Above it All

I took a trip a few days ago to see friends in North Carolina. They live near the coast, so we had a very long drive to get to our destination. I traveled there with my oldest daughter. It was such a peaceful drive. The sky fashioned a wonderful robins egg blue. The clouds were like giant pillows tranquilly resting in the striking blue background. The trees were just beginning to show signs of an impending fall. Spots of orange, red and brown were beginning to appear on the edges of the green leaves. We passed shimmering bodies of water that served as soft rippled mirrors of the numerous tall thin trees, the clouds and sky. The road was rather empty with the exception of large imposing trucks that would pass us up every once in a while rocking our little rental car. Most everyone else was already at work and about the business of the day. My daughter rested next to me in the passenger seat silently enjoying the peace and quiet and dozing occasionally. What an amazing picture of Father’s creation! I found myself feeling very grateful for my life and for the opportunity to gaze upon His handiwork. He is the Artist of all artists.

Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.


Sometimes my mind wanders when I drive long distances. Does that happen to you too? I frequently pray in the car. With a house full of four kids and a busy life it just works out that the car is often the only quiet place to pray.

Sometimes though, I have no words. I am truly at a loss for words, and I can do nothing but just praise Him. This was one of those days. This was one of those journeys. I found myself in complete awe of Him. So much so that simple words and simple prayers, would not come to me. The realization that my Abba, Creator of the vast universe, my King, my Savior, my mighty Elohim is interested in connecting with very small me, became very overwhelming in that moment. My eyes grew hot and salty tears threatened to flood onto my cheeks in response. I found myself thinking about how really good He is and how the word "good" doesn’t even begin to describe Him. His beautiful creation, before me, conquered my senses and I could think of nothing else but Him.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.


On this journey of the life He so graciously given me He has shown me many things and I know, with much gratitude, that He isn’t finished. That fact, that He is not done, isn’t lost on me and it fills my heart with hope. Especially on those days when I catch a glimpse in the mirror of the image of my soul and know that quite honestly I still need a lot of work! In this life there have been difficult times, sorrowful times, happy days, periods of sheer elation and joy, and moments of confusion, disillusionment and disappointment, to name a few. He hasn’t failed to show up and be near in any of them and I know He never will leave me nor forsake me. He is faithful. He is able to be above it all. Even if sometimes I am not. In my heart I know that these experiences are opportunities, allowed by Him and they are provided to cause us grow, mature and reach the potential He has put in all of us. Honestly, I wouldn’t ask for many of these hurdles, but none the less I am grateful for them if they exist to create in me the possibility of being more like Him and knowing Him in a deeper and more intimate way.

I was thinking about how truly small we are and how so much of the time we become entangled in all the nonsense of this earth. There is so much that tries to keep us down and it is very tempting to let it. Much of it is really small stuff. We don’t see the "quick sand" ahead and before we know it we’ve stepped in it! I imagine His view, looking at us all here on earth. We must appear so silly and rather comical sometimes. We fight, we strive, we struggle and we contend with Him and one another. Our struggles cause us to sink deeper and the mud rises up to our eyeballs. It just isn’t our fleshly nature to be still and call out to Him or to be patient and wait on Him to pull us out of our mess.

What is life, really? It is just a small season in all of eternity in which you and myself exist. A small blip on the radar. We only get one blip, yet we fail to rise above the rubbish so much of the time. Thankfully, sometimes we pass the test. Those are really good days. Don’t you think? I really desire more days like that!

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Do you remember when those bracelets were all the rage? You know, the ones with WWJD on them. They were supposed to remind believers to do what Jesus did. Or more accurately what Yahshua did when He walked the earth. I don’t think we need to look at a bracelet to remember what He did. The earth testifies to what He did and is doing. The earth, His creation, is groaning and crying out now as a woman in labor and experiencing birth pains for a time soon to come. I believe that possibly some of us will see this time in our lifetime. When I think of that I am excited and thrilled. Really so little actually matters when you look at the big picture He has for us. How marvelous is the hope we have of an eternity spent with Him!


