My black and white world.....

How well do you  know the scripture,"" All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me. ??? How often do you practice it???
If you know this scripture well then you know "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open" must be understood, believed and practiced in order to see the grace and favor in the first scripture.
What a bold statement, All things are possible!!! Big miracles are given to those who dream, believe and do big things for God. God said all things are possible, ALL.
Lately I look around and see people praying  and dreaming big , but not doing big things in faith. We are  not entitled to answered prayers just because just because we believe in God. Jesus believed in God but he did not sit around praying, he did big things to show his faith. Jesus went out of his comfort zone and was fully dependant on God to pull him through each step of his life. In order to experience the full power of "ALL thing are possible", you must know Jesus was our example to FOLLOW. Because he stepped out of his comfort zone for us, we can through his strength do the same thing.
Did you know Jesus sweat blood the night before He was crucified. When we have anxiety we go to the doctor and get a pill, Jesus went to God in prayer and God helped Him face His fear.
If you want a better marriage, you must tell God what you want for your marriage(ASK)
Be relentless in your search for a way to get it. (SEEK)
Here's the tuff one,  Do what you need to do (KNOCK)
God helps those who help themselves. God makes a way for those who seek a way .
Do you raise your children to be dependant on you for the rest of their life? Do you do everything for them all the time? Or do you teach them what your doing and why so they can do it on their own? Do you want your children to grow up to be confident and free?
So does God!!!God want us to know all things are possible through christ .  Do not fear the world. Jesus showed us we can do anything we want but we must get up and do what we want done. All the words in the bible were written for us to follow not  just read and pray, they are for us to stand on holy ground and claim. Those words are instructions for freedom.
Jesus said I am the way the truth  and the light. So we must know his ways, see his ways, and do his ways.
How well do I know the scripture all things are possible through Christ? Well, once I overcame my fear of being rejected by the world and stepped out of my comfort zone and saw that God was teaching me how to be comfortable in Him in uncomfortable times, then I stopped seeing the world in color and saw the world in black and white. I don't see a lot of colorful options I see two . I see Hope and Fear .I see them everyday in all people around me. Hope gives and fear takes. Now that I see the light I address others accordingly. I either encourage or motivate others in the right direction. Sometimes its not easy and most of the time I sacrifice my feelings but, it is ALL possible through Christ.

The Passing Of The Torch.....

Have you  heard the saying ,"There are too many cooks in the kitchen?"

 When God looked down on Earth and saw  (too many cooks in the kitchen)total chaos, He knew He needed to intervene and make a change. He sent Jesus and Jesus was the intervention , the change. 

Jesus taught us how to take total chaos(desires of the flesh ) and use a perfect blend of grace and truth (fruits of the spirit)and make a difference.
John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"

 When there is a lack of compassion ,show them compassion. When there is a need for truth ,speak truth. When someone is mean show kindness, when someone is prideful be humble. Where you see a lack of something teach it by showing it to another,  over and over until they get it. 

Jesus showed us how to be relentless for another  in our teaching. They literally had to nail Jesus to the cross to stop Him from teaching . Even there on the cross He was  still  teaching  .He taught us to pass the torch.
We believers are called to be leaders and shepherds of our own flock of followers ,but good leaders are great teachers.

Jesus knew when He was on the cross   His love and passion for God was taught for the profit of God and His people. He trained others to take on His job and become  leaders. He knew He was a change, and knew it was time for us to be a change.
There are times when it seems there are too many cook in the kitchen around us,  there are times we feel like we are up against a giant, there are times we feel we need to part the waters for Gods people ,there are times we see things need to change in order to get better. Don't be afraid. God sent Jesus to show us that because of what Jesus did for us, in faith we can do now . Do the things you ask God to change in prayer. Prayer is not a question it is the answer for God to use you to intervene. Allow the gift Jesus left in you  (Holy Spirit ) to lead you to make the difference.
Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open"

. Use the passion God gives you about something and the passion in your heart to show God Jesus life was worthwhile and you understand His teaching and training  . Teach others the right way to live. Be proud to be the change in others lives and get ready to pass the torch Christ passed to you.

Cast you burden as bait reel in love beyond measure.

