Not like trees

There was a blind man that had been blind for quite sometime. One day, he happened to be in the midst of a man, who could possibly help him with his problem. Some believed that the man could help this blind man. As a matter of fact, others around begged him to help the blind man. Although everyone was probably looking for an outward display of a miracle, instead this man led the blind man outside the town......and then he spat on the blind man's eyes. Miraculously, the blind man was able to see but not quite clearly. When asked what he saw, he explained his vision as "I see men, as trees, walking". This was not good enough. The man then placed his hands on the not-so-blind man's eyes again and asked him to look up one more time and explain what he saw. Now, his sight was completely restored, and he saw men, as men. This story is recorded in Mark 8:22-26. Great story! I heard a very simple message today (regarding this scripture) and I was really challenged. Well, it showed me something that I/we easily and comfortably overlook. And that is - the way God sees people vs the way we see people. We often see people as trees, and we know that this is NOT the way God sees them. In fact, we get so burdened with our own perspectives, agendas, justifications, selfish thoughts that we are not able to see lost souls as nothing more than trees. Keep in mind that lost souls are not only the unchurched or the unsaved. Lost souls are people like you and I...people that are only familiar with traumatic lives, people going through difficulties of life, people dealing with diverse trials, people that are not able to make any decisions in life, people that are stagnant between their past and their future, people that are just trying to make it, people that are not able to navigate through their every day life, people that you and I actually know....etc. I really believe that God wants to restore my vision in respect to how I see people. I want to see people the way God sees them, not the way I see them or what I think they look like. I don't want to have to go through the lesson again, I want to get it the first time around! I believe that the blind man's first response had a judgmental edge to it....because I know I do that sometimes. When I see people, I immediately judge them by what I remember of them or whatever mindset I am in at the time. This is selfish and IT IS NOT God's way. How am I going to reach people if I keep this type of attitude, right? God always looks at us with the heart of a father, with compassion, grace and mercy. And I am forever grateful to Him for it. If He looked at me with the lens of all the things that I have done wrong, then I wouldn't have a chance. And neither would you! I pray for us ladies, that we allow God to restore or renew our vision, so we can see people the way He does. “People only see what they are prepared to see.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sinful Humanity

It's often very hard to be-friend anyone who is of or lives a sinful nature. You can hardly commune with them or converse with them. And no matter what you say, it doesn't stick! Why is that? I often battle with this question and lately, I have spoken with other women/men and this seems to be a burning question for them as well. It is somewhat troubling and heartbreaking when you see the potential in someone and you know what they are capable of, (even if they don't know it yet or have forgotten), but you see what victories lie ahead for them but for some reason, they don't see it! Or is it that they do not want to see it? It's hard to say! So I ran into this scripture (below)and although it is extreme, I admit, but its not too far from the truth...of the cases I have seen. God is such a loving God that He tugs on us constantly to stay connected and in Him. But there comes a day when He gives us up to our reprobate (good-for-nothing) minds and by then, it might be too late. You know how you see folks and you think "oh, this one has gone too far"...well, I believe that this is what has actually happened. They have meddled so much in the corruptible things that they have been given up to those desires. Not saying that they are beyond redemption because God is faithful to bring them out and set them totally free but this walk of salvation and this walk of life that we are all in, is a daily choice. If we do not stay connected and plugged into the things of God and His will for our lives, its very easy to steer away in our own fleshly desires and lusts. Ladies, do not be one of those women who are filled with (The Message version): rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing, envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating, mean-spirited, venomous, fork-tongued God-bashers, bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags, inventors of new ways of wrecking lives, disobedient to their parents when they get in the way, stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. These attributes do not lead you to a healthy place. On the contrary, it opens up a wide door of hell-ish works. We've seen it and its evident! My prayer for you is that you stay plugged in to God, you find yourself in Him, and only look unto things above for your identity. No man, no one, no job, no friend, no gimic, no bank account, no career can satisfy you the way God can. You are a vessel of the King, and you need to remember that always! Do not find your identity in temporary things or you'll end up building your future on sinking sand. God loves you and wants the best for you! ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT! :) ************************************************************************************* Romans 1:18-32 (King James Version) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Be a Woman, Again

Good Evening ladies, I trust that you are all doing well. I just wanted to encourage everyone ...that in all of the little things that we are all involved in, and doing...to remember to also keep strong and healthy. THINGS come and go but your life is your primary responsibility. I know, I tend to do for others and rarely remember me....and I have come to realize that this is somewhat true of every other woman I know. So please, take good care of yourselves and be well. Read something new. Eat something different. Take a different route. Be kind to other people. Be kind to a different person. Slow down a little. Steal a little kiss here and there. Watch a movie @ home. Treat yourself to a mani/pedi. Walk this time. Take a dance class. Call a friend and laugh about old times. BE A WOMAN AGAIN :)