Like the clouds resting in the robins egg blue sky He is above it all. He doesn’t get tired nor does He grow weary. He isn’t struggling, striving or fighting with anyone. Even when we find ourselves entangled in difficulties, He is right there with us, hand extended waiting for us to reach up and grasp His. If we put our hope in Him we will be above it all too and we will soar like eagles! Praise Yahweh!

Isaiah 40

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Many blessings to you in Messiah Yahshua. More than a conqueror.

Staff Interview on Messianic Lifestyles and One New Audio Magazine Article

Messianic Lifestyles is an audio on-line magazine that expores what living life Torah style is all about through the eyes of the diverse people living it. I recently joined as a staff producer. Check out my staff interview at Messianic Lifestyles and also an additional new article posted today just under it. All Glory to YHVH!

Many blessings to you in Messiah Yahshua

More than a Conqueror

Promotion of New Blog...........

Don't worry. I am not going anywhere. We are still on this journey together Desiring to Worship in Spirit and in Truth.

I just wanted to let you know about a new blog I am starting in addition to this one. It is called Abundant Health. You can find it by going to  http://www.abundanthealthnewnan.blogspot.com/

Abundant Health is dedicated to sharing information that promotes a healthy lifestyle, both physically and spiritually. Abundant Health recognises that we have a very smart Creator that tells us in His Torah how to live a life full of abundance and blessing.

On this site you will see upcoming events, articles and information regarding The Herb Shop in Newnan Georgia.

Please check it out and give us your email address so we can help you in your pursuit to have an Abundant Life!

Blessings to you in Messiah Yahshua,

More than a Conqueror

Grateful..........

To my husband,

Tomorrow we celebrate another year of your life.

You are my best friend and my love. I want you to know that I am so glad and grateful that when the wind and the rain blew the four walls down, our lives were found to be built on the Rock of Messiah Yahshua. I am blessed beyond measure to have you in my life. Thank you for being the "strength of our house."

All glory to YHVH!!

Love to you in our Messiah.

Your wife

Examine My Heart

I found this on Torah Teachers.com and thought it was excellent. So I grabbed it and posted it here. Like Victor I agree with this guy on pretty much all he says. A little Hebraic understanding to this would make it even better, but it is excellent and something that should motivate many of us, who choose Him, who desire to please Him, who are "over" doing it the way everyone else does it, to continually exam our hearts. Aren't we suppose to do that? It is so easy, I mean so VERY easy to get sucked into the "world" and they way the "world operates." Our churches, bible studies, study groups, congregations......whatever, are not exempt from that temptation. I don't want to think that somehow I have arrived. I don't want to ever be content with my flesh. I want to continually die to myself and be made alive in Him. I don't want to except less or embrace what is not His best for me. In this day, this is what we need to hear. I DON'T EVER WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR ME!  More than a Conqueror.

Psalm 139
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[a] on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[b]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.[c]
Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Lyrics to "Witch Hunt" by Petra, Something to think about...........

Everybody look there's a new bandwagon in town


Hop on board and let the wind carry you around

Seems like there's not enough to keep us busy

till the Lord comes back

Don Quixote's gotta have another windmill to attack



Another Witch Hunt looking for evil wherever we can find it

Off on a tangent, hope the Lord won't mind it

Another Witch Hunt, takin' a break from all our gospel labor

On a crusade but we forgot our saber



There's a new way to spend all our energies



We're up in arms instead of down on our knees

Walkin' over dollars trying to find another dime

Never mind the souls 'cause we really haven't got the time



So send out the dogs and tally ho

Before we sleep tonight we've got miles to go

No one is safe, no stones left unturned

And we won't stop until somebody gets burned.

Bro Bro Bro Bro Bro Bro Brothers. ..

