Understanding The New Normal

Life can quickly change quicker than the blink of an eye. What do we do when that happens? Today’s blog post speaks to that. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!

A Beautiful Attitude (Part 6): A Pure Heart

"A pure heart"

Today I'm continuing with Part 6 of "A Beautiful Attitude" where we are discovering the Beatitudes Jesus spoke in part of the most famous sermon of all time- The Sermon on the Mount. 


Just a recap of what Beatitudes are. Beatitudes are staples for good living and the blessings that go along with them.


Let us begin with this amazing verse in scripture. Truly a triumph echoing throughout the pages of history. "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8 NKJV)


A pure heart is something that is rarely seen. What can be said of a pure heart? Who has a pure heart? Is someone who has a pure heart merely one who does good for others? Someone who donates to charities? Someone who gives gifts on birthdays and holidays? 


These may be ripples of someone who has a pure heart, but what does the life of Jesus show us on who has a pure heart? We wouldn't have to go far. The Beatitudes in and of themselves speak a defining truth to one who has a pure heart. Let us recap on the Beatitudes shall we.

Those who have a Pure Heart are: Those who are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3); Those who mourn (Matthew 5:4); Those who are meek (Matthew 5:5); Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6); Those who are merciful (Matthew 5:7); Those who are peacemakers (Matthew 5:9); Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matthew 5:10); Those who are insulted, persecuted, and all kinds of evil and false things are said of them for the Lord Jesus' sake (Matthew 5:11)

Although the above statements of truth don't seem particularly inviting, let these words of promise from the Lord Jesus Himself ease your anxieties, "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:12 emphasis added)

All of the above doesn't come over night but many of them happen to those who are hurting, and are in pain and sorrow over the terrible things they have done to others and the terrible things that have been done to them. How do I know this? I am one of those individuals who was filled with so much hurt, pain and anger that it was too great to handle and only the love of God through the Lord Jesus Christ could heal what was causing me massive hurt, pain, anger, guilt...you name it!

When I was asking God to give me the words to write towards this portion of the Beatitudes I went to a reference in my study Bible which was (1 John 3:2-3). This verse in scripture says "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

The Word of God proclaims this promise. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. What is a new creation? A new creation is a child of God. I don't know about you but that thought of seeing God face-to-face finally has me tickled pink (Ha!). I look forward to that moment with all that I am. I have shed great tears of joy envisioning that moment when the One who has known me as He created me is before me and I before Him. It has caused me to tremble with excitement. That thought has kept me speechless with a brimming smile that could blot out the sun, and has caused me to dance with great jubilation (mind you I am not a dancer). Even now as I think of Him I shiver with delight. To see and be with my God forever is something that although we, His children, will all experience the above to some degree, that overwhelming love from a pure heart being a child of God will make it all worth it. Amen!

Beloved, as the end of this series of writings on the beautiful Beatitudes come to a close it's bitter sweet for me. Bitter as it will have been a grand journey to knowing and accepting the love of God through His One and only Son Jesus coming to a close. Yet sweet, as I have many more blessings to share with you coming down the pipeline. Amen.

As always...YOU ARE LOVED.

Go ahead and cry

"My heart cries for you, but His love made Him die for you." - F. Lugo

I read today (April 20, 2011) words that said if you are going through a storm in your life, ask God boldly "How are you showing me that you are there and loving me?"

As soon as I took those words in, an overwhelming sensation of hurt came out, and took over me and tears started to swell up. As I built the courage up to ask God that very question, I was scared, but even more overwhelmed by all the things I'm feeling in this storm I'm going through.


The tears pour out now, and I cried out to Jesus, and I said, that "I feel abandoned. I feel alone. I feel unappreciated. I feel misunderstood. I feel unloved, and not loved enough. I feel suffocated, and without any place to rest and recuperate."


I cried out to the Lord, "When I reach out, there is no one to reach back out. When I share, no one shares in return. When I look to spend time with someone, where is that someone? When I need to be loved, it's not the right time. When I need to be heard, the timing is wrong. When I share, I share too much. When I love, it's not reciprocated. When I'm able to spend time, it's never enough time."


