Blogging Break

I can't hardly believe that summer is 1/2 over and we really haven't gotten to do anything of what I posted we were going to do. I have had to work so much and it stinks. Pay checks are good but no time to do anything fun with the extra money. So I've decided that since I haven't been blogging all that much lately anyhow, I'm going to take the rest of the summer off to spend with my kids and husband. I have a two week period where I'm only working my two days and then I'm back to working a lot of extra hours.

I don't want to worry about blogging or the lack thereof and people wondering if I've dropped off the face of the earth. My kids are growing up so fast and I just want to spend as much time with them as I can.

I plan on coming back once the kids are back in school and we are more back into a routine again. Who knows maybe this will become a yearly thing for me. Blog the months that the kids are in school and take the summers off when they are home with me. I hope you all have a fun and safe summer. Enjoy your families and make the most of the time you have with them. They grow up so fast.

Bright Blessings,
Paulette

Calling All Prayer Warriors

This morning as I was sitting in the sanctuary waiting for church to start, I could feel the Holy Spirit's sweet anointing in the place. It was one of those moments where you just knew without a doubt before it even got started that the Spirit was already moving. We began Praise and Worship and as I lifted my hands up to God in praise thanking Him for all that he's brought me through this week my heart began to get heavy. Not for anything I've done or not done. It was heavy for a man I've never met before this past Wednesday.

Many of you know that I'm a 911 Emergency Dispatcher. This past wednesday I had to ride 8 hours with one of the officers during 2nd shift as something the Sargents are having us dispatchers do. It was for us to better understand what the officers need from us and what they do during certain situations so we better know how to help them from our end of things in the dispatch center. I have been nervous for a few weeks knowing I was going to have to do this. I didn't want to and prayed harder then I have in a long time for God to help me over come my fears.

Our first call of the shift was for us to respond with the medics for an unresponsive female not breathing. As soon as I heard the address I knew exactly where we were going. My heart started racing my palms got all sweaty and I instantly choked up. We pulled up in front of the place and I could hear her husband wailing. We walked to the back trying to gain access into the apartment. Her husband came running out the side door screaming in this way, come this way. As soon as we walked in the house and into the dining room I seen her laying on the floor. I knew she was gone. I took a few steps back and turned around and headed back out onto the front porch.


The medics went in and confirmed what I knew in my heart already. She had passed away. Extreme grief of losing her only child to cancer coupled with severe back pain, not to mention her mom suffering and close to dying of terminal cancer was more then she could bear. A month ago she lost her only child, her daughter Jenny who was only 14 years old to cancer. She had battled cancer from the time she was 5. She would go into remission and it would come back with a vengeance. This last time was more then her fragile body could handle. The cancer had won out.


Jenny was one of my son Johnathan's good friends from school. They liked each other for awhile in 7th grade and would hang out. They called it dating but they only hung out at each other's houses. Jenny's mom gave her the best life she could knowing that she could one day lose her battle to cancer. On May 25, 2009 Jenny took her last breath. She wouldn't have to fight any longer. My heart was so heavy for her mom Kim knowing that life as she knew it was about to be very different. My heart ached at the thought of what she was going through.

As I was standing on the porch of the apartment Wednesday night I got a first hand experience of grief and how it effects people. I seen her husband crying out to God asking him what he had done to deserve losing his only daughter and now his wife. What else did he have to take from him. I seen a family start showing up to the scene and finding out the news that their daughter, sister, aunt had committed suicide. A young woman 39 years old overcome by such grief that she didn't know what else to do to stop the pain. It was more then she could bear.

This morning as we were listening to the Pastor's wife sing:

In and out of situations that tug of war at me

All day long I struggle for the answers that I need

But when I come into His presence All my questions become clear

And in that sacred moment No doubts can interfere

In the presence of Jehovah

God Almighty, Prince of Peace

Troubles vanish, hearts are mended

In the presence of the King

Through His love the Lord provided A place for us to rest

A place to find the answers In our hour of distress

Now there's never any reason For you to give up in despair

Just slip away and breathe His name You will surely find Him there

In the presence of Jehovah

God Almighty, Prince of Peace

Troubles vanish, hearts are mended

In the presence of the King

As I was listening to her sing this song my heart became heavy for this man Bobby who just lost his only daughter and now his wife all within one day shy of a month. The pain and anguish he must be feeling was more then my own heart could bear. Emotions welled up inside of me that I wasn't able to contain. Pain for a man that doesn't know Jesus Christ. This family was not a church going family. They were not Christians. And as I was hearing the words of the lyrics to the song it made my heart ache so much that they didn't feel they could slip away and breathe His name and be able to find God amongst their pain and heartache.

