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It was a small neighborhood in Illinois. At the end of our street, the prairie started. That’s how rural it was. We walked to school. There were no buses. Small school, big culture.

I was in the 7th grade. As now, middle school was tough then. The horror stories of trying to fit in haven’t changed. Just the hair. And the shoes.

Well, and no Facebook. Not even any cell phones. It was the 60s in the US and times, they were “a-changin’ ”

The Beatles were every parent’s nightmare. Credence Clearwater Revival almost made them look tame. And at my middle school, there was black leather emerging as the dominant force of the culture. The mean girls. The boots.

And I wasn’t wearing any of it. We needed more money to rise in rank to “poor”. Some days I stayed home to run interference when the bill collectors came.

I still remember the day she walked to me. She was twice my height. (The boots may have made that seem more than it was.)

It was just past lunch and she strolled over with her band of minions. It was the first time she had bothered to speak to me all year so I knew this wasn’t going to be pretty. She accused me of wanting her boyfriend.

“After school, I’m going to whip you so bad you won’t even think about Eddie any more.”

What is the answer for THAT? “Okay” was all I could think of.

At the end of the day, after bungling math even more than usual, I gathered my books and left for home. I had barely said goodbye to the school crossing guard before I heard her entourage begin to taunt me, shout at me what she was going to do to me. And there were still five blocks to go. One thing I knew. If I was going to be in a battle, it was going to be on my ground. I didn’t run. I kept walking.

She was mostly silent, except to occasionally shout a slur, which the mean girls immediately took up. I like to think my failure to “rise to the bait” kept her quiet.

When I set foot in my yard, I remember turning to face her. She just stood there. I stood silent, waiting for her to move. As time stretched on and Patty didn’t move, arms crossed over her chest simply staring, her groupies began to look at her and each other in confusion. She said, “You’re not worth it”. It was over. She left and I went inside.

What was anticipated was a battle with an unsure outcome. What happened was entirely different.

Did I walk home with the foe behind me confident that I could beat her leather-covered backside to a pulp with all her shouting reinforcements? No, but there was one thing I knew. Once I got home, my brother was there. And, there, my beautiful sisters, is the key to the security.

As children of God, we encounter a foe that is determined to convince us that not only is he coming after us, but that he will defeat us. . He will send up a shout, he may bring a crowd, but as it is written, “He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.”

We are the protected. We are the delivered. We are the surrounded of the Lord and He is our Refuge.

Our thoughts sometimes lack confidence, but if we hold fast to His promises, remember His faithfulness, stand in His grace in our heart, we’re on our home turf…and the enemy cannot win.

We win when we confess with our mouth what we believe in our heart. (Romans 10:9,10)

The reinforcements, the victory, is on our own turf. We have been translated OUT of the kingdom of darkness and INTO the kingdom of God’s own Son. We must fight and seek our defense from THAT kingdom. Nothing’s going to stop us when we’re operating out of there.

Our enemy may be the god of this world, and he is in fact in the kingdom of darkness, BUT our kingdom is ran by the God Who speaks and galaxies appear, and as they do, He knows the names of every star in them.

So when the enemy comes into your thoughts, or your circumstances, TURN from what you see and hear, into Your Father’s power. Using the Name of Jesus, keep walking forward in Him because…read this, HEAR this:

“He (the Father) has put all things under His (Jesus’) feet, and gave Him (Jesus) to be head over ALL things to the church. The church. That’s us. Once we’re in Christ, we are parts of Him, parts of His Body, and we as members of His body, are the fullness of Him (in power, authority, love and victory). Ephesians 1:22. (Parenthesis mine)

Jesus! Turn into THAT Name. Whether the foe is called Patty, or poverty, or loneliness, those are all things. If the foe shows up with sickness, disease, dread, drugs, rebellious children, abandoning husband, those too are things. And in Him (as we are if He is our Savior and Lord), those things are under our feet.

Turn. And stomp.

If you’re not “in Christ” yet, but you think you might want to know more, email me@forhisglory1000@gmail.com. Message me on Facebook.

Isaiah the prophet said in Chapter 9, verse 6 that among other things, our Lord would be called Mighty Counselor.

“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Before His birth, He was announced to be our Counselor. Not just a counselor, but some versions call Him a mighty counselor. The NASB (above quoted) calls Him a Wonderful Counselor.

Do you know He longs for us to ask Him something? He tells us, “Come, let’s reason together”. He has, because He is, the answer to every question. He has always known us. Before we were born, He knew us.

He calls us. Have you ever known that kind of earthly love that when “he” whispers in your ear, the shiver courses through you? That is a natural response to an earthly connection. Unforgettable, to be sure. But also changeable with the passing of time or the passing of a moment.

