Concussion Update

It has been over two years since I got a concussion, it seems like it has only been a couple of months.  The neurologist said that I should have no problem getting back to normal, but I'm not sure that I will ever be exactly the same as before my concussion.  So far it isn't anything big, just small things that are annoying.  I will be writing and I will add another letter or change a letter to a word so I erase a lot or I will ask a question that I asked a little while ago and not remember asking the first time, sorry to my family:)  The biggest thing that I have noticed is that time is different.  I'm not sure if I can explain exactly, but I will try.  Some days time will pass and I believe it has only been a short period of time and it has been hours or vice versa.  Time has become something else ever so slightly different than before, but it is different.  It is almost tangible.  I know that probably sounds weird, but that's all I got.  So nothing major, just annoying things.  I do feel like if I don't do something then it may get worse.  I need to write more often and I should read more than watch TV, paint, use my left hand more than my right.  Those are all good for my brain so I need to make that a priority this coming year.  I know this is nothing compared to what some people I know are going through right now (miscarriage, brain cancer, little child in wheelchair with a ventilator no knowing if she will be her old self again, marriages falling apart).  So forgive me if my spelling is wrong or if my sentences do not make any sense.  Give grace and it will be given to you.

Whatever each one of us has to live with or go through, God is enough, even if we do not understand the reason.

Quote - Faith & Fear

"Let your faith be bigger than your fears."

~ quote from a sign online

Easy to say, hard to apply sometimes.  When we let fear take over we often forget about God, He get pushed to the side so that our fears take center stage.  Fear gets magnified and we will spend too much time with it when we should give it to God.  Fear is not meant to be our friend, it does not comfort or protect us.  We can not have both faith and fear for very long.  One will ultimately grow stronger while the other shrinks away.  They are opposing forces, both demand to have our entire attention.

Fear seems stronger than faith in certain situations, but faith is always there waiting on us to let it work.  Faith can cause waves that crush into fear so that it is something in the distance that we thought we knew, but can't remember anymore.  To live without fear would be wonderful.  Our enemy uses fear to separate us from God, faith is the only thing that dispels fear.  Building faith takes practice over the years, trusting God and reading His word will help us fight.  No matter what the situation, we have a choice to make.  Faith or fear.  It is up to us to choose wisely.

Quote - World Peace

"What can you do to promote world peace?  Go home and love your family."

~ Mother Teresa

Seems so simple doesn't it?

Many are not called to go to the other side of the world.  Sometimes we think that our mission is not big or important enough.  I know many stay at home mom's that think they are not doing anything "important" in God's kingdom.  God has them exactly where He wants them and He has you exactly where He wants you, even if it is the last place you want to be.  You may not think that your mission is valued against others working for God, but if you choose to follow God then you will be right where He can use you the most.  No one else could ever be you doing what God has gifted you with.  So we should start at home, this can be difficult when kids or your spouse pulls your strings and irritates you to no end.  I have trouble with this, it's not a natural instinct for me to be the nurturing mom when I'm getting disrespect from my kids.  I try to do the best I can with what I've got.  If every child felt loved in this world then there probably would be less violence, murders, hatred or even wars.  The children who are abandoned, neglected and abused will be the ones who will be responsible for making and enforcing our laws, teaching children and running our government and businesses.  The impact of our actions may not be known for decades.  Why would we leave it to chance?

God DOES NOT call everyone to be a missionary, open a food bank, travel to war zones, house refugees, adopt a child or give away most of their possessions to help a charity.

God does call EVERY ONE to care for the poor, show love to the unloved, tell people about our amazing Father and be a light on a hill in the darkness so that a weary traveler may find rest in a safe place.

Quote - Live Life

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness."

~ Charles Spurgeon

Quote - Intention

"What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in awhile."

