Pretensions

<sup>Tear Down that Wall!! (I remember this day so well)


2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4</sup>The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

How much time have you spent wasted worrying about what others think about you? I have been criticized more times than I could ever count in ministry and other areas. I can take that, pray about it and allow God the room to change me if need be... or I can dwell on it and let it define me and become unproductive in my walk with Christ. I had a lady yesterday sending me messages because I participated in a poll regarding the current health care amendment that is being proposed. This lady was basically saying that I was attacking Canada because I said "look at Canada" meaning their health care system (which I would have to say I am well informed on what this package would mean for the US). She went on and on to the point of questioning my Christianity over a stinking poll. I personally thought that she should be worried more about all of the unreached people in Canada and less about me voting in a poll. She even talks about how she would not live here because of the crime and all...lets just forget about being a city on a hill shining our light for Christ or anything. We should all just hunker down where there is no crime, as if that could ever be possible. So, she goes on to basically bash the US when she was saying I was bashing Canada. I was not at all. I am not trying to get into politics or anything but everything I have learned or have heard personal testimonials of, points me to toward the direction of not wanting government controlled health care or a socialist country. I believe in Democracy and I think that we have been very blessed as a country and that the Lord will revive us again. She goes on about how she could NEVER live here and that she is a "Mennonite" and they believe in taking care of the least. That is good and fine because I sure think that we should always always take care of those who are genuinely in need. I just think that it needs to come from cheerful givers and not the government mandating it. I was really floored that someone that is a complete stranger to me would write me like that and go off and then turn around and do the same thing she was accusing me of. I never want to be a stumbling block and I fall short in so many ways, but I think it is fine for me to participate in a poll without someone trying to pick me apart. She told me that I know nothing of their health care and how she had a surgery and got great care. Wonderful! She then goes on to tell me that I can google her if I don't believe her, but that she is a nurse practitioner and her husband as she put it a "Dr. of Pharmacy." I got her whole resume. Well, that left me to conclude that of course she had the best of the best treatment (and I am glad)...she is a nurse practitioner. All of this is to say that it is petty arguments that can steal our focus, pit us against one another, and cause us to want to not put our foot out in muddy waters or uncharted territory. I totally just felt like this lady was an argumentative person and clearly needed someone to throw her lit match on a flame. Well, all of this is to say that we can not let one persons opinion of us define who we are or who we aren't. I can remember when Rod and I first got married and how horrible the first couple of years were. We are both equally stubborn and we knew one thing for sure which was how to push each others buttons. I finally came to a crossroad where I needed to decide some things. Was I going to continue to look at things in terms of flesh and blood? Or would I see that my war is not against flesh and blood? The enemy knows where I am weak and where to attack when he sees any guard down that the armor of God is not covering. Our enemy doesn't hesitate to play dirty! So, I went in prayer and it was if the Lord put this on my heart: Your husband does not define who you are, your family doesn't, or anyone else. I define who you are...so believe me and act on the truth. The more we believe the lies of the enemy the more we will begin to act on how we feel until it becomes a part of our belief system. There is valid criticism that we can learn from but not everything that you hear that tears you down is a word for you if you know what I mean. Words are so powerful! So many of us have been hurt deeply by what others have said and by the lies of the oppressor and the lies we have told ourselves. Yes we can learn from anything, but how often do you and I let one piece of criticism ruin our whole day, week, month, or even year? You and I are not what we have done. Those are two separate things. We may feel that we are scarred by sin or that we are wearing a cloak of sin that will never come off. Not true. When you begin to believe lies over truth you set up pretensions and vain imaginations against the knowledge of Gods word.
The word for pretension in the above verse is the following:

3053 logismo,j logismos {log-is-mos'}
Meaning: 1) a reckoning, computation 2) a reasoning: such as is hostile to the Christian faith 3) a judgment, decision: such as conscience passes

So we are told to cast down these pretensions...the thoughts and attitudes that are hostile to the Christian faith. I am telling you it is detrimental for your freedom in Christ and soundness of mind. When you quit looking to Jesus and start looking at others for worth and approval you will be one big ball of insecurity. Take it from one who knows.

