Heart-Broken

I am heart-broken at the terms: essential or non-essential. Just my opinion, it is degrading and pits people against each other. I am tired of political beings making decisions on who is important and who is not. Which business is important and which is not. I am not dumb. I live with the shingles virus alive in my body everyday. But, what I do know is these pauses (Nevada on pause 2.1.1) is killing our economy and the lives of those who gave everything for their business and livelihood. How does our society choose who is essential and who is non-essential? I am still trying to figure that out. I also do not agree with pastors and leaders who just say trust God and let it all just flow. I don’t believe the Bible tells people not to sound the alarm that this is not okay. I read the Old Testament and all the prophets predicted the consequences as they spoke boldly against believers who hide under the radar, but called them to stand firm and not bow down when we see attacks on our Biblical foundation.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in your faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

“Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’” I Kings 18:21

2020 has been overwhelming. The struggle is real, but when you are at the end of your done just know that God is not done with you. He paid a price that breaks through the bleakness of this world. He shares in your struggle. If you believe this then it will reflect on your outlook on your situation. Do you attack others with bitterness, negativity, and anger or do you hold onto God with a firmness of grace and mercy on others, positivity, and confidence in his promises.

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you; Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

I have found comfort in a new song by the church I am attending which is Central Church. It is powerful, so here is the link to youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay9n-eG4Evg

The phrases that stand out to me are:

You make me strong

You make me courageous

I won’t be afraid

I won’t be discouraged

I believe you will see me through

Nothing is impossible for you,

You always win

Listen and see if this song doesn’t move your spirit like it did with me. Nourish your spirit daily so you can stand firm. Each life and worker is essential. You are all important, so my prayers are with you and know you are not alone.

God Bless You All this week and Merry Christmas as Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

DreamsDontFade

It is Thanksgiving and I thought about how grateful I am for the healing process. Even with all the lock downs, I had a window to visit family. I know it is a small thing, but I was able to put on make-up. Just touching the left side of my face would pulse electricity and pain so I just gave up on make-up. I thought, okay just try, and as I brushed I felt a tingle, but no way stopping me. Mascara and eyeliner, Yes! Slight itching, but hair cooperated too. Those who have a long-term illness or disability can understand my mile stone. Seems superficial, but so much happiness in small things we take for granted. The miracle is that I can see and there is no permanent damage to the left side of my face. Shingles is no fun, but each day I get stronger and am so in awe each day I get up to appreciate my walk.

I am back to jogging. I understand why I like it. I am in competition with myself. I push 10 more steps to 10 more feet, etc...I find the better I feel the more I want to run in celebration of my gaining strength. My journey stopped me in my tracks last year from 5 miles weekdays to 0 and today my fit app logged 3.69 miles. I have a jogging music list and one I want to share is a song that pushes my steps. The lyrics ignites my spirit. It is by TobyMac and it is called “Tonight.”

I wanna feel a new day
(There's gotta be more than this)
I wanna live a new way
(There's gotta be more)
I wanna feel a new day

Under the stars, I promise you my heart

Cause it starts tonight!

We wanna rise,
We wanna touch the other side
(It starts tonight!)
We wanna soar
We wanna reach right out for more
(Cause it starts tonight!)

Amazing song for today as we want that get back to normal and be better people at the end of all that has stopped us from living. My hope is that you find that activity that energizes your spirit. All of us look through the lens of our situation and that is how we navigate through it. We may have short term setbacks, but what is in our long-term path?

I know the circumstances we are in can fatigue us. We are so tired of all of it, but God brought you through this far so don’t give up. As we continue to hear bad news we can just get in the mindset of the future is will be just as bad, but don’t let those thoughts overtake you. I read a quote by an owner of a business and I am not sure if any one else feels this way today, but here it is:

“None of the people who make the decisions to shut down businesses and impact people’s livelihoods ever have their own livelihood impacted,” Ehmer told Business Insider. “The people making the decisions are not paying the same price that the workers in this country are paying.”

I get lost in the unfairness of it all. Then I hear and read about all the people coming together to care for others with food, supplies, and presents for kids during these tough times. I read in one of my apps neighbors reaching out to help each other. People volunteering for all kinds of services needed in homes and schools. When I start focusing on the bad I have to recharge by looking for the goodness in humanity. God’s message about our future can also deeply encourage us:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for her who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23.

“Being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:6

I also read somewhere that Thanksgiving should begin with thanks-living which is gratitude in action.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we can reap a harvest if we do not give up” Galatians 6:9

Prayers for each of you and I hope my words are a bright moment in your day/night. Know you are thought of daily and in my own prayers everyday. I believe there is strength in prayer and may our voices heard throughout heaven.

God Bless You,

DreamsDontFade

Shame

I am torn between being on the wrong side of shame. The world will push insults until you cancel yourself and it celebrates in your failures. God does not use your shame to expose you. I can grow when I accept and understand that God believes in me and wants to see my full potential fulfilled.

It has been hard for me to understand the backlash I read on social media between whom I thought were Christians. I really like these people, but my view has been tainted as I read through the negative critical and absolute disgusting racially dividing comments. In those comments, there seemed to be no shame with the name calling. Where did Christianity go? Where did the 1^st two commandments go? No other Gods before me and not make idols. It seems politics has become the idol that has cracked and broken the Christian faith that I love and want to represent. I feel there is a shaming even between God’s believers and I wonder which side I will find myself. Silent, avoid, quit, or just closed off?

Now if I choose the above I feel that would be the ultimate shame. It is difficult not to respond to the backlash or to push an insult back out of anger. That just causes more damage. Relationships just seem so fractured. Instead, I need to stand firm in God’s word. Jesus was no push over, but it is how he handled himself that was masterful.

Staying faithful, Keeping hopeful, and loving others is an empowerment that helps us endure and move forward. Our pastor talked about how God’s love never quits on us. He loves us through all circumstances. He teaches how we should treat each other.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them, Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good” Romans 12:9

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” 1Corinthians 13:7

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” Romans 12:10-11

Another message he talked about how we should treat each other even when we have differences of opinion:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.

My prayer is we find common ground and believe that our differences won’t divide America even more than we see today.

I listened to a song by Matthew West called “Do Something” and is powerful as it calls us into action:

So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, yeah, I created you”
If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when

It would be a shame if I turned away and just decided to go with the tide of apathy being pushed today. I do care about the spirit of our families and communities. Love others, but stand firm in your beliefs and don’t shy away from being called a Christian, Jesus Freak, or any other name that tries to shame you into silence. May our voices be like thunder!

Prayers for all who feel they have no voice. May you find that strength. May You find that light in the darkness of painful circumstances.

God Bless you,

DreamsDontFade