Let Your Mess Become Your Ministry

What do you do with the messes of your life? Do you hide them? When your past pops up, do you push it down and away from your conscious mind? Do you think it’s easier to pretend certain things never happened? When we encounter the messes of life, the temptation is to isolate, to go it alone and cover it up. Why do we do this? Some messes are merely embarrassing, but some are deeply painful. The Enemy tells us we’re foolish to think anyone will understand. He whispers, “You are not worthy.” It’s easier to bury our messes than to expose them. We fool ourselves when we think it’s easier to hide our messes. Hiding is the Enemy’s idea. Satan wants us to isolate. He wants us to be all alone in the thunderstorm of our own thoughts. Keeping secrets in the darkness is his plan. Jesus is the light. Bringing hidden things into the light is God’s idea. . . . Read more from Susan Ream today at #theglorioustable! 

A post shared by The Glorious Table (@theglorioustable) on Jul 27, 2018 at 5:16am PDT

Parenting a Rebel

My son was only twelve years old when disturbing signs of deep rebellion began to peek out of his behavior. What followed turned out to be the worst nightmare of my lifetime. This story is a very

personal account about my journey in raising my rebel son. In this writing, I will share struggles along with very important keys to making it through the chaos of rebellion. But for the Grace of God, I would have given up in despair. God proved to be my everything and as the hound of Heaven, He chased my son down. The story goes something like this: Inexplicable Joy - Brutal Pain - A return to Joy. For those who feel lost as a parent, and to those who come behind me, I hold out a torch urging you to be brave and wait on God who will never let go of your kid.

I share my journey with a desire to encourage those raising a teenage rebel.  Feel free to contact me with questions or for support and prayers.  

To Read more go to Amazon and download my ebook, My Son His Son

Melinda's Addiction - Chapter One

Introduction

This is a new genre for me.  I appreciate you stopping by and reading this first chapter.  I'd 

really like your input as I put my toes into new waters. Thank You!  Susie

Addiction

This is the story about a teenage girl who was offered drugs by a friend's mom.

Melinda naively trusted her friends Mom because she believed all mothers were good and would never harm a child. As a result of trying crack cocaine, Melinda got hooked on drugs.

In this first chapter listen in on Melinda's inward discourse. Note the distorted thinking brought about by the drugs.

ALONE

Melinda plunked herself down at the water's edge. Although it was an

Tara's Mom

Addiction Uncovered The Hard Decision Lost and Alone
ng. She was only 19 years old but it was clear that allowing her to live in the comfort of their home while abusing the family was not helping anyone. As long as Melinda had this safe place to live there would be no motivation to change.

exceptionally beautiful day and the clear blue water sparkled in the sunlight; Melinda saw none of it. Her eyes were glazed over as she stared blankly across the ocean.

She was turned inside herself; enslaved to her tormenting thoughts, "I have nothing now, everyone has turned on me. My life is so screwed up, it's not fair! Why can't I be happy, own a house, be married, have kids and all the things everyone else has? What have I ever done to deserve this?"  

As her eyes filled with tears she felt the oxygen being sucked out of her lungs.  Hopelessly she grabbed her head with both hands and nuzzled it into her knees.  She pushed her head hard against her knees in an effort to stop the intrusive thoughts racing through her mind.

"Okay Melinda, enough already! It is what it is and no one cares - there is no one on this planet who gives a crap!" She felt her body stiffen as fear gripped her.  Her thoughts took on a life of their own capturing her emotions and shaping them into full-blown rage and hatred.

"I HATE my life!" Melinda screamed.  As wrath claimed full residence in her head Melinda's beautiful face became contorted. "Nobody has ever been there for me!  Even my parents have turned their backs on me. When I needed them the most, they kicked me out of my own house.  I hate them!"  Melinda's small frame crumbled into the sand as sobs shook her to the core.

Lying there in a heap It seemed as if time stood still. Mentally she rehearsed every wrong ever done to her. She was intent on feeding the flames of her fury with all of the injustices of her life. "What kind of an idiot gives a kid drugs anyways?  What parent kicks their kid out of her house? .. and they call themselves Christians!" she hissed bitterly under her breath.

After a gallant and prolonged effort to vent all the hostility brewing and erupting inside her soul, a quietness settled in. She shrank back as the haunting and familiar feelings of hopelessness, emptiness and depression sank into and invaded her emotions.

Alone on the beach, Melinda repositioned herself. She sat up, her body stiff and rigid. A suffocating demonizing fog descended upon her. Impending doom fell like a blanket intent on smothering her.

Her heart began to race and then the scariest sensation, of being at death's door, hit her. She felt like her lifeblood was literally draining out of her body. Terror gripped her heart as the fear of death threatened to take her.  

Melinda knew, from past experience, that she would not die, yet part of her wished she could ... right here and right now. "Oh, Where can I go, What will I do, I am so lost and alone, ... is there no one who cares about me or sees my distress?

The water reached out to Melinda. It repeated its course continuously and rhythmically. The lively waves formed and curled up about ten feet out. When the waves broke, the bubbly water raced for shore and finished with a swoosh at Melinda's feet. Oblivious to the waters soothing gesture Melinda stayed focused on the battle raging within. Helplessly Hooked
Kicked Out

Melinda blamed her friend's Mom for her addiction. She held her responsible for the desperate state she was in."What kind of a monster offers a sixteen-year-old crack cocaine?"

Melinda's first impression of Tara's mom was that she was on the wild side but she was also very cool. The night Tara's mom offered the drug to her, Tara and she were partying with her 'hip' mom. They had full access to lots of beer.  They all laughed together as they danced to pounding hip-hop music.  What could be better than this?

When Tara's mom pulled out the crack cocaine, Melinda stopped only a second to consider the consequences. She reasoned that if Tara's fun-loving mom was using crack cocaine, it couldn't be all that bad. But after using the crack, Melinda was helplessly hooked. "I hope she goes to Hell!" Melinda screamed out to the waters.

