Blog Posts

Seize the hope-even in the storm.

6/15/2021

James 1:4-8
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of The LORD. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways,”

Luke 8:22-25
“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.”

Philippians 4:6-7
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,”

If the video fails to appear here below watch in your Browser or click this link: https://youtu.be/PUYrlAJj6fg

ACION STEP: When you find yourself in a storm remind yourself there is an anchor that holds. Jesus is there for you. Find the secret place and allow the peace that passes all understanding to hold you steady. We already know storms are coming. My hometown just had horrible floods yesterday and the day before. Roads became water ways. Some storms we see with the eye, others we feel deep inside ourselves. Whatever your storm may be, rest assured that the anchor holds. Take a closer look at the Word of God, and your circumstances will seem small in comparison.

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Seize the hope-The Anchor holds. The power of connection.

6/14/2021

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I pray you had a great weekend. It always amazes me how one life can totally change another.

I find it interesting that the band called The Fisherman (headed up by Lawrence Chewing) got a young man Ray Boltz saved, and that young man later made the song written by Lawrence Chewing famous--the Fisherman had made a huge catch, Ray Boltz definitely had a coin in his mouth, that still brings royalties in to this day.

You cost your Lord too dear for Him to lose you! He bought you at too great a price and sets too great a store by you for Him to see you broken to pieces on the rocks. Therefore He has provided for you a glorious holdfast, that when Satan’s temptations, your own corruptions and the trials of the world assail you, hope may be the anchor of your soul, both sure and steadfast. How much we need it! For we see others fall into the error of the wicked, overcome by the deceivableness of unrighteousness and left forever as castaways. “Having no hope and without God in the world.”

ACTION STEP: There is power in connection. Please don't get hung up on the well known fact that Ray Boltz lives an alternate lifestyle. This is not about Ray Boltz but the power of connection, the power of a song, and the mercies of God. Follow this link for a great lesson and story behind this powerful song: https://bearingpreciousseedbynella.wordpress.com/2019/06/27/the-story-behind-the-gospel-song-the-anchor-holds/

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Seize the Hope~The Anchor holds

6/11/2021

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“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil; where the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.”
Hebrews 6:17-20

Here are some pictures of types of anchors.

Nearly all anchors I studied had three points. To me as I read the above scripture it speaks of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The design of an anchor, is to hold a vessel firmly to one place when winds and currents would otherwise remove it. God has given us certain Truths which are intended to hold our minds fast to truth, holiness, perseverance–in a word, to hold us to Himself. But why hold the vessel? The first answer which would suggest itself would be to keep it from being wrecked. The ship may not need an anchor in calm waters, when upon a broad ocean a little drifting may not be a very serious matter. But there are conditions of weather in which an anchor becomes altogether essential. When a gale is rushing towards the shore, blowing great guns and the vessel cannot hold her course and must surely be driven upon an iron-bound coast, then an anchor is worth its weight in gold!

The song on the You Tube below has a very moving story, and I will post that story next week.

If the video does appear view this Blog in your Browser by clicking the link above or clicking here to view the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/MSAc5Z2lprk

ACTION STEP: Stay with me as I share with you more on the scripture above and all that I learned in my studies for the Women's Conference I recently did in Colorado. I learned so much in my studies, I now realize through all of the abandonment I experienced and lived through the anchor held me. I want the world to know the same anchor that held me is available to all the vessels in their own storm, right now. Jesus is our anchor. He is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for me and you. The worst the storm rages the deeper the anchor goes to bring stability and safety to our life. Tomorrow, find out the importance of why the anchor is always some distance from the ship.

I believe in you and you need to believe in yourself.

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Trauma in relationships.

6/10/2021

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Lamentations 3:21-24 ESV
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

There are five key truths that the scriptures teach us about trauma and suffering.

