Ah summer! When I was a kid, summer was about sleeping in, playing Kickball, Freeze Tag, Mother May I, Hide and Go Seek and Ring Around the Rosie. Summer was great because it was almost 9:00 before the street lights came on. Summer was frozen kool-aid cups and the ice cream man, flip flops and getting wet with the hose. Those were certainly the days.
Summer as an adult just doesn't have that same freedom, does it? We still have to work and pay bills and deal with folks. There's no vacation from life. Well this summer is over and boy am I glad about it. For me, this was definitely the "summer of my discontent!"
"For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer" Psalm 32:4
I don't know about you, but I've been going through it this summer. I mean going through like nobody's business. There were bad days and then there were awful days. There were times when I couldn't see a reason to get out of the bed and times when I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to make it. But you know what? I am.
Through all of it, through the tears and fears, I AM MAKING IT! I stay on my knees, argue with God, plead with Him for relief and sometimes give Him the cold shoulder. But I stay on those knees, praising and worshipping. I sought Him everywhere and found Him where I least expected....holding me.
He's teaching me about me, showing me who I am in Him and reminding me of His promise for me. He speaks and I listen. He tells me stand and I stand. He tells me to stop focusing on others and I keep my eyes on Him. He tells me it isn't going to be easy and I know His grace is sufficient. He tells me that He loves me and I accept. He never stops blessing. He started this blog and gives me "words to speak" to quote singer Aaron Shust. And thank God, He's not through with me yet.
So it's officially Autumn. Now what?
"Then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil." Deuteronomy 11:14
Now is the season for a refreshing rain from the Lord. A time of reaping the harvest of His promises. New wine, new oil, new joy, new peace, new beginnings, new mercies.
"Passing through the Valley of Baca (Weeping), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills the pools with blessings" Psalm 84:6
It was a tough season. I didn't just pass through the valley of weeping, I set up house and stayed a while. But those tears create a spring of blessings. God captures my tears in a bottle and will pour them out as a fresh anointing over my life.
"Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before." Joel 2:34.
It's fall. So let it fall.
Let anger fall
Let strongholds fall
Let walls fall
Let resentment fall
Let anxiety fall
Let fear fall
Let distrust fall
Ring around the rosy.
A pocket full of posies.
Ashes, ashes
LET IT ALL FALL DOWN!
In love,
Mona
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Calendar Girl
Today is my birthday! I am officially Forty-one-derful! I LOVE my birthday! I hear people talk about not wanting to celebrate their birthdays, or saying how they don’t think about birthdays. To that I say PSHAW!! Forget that…today is the best day of the year and I am blessed to be alive! Plus I just love all of the attention!
But more than cake (and I loves me some cake!), cards, emails and texts, today is about a new beginning. Another year is gone and the hope of tomorrow is looming just on the horizon. I get to start fresh again. I get to start a whole new calendar today. My calendar isn’t January to December it's September to September.
And today I open a brand new calendar of time. All of the pages are crisp, clean and smells of new ink. There are no markings of things to do and places to go. Every day ahead is a new opportunity. But more importantly, the past is in the trash.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3)
A time to be born (again in Christ), and a time to die (to self)
A time to plant (seeds of love), and a time to pluck what is planted (the harvest of God’s promises)
A time to kill (the flesh), and a time to heal (your wounds)A time to break down (walls), and a time to build up (those who are broken)
A time to weep (for lost souls), and a time to laugh (for the joy of the Lord)
A time to mourn (for those who don’t know Christ), and a time to dance (before the Lord)
A time to cast away stones (clear the fields of your mind), and a time to gather stones (build upon the foundation God has set)
A time to embrace (who God says you are), and a time to refrain from embracing (who the world says you are)A time to gain (trust and confidence in God), and a time to lose (a negative attitude)
A time to keep (your head up), and a time to throw away (trash from the past)
A time to tear (down the enemy's strongholds), and a time to sew (and mend fences)
A time to keep silence (and hear the voice of the Lord), and a time to speak (about the saving grace of Jesus Christ)
A time to love (yourself), and a time to hate (sin)
A time of war (against the enemy), and a time of peace (that surpasses all understanding)
It may not be your birthday today, but it may be time to throw away the past and start a fresh new calendar today.
In love,
Mona
But more than cake (and I loves me some cake!), cards, emails and texts, today is about a new beginning. Another year is gone and the hope of tomorrow is looming just on the horizon. I get to start fresh again. I get to start a whole new calendar today. My calendar isn’t January to December it's September to September.