My daughter has been preparing for an intense competition. I have invested all of me into helping her prepare for this for the past year. I do this out of  selfless love so Olivia can enjoy her life. The competition is now a few hours away and to say I am nervous is an understatement. When Olivia comes to me with nerves and anxiety, I take it in myself and give to  her encouragement and praise, so she can enjoy the experience and perform with confidence.  . I feel like I am carrying the weight ,stress, and anxiety so she can just have  the experience. I know the stakes are high and  the consequences . I also know what she can do when she is driven without doubt.
God knows what we are capable of when we do not have doubt.
Psalms 55:22 Cast your burdens to the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
As parents we do this all the time for our children, when they are in a spelling bee, when they tryout for a sport, anxiety is a part of life and a part of our kids lives and we do the best we can to protect them from the feeling  of anxiety. We do not want our children to be afraid, distracted and have doubt in themselves.  If I could I would use my own body as a shield to protect her from this. Olivia trusts me . She knows  I am on her  side and no matter what happens  .Olivia is dependent on me emotionally, financially, physically spiritually every way because she is young. God wants us to know ,He knows how we feel for our children because He feels the same for You His child. God does not want His child to be burdened , go to Him repent , give Him your worries because He can handle it and He want s you to enjoy life. God said cast your burden to the Him . Every time you doubt Him your reeling them back in. Cast your burden out with confidence  ,knowing prayer is the answer. Know that prayer is asking God to intervene.
If Olivia came to me with her anxiety and worries, she comes seeking comfort and I make sure she knows she is not alone and I'm going to do all I can to help her. The comfort and confidence I give her strengths her.
That is exactly how God wants us to come to Him.  Like a child seeking comfort, and confident knowing He is doing all He can to help.
Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth , unless you turn from your sin and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven."

I can take all the hardship from Olivia and give her hope. Because I understand I've been there and her problems, although seem big to her, I see them all working out if she perserveres  .My happiness is in seeing her happy .Loving her with unconditional ,selfless true love and her feeling that love at the end of the day is all that matters.
Empathy: ability to understand and share the feeling of another.
We are able to feel for others because of love.
When Olivia comes to me with her burdens she is weak  vulnerable , in need,  this strengthens me . What I mean is you make my baby cry you better watch out. I become driven with passion and fire.
Have you ever had a child say someone was mean to them? Has anyone ever made your child cry or afraid or hurt? What happens inside you when your baby comes to you with her stress? Do you not take it personal ?
2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is all you need.My power works best in weakness " So now I will boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
After your child comes to you ,you  grab your baby and hug them and remind them someone will have to go through you to ever hurt her and seriously mean it. You have so much inner strength because your baby is relying on you . you could probably move a mountain or fight an army ,whatever it takes . Olivia can rest assure I will take care of her.
We can feel this Love because God first loves us .
Knowing all this I can go to God with my worries, burdens,weakness that I deal with as a wife and mother ,the burdens I carry for my family I take them to God. Although I want to make all things right for them ,I am humanly flawed and weak.I can not make make all things right. God always makes a negative a positive.God only makes all things right.So I am proud to take my families burdens to God to make right ,I can strengthen God by saying I am sorry I need help.I want to tell you whats bothering me .I would rather work through this with you than without you.
When I learned I could enjoy being dependent on God .I found joy on earth like nothing I have ever known.  I am blessed, chosen,adopted,favored, and forgiven.I am protected and loved. Just like I can carry the afflictions for Olivia just so she can enjoy life, God does the same for me.
God wants us to know , It does not matter what you have done , It does not matter how big the task, He knows the outcome .The burden , the worry ,the sin does not matter it does not change His love for you .Loving you is all that matters. you are His child and when you bring your problem to Him He takes it personal and He is strengthened and driven by passion and love for you. You can rest now , know that what seems big to you is small to Him.Know that God can only make a negative a positive.Know you are blessed,chosen, adopted,favored,forgiven,protected,and loved.
Love is all that matters

20 Questions with God!!!

My daughter Olivia likes to play 20 questions with her friend on the phone. She asked me one day "Have you ever played 20 questions mom?" I smiled and nodded yes.

I play 20 questions every day with God. There IS a difference between prayer and asking God questions. I ask God questions all day every day just because I like to spend time getting to know Him and I  enjoy His company. 

John 14:13 You can ask anything in my name , so that the father may be glorified in the Son.