1). That God is present and in control of our suffering
Firstly, God is present and in control of our suffering. In times of great suffering and pain, we often feel the farthest from God. Where is He? Has He forgotten me? How could He let this happen? This was also the case in the lives of great men of faith in the Bible. Look at David (Psalm 13:1), Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:8) and Job (Job 9:16). Even Jesus at the height of his pain cries out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
From our limited human perspective, pain and suffering seem contrary to our idea of a sovereign God who is good and loving. We think that God blinked and wasn’t able to stop this traumatic event or He isn’t really a loving God. We forget that Adam chose to sin and that we live in a fallen world, full of suffering. Suffering should not cause us to question God’s sovereignty, as Job so clearly understood (Job 2:10). God is sovereign despite our circumstances. He created all things and He controls all things (Deuteronomy 4:39; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalms 103:19; Daniel 4:35; Colossians 1:15-17).
He allows us to experience the consequences of sin while remaining fully in control of all things including Satan, who can only bring suffering into our lives if God allows it (Job 1:12; Luke 22:31). God is in control of our circumstances, and He wants to transform us into the very image of His Son.

2). That God is good and cares for us
Secondly, God is good and cares for us. We have all heard this statement, “How could a loving God allow __________?” Fill in the blank with any horribly traumatic event that occurs here on planet Earth. People often use this statement to argue against not only the love of God but also the very existence of God. But God does love us and that is evident in our redemptive history. The creator of the world made a way for disobedient, powerless creatures to come into an eternal relationship with Him. He is patient and gracious. He became one of us (John 3:16) and then sacrificed Himself for us (1 John 3:16). Self sacrifice is the ultimate act of love (John 15:13). God is indeed good and He longs to be in an ever deepening relationship with us.

3). Through our trails and suffering we have an opportunity to draw closer to God
In James 1:2, we are told to “consider it pure joy” when we go through difficult times. What kind of strange mental gymnastics does God want me to do? I’m supposed to be happy when I’m in pain? No, not at all. Even Jesus was sad when he went through difficult times — at Lazarus’s grave, in the garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross. The third truth we are called to recognize is that through our trails and suffering we have an opportunity to draw closer to God.
During the easy times we often become self-reliant, forgetting our need for God. It is in the hard times, when our faith is tested, that we recognize our need for complete dependency on Him. James tells us that persevering through the difficult times develops a mature and complete faith (James 1:4). We are ever being conformed into the image of Christ and suffering is a necessary part of that transformation (Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 2:21).

4). Jesus understands what it is to suffer
Jesus understands what it is to suffer is the fourth truth. We do not worship a distant, unapproachable God. We worship a God that knows what it is to be human (Hebrews 4:15). He knows what it is to suffer (Hebrews 2:17-18).
Just think about Jesus’ life for a moment. He didn’t experience just one traumatic event during His time on Earth. His whole life was full of suffering. The prophet Isaiah told of His suffering hundreds of years before His birth (Isaiah 53:3-5). He was born into unimaginable poverty in a country occupied by a cruel army (Luke 2:1-7). He narrowly escaped a mass slaughtering of children that was ordered because of His birth (Matthew 2:16). He was physically assaulted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), persecuted because of His teachings (Luke 4:28-29), thought insane by His family (Mark 3:21), betrayed by His own disciple (Mark 14:43-45), deserted by His friends (Mark 14:50), falsely arrested (Mark 14:56-59), publicly humiliated (Mark 15:16-20; Luke 23:8-12), beaten to the point of death (Matthew 27:26), and then slowly and painfully publicly executed by crucifixion as a common criminal (Matthew 27:33-39).
We can take great comfort in the fact that God can relate to us on our level, He understands what it is to suffer.

5). Our identity is grounded in Christ
Finally, our identity is not defined by traumatic events or suffering but is grounded in Christ. God does not see you as a victim. He sees you as His child. The scriptures tell us that as children of God, we were chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless adopted sons and daughters, lavished with grace, redeemed, forgiven, given spiritual wisdom and understanding and marked with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:4-14). We are in Christ! We sit at the right hand of the Father! We have His righteousness! We must not allow tragedy or circumstances to define who we are or how we live. We have His very life within us and we must choose to live out of that truth.