I love the KJV of these verses:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

So, next time you are imagining that someone doesn't like you, or they are avoiding you, or maybe you are going off the deep end with the "what ifs" of life that have not happened...next time this happens ask God to help you think on things that are true, lovely, praiseworthy, and etc. Ask Him to help you to see the truth and for the stones that have been cast your way to be held captive by the knowledge of His word.

There have been numerous times where I have thought this person or that does not like me so I began to act differently and they did and then it cycled into some sort of tension filled relationship. Other times I have felt rejected so I began to demonstrate that in my behavior feeling that I was going to be rejected by everyone anyway. The list could go on and on. I am just wondering what would happen if we really tapped into the truth of God's word and took those thoughts or imaginations captive. We would be so much more free. So much more secure in the Lord.

How do we do that? Replace lies with truth. You are not going to feel like it but the more you walk in faith the time will come when you truly are persuaded by truth not just feelings or opinions. God is the only one who truly knows you. He is greater than your heart and knows everything.
Imagine you are standing somewhere and you have bricks being stacked up all around you. Those represent the lies that you have been believing and letting define you. The bricks get so high that they become a wall and you can't even see in front of you or strain your neck to look up. What needs to happen to be able to be free? Those bricks need to come down. How? They need to be demolished. Allow Christ to be the one who comes and cuts those bricks to pieces, demolishing the walls around you with the sword of the Spirit. My head can get so crowded and I desperately need constant washing in the word to make sure that my face is set like stone, determined to do His will...not my will or the will of anyone else...His. So let Him tear those things down. Give Him that access! Then, spend time in the word meditating on His thoughts. Fix your eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith! If you don't I promise you will get stuck in all manner of people pleasing, fear, worry, and just plain sin.

Galatians 1:10
¹⁰Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Just like the Berlin wall separated East Germany from West Germany our vain imaginations and constant worry over what people think separate us from Christ and His perfect plan for our lives. It does not bring Him glory to sit around and wallow in our past sins and failures or past hurts. The only thing that will set us free is to look up.

I am getting ready to start a new bible study class at church for women. With that is going to come opposition so I should not act surprised. People are not going to like you or agree with you on everything. That is why it is so important to have a daily relationship with the Lord. One where Lamentations says to pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. We are so safe to do that with Him. Don't let others be the death of you or allow them to steal your joy and stifle your passion. Believe God.

Free Our Healthcare Petition

CLICK HERE to sign this petition if you are not for socialized health care.

Richard Dawkins Jumps The Shark

Richard Dawkins Jumps The Shark

Shared via AddThis

Shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.