But not our Counselor. He longs for us to come and be taught. To come and be led (guided, directed). He desires to whisper His love. How do I know that? His Word. Ephesians 3, where the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to pray that we will KNOW the love of Christ, our counselor.

The Holy Spirit said “know” as to experience. To know beyond human understanding, what is the length of His love, what is the depth of His love, what is the expanse in every way, in every direction of our life, Jesus’ love.

And what is our promise when we do? That we will be filled with all (let me say that again: ALL) the fulness of God. (Go look. It really says that)

When He whispers, answer. When He prompts you with a longing to hear, follow the invitation.

He said to all who thirst (who want more, who are not satisfied)…”come”.

Let’s look at Revelation 22:17…

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

What is the Wonderful, Mighty Counselor’s whisper to His daughters?

“Come”. He wants us to come away, to desire Him-to separate ourselves for a time, for a while, for intimacy with Him. God came to earth, so we could be redeemed, made righteous in Christ, so we could be restored to the relationship God had planned and sin had stolen. Now, in Jesus

Love says “Come”.

Are you longing for that whispered moment? He’s ready. Right now. He bids us.

“Come”

email me: forhisglory1000@gmail.com

message me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/sherry.smith.98837

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” “Once bitten, twice shy”. Have you heard those? Have you said those? Yes, me too.

I thought that way at the moment I made a conscious decision to defend myself against someone else’s hurt and deception, gossip, or their abandonment. I’ve said those in anger. I’ve quoted them as the pain kept me awake. I’ve kept my promise to myself not to be vulnerable anymore by saying those phrases or something like them.

It’s not only children that pout.

1 Corinthians 3:3 talks about how the local church (Yes, even Christians!) had jealousy and envy among them. Strife. (You should look up what strife does. The Bible says it brings confusion and EVERY evil thing.)

That same chapter says that those Christians, with those attitudes, are acting like “mere mortal” people, not as people filled with the presence and Persons of the Godhead: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit… when we’re in Christ, we’re crowded.

Has someone sinned against you? Have they lied or failed to keep their promise? That hurts. Do you know what holding on to that does? It hurts worse. And it grows. And the enemy of our soul, the accuser of the brethren, has just been handed a lightsaber (credit to RB) in the form of unforgiveness (your own) to torment you with and to hinder your God encounters, and your prayer requests.

The sin they sinned against you has now become your sin. A choice to walk toward anyone in unforgiveness is a sin. As an honored child of God, sin is not acceptable. Theirs. Or ours. Jesus Himself touched all sin. He bore it in His own body. Their lack of love. Their lack of truth. Our lack of forgiveness, no matter someone’s motives.

Should we sin now that Jesus has paid its price in His own body? Romans 6 says, “God forbid” “Certainly not” or “Absolutely not”. We are dead to sin if we are born again. We died with Christ. As Christ was raised from the dead by God’s glory, we should also walk in the newness of life. Forgiveness is freedom. For us. It is a choice to surrender our fleshly thoughts to His holiness. His holiness, if we’re born again, is now our holiness.

If we only give grace when someone “accidentally” wrongs us, then we are choosing what is worthy of grace. We don’t have that right. We didn’t provide grace. To others or for ourselves. Because He became sin Who knew no sin, we (even “they”) might become God’s righteousness.

Jesus’ life, His sacrifice, His beating, His blood. His death. His trip to hell where He defeated sin in all its forms. Only He has the right to hold on to sin. And He cast it off in hell. And came out of the grave victorious. Without it.

He touched sin last. Sins before He was born. Sins after He went to heaven. Sins 2,000 years old or sins 2 minutes old. Yours. Theirs. Mine.

Forgive. Live. Free.

Best of December greetings to you and yours!  May your gatherings be calorie-laden, your laughter be deep and often, and your family quarrels be non-existent!

Despise.  I relate the word to hatred, a vehement distaste.  I’ve not often used the word, but when I did, I was saying, “That’s the nastiest”

In reading Romans 2, Paul asked the Romans if they “despise” the riches of God’s goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads to repentance?

I wanted to see how Paul meant that word.  (Enter Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).

The usage of despise in Romans 2:4 means to think down upon, or against someone…or to “think slightly of“

So the question could have been translated this way…”Do you think so little of God’s goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads to repentance (the changing of the mind, changing the course of thoughts and actions)?”

The Holy Spirit, as the Bible’s author, (Read 2 Peter 1:21) asked the Romans how little they valued God’s goodness that they would continue to sin.

 
Today, I’m asking you the same question…with a different perspective.  

“Do you think so little of God’s goodness that you live in condemnation, that you feel inadequate, that you feel like you’ll never measure up? Do you consider (so slightly) the price Jesus paid that you still think you’re not good enough?

What do we think we can add to the blood that was paid as our ransom? Why do we think we need to add anything?