As Melinda rehearsed everything that happened since the day she started using, her head bent low. A flood of tears poured down her cheeks. "If only that loser had kept her drugs to herself," she thought bitterly, "I would not be in this mess!" Seven years later Melinda was still hopelessly hooked and at the mercy of addiction and distorted thinking.

Feeling the isolation creeping in all around her she dug her toes deeply into the warm sand hoping the sensation of its grains would soothe her solitude.

She wondered if anyone had ever felt this kind of pain before. The darkness continued to close in on her; She was in a treacherous place. "Where do I go? I need a safe place."

Her thoughts jumped to what happened that morning. "I was just sitting in the kitchen eating a bowl of Rice Krispies, minding my own business, when Buffy roared into the room looking like she was ready to devour me.  She glared at me as she screamed, 'You are a filthy PIG! Look at this mess! How can you just sit there and eat cereal!'  Melinda felt the familiar heat of fury rising up her neck and into her face. She spits out her venom, "Get lost you loser!"

Buffy stiffened and began to bombard her with degradation and accusations. "You are nothing but a lazy no good user. I am sick of your self-centered, wicked attitudes and verbal abuse.  Now you get your ugly butt off my chair and get out of my house."  

"Yeah RIGHT!" screamed Melinda, "Just look at you, out of control, big-mouthed fat girl - who's started this fight HUH!"

Buffy's eyes were bulging when she turned suddenly and ran upstairs. Pounding down the stairs Melinda saw her holding her duffel bag. Buffy opened the door and catapulted the duffle bag across the grass.

Melinda stared in disbelief. How dare she treat her like a child! Melinda was just about to lay into her and tell her how stupid she was but just then Buffy pointed her finger at the door and commanded, "Get out of here and don't ever come back!"  Next thing Melinda knew she was standing outside the apartment door surrounded by her stuff which had flown out of her unzipped duffel bag.

"That stupid, crazy, ugly witch!" Melinda huffed. " Why didn't I just slap her and put her in her place?"  Though she was fuming inwardly her wrath did not find an outlet that morning. The truth is that Buffy had overpowered her with a plethora of obscenities and scornful ridicules and before she knew it the door was slamming behind her.

Once reality sunk in, panic took over. "She kicked me out, what is going to happen to me?" she grabbed up her dirty duffel bag and feverishly shoved her things inside it. She looked back at the house grabbed her bag, then turned away and headed off. "Buffy is the slob; she leaves her things all over the place, it's not my fault that the place looks like a bomb went off in it - how dare she blame me!" she murmured. Walking down the desolate street she comforted herself, "Buffy's a loser anyway, who needs her!"

The woman who gave Melinda drugs opened the door of addiction. It was a destructive and horrendous act!

Her family eventually became part of the drug addiction nightmare. Melinda was the oldest child in the family.  Her Mom and Dad, Sally and Rick were great parent's who invested in their children.  As a child, Melinda was responsible and respectful. When she became a teenager she had her ups and downs but that was to be expected. She was a good student involved in sports and busy with her friends. Her parents thought she was growing into a beautiful young woman.

Everything changed soon after Melinda turned 16. When she was home she spent most of the time in her bedroom listening to rock music. She wanted to be left alone and had to be asked several times to come to the table for a meal or to do anything asked of her. Melinda's moods were swinging from one extreme to the other.

One day Melinda's little sister, Casey, bumped into her while she was carrying a coke to the couch; Melinda turned and kicked Casey in the back as she shouted, "Look where you are going you, little Moron, how stupid can you be?"

Casey screamed out in fear and pain. Her mother, Sally, ran into the room and stopped Melinda short by grabbing her arm. Sally spoke with very serious and firm conviction, "Melinda Renee, your behavior is unacceptable! You may not kick anyone in this household, do you understand me?"  Melinda's leaned forward and with a hard stare responded, "Whatever Mother!" Sally was taken aback by her defiance. She blinked and paused a moment to gather her thoughts.  Standing there, she prayed, "God please help me not to lose my cool."  

Meanwhile, Melinda pulled her arm away from her mom and walked back toward the couch. She sat down and stared at the television. "Melinda, What in the world is going on with you?" Sally asked. Stonewalling her mother, Melinda stared at the television. Sally had never seen this kind of hardness. She was at a loss and did not know what to do next. She felt a knot form deep in the pit of her stomach.  She decided to leave Melinda alone and talk with her husband Rick when he got home.

Some days later when Melinda's addiction was discovered, she tried to cover it up saying the drugs belonged to her friend. Her parents didn't buy it and persisted to drill her. Finally, she broke down sobbing and admitted that she was using cocaine.

Sally turned white and Rick's knee's buckled as the weight of Melinda's words hit them. They never thought drugs would touch their family. This news was overwhelming and suffocating. Tears formed in Sally's eyes; she felt like her heart stopped and the whole world stopped with it.

Rick went to Melinda and took her in his arms holding her close to his chest. He rocked her, as he had done many years ago, smoothing her hair he whispered, "It's okay baby, we'll help you."

Sally and Rick sought counseling, read books, consulted specialists and offered support to Melinda. They turned every stone in their effort to understand and help her overcome this deadly dependence.

They listened carefully and quietly as she ranted and raved about the injustices that life continually dumped on her. They wisely chose not to engage in an argument knowing her rage was drug-related.

They waited until Melinda cooled down; then cautiously expressed their concern for her while laboring to communicate and give her a reality check. They yearned for her to open her heart to wisdom. But that never happened while Melinda lived at home.

Melinda's parents frantically searched and sought to help Melinda but after years of desperately trying to help her, they realized nothing was working.  Melinda's bad behavior continued to spiral downward.  

Melinda flew into a rage every time her parents gave her a consequence for bad behavior. She screamed at them, "I'm 19 years old, get off my case, I'm not a child anymore!"