And today I open a brand new calendar of time. All of the pages are crisp, clean and smells of new ink. There are no markings of things to do and places to go. Every day ahead is a new opportunity. But more importantly, the past is in the trash.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3)
A time to be born (again in Christ), and a time to die (to self)
A time to plant (seeds of love), and a time to pluck what is planted (the harvest of God’s promises)
A time to kill (the flesh), and a time to heal (your wounds)A time to break down (walls), and a time to build up (those who are broken)
A time to weep (for lost souls), and a time to laugh (for the joy of the Lord)
A time to mourn (for those who don’t know Christ), and a time to dance (before the Lord)
A time to cast away stones (clear the fields of your mind), and a time to gather stones (build upon the foundation God has set)
A time to embrace (who God says you are), and a time to refrain from embracing (who the world says you are)A time to gain (trust and confidence in God), and a time to lose (a negative attitude)
A time to keep (your head up), and a time to throw away (trash from the past)
A time to tear (down the enemy's strongholds), and a time to sew (and mend fences)
A time to keep silence (and hear the voice of the Lord), and a time to speak (about the saving grace of Jesus Christ)
A time to love (yourself), and a time to hate (sin)
A time of war (against the enemy), and a time of peace (that surpasses all understanding)
It may not be your birthday today, but it may be time to throw away the past and start a fresh new calendar today.
In love,
Mona
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Muppet Show
Like most of us, as a child I was a big fan of The Muppet Show, Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock. I hate to admit it but I think I identify most with Miss Piggy. She was feminine, confident and didn't take any mess - destined for stardom just like me! Well, minus the pig part! But I digress...
Muppets are puppet characters created by Jim Henson, one of the most famous puppeteers to ever live. A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object in such a manner that the audience believes the object is alive. In some instances the personality of the puppeteer is also an important feature.
Do you ever feel like a puppet? Feel like you had strings tied to your arms and legs and that someone, or something, is manipulating you? Not physically, but mentally. The enemy is a puppeteer, no...he's a puppet master. Using your fears, doubts, anxieties and your past to get you act and think in a certain way. He pulls on the strings of your mind and pulls on your heart strings in ways that can get you off your game.
Remember SEW (the voices of self, the enemy and the world)? Those are three strings attached to your heart and mind. Every time those voices speak, your mind and heart are jerked this way. Every time you hear a voice and think, "well what if...." or "maybe that is true" then your mind and heart are turned upside down. The longer you listen and give heed to the voices, the more tied up you become. Eventually you'll feel like you'll never get undone.
He's crafty:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" I Peter 5:8
He's false:
"He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies" John 8:44
Unfortunately he knows us, sometimes better than we know ourselves. He knows our past and he knows our hurts. He knows just what buttons to push and what strings to pull. But when the voices start blathering in your ear, start asking yourself, "is this what God has said to me? Does this line up with the promises of God?"
God knew that we would be faced with these things. Remember that 'we are not ignorant of the enemy's devices' (2 Corinthians 2:11). Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". John 16:33
The voices are playing back your worst fears, anxieties, twisted feelings and doubts. Our feelings, anxieties and worries CANNOT BE TRUSTED. The voices CANNOT BE TRUSTED. They are of the flesh. "...we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh" Phillippians 3:3.
Take no confidence in the enemy's attempts to control you and make you lose sight of God's promises. Take no confidence in memories of sins that God has already forgiven you for. Take no confidence in over-analyzing every word, action and deed of those you love. This is all the flesh. And remember what God said.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood , but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
If you want to cut the puppet master's strings in your life you have to "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Stand firm on God's promises. If God said it, then it is done. "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist," Stand firm on the truth of who God is and who He says you are.
"with the breastplate of righteousness in place," Protect your fragile heart by behaving righteously.
"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Know the Word. Rehearse out loud and encourage yourself at all times.
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Stand on God's faith that He will do just what He said He will do.
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." We worship in Spirit. Use that sword to cut the strings of the puppeteer!
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY and then PRAY some more! You can combat the voices and the lies with fervent prayer.
Prayer and Thanksgiving will untangle the strings of the enemy. Listen to the One True Voice!
In love,
Miss Piggy
Muppets are puppet characters created by Jim Henson, one of the most famous puppeteers to ever live. A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object in such a manner that the audience believes the object is alive. In some instances the personality of the puppeteer is also an important feature.
Do you ever feel like a puppet? Feel like you had strings tied to your arms and legs and that someone, or something, is manipulating you? Not physically, but mentally. The enemy is a puppeteer, no...he's a puppet master. Using your fears, doubts, anxieties and your past to get you act and think in a certain way. He pulls on the strings of your mind and pulls on your heart strings in ways that can get you off your game.
Remember SEW (the voices of self, the enemy and the world)? Those are three strings attached to your heart and mind. Every time those voices speak, your mind and heart are jerked this way. Every time you hear a voice and think, "well what if...." or "maybe that is true" then your mind and heart are turned upside down. The longer you listen and give heed to the voices, the more tied up you become. Eventually you'll feel like you'll never get undone.
