Merry Christmas!

We Walk in the Light!

My daughter communicated to me sometime in September that she was going to tell her six year old daughter that there is no such thing as Santa Claus. I thought, “Let her be a child; then I said (knowing Santa is not symbolic of Christmas), “If that’s what you feel in your heart, do it! It’s your house and your daughter”.

Dylan and her little brother!

Well she told her that day and the conversation went like this:

Tara (My daughter): Dylan, Mommy wants to tell you something!

Dylan (My Granddaughter): What Mommy?

Tara: I want to tell you that there is no such thing as Santa Clause. Mommy and Daddy buy your toys, wrap them up and put them under the tree

Dylan: Oh, so you and Daddy are magic huh?

Tara: (chuckles)! No, we are not magic Dylan; we work to pay for the gifts you receive.

Dylan: I don’t believe you, because Santa goes to all of the kid’s houses and leaves gifts for everyone!

Tara: Well Dylan, there is no Santa Clause and one day you will understand that the parents buy the toys the children receive!

October, November and we are finally in December and six days ago, while driving my daughter to work in her car so I could run errands; I ask her what prompted her to tell Dylan there was no Santa Clause. She responded, “Mom, I heard in my heart God say, “What about the children who wake up with nothing at all and go to school telling the other kids, I didn’t get anything! Dylan will know that Santa doesn’t go to all houses! Besides I want her to know why we truly celebrate Christmas.

I added, “That is true, because your Father was one of those kids who received nothing every Christmas”!

I was raised believing in Santa Clause and did not know, as a Christian, we are to celebrate Jesus’ birth only! I am very proud of my daughter; whereas, she is not allowing the world to dictate or compromise her belief in Jesus Christ and why He was born. Are you teaching your children the “true” meaning of Christmas?

We should anticipate Christmas with joy in our hearts!  Advent is one way to give you that feeling of joy instead of dread of the arrival of our Christmas season. Which is what Advent means - birth or arrival. It was established by Martin Luther (A Protestant Reformer). Advent Sunday begins with placing four candles in an Advent wreath [the four candles can be either purple or blue] with a white candle in the middle. The first Sunday and candle represents expectation, the second Sunday hope, the third Sunday joy and the fourth Sunday (which can be pink or lavender) represents purity. The white candle is lit, depending on the church, either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day that represents Jesus; who is the “Light” of the world!

As a Christian, how can you be a light in the world? You might be a perfect match for someone needing a kidney, or a neighbor’s son has no way home from college; whereas, the Mother is strapped financially. You catch wind of her dilemma; and without her knowing, fund the transportion to bring her son home from college for Christmas ~ and the transportation back!

Yes we are to celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors to commemorate Christmas, but it will bring more joy in your heart knowing someone’s life is better from your giving! And because Jesus first loved you!

For the yoke of [Israel’s] burden, and the staff or rod for [goading] their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, You have broken as in the day of [Gideon with] Midian.

⁵ For every [tramping] warrior’s war boots and all his armor in the battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

⁶ For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

⁷ Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:4-7 AMPC) 

Sucker Punched!

In our world today we are separated and divided by Black and White. We all have our own stereotype of what it is to be African-American and what it is to be Caucasian. Society has portrayed being African American as a race afllicted with poverty, anger, deceit and ignorance. Whether the accusations are true or false, the news media focuses on people of African descent to keep the weak in mind and spirit believing its true – including African Americans!

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The past is not uncovered to keep you in bondage; but to keep you humble and rely on Jesus! If you read your bible faithfully, you have read the story of God telling Abram that his people will be slaves in Egypt for over 400 years. (Genesis 15:13) After their captivity, they were let go to possess the land promised to them. Although the journey to the Promised Land was eleven days, it took them forty years to arrive. (Deuteronomy 1:1-11) Why? There vision and God's vision did not coincide with each other! God knew they were victorious, but in their mind they saw defeat - and their actions showed it!