Pride, Pain and the Process

Early this summer I injured my back. It came on the heels of some other very stressful stuff. I have never been that incapacitated in my life. Not even when I partially amputated a finger 4 years ago. The pain was out of this world and the intensity dragged on for weeks. My back was in a constant state of spasm. I am not a "pain killer" person. I typically use herbs to manage everything that might come up. But, this injury forced me to succumb to that, just to keep my sanity. I thought I would never say this, but my 24 and 21 hour labors' with my children, paled in comparison to how this felt. With a lot of prayer from wonderful family and friends, neuromuscular treatment and chiropractic care, I have recovered fairly well. I have apparently, do to wear and tear, lost a lot of my two lower disks and one is protruding outward and I have injured my hip joint as well. Unfortunately, it forced my hand to close my business, because you see, what I do for a living is very physical. I just can't risk my health anymore. Letting go of a successful business after 10 years hasn't been easy. I will just say it was and it wasn't. It is really complicated and I am filled with mixed emotions.

I am really grateful to be improving. Please don't get me wrong. I have made some serious progress and this has forced me to take a hard look at how I treat my body, how I eat and how I manage stress. But, the hardest thing for me has been depending on others to help me. Since I was a little girl I have been fiercely independent. I was raised with the belief that I should never depend on anyone or ask anyone for help, because they will always expect something in return or hold it over your head. To some degree I have experienced that from time to time in my adult life, but by and large that is not true of everyone. Isn't it awful that pattern of thought is ingrained in my mind? I would not be completely honest if I did not tell you that I am wrestling with this still. I just didn't know it, because there were no circumstances difficult enough to test and see if that deeply ingrained thought pattern was still there, until recently. And....it was still there. It is really difficult for me to ask anyone for help! Can you relate? If you can, lets pray for one another to overcome this and be delivered of it, OK? It's pride and it's not pretty. If you cannot, then good for you. I hope to be like you one day. It's a process and I am getting there even if I trip on things from time to time on the way.

Well, anyway, I was thinking about how this applies or effects my walk with my Creator, because He is really most important in my life. I mean that will all sincerity. If you know me, really know me, you'd know that is true. I don't always love Him perfectly like I should, but I am learning. To please Him is my deepest desire. To worship Him in complete Spirit and in the depth of His Truth my heart's call. I was searching my heart and wondering if there are things I do not fully surrender to Him. Are there things I hold back? Ways I don't trust Him completely? To Him, I know that trust, that faith in Him, is His desire of me, for it is impossible to please Him without it. It is His most important love language. Am I loving Him, completely, the way I should? If I answer that honestly, then I'd say, no, not all the time. Not that I don't have the desire too. It's just sometimes I don't know how.

I really believe in my heart of hearts that trials and difficulties are about much more than causing us pain or making us miserable. It may look like that at the time, but even if He didn't do it or bring it upon us, for some reason it was allowed by Him. Nothing comes to us for no reason at all. Sometimes it is because of our own actions or lack of actions and sometimes like Yahshua said in John 11:4 it is so that the "Father may be glorified" when we come out the other side and are healed, relieved and or delivered. Sometimes I think it is just because we live in a fallen world full of corruption and our bodies are corruptible and decaying as we age. Whatever various trials befall us in this life isn't as important as learning what we can learn from them when they do happen. I am in the process of trying to do that. I am the last person that would say I have arrived or ever will for that matter. I don't claim to understand everything and I think that is OK. I think I'd rather be here, asking Him to show me and confessing I just don't know, than delude myself into thinking I have it all together and am some sort of spiritual giant. I'd rather be honest. As if we think He doesn't know anyway. We are funny creatures aren't we?

His Word says in James 1:2 "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy" and Romans 5:3-4 says "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope."

These days I am filled with great hope about the future. No, not about the economy or really anything in this world. Just about Him. That He will finish the good work He has started in us and bring it completion. That His kingdom is coming! That one day I will no longer have to contend with the corruptible flesh that continually tries to get in the way of my relationship with Him. He is where I place my hope. I even have joy in the uncertainty. I am not always "happy" about the challenges the day brings or the happenings in our world. My joy is found in Him!! Joy is a different thing all together then happiness. It is so far superior.

I do hope that what I have written will bless you. I hope if you have had some challenges of late, like I have, that you will be encouraged in knowing that you are not alone in them.

Many blessings in Messiah Yahshua to you!

Overview of the Feasts of Yahovah

Courtesy of Scott Dryer of ProfoundProphecy.com
Thanks Mr. Dryer ☺

Annual Feasts - Overview from Scot Dryer on Vimeo.

