately choose to live His way, the greater our power becomes because we develop the stamina to withstand the tricks of the enemy.

Let's commit to developing patience through meditating upon The Word of God and allowing it to guide us in all things--illuminating its power in all we say and do.

Why Patience Is Needed!

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Titus 1:1-5 NIV

Patience is mentioned 34 times in the New Testament and patient mentioned 9 times in the Bible (once in Old Testament in Ecclesiastes). I've concluded--speculatively--that patience was not a strong character trait in many before Christ made an appearance. I base this speculation on the fact that the Children of Israel were so impatient with God, that they moved away from His guidance in an effort to more like other nations (needing a king,etc).

Here--in Paul's instructions to Titus--we see a reason for patience and that reason is to teach others how to walk in the light of God's love. If we really want to others to learn something well, we must be willing to patiently teach them--expecting them to make mistakes, but will be quick to hear correction.

This then may explain why some people are not good teachers--spiritually or naturally. If we get angry or frustrated with those we attempt to teach--we actually inhibit their desire to learn. One of the reasons we tend to get impatient with people is because we forget the road we traveled to get where we are. Someone had to have patience with us in order for us to know what we know. Even if much of what we know was through an inquisitive nature where we sought information on our own, we still had to exercise patience with ourselves.

Not to long ago, a person who observed my teaching a class told me that I had the patience of job with my students. I was amazed at her assessment because I do not always think I'm very patient with students when I've repeated myself--ad nauseum. At any rate, I realized that she was referring to my ability to give them time to think about a question before providing them with an answer. In fact, I seldom provide answers to questions when reviewing information--I simply wait until someone comes up with the right answer and I confirm. Teaching is not about trying to pour information into someone's head, but about giving them the tools they can use to draw conclusions on their own.

Think about it! How long did it take us to realize that the answers we needed were found in Jesus Christ.  Questions about life and direction--found in Jesus. The voids we felt in our lives--filled with Jesus. And with me--He was very patient until I honed in what life really meant.

So, with patience--with self and others--will we move forward in teaching others about how to live the life God wants for us.

Keep Hope Alive!

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:25 NIV)

We do not need to have faith for what we already have and can see and since we already have it, we need not have hope for it. It is the things for which we do not yet see, but believe we have that sustains our hope and with patience, we wait until it comes to pass.

Our hope is in Jesus' Return and in being caught up with Him to reign with Him forever. Keep that hope alive, it will occur!

Some are hoping to be cancer free. We must do all we can to live right and healthy, seeking treatment and have faith that treatments will work and with patience, we wait--keeping hope alive.

Some are hoping for financial blessings. We must hone the gifts and skills He has given us and have faith that whatever we put our hands to doing, will prosper, with patience, waiting to see it, keeping hope alive.

Some are hoping to see loved ones saved. We must live the life in front of them, igniting in them a desire to have what we have and with patience, drawing them closer to Jesus, keeping hope alive.

Some are hoping for peace in the land. We must be willing to receive the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, exercise having peace in our homes that overflows into our community and saturates our nations. And with patience, we keep hope alive, spreading the love of Jesus every where we go.

For The Word has said, "In your patience, possess ye your souls" (Luke 21:19 KJV). We must have patience as we live this life, maintaining our faith in God's Word and the hope we have in Him, to do all He said He would do.

Now, while we wait, patiently to see those things we hope for come about, we focus on doing the work He has put into our hearts and when we focus on doing what He desires us to do, He works out everything we hope for and when we least expect it--we have all we have hoped for in Him! Be patient--knowing He's got this and keep hope in Him alive!

Comforted To Comfort!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Corinthians 1:3,4 NIV)

In the midst of being persecuted and treated badly, Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, praising God for being the God of all comfort, for comforting those in chains with him, so they could comfort others in times of trouble!

The best way to "wait on The Lord to learn patience" is to take our focus off our own problems and concentrate on others who are going through trials. If we cannot see the solution to our problems, we should help others and while we're helping others, God reveals the solution to those problems we face and sometimes, He works it out and we simply see the problem solved. Glory Hallelujah!

There have been so many times in years past that I did not know what to do about situations that arose because of car accidents and mountains of bills piling up. I've been rear-ended twice and both accidents totaled cars, but I am yet alive to testify of God's goodness. The first accident was caused by a sleeping driver and the second accident caused by a drunk driver. I was "in front of them" and they crashed into me from behind. I saw them coming--both times, but had nowhere to go before being hit. Waiting for resolution--in particular behind the last accident--I was in pain, could not see well and could not work. The first attorney supposedly working on my behalf was only interested in amassing as much as he could. I fired him. The second attorney resolved the issue as quickly as he could and warned me that I did not have to take what was offered in a settlement, but it would take years to get what I deserved. This was three years after the accident. I realistically could not wait years, trying to get more, so I settled.