Oppression of how black slaves were treated is painful to read about, but with the right heart, spirit, and mindset it can be a stepping stone for the next generation to allow God and His Glory to be beacons of light to direct lost ships to their destiny. You ask what does that look like. It has many faces and paths; but it begins with chipping away the hurt, anger, resentment and hate!

The first step will be to forgive [which is healing] and transform the mess into a message. Such as: You were exposed to gardening from generations past. They possessed the skill from being in bondage, but never used it to their advantage once freed. You decided that you want to utilize your passion and gift to open your own floral shop. You do not have the start up money to purchase the necessary resources and property needed; so you start it out of your home. Over the years, it flourishes and you are able to move from your home into a more efficient place to grow. By the grace of God, it becomes the most widely used floral shop in your city. Now what?

Look for ways to give back and there are many paths, but one idea might go like this:

You freely give classes once a week to educate anyone interested in becoming a florist of the labor, the cost, and the passion needed to plant beautiful gardens and vegetables that could prosper as your business has; whereas, a student may use this opportunity to acquire the skill and open a landscaping company. In addition, you offer through your local church [with your students], to neighborhoods that are lacking in curb appeal free labor and supplies; utilizing student talents and your resources (Marketing your business as well). That’s how you build rewards in Heaven! It also keeps our youth and adults who are stagnant from evil temptations.

Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.

²⁸ An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

²⁹ Wickedness loves company—and leads others into sin. (Proverbs 16:27-29 TLB)

I didn't say it was going to be easy. You will be criticized, lied on, condemned and others will  be jealous (Persecution). Remember to stay in prayer! What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] (Romans 8:31 AMPC) And don't give up or give in!

²⁵ And then a certain lawyer arose to try (test, tempt) Him, saying, Teacher, what am I to do to inherit everlasting life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?

²⁶ Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? How do you read it?

²⁷ And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

²⁸ And Jesus said to him, You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].

²⁹ And he, determined to acquit himself of reproach, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

³⁰ Jesus, taking him up, replied, A certain man was going from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothes and belongings and beat him and went their way, [unconcernedly] leaving him half dead, as it happened.

³¹ Now by coincidence a certain priest was going down along that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

³² A Levite likewise came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road].

³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him],

³⁴ And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

³⁵ And the next day he took out two denarii [two day’s wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return.

³⁶ Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?

³⁷ He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. (Luke 10:25-37 AMPC)

We can step over the wounded just like the priest and the Levite as if no one is lying there half dead. Every day we see people half dead in their thinking and living that need the right attention. Be like the Good Samaritan and show pity and mercy for your neighbor!

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There are churches on every corner in every city, whether you are located near a neighborhood poverty stricken, or [by human standards] one that is rich. Do not step over anyone as if you did not notice the affliction in them – God is “Love” and if we are true Christians, Jesus is in us and we are in Him; therefore, we have the power He has to transform mountains into plains! We are always at war with Satan, so run quickly to the battlefield with all of God’s armor to “VICTORY”!

Weather Alert!

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a costly process where the egg is fertilized by the sperm in a glass (outside the body). Some of you may know someone who has or are currently attempting the process.  

When we want something so bad, we become weary in the wait process and can hinder God's best! Doing it in our own accord or fleshy ways will complicate matters more than they solve them. Yes, there are couples who have successfully conceived by IVF, but more have not! 

Refinancing your home, accumulating medical bills from multiple surgeries, and purchasing tools to monitor ovulation, body temperature, hormone treatments, etc. with hopes of conceiving will rock the boat. Add in self loathing and degradation and it tips over!

My hair stylist of approximately 7 years is pursuing this route; although her and her husband have attempted pregnancy the natural way for more than five years. As you already know, it hasn't happened yet and many friends are creating fund raisers to assist with the cost. 

The last time I saw her, the frustration and questions of "why" had escalated! Even though she has health issues that could complicate the pregnancy, none of us knows "why" God has not allowed her to conceive yet. 

I do know that when we are working, Jesus is resting; and when we are resting (enjoying life; like focusing on our health); Jesus is at work – turning the boat "right" side up!