As I was sitting there I realized that I had to go pray. It was one of those things you just know that if you sit there one more second that you are going to look like a blubbering idiot and people are going to be staring at you wondering what's wrong with you. I went up to the alter and began praying for Bobby and the extended family during this time. I prayed for this tragedy to be turned into an opportunity for the family to find Jesus. I prayed for them to find strength to carry on during this dark time in their lives. I prayed for a hunger to rise up within them and a thirst so strong that they would seek to find the well of living water to drink from. The well of Jesus Christ and power that only He can give.

My heart is so heavy for them. Would you please join me and pray for this family. The layout and funeral are tomorrow morning. I know that with just going to Jenny's funeral a month ago and now having to go to her moms is probably more then most people would be able to bear. Please pray for them to find peace and strength. To remember the good times and not dwell on the circumstances around them. Please pray for Bobby after all is said and done and life starts going back to what his new normal will be. Once the family is going back to their own day to day and he's left to try to figure out where to go from here losing his daughter and wife. Pray for God to place in his path friends that will encourage him and uplift him. People that will befriend him and just offer him friendship and some of their time.

I know that grief, pain, lonliness, anger, bitterness, resentment etc will all begin to surface in his spirit please pray that he will find God during this time. Pray that he will be able to find true happiness once again and will be able to go on with life for Jenny and Kim's sake. He's got a long road to travel ahead of him. One that will be more then most people could bear but I know that if we all rally together in prayer for him, he will be able to make it through.

With a heavy heart,

Paulette

First Time for Everything

My very first blog award presented to me by Gods Own over at

MyJourney-godsown.blogspot.com

How exciting it was to get a comment from her letting me know that she had mentioned me on her blog. I went over and seen that she had awarded me with this "One Lovely Blog Award" I'm so honored. My blog is my thoughts on life or things that God teaches me or showing me through Scriptures. I never in a thousand years thought that this blog would come back to bless me due to it being a blessing to others. I've had people email and message me letting me know that something I said here on the blog blessed them or helped them in an area where they were struggling.

That's really why I continue to publish my blog. When I started blogging I never had the intention of people finding it and reading it. It was more for me to be able to go back and see where I was and where God has brought me to. I never thought I would find such great friends who share the same interest as me. People who are on the same road I am in this journey called life. This blog has been a blessing to me more then I could ever imagine.

The rules how to give this blogs away are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

NOTE: I'm not sure I can do 15 but I'll do the ones that I can.

Now, I am passing on this award to the following lovely blogs:

Heaven's Journeys is the first blog that I ever read that resulted in a friendship. Heaven is very special to me. Her blog inspires me so much and I find myself drawn to her writing. She speaks something to me through each and every post she writes. We've gained a nice friendship through blogging that I hope continues for a lifetime.

The next one goes to Amanda over at One Sacrifice. Her blog is one of boldness yet sensitive to the readers who come across it. She inspires me to be a better witness to others who may be watching me without me even knowing it. To reach lost souls around me and even through blogland.

I recently came across a blog that inspires me yet makes me laugh. It's A journey to freedom. Brandee is honest about struggles that she has and shares how she is overcoming them. You can tell by reading her blog that she loves her husband and son so much. You can sense the love and devotion that she has for them through her blog. She is going to acheive all that she has set her heart to do.

Mourning into Dancing is a fairly new blog that I found through another blog. Jess is going through a lot and she shares honestly her struggles with a new illness. She writes so incredibly well that I'm captivated. The first time I came across her blog I think I read a solid 2 hours without stopping. I laughed, I cried and most of all I came away feeling uplifted and encouraged. It helped me see that other people have struggles to and that it's ok to be real. It's ok to be honest about how you are feeling and not worry about being judged because your a christian and have raw emotions sometimes.

I've been following Dionna over at Keeping it Real for sometime now. Sounds like I've been stalking her or something...lol There are times when she post something and I wonder if she was listening intently to my thought process. She seems to reach the very core of issue's that I'm struggling with at the time that she puts out one of her post. I always come away feeling ready to conquer those things that were holding me back.

Lauren Ann is one of the most spiritual young ladies I have ever seen. Her blog is Beside Quiet Waters. For being a 13 year old girl she is mature beyond her years. She knows her bible and shares on her blog what God is teaching her. She has a love relationship with Jesus Christ and it shows through her blog.

Tracy over at Tackle Box for Fishing is a new found blog that I found through Heaven's blog. She has a lot of information for the taking. She has a heart for lost souls. A deep compassion flows from her heart onto her blog.

