Be Thankful!

As I left the store and got into my car, my phone rang.  It was work asking if I could fill in a shift.  My response was please make me your last resort, and if no one else can I will.  You see I was on the way to a friends house for lunch.  This friend needed fellowship and prayer...let's be honest I needed it as much as she did.  My phone rang again...I told them I could do it, but I was not very cheerful about it on the inside.  The type of shift I was doing was to help someone have some free time to run errands, get a haircut, and to have dinner with a friend.  Knowing this was part of my decision to say yes.  I texted my friend telling her what was going on, and in the next few minutes she humbled me.  She told me she understood we could make our plans for the next day.  Then she said go in peace sister, I love you.  With a humbled heart I headed to complete the job at hand.  Driving down the street I saw a sign that had two very powerful words on them. "Be Thankful".  Instantly I said a prayer of thanks to God, because I had a job and the ability to make someone else's life a lot easier.  In that moment I was thankful for all that He does for me.  When I took my focus off me and was able to look outward life became a lot easier.  My prayer to God is that  in these moments of self focus I can recognize what is going on and do a heart change.   I know it won't be easy, but that is where God's grace comes in.  That knowledge along helps me realize how much He loves me. Just know that what He extends to me  He extends to you as well, so if you have moments of self focus.  Don't sweat it God is there to help you through.  Just my 2cents

 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20

Georgia, My Amazing Friend!

Meet my amazing friend Georgia, read her story of overcoming fear, family restoration, and with God's help defeating personal demons.  I am so encouraged by her life's story...it brings me great hope to see what God has done in her life.  Take a read and you will walk away knowing that no matter what the enemy has planned for you.  God's plan is greater! 

My earliest memories are of fear. I remember fearing my father was going to kill my Mum. There was a lot of domestic abuse at home and that took a toll of it's own. I remember seeing silhouettes of demonic faces and many strange spiritual experiences growing up. My memories of my childhood and predominately based around fear. It's all quite blurry though and only pop up on occasion through different reasons. Satan had a hold of my life at a young age and controlled not only my family but me. I couldn't recognize it but as I look back it was blatantly him. I have some knowledge of witch craft being a big thing on my fathers side. my father is Papua New Guinean and my Mother is European. I grew up in a family with 6 siblings. Lust has always been a main factor in my life. I'm not proud to admit it but yeah it is what it is. As I got older anger became a big thing too. I was pretty much Satan's puppet. but on the inside I was deeply hurt, scared, sad and angry. I strived to do the best in everything I could and would get frustrated and down on myself when I couldn't achieve to a high standard. Feelings of inadequacy. I was about 8 when I moved from Papua New Guinea to New Zealand. Life was still stressful. My father was an alcoholic and my mum was HIGHLY strung. So yeah negative experiences. I was mentally and physically molested as I got older and dabbled in alcohol and drugs extensively. That REALLY messed with my perceptions and out view on life. It made me erratic and my mind was all over the place but it was my escape from reality. I tried everything and anything I could get a hold of and was very promiscuous. Pretty much a pleasure seeker. Wanted a form of happiness and nothing would suffice. When I came to Christ a couple of years ago it was the happiest and most free I had ever felt in my entire life!! I didn't have a personal connection with Christ but he's been preparing me. After I cam to Christ and went back to the world things were worse then I'd ever been. Everything just went to certain extremes and my mind was a mess. I got clinically diagnosed with psychosis which was a literal nightmare. My perception of reality was distorted and I lost any sense of reality and normality. Since then I've been trying to keep my head on my shoulders lol. I mixed with the wrong people and got even more hurt and damaged. But there is a good ending lol. I have a wake up call and realized the severity of the path I was heading down and pleaded with god to give me hope and my life back. I can't do it without him. I am feeling better then ever since I handed anything and everything over to God. He's my Father and I talk to him like I'd talk to myself hahah the peace is inexplicable and I'm so happy and joyful. I've stopped substances and am confronting my demons. I have a lot of baggage but I take up the cross each day and the purity that comes with being forgiven and new is awesome!! God is soooo good. He's restored my family. My Dad's saved and is a completely new man. My parents are back together. And I can fight the devil now! I've been blinded the majority of my life but Satan will reign over my life no more!!!! I thank God for his love, compassion and mercy. His peace is beautiful and I feel cleansed and pure. Such an amazing feeling! I'm not where I want to be but I'm far from where I was! Glory to my Father. God is good!