In the three years I waited, I did not work, but God had a plan I knew nothing about. He arranged for my bills to be paid through the kindness of others, who wanted nothing in return. During this time, I encouraged others by helping them do whatever I could. Sometimes, that was simply being available to talk to them over the phone. I assisted children by tutoring them, I did whatever I could to help others because I could not help myself through this ordeal. But God could.

While we're going through--take heart and be encouraged--help someone else in their time of need and watch God handle your business like no one else can! He is a comfort to us so we can comfort others!

With Patience Do We Wait!

Talking about patience is a lot easier than "doing" patience!
Here am I, waiting for the return of my computer, and at first--I convinced myself to be patient. "In your souls possess you possess your patience!" Well, I guess my soul is getting a little restless or anxious because my patience is running a little thin.
Sure, I can use my little tablet for some things, but it's not the same as using a full size keyboard and having a full size monitor on which I can actually see what I'm typing (I hope people can read this--I can barely see it).
At least I know once I receive the recovery disk, it won't be long. I was just informed yesterday that the disc had been shipped. I'm practice deep breathing to keep me from losing it. I am so dependent upon my computer!
As a writer, who does not use "pen and paper" I am lost without my computer. And the bad thing is since the hard drive crashed, I have to start everything over from scratch if they cannot recover my documents and pictures--oh! What a mess!
Okay, now that I've gotten that out of the way (or out of my system), I think I can wait. And while I'm waiting, guess what I'm doing? A little of this, a little of that. I've walked over five miles already this week, tended the little garden planted, working on doing some housework (which I hate, but someone has to do it). Oh! I've actually finished two books!
Yeah, we can learn to wait with patience or at least learn to patiently wait, doing other things. If there's a difference--let me know!
Trying to be a little humorous today so I won't become despondent and cry over the fact that my computer has deserted me and I feel so alone and abandoned! (sniff, sniff)
God bless your day as you laugh at the antics of an older woman with vision issues and fingers that are too big and heavy for this little keyboard. Luv2luvU!

This Too Shall Pass!

The last 24 hours have been grueling and challenging. I'm sure you all know the feeling--the day when Murphy's Law reigns.

I had just completed a story for a competition and in my excitement--forgot to save the revised draft (I have the original), and in the process of exiting the program, lost the entire Office 2013 program. I mean it literally disappeared--and could not be found on my computer anywhere. I checked installed programs--gone; I restored system, twice--nothing. I even restored items sitting in my recycle bin--nothing could be found.

Eventually, I contacted Microsoft and after 7 1/2 hours today, was finally able to resume use of my Office documents. The technician had to do quite a bit--uninstall and re-install the program from their side, scan the computer for threats and found 696 of them, clean up the mess and then run diagnostics to make sure everything was running right. I did not get a chance to do much of what I needed to do, but I did get a chance to do some other things while waiting for the process to run its course. And you know, it's all good!

So, I missed posting early, but I did not forget anyone.  Be encouraged! And when you have one of those days, like I just had, remember--this too shall pass; especially when we know that no weapon formed against us will ever prosper! With Jesus on our side--things will work out right!

Pray Without Ceasing

"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

As we continue this journey in life--today as with every day, we ought to always pray, and pray without ceasing--for the land and all the people within it.

Prayer is not just petitions requesting something of God, but of thanksgiving and intercession, and acknowledgment of who He is. Prayer is not one-sided--it is communication with God--we talk to Him and He speaks to us--in the spirit, through His Word, and what He says is confirmed through others as He directs.

To pray without ceasing does not mean to keep asking for the same thing over and over again. Jesus said through Mark and Matthew that when we pray, we believe what we say we have and we shall receive--if we do not doubt. James tells us that if we doubt, we are like the waves of sea--unstable in all our ways.

Believe we receive what we ask for when we pray and then thank God for whatever it is and keep thanking Him until it manifests.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray for all the children, parents, and grandparents who are raising grandchildren. We ask for your direction, instruction, guidance and strength and courage to do all that needs to be done. We thank You for providing us with everything we need--love, mercy, patience, and fortitude to keep going so we may do all things to Your glory. We know that You know all things--our needs, our thoughts, when we'll fail, and when we'll rise again, more determined than ever to praise You for Your goodness, love, and mercy towards us. Speak to our hearts at all times and create in us a desire to hear and obey Your every word, even when we do not understand it. You and You alone are worthy of all our praise and we lift our hands and hearts to You; we open our mouths and sing Your praises loud enough for the mountain tops to hear and participate. What an awesome God! Thank You for hearing and responding to our every need as only You can. Amen!

Time After Time!

"You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19 NIV).

From the beginning, whenever mankind has fallen out of fellowship with God, He has relented and shown compassion and mercy towards us. He has given us chance after chance to get living right for Him.  Some of us have taken advantage of the opportunity and some have not. And yet, He waits--giving us space to repent before judgment falls upon us. Why are some waiting?