Sandi over at Princess Ponderings and I have known each other for sometime via the web. We met on an MSN group about 5 years ago or better. She has been there for me through the good the bad and the ugly. She's pretty special to me and if we never meet this side of Heaven I know I'll meet her there.

I have been captivated by Lindsey's blog over at A new life. She shares on her blog how she struggled in some area's and how she overcame those same area's. She shows readers that life sometimes hurts and it's ok to work through the problems and come out victorious on the other side. She has blessed me more then she will ever know. I can relate to her on so many levels.

I hope that you will go check out these blogs. There are so many blogs out there that are aww inspiring and uplifting. These are some of the ones that I have found that keep me on track and I enjoy going and reading on a constant basis.

I want to thank GodsOwn for passing on this blog award. It means so much to me to know that you are blessed by my blog.

Richly Blessed,
Paulette

Summer Vacation

Exciting Days ahead for 13 weeks at our house. Summer vacation for the kids starts today. It was so nice to sleep in and still be up by 930am. I'm looking forward to lazy mornings and fun filled afternoons. Evenings filled with baseball games most nights for Johnathan. A busy schedule to say the least. We are looking forward to fitting in some fun activities for us to enjoy as a family.

Cookouts with a bonfire in the backyard.

Roasting hotdogs

Toasting marshmellows for smores

Picnics at the park

Sleepovers

Fishing at the lake

Family Picnics with extended family

Kings Island Amusement park

Boomerang Bay water park @ Kings Island

Afternoons swimming at the community pool

The joys of summer. I'm so excited to have the kids home with me. I'm sure in a few days I will be wishing they were back in school. I don't have to many more summers that my kids will be home. Johnathan only has 3 years left of high school and Kate has 7 left. Luckily, they are at a fun age where they are still wanting to do things with mom and dad and yet independent enough to go and hang out with friends. We are praying for a fun safe not to hot summer.

I hope your summer is filled with fun packed, memory making days for you and your family. Enjoy them while you can. They grow up so fast.

Bright Blessings,

Paulette

Relentless Determination

Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, Master, the multitudes throng and press you and You say, "Who touched Me?" Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, "Daughter be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Luke 8:43-48

When I read these verses two words came to me. Relentless Determination. This woman had an issue of blood for 12 years. She had gone to many doctors only to be told over and over again, I'm sorry Ma'am there's nothing we can do for you. She was determined to find someone who could help her. She heard that Jesus was coming. I can only imagine what was going through her mind once she heard the news.

I'm sure she tried to pull herself together so she could go to where He was. Approaching the scene I wonder if she got discouraged because of the crowds of people. However, if she did get discouraged she didn't let it keep her from going after that which she was seeking. She knew with everything in her that if she could just touch the hem of His garment that she would be healed. She worked her way through the crowd and finally was close enough to just reach out and touch Him.

As soon as this woman touched His garment her bleeding had stopped immediately. And immediately Jesus knew someone had reached out and touched Him because of the power that had gone out of Him. He asked "Who touched Me?" Everyone had denied touching Him. Peter said "Master the multitudes throng and press You and you ask Who touched Me?" He knew someone had touched Him and he wanted to finish what had been started. The woman touched Him and was healed immediately but God wanted her to know that she was healed for good.

The woman sitting there exposed and trembling looked up into Jesus' face. She declared in the presence of all the people that she was the one who had touched him and explained how she was healed immediately. Jesus looked at her sitting there and he said to her "Daughter be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

I want to follow her example. I want to have that same relentless determination to go after Him. No matter how many people may be standing in my way. No matter how many obsticles satan tries to put in front of me to knock me off the course, I want to go after Him with all that is in with in me and just touch Him. I want to be the one that is able to get so close to Him that I can touch Him. To know that when I am able to get that close that His power will flow from Him and will touch me in whatever state I'm standing in at that moment.

To know that I can be healed and set free from those things that are holding me back from fulfilling my destiny. I've been touching His hem a lot lately. I've been experiencing that power that has flowed so freely from Him to me. I've been so desperate to stand in His presence and not let anything distract me from staying there.

Relentless Determination, that's what it takes. Friends, I don't know what you are going through or what it is that may be holding you back from being able to get close enough to touch Him. But I do want you to know that he is so close that all you have to do is reach out and he will be right there. Don't look at the things standing in front of you that often discourage you from going after Him full throttle. He longs to give you a fresh touch, a fresh anointing, a fresh revelation of who He is. Reach out and touch Him and receive your healing today.

Touching His Hem,

Paulette

Blogger Appreciation Week

I am participating in Grace Talk with Daveda's Blogger Appreciation Week. If you are not familiar with this you can click here and it explains it better for you.