Ephesians 2:11-14

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcised by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Thank you my friend for sharing. just know that your testimony will bring many people courage and hope. ~Missie

When I think of a flower that represents Georgia and the new life she has been given. The peach blossom reminds me of her.

Rejection into Acceptance

Let's face it we all have been rejected a time or two.  In that moment of feeling rejection fall upon you,  it is quite painful, and can hit you into the depth of your soul.  This feeling of not being wanted can leave us standing asking ourselves what just happened?  How did I move from being loved, wanted, and some ones friend to...nothing of importance?? This may sound like I am over dramatizing it, but am I? Take a moment an ponder the time when you felt unloved, unwanted.  Now, hear my heart I am not trying to drudge up some old memory that you tried to bury a long time ago.  A memory where you built walls around and will not let anyone or anything get past. Don't worry you can keep if safe if you want to...but why not take a moment and try to move past it. Try to heal from the hurt and help with future hurts.  

The first step in the healing process is to realize that you are amazing!! You are worth something and if someone does not accept your worth it is their loss not yours. This may sound a little prideful, but in order for you to move on you need to know your importance.  Stop spending the time trying to list all your faults to yourself this only brings you down.  Here is a little disclaimer: yes, should want to fix the problem and try to move on.  We are always called to make it right with our brother and sisters.   What I am saying is let's focus on you! You are what is important.  How you feel about yourself and how you see yourself is important.  Did you know that the One who created you loves you beyond life itself?  In addition, you were created to live your life to the fullest. Any type of thoughts that are full of shame and doubt are not meant for you.  Anything that tries to bring you down is also not meant for you.  You are meant for greatness, you are chosen among many.  Angels sing over your daily.  Every time you have a moment of triumph the Heavens open in your honor.  Every time you have a moment of helplessness the Heavens pray for you.  It is says in God's word if He is for us than no one can be against us. (Roman 8:31)  Do you see the power in those few words?  If the God who created everything into existence is for you, then nothing can come against that.  Just take a moment and let that set in, take a moment to feel the love behind His words. My prayer for you is that you realize how truly important you are.  How wonderfully made you are and how blessed the people around you are.  You bring such joy to many people without you even knowing it.  Did you know one small smile or wave to a child might be the only  love they will ever feel?  One kind word to an overworked store clerk makes his/her day in an instant your words were spoken.  One I am sorry my bad to someone who wronged you can change a cold heart into a warm one.  I challenge you to look in the mirror and say one kind word to yourself, even if at first you don't believe it.  Keep doing this and you will start to change and feel the confidence God has placed in you.  You are yet to realize it.  Here is a neat little trick I do to pick myself up off the floor when I having a good old fashion pity party.  I make myself say a kind word to someone, offer some form of encouragement to someone who looks like they need it.  Then when I see their face light up with hope and gratitude it takes my focus off of me and onto others.  It is not always easy to do,but it in the long run it is worth it.  Just remember that your are worth more than you know.  Just my 2cents ~Missie   

Doors open...Doors closes...

 God put a million million doors

 in the world,

For His love to walk through,

One of those doors is you.