Top row (L-R) twin sister Holly/my mom/my little sister Stephs or Stephanie/my dad/Heather 16 months older/james her son he is a twin/Will my little brother/me
Bottom row (L-R) Bre- Holly's daughter, Morgie-pooh, Kenley 7 months older than Morgs Heathers daughter/Madison twin to James.
Growing up on a plot of 20 acres my sisters (and brother) and I had lots of room to roam. I can remember as a young girl going "Outback" and sitting in the tall grass staring at the sky and wondering about God. I wondered why I was here and yet with all of my limited faculties I knew that there was someone so much greater than myself or the earth beneath me.
Well, sadly that land has turned into a dump. My sister went there a couple of weeks ago and took pictures. It was so sad to see all of the hard work, blood, sweat, and miles and miles on a lawn mower that my dad had put into it, gone to pot. I don't even want to go back. The pictures were enough.
Since Heather, Holly, and I were sort of the first round of kids so close in age that meant we did THE MOST yard work. I am not bitter or anything but my little sister and brother totally got off the hook while we spent most of our Saturday mornings working in the yard. There is nothing like hauling firewood in the freezing cold with no gloves in a broken wheelbarrow that would dump over a thousand times before you made it to the end of the hill. We never did ask for a new wheelbarrow because it was my granddaddy's. To this day I never want a real fireplace or land! This is not why I am writing. No one and I mean no one could build a bonfire like my dad. Well, once a year or so we would get a pair of what my mom called saddleoxters--they were saddle shoes from Buster Browns. It seems like that is all we wore besides the traditional keds which to this day my mom still calls kids. Her birthday is coming up, I may have to get her a pair of kids! LOL.
Anyway, we would work and work hauling brush to the brush stack and finally the time would come to burn. The thing had to be manned and we really needed a permit to burn like that if you ask me. We loved it. It was like a small mountain. Anyway, my mom would forbid us to wear our shoes down there and get them burned. In the spirit of obedience we would always rush out with excitement and when the fire started creeping out of its bounds we would stomp it out with our shoes. Well guess what...if you stomp out a fire something is going to get burned! Unless you are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with a fourth person in the fire!! And burn our shoes we did...it was a fearful thing to have to go back and report that we had melted our shoes.
So, just like sin there have been pet things in my life that I felt I could keep under control and when the fire got out of hand maybe I could just stomp it out without getting burned. WRONG every time. There are things in the bible that we are told to flee, to run from, to not even go in the same direction of. One of them being idolatry. Anything that is more important to us than God. Two Greed. Three Sexual Immorality. Why these three? Because our hearts are so deceitful (Jer 17:9) that we will convince ourselves that we can dabble a little here and there without going too far and before we can even turn back we have been ensnared. It is scary how deceptive our own hearts and minds are.
So, tonight I read this and I thought of you. It meant so much to me. This is taken from "Look Unto Me" The Devotions of Charles Spurgeon by Jim Reimann
day 207
She caught him by his cloak and said "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. Genesis 39:12

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:
In dealing with certain sins, the only road to victory is a hasty escape. Some naturalists of old wrote of the basilisk, a mythical reptile with a deadly gaze. It was said of the creature that its eyes could fascinate their prey, rendering them easy victims. In like manner, even the mere gaze of wickedness puts us in serious danger. So he who wishes to be safe from acts of evil should be quick to run from any opportunities of it.
We should make "a covenant with [our] eyes" (Job 31:1) not to even look at what may cause temptation, for some sins only need a spark to ignite what quickly becomes a blazing fire. After all, who would knowingly enter a hospital ward where those with a contagious disease have been quarantined? Only someone foolish enough to desire the disease himself would take such a risk. If a sea captain knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it. Cautious sailors have no desire to see how close to sandbars or a rocky coast they can said without springing a leak. no, their goal is to stay as close as possible to the middle of a safe channel.
If I am exposed to great danger today, may I "be as shrewd as snakes" (Matt. 10:16) to get away and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be more useful to me today than the jaws of a lion. It is true I may appear to be a loser by refusing evil company, but it is better to leave my cloak than lose my character. It is not essential I be rich, but it is incumbent upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no desire for beauty, no display of talent, and no threat of ridicule should be able to turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin. I am to "resist the devil, and he will flee from [me]" (James 4:7), but I must flee "the lustful desires of sinful human nature" (2 Peter 2:18) or they will surely overcome me.

O God of holiness, preserve Your Josephs, protecting them from Madame Bubble [an enchanting witch in the Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyon (1628-1688) based on the adulterous woman in Proverbs]. May she not be able to bewitch them with her vile, sinful temptations. May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil never overpower us!

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Sometimes there will be a cost to fleeing sin. The cost for Joseph was ultimately being sent to prison as an innocent man. Yet that cost was much better than losing his character. Often people say there was no way out, so they fell to their temptation. But God's Word tells us: "When you are tempted, [God] will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Cor. 10:13).
Others say, "My temptation was too great for me," but the same verse says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." Still others say, "God doesn't understand my temptation," but "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin.
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Heb. 4:15-16).

