April 7, 2023 DDF Breathes New Life Post/Easter and Resurrection Day

 I can’t take credit for this explanation as I have taken it from a very wise and valuable gem who is a retired teacher and wife of a pastor. I asked her if I could use it and she graciously said yes.

Why do we Christian’s hunt for Easter eggs? Many churches today offer the Easter egg hunt following their services that just honored the resurrection of Christ. I’ve been bothered by this, so I had to check it out…

The Orthodox Christian church in Mesopotamia in the early centuries would paint the eggs red for the blood of Christ and give them out on Easter, as the people had given up eggs for Lenten and it was a treat to be able to resume eating them.

Early Christian missionaries hid Easter eggs painted with biblical scenes for children to find. The children would find the Easter eggs and tell the story associated with the paintings. Therefore, early Easter egg hunts helped children learn about the significance of Easter.

One of the earliest Easter egg hunts that most resembles the modern Easter egg hunt can be traced to Martin Luther. Martin Luther was a key leader in the Protestant Reformation. During this time, men would hide eggs for women and children to find. The joy the women and children experienced as they found eggs mirrored the joy the women felt when they found Jesus’ tomb empty and realized He had risen.

Eggs represented rebirth and new life, just as knowing Christ is for the Believer. So… if the imagery presented by the egg is explained to children, then I am all for the Easter egg hunt. If the hunt is used as a drawing card to bring people to a social event, then I am not. Let’s teach our children what the egg hunt means— it can tell the story of Jesus and new birth and joy! It’s all about Jesus, people!

What does this weekend mean to you as it is resurrection Sunday? In my final testimony that is in my manuscript is one of healing. After all that was done, the courts completed their job. I found myself moving from one church to another. My mom was searching, and I was along on the journey. We went to a church where the women/girls couldn’t wear make-up and always in a dress even while swimming. They were very good to us. One of the days we were there my mom decided to get baptized and I am not sure if I was fully present for the decision to be baptized, but I was baptized the same day as my mother.

Here is the miracle part. I stood in the water physically injured. When he dunked me under, I know it was just a second, but time stood still under that water. The warmth surrounding me and not really hearing anything audible but just a feeling like there was someone under the water with me. Then as I came up from the water there were two hands reaching for me. Not behind me but in front of me. All I could see behind those hands was white and looking up not recognizable face. I am sure there were sounds all around me, but it was so silent, and I could make out was a gentle voice saying, “you are going to be alright.” Then I am back in real time with people praising and singing. When I did go back for a checkup I was healed.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, on faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4: 4-6).

“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

“I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33).

The song I listened to over and over this week reached down deep into my inner soul. He laid down His life for me. No other can love me like Jesus. And “He knows my name.” Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Jimi Cravity bring these words to a crescendo of worship. Pour your heart out to Him as He walks with you and talks with you. Dear Jesus, You know my name and I thank you as I am your own.

Blessings to all,

Dreamsdontfade.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7owFiihXgg

March 31, 2023 DDF Breathes New Life Post/The past, trauma, strength in today

My thoughts today are just as frazzled as my overcommitted week. I must reign in my perspective of what others expect of me and my own expectations of myself. Being pulled in so many directions I am not fully completing what I want to do by the end of the week. Anxiousness and discouragement are not a good combination. I am sure you can empathize with me. I read this scripture this morning which just seems to have perfect timing. I probably need to read this each morning until I memorize it and then put it into practice. It is great advice.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 6-7).

In this scripture is also advice to guard my heart and mind. Ever get dragged into the spiral of manipulation? It is more that the person hasn’t dealt with his/her own demons, so it is easier to pull others down or back to the moments of shame, guilt, or fault. If you have past regrets and mistakes, do you deserve to be permanently placed in the penalty box? No, we learn from those dark moments. We learn to forgive ourselves. We act by forgiving others.
Perspective is defined as “a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.” It is the way individuals see the world. It comes from their personal point of view and is shaped by life experiences, values, current state of mind, assumptions brought into the situation, and whole lot of other things.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior, and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

Writing this book isn’t about pulling down others but seeing all the amazing miracles God put into place to bring me too today. After I finished my podcast this week, I remembered a very vital moment. There was a gun. From where I don’t remember. I was standing next to my mom. She pulled the trigger that was aimed at his chest. But it didn’t go off. Three clicks and just as my mom pointed the gun down to see why it didn’t go off it did. Right into his foot. If that gun had gone off killing him our lives would have been very different. We would have had a parent in prison probably for life. Would my sisters ever have existed? My perspective in this memory is it is an unbelievable story but very much true. I know in the back of my mind how the events in my life have affected everything I am today.

Trauma is engrained into a child’s soul. It injures how boundaries are developed. It is an intensely painful emotional experience. It can be emotional, physical, and sexual.

***Trauma lies that the world is unsafe with nowhere to find protection.

It’s hard to have trauma in your past that continually causes you pain. My own journey of experiencing trauma has brought about me finding blessings. One thing I do know is that God draws close to the brokenhearted. God has kept track of my sorrow. God continually renews us every day with His Spirit. I am thankful every day brings a new morning to try again at loving God and serving others. Here is some great advice:

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8).

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flied by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday” (Psalm 91: 4-6).

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

This song by Mosaic MSC “Tremble” is a soothing call to the peace with just one name, Jesus, who makes the darkness tremble.
Prayers that no matter your circumstances or past demons that seem to still haunt your mind that you let the words in the song bring you comfort. Prayers for healing in our country and may the division fade. Restore and Renewal!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPtT7UrEq6g