He's crafty:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" I Peter 5:8
He's false:
"He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies" John 8:44
Unfortunately he knows us, sometimes better than we know ourselves. He knows our past and he knows our hurts. He knows just what buttons to push and what strings to pull. But when the voices start blathering in your ear, start asking yourself, "is this what God has said to me? Does this line up with the promises of God?"
God knew that we would be faced with these things. Remember that 'we are not ignorant of the enemy's devices' (2 Corinthians 2:11). Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". John 16:33
The voices are playing back your worst fears, anxieties, twisted feelings and doubts. Our feelings, anxieties and worries CANNOT BE TRUSTED. The voices CANNOT BE TRUSTED. They are of the flesh. "...we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh" Phillippians 3:3.
Take no confidence in the enemy's attempts to control you and make you lose sight of God's promises. Take no confidence in memories of sins that God has already forgiven you for. Take no confidence in over-analyzing every word, action and deed of those you love. This is all the flesh. And remember what God said.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood , but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
If you want to cut the puppet master's strings in your life you have to "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Stand firm on God's promises. If God said it, then it is done. "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist," Stand firm on the truth of who God is and who He says you are.
"with the breastplate of righteousness in place," Protect your fragile heart by behaving righteously.
"and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Know the Word. Rehearse out loud and encourage yourself at all times.
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Stand on God's faith that He will do just what He said He will do.
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." We worship in Spirit. Use that sword to cut the strings of the puppeteer!
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY and then PRAY some more! You can combat the voices and the lies with fervent prayer.
Prayer and Thanksgiving will untangle the strings of the enemy. Listen to the One True Voice!
In love,
Miss Piggy
Thursday, September 10, 2009
If I Only Had A Heart
Wizard of Oz: As for you, my galvanized friend, you want a heart. You don't know how lucky you are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable.
Tin Woodsman: But I still want one.
~The Wizard of Oz
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The heart is a wonderful piece of machinery. It had better be since you can't live without this vital organ! It's a strong muscle that pumps your blood all throughout your body. It's the hardest working muscle we have.
But the heart also symbolizes the spiritual, emotional, moral and, often, the intellectual center of yourself. And don't forget love and affection! It's a residence too - remember you invited Jesus to live there!
So it makes sense that the word heart is mentioned around 900 times in the different versions of the bible. Obviously your "ticker" is important both physically and spiritually.
But today I want to zero in on something God's been saying to me a lot lately..."Take heart".
Take heart? What in the world does that mean? What is He talking about? Well the term "take heart" has a couple of meanings:
1) to receive courage or comfort from some fact
2) to start to feel more hopeful and more confident
3) to feel encouraged.
But when I am going through the rough and tumble times, I don't feel like my heart can be trusted. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9
But God's telling me "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord" Psalm 31:24
But doesn't the Bible say "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." Mark 7:21-22
Yes, yes...but Jesus said "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
God keeps encouraging me to "take heart" because it's all a part of the plan.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" Psalm 27:14
Take heart? Really, God? My heart is raggedy, weak, sad and often broken.
Then I realized something...
He wants me to take HIS HEART!
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:26-27
With God's heart, you can be encouraged that He is working it all out according His purpose. With it you can stand...stand on His Word and on His Promises.
And most of all remember what He said..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5
YOU ARE SPECIAL AND SET APART - SO GO AHEAD AND TAKE HEART!
In love,
Mona
Tin Woodsman: But I still want one.
~The Wizard of Oz
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The heart is a wonderful piece of machinery. It had better be since you can't live without this vital organ! It's a strong muscle that pumps your blood all throughout your body. It's the hardest working muscle we have.
But the heart also symbolizes the spiritual, emotional, moral and, often, the intellectual center of yourself. And don't forget love and affection! It's a residence too - remember you invited Jesus to live there!
So it makes sense that the word heart is mentioned around 900 times in the different versions of the bible. Obviously your "ticker" is important both physically and spiritually.
But today I want to zero in on something God's been saying to me a lot lately..."Take heart".
Take heart? What in the world does that mean? What is He talking about? Well the term "take heart" has a couple of meanings:
1) to receive courage or comfort from some fact
2) to start to feel more hopeful and more confident
3) to feel encouraged.
But when I am going through the rough and tumble times, I don't feel like my heart can be trusted. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9
But God's telling me "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord" Psalm 31:24
But doesn't the Bible say "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." Mark 7:21-22
Yes, yes...but Jesus said "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
God keeps encouraging me to "take heart" because it's all a part of the plan.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" Psalm 27:14
Take heart? Really, God? My heart is raggedy, weak, sad and often broken.
Then I realized something...
He wants me to take HIS HEART!
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:26-27
With God's heart, you can be encouraged that He is working it all out according His purpose. With it you can stand...stand on His Word and on His Promises.
And most of all remember what He said..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5
YOU ARE SPECIAL AND SET APART - SO GO AHEAD AND TAKE HEART!
In love,
Mona
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