I cried out to the Lord, and ask "How are you showing me, that you are there and loving me, as I feel that no one else is there to love me?"


I cried out to the Lord. "I hurt, but the hurt remains. I'm in need of breath but I remain suffocating. I need to be close, but all there is, is distance."

Are you that woman, saying, "I cry out to the Lord?" My dear, in your hurt, in your pain, in your confusion know that it's alright to cry. It's alright to feel as you feel. God sees you. Go to Him. Ask for His comforting. Because He calls out to you through Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

                                                          

Are you that man, afraid of showing your hurt, your pain, your tears all the while you're saying, "I cry out to the Lord?" My friend, know that tears aren't a sign of weakness but a call to God for help, for rest, for His peace. Because He calls out to you through Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

For the many tears throughout this world that have poured out enough to create an ocean of hurt, know that God's love speaks such words of hope to you, and it's an invitation for all who need Him to call out...Cry out to Him, "God will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or  pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:4) 

I have gone through such horrible pain and hurt in my life. Thinking I was alone. Feeling as if no one understood me. Wondering why I couldn't be loved the way I desired to be loved. Hating myself for the mistakes I've made. The people I hurt. The wrong I've done. Seeing myself as broken and never being able to be fixed. Shaking my head at the thought of ever being forgiven because I did too much bad than good. I grew angry, resentful, filled with depression and only wanting to further isolate myself from everyone...I wanted to die. Why would they care? Who would miss me? Who am I that I can be loved? Do these questions sound familiar? Are these the words you are constantly tortured and ridiculed by? Don't believe the lie. God loves you. He wants you to know that He loves you so much. That He desires for you to know He sees you as His masterpiece. That you are worth it. So much so, He sacrificed what meant most to Him to show you that you mean so much to Him. His very heart! All you need to do is cry out to the Lord Jesus. Invite Him into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you and to make you whole again. He'll do it! He's done it for me and countless others like us. 

I leave you with these words that are comforting and breathe new life into you and your heart themselves...They will save you and in being saved you will know that YOU ARE LOVED. Amen.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) 

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:21)

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10) 

Beloved, I know your pain but I also know God's healing love. Won't you call out to Him now? He's right there waiting. 

My Prayer for you:

Father God, thank you for these words of strength, healing, encouragement that allow the many to know they are loved by You. I lift up everyone's tears of pain, sorrow, regret, fear and hurt. Wipe them away in Your love. Give them a new life through Your grace. I pray today they will call on the name of the Lord Jesus and know what it is to be loved through His loving sacrifice. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

God bless you all. YOU ARE SO LOVED

Emergency Post: A Crying Voice (Lord Hear Us)

“A voice crying in the wilderness asking to please save me, hears...do not fear, the Savior is coming.”

Do you cry like I cry over broken marriages that end up in divorce?


Do you cry like I cry over hurtful words and actions between parents and their children?


Do you cry like I cry over teens experimenting with everything like it’s nothing? 


Do you cry like I cry over sex-filled, non-committed relationships that start off wrong and end up in disaster?

Do you cry like I cry over the wars and the genocide between misunderstandings of men?


Do you cry like I cry over over the multitude who will do anything for the love of money?


Do you cry like I cry over the drug induced, alcohol consumed men, women and children of this hurting world?

Do you cry like I cry over countries at war over land or oil and masquerading it as religion?

Do you cry like I cry when you see a fatherless child without direction end up in prison?

Do you cry like I cry over rape, sexual atrocities that end up in either abortions, deaths or fatherless children?

Do you cry like I cry over our women who walk in shame and defeat over the thoughtless men who’ve hurt them?

Do you cry like I cry over the child abuse that plagues this land?

Do you cry like I cry over the thoughtless words that come out like missiles from men and women all over this world?

Do you cry like I cry over the hurting that even goes on in the church?

Do you cry like I cry over the souls who do not know the Savior?



If you cry like I cry then you pray like I pray. You desire to say as I desire to say, and you want to do as I want to do. Believing as I believe knowing as I know, that God is the only way to help us stand for good to make a blow in this world in the name of Jesus that will leave an eternal impact. Amen. If you say amen to this, then let us come into agreement as we pray together in one accord as one body of Christ.