Dr. Matthew Stanford-Chief Executive Officer, Hope and Healing Center & Institute. He is the author of Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness, Revised and Expanded, The Biology of Sin: Grace, Hope, and Healing for Those Who Feel Trapped, and Grace for the Children: Finding Hope in the Midst of Child and Adolescent Mental Illness.

To see the video below if it does not appear click here or view in your Browser: https://youtu.be/EwXep3mMfeI

ACTION STEP: If you need help? Get it. Sooner than later get the help you need or find the help you and your spouse need. As I stated in the video, "It may not be your fault, but it is your fight." Pick up a copy of "Crushing Condemnation" by Teresa Verdecchio at Amazon or on her website. Get the workbook too and go through it with your spouse. It is never too late to seek help firstly from the Lord and secondly from a professional. If you do not have a pastor I would suggest starting there. If you need a good church contact me and I will help you find one.

I believe in you and you need to believe in yourself.

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Having a balanced life. A life of focus.

6/9/2021

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We Need Humility and Grace for Balance to Climb the Mountains of Life
Life is challenging.
Many mountains loom before us, and we can’t imagine how we will make it. Your mountain may be raising children or grandchildren. You may be navigating an illness, job loss, deadlines, debt, a demanding boss, a troubled marriage, or troubled teenagers.
Maybe your mountain is loneliness.
Maybe it’s grief.
Maybe it's sickness or an injury.
Can I tell you something that is interesting about the term “mountain” as used in the Bible? We always think of mountains as representative of difficult times. But mountains were a symbol of power.
How do we balance the good, the bad, and the ugly in our lives? How do we deal with these mountains demanding control of our days?

BALANCE & FOCUS

5 Practical Ways to Find Balance in Your Life

1. Feed your body and soul.
Start every day with breakfast for your body and your spirit. This includes eating a healthy morning meal (not sugary cereal; think protein) and spending time in the Word. I know this is hard if you’re a mom with small children. You may have to eat your spiritual breakfast during nap time. It doesn’t have to be hours long either. Can you spare 10-20 minutes? It will be worth it!

2. Exercise your body and spirit.
Ya’ll, I’m preaching to myself too. I do great for about two weeks and then something happens like traveling, and I am not good at getting back into the rhythm of exercising. But when I do, oh man, do I feel better! My muscles may be screaming at me, but my spirit is lifted, and I have more energy to do what I need to do. I suggest 20 minutes, 30 max. Doctors recommend working out at least 4 times a week, but personally, if I miss one day, I’m less likely to be consistent.
Walking is the best exercise. Get outside! Put worship music in your ears and you are multi-tasking. Nothing like exercising your body and soul worshiping the one who told the sun when to rise.

3. Spend 20 minutes on household chores daily.
These chores may be on the inside of the house or the outside taking care of yard and plants. If I work a little bit every day on those chores, they aren’t such big mountains when the weekend comes. Daily focus eliminates weekly frustration.

4. Practice saying no to busy. (This involves humility.)
We can’t do everything.
List all your extra-curricular activities/volunteer positions. Which ones are you struggling to continue? Those need to go. I’m giving you permission. Here’s a great article on tactfully saying no to volunteer opportunities or stepping down from one.

5. Take a day off every week.
It’s called a Sabbath. It means cease from working, and in the Old Testament, the Sabbath lasted from sunrise to sunset. Yes, we live on the other side of the Cross, but intentionally resting during the week, demonstrates our trust in God’s wisdom, our obedience, and our humility. The world really won’t stop revolving if we take a day off. It doesn’t have to be on Saturday or Sunday, but we need a day set aside to rest. It is imperative to our balance. Work hard and then rest hard.