A Trip to the Airport

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13


I took a little trip to pick up some friends from the airport the other day. It was a nice drive there. I just got back from a camping trip with my husband and three of my four children. It was nice to have a little solitary time on the way there and even nicer to visit with my friends on the way home after I picked them up. It had been a challenging couple of days, well really a challenging couple of months, and a little break from it all was something I really needed. Driving does that for me sometimes. It gets my mind off of my troubles and concerns and it is a good time for me to pray as well. I couldn't articulate what to say to the Father, so I just prayed in the spirit and praised Him, knowing that although my emotions have overwhelmed me as of late He understands. Romans 8: 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.


I arrived at the airport and quickly made contact with my friends. It took us a while but we finally navigated ourselves out of the maze at the airport and got on the highway toward our hometown. During our journey we noticed at some point that just about every highway overpass had a number of firemen parked, with their trucks and gear on, setting up American flags to drape over the side of the overpasses. It was then that my friends remarked, both a former fireman and firewoman, that it was very likely that one of their own was killed in the line of duty and this gesture was a way to recognise and give honor to him or her in a coming funeral procession. It really touched my heart to see this and I thought and then remarked that the loyalty, honor and respect they had towards one another was really quite wonderful. Under my sunglasses I felt tears warm my eyes and threaten to fall onto my cheeks. The gesture touched a tender, raw, healing place in my heart. My friend remarked that they had such loyalty because their very lives depended on the other. They learned to depend on one another, bear one another's burdens and even lay down their lives for one another. They didn't wait until one of them was lost to go to bat for one another. Honoring, respecting and protecting one another.....it's what they do. It is pretty incredible when you really think about it. It is really scriptural when you really think about it.

John 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Our Messiah asked us to treat one another the same way. Unfortunately this is more the exception than the rule. I sometimes think that we really don't understand what it is to really love one another. Believers are going to have conflicts and we are not always going to agree on everything, but we are all part of the same body if we call Yahshua Messiah. As brothers and sisters in Him we should be loving one another, not causing harm or tolerating harm of one another. Yet it is all too evident that we fall short. Believers hurt each other in ways no different than that of the world.


How do we know we are loving our brother? This set of scriptures tell us what love is and what it isn't. If we'd review it daily, believers, all of us, do you think this world would be a different place? Do you think we'd be more effective in living our lives in a way people would want to emulate? I think so. Maybe I am an idealist and naive, OK I know I am, but I really believe in my heart that demonstrating love in your actions is the best way to represent a loving Elohim and open the ears and hearts of many in the world. Love done His way works. It can't be said enough.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.


Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


 Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 

 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.


And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

We could learn a lot from firemen and firewomen. It is a thankless job. People go on with their lives and don't often realize the incredible sacrifice these brave men and women make for complete strangers, daily. How often do we thank these folks? How often do we pray for their safety? They never ask for anything, they just do their jobs anyway, protecting others and one another. Love, real love for others is a really brave and courageous act.

Sometimes.........
Sometimes your love won't be returned. Sometimes love will have to be tough, so sometimes it won't be recognised for what it is. Sometimes you will get burned and injured. Sometimes in the worst possible ways. Still, it didn't stop our Messiah from loving us and making the ultimate sacrifice and as painful as it might become for us it shouldn't stop us from loving just like He did not just sometimes, but all the time.

Father, I pray that you will give us all the strength to love at all times and look out for one another continuously. Please help us to love how you love because Yours is the only kind that endures. Amen

1 Corinthians 13


1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.



John 13:35
By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.




1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death


1 John 4:20

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
2 John 1:5
 
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.


1 Timothy 1: 5

Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith.


Ephesians 5: 2

And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.


Romans 12:9
 [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.


Romans 12: 10

Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.


Deuteronomy 7:9
 Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.


Proverbs 3:12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.



Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me.
 
John 13:34 I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.


Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him].


1 Peter 4:8 Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].


Romans 8: 38-39


For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being.


Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.


Luke 6:32 If you [merely] love those who love you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them).

Luke 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, many [as they are], are forgiven her--because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little.