Let us pray:

Oh Father, the pain is so severe. The hurt is so deep. The lost is so profound. I thank you that in you and by your love this evil, can be overcome with good. Father God help us to pray as we must. To say as we should. To do as you will. Guide us into victory to reach the lost and impact this world for Christ. We ask You to do this in and through us mightily, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Love Week (Part 5): Revisit

I decided for part 5 of Love Week, that I'd revisit where I was when I first came to Christ. How I felt. What I struggled with. Where my mind and heart were, and the reason for this walk down memory lane is to illustrate that revisiting our past leads to our remembering of God's blessings of old, present and promise for the future. I will not include any scripture. I will not add anything new other than this opening description of what you will begin reading. The words you are about to read are from a page out of my heart. It's a transparent man wanting you to know who he is. God bless you all.


Wednesday, April 05, 2006

 Broken sidewalk
Current mood:  contemplative
Category: Writing and Poetry


This is something that I shall have to dive back into my past for, as  
it was something I wanted to write, yet never got a chance to. Bare  
with me as I take you into a dark era of my life, to eventually find  
my way to the light.

My life, my everything is a broken sidewalk, but why? I sense  
something there, but what? It lingers on me, like a bad rash, but how  
come? I look around me with eyes ablaze, wanting to create entire fits  
of anarchy, but who will stop me? I know what  this sensation is, but  
shall I invite it in? He calls to me, and says to me, "Your father has  
forgotten about you, but you will not submit to me. Why are you  
fighting it, I am a friend, not an enemy? You can trust in my word, I  
will not fail you. All I want from you is your word." "No you don't,  
you want more, you want my everything, my most prized possession, and  
you can't have it. I am my own keeper, i say what goes on inside me,  
not you, or HIM."

Wait, just a minute there, do you hear that? I hear nothing! It is  
coming to me, but very faint, almost like a wisper, "My son, I have  
not left you alone, I only ask that you show me, that you are worthy  
of my gifts, and LOVE. No need to worry, about this new found friend  
of yours, I shall forgive you, but you must forgive, yourself.

Whatever, this trife life of mine, is too much to bare, I need to  
breathe, not feel suffocated.You can do something about it, but you  
always want someone to do this, and do that. I am through trying to  
prove myself to you. I am, who I am. You must LOVE me, for me. "But I  
do my son. You have so much potential in you, and you are destined for  
GREATNESS, you need only believe in me, and in yourself, and this  
"trife life" of yours, shall be no more."

"Man, get out of here with that nonsense, don't you see that he wants  
it now, he wants more than you can give him. You say you will forgive  
him, but I see nothing wrong in what he has done, or who he has grown  
up to be. A matter of fact, I am proud of you. You are tough, strong,  
and you could careless what people think of you. Not to mention all  
those women, man, the women...You are alright with me, man."

Dawg, I do not need none of you, I will do what I please, when I  
please, and I will get what I want, because I think fast, talk fast,  
and act fast. No one is on my level, and I have no doubt, that I will  
reign supreme over all, without the likes of you two side acts. Get  
out of my face.

Alright, if you want it like that, but I'll be seeing you, whatever  
dude.

My son, SAVE IT!!!!!