 ~Jason Gray~

One thing God has really been teaching me lately is the importance of letting Him open doors for me. Yet, at the same time letting Him close certain doors that I have been blocking open so they won't shut.  Let me ask you this? Have you ever went to open a door and was pushing on it and it would not open?  Then you look at the door closer and realize it is meant to open by pulling on the handle.  Well, if you think about it that is a glimpse of what we do to God.  We are so busy trying to do things in our own strength we forget to let Him be in control.  We go through out our day struggling and barely maintaining, when if we would just listen life would be much easier.  Some of us have very independent spirits going through life putting ourselves in charge.  If you are doing this you are not alone, I am right there with you, because I know that my way is definitely better.  When in the truth of the matter I am way off base.  When I decided to let God guide my steps things started to happen in my life that I never dreamed would happen.  I finally stopped pushing on that door that was meant to be pulled open.  Let me share a secret with you: an ah-ah moment I had...God is meant to be there for you, He is meant to guide your steps, He is meant to protect you.  Let me add He is not a controlling God, he loves you that is why He gave you a free will.  A will to decide what you want to do with your life.  This is one of the things that I love about my God.  He loves me so much that wants to give me a choice.  Well I chose Him in a heart beat!!  I know from experience that He has my best interest in mind.  Let me give you an example: I recently walked through a door that was opened for me, a door that needed in the long run to be closed.  He knew that I needed to open this door and walk through, it to learn that He has something better for me.   Sometimes He allows us to go through things in His strength not ours.  By doing this we can know that He is with us the entire time.  Waiting for us to turn to Him with trust and a open heart.  Yet, there are times when He firmly closes a door, and we don't know why.  We may be standing there going what just happened??? In that moment instead of being angry with Him, we should be thanking Him for protecting us.  This is easier said than done, for we let our human side get in the way.  Trust me I have done that a time or two...maybe three or four...okay maybe more than I can count.  Just remember in any situation there will be a choice on whether or not to open or close a door.  My prayer for you is that you give it to God. 

   

Don't be stressed or let anything steal your peace from what God has for you...You are loved!...just trust in the door He is opening and closing for you. Just my 2cents~Missie

God Opened Loves Door...

If I hear the phrase, "maybe you are meant to be single" one more time...I am going to scream!!  When I felt in my heart of hearts that God had someone special for me.  I knew I was not to spend the rest of my life single.  What I had to realize is that I could not let my desire to be married become an obsession.   I had to learn to let go and give it to God.  I had to let my wants and desires become His not mine.  I have to be honest with you I went around that mountain more than once.  I even planted  some flowers and built a park bench on that dreadful mountain.   I can laugh at it now, but just a couple of years ago I probably would be crying instead. Calling out to God asking what is wrong with me.  Then it hit me one day maybe I am not ready to be someones helpmate.  With this thought process starting to form, I then turned my what is wrong with me plea into to make me worthy.  Better yet help me become worthy of being someones wife.  I slowly opened my tightly closed hand, opened it palm side up, and said God I give this to you.  Wow!! Such freeeeeeddddommmm!! Such freedom I felt when I finally let go.  I found God on a different level I had never have had before. Yes, I had my relapses and I would find myself starting to climb the mountain again.  The difference this time was with God's help I could see what I was doing and stop climbing.

Then God did something amazing for me!! He introduce me to a man who taught me how to love the way He intends us to love.  A man who puts God first and is willing to help me in my relationship with the One who created me. A man who builds me up and tells me daily how beautiful I am.  For the first time in my life I am starting to believe that  I am beautiful.  My friend Jennifer has a saying, a woman blossoms like a flower when a man loves her.  The thing I would like to add to  is when a couple puts God first they both blossom.  With God at the center of the relationship it has a fighting chance.  I am not saying that the relationship is going to be all rosy and nothing goes wrong.  In fact, there will be times when it will get down right difficult.  In the moments of trial is the time to  be open and honest...even if it hurts. To not let pride get in the way of making things right.

  I thank God daily for Ray.  He has put him in my life only to better it.  I for once feel a completeness that I have not ever felt before.  This is not meant to take away from my relationship I have with God, only in a has deepened it.  I ask God daily to guide me into becoming the wife He has called me to be, and I pray daily that we remember to put God first in our relationship. My prayer for you is what ever is keeping you from realizing what God has for you.  You open your hand palm side up and let go.  If you are not sure what is holding you back, meet God in a quiet place and ask Him.  He will tell you in a gentle loving way.  Just remember that doubt and condemnation is not what God has for us, so if you are feeling this ask God to help you.  He will for He loves you with a never ending love and He only wants the best for you..What I hope you take away from this is: There is freedom in Christ, let go, and let God bless your hearts desires the way He wants to.  Just my 2cents, Missie

       

Reading God's Word?

