Shine Bright For Christ Jesus!

Yes this is a long post; you've been warned! I've been in much prayer about this over the last few days, and I feel the need to address this. I'm not looking to start an argument or have "stones thrown at me" so if that is your motive please keep scrolling or remove yourself from my page. I promise I will not get offended. If we can't agree to disagree then there's not much point in being "facebook friends". No, nothing has been said to me about this. I have a trip planned to Disney World in just 19 days with my Goddaughter and her family. There is a lot of money tied up in this trip, and our party is still going. We are also going with the mindset of 'we have the ability to protect and teach her what's right and wrong; to only watch the movies or shows we see fit'. Yes, I've seen the video circulating, and I am aware of what's going on. Will we go on another trip to Disney after this one, who knows? Maybe or maybe not? Probably not, because it's also all about the money now. There have been questionable things in a lot of past Disney movies that didn't line up with my Christian beliefs. But I will say this... much of social media is a trend. Everyone jumps on the newest trend until the next trend comes along. I remember the whole "boycott Target" over the gender neutral bathroom situation and that didn't last long before people were shopping at Target again. Or the "boycott Starbucks" but before long those people were back in line buying their coffee drinks. Have you watched these commercials lately just trying to watch reruns of The Andy Griffith Show or some other innocent show?! I have to mute them. Yet, I still keep my Dish Network package. If you're rethinking or cancelling your trip to Disney that is your decision and I respect that and understand that completely, but don't cut someone down because they think differently then you or say that well if they're going they must not really be a Christian (no, this hasn't happened to me but I know how this world operates). I am way past caring what people think about me in my life because I am confident of who I am in Christ Jesus, and I do not believe I have to put out a disclaimer or give someone an explanation about why I'm still going to Disney World. This post is about how my perspective has changed to handle tough situations, as I continue growing in the Lord. You never know how God may be speaking to someone else about this situation. This world is a dark place, and we can't hide under a rock trying to shield ourselves and children from every evil thing that comes our way. It starts at home, with educating and talking to your child about how you feel and what's wrong and right in your eyes and according to God's Holy Word. They have to be taught how to face things head on, or they're gonna hit a brick wall when they get out into this world. I hate to break it to you, but Disney has had hidden agendas for years; this did not just start. They've been slowly slipping this in from the classic remakes to newer Disney Channel shows; this newest issue was just leaked and they are being more vocal about it now. I don't agree with things that go on in my hometown nor this country and the current government, but I can't boycott and up and move from my home or move out of this country. If I boycott one thing I don't support, I would have to follow suit with boycotting restaurants, stores, products etc. that promote things you've probably never dreamed of. Otherwise in my eyes I would see myself as a hypocrite. Children are being taught similar things that Disney is doing, all over this country, in public schools every day. It's a hard pill to swallow sometimes, yet as the Lord's return draws nigh I know this world will only grow more evil and wax cold. I remember how hard it was for me to sit under college professors who were atheists, yet I had to do it. It did not shake my faith. I had an academic scholarship. I wanted a higher education. I didn't boycott the college. I had a transgender professer and homesexual professor. I kept going with life. I didn't suddenly stop believing in God, because they were atheist. I didn't suddenly decide I wanted to change my lifestyle to fit theirs. You want to know why, because of my training and teaching in the home and church. Were some of those college days difficult? You better believe they were! I was exposed to a lot in college for the 1st time that children are now being exposed to in grammar school. But you know what, I sit down like an adult and had conversations with those professors, and at the end of the day we respected each other. They knew my testimony by the end of the semesters; and I still believe a seed was planted. I never had the desire to beat them over the head with a Bible and say "you're going to hell". I want to do my best to show compassion to others as Jesus does with me. I want to be the one who sits down at the table with the sinners, like Jesus did. Here lately I keep being reminded of the scripture, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". Not everyone is at the same place with their walk with God that others are; so not everyone carries the same convictions. This morning the Lord woke me up before 3:00 am, and this scripture came to my mind immediately: "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" Luke 14:23... I then heard, "GO BE A LIGHT"! I could see, in a vision, meeting people in lines at Disney, striking up conversations of encouragement, and even praying for some. And that's when the Lord spoke this to me, "ministry is sometimes going to places others think you shouldn't go, to reach others for My namesake". I love one-on-one ministry; it's my heart. So even for this trip, I've prayed and asked God to put people in my path. I want to do my best to be a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ until He returns to get me! This world is my mission field; it's up to me whether I get out and witness. At the end of the day, God knows your heart. He knows your true intentions. He knows it isn't supporting something. He knew nothing was ever going to be the same in this world once the first sin took place in the Garden of Eden, but in a world full of hate BE A LIGHT! Shine bright for Christ! ♡

Robe and Crown!