_______
So what if you have already fallen and feel like you have blown it when it comes to your character. GET BACK UP and BELIEVE GOD. I am sure you have been disciplined so you know what turn back and strengthen the brethren. Help snatch others from the flames of going down some of the same roads you have been down. Stop listening to the fire breathing liar serpent of old that wants you to feel stamped with condemnation for the rest of your days. If you have repented you are forgiven. He has removed your transgressions as far as the east is to the west. Blotted them out. Hurled them into the depths of the sea.
Whew! I need to go to sleep!!

Why? Adam and Eve

Lately with an active 4 year old mind I have not felt like answering all of the billions of whys? I know this is how we learn but this is how it has been going for us lately:

Morgan:
Why can't we just wear our underwear outside?
Me:
Adam and Eve
Morgan:
Why do we have to dry off when we get out of the bath?
Me:
Adam and Eve
Morgan:
Why do I have to wash my hair?
Me:
Adam and Eve
Morgan:
Why do I have to brush my teeth?
Me:
Adam and Eve
Morgan:
Why do we have to take medicine?
Me:
Adam and Eve
morgan:
Why do you have to drink poo-poo medicine?
Me:
Adam and Eve

So, I know I am blaming it all on them but now when she asks me a question she is answering it herself: Mom why.... because of Adam and Eve?

The Inheritance--by Beth Moore

New Bible Study!! I am so excited that we will be able to offer this 9 week study on "The Inheritance" by Beth Moore.

Tuesday Nights at Hunter Street Baptist Church

Room S107

Church Number--985-7295

Directions and other information CLICK HERE

September 9th-November 3rd

6:30pm until 8:00pm

There is no childcare. There is no workbook, only a listening guide. Please bring a notebook to take extra notes and a set of index cards. Please invite a friend. Contact me at williams4676@bellsouth.net if you are interested.

So often as believers in Christ we live for lesser things and as a result we become bored and stagnant in our daily living. We then turn to the need to try to control everything until we have stifled the life right out of us. That is not what God intended for you and me. Have you lost the passion that you once had? Well, you are not alone. Come join us for a nine week video driven study on “The Inheritance” by Beth Moore. When is the last time you really just let go of the reigns in your own life and said, “You know what, I am going on with You God?” Are you ready for a wild ride? You are not ready for a wild ride if you are the one driving! Come and learn what it means to live and walk in the lines that have fallen for you in pleasant places. Learn what it means to really live this life even in the midst of trials and great hardship and find beauty in our relationship as children of God and co-heirs with Christ. Indeed you and I have a beautiful inheritance (Psalm 16).

Just sayin'

Isaiah 55
Invitation to the Thirsty 1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.



In a world of instant gratification have you noticed how we are more connected than ever...yet lonelier than ever? We have all of this surface connection stuff: facebook, twitter, blogs, email, text messages and on and on. We are so advanced in technology and so busy with it that we find ourselves running in circles, not really focused, just in an effort to feed the need for relationship.

How many families are so busy on their laptops, blackberries, i-phones, phones, TV, newspapers, magazines, and etc that we don't have time to really know one another. I truly believe that is why families are breaking down. Why a need for intimacy is not met in the confines of Gods plan and then we search for another means to get that need met. How many times have you said or heard: "Just a minute I am reading, watching, listening to this...and then I can get to you.?" Yet there always seems to be another distraction keeping you from stopping and focusing. How many times do you have the TV or radio so loud that you can't hear the still small voice of God?

I believe from experience that if we get our deepest needs met from God that we won't be endlessly searching for constant communication with the masses to feel that we are popular or important. DO NOT GET ME WRONG: I love facebook, blogger, texting, and emails. I am just saying that I think we should work more on the deep end and less on the shallow end. The shallow end meaning places where we really aren't called to accountability--the places where we let others see what we want them to see. I just need a little order and prioritizing to make sure I am not missing out on what is most precious in life. Truly by focusing on God first anything else can just be from the overflow. We need each other desperately and I thank God for the people I have built friendships with through blogging and etc...but how are we really filling ourselves with pseudo-intimacy instead of the real deal with God and others?