Melinda showed absolutely no appreciation for all her parents had done for her. She grew to expect whatever she wanted and got angry if she was told no.

She knew how to apply sweet talk when she wanted something. For a while, it threw her parents into thinking that she was getting better. Eventually, they realized she was cycling between abusing and using people while feeding her own sense of power.

Melinda's parents agonized over the decline they saw in her character. Sally would often fall into a heap as she cried out, "Who is this girl? What has happened to my Melinda!" Every day they carried the weight trying to fix Melinda.

Eventually, though, they were convinced they could not fix her. They realized that she must want to be fixed before anyone could help her. The only way Melinda's parents could help her, at that point, was to cut the ties and to let her fall.

Her refusal to listen to instruction took its toll on the family. Her parents realized that the degradation and fury of her words, along with her wild and unpredictable behavior, was threatening the security and safety of their home.

A decision had to be made - it was the hardest decision they had ever made. She could no longer be trusted.  She stole money and had become proficient with verbal abuse. Melinda's parents were convinced that only God could reach their daughter

It was time to let Melinda reap what she was sowing. They had to stop rescuing her and propping her up time and time again. They were convinced that if they enabled Melinda; it would be detrimental and to her own ruin.

One night Melinda's parents called her into the living room. Their heaviness hung thick as her Dad began to speak, "Melinda, We have hit a brick wall in our ability to help you. We love you with all of our hearts but we will no longer tolerate your abusive words and reckless behavior. Though we have offered you many options to help yourself - you refuse them."  Steve continued by telling her that the privilege of living in their home was no longer an option for her.

An agonizing process preceded this event. What parent wants to kick their child out of their house? Though they were fearful for her safety they were more fearful of her continuing down this road. The Lord convicted them both to release Melinda to Him.

Melinda was incredulous and stunned listening to her Dad. She melted into a puddle when she realized that her parents were serious. 

The confrontation was the most upsetting and painful experience of their lives. Steve stood firmly. Sally latched on to her husband's shirt as she grieved over her daughter's pain-wracked face. After a torrential flood of tears, Melinda's hurt turned to rage and she cussed them out with bitter and revolting words. Sally shook with fear then turned her heart towards God with a cry for help.

In Melinda's mind, her parents had dumped her. In her mind, she had done nothing wrong. No, nothing was ever Melinda's fault.

Although her parents made a hard-hitting decision and they knew it was the only option they had, they carried a heavyweight ... a weight that only a parent of a rebel knows. Day and night they prayed for their daughter. Their hearts ached with longing for Melinda to return to them.

After leaving home she nursing her pain with crack.  Melinda's cyclic and rash thinking mode grew into a firm belief system.

She believed she was the victim. Her delicate face grew hard as paranoia, hatred, and revenge took up residence. Her mind had become a villain destroying her from the inside out. Melinda was right and everyone else was wrong; End of story!

As the years passed Melinda experienced pain and torment beyond her comprehension. Her distorted thinking patterns had taken full control robbing her of any possible hope of friendship or a long-term relationship. She was devoid of joy or contentment. She was now in a very dark and sinister place.

Life is Hard but God is Good

Hearts are Fragile - Handle with Care

God Never Wastes a Hurt

There are times when life hits us hard. We are just going along minding our own business when BAM out of the blue tragedy strikes us or someone we love.

How do we handle life’s surprises?

Life is Hard but God is Good 

Not my Will

Many of you have grown up in less than perfect circumstances.  We have all been influenced and shaped by the people who surrounded us during our formative years.  I was raised in an alcoholic home where no mention of God existed except as a swear word. I have learned that people who grow up in an alcoholic home have control issues.  We seek to control because our home lives are so chaotic.  The child of the alcoholic seeks to bring order and stability (control) to their own lives.  I am no exception. 

As a teenager, bedtime, for me, was not an opportunity to wind down and drift off to sleep.  No, for me bedtime was a series of little trips sneaking out to the living room to check on Dad.  You see my father would go to sleep each night in a drunken stupor.  I was always afraid that he would burn the house down by dropping a cigarette on the floor as he dosed off.  Many nights I would find a cigarette still burning on the carpet beside him.  After my Dad was in a deep sleep I would take his wheel chair to him (a story for another day) lift him into it and put him in bed.  Only then could I sleep.

My life and future seemed hopeless to me.  When I was 15 I heard the story of a God in Heaven who loved me so much that He gave His only Son to die for me.  When I accepted God's gift of eternal life my whole world changed.  I had purpose now and I knew God had great plans and a wonderful future for my life.  For the first time I finally felt  loved, protected and accepted.  I wasn’t alone anymore.

God directed my steps to Cornerstone College after high school where I met a wonderful strong man who would become my husband three years later.  We entered the ministry together with a heart full of hopes and dreams.  I believed that if I did everything right and controlled the circumstances around me, my family would be protected from harm and our home would always be filled with happiness and joy.  This unrealistic, idealistic belief almost ruined me.

My oldest child entered into full blown rebellion at the age of 13. I was blown away.  I could not process the concept of having a problem like this with one of my children.  I raised my children in a safe home where they could be free to express themselves.  I was there to fill their love cups when they headed toward empty.  I connected with each of them and developed a deep bond of trust.  Although I am not perfect our home was a pretty good picture of stability - how could this happen?

In my disparity I pooled together all of my resources and tried to control the situation, thinking, "I can fix this!"  I was intelligent, resourceful, had many connections and I thought I had a bit of my own wisdom to draw upon.  But NOTHING helped - absolutely NOTHING!  My son just kept spiraling out of control.  He was recklessly speeding down, down a slippery slope where danger and destruction lurked.  I feared for his life, I grieved and cried every single day.  My heart was broken and the pain was unbearable but I kept moving forward doing everything in my power to fix him.

It took many years before I finally collapsed and cried out to God "Help me - please reach and rescue my son, my only son, the son that I love more than life itself.  I have no other place to turn.  I can't do it anymore."