If video doesn't show below click here or view in your Browser: https://youtu.be/bhpItpOKnQE

ACTION STEP: Balance and focus are two disciples every christian needs to incorporate in their life. It's been hard with COVID. It's been hard with my knee injury. I have not been able to exercise for over a year. Every muscle in my body atrophied, and then I went into antiphylatic shock due to a tooth issue and had complications. My focus was being stolen daily. Running focused me. I had to stop running due to a torn meniscus. Then, I had surgery to repair the tear. Now, I am recovering. Life happens. The enemy of our life wants to steal, kill and destroy and will use anything he can to get us off balance and un-focused. Refuse to let the enemy win. Fight back. Set goals.

Read: 2 Samuel 2:10-12. Courageous one, sometimes you simply have to stand your ground and beat back the enemy from your place of abundance. Remember Shammah, he was 5th in rank of David’s mightiest men. A son of a mountaineer, he stood in the center of the abundant field of lentils. He beat back his enemies and gained a mighty deliverance. Where others fled, Shammah was an astonishment and not only stood his ground in a place of abundance, but also in living out his name and calling.

I am getting stronger every day. I will weigh what I weighed pre-injury. I will run my race 10/10/2021. I will grow stronger body, soul and spirit.

I believe in you and you need to believe in yourself.

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Jump in the River of God.

6/8/2021

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Ezekiel 47:12 NIV
"Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

In looking back over the last few decades, the Lord has done and still is doing a great work of purging in the Body of Christ. Ezekiel 47 tells of pure water issuing from the temple. Out from the cleansed heart of the Church are issuing many streams which are becoming a mighty river of revival (John 7:18).

Rivers carry vessels yielded to it, without effort, by just "being there." Similarly, for God to have his way in revival, all we need "do" is obey -- yield to the flow; it will carry us.

A river does not flow straight down a mountainside. It twists and turns. God's ways are not predictable. He doesn't do things the same way every time. Otherwise we could manufacture the move of God. (It's been tried!)

The river of God is more than refreshing. While many would be content to stand on the riverbank, basking in the presence of God, the river is not an end in itself, but it serves as a tributary to connect one body of water to another. A river must have an outlet. In the natural, a river doesn't just flow and flow. It empties into another body of water: ocean, lake, or another river. In the same sense, revival is not the ultimate experience, an end in itself, but a means to a far greater end. Through the river of revival, we can be cleansed, yield to the flow of the Spirit, be refreshed and move in the gifts, but the true rivers of revival will also extend to the dry lands downstream and reach the lost.

Even as the river must have an outlet, it must have a source. That source must be higher than itself. Although it originates in the mountaintops, a river does not stay there; it flows downstream, to reach the valleys. When flowing freely, the river of God joins our relationship with God (mountain) to the place of need (valley). The higher the mountain, the greater the flow. The deeper the valley, the greater the flow, the stronger the power of the current.

Rivers don't flow indiscriminately; they have direction. The waters never move from the east bank to the west; or upstream and down coincidentally. It is not disorderly, but flows in a well-defined channel, within the boundaries of its banks and, with rare exception, follows the laws of gravity. This speaks of the unity and submission of the body. Only when out of control, as in a flood, does nature deviate from this pattern.

Rivers alter their landscape: eroding rough edges off rocks, carrying downhill boulders, they make impressions everywhere they go. This illustrates how true revival will transform our lives and those with whom we come in contact. We are never again the same. There is a huge difference between a fountain and a river.

If you do not see the video below view in your Browser or click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6OwBBGYzSI&t=2s

ACTION STEP: Jump in the river of God. Be released from all fear of totally obeying God and stepping into what He has for you. Playing it safe with God is complete obedience even when we don't know the why's or the how's. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Planning something makes it happen. No plan then you plan to fail. So, make plans now to attend this years Women of Witness "Raising King Intensive." Our theme is "Be the Lion~Find your Roar." Many women are being set up by God, to be position to usher in the greatest move of God we have ever seen. Prepare yourself now. Jump in and register today by clicking here and applying: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-raising-kings-intensive-tickets-157693478439

I believe in you and you need to believe in yourself.

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Be the Lion~Find your ROAR!