~ Charles Duhigg

This quote is simple yet I find it difficult to put into practice what is the most important to me on a daily basis.  Why?  I think we are creatures of habit and often our habits are not the ones we want to be known for.  Saying and doing are two completely different things and it is hard to find the right balance.  I like to write so maybe the key for me and for you is to write down what really matters in our lives, what do we want to pass on to our children, friends, coworkers, etc.  I guess it would be like writing what sums us up.  We have a very brief time on this earth to impact ourselves and those around us.  Many, including myself, tend to squander time on things that don't matter and when the end of the day comes we have wasted another day when we could have done so much more.  I think I will write things down that I think are important and hang it up somewhere so I can see it everyday.  Hope we all can live simply doing the things we love that will create the most good in us and the world.

Quote - Identity

"Your struggle is not your identity."

~ Quote on a sign online

How many of us hold onto our struggles or carry our past with us?  The weight of carrying such burdens is too much for our soul.  If our identity is in anything else besides God then it will be a struggle.  What ever we have been through should not complete our story, there has to be room for healing and what comes next.

Last week I got news that someone I went to high school with had killed his wife then killed himself.  He was a veteran and suicide is prevalent in people that have served in the military in America.  There was a problem, maybe he didn't even realize what it was.  By the comments from his close friends online it sounds like he never mentioned any problems to them.  At any moment he could have turned to a friend to get help.  We are not our sorrow, struggle, pain, anger, etc.  At least we should not choose that path because it will only pull us down so far that it is nearly impossible to see any light what so ever.

Quote - Andy Andrews

"My life - my personality, my habits, even my speech - is a combination of the books I choose to read, the people I choose to listen to and the thoughts I choose to tolerate in my mind."

~ Andy Andrews

I know I don't always limit what I am subjecting my brain, heart and soul to and it is really important to pay attention, but I am improving.  We are inundated with limitless entertainment options that many will not think twice before watching.  I have cut out several shows, movies, etc that do not set will with me anymore.  See my post on this: Why God shut down my TV.  Even some cable news channels are dangerous due to the fact that they are more talk show than reporting facts.  Which is a huge problem in America when people are believing a 30 second news clip that bashes on someone when it probably was taken out of context to support the channels bias (can you tell I have an issue with this:).  Everything we let in has the ability to shape our thoughts, beliefs, ideas and actions.  I can't even watch the news since it is mainly the crime report.  That's not to say that we should shut out everything and think the world is great out there, but we should be careful daily what we allow in.  Every piece of information can alter us with out us even realizing it.  Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  It makes me sad when I hear that a Christian is watching or reading something that is easy to see would be offensive to God.  It doesn't matter if society or our friends think something is OK, we should stand up for what we think is the right thing to do.  I have changed greatly from who I use to be, someone who used curse words daily (especially in the Army), didn't ever set limits and thought many things were fine (now I know better)!  I am nowhere near perfect, but strive to do better than I have in the past and continue to grow in God.

Nahum 2:8-13

v. 8-13 "Nineveh is like a pool,
and its water is draining away.
'Stop! Stop!' they cry,
but no one turns back.
Plunder the silver!
Plunder the gold!
The supply is endless,
the wealth from all its treasures!
She is pillaged, plundered, stripped!
Hearts melt, knees give way,
bodies tremble, every face grows pale.

Where now is the lions' den,
the place where they fed their young,
where the lion and lioness went,
and the cubs, with nothing to fear?
The lion killed enough for his cubs 
and strangled the prey for his mate,
filling his lairs with the kill
and his dens with the prey.

'I am against you,'
declares the LORD Almighty.
I will burn up your chariots in smoke,
and the sword will devour your young lions.
I will leave you no prey on the earth.
The voices of your messengers
will no longer be heard."

The water is draining away, Nineveh was a lush garden filled area so when the water goes the area can only dry up.  It is interesting how many exclamation marks there are.  I think this is suppose to grab our attention as if it was highlighted or underlined.  Exclamation marks, woe, repeated words or names, red words, etc.  We should pay attention to all scripture, but there is emphasis on certain words or sentences that we are to really see.  All the wealth that was taken from their captives, would be taken from them.