I had finally come to the end of myself and that is when God stepped in.  When I gave up on me God took one finger at a time and released my white knuckled grip on my son.  It was definitely a God thing because I could not do it.  As God helped me release my son to His care and as I took my hands off - I saw miracles begin to take place in his life.

Recently I said to a friend of ours, "It seems God keeps bringing me back to the place where I can't control situations."  Brian lovingly said, "Susie, what do you think that means?"   HELLO ...  with that simple question the realization dawned.  I haven't totally learned to trust and release.  I read a prayer in a book called Stepping out of Denial into God's Grace by John Baker and have customized it a bit to pray over myself daily: 

Dear God, I have tried to do it all by myself, on my own power, and I have failed.  Today, I want to turn my life over to You.  I want you to be my Lord.  I ask that you help me start to think less about me and my will.  I want to daily turn my will over to You, to daily seek your direction and wisdom for my life.  Please continue to help me overcome my hurts and control issues that I might be healthy and whole and pleasing in your sight.

With a heart filled with incredible joy, I can tell you that today my son loves God with a Passion.  He has a very tender heart of compassion for people in pain.  He is wise beyond His years.  I see God's hand at work in His life and I stand in Awe.   "My God shall supply All your needs."  In order to release His Power into life I must surrender my will and inclination to control.  The process of learning to trust God completely continues to be a journey away from self-will as I move toward His will.

Potter & The Clay

God tells us that He is the Potter, and we are the clay. As I visualize the potter at the potter's wheel I see the strong hands forming and shaping the clay into a vessel that is beautiful and useful. I have to admit this analogy really stretches me as I think about what God wants from me. Clay does absolutely nothing but be clay. It does not resist the Potter and it yields totally to the Potter's hands. The Potter is in FULL control of the clay and the potters will determines what becomes of the clay.

Throughout my lifetime God has been patiently prodding me to let go of my white knuckled grip on situations and the people I love. How many times have I used my own resources, knack for networking and intelligence to try and solve issues or problems that I needed to go to God for? I'd be embarrassed to tell you how many. In so many of my life situations I have come to the end of my resources and myself and guess what? There I find Him, my Lord and my God. He was there all the time waiting for me to take my hands off and allow His miracles to take over.

I thank God that he is faithful and patient. He continues to bring me back to square one and to remind me that He is in control and I am not.

My Encounter with God - Who is God?

It has been said that a person's opinions and views about God are closely associated with their relationship to and experience with their earthly father. If you were raised in a home where your Dad had a relationship with God, you were most certainly blessed to see God's attributes being lived out daily in your fathers life. But for those of us raised by earthly fathers who had no use or time for God; our picture of God may be warped by an internal impression shaped by how our Dad lived out his life. In God's word, the Psalmist gives us a snapshot picture of the LORD God, the one who loves us beyond our wildest dreams, hopes and expectations.

"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:8-14)

When I heard the incredible news of a Father in Heaven who really cared about me I was only 15 years old. I had always believed, in my core, that someone had to have created me and the complex universe I observed around me. As a teenager I was perplexed and disappointed with life and the seeming purposelessness of it all. Without EVER hearing anything about who God was or the plans He had for my life I sought to communicate with him the only way I knew how. I bowed, face down, and cried out to this God I had heard about. I prayed, "God, if you are real, I just can't believe you would have created me and then plopped me down here on this earthplace and then said, now fend for yourself. My heart longs to know you but I don't know how to find you? Will you please reveal yourself to me?"

Little did I know that soon my best friends father would reveal God to me. One night my girlfriend Debbie asked me over to their home because she knew I had been really down and troubled. After her Dad put the kids to bed that night he said he had something very important to share with me. He opened God's word and spoke words of life to me. He told me that God created me and that He loved me (tears welled in my eyes and the deepest longings to know God squeezed at my heart). Dad Haworth explained that the Lord God is a Holy God who cannot tolerate sin in His heaven. He then showed me, using God's very words, that because God so loved me, He gave His only son to die for my sins (in my place) so that I could live eternally with Him. He told me many, many truths I will treasure forever! That very night I asked God to forgive me for my sins and thanked Him for sending Jesus to take my place on the cross. I then invited Him to be the Lord of my life.

My prayer was answered, my soul came to rest and I was fully at peace. I finally knew that the creator God loved me, pursued me and had a plan for my life here on Earth.

Oh how I love Him who first loved me. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 "How Great is the Father's love that we should be called the children of God" I John 3:1

Having Faith in Today's World

In the uncertainty of these times we need Faith more than ever before. Webster’s dictionary defines faith as “belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust.

Many find it hard to have a belief in something which has no tactical or visual proof. But faith brings purpose to many whom, having not seen, still believe in God. The Bible says in I Peter 1:8 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." True faith really does fill your heart with a joy you cannot communicate in any language.

Back in Bible times believing in God would mean you would be executed, yet Jesus’ true followers would not deny Him. They had seen the Messiah and knew that He held the power of life and death in His own hands.

People that have Faith do not believe in coincidences. They believe that God works all things together for the good of those that love Him. What do people who have no faith do when disasters happen and their hearts get broken? Without faith it would be easy to feel like a victim of circumstances and to concede with King Solomon as he viewed life, apart from God, saying Meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless.

Faith in a God you cannot see may be a concept hard to grasp. But that doesn't mean it is not very real. It’s like believing in the air you breathe in and are are surrounded by. Although you cannot see faith or the air you breathe, you still believe because you see the manifestations. The manifestations of an extrodinarily intellegent creator, like the air, are all around us and creation sings of His glorious presence.

Belief in God and in an afterlife gives people hope and motivates them to live life on purpose with a purpose.

Go to God

Life sometimes hits us hard. Circumstances beyond our control can leave us weak and fainthearted. The creator of the world and of you and me knows that our lives here on earth are temporary and our days filled with trials. He left us His word, the Bible, which imparts his strength to carry on and push through. He tells us in Isaiah "But they that wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run, and not be weary; and will walk, and not faint."