 But…if we ever feel condemned, we are not truly aware of how much good God has shown us. The only thing He requires of us is to love the way He loves.  

Now, how in the world are we supposed to do that if we don’t understand the way He loves us?

If we have ever loved a child, no matter their messes, if we have ever longed for a child to know how much we love them…that is the way God loves us.

Do we truly know the greatness of God’s love that causes us to change the way we act and think?

Do we truly “get it” that God wrapped flesh around Himself so He could be tormented in order to have us as His kids

Well, He did.  Let’s stop esteeming that so slightly that we think there’s more for us to do.

_CHALLENGE! For 30 days ask God, “Show me how much You love me.” Pray that prayer.  It’s in Ephesians 3.  It is His will that we know, that each of us and all of us KNOW <– that means “experience” the love of Christ, so that we can be filled with ALL the fullness of God.

I dare you.  He wants you to know. Be a present to Him as you celebrate His birthday “God, please show me how much You love me.”

Let me know what happens!

My first year “holidaying” by myself. I have dreaded it. As I do when I don’t know what or how to do, I prayed. I cried. And I prayed again, and this is the way I will enjoy the day.

People can only be one place at a time. Most of us can’t hologram ourselves, and when travel is required for celebrations, someone is going to be left out. When the word “family” is extended to include (even potential) in-laws, life changes.

An aging parent will be left behind for a time. It’s life and that’s what happens. I’m astounded that I never considered this would happen. (Were there really no local boys that could become my girl’s heart light?)

My extended family, like so many others, are cancelling all celebrations because they fear that they are at risk.

I had a meal invitation to join a family about 20 miles away. I love that they value me and care about me. They bring joy.

Since this is also the year of “the rona”, mass gatherings aren’t happening. Those fun times of volunteering at community dinners for holiday stragglers don’t apply. Restaurants aren’t open and in the state where I live, the governor has decreed only 8 people at an inside gathering.

So. Rather than bitterness and partaking in a meal of self-pity, what do you do when you find yourself in that position of being in this holiday alone?

Plan. Solo holidaying success is all in the planning.

First, celebrate.

Celebrate what? That you’re able to be at home. That you’re not dependent on someone else to meet your daily needs. Good health is the condition that makes all other situations causes for celebrations.

Clear out any “what about me?” It’s in the life cycle of humans that the young meet, marry, mate, and move on. It’s a cause for celebration that we get to witness their advancement, encourage them, and mentor them into maturity. We have already been where they are just now going.

Don’t look back. Leave regrets off the menu. There’s always a bitter taste in the meal where “what if’s” is served.

Buy bird food. Sling it far and wide. Watch the crowd gather. Purposely watch the birds. Remember the lesson in them. God has not forgotten a single one of them, nor you. You are not alone.

Laugh as you choose the holiday menu. No green bean casserole. Unless you want it. A sandwich is an option. So is a paper plate. Go as plain or fancy as you want. Buy the ice cream YOU want to eat. Eat it.

Avoid the Hallmark channel, in-person shopping, and sappy novels. Find a series of comedies you want to watch. Keep laughing.

Decide now that you will spend the holiday with the One who makes all days “holy days”.

Purposely dress in the clothes you can only wear when no one is expected. That old robe, those sloppy socks.

Call someone who might be lonely. Encourage them. Find something you can laugh about with them.

Pray for people in the nursing homes and the families that can’t visit them. Pray for the people in the hospitals and all those who are caring for them.

Praise God for all the days ahead, no matter what they look like, because He is already in the middle of those days and working on our behalf.

Choose life. People will return. The joy is in the life that we have now. Traditions are nice, but they change. Don’t give away “today” by anticipating tomorrow.

Next year you might not be the only one at your table. But if you are this year, breathe deep, use your sleeve and not a napkin if you want. Turn up the Reindeer music and live thankful, live in joy.

Be glad you’re all that You are. He made You. He is for You. Talk to Him. He’s listening. After all, He had some days alone, too. Three of them. But what a reunion that was!

I have a mixture of bare floors and large area rugs. And a vacuum I’ve had for years. And it seemed to work just fine.

Did I mention I also have two dogs? Two large dogs? A black lab. A sable collie. And an old vacuum. Yesterday I woke with the thought, “You need to replace that vacuum.”

It’s no fun spending money on vacuum cleaners. Let’s face it. They’re noisy. The good ones are heavy. There’s nothing pretty about them.

When I wake up with a thought, I usually consider it for about the first hour I’m awake and if nothing seems dangerous or demonic or even deadly, for that matter, I usually run with it. This vacuum cleaner thought seemed pretty safe. What could it hurt to go look?

My favorite store for all things with a cord is Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. Most of the time that’s the only place I need to look. Ollie’s is a plethora of things that are in the previous generation packaging, maybe a bit “dated”, but a great deal.