On the relief's taken from the Assyrian palace are pictures of lion hunts.  This seemed to be a popular past time of kings in the region.  Kings would capture lions for their "hunts" or breed them in captivity.  They would release the lion from a cage (probably weak from captivity) and kill it as if that proved how great a king they were.  This practice still goes on today and it is a disgrace.  Caged hunts do not prove manhood, only the inhumanity of one's soul.  The bible verses that speak of the lions seem to taunt the king.  On one of the reliefs found in the palace it says this, "I, Ashurbanipal, king of the universe, king of Assyria, in my lordly sport, they let a fierce lion of the plain out of the cage and on foot... I stabbed him later with my iron girdle dagger and he died."  This king had a major pride issue, king of the universe, seriously?  It proves no matter what we think of ourselves God is happy to knock us off the pedestal if it gets too high.

God said he was against them.  The last few sentences are powerful.

Their chariots would be burned up - a nod to the defeat of their army
The sword will devour their lions - the people will be destroyed
I will leave you no prey on earth - they would no longer be able to destroy their neighbors
Your messengers will be silenced - the voices will be wiped out completely

Quote - Vision

"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral."

~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

How many beautiful works of art have come from a plain old rock?  Many have trouble seeing past their circumstances or their flaws, but God sees a masterpiece.  A beautiful creation that does not recognize itself for what is it, God breathed.  I hear so many women put themselves down that if it was coming from a friend they would break off that friendship, they are in a self made prison of abuse.  That might seem like a harsh word, but I believe we don't realize our capabilities and that causes sorrow in the spirit realm.  When you bash on the beauty that God has made then you are saying that God messed up, rejecting the one who made you.  God does not make mistakes!  Being able to love yourself because God made you is not selfish, it is acceptance.  Only then can we be the person God wants us to be and get on with the work that He has given us.  How can you pour out love to others if you have no love at all?  You will pour out whatever is inside of you.  The enemy knows that if he can keep us distracted with ourselves then we will not focus on God.  There is no shortage of people who are so focused on themselves that they may never get around to His work.  See the beauty in ordinary things, see the beauty in you and those around you that that world has forgotten.

Cruelty One Word at a Time

I saw this quote on the Dr. OZ show.

"Why do people give birth to autistic kids?  Waste of society's resources."

Someone wrote this about families with autism however this is relevant to anyone who has family or friends with special needs.  Many of you might know that my brother that died a couple of years ago had Down Syndrome.  Something happened several years back that seemed to open a door for bullying online.  It is a disease that is spreading and I think will only get worse.  I can come up with many words to describe these people, but the two that I think are at the core are sadness and anger.  Hurting people hurt others.  There are countries that people still give up their children due to the fact that they are disabled or look different.  I pray that people will see how precious all babies are even when they don't look like them.

How easy it is to type word after word of hate and judgement across the web that always seems to find its target and inflict the most damage.  I am not surprised by what I see because after years of the chaos nothing seems new, but some moments I am taken back by the evil in others and I am brought to tears (crying right now).  These words are uneducated, cruel, sad and pathetic.  I feel sorry for those who tear others apart just to make themselves feel better (bullies focus on others so they don't have to focus on themselves).

Proverbs 18:21a "The tongue has the power of life and death."

I do not know this person, but this is what I see when I read hate.  I see someone who is ignorant of God, which itself is it's own torture.  I see sadness, hatred, anger, and a lack of compassion.  Our language is a series of words, but when strung together in certain order they can land a devastating blow to the soul.  

If you have ever been bullied (yes I have too) then I hope that you will pay it forward and show kindness.   Bullying others does not heal the child inside that was bullied or broken long ago.  Love is the antidote to hate.  If you see others being bullied then take a stand and reach out and speak love because that is probably the moment in their life that they need a hero the most.  