Maybe we need to spend some time calling on God to meet the needs that He is so ready to meet. Maybe even take a break from some of our constant distractions until, at least I, can get the right perspective. It is my prayer that we will love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. This is really from my own thoughts and what the Lord is dealing with me on.

The Bumpit

After the "As Seen on TV--Bumpit" (We have no shame). Morgan wanted them so bad she said mom I saw them on tv.




Before


After

Before

The Inheritance by Beth Moore

Look what came in the mail today!!! The Inheritance--by Beth Moore
I was asked by Morgan to please move out of the way and turn up the tv so she could watch Beth Moore. I kid you not! She had her "Get Out of That Pit" book in hand to take notes LOL!! I was in Lifeway this afternoon and I took the whole set in my purse incase today was the day someone broke into my car. I am so serious. No but if someone stole it I hope they listened to it and were changed for real!
So, I have not been this excited since stalking Lifeway for Esther. I about freaked when I saw it on my doorstep! I think I will stay up all night to watch them!! ;)

Siesta Scripture Memory

Psalm 94:9 Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?

The other day I was at my moms house scanning her book shelf to look for any of my old books. I had been searching for a particular bible and I thought I may have left it at home.
I started the Beth Moore bible studies when I was 18 and I had already moved out to live on my own. I was struggling literally to survive. I can remember not owning a stick of furniture and sleeping on the floor with just my clothes hanging in the closet. I worked more than any 18 year old should have to, for very little pay. I could not afford to buy a vacuum and my carpet was new in my apartment and it shed to high heavens. So, I would sweep it with a broom. The only dishes that I owned were what my sister had given me for leftovers from her wedding. How sweet of her not to return them.

Anyway, my eyes landed smack dab on a small NIV blue paperback bible. Is this it...I knew it was the one. Back then, I was not well versed by any means. I had NO CLUE what a verse or chapter was, much less a translation. The only verse I knew besides the rote saying of the Lords prayer was psalm 119:32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
I remember sitting down and searching through this ancient yet alive and active text. I did not have a clue in the world. There was nothing about my heart that was free at that point. Little did I know that almost 12 years later I would be sitting here...still passionate and in love with His word. He has been the only consistency in my life. The only thing that has been constant and has remained. The Word made flesh to dwell among us.
I was at such a desperate point in my life. Stripped of everyone and I had gone without comfort for much of my life. Then there I was at the stream in the desert. Forever changed...not perfect. As I have journeyed on I have had my share in sin...yet I have fallen on the One who is Faithful and true. I have found mercy, unfailing love, forgiveness, acceptance and most of all a Father who loves me and a royal Husband who loves me right where I am at. In all of my weakness, in all of my frailty, He knows how I was formed and that I am mere dust. He is familiar with all of me, and you, and He loves us so freely.
My love for Him deepens as the time goes bye. I praise Him for His passionate pursuit of my heart and the Grandeur of His love over me. All of these things have been truth to my soul.

So, as I found the bible I LOST IT as tears flooded my face and all I could do is hold that bible and know that it was my starting place with God...a rock of remembrance. Being in the church for a number of years can make you forget the quarry from which you were hewn. Lord, may I never forget! LOST, destitute, doomed for destruction apart from Him. How steadfast He is. My family did not understand why I was crying but the Lord took every tear and stored them in His bottle. Tears of joy to the God I love. To the God who loves me and gives me the capacity to love. Where would I be without Him?? I don't want to know.