You CAN ask  God anything , just like He is on the other end of a phone. If you could ask Him anything , why wouldn't you? Asking Him is spending time getting to know Him, being in His presents . This is everything!!!God created all of us to enjoy and love and I enjoy and love my days more when I am in His presents. I never have a bad day unless I do not make Him a part of it. Every day is good and worthwhile when I am  learning with Him.
Ask and you shall receive... how do we receive if you do not ask?
 There is no foolish question . I ask God  anything I think of , all day everyday."God , did David ever have a difficult sheep?" to "Am I making straight paths for you ?" No dumb question !
Hunter (my son) went through a common phase when he was little asking WHY WHY WHY about everything .When we would answer each question he would question the answer and this is still going on. This is exactly how I have played 20 questions with God though out my  life. I desire to know His ways. I think the reason I never tire of this game is because God answers me in my language my way of understanding. Just as I try to answer Hunter. Simply! He always gives more than just an answer. He gives understanding( Knowledge)!
Asking God question brought us closer together. It changed prayer for me.
I am a hairdresser. I went to school and learned by written and hands on training. Before I received  my license I had to take a state board. I had to pass this in order to become what I desired. I was prepared for the board because I had all the my questions answered ahead of time , now I can  focus on  the task at hand, and nail it.
The more time I spend with God asking questions, when there is a need for prayer, prayer becomes a separate special ability.
Prayer is no longer asking for Gods help it becomes answering a call to help. It becomes the state board.
God calls us His children and His warriors both.
You have to sign up for the military,study and train for years, asking questions and learning.Then you are told about a special forces training you should do. On day you get word you are needed for a special mission to protect your people and you have one target one shot one kill. You have a choice kill the enemy and come home or he kills you .You are a focused warriors relying on God and your training.
That is  what prayer has become for me after years of asking question.
When I get the request for prayer or see a need for prayer ,I go from a child asking questions to a soldier going for an answer. I have an assignment  to take the enemy out .Need is my target. I have my sheep and my heart to protect and I have the enemy in my cross hairs.  I rely only on God and His training.
 I feel like David  a boy at battle against the giant Goliath. Everyone may see Goliath as a giant and myself as a child, but size is no obstical , like David I see a target. I know what I need ,5 smooth stones( need for God to interveen  and I am prepared to claim it  again and again, because I will not surrender to doubt.) and what I do not  need ,a bunch of armor (a bunch of questions and doubt weighing me down) What I see instead of a giant problem is Gods promises.  When David killed the giant  that was not the end, when we break a strong hold or (quit a bad habbit)there will be temptation near. After David killed the giant he stood near him ,pulled out Goliath's own sword and cut his head off.  When temptation comes rearing its ugly head cut it off by eliminating the need or desire of fear and doubt from your heart forever.
When Abraham put Issac on the alter , he surrendered to Gods will and believed Gods promises , he did not hesitate or take Issac off with doubt. When you ask God a question He answers you in your tongue ,when you pray pray to God in His tongue His word and promises.
God wants us all to know prayer is not a question prayer is the answer.

How did David deal with " Difficult Sheep"????