Well, my life went on, and it got good, and seemed as if I was  
conquering what I set out to do, but wait...The S@*!, hit the fan. I  
started to get fired from jobs, or quitting left, and right. Women,  
weren't paying any attention to me, my pockets were always empty, and  
my weight was doubling...What is going on here. How come this is  
happening to me, what have I done to deserve this? This is not fair.  
Why me?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DARKNESS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before I knew it 5 years had past, and I saw my life flash before my  
eyes, and it wasn't pretty.

~~~~THE LIGHT/THE VOICE/THE LOVE~~~~

A new year is on its way, and I find myself a quarter of the way into  
my life as it were. The faint whisper is ever so increasing, but I can  
sense the darkness hanging just over my shoulder constantly tugging at  
me. I find myself speaking out to him, "I know I have cursed your  
name, gone against your wishes, your better judgement, but I am here  
now to say that I am through fighting, rebelling. I submit to you, I  
give up, I give up, I give up."

My son, it is not for you to say you give up, and give in. You must  
feel it with all that you are, you must submit to me as I shall take  
you by the hand, and guide you to a world, a life so great, it shall  
overwhelm all of your wildest fantasies. I am the truth, and I shall  
love you for who you are. I made you from my image, you are a most  
perfect being. Can't you see that?

Not really, but I want to, I truly do. I ask you, can you forgive my  
every mistake? YES! Can you forgive my harsh behavior onto women? YES!  
How can you love me, after all I have done, seen, said, and thought  
of? My son, you need not worry yourself as I am all that there is on  
earth, and beyond. I am the creator of man, and my way is the right  
way, the only way to complete salvation from your past, you fears,  
your hatred, your mistakes. But, I say this now, you must submit to  
me, follow in the path that has been set for you. You must love for  
the sake of loving, you must obey for the sake of obeying. You are my  
son, and a witness to life you shall be, as I grant you life as my  
gift to you. Use your life, your experiences good, and bad to further  
yourself in life, to further yourself through fellowship, through  
prayer, you are man, you are my greatest achievement.

BUT, I WARN YOU NOT TO BETRAY MY LOVE, MY KINDNESS, MY FORGIVENESS,  
FOR WEAKNESS!!!

"Please forgive my cries my GOD, my LORD, my EVERYTHING, as your love  
is overwhelming. I was in the dark, and now you have shown me the  
light. You showed me my devilish ways, and the outcome of my choices.  
I shall follow you for all of my days Lord, I am your son, your image,  
your everything."

I no longer look to him, for a glimpse into a better life, as he is  
all about temptation, suggestion, betrayal, hate, sin, unforgiveness.  
I am your open vessel Lord, and I am open to your love, your  
teachings, and guidance. Show me the way, as I am that eager child  
wanting more from you.

From here on end, I shall speak of you in my life, carry you in my  
heart, and be blessed as you bless me. I shall love man, respect man,  
teach man, as I am the rebirth of a triumphant King that you have made  
me out to be.

"You are of me son, and I of you. Take me into your heart, and spirit,  
and make me your salvation. I shall guide you through the tough times,  
your fears, your insecurities, and not judge you for your weaknesses,  
but I shall judge you, and reprimand you as I am your father, and you  
shall not get out of line."

Thank you father, thank you. I have been lost for so long. I have  
hated man, hated against the ones that loved me. I have alienated my  
friends. I have sought justice for the betrayals done onto me. I have  
poisoned, and intoxicated my body. I have submitted to sexual sin, and  
the desires, and temptations of the flesh. I was the embodiment of sin  
Lord, but no more. You have shown me the ways of the foolish, and I am  
ready to do your bidding, and to live the life, and walk the path you  
have set before me.

"My son, now the test shall begin, as you shall live as I see fit. I  
shall release you into the world you have come to know, and see if you  
are ready, if you can resists the temptations the world has to offer."

I thank you father. In your name Lord, I shall praise you all of my  
days. I shall be of sound mind, and body, to no longer live a life of  
sin. I know you shall bless me, and surround me with your favor. I  
look forward to my new life, and eagerly await your direction.

~~~~~~~~HE CREEPS AGAIN~~~~~~~~

As I walk down my new path, I see the world different, but it has not  
changed. The sins of man are all over the place. Everywhere I look, I  
see the sins of man, yet I do not fear any temptations overcoming me.  
I am strong in my faith, and my devotion cannot be shaken, nor will it.

There is someone there, and I know what you want. You have no insight  
to my life any longer. "Come on, man"..........................Lord,  
shield me with your strength..........."But I thought you wanted the  
riches, the women, the fame, the fortune"........................ 
(Lord, I pray to you the prayer I know)

THE LORDS PRAYER:

Our father who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on Earth,
As it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our tresspasses,
As we forgive those that tresspass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory, forever, and ever.
AMEN.

Please rid me of his grip Lord.


This broken sidewalk I call life, is no match  for my heavenly father,  
and as I see, and hear THIS ENEMY, call out to my name......I say, NO!

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)