If you trust in God and you believe His word is truth, you will want to go to His word when you feel weak or discouraged. God's word is full of promises to strengthen you. Have you ever felt lost? When you are in the middle of a difficulty it can feel as though you are lost and that there is no way out. But you are not lost to God. He tells us in Hebrews 13:5-6 “I will never leave you or forsake you” and in Prov 18:24 He tells us that He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. As God's child you can gain strength knowing you are never alone and that God is always with you.

God promises to give us direction when we trust him and acknowledge him in everything. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.”

In Psalms 27:1 we read "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid." As we consider God's word and implement faith we realize there is nothing to be afraid of. God is our strength.

God's word is truth. It is his love letter to you and to me. When we read it we find direction, peace and strength to live the days of our lives.

The Power Words

Words contain immense influence and have the power to bestow blessings or condemnation. Our mind is the central processor of words. We can choose to fill our minds with words of healing and life or misery and death.

Studies have shown the physical connection between our mind and body. The studies have shown that all the cells of your body are affected by your thoughts. Many people who have struggled with negative, self degrading feelings have changed their lives by changing their thoughts. The book of Proverbs tells us that as a man thinks in his heart – so is he.

It has been said that almost 90% of all sickness is the result of negative thinking. When our minds are filled with fear, worry and stress our body reacts with a multitude of symptoms. When we fill our minds with words that are pure, true, commendable, honorable and wholesome it breathes life into our very being. It also changes the way we view others and think about ourselves.

The Bible is the source book for Christian Themed Texts and in it we find words of life and healing. In Exodus God says “I am the Lord that heals you.”

The Bible will teach you the true meaning of love. Most people have ambiguous ideas about the definition of love. What is love and how can I find love? The secret to finding love is to stop looking for it outside of yourself. Cultivate the attributes of love within and your heart and you will have eyes of discernment to see the same attributes in others and attract a person with the ability to love you back.

God tells us in I Corinthians exactly what love looks like. Some of the verbs he uses are Love is patient, it is kind, love is not selfish, it does not seek to exalt itself, it does not hold grudges, love always protects and never gives up, love never ever fails.

If we want to change our lives we must confront the way we think. Identify all thoughts that are negative, self condemning, judgemental and non productive and then begin to replace those thoughts with words of life which are found in the Bible which is given to us by the author of life, God Himself.

Why Pray

Praying is the way we communicate with the Creator God. When we pray we are transported from the physical realm into a world that is invisible and eternal. Prayer is where relief, hope, belief and miracles live. Prayer will lift us from the depths of despair into the glorious presence of a God who hears cares and answers.
The Bible is the resource book on prayer. Many passages exhort us to pray. In Phil. 4:6-7 Paul tells us not to worry about anything but to pray and ask God for what we need. God explains that when we do this His peace will fill our hearts and minds. This idea of releasing worry to God and receiving the peace of God is beyond our human comprehension. It is a spiritual happening. It is a God thing! Prayer equips us with the weapons we need for survival during the hard times in life.

It is amazing to note that the instructions to pray come from one who was in the midst of torturous and dangerous days. The Apostle Paul was facing death in Prison and yet he did not give in to despair but looked to God in prayer. As we read this account we catch a glimpse of Paul’s unshakable valor. His circumstances would make the bravest champion loose heart. Yet Paul, in this very circumstance, encourages believers to go to God because "He will fill your hearts and mind with peace."

God exhorts us to rejoice, be gentle and pray. His presence is closer to you than any other. He knows you through and through and yet he loves you and stands by you and will never abandon you.

No Worries

"Guard ClearThinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive.You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; He'll keep you safe and sound." Proverbs 3:21-26 The Message

As I read these verses from Proverbs I am struck with the realization of how far I have grown in the Lord. In years gone by I spent so many useless hours worrying about things I could not control. Yes, I panicked and was alarmed frequently, which was not good for me. God knows us through and through and so He exhorts us here in this psalm to Hang on to Clear Thinking and Common Sense. Also -as I read this Proverb today I am reminded that I still have a ways to go. One of the most precious commodities that I value is my reputation. I strive to be a pure and holy representative of the Lord Jesus and I also value my husbands years of dedicated service to Him.

Recently both of our reputations were threatened. A very dangerous and slanted version of a story was spread with only one person coming back to question it. Oh how I suffered and panicked and went to the place of alarm over this. But as He has in the past Jesus once again reminded me of the persecution He faced, of the lies spread about Him and how he told us that all who live godly WILL suffer persecution. Now I am not claiming to be Holy as He is Holy - and we are NOT perfect as He is perfect but He told us we would partake in His suffering. Little did I know, back in my early naive Christian days, that it could also mean that 'Christian' people would also believe rumors without hearing the other side.

Years ago Dr. Wilbert Welch told our student Body at Cornerstone College that when you hear a story (as proverbs also teaches) you will be convinced it is true - BUT never, ever make a judgement or conclusion until you hear the other side. Thank God for Dr. Welch as Gary and I have been in many situations, in the Ministry, where we were convinced something was true UNTIL we heard the other side.

I will guard clear thinking and common sense all the days of my life as God enables me by His Holy Spirit. I will also trust my reputation and that of my dear Gary to the Lord who has the final word.

BLESS GOD

Psalm 103
A David Psalm
1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! 3-5 He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence. 6-18 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud. Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here.

God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said. 19-22 God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King! So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills. Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—everything and everyone made by God.
And you, O my soul, bless God!

Three Things

Three Things will change your Spirit Walk


Mitchell challenged each of us to do the following 3 things, out of obedience. Don’t do these things in order to pressure God, there is no making deals here – the idea here is to walk in obedience – God desires obedience more than sacrifice. God says: Is not obedience better than sacrifice. Do what He says!

MATTHEW 6:1-18 – The Scriptures are written at the bottom of this document. They are the basis for this challenge.