John 9:1-3 "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'  'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'"  I believe the fact that this man was born blind is showing us that being born different or having a disability is not bad or wrong.  This goes for all those who become disabled after birth, God's light can shine through every person.  Show love to those who are hurting and pray that they can know the perfect love of God.  Small minds think small thoughts.

This feels urgent to do now.  I usually type and come back to it another day to finish up, but this I feel needs to go out now.  Maybe someone needs love and support right this very minute and to know they are not alone in this world.  I usually don't ask, but I hope that you will share this with anyone you think would like a moment of kindness, don't hesitate.

Quote - Arguments

"You don't have to attend every argument you are invited to."
~ unknown

I saw this on a sign online and thought it was a good one to post.  Some of us get our backs against the wall when an argument is anywhere near us.  We will be better off not getting involved especially when it is something that we can't do anything about or someone has their heels dug in and we will not change their minds on a subject.

So let us all reply "no thank you" to about 99% of argument's we are invited to and the 1% that have value and we are passionate about then proceed with kindness and caution.

Quote - Buscaglia

"Your talent is God's gift to you.  What you do with it is your gift back to God."

~Buscaglia

Many people think that they do not have any gifts or are jealous when they see what gifts other people have.  We are all unique, that is not by accident.  I wonder how many people have wasted away their lives never once using the gifts that were meant for them.  I wonder what has been unseen in this world due to our lack of faith in the abilities given to us by God.  I procrastinate like many people and it is something that I have to fight against.  I have been painting this week, but writing is something that I have not done much lately and I really need to focus and set aside time to work on it.  

Are you using your gifts wisely?  Are you too busy being jealous of the gifts others have that you don't see what yours are?  What are you waiting for?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's day to all you wonderful moms out there.  If you are not a mom then don't think this day excludes you.  If you are an aunt, cousin, neighbor then you can be a mother to others.  Being a mother is kindness and love to the lost, wounded, hurt, lonely and the forgotten.  Mother Teresa did not have any children yet the word mother is always in front of her name.  She helped the forgotten, she did not do it for fame or wealth.  She did it for God.  Do not be confined by the definition of what a mother is.  If we do our best and show God's love to others then we are doing exactly what a mother represents.  Love and sacrifice for another.

"Do ordinary things with extraordinary love."

~ Mother Teresa

Quote - Dr. Seuss

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

~ Dr. Seuss

I have a great love of Dr. Seuss quotes.  This man was such an amazing writer that he created strange worlds that helped us deal with the strangeness in our own world.  We often go about our days and dismiss something small and what we think of as minuscule, but if we really pay attention we can see such beauty in each small thing.  When you read the Bible there are such descriptive words and vast details that we skim over for the really big things.  Yet God took the time to give us those details so the little things mean something to Him.  I pray we will all see the seemingly insignificant things in life and take a moment to pay attention to them.  All of those little moments are what make up a life, not just the large exciting ones.  It's the moments in between the big ones that make us, shapes us and propels us to be a better person.

Nahum 2:1-7

v. 1-7 "An attacker advances against you, Nineveh.
Guard the fortress,
watch the road,
brace yourselves,
marshal all your strength!

The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob
like the splendor of Israel,
though destroyers have laid them waste
and have ruined their vines.

The shields of his soldiers are red;
the warriors are clad in scarlet.
The metal on the chariots flashes
on the day they are made ready;
the spears of pine are brandished.
The chariots storm through the streets,
rushing back and forth through the squares.
They look like flaming torches;
they dart about like lightning.

He summons his picked troops,
yet they stumble on their way.
They dash to the city wall;
the protective shield is put in place.
The river gates are thrown open 
and the palace collapses.
It is decreed that the city 
be exiled and carried away.
Its slave girls moan like doves
and beat upon their breasts."