My goal with this blog has always been to write about what God is showing me, teaching me or share how he's blessing me. It shares my struggles and triumphs, my valleys and mountaintop experiences. I write because I want others to hear about the God that I serve. The God who saved my soul and planted my feet on steady ground. He took my life that was broken and spilled out and repaired it and filled it back up with the power of HIS Holy Spirit. What he's done for me I want others to know and realize for themselves that God will do the same for them.

One of my favorite things to do is read other blogs that inspire me to go a little higher and a little deeper in my walk with the Lord. I have met some great friends through blogland. Friends who inspire me to go the distance. Friends who pray for me and lift my spirits when I'm down and out. I love reading blogs. Unfortunately, I find that reading other people's blogs take up a lot of time on a daily basis. I tried so hard to scale back on my reading time so that I could spend time in my Bible. However, it's a daily struggle for me. I'm still trying though.

Speaking of those friends I've met. I'd like to introduce you to some of them. The first friend I met via blogland was Heaven over at Heavens Journey. Sadly, I can't even tell you how I came across her blog. I do remember the post that captured my attention. It was a post she had wrote "Healing in Aisle 9" I had just posted a post on my blog The Mystery Revealed. It was either the same day or the day after I wrote that post that I found her blog with the healing post. I was glued to her blog for quite awhile. I read every post she had from that one post all the way to the beginning of her blog. I commented on her blog and she checked out mine and we've been friends ever since. Unfortunately, she lives in Wisconsin and I'm in Ohio so we've never got to meet in person but we do talk on the phone and text each other. Heaven, You have inspired me and have been influential in helping me go higher up and deeper in my walk with the Lord. You are a great friend and I appreciate you more then you will ever know. Love you friend.

My second friend who has inspired me to go do the work that God has called me to do is Amanda over at One Sacrifice For All Time. I don't even know if she realizes how much she has inspired me. She is teaching me what true boldness is. She loves the Lord with all her heart and she is willing to witness to everyone she comes in contact with. She has a heart for missions and she truly believes that her mission field is her neighborhood where she lives. I know that God has big things in store for you Amanda. You are so special to me. Keep on keeping on Girlfriend.

I love blogging. You can check out some of my favorite post that I've written. They are "The Dirty Places" "Get Up" and "The Third Day" I hope you enjoy them.

I pray that you are blessed by being here and that you will come back soon.

Bright Blessings,
Paulette

Your Personally Invited .....

To join Grace Talk With Daveda . She is hosting a "Blogger Appreciation Week" May 25th -June 1st. I sincerely hope you will join us, its going to be GREAT!

I copied and pasted her description of what it's all about.

This is how it works; If you are interested in participating with your own blog enter your blog address into the Mr. Linkie widget on "Grace Talk with Daveda's" blog, at anytime from now through June 1st.

First send an invitation to all who blog! ask them to join us. You can copy this post if you would like and post it on your page, or you can send out special invites to each of your followers and friends by stopping by their blog and leaving them a comment. You can leave all the details or just invite them and send them this way to read this post.

You will title one of your posts from May 25th-June 1st "Blogger Appreciation Week" and in it you will share with the rest of us information about why you blog, why you like to write, how reading the blogs of others has touched your heart, what God has done in your life through blogging, tell us about some of the special people you have meet...etc. Somewhere in this post you may also want to include the titles to one or two of your favorite post so that those visiting your blog for the first time can read them. May 25th is the first official day.

Then, the next step is to visit the other blogs on the Mr. Linkie, and make sure you LEAVE A COMMENT of encouragement! Tell others how their blogs have touched you and what you liked about their writing, their life...etc. If you read through other postings and have a comment please leave ALL comments under the "Blogger Appreciation Post" just name the other title related to your comment, this way we can all read through, and you will be sure that blogger sees your comment next week. If you like what you read become a follower and make a new friend! We all love new friends!

When I put up my post I will have a special paragraph about "Blogger Appreciation Week" that ties us all together, for you to copy and paste somewhere in your own post for that week.

If you have any questions please leave a comment. If you have any suggestions, pleasevisit Daveda at her blog.

I hope that you will all participate so we can all get to know each other better. I'm sure that we are in for huge blessings.

Bright Blessings,
Paulette

Pursuing Him

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Ex. 20:18-21

God had been trying to get me to come up higher in my relationship with him. To a place of blessing and change. A place that I longed to travel to yet hindered by fear of the unknown destination. God wants to have an intimate relationship with me and as bad as I wanted it I began to run in the other direction. I ran away from Him instead of pursuing Him.

Humble Repentence

Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to Your lovingkindness;

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

Blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,

And my sin is always before me.

Against You, You only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in Your sight.

That You may be found just when You speak,

And blameless when you judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in in iquity,

And in sin my mother conceived me.