There are some people who have decided that having "fun" is more important than living right. They resent anyone attempting to tell them they should change their ways and stop doing what gives them "short-term pleasure." Perhaps, just perhaps, the method being used to deter wrong behavior is judgment itself and when people feel like they are being judged--already--they feel no need to change. However, if the method to convince people to change is with loving-kindness, sharing all of the benefits of living for God, and proclaiming God's love--and people see us "living the benefits" they will more likely believe us and change.

We do not have to beat people with The Word, we should love them with The Word.
We do not have to point out their sins; they know--they are just too fearful to let them go.
We do not have to judge others who are in sin--that's not our job; we should live the life before them and encourage them to get to know Jesus.

If we say one thing and yet do another--we are hypocrites. We cannot convince others that God is love if all they ever see is condemnation from us. Sometimes, people who have been convicted of sin by others who were harsh and rigid think that is the only way to win others to Christ. I am so thankful that God's love was showered upon me in such a way that I was ready to give up all that was not like Him, willingly because I wanted to please Him. Hallelujah! I've learned that pleasing God in all things is so much more important than any attempt to pacify others.

We must remember to share with others--God's mercy, His love, His compassion, His forgiveness, His patience--in waiting for us--time after time. We must convince others--not with our words, but by our actions--that the benefits of living for God are greater than living for the world.

He had sent people to me--time after time--to show me the way--that one pathway to Him and though some of their methods did not work, He did not give up on me and sent those who had received His love to share with me, and I received--their love and God's love--and now living with His benefits--walking in His favor.

I pray today that we'll become those people-who have received God's love--and will share it with others in bringing them into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. God has given us yet, another opportunity--as He has--time after time-for us to show people The Way, The Truth, and The Light of His Love.

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Joyful, Patient, and Faithful!

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12).

In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, he reminds them about their past and cautions them to care about their present and encourages them about their future. In verses 6-8, he discusses the different gifts that everyone has and encourages them to function in their gift. In this verse, he tells them to have hope with joy and to be faithful in praying for self and others and to be patient when we are afflicted.  Can we be happy while we wait with patience for the hope of our future; especially when we are afflicted by pain or betrayal?  Can we faithfully pray--on a consistent basis--be mindful of the needs of others and not just our own?

I am joyfully waiting with great expectation in the hope and confidence of seeing a prayer answered.  And I boast in the confidence I have in God, daily. Whenever I get a request for prayer from anyone, I immediately pray.  If it is someone on the phone, I pray right then.  If it is someone online, I type a prayer for them and let them know what I have prayed by sending it to them.  When my legs and ankles try to impede my walking, I remind them that they do determine what I do, I determine what they do.  And sometimes, I walk in pain, but I don't let it stop me.  I know of some people who are in constant pain who refuse to give up on living or their faith in God.  Hallelujah!  I'm praying for them daily.

When we think about it, seriously, we can do all things that are required of us because He has equipped us to do all things well. Are we going to do it?

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for all who have yet come to terms with a decision for You.  I pray that in the light of hope, they will see a need to accept all You have to offer with joy in their hearts and will make a decision to live for you, no matter what.  I pray physical comfort for all those suffering in pain, but yet live for You.  Relieve the pain from nerve conditions, joint conditions, skin conditions, muscle aches and whatever else might assail those who love You. I declare it done for all who will receive the gift of healing right now.  Amen!

His Timing is Not Ours!

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"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance"(2 Peter 3:9 NIV).

Isn't it good to know that God's timing is not measured by our timing?  Hallelujah!  If His timing was calculated based upon how "we determine time," most of us would be in trouble. 

The Word tells us that Jesus is coming back--does not specify time--but for those who truly believe, we know He's coming back.  Many people have doubted The Word because they do not understand God's timing.  We are told in The Word that with God, "a thousand years is like one day and one day like a thousand years".  This is how God measures time.  If we, as human beings, could ever get past the notion that we can--define, demonstrate, illustrate, or explain God based on our own finite knowledge of anything--God would have a better chance of accomplishing some things through us.  As it is, we miss God's best for our lives because we attempt to bring Him down to our level of thinking instead of allowing Him to bring us up to His level of thinking and doing. 

He also reminds us that, "His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways".  Why? Because He's God--the omniscient One, all-knowing God--the One who created us and not the other way around.  Once we accept this simple fact, we put ourselves in position to receive His best--in His timing, not ours.  Think about it!  If we truly thought and acted like God, the world would be in a much better place because all we would do is "love one another" as He has commanded us to do.

So, the next time you get a little frustrated waiting to see God's promises fulfilled in your life--know this!  His timing is not ours, but He is not a man that He should lie. If He promised it, He will bring it to pass!  Hallelujah!