6/7/2021

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Hebrews 6:18-20
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us].
[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot [a]break down under whoever steps out upon it—a hope] that reaches [b]farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil,
Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with [c]the rank) of Melchizedek.

Wanted to share with you the scripture and some photos of the Colorado "Seize the Hope" Conference. It was a power packed few days with some great speakers and attendees. It is always great to spend time with other powerful women of God. Loua Clair hosts this conference every year and it is always powerful and so much fun. We all want to seize the hope set before us. I believe the women that attended will be better equipped to share their faith and grab hold and fight for what God has for them.

Speaking of spending time with other powerful women of God I want to invite you to register for the "Raising Kings Intensive." Here is the link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-raising-kings-intensive-tickets-157693478439

I pray that you will be able to attend. Registration is a two part process. First apply for acceptance to attend and then after being accepted you will be sent a link to complete the registration process.

ACTION STEP: Register today and make plans to attend the Women of Witness Intensive this coming September 9th through 11th, 2021 in Jumonville, PA. Again here is the link, register early for the best prices. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-raising-kings-intensive-tickets-157693478439

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Being a transformational leader not just an inspirational leader.

6/4/2021

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Romans 12:2 NIV
" Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

We are not to copy the behaviors and customs of the world, but to allow God to transform us into a new person by changing the way we think. Then we learn to know God's will for us which is good, pressing and pleasing.

The difference between a Transformational leader and an inspirational leader is the difference between taking a shower and being in fire. We will have to shower again tomorrow. If you're on fire, you are changed forever, you don't have to get lit everyday. Fire is contagious. We experientially want to share with the world the power of God.

ACTION STEP: Jack Canfield is from West Virginia and went to school when WV ranked 48 in the 48 states for education. If he can do what he does we can do what God created us to do. Feel safe enough to share and be vulnerable. Be yourself. We don't need to be professor impressive.

I believe in you and you need to believe in yourself.

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Do don't stew.

6/3/2021

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As Christians we are not to manage our time the same way the world manages theirs. We must make sure that we seek God in everything that we do. We are to organize our time and plan wisely for the future. There are time management apps that we can download on our phones that we should all take advantage of. If you’re old school a simple notepad or calendar will help.

We are to take care of the most important tasks first. We should pray for God to remove procrastination and idleness from our lives. We should seek to do God’s will daily.
Continually meditate on Scripture and allow the Lord to direct your life. Everything in this life will burn. Don’t put your focus on the world.
When you live with an eternal perspective that will lead to managing your time better and doing God’s will. Always remember that ever minute counts. Don’t waste time.

“Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time.”
David Brainerd

“Time is your most precious gift, because you only have a set amount of it.”
Rick Warren

“Serve God by doing common actions in a heavenly spirit, and then, if your daily calling only leaves you cracks and crevices of time, fill them up with holy service.” Charles Spurgeon

If the video below does not show up view in your Browser or click here: https://youtu.be/gSeiew2yRYM

ACTION STEP: Do don't stew.

Ephesians 5:15-17
"So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."

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Packing for trips.

6/2/2021

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Safety in the Lord
Luke 4:10
“Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully.”
Psalm 91:9-12
“If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Proverbs 2:8-9
“For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.”
Zechariah 2:5
“I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the Lord. I will be the glory within it.”

Not much time to think and feel today so I decided to share with you some practical tips I use when traveling. I think have a few she hasn't thought of but she does a great job. These tips will work even if you're just packing for a family vacation. I hope you enjoy it.If it doesn't show up below view in your Browser or click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd87KwDRdGU

ACTION STEP: Plan ahead. Prepare now. I never dreamed I would travel as much as I do. God operates with faith. Put your faith out there if you want to get going get out there and get what you need. Apply for the Passport. Get TSA approved. Apply for Global Entry. Check to see if you need any vaccinations. Safe travels. Proper preparation in times of obscurity.....(you know the rest)

I believe in you and you need to believe in yourself.

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