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,

And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me hear joy and gladness,

That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

Hide Your face from my sins,

And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence

and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

and sinners shall be converted to you.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed,

O God, The God of my salvation,

And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

For you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it.

You do not delight in burnt offering, The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A borken and a contrite heart--

These, O God, You will not despise.

Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;

Build the walls of Jerusalem.

Then You shall be pleased with the,

Sacrfices of righteousness,

With burnt offerig and whole burnt offering;

then they shall offer bulls on Your alter.

Psalm 51

There is something great that happens, when you get to the point of humble repentence. When you know without a shadow of a doubt that God has heard your prayers. I sit here this morning, basking in his unwavering presence. Soaking in His love and forgiveness. Walking forth with the help of His Holy Spirit. For without Him I can do nothing.

I have had a rough past year. I just couldn't seem to get my groove about me. I have been wondering in the wilderness. I have felt alone and helpless. I felt I couldn't go three steps forward without taking two steps back. I wasn't making any progress, I was stuck in a rut. I had isolated myself and shut myself away from the rest of the world. I have been living in a permanent place of misery.

I was tired of living my life for Him only on the days that I felt like it. Life isn't about me and what I want to do. It's everything to do with Him and what He wants to do through me, inspite of me. He knew all about me and my faults and failures before He ever woo'ed me to come to Him. He knew what those weaknesses were that would hold me back from accepting everything He would have to offer me. And yet he stood by patiently waiting for me to see that despite what I think or feel, He still wants a relationship with me.

So Lord, Here I am broken and spilled out. All of my pride, selfishness, all my weaknesses laid at your feet. I am not capable of doing life right without you. I continually need Your strength to help overcome my weaknesses. Daily, I need to be clothed in your humility to override my pride. I need to make a conscience decision to trade in my sorrow for your Joy. To set aside rejection and pick up acceptance. Thank You for hearing my prayers and for faithfully answering them once again.

Lord, I pray that this spark that has been re-lit in my heart would grow to be a full blown flame. A flame that absolutely nothing would be able to snuff out. Lord, I pray that I would be so full of your presence that people would begin to notice once again that my life is not my own. That they will see that there is something different about me. Not because of me but all because of YOU. You simply AMAZE me Lord.

I'm All Yours,

Paulette

MIA

It has been such a long time since I have wrote a post that has had any kind of meaning or significance to it. I have been slowly recovering from a bad bout with Shingles. I'm feeling so much better. Thank you to those of you who know me and have been praying for me. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:28. It encourages me so much to know that God works every situation out for my good regardless of that situation. In this case it was me being so ill that I couldn't do much. The good that came of this, is that I had a lot of time on my hands. I was so weak I couldn't do much of anything. During this free time I spent a lot of time in my Bible and reading two Joyce Meyer books. One that I posted about, Battlefield of the mind and the other one her newest release, Never give up. I have prayed more in the last month then I have probably all year. Not really but it seems like it.



God has really shown me some area's in my life that needed some assistance. He's also brought to my attention some area's that I'm stronger in then I thought I was. I believe sometimes God uses something drastic to get our attention when his subtle attempts are not being acknowledged. I believe that He used this bout with Shingles to slow me down because He had somethings that I needed to see in my life. He was trying to show me but I wasn't able to see or acknowledge it because life was so crazy.

Well lets just say that life definitely slowed down for me for over 3 weeks. I am so thankful that I had this bout of sickness because it has really brought me to a higher level in my walk with God. It made me dependant on Him because the Dr's and Hospital staff were unable to bring me much relief. I would cry out in desperation for Him to please do what ever it took to bring me some pain relief. To please help me sleep at night. To please calm my nerves. To please comfort my children. To please give my husband the strength to take care of all the things he normally does, plus those that I normally handled. And the list goes on.

It was God's way of pouring out on me a fresh vision, a fresh anointing, a fresh start. He's so good and the one thing I can hope is that I have learned my lesson. To slow down and make Him my first priority because I definitely don't want a repeat lesson. :)

Thanks again to those of you who bathed me in prayer. For the phone calls and the well wishes. I can't put into words how special you made me feel. Your friendship is so special to me and I hope I can be as great a friend to you as you have been with me.

On the mend,
Paulette

Extreme Makeover: Mind Edition

Do not be conformed to this world (this age) (fashioned after and adapted to it's external, superficial customs) But be ye transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude) so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you). Romans 12:2

WARNING!!!

This is going to be a long one. You may want to grab a glass of sweet tea

and a snack and get comfortable.

Warning #2!!!