1) GIVING ALMS: When you give – Mitchell points out that the scripture doesn’t say ‘if’ but when – assuming that you will – this is a command. It’s not about not about tipping God. The word Alms here means that you look for someone that has a greater need than you do. Those of us that love God need to minister to those in need. There is somebody you know who has a genuine significant need - when you minister to that person it is called almsgiving. We are encouraged to do it secretly – it is best if the person never knew that you did it. Walk in almsgiving. Be ready to Reach out to a needy person in secret and bless them. Become the answer to someone’s prayers.

2)PRAYING – When you pray once again the word is when not ‘if.’ If you are a person that prays on the run or prays very little – this week commit yourself to 15 minutes a day for one week. Whenever you pray talk to God about the things that are pressing on your mind, the things that perplex you. God touches us in our circumstances – remember He is the one who parts the red sea. Whatever your need he will minister. Don’t be like the hypocrite, go into the closet and close the door – the father who sees in secret will reward you publicly.

3) FASTING – When you fast, finally it is assumed that you do fast – this is not radical – it is commanded. If you have never fasted, consciously give up one meal a day for a week. That would be a step toward obedience. Drink water – be obedient. God will honor that behavior of obedience. It’s there in scripture, it’s clear.

If you do this you will break a stronghold in your life. Some provision that you’ve not been able to obtain will be provided for you.

It’s Simply obeying God. These 3 things seem foolish to the world… don’t question His instruction…..just do it!

The message above is based on the following Scriptures:
Matt 6:1-18

Teaching about Giving to the Needy
6 "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
5 "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth,as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need,* 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
16 "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Valentines Day

Our Story

This blog entry is a recollection of the beginning of a great love story. The story of Gary and Susie Ream.

Gary and I met at Grand Rapids Baptist College. I was pre-engaged to a young man back home and Gary was checking out the prospects. Although I was pre-engaged, I wasn’t blind. After weeks of getting to know people on campus, I had singled him out with great admiration. From a distance I observed that he was very handsome, he was intelligent, he had leadership skills and was firmly grounded in his faith.

During the course of establishing myself, I chose a local Church I could call home away from my home Church. Gary was the song and choir leader at this Church— I was in his choir. The more I saw of this guy, the more I respected him. He had integrity and was kind—he was also a girl magnet. In my opinion this was a guy who would go far in life and although I held him in high regard—I never spoke to him.

As I became more immersed in College life, I began to question the validity of my relationship with my guy from back home. No one knew this—I didn’t even want to admit it. I thought I loved this guy but with distance between us, I began to see some weaknesses that I hadn’t seen before.

One Sunday night at Church I found that, because of an event being held on campus, there were no other College students there. I took a seat, by myself, and waited for the service to begin. A young man came up from behind me and asked if he could sit by me. It was Gary—I was so nervous I didn’t know what to say. I managed to utter a little o.k. When he sat down I didn’t think to move over. Then because I was so nervous—I couldn’t think what to do. I thought— ‘if I move over he’ll think I don’t want him to sit here” but if I don’t move over he’ll think I’m too close.’ As I was frantically trying to decide which course to take, Gary is thinking, ‘what is wrong with this girl? Why doesn’t she move over?’ Just then he looked at my face, which was glowing red, and got the picture. He realized I was in a predicament and didn’t know what to do. To my great pleasure a couple of students rescued me by coming up behind us to talk. I casually ‘moved’ and turned to talk to them.

As we were sitting there Gary pointed to my ring and boldly asked “what does that ring mean?” I had to honestly tell him, “I don’t know right now.” Much later he told me that, weeks before during prayer time, while I was praying, he felt like he was listening to a personal conversation between a girl and her God. He was struck by my honesty and love for God, and so he peeked! After that experience, he decided that he was going to get to know me.

That night, after walking me back to the dorm, Gary sought out his Resident Advisor (RA). He said, Terry I have to talk to you right now. Terry listened as Gary told him that he had met the girl he was going to marry. He told Terry that there was only one problem; I was pre-engaged. He continued, “we need to pray that she will break up with this guy!” It is hard for me to believe that he convinced Terry, but the two of them did pray that night that I would break up with my high school sweetheart. After praying Gary continued to tell Terry that he would give me a pre-engagement ring in 2 years, a diamond in 2 1/2 years and that he would marry me after 3 years.

Amazingly, it happened just as he said. I got the man of my dreams and although life has not been easy, we have had the security of knowing that we have each other, for better or for worse. He is my Valentine and I thank God for his unconditional love for me!
I wish you all a very Happy Valentines Day! My wish for you all is that you know God as the supreme example of the Best Valentine Ever—He layed down His life for YOU—He is the lover and the pursuer of your soul.