Have you been faced with difficult people in your life and feel like your not getting any better at dealing with them?
Do not be afraid! Romans 8:31 ...If God is for us who can stand against us?
Avoiding confrontation and difficult people is not what we are called to do. If Jesus avoided confrontation and difficult people where would we be now?
We are called to protect truth , show grace by encouraging difficult people to see the truth for themselves.
Have you ever had someone say "I told you so?"
Isaiah 40:3 "In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Make a way for the Lord!!!! Not people.
You cant go around telling everyone do this don't do that to protect them. If you do , what happens? It falls on deaf ears and you end up saying I told you so. We all have to WANT to see truth. Difficult people want truth too ,that's why there fighting . They just need a hint not the answer.
What did Jesus do?  After all God knew we all needed a hint so He sent Jesus for  an  example of How to love Him and others.
John 8.7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them.,"Let any one of you who is without sin be the first t throw a stone at her."
Jesus did not lash back at them! He waited and listened to them with His heart .  Did they really want him to answer, NO! Did they need Him to answer? YES!
What I learned was just because I can see the truth does not  mean others are ready to hear it. What they are willing to see is compassion , they let the guard down and its easier to help them .
Jesus did not avoid them, he did not walk away either .
He realized they needed a hint . He showed compassion!!!!He didn't teach a lesson on compassion. He saw a lack of something and showed it to  them . He showed compassion and helped them all  see right from wrong.
He basically asked them a question that led them to think for themselves..
Luke 5:23 Which is easier to say,"Your sins are forgiven,"or say"Get up and walk?"
Jesus again asked an honest question that  made people think for themselves.
We can simply motivate people in the right direction by asking questions that lead to the truth.
Did God ever let Jesus look like a fool? He made him look like the Prince of Peace.
Like David we are  called to be shepherds of our own flock of sheep. Did David get to choose his sheep?Who ever God brings in and out ,and in and out of our lives are our  very own sheep.
Do you think David ever had a stubborn sheep that wanted to stray off? Well , I'm going to say yes otherwise they would not need a shepherd.
David knew he was watching his fathers sheep.
God chooses who and why each person passes through our lives, basically He is calling you to be their shepherd.
David knew each one. God picked your sheep for you. He trusted them with you to know , protect and shepherd.
David was a good shepherd . He did not go around picking sheep up and putting them in a cage to protect them. He did not   go out in the field and play on his phone and wait till it was time to go home.
He fought a bear and a lion to protect them. He knew the sheep  were important to his father and he was willing to risk his life for the sheep that strayed.
Sound familiar? It should !!
 What did Jesus do for us?
I cant stress enough how crucial  and fulfilling it is to let God teach you how to deal with difficult people.
Jesus gave his life for difficult people. We are all have our moments.
When Jesus left us He passed on a gift.  The Holy Spirit.
So we can have him with us always . So we can deal with difficulties.
How can we really be appreciate and know the holy spirit if we do not in faith let  Him lead us from temptation and deliver us from evil.
If God is for us  ,Jesus is in us,  and the holy spirit is leading us ?!?! Who can stand against us????
David was first a BOY shepherd then a KING shepherd.
 How did a boy eventually become the king ?He knew his shepherd and his shepherd knew him. They had an unbreakable relationship .They spent Davids whole life on earth together.
Jesus spent His whole life on earth together with God .They have an unbreakable relationship. We must spend time with God building an unbreakable relationship in order to LOVE.
When I was learning this lesson it was difficult for me. I was a stubborn sheep. I tended to stay off looking for a purpose. It was difficult because there was no purpose.God  had no motive for creating me except to share love.God created man in His image. We are the only thing He created with a soul able to love Him back. Agape! No motives behinds your love for each other.Agape is the cup overflowing .Its so much love it flows over to humanity.
Take( I) out of everything you do for others and people are no longer difficult.

Agape -Just Because

My kids asked me who my favorite was or who I love more? I remember asking my parents the same question at their age. My answer was the same as my parents ,I love you both the same .I do right? I had to think about that one. The love is the same  I love them both to the max.
I love hunters determination .To Hunter( NO) is just a detour. I love Hunters humility. Hunters pride is in making others feel good. I do not know how God made someone like him come from me.
I love Olivia's inner strength.  Olivia is a young lady of her word. Her yes is yes and no is no. She does not lead you on or beat around the bush . She always seems confident in any choice she makes and it does not matter if you agree  , she knows its her choice and yours is your and respects that. If God said "Angie I am going to let you make your own daughter, you are in charge of hair color, strengths, height, etc." I know if I had all my life on earth and I had access to every personal trait known to human kind there is no way someone like me could have made someone like her. He did it perfectly and beyond what I deserve. Someday  I think I should get both my kids DNA checked. Just kidding!
There are different traits I love in them, but the love I feel is the same.
There are four types of love describes in the bible. I have read, studied and asked God many questions about each one. What I wondered first about was why four?!?! I wanted to know why not just one? All love comes from God , but each is as different as Olivia and Hunter are. To say one is more important than another is like saying you love one quality about God more than another.  He could have just had one but He loves us so much when He made each of us and put so much passion into each cell of our DNA. I mean after all each one of us make up the body of Christ don't you think when He was making His one and only son He was going to do it perfectly? He really had all the time ,not that he needs it . He has access to every trait of human kind and when He made of us he did not make one mistake . "We are fearfully and wonderfully made"he knew His love was a lot to understand so He broke it down into four ways for us to use for order in our life.