This post is for me. This is a reminder for me to see where I'm at now and a post for me to look back and refresh my memory on a study that I'm working on. I need to write down some of this information for me and hope that those of you who stop by also get encouraged.

I am working on Joyce Meyers book "Battlefield of the mind". What a great resource for those of us who have a hard time keeping our mind clear from any and all distractions. I know for myself this has been something that I have struggled off and on with for as long as I can remember. I have always been one extreme or the other. I am either thinking positive and life is going well or I am very negative and life is just moving on without much care from me. I haven't made it all the way through the book yet but I have learned so much already. I have really had my eyes opened to behaviors that have just became a way of life for me.

This post is going to be points that she has made through out one of the chapters that really spoke to me. So bear with me.

Something that she said towards the beginning of the book is "Everyone is without excuse because Jesus always stands ready to fulfill His promise to set the captives free. He will walk us across the finish line of victory in any area if we are willing to go all the way through it with Him.

He provides A Way Out!!!

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin, no matter how it comes or where it leads) has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man (that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear) But God is faithful (to His word and to His compassionate nature) and he (can be trusted) not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will (always) also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place) that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. I Cor 10:13

She says that satan takes our circumstances and builds strongholds in our lives. He wages war on the battlefield of the mind. But, Thank God we have weapons to tear down the strongholds. She also shares different conditions of the mind. I seen myself in quite a few of them. Sadly the one that I seen myself in the most was A passive mind. She says "Passivity is the opposite of activity. It is a dangerous problem because the Word of God clearly teaches that we must be alert cautious and active (1Peter 5:8) that we are to fan the flame and stir up the gift within us. (2 Tim 1:6)

She describes passivity as a lack of feeling, a lack of desire, general apathy, luke warmness and laziness. OUCH!! Sadly, this is the very state I've been in for to long now. I've known for awhile that something is not quite right but couldn't really put my finger on it. I have been wanting to change my ways for awhile but didn't really know where to start. How can you fix something when you really don't understand what is wrong. All I knew was that something was not right and I didn't know how to make it better.

When I started reading Chapter 14 I knew instantly what my problem was. I felt as if I could move forward in a sense because I know what is going on with me. The space that we give satan is often empty space. An empty passive mind can be easily filled with all kinds of wrong thoughts. A believer who has a passive mind and who does not resist these wrong thoughts often takes them as his own thoughts. One way to keep wrong thoughts out of your mind is to keep your mind full of right thoughts. Most times for me this is easier said then done.

There are many area's in my life that are extremely passive right now. Sadly, they are mostly in my spiritual life. We haven't been to church since the first week of December 2008. Yes that's right. That means we have not been to church at all in 2009. The other area is my Bible study time. I still read my bible and study but not like I was in a habit of doing. It's mostly been when I feel like it or life gets the best of me and to me there is no other option then to get in my bible. How pathetic am I? My writing has been put on the back burner. I love to write but lately it seems it's more of a chore then an enjoyment. I want to blog again and enjoy it.

She says "When a believer is inactive in any area in which he has capability or talent, that particular area begins to atrophy or become immobilized". The longer I do nothing the less I want to do anything. So how do I overcome a passive mind. How do I rebuke this negative thinking and passivity. The first step for me is to get in my word on a regular basis. Not just when I feel like it. We also need to get back in church. A place to be encouraged and to be an encourager to others. Growth comes when you are in church and hear God's word preached. It's one thing though to hear God's word it's another thing putting those messages into action in our everyday life. Something that I need to get back into the habit of doing.

Being passive is easy. Although my life is miserable and boring it's easier to just stay in the state I'm in. However, I know that there is more in store for me. There are things for me to do and I need to step up to the plate and begin doing them instead of sitting around. I can overcome this passive state of mind. In order to do this the first step is to overcome passivity in my mind. It all begins with negative thoughts that take root and the rest is down hill from there.

There is a dynamic principle shown throughout God's word and no person will ever walk in victory unless he understands and operates in it: right action follows right thinking. She puts it another way: you will not change your behavior until you change your thoughts. In God's order of things, right thinking comes first, and right action follows. I believe that right action or correct behavior is a fruit of right thinking. Most believers struggle trying to do right but fruit is not the product of struggle. Fruit comes as a result of abiding in the vine. (John 15:4) and abiding in the vine involves being obedient. (John 15:10)

Ephesians 4:22 Strip yourselves of your former nature (put off and discard your old unrenewed self) which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lust and desires that spring from delusion. Verse 24 continues the thought by saying, And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness. She calls verse 23 the bridge scripture. It tells us how to get from verse 22 (acting improperly) to verse 24 (acting properly) This is what it says, And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude)

It is impossible to get from wrong behavior to right behavior without first changing thoughts. A passive person may want to do the right thing, but he never will do so unless he purposely activates his mind and lines it up with God's word and will.