Confession time...I don't read my bible everyday...Maybe I should explain myself.  I was taught that you need to read it everyday and to memorize God's word.  I completely agree that the bible should be read daily for this is how we learn the teachings of Christ.  Where my struggle was memorizing the scripture. The leaders of my church would always ask me, "how is your walk with God, how is your daily bible reading, how are you doing in getting into the word and memorizing it"?  I would give the cookie cutter answer...My walk with God is great, I know he loves me, I really try to read my bible every day, I am struggling with memorizing His word.  Then I would receive the look, you know the one.  The one that says you are not trying hard enough.  The look that stated if you really loved the Lord like you say you do, you would obey His commandments by getting deeply into His word.  Getting His word so embedded into your heart that when you are asked for a scripture it came readily to my tongue.  Then would come the "loving" counsel on what I could do better.  How I could manage my time better, how I could focus more on Him than earthly things. We would set up an appointment to revisit this issue to see if I was able to resolve my struggle in any way.  I would nod in agreement thank them more loving me enough to help me through this.  I would then walk away feeling like a failure, because I was not holy enough to embed Christ's word in my heart.  I would cry out to God and ask Him what is wrong with me that I can't do a simple thing like memorize His word.  I knew the stories of the bible, I knew what God wanted from me, and yet I felt like I was failing Him.  A small part of me knew that this type on condemnation was not from Him, but from man.  Another thing that would happen if I went to a leader for counsel  the scripture was used to condom me.  Meaning it was used in such a way that I always felt like missing the mark.  The thing is I trusted this leadership to guide me with a Christ love and to help me with life in a Godly biblical counsel. One day I was speaking to a good friend telling him a little about my struggle.  His reply really opened up my eyes.  Yes, you need to get into God's word daily, don't beat yourself up if you miss a day or two.  Isn't better to know the teachings of Christ and to really know them? The bible is His words to life and as long as we read it and learn from it then everything is okay.  As far as memorizing scripture, yes it is nice to have a couple go to verses.  Don't panic if you tell someone a story in the bible and you can't remember the scripture reference. Remember God's word does not return void and as long as you a planting a seed to bear fruit then you are on the right track.  In addition, scripture is not meant to used as a control tool.  It is a guide to help you with every life situation that you are going through.  With all this being said I can now pick up my bible and read it the way it is meant to be read.  The amazing thing about this process is I am learning to fall in love with His word and I am starting to find that excitement on what He has for me today.  So if you are having this same trouble, relax take a deep breath and give it to God.  This is just my 2cents,

Forgiveness = Grace?

The other day I had a good friend do something to me that shook to me the core.  I was in a state of shock when I found out what my friend had done...What? You thought that would be okay to do? On what level of crazy selfishness were you coming from?  Then as I was in the middle of my self-righteous rant, I realized I should do the right thing and give it to God.  I went into prayer and prayed for her, our relationship and our friendship.  I felt a peace come over me as the Lord said, "give her grace".  I was like sure I can do that...so I thought.  I realized that yes I could extend grace, but yet I was confused and could not get past the hurt.  I called a friend of mine and she asked me what my idea of forgiveness looked like.  I told her it meant to provide grace.  Her next challenge to me was in asking what did grace look like to me.  I gave the standard answer, to give undeserved favor, because that is what was given to me.  True was the response given, but think about this: One you can forgive and extend grace, but you have a choice on whether you want to move forward or not with a person or a situation.  This gave me pause, I mean I can forgive and let go at the same time? I always thought if happened then I would come across as offended.  Not be the type of person who wants to work things out. When in fact it gave me a chance to take inventory of my relationships.  Is this friendship a healthy friendship, or is it a one sided one?  Then I pointed the finger back at myself and asked, am I being a good friend?  Am I being the type of friend that you can count on in a pinch, that you can laugh till your sides hurt.  Am I being that friend that is true, honest, and shows integrity? It was a very rewarding thing to do, to look at all the areas of my life.  Then at the same time I gave my friendship to God asking Him to help me out in this process.  You may be asking what was the end results of all this soul searching? Well, I forgave and moved on.  It was a hard thing to do, but let's be honest if a friendship is not healthy then one needs to let it go.  I am not saying to be rude or act in such a manner it causes hurt.  There are such things as common courtesy  and manners.  One more word of advice that I have found very helpful, don't let your emotions rule you! Nothing is accomplished by this. If you find yourself in a situation where you are hurt, confused or angry give it to God and let Him take over.  He has your best interest in mind and won't give you anything you can't handle. Just my 2cents, Missie