Never Give In!

My friends the fight for your soul still rages on. Do not grow complacent, do not get distracted, do not be deceived with simple parlor tricks, smoke screens or with misdirection. Never back down, back up or back away because I can assure you, your enemy will not. He is relentless, tireless and abounds in resources. You cannot wait him out, you cannot starve him out, you cannot flee, or surrender because no quarter will be given you.

YOU MUST STAND YOUR GROUND AND FIGHT! You possess the ONE THING that he fears! Within you lies the only Weapon given to man that rout his army and send them and him back to the darkness from whence he has come! This One Thing has the power for Victory and you have immeasurable access to it!

 Never Give In! Never Give In! Never Give In!!! For you have not only been commissioned as a warrior of The King of ALL kings but you have been given His Name, the Name Of JESUS! And thusly armed you are made powerful! You are made invincible! YOU ARE MADE VICTORIOUS! !!!

 Your soul stands secure in His Name! Your families stand secure in His Name! Your friends, co-workers and neighbors stand secure in His Name! Because you hold the line with weapon in hand and the Name that is above every other name upon your tongue no weapon formed against you shall prosper!

Your finances will not be looted! Your loved ones will live in liberty! Your fences will be expanded and your tents enlarged!!!

 SO STAND YOUR GROUND! HOLD FIRM THE LINE! ADVANCE AS THE ENEMY RETREATS! TAKE BACK WHAT HAS BEEN STOLEN! SET FREE EVERY CAPTIVE! TAKE YOUR CITY, YOUR NATION AND THE LAND LOST IN PAST BATTLES! THE WAR IS NOT OVER, THE BATTLE RAGES ON! LOOK TO THE HORIZON AND BEHOLD THE COMING VICTORY! BEHOLD THE COMING OF THE LORD! ALL VICTORY IS HIS! AND YOU MY FRIENDS WILL TAKE HOME, TO THE COMING GLORY, ALL THE SPOILS OF EVERY VICTORY EVER WON IN HIS NAME!!!

 BUT YOU MUST NEVER GIVE IN! NEVER NEVER NEVER!

Trying Times, Found Hope

The last few months of 2012 have been the worst of my entire life, I almost wish the world would have ended as the Mayans had pridicted lol. I can't even remember a more trying time or remember ever having my faith and trust in God tested more strongly than then.
First I moved to an unfamiliar city with no friends to follow my calling and take on a challenging position with the greatest organization in the world, Teen Challenge. Only to be laid off three months later and stuck in leases and commitments that keep me here. Then I struggle medically, financially, and finally emotionally. Having to look in a direction other than TC for employment was very difficult for me to realize was needed for my next level and I was very tempted to give into the familiar securities and miss what God has for me. Leaving fulltime ministrty hurt me greatly and stepping out from beneath such a covering was scary for me. I entered into that covering coming out of exteme addiction and suicidal depression.
Then my greatest pain; losing my mother.
No words can describe that kind of pain.
Shortly afterward my Uncle Bill joined her in heaven. And again I spend most of my days alone with my grief, interrupted occasionally by some weekend visits with my love, Lisa (that is if she can find a place to stay here in Sac). If it werent for her then I dont know if I would be writing this now.
My knees were buckled, my faith rocked, my hope lost. Some days I didn't even get out of bed. Depression has always been a struggle of mine, it kept me homeless and lost in addiction and alcoholism for seven years in the past, and even now as a Christian I have to face that demon and battle with it from time to time. I dont always win, but I never remain defeated, thanks be to God! This time, not only do I have Christ in my life but He showed up stronger than ever.
Christ is my Lord! Not self pity or depression.

I was sad when I stepped away from full-time ministry but God still led me. I was lonely when I came here to live but Jesus was ever present. I was devistated when I lost my Mom, but my Heavenly Father is the Great Creator and He would not allow me to remain undone!
I awoke this morning as from a terrible dream and realized I am on the other side of this great trial. Lisa and I have spent the weekend talking about and planning our wedding. We have voiced our hopes to one another as well as our fears. We have planned how together we can help those we love and we have blessed one another and encouraged each other and together our excitement for the future is mounting.
These last few months have been trying, and yes, the most trying of my life. But I believe they have been the best for my growth, in faith in God than any I have ever lived and I now look forward to the future.

I also look back, but only to give me hope that my future is not just manageable, but that it is bright indeed.
Thank you Jesus for your love and thank you Mother for always loving me.

It All Belongs To God

 

 

As I become more familiar with Christ I learn many new things and and have been enlightened in much concerning truth and deception.

But concerning biblical principle; understanding and acceptance of this only come through revelation from the Holy Spirit, without which I would have a choice, either accept or deny. But because of the supernatural revealing of the Mind and Heart of God I have only one recourse; trust and believe. There is no other possible response. One can deny it all they want but deep down they know where it comes from and that it is truth for God cannot lie.

I have been reminded of one of those principles over and over again as I walked with the Lord in my life. The principle: "It all belongs to God."
But never before have I been tested to trust in this than in these last few days. In giving I have often been reminded that it isn't mine anyway so if the Lord asks its His to have or His to give to others and

I am only steward of His belongings. It may even be possible to give what we have and to do so willingly and even joyfully but this is not so easily done when it comes to loss.

In these last few days as I deal with the realization of the loss of my dear mother and experience the pain of absence and the grief of loneliness for her voice and presence, letting go seems almost impossible. And my willingness to trust and believe is given with great struggle, a struggle that borders on rebellion.

But once again I am reminded, she was never mine nor me hers.
We both belong to Him.

And what a perfect time for God to send me this reminder, just two days before He has proven His great affection for us all by giving us what was always His and in that gift losing the only Son He has.

I am sure His loss, though seemingly unbearable at the time, was made bearable because God knows that it was His plan all along that one day He and His Son would once again sit side by side for all eternity.

So as I bear the unbearable I am encouraged to know that there is a day in His plan that she and I will once again meet face to face and dwell together for all eternity. And what a joyous day that will be!
I love you Mom and await our Fathers plan to bring us together again.