Last but not lease she says, "If you desire victory over your problems, if you truly want to live the resurrection life you must have backbone and not just wishbone! You must be active not passive. Right action begins with right thinking. Don't be passive in your mind. Start today choosing right thoughts.

I knew this was going to be long but it was essential for me to type all this out. I go back to my previous post at times to see where I've been. This post will be one that will need to be read quite often so that I can stay active and not fall back into this passivity state. There is a hard road ahead of me but one that I'm encouraged to begin traveling upon again. If you are still with me at this point I hope that if you are in the same state of mind that I'm in that you were as encouraged as I am.

Being made over,

Paulette

The Third Day

So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ, that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life which is your real life even though invisible to spectators is with Christ in God. He is your life.
Colossians 3:1-3

I've been thinking a lot this week about Easter what it means to me. The greatest love story ever shown. A story of a Savior born for the purpose of dying. A loving God who took my sin upon his back with each lash of the whip. A God who had a crown of thorns piercing his scalp. A God who was bruised for my iniquities. A God who was mocked, laughed at and scorned. A God who took it all for the sake of me. A God who had to die so I could live. A God who is selfless and loving. A God who puts love into action. A God who is the pure example of what true love really looks like.

A God who came down off that cross by the hands of the very ones who placed him up there. A God who was placed in the tomb, dead never thought to live again. One day passed, two days passed. They thought they had won. They thought they had him. They beat their chest and strutted their stuff. Oh but then that third day came to pass. A day that would ultimately change the course of their lives forever. More importantly a day that would ultimately change the course of my life forever.

He knew while up on that cross what my life would consist of. He knew the pain I would endure due to life circumstances. He knew the feelings of failure that I would carry upon my shoulders. He knew all the mistakes I would make throughout my lifetime. Therefore, the only way to help me overcome these obstacles was for Him to die on that cross. In order that I may live and know him through His resurrection.

What a profound thought!

Why then do I live my life at times like nothing ever happened? How can I lose sight of the big picture so easily? How can I take His suffering for granted? How can I walk with my eyes to the ground feeling sorry for myself? How can I justify being self absorbed? It's fine time for me to rise above all this foolishness. Mountain situations made out of nothing more then molehills. When compared to the Hill he had to endure my problems are not even comparable.

All these things and many more have already been conquered. They are under the blood. They have been taken care of so why then do I keep picking them back up. He died that I may have life and have life more abundantly. He died in ordered that I may know Him and his power. His power over darkness, death and the grave. Power over the snares of the enemy. Power over bad decisions I have made. Power over false guilt that I put on myself. Power over sickness and depression.

He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your
mortal bodies through His spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:11

That same Spirit who raised Him from the dead lives in Me. That same resurrecting power lies deep within me lately only to lie dormant. That same resurrecting power that can bring back to life those things which have died in my life. Power to resurrect happiness and to bury defeat. Power to choose to do what's right and to let go of all the bad choices I've made. Power to walk in Joy and not bitterness. Power to turn away from those things that have been holding me back. Power to walk forth in this Victory that is mine and has been since the third day.

The third day. A day that this week is being remembered by one who is sorry for losing sight of the big picture. A day that will be honored by the way I live my life. A day that will never again be taken for granted. Everyday I'm given is a new chance for me to experience the third day.

All because of Him,
Paulette

Simply Inhaling

Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will

slay with the breath of His mouth

and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.
2 Thessalonians 2:8

There are days lately that I'm so overwhelmed with discouragement. It creeps in and takes over my life. Some days, it knocks on the door of my soul begging to be let in only to be left out in the cold. Other days, I don't have the strength within me to keep it from overwhelming me.

Negative thoughts taunt me and steal my joy. Whispers of guilt reminding me of all my recent failures. Attempts at changing area's in my life but have not quite having them mastered. How do I shut out all these negative distractions?

God's breath is so powerful that it can slay the evil one, therefore I don't have to live with discouragement all the time. That same God lives in me. I have that same power within me. I need to breathe Him in and he will breathe out over everything that seems to be depleting me of my joy.

When I inhale...

He breathes peace over my life,

He breathes blessing over my husband and our marriage,

He breathes protection over my children,

He breathes strength into my struggles.

Instead of fretting and being discouraged I need to sit back, relax and simply inhale. He will take care of the rest.

Inhaling,

Paulette

Amazing Love

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit. John 15:16

As I was working on my Bible study today this verse made me smile. It's a verse I know I've read many times but really never had it stand out to me like it did today. It amazes me how much God really does love us and so much so that he initiates a relationship with us.