It seems like God is taunting Nineveh in verse 1.  I think God's anger was so great against these people that He did not hold back and this would have struck the pride of the king of Nineveh.  They must have thought they were invincible.  As if they could have done anything to stop God's will.

This references the destruction of Nineveh later in 612 BC.  The Babylonians and Medes destroyed Nineveh.  There seems to be some new information from an Oxford University researcher that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were actually in Nineveh, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  This was a highly sophisticated city with the ability to create gardens that were possibly up in the air on columns or on terraces with aqueducts bringing water up from the rivers.  There is even writing that King Sennacherib had used a bronze water raising screw to irrigate the gardens.  This screw is similar to Archimedes' Screw, which was "invented" by Archimedes four hundred years later!  Sorry, I am very fascinated with ancient technology and do get sidetracked occasionally.

Every time they invaded other countries they acquired more treasure.  With what seemed like unlimited funds the kings build massive palaces, created a well fortified city and an impressive military.  Even with all their success they did not have favor with God and time was running out for the people of Nineveh.

In 722 BC Nineveh had taken the northern kingdom (Israel) and forced the southern kingdom (Judah) to pay tribute.  In verse 2 God says that he will restore Jacob, restore His people.  When we feel like we are at the end, that nothing could ever restore us, we can be restored by God alone.  He is our comforter, He can pick up the pieces of our lives and restore us to the point of seeming to have not fallen in the first place.  No matter what we do, God can heal our hearts, minds and souls.  This can only happen IF we let Him, IF we invite Him into our lives.

In v. 3 it mentions red and scarlet, these colors represent war, bloodshed, sacrifice, all throughout the Bible we see those colors weaved into the fabric of the pages.  I believe the enemy was coming for destruction, even more than for a conquest.  Just like our enemy tries to destroy us.  Nineveh had earlier attacked Babylon.  Babylon might have been tired of Nineveh trying to take over their territory.

The higher we get the harder the fall to the ground when we are humbled.

Quote - Injustice

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Beautiful quote and sadly true.  We think that when things happen across the world that it's too far away and shouldn't affect our everyday life.  There is a danger to think that injustice is someone else's problem because we are one people on one planet and if there is injustice in the world then that makes it OUR problem.  There have been too many terrible leaders and groups who have spread evil and many quietly watched either in fear or disbelief.  We are to stand up for those who can not stand under the oppressive hand of a dictator.  If you are thinking I'm just one person and I can't do much then you are under the impression that your voice doesn't matter.  Whatever pulls at your heart, that is your mission field.  Whether you donate your time or money or both, every moment spent helping others is an act of defiance against the enemy and shows allegiance to God.

Be bold for the forgotten, the weak, the orphans and the outcasts.  

Easter - The Good News

Mary Magdalene (among other women and some disciples) made their way to the tomb with the spices.  Women took care of preparing the bodies for their eternal rest.  When they got there the stone had been rolled away and Jesus' body was gone.  The guards were placed at the tomb to make sure that no one took the body were in a sleep like state.  This must have been confusing to Mary and the others.  The disciples ran back home, but Mary stayed behind (not sure if the other women left as well).  Mary must have been so overtaken with grief that when the two angels asked her why she was crying, her answer was "They have taken my Lord away and I don't know where they have put him." As if she didn't skip a beat seeing angels.  Then Jesus asked "Why are you crying?  Who is it you are looking for?"  Mary thinking that Jesus was the gardener asked Him where the body was.  This was a women in despair, she didn't even realize that this was Jesus in front of her.

Then Jesus spoke one word, Mary, then she knew that Jesus was alive and right in front of her.  Jesus said an interesting thing to Mary, he said "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.  Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"  Jesus said to not hold on to him for he had not yet returned to the Father.  His mission was not over just yet.  Mary was to go tell the disciples and when she got there they did not believe her.  The very first person to spread the Good News was a woman, this is an amazing fact that often gets overlooked.  She told the disciples, the men who had seen the miracles that Jesus had performed over the last few years, yet they still did not believe.

