abandoned to Christ.

  Not everyone poor is humble. Not everyone rich is prideful. Not everyone battered is beaten. Not everyone spoiled is rotten. Not everyone meek is kind. Not everyone popular is rude. In this world, we assume much about others based on our limited experiences, and finite understanding of what we know (or think we know). We can't help it. We're all very quick to assume the best of ourselves or those we love and respect (whether or not we truly know them), while at the same time, presuming the worst of others. If a person we love or respect is thoughtless, we say, "Well, I'm sure they have a good reason. They probably have a lot on their mind or plate." But if it's someone we dislike or don't know at all, we say, "Whell! I guess they don't realize they're not the only people in this world!" I do this. Do you? Unfortunately, I don't stop there. There are times where I presume the worst of people I actually do know and love and respect if...

According to my last blog post, it's been about a year. Wow. Truly, time flies when...well, when...🤷 So why has it taken me a year to write again? Lots of reasons. For those who've been following me on social media and/or have signed up for an email subscription to my blog, you already know about my 24/7 pain and weakness (due to 13 years of childhood persecution) that the LORD kindly and lovingly has and continues to faithfully endure me through since I was 33 (which was 24 year ago). And by His grace, in 2008, the LORD inspired my darling husband, Jim, to suggest that I begin using the spiritual gifts (teaching, exhorting, etc.) the LORD gave me when I became too broken in mind and body to minister to young girls and women in person. When I started, this blogging thing was new. So new, I had never heard of it, before my darling husband encouraged me to remain faithful rather than become stagnant in my life in Christ. He had to explain it all to me. Frankly, I thought the who...

“God knows my heart.” is a common phrase that both Christians and non-Christians use. And sadly, it’s carelessly thrown about to excuse or approve of the faithless, opinionated, and self-righteous way many of us choose to live. Rarely is this phrase used by a truly penitent and humble heart that worships the LORD Almighty in the splendor of holiness—in spirit and in truth (1 Chron 16:29 and Jn 4:23-24). So how can we know for certain if our hearts are the penitent or proud ones when we say, “God knows my heart.” ? We know by how God Almighty says we can know. We test our hearts by what comes out of our mouths (Mt 12:34-37, Lk 6:43-46), with God’s perfect and infallible Word of truth. This God—His way is perfect;   the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. ~2 Samuel 22:31 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God ma...

We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God MUST also love his brother. ~1 John 4:19-21 (emphasis mine) If how I treat people is based on how they make me feel, what they can or cannot do for me , or what they think or how they feel about me , I prove that I am more interested in being well-loved rather than being the one who loves well. In our current society, the comforts, preferences, security, and everything that any individual desires—reigns supreme. The godly desires for community and friendship are now an endangered precept. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ~John 13:34-35 Let love be genu...