The thought of Him choosing me a sinner and a nobody. Someone who falls short consistantly, who is unreliable and stubborn. He knew all these things and much more about me and yet still chose me.

What is it about me that he would choose me? I have no special qualifications. It's not because I deserve it or because I worked hard to earn it. Simply because He loves me. The best part is he will never change his mind or decide he doesn't want me any more.

This is amazing to me and just blows my mind.

Chosen and loved,

Paulette

Power Relationships

In my last post I shared about a deep struggle that I've been dealing with for the last couple of months. There was multiple factors that caused me to spiral downhill for awhile. One of those factors was a friendship that I was having a difficult struggle with. I loved this friend so much and we shared some great times. I believe she was placed in my life for a reason.

I believe that God places people in our lives to teach us and grow us in area's that we need assistance in. I also believe that some friends only stay in our lives for a season. As much as I didn't want to accept that our friendship was coming to an end I knew it is for the best. It was a difficult decision and one that I struggled with for awhile. My heart was so confused.

I found a file on my computer that is called Power Relationships. It's been on my computer for sometime and I actually forgot it was there. I came across it tonight and was reading it. It's just like God to show us he's with us even when we're walking through the valley. I love how He shows us things when we least expect it and especially when it's regarding a hard issue I'm dealing with. Below you will find the notes that I found.

Power Relationships

If you don’t find the right connections in life, you will not make it to your destiny.

If we listen to the wrong voices we will make the wrong decisions in our life.

The bible says promotion comes from the Lord, but he will use people to bring it to you. God is not running a car lot or banks. He doesn't have any colleges or employment agencies. If something is going to happen in your life it’s because God used someone to bless you. It’s from God but brought about by people.

1. All good things in life flow through relationships. If you are a hermit your going to be miserable. Two are better then one.

2. A power connection is God’s way of moving you from the old to the new.

3. Dormant potential can be unlocked if you get around power relationships. The real you is trying to get out. People who speak to that thing inside of you. You can become the person you always dreamed you could be.

Someone is already on the level where your going to.

David made it from shepherd boy to the king of Isreal. Samuel was his power relationship.

When you don’t know who you are power relationships get you where your going when you don’t think you have the potential to get there.

Sometimes power relationships don’t feel good. They challenge you.

Paul on the road to Damascus. He was evil and went blind for 3 days. Annanias was his power relationship. When he laid hands on Paul, the scales from his eyes dropped off. There are certain power relationships that when we are not seeing right they will knock the scales off our eyes.

Love is blind. Sometimes everyone else can see it but we can’t see it.

Before God will let you mess up your life he will send a power relationship to you so you get back on track.

Paul also had Barnabus as a power relationship. He opened a door for Paul that he could not open it his self.

Claim power relationships that are connected to God’s destiny for my life.

You need a blessing to get where your going. The truth is that there is spiritual authority. Some people have been threw more Hell then what your going through.

Let these people bless you.

The blessing is an empowerment. They unlock the blessing in you.

People try to minimize and equalize what other people have.

Elisha saw something in Elijah.

1. If you want what I got I'm not going to chase you down. Power relationships never chase you down. Gilgal means a place of sacrifice. Elijah told Elisha that if he wanted blessings he needed to get to Gilgal.

To be a power relationship person you have to arrange your schedule to be able to be in their lives.

2. You have to build walls of protection around your power relationships. Don’t let criticism’s come in between you and your power relationship. There is always two sides to the story. Don’t let people separate you. If your in a power relationship you have to learn that you don’t tell everything you hear and see. Don’t share information. Be guarded with information. Don’t give into people’s pickings to know more about people.

3. Put prayer on your power relationship. There will be times my praise will not be there because of things that I’m going through. When I connect to someone through prayer who does have their praise it will come through to me.

There comes a time where you have to separate from some people to get the power relationship that God has for you.

The world says I’m going to sink your boat so mine will float better. I’m going to cut you down so I can look big and bad. God says I want to see who your pushing up who your promoting with their dream.

When I read those quotes and scripture examples it pierced my heart. I know that I have made the right decision. God has confirmed that to me. I'm not confused any longer. Although my heart is broken it's also beginning to be restored. God will place people in my life that I connect with just as he did with this friendship. There will be other women who will come and go. Some that will be there for the long haul and others for a short time. I'm learning that it's ok for this to happen. God may only have that person in our lives till we get what it is He's trying to teach us.

I'm learning many things about myself and plan on sharing those in the next few days and weeks. The one thing I'm learning is that life is sometimes hard but God is always faithful. He's a friend that I can be assured will never leave me or forsake me.

Looking ahead,

Paulette