If you tell others about Jesus then there will be many who do not listen, but that should not stop any of us from sharing His story.  It is part of our job as Christians to tell about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit and what He has done in our lives.

Hope you all have a blessed day and a happy Easter!

Nahum 1:12-15

v. 12-15 "This is what the Lord says:
Although they have allies and are numerous, 
they will be cut off and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, O Judah,
I will afflict you no more.
Now I will break their yoke from your neck
and tear your shackles away.

The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:
You will have no descendants to bear your name.
I will destroy the carved images and cast idols
that are in the temple of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,
for you are vile.

Look, there on the mountains, 
the feet of one who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your festivals, O Judah,
and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;
they will be completely destroyed."

Depending what side of the fence you are on will determine how you see God.  If you are following His decrees then you are under His protection, grace will abound and you see a loving God.  If you are consumed by anger, hatred and unforgiveness then you will see a mean God.  We have a choice to make, a decision that will determine our destiny.  This message was to give hope to Judah who had been under attack from Nineveh.

God begins this section with the observation that the enemy has many on their side and sounds invincible, but they will still be cut down.  God does not do this to brag about His powers.  This is for for our benefit.  When we see the odds are overwhelmingly against us then we have to remember that God is more, He is greater than anything else.

Here is says that God afflicted Judah.  He didn't ignore them or walk away from them.  God took action against people who walked away from Him.   To be afflicted means: to distress with mental or bodily pain; trouble greatly or grievously, to overthrown, defeat or humble.  Why did God afflict Judah?  After Solomon died the kingdom was split into two different lands.  The northern kingdom was Israel and the southern kingdom was Judah.  Does anyone else know what happens when a land splits up?  Your power, military, wealth, etc. is weakened by the division.  You are prone to attacks from other countries.  Many of the kings of both lands (Israel and Judah) were evil and corrupt and some killed the prior king to gain power.  Is anyone wondering why God would let His people be captured when they kept turning away from Him?

God broke the yoke from the people.  A yoke was a device for joining two animals together to control them so that a farmer could plow a field.  Yoke also means something that binds together, a bond or a tie.  A weight is lifted from their spirit, soul and maybe a physically feeling of being set free.

The thought of God preparing graves is one of those verses that just stick out to me.  I don't think this is one of those scriptures that is hard to decipher.  God was not messing around here, He meant business. Wow.

God made those nameless that had in turn made their captives destroy the bones of their ancestors which took away their history and family names.  God knows justice.

We see that it is not all bad news, for the people of Judah they are to celebrate their festivals again, but they are also suppose to fulfill their vows.  We can not just celebrate and have a party when we become a Christian.  When we come to the Father we have to repent for our sins.  While they were captives they could not celebrate or pursue their religion.  When God sets us free we are to celebrate Him, celebrate life and honor God in all that we do.

Quote - Dr. Seuss

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out."

~ Dr. Seuss

We spend so many years trying to fit in especially in the teen years that we forget how to be original and stand out.  In large part this is helped by people who bully others.  When we blend in then we don't usually get picked on.  It's the safe route, but not the best one.  God made us special and we are all different and that is perfectly OK.  Be proud of who God made you to be, He does not make mistakes!

Dr. Seuss was a brilliant writer.  As an adult reading the books to my kids I have noticed the lessons that are weaved into his stories.  Among the nonsense words there is a treasure of wisdom that can help us all as kids, teens and adults.

Quote - Thomas S. Monson

"There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus the commandment: 'Judge not.'"

~Thomas S. Monson

My Media Fast

I am leading the 7 Experiment bible study by Jen Hatmaker.  This week is Media so that means I won't be online that much, only to blog (this is my ministry), pay bills, etc.  No fun window shopping or anything like that.  Loving this bible study and will talk about it later.  The entire point of the study is to let go of the stuff in our lives to get closer to Jesus.  One of the better studies that I have ever done.