They buy out bankruptcies, and last year’s products and Bibles and crackers and bed linens. Children’s books and kitchen gadgets. (Who knew there was a thing called a microwave pressure cooker before Ollie’s came to town?)

Ollie’s inventory is constantly changing. Sometimes the only thing I buy in there is bird food, but every trip is an adventure.

Off to Ollie’s I went. Voila! Among other corded cleaning machines, I found a remanufactured vacuum at a bottom dollar price with a six month warranty. It’s a well known brand, so there was no risk.

That was before I realized the risk to my ego. To my pride. To my identity as a homemaker.

I got that monstrous piece of noisy equipment home and attached the things that needed attached. I plugged it in. It’s a model that has the clear filters and no bags, so it’s easy to see what the machine is doing. That is a new experience!

I pushed the red button. It started making noise as I pushed it along thinking, “Wow, enough of this and my bat wings might actually firm up.” I kind of thought I was wasting my time because I couldn’t see visible hair or dirt when I started.

Then…I looked at the front of that machine, into that clear canister that collects the stuff it picks up. I could feel my mouth hang open. I knew I was seeing things. Was there really that much dirt that I couldn’t see in those rugs? Was that hair hidden in those mini-carpets?

I was blushing. In my own home, alone. I looked at that ground-in dirt that no one could see as they walked past or across those rugs. Shame filled my thoughts. I had failed as a homemaker. I needed to turn in my Martha Stewart membership card.

Today it hit me. Hard. This was success. I learned something. Going down the wrong path with the wrong assumptions allowed this to happen. Thinking that cheap, decade old lightweight vacuum was performing well was incorrect. I had become quite casual about the rugs. If I didn’t see anything on it with a cursory glance, it must be good.

I should have been more diligent about protecting the rug fibers.

As I began to write this, something else crossed my mind. What would I find if I honestly put some “heavy equipment” (the Word) on my spiritual areas? Would I find some old ground-in “dirt”, the cast offs of a decade of not being diligent in my thought life, my prayer life, my relationship with my God? Have I protected my mind from the casualness of freedom in Christ?

I’d sure like to say “no”, but I think I need to check my canister.

Life in this culture is like one of those rooms of horrors with scary mirrors and images of distortion every way we turn. But this, this willingness to change laws to alter the bodies and beliefs of pre-teen children, this is unbelievable.

That a mother would genuinely see herself as an advocate for changing the gender of her child at an age when the child cannot likely explain the term “transgender” is ludicrous.

Children should be protected by their parents from understanding adult behaviors and preferences. They don’t need to know because they cannot understand the concepts. Children are not designed to understand long-term results of their current decisions. They haven’t grown yet. That’s why there are parents.

Is it not enough that it takes an Executive Order to get medical treatment for babies that the Executioner/Abortionist failed to kill? Now we want to allow small children to be surgically changed before they’re old enough to rationally determine their dinner choices?

Is there no longer any humanity in the human race that it becomes an election issue as to which leader would allow children to be put at risk when no one knows the long term effects, mentally and physically and emotionally, to these children?

Who will protect the children from parents who sacrifice their children on the altar of their own agenda? Would the medical community take part in this? Would the psychologists endorse this? Is there no one that will forbid the process?

Would we give permission to young children to carry loaded weapons or drive a car? This is surely no less dangerous, this letting children decide that they want to be physically altered before they’re old enough to decide if they want to eat broccoli.

Insanity. In. Action. If this is allowed.

The nation screams chaos and the violence spews hate. Some say they’re violent in response to hate. Some don’t understand why they’re being violent and loud, except that, for this moment in time, that activity pays well.

People are dying, and the innocent are suffering. My heart screams, “God, make it stop.’

The news reporters photograph the unrest, like unfriendly, un-yellow, unsmiling minions jumping with glee at distrust, dishonesty, and dangers. Who will win the Pulitzer for dangerous reporting this year?

Somewhere in the middle is a father whose children may see him destroying property with no purpose, defending dishonesty for money.

There’s a mother who is frustrated and hopeless. Somehow the screaming at the unknown seems like nothing new in her soul, only this time others hear her. And the babies’ cries go unheard, again.

Why should we pray for people who appear more violent than ravenous wolves, lashing out like a bear in a trap?

Why should we ask the Father to help them come to a mind full of peace and understanding that behaviors like this won’t change anything?

Because the One who created them and loves them still calls them “Precious fruit”. And we can do no less.

They are currently overrun by forces that use them to promote their own agenda, caring nothing about the damage they leave behind. How is that possible? Because they’ve never experienced the grace and love of a Father Who cannot stop loving them.

Love them, too. Even if it’s from a distance. Pray for them, each of them, like a mother or a sister would. Set them free from the anarchy by the power of Love.