For those of you who read this—thanks for indulging me!
Susie

The Game of Life - Part 1

Laws of Baseball
Presented by Kelly Davis

To be truly blessed with God’s favor – There is a pattern that needs to take place. There is a Pattern of this world and there is a Godly pattern (God’s Standard -where favor falls). This presentation is based on two illustrations. The first is BASEBALL. There is a Pattern to the game and the order of the bases matter. The way we run the bases reflects our spiritual league of play.
Laws of Baseball
The bases stay the same – league of play changes
You must cover all bases in order to score
If you miss a base – you are out!
The game is full of outs/at bats – full of 2nd chances
The pattern or order in which the game is played is applicable for baseball and for your spiritual life. Our maturity is based on how we run the bases. Kelly had us draw a field - I tried to copy it, but the site does not allow, so you'll have to visualize this.
Running to 1st Base
TRUTH - Winning Within
Authenticity
Character
Honest with yourself
Running to 2nd Base
TRUST - Winning with Others
People Skills
Trustworthy
Person of your word
Running to 3rd Base
TRAIN - Winning with Community
Training
Competence
On your way HOME
TARGET - Winning with Results
Target
On Purpose
A Plan
HOME BASE DEPENDANCE (WHERE IT ALL STARTS AND ENDS)
Physical Life: In the beginning of our physical lives, as babies, we are completely dependant and it takes a whole life of growing to mature. Spiritual life: maturity occurs with Dependance on God
In the analogy of baseball imagine what it takes, in your journey through life, to get to 1st base? TRUTH You will find truth is Gods word. Character comes from learning the truth about what God has to say and applying it to your life. You will also need to be truthful with yourself. You need to learn authenticity which comes from character. Are you willing to be accountable and have someone speak into your life – do you have people who can tell you NO and you would listen to their counsel? Find 4 people who are in your life, (people with expertise or experience in the areas where you are weak) to make you accountable in those areas.
Now we are heading toward 2nd base. Once you have built that character – what is it that gets you to good relationships? TRUST – if there is any problem in a relationship there is a breakdown in trust. Do you do what you say you are going to do? If you tell someone you are going to do something and you don’t do it, they learn that they can’t trust you. You develop relationships and community by trust, competence and by being a person of your word.
We’re now running toward 3rd base. It’s time to TRAIN. To get to the results you need to train which develops competence. You don’t get competence by praying – it’s by training. Don’t try it – train to it – gaining confidence is not an overnight process.
From 3rd to home. You can have all the competence, activity and character in the world but you have to cover all bases and in order to score you have to get home. Home is your TARGET. To get to home plate you must get there ‘on purpose.’ Following the pattern – there is a plan for all you are doing.

You can diagnose any problem you are having by going around the bases and seeing what you are missing.
Ask these Questions:
1. What’s your purpose (this is what I want to do)
2. Are you competent to perform this?
3. What do you need (skills necessary to perform that task).
4. How are you going to train for this?
5. Where are your people skills? How much trust do people have in you? If you are trying to lead and no one is following, you are just on a walk!
6. Where is your Character?
When you run according to God’s pattern He will grant favor once you have passed those three bases. In the game of baseball, if you miss a base you are OUT! As in baseball, is you miss a base in life - you need to go back and make sure you don’t miss it next time.
The World’s Pattern goes for results, skipping 1st and 2nd base and going from 3rd to home and back and forth. You cannot skip a base without cheating. The world thinks, “I’m measured by my results.” Sometimes this worldly approach will include 2nd base, but totally skip 1st. To run every base is not only designed to make you successful; but godly.
Example: Politicians often go from 2nd base to home and back and forth they go. Churches often run from 1st to 2nd and back again never gaining competence or results. Then they try to run home. In order to score you need to run all of the bases.
You may begin your business totally focused on what God wants with a clear purpose in mind, willing to run the bases in the right order. Then when God pours out his blessings by giving you trips, cars, public recognition, etc., there may be a pull, a shifting toward results, it is so subtle!

When that occurs your work will become a burden and you’ll say, “all this effort and nothing seems to be happening.” Suddenly this freedom of working from home feels like a regular job with all the pressure. We must keep our Focus on God and living out our lives according to His pattern.

Ask, “God what do you want me to do, to be and to have? When your focus is back on God, you will be doing the same activities; from the outside it looks exactly the same but inside you are totally focused on God working with excellence because you want to please Him.

When we focus on the results – we cheat ourselves. We are not as good at keeping our word, we excuse ourselves, judging others by their actions and myself by intentions.

When you focus on God it totally changes everything. Are you down and discouraged? God may be breaking you down. He may be putting you in a place where you are doing a lot of bowing. In the story of Joseph, even when he was second in line, even though he was leading the country and was over all of his family, he was still bowing to Pharaoh every day. It is an ongoing process. God will strip you of everything that you think is good about you. You may feel like you want to give up. It’s ok, give it up and learn to depend on God. Complete dependence is where He wants you. John 15:5 “Without me you can do nothing.” Most of us don’t believe that – come on, you mean nothing? Our conscious minds need to get in line with that so we will be willing to run the bases according to his pattern.

Here is another layer on this same diamond. There are 3 speeds in Life and you need to be good at all 3 speeds in order to realize your dream. Most people are really good at one or two of these. One is usually more difficult. You have to get good at all three speeds to accomplish your purpose. It takes effort and discipline to do the area that’s not easy for you. Here are the 3 speeds:

SIT - Read, learn and soak it in. You must sit first; it gives you what you need to walk and run. Do God’s purposes for your life. You can’t do God’s purposes with your power. Sitting will build your character. First thing in the morning is best. When you do this first, He gives you the desire to do it His way – everything goes a whole lot better.
WALK - Learning through Community. You need to be great at getting in somebody else’s shoes. RUN - Getting results. Learn to do activities you are uncomfortable with. When you skip the first 2 steps your work is an effort; like a rat on treadmill.

ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES

ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES

We are pressed on every hand with too much to do and far too little time to do it. We all feel overwhelmed. Today’s topic is designed to bring order and purpose to your business and to your life.

The Bible tells us that a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. What does it mean to be double minded? It means to be easily shifted; easily changed. It is the person who has a difficult time deciding whether to do this or that. It is the one who starts many things but never finishes.

The opposite of the double minded man is the one who is committed to the process and following it to completion. To begin the process, you must first determine your highest priorities and concentrate on them single-mindedly. You must also identify those things you must do first, last and not do at all. Our ability to say “no” is just as important as our ability to say “yes”.

Develop the habit of setting priorities; if you do, you can accomplish anything you want. How do I begin? Make a short list of the things that matter most. No one else can do this for you. This requires that you get alone with your brain; something that most are unwilling to do. Once you have identified your priorities, ask yourself, “How do I go about that?” If the number one priority of your life is God, how do you bring value to that relationship? How do you make sure that this relationship remains preeminent? What activities do I need to incorporate into my life to insure He remains number one? Ask these questions in relationship to your spouse and to your business…

Consider this question; what exactly are you paid to do? Why does your employer give you a check? Is it because you are lucky or because you know someone important in the organization? Is it because you have so much knowledge? No! You do not get rewarded for any of those things. Your reward is not based on what you know; rather, what you DO with what you know. It is based on the activities you do that add value to the company. In our business, there are two things that will get you that reward.