On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake]. And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him. And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness). He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)? And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him? (Mark 4:35-41 AMPC)

Should I?

I challenge every married couple to put your spouse on your back and carry them around all day everywhere you go. I already know the responses I am receiving right now from anyone reading this. The most popular one will be, “There is no way I can carry my spouse around on my back for a second, less known all day”!

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”  Mathew 11:28-30 AMP

Exactly my point! If your wife or husband is a manager or holds an executive position, it is taxing to them to have a wife or husband calling with decisions he/she is capable of making. Such as, “Do you want me to wash the clothes”; or "Green Grass Lawn Service is here to cut grass today, is that alright”? If you know your grass has not been cut for a week and the mowing company comes on a Monday instead of a Tuesday, it’s not a deal breaker. The contract is once a week or as needed. 

Wash the clothes, take the chicken out for dinner if your spouse forgot, or buy the milk if you are out. Make a decision without doubt or worry it is the wrong thing to do!

There will be many times it will require the two of you to be involved in the decision making, but menial things around the house will just take your initiative to do it. After a while, the one carrying the weight of the marriage will soon fall beneath it if you are not willing to share the load he/she is bearing!

Leaving there, He went into their synagogue. A man was there whose hand was withered. And they asked Jesus, “Is it lawful and permissible to heal on the Sabbath?”—they asked this so that they might accuse Him and bring charges into court. But He said to them, “What man is there among you who, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?  Matthew 12:9-11 AMP

Detour Up Ahead!

Currently I am babysitting my youngest grandchild three days a week. On my daughter’s days off, I made a statement, “When you're off, I’m off too”! After I said it, I had a revelation that although I am 55 years old, God has blessed me with good health physically and mentally. He is telling me I am more than capable of taking care of my 6 month old grandson with no determent. He put it in my heart the journey to the "Promised Land" will have obstacles that slow us down to our divine destiny – but we will arrive. It could take 18 years or 3 months, but you will get there!

Recall in the bible, Sarah had a baby at the age of 90. “The Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for her as He had promised. For Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time God had told him. Abraham named his son whom Sarah bore to him Isaac [laughter]. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born. And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh; all who hear will laugh with me. And she said, Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children at the breast? For I have borne him a son in his old age! (Genesis 21:1-7 AMP)

You have been in a position for over 30 years and have been considering early retirement. A promotion is offered to you that you applied for four years ago. It’s no coincidence, it’s God’s timing! Or, you want to go to college; however, you will need an additional $80k to complete your Bachelor’s degree. You have no choice but to stay at home and find a job. While you are at home, a parent becomes ill and you are the only one there to care for them; although the parent fully recovers, you would have had to take a year or two off from college; if God would not have blocked it. Whereas; now you are able to attend college with no interruptions – paid in full! His way is always the best way! Yes it’s frustrating when we do not understand or see what’s waiting for us over that mountain!

Modern day Mount Sinai 

The Israelites had an eleven day’s journey from Horeb (Mount Sinai) by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea [on Canaan’s border; yet Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years before crossing the border and entering Canaan, the promised land]. Deuteronomy 1:2 AMP 

When they arrived scripture says, “And you shall remember [always] all the ways which the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart (mind), whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and allowed you to be hungry and fed you with manna, [a substance] which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, so that He might make you understand [by personal experience] that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your feet swell these forty years. Therefore, know in your heart (be fully cognizant) that the Lord your God disciplines and instructs you just as a man disciplines and instructs his son”. Deuteronomy 8:2-5 AMP

Enough said! So wake up every day with expectancy and joy in what God’s day will bring! Don’t get cynical when your way led you to a "dead end". Detours eventually get you to your destiny!

God Will Catch You!

I am sitting here at Burger King and over heard an elderly man talk to a friend about a bad fall he had a couple of days ago. He described it in detail and obviously fell hard enough to fall on his face, cut his nose, and give him a black eye. He laughed a bit as he said, “I had someone come up to help me up and I said first say a prayer for me”! He knows who is able to help and heal; however, he counteracted with, “Boy, God must be mad at me to allow a fall like that”!