Don't let the words from others derail you.

"There is no convincing proof of your claim except delusion."

This is a comment I received from my post on Jonah 4:6.  I find if very interesting some of the comments that I get from people who don't seem to believe.  God is planting seeds all over the place that could grow in the future.  Our job as believers is not to argue, we should be showing love and kindness to those people.  Instead of pushing them away by saying how wrong they are.  The truth IS and since that is the case it can not be argued without us looking like strange or mean people and us getting so upset that we loose all composure.  Remember that the enemy is waiting for us to look like a fool before those that don't believe.  He wants as many as possible to stray from the flock as he can get and unfortunately he is doing a bang up job of it.

Here is my response.

Just saw your comment, yes I am extremely behind on my emails!  So you think I am delusional?  That is OK, because I do not do this to be liked.  Everyone has their own opinions and we are free to share what we believe.  When you bring up "proof" then I know I can not argue with you because believers need no proof, yet non believers will not move forward without it.  It can be pointless to try to get someone else to see your point of view when they are dead set against it.  Do you believe in the wind?  You can't see the wind or grasp it in your hands, yet you can see what it can do.  Does this mean that it doesn't exist?

My proof is the word of God, the things that I have seen on this earth that are not from this world.  I have felt God's peace, which is unlike anything on this planet and people will destroy themselves to try to find it in other things.  I was a sinner who deserved no grace yet God poured His love down on me and has changed me forever.  So when someone is in a place that I know well (unbelief) then I can only offer them kindness.  I can't hold bitterness towards you or anyone else because God does not hold that against me.  Being a Christian is not a religion, it is a personal relationship with Jesus and I will go on proclaiming His goodness for all of my days.

I know that many Christians have been the worst promoters for God, saying one thing and doing something entirely different.  Do you think it was an accident that you stumbled on my post?  It was not, God has a plan for you even if you do not believe in Him.  He loves you so much, but I think that you do not know that.  I pray one day that you will know His love because when you do there will be a change in your heart that will grant you passage to beautiful love here on earth and an eternity of love. 

Nahum 1:6-11

v. 6-11 "Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
the rocks are shattered before him.

The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
but with an overwhelming flood
he will make an end of Nineveh;
he will pursue his foes into darkness.

Whatever they plot against the Lord 
he will bring to an end;
trouble will not come a second time.
They will be entangled among thorns
and drunk from their wine;
they will be consumed like dry stubble.
From you, O Nineveh, has one come forth
who plots evil against the Lord 
and counsels wickedness."

I hope all my sweet friends, that would be you, are having a wonderful day today.  Where I am it is raining and very cold.  Not a fun day to be out so I am glad that I am inside where it is warm and I can be away from the elements.  God is the covering over our head, like my house that keeps me warm in the winter.  God is protective by nature, yet you can clearly see that He will act against evil like the authoritative power that He is.

The word indignation means: strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting; a righteous anger.  This wonderful book is a warning and a blessing to all of us.  We should make good decisions and try to stay away from harmful choices.  The verse that says "trouble will not come a second time" is one of those that just jumps out at me.  There is a finality here that doesn't seem to be in the book of Jonah.  They have had long enough to turn from their evil ways and now it is time to make things right.  The book of Jonah is so focused on Jonah's story that there isn't much said about Nineveh, here the prophet does not hold back.

Warning: If you are enjoying your cup of coffee and looking forward to a peaceful post, this is not that day.

Does it seem like God is being mean here?  Let me tell why I think He was justified in His anger, which He always is.  Looking into the history of the kings of Nineveh is overwhelming.  King Ashurbanipal was from a long line of rulers that were extremely brutal.