 Eros : Husband and wife
 My love for Kel  is different than the love I have for our kids ,but the love comes from the same place .I love Kel as much as i can but our love serves a different purpose and need.
Philia : Friendships
I have friends, I even have different groups of friends. I have casual, close, spiritual, etc. I do not love one friend more than another ,I do not place one friendship higher than another. I love each of my friends equally. They all serve a different purpose, that I need. I do not love my husband more than my best friend.  We can not compare one love to another. It would be like trying to compare my love for my kids.
Storg: Family
This is love you feel for mother, sister ,brother ,father. Again ,I love my mom but not more than my dad. I love and need them differently. There are different types of love, but there are different needs .All love comes from the same place .
Agape: I call this Just Because Love
Agape means selfless, unconditional,sacrificial love.
God says," Love is patient and  love is kind. "Why is it?
Why does God love us? Why does God answer our needs/prayers?
Is He worried about going to heaven or hell? NO! Does God do so much for us because He has to answer to someone some day?Why did He make us? Do you think if God helps us He makes more money or will get a promotion or will have more friends . God does not have motives behind His love for us. Agape is when we do not either.
I spend a lot of time with God, mostly asking questions just because I want to know Him. When I feel closest to God I'm not working for charity or at church I'm usually at home talking to Him while I'm cleaning.
 God shows us This love through Jesus. Jesus showed us how to love God back by giving Him your life.
I already did that .I'm  already His so I do not have to prove anything to Him .I can just be obedient and spend the rest of my life serving Him JUST BECAUSE. There are no motives behind why I love Him. He does not have to make me rich or famous He does not have to  grant me anything .I'm  content with just spending time with Him knowing, I'm not alone in this crazy world.
I want to be a reflection of His love so I love the people in my life just because God made them perfectly and beyond what I deserve.
There are four types of love each for a different purpose. God wants us to understand He can love each of us to the max .Equally , just like I do my kids. But we all serve a different need  and purpose for Him. Our purpose here is just because God needed each of us to love. Not to do great things .He can do great things. (through us)Just because He want to share true love with each of us. That  is why I want to share that love and be obedient now . We are already His !Rejoice!Love God just because through Jesus we can.

Love Is A Cure.....

With Valentines Day we hear a lot about love.
LOVE-noun-an intense feeling of deep affection
This is Websters definition of love. We all use this word everyday but how many times do we say it with this definition in mind?  I tell my kids I love you 50 times a day and I do mean it with the definition in mind. Every time God writes about His love for us in the bible He meant it too.
When Olivia has a bad day at school and comes home and tells me about it, I give her a hug , I hold her and tell her I love Her. The intense feeling of deep affection (mixed) with touch was healing to her.
Love-1 Corinthians 13:4.Love is patient,Love is kind.
This is Holy Bible definition of Love. Patient and kind are adjectives not nouns.
The world has its definition of love but God uses an adjective to modify a noun or describe it.
1 Corinthians 13 4-7 Love is patient , love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered , it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
God goes in great detail to explain to us what  He is and what  He is not. Then He gave us Jesus in that love.
Its like God saying I love you and giving us a hug. He's holding us now.
 It became a cure!!!!
I had a stomach ache and went to the doctor, the doctor told me what was wrong and gave me medicine and I took it and I was healed. What if I went to the doctor and he told me what was wrong and sent me home? What if I went to the doctor he told me what was wrong and gave me medicine and I did not take it?
I have to take the medicine to be healed. I have to do something. I have to reconize there is a problem , I have to seek help, I have to physically take the medicine.
Matthew 7:7 Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open to you.
Ask, Seek, Knock are all verbs. They are actions.
The words in the bible are words. They need to be put to action. God want us to know through Jesus we can do the words in the bible we ask Him to do for us in prayer.
Phillipians 3:16 All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me.
All the words in the bible God wrote are possible for us to do through the power of Jesus in us.
Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Again God describes love is more than a feeling or a word. We have to use our heart ,mind, soul, and strength all of which are possible for us to DO through Jesus.
We all went to the the one and only true doctor because we were sick.(God)
He wrote us a prescription(bible)
We took the medicine(Jesus)
Love was the cure.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give you: Love one another .As I have loved you ,so you must love one another . By this everyone will know you are my disciples,if you love one another.
Love one another as I love you. God did more than just say the words I love you , He defined them . He showed us how much when He sent Jesus. Jesus showed us how to love God, But first God loved us. He loved us so much He Gave us His only son. He gave us a way to love others the way He loves us. When we love each other as He loves us, we become a direct vessle of healing . We can show others the medicine (Jesus) and the cure Love.
This may be Valentines weekend but God does not want us to wait to show love. He wants us to spread Love to each other everyday of our life in the things we do for another. God shared love with us for healing, share it with each other. Love is the cure.