I do not own the rights to this photo 

I wanted to turn around and say, “Sir, God does not inflict pain on us, nor is He mad at you”! (In a loving way though) I know he is a Christian because he asked for prayer, however, I also know he is not reading the Word. God does not harm us! He will allow suffering to build character in us, but to inflict pain is not who God is!

I do not own the rights to this photo 

It is imperative to our spiritual growth to read the Word and know who God is! How will you know when the truth is being taught or not?So many trust our pastor's preaching and teaching; and we should, if he/she is preaching the Word. However, if you are ignorant to it, you will receive false teaching. The bible is God-breathed so pick it up and read it. If you don’t know where to begin, ask God, He will tell you! Once you do, you will begin to see and feel a change in you that will surpass your understanding ~ and know the "Truth"!

Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. (Nehemiah 9:31 ESV)

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7 ESV)

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15 ESV)

Return to the LORD“Yet even now,” declares the LORD,

“return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:12-13 ESV)

Heir ~ Born!

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”. John 8:36 KJV

I know that I have heard that scripture many times and did not understand what it meant. In my mind I would say things like, “I’m already free”, or “I’m not held down from doing anything I want to do”. That’s not what this scripture means. Until I got in the Word and established a close relationship with Jesus, I did not realize “one thing” out of balance in my life does hold me down from receiving God's best!

Anger is bondage, comparing yourself to others is bondage, gossip is bondage, holding a grudge is bondage, sickness in your body is bondage, jealousy is bondage, an inferiority complex is bondage, lack of anything (wisdom, clothing, car, house, etc.); and of course we are all familiar with addictions of any kind, worry, and fear.

Let me give you an example: Women are constantly comparing and competing amongst ourselves. We purchase clothes we think no other woman has, to stand out. Or we long for what another woman/man has and develop the spirit of covetousness! You want what you don’t have. Some women/men stoop as low as murder to get something that is only temporary satisfaction, that when the damage is done, the punishment is eternal!

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Mark 7:21-23 KJV

To be able to compliment another woman of her clothing, nice hair cut, new car, etc. with sincerity in your heart~ is freeing! God has given all Christians the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (The Fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22]) within so you are able to shine externally!

You can only extend so far when you are shackled or in bondage. Why? Because bondage has limits, freedom in Jesus does not!

“Tell us who you are,” they demanded.

He replied, “I am the one I have always claimed to be. I could condemn you for much and teach you much, but I won’t, for I say only what I am told to by the one who sent me; and he is Truth.” But they still didn’t understand that he was talking to them about God.

So Jesus said, “When you have killed the Messiah, then you will realize that I am he and that I have not been telling you my own ideas, but have spoken what the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me—for I always do those things that are pleasing to him.”

Then many of the Jewish leaders who heard him say these things began believing him to be the Messiah.

Jesus said to them, “You are truly my disciples if you live as I tell you to, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

“But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said, “and have never been slaves to any man on earth! What do you mean, ‘set free’?”

Jesus replied, “You are slaves of sin, every one of you. And slaves don’t have rights, but the Son has every right there is! So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free— John 8:25-36 TLB

The Only Way to Prevent Quarrels!

Abiding in the Vine!

I am the vine you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5 NIV). 

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In the natural you are not able to change anyone who has an addiction. The worst thing we can do is to constantly talk about it to others. Satan

I do not own the rights to this photo 

has a stronghold on their thinking. Give it to God and let Him, in His power, restore your loved ones; and do not talk about it again. Once you pray, you are saying, God I am giving you permission to take care of my loved one~ and you are putting your Trust in God to do what only He can do anyway!  So get on your knees and pray and do not speak of what your loved one is going through anymore, but speak of what God is doing in their lives and how He is changing them from Glory to Glory!  

And Don’t forget to “Thank Him”!

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.  “Truly^, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:20-25 NIV