As I struggle on this journey I take comfort in the memory verse above...He made my ears...of course He hears me. He made my eyes...of course He sees me with perfect vision and you and I are the apple of His eye. He loves us so tenderly and with such affection. I pray that you will bask in that today just as I need to. That you and I will quit the self bashing and focus on His unabashed love for you and me. We need it.

traveler

I have been getting up super early lately and I spent the weekend at the lake with such a peaceful view of the river and I truly could feel the closeness of the Lord as I wrapped a blanket around me and took it all in. Rod's parents always have such a peaceful home. I can remember when we first started dating and I went to meet his parents for the first time. Our pastor had just preached a sermon and said that whatever your spouses mom or dad looks like...just remember your man will look like that in 50 years. He was talking about looks not being everything. I pull up to the house and I was so nervous. He was taking me to meet his parents on Easter of all weekends. His dad and uncle were outside putting a swing set together and his dad had his shirt off with a bandanna around his head sweating to death! I have never seen him with a bandanna or his shirt off again. My best friend used to date Rod and told me how his parents had a mansion. I was so worried that they were going to be snooty and proper. I could not have been more wrong. All I could say was that I felt peace.

Anyway, I am no writer at all but here are some words the Lord put on my heart the other morning:

Born in to sin from the start
before the foundations of the world, set apart.

the tenderness of God led this child
I am sure with this girl...my angel was wild (Matthew 18:10).

broken...
stubborn...
tattered and torn...
For being so young I sure felt worn.

anger...
emptiness
feeling unloved
I tried to fill my empty places with anything but heaven above.

A heart for God
but to blind to see
I was still in charge
yes, just me.

reckless, destructive
doomed to failure on my own.
I came to the end of the road
with a decision to make...
would I surrender
or make the most costly mistake?

Void and empty in my quest for love.
You chased me down and initiated something divine; something from above.

I never knew of unfailing love.
Save me I cried from the recesses of my soul.
PLEASE come fill this gaping hole!

You reached down from on high and took hold of me.
Oh how I needed You but I was too blind to see.

You changed my name from despair to hope.
There was no going back
this was no joke.

You set my feet upon a rock-
put a new song in my heart-
gave me a firm place to stand.
You have walked with this road with me hand in hand.

You mended me
healed me
taught me to see-
that You are the only One I truly need.

You've gone before me
You've lifted my head-
Awakened places that I thought were long dead.

Fought my battles
routed my enemies
Oh what must take place
in the heavenlies only You know.

I have left Your side and tried to fill myself
Blinded by this world and my stinking self!
Oh why would I leave the God that I love?
Take my heart and seal it for Thine courts above.

Merciful, faithful, true, and just-
at times You have had to discipline me
it was a must!
"This is for your good", I would hear
Your still small voice say.
I love you too much to leave you this way.

Sifted me like wheat, broken and torn
Once again I found out I can't do this on my own.

You have forgiven me, restored me,
when I ran to a far country alone.
I know You shed tears
and longed for me to come home...
searched the horizon until I returned.

Accepted me
redeemed me
You already paid for my sin.
Finished-done-gone with the wind.

Holy, holy holy are You Lord
Your ways are unfathomable
to much for my brain to hold.
Wonderful, Majesty, full of unfailing love.

There are none like You
I know not One.

Thank You for washing me
changing my clothes
giving me garments of fine white linen robes.
A garment of praise
no spirit of despair

Please come Lord Jesus
I long to meet You in the air!


1 Chronicles 29:11
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours."

Our Anniversary!

happy anniversary to my man!!!!!!!! Funny story: I buy my own presents so I will get what I like. I have no hard feelings about it...I really like it. I am not one who needs flowers and I don't think he needs to jump through hoops to please me for a birthday or anniversary. I do love written words of affirmation. So, I lost my wedding band a while back and I found one I really liked and he told me I could buy it. So, I was leaving to go run and then go get my ring and Rod said: "Hey babe, get yourself a real nice card while your at it!" We died laughing!!!

But really the Lord has been so faithful and merciful to us.