Spreading the word to new prospects and recruits.
Selling product.

Activities alone are not profitable. You can keep yourself busy by alphabetizing your address book, organizing your office, getting the best equipment or dreaming about how to spend the money, but these activities will not bring you success. Jim Rowan has said that every activity should be quantifiable. Chart your progress by creating a small box in your daily calendar with your measurable goals. For instance, “I will tell 10 people about my business opportunity.” At the end of the day - mark your results in the box. The law of the harvest tells us that we must sew in order to reap. By marking your goal and recording the results, you will have a measurable, visual picture of how this comes to pass. You will see that your success is based on your sowing. If there is no seed - there can be no harvest.

Most people are trapped into letting someone else set their priorities. Do you want to be independently wealthy; successful? You must take responsibility for setting the priorities that will lead you to success and wealth.

Once you have identified and are concentrating, single mindedly, on your priorities, ask yourself, “What can I alone do, if done well, that will make a real difference and get me the results that I desire. There are many tasks in life that you might enjoy doing but that could keep you from reaching your goals. You may like to work in the garden or manicure your lawn, but the time that you take to do those things could be used to reach more important priorities in life. If someone else can do it, as good or nearly as good as you can, let them do it.

How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered as the man with the nicest yard or as the man who loved his wife and was the best dad and grandpa in town? Determine your priorities then you will be able to make deliberate, calculated choices & plans that will take you to your goal.

What can I do to add value to my priorities? Could I read; study; learn something new; follow-up on leads? Ask yourself, “Is this the most valuable use of my time right now?” if not, stop! Go back to those activities based on your priorities for yourself and your family.

Choose one task at a time. Discipline yourself to do that, and do that alone, until it is 100 percent complete. Your ability to stick to a job until it is complete can change your whole life. Great success is not easy but it’s not complicated.

The information Mitchell shared today was inspired by a chapter in a book that he encouraged us to read. He said this book is full of powerful principles and can be used as a reference guide. That book: 21 Secrets of Self Made Millionaires By Brian Tracey

Permission to Persist

It's been a week since I posted. I had another opportunity to listen in to a presentation by Mitchelle Tolle. I was struck, once again, with the simplicity and truth of what he had to say. I hope you too will benefit from his words.

As Mitchell introduced his talk today with the title, Permission to Persist, my first thought was, ‘why would we need permission to persist? Isn’t persistence a virtue, something we should go after, a mark of true character?’ Although it surely is a virtue, everything in our fast paced society goes against it. If option A doesn’t work right away; let’s jump to option B. As a person commits to one endeavor there’s a multitude of other opportunities whizzing past him. It is good to hear – you have permission to commit, to settle in, and then to persist in order to achieve success.

Mitchell explained that persistence is a quality that separates those that succeed from those who do not.

Calvin Coolidge said that nothing can take the place of persistence – not talent, not genius, nor education. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent (not above God but in the things that direct the activities of men.)

The most common barrier to persistence is fear. The single greatest obstacle to success, in the adult life, is the fear of failure. There is a fear that is legitimate. A child is equipped with some legitimate basic fears; the fear of fire and of falling. Most other fears are taught to them by adults. Fear carried to extreme is an incredible obstacle which can paralyze us.

The fear of failure is not unique to you. Everyone fears failure. We all are afraid of setbacks, making mistakes, loosing it all and falling into poverty. Fear can keep us from success, even when it is deserved and within the range of possibility. Failure is NOT the obstacle; it is the ‘fear of failure’ that stops you. If you allow failure to be your teacher it will make you resilient.

It is interesting to note that those that have nothing, those who are most desperate are often those that find success. Why?, because they have nothing to loose. If you have little to loose it is easier to push past fear and go about the process of finding success.

Thomas Watson, founder of IBM said “Double your rate of failure. That’s where you’ll find success.” Success lies just on the other side of failure.

To overcome your fears you need to identify the things that are shaking their fists at your success. Face your fear of failure. Once you’ve identified the fear, attack it head on, walk straight into it absolutely determined not to give up.

Walt Emerson said to make a habit of doing the things you fear most. If you do the things you fear; the death of fear will occur.

Strive to be acknowledged or identified as an individual of persistence. Nothing can take the place of your commitment to keep on keeping on.

Know in advance that you will experience trouble and adversity. Jesus said, in this world you will have trouble. Someone has said “One inevitability in life is reoccurring crisis.” You will have a hard time in this economy. The folks that ultimately become successful are those that know trouble is coming and they bear down and push on through. Persistence is one quality, more than any other thing, that will guarantee your success.

What you need in order to persist and find success is:
An unwavering belief (the evidence that you believe is that you are pesistent)
Desire – desire success more than ease and comfort
Vision – believe it is reality; picture it as though it has already happened.

If you don’t believe in your endeavor you can be sure it is being manifested in your day to day behavior. You cannot hide it. If you feel you are beginning to waver; you need support, put yourself in touch with fellow believers.

Trouble is common. Anyone that is going to succeed has to overcome obstacles. We are responsible for ourselves; failure is not an option. No matter what the world does we must push through fear and persist. God is not surprised when trouble comes. He knows what we are able to handle, he knows we are but dust. Before trouble came knocking at your door, it first crossed the desk of a sovereign God. Now, stay put until the trouble is over and learn what you need to learn; get every lesson this experience affords. Do not run away when things get tough. When the vision is clear and undeniable – you have an opportunity to overcome.

Become known as a person that persists; one who doesn’t give up. Every day is a challenge, look for new exciting ways to persist. Surround yourself with people that believe you will achieve; people who can persist and hang with you. In order to attract people of belief you have to be a person that believes. Like attracts like.

Storms are a part of life
You may be in the midst of your own personal storm - may we find you rowing.