For a month or so the song, "We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown" has been going through my mind. That was our last worship song at church this morning, 4.3.2022. No matter what the enemy was trying to get me to feel prior to that song... it didn't matter when that song started. That hinderance was gone at that point. I refused to be hindered in my worship as the Holy Ghost moved. You see, it takes a focus shift. It takes you to a place of worship where it seems only You, Jesus, and His Holy Presence are the room. My focused shifted to the day when I'm gonna sit down beside King Jesus and lay down my heavy burdens. It takes me (us) realizing that where we want to be and where God needs us to be are two different things. When you quit fighting what you want to do/where you want to be and obey what God needs you to do/where you need to be that's when the peace of God comes. When you quit trying to do what everyone thinks you should do, and do what God needs you to do that's when the peace of God comes. Someone is struggling with that. Let me assure you that the Lord will return one day. I believe the one soul that's still on the line is what could be delaying His return. He's doing His best to beckon people to come to Him before it's too late. I've had dreams of people missing the rapture, and it was not pleasant waking up to that. But even for those that don't believe, it doesn't stop me from testifying and believing. I have to be ready, waiting, and watching for myself. I can't be ready, waiting, and watching for someone else. Just like I can't rely on someone else's shout, praise, and deliverance. I have to step out myself. The HEALER was in the house today! Whomever is reading this, there is deliverance and healing in His hands despite the opposition and issue you're facing, but God is just waiting on you to lay that burden down at His feet. He's waiting on you to surrender that struggle and temptation. I don't want to be bound to hurt or disappointments! I don't want to be held captive by sickness and issues! I don't want to be oppressed by the enemy's hindrances and distractions! I don't want to be overcome by the fear and lies of the enemy! That's why I choose to worship Him despite how I'm feeling! He deserves my most highest praise! When we stop trying to do it our way, and we start doing it God's way; when we stop resisting what God needs us to do vs. what we want to do... oh, the peace, joy, and reassurance that will come! When in HIS PRESENCE I lay my burdens down! ♡

Link to our service with this song:

Robe and Crown

Not Being Held Captive!

First, I want to praise God for helping me this week with my asthma exhaburation. Normally, I'm down 3+ weeks with it. I've took the meds and did the breathing treatments at home, and it's a night and day difference since the beginning of the week. I'm thankful I was negative for covid, etc. I know meds help, but I also know this was God to turn this around this fast. Secondly, I did have to see another orthopedic doctor concerning my back since the pain was returning and he confirmed the old stress fracture situation that the previous doctor told me, but this doctor specializes in just the back and spine. He also confirmed that it was "lumbar spondylolysis" and according to new xrays and a 2nd look at the MRI, I was more than likely born with this because there is tissue where one of the lower vertebrae bone should've formed. But my spine is still straight so that's a good thing. Basically as you get older this issue just causes the wear and tear, pain to increase, and digenertive disc problem. However, I now know what to do or what not to do to keep it from flaring up. I have info on all the non surgical treatment options including certain strengthing excersies and even chiopractor visits... as I would never be able to move forward with spinal fusion surgery; the only surgical option for this. My mind won't let me go there nor will I allow myself to think the pain would ever get that bad for that option. Everyone I've talked to says don't do that; even people in the medical field. One thing God has really taught me, just this year alone, is how to NOT be held captive to your problems and sickness. I truly didn't understand that, after a lifetime of sickness and surgeries, but He did a reset on my mind a couple of months ago. I wake up everyday and pray and believe this now, "Lord I HAD asthma or I HAD spondylolysis, but You are my healer and I praise you for that! I praise You in advance for my healing!" I want to speak healing into my life every day. "You've healed me of other issues, and You can heal me of this one. The back pain may be bad today, but Lord You're still my healer and I trust You!" In the meantime, I know His will must be done, and I trust Him to continue helping me through these issues as I function as best as possible. Even on the hard days, I'm thankful God helps me and gives me His strength to push on through. He has truly taught me how to do my best to function and not be held captive to these issues. I think I've really learned about perspective on "even my bad days ain't that bad"...because I still have everything I need and more when it comes to a family, home, basic necessities, friends, church family, and insurance + the ability to go see a doctor anytime I need to for help. I'm abundantly blessed. It doesn't minimize my problems; it just changes the way I look at them. If you're struggling with an illness or issue, just know I am praying in agreement with you for our healing together and for God to help you not be held captive by the problem "in bondage with your mind, in chains of despair to it, or smothered by it", but to turn to Him on a daily basis as your means for getting through the day. God's got us in the palm of His hand; our most protected place! Until He comes for me, may I do my best to always be a bright light in a dark place, be an encourager, and worship/praise Him in spirit and in truth!