Some of the things that the kings of Nineveh did are:

• beheaded enemies
• disemboweled, probably while alive
• skinned people alive
• hung naked enemies or their heads on poles
• took captives by chains on their feet and/or noses 
• cut out tongues
• made their captives grind the bones of their ancestors

What does this list all have in common?  Nineveh ran on fear and complete submission to the king.  Skinning people alive is just one of those things that are really hard to comprehend.  The last thing about grinding bones was a mentally and emotionally abusive torture tactic.  Many people from that time period held the belief that their ancestors bones were sacred.  Grinding the bones would have been unthinkable.  It erases their family line, takes away their ancestral voice.  Just like the Jews in WWII where given numbers or the slaves in America were not named on the census inventory for a plantation owner.  Truly a cruel act to erase people's identity.

I'm not trying to ruin your day, but I am not one to ignore history.  This research is not what I would call fun.  Although, it is necessary to see why God had a justified right to His anger towards Nineveh.  There is a famous quote about if we ignore our history we are doomed to repeat it.  When we go along as if nothing is happening or has ever happened bad then we deceive ourselves.  I do not want a re-branding of our history to only show the good things we have done.  We NEED to look at the history of all people to learn lessons from wicked leaders and to see hope in the people that decided to take a stand for what is right.

Just reading about the way these kings conducted their kingdom is appalling.  The British Museum has many of the reliefs that had been found in Nineveh.  The pictures were meant to boast about their rulers and probably scare people visiting the kingdom.  One would think that Nahum heard about the drawings of death that were on the palace walls.  Unfortunately, this moment in history is not unusual or more violent than many others.  It's sad to think evil with power has gone on for most of human history and in some parts of the world is going on right now.  

The one who has come forth to plot evil against the Lord seems to be talking about just one person.  During Nahum's life Ashurbanipal was king.  I think that in a long line of evil rulers, this "one" refers to the legacy of many cruel leaders.

IF:gathering

There is a women's conference going on tonight and tomorrow.  IF:gathering is a conference in Austin, TX that is being shown around the world.  My town is showing a live feed of this amazing group of women that God has called to rally us in our hearts, minds and actions.  Tonight was the first session and they are offering all women a chance to watch for free.  Since many of you who visit my blog are in other countries, I do not know if they offer a translation.  I hope that you will be able to watch the video from tonight.  Tomorrow is the last day, they are going to have an all day conference so you should be able to watch those sessions for free too.  Please click on the link below if you would like to watch.  I'm not sure how long this will be online so please don't wait.  Tonight was extremes; heart breaking, deep & funny.  All made me think of what am I doing with the gifts God has given me and why have I not done more.  If you like it then let me know what you think and what God is putting on your heart to do in our world.  #ifgathering

 IF:gathering

Quote - Friends

"For to be without friends is a serious form of poverty."

from It Happened on 5th Avenue (movie)

This quote is from one of my favorite holiday movies, not one of the more famous movies although it should be.  It is funny and inspiring all at the same time.  When I first heard the line I had to pause and write it down.  Such a beautiful line that really makes you think.  When I looked up poverty the definition said - state or condition of having little or no money, goods or means of support, deficiency of necessary or desirable ingredients.  We usually think of poverty as only being one thing, although their are many different ways this can take shape in our lives.  There is a very big difference when you are going through something difficult if you have close friends by your side or if you feel completely alone.

We were made for community and that is why I think that many are lonely today.  So many people are busy that they can't slow down to see the things that are the most important in their lives, it is never that important to check social media updates every hour or every few minutes and forgo talking to people face to face.  It is good to step away from the web occasionally to take a break, evaluate the things we think are top priority in our lives.  Don't think I am one of those church ladies that have a group of friends and have had them for years to turn to in times of need.  I have always been a loner type so I don't have that great group of friends.  Of course, I would love to have that kind of amazing group of friends that are there for you no matter what.  It's something I'm praying for.  I hope that you have people that you can rely on out there.  Life is so much better when we have others to share with.

Quote - Joseph Campbell

"Find a place inside where there's joy and the joy will burn out the pain."

~ Joseph Campbell