Mentoring

Mentoring has been on my mind for a L. O. N. G. time.

Titus 2:3-5Good News Translation

3 In the same way instruct the older women to behave as women should who live a holy life. They must not be slanderers or slaves to wine. They must teach what is good, 4 in order to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, and to be good housewives who submit themselves to their husbands, so that no one will speak evil of the message that comes from God"

One of my Passions is to raise STRONG WOMEN!

The world we live in is  lacking.....on so many fronts.

We've all heard the statement that the "hand that rocks the cradle rules the world".  Personally I see some truth in this.  We are the molders of the next generation.  The family has run a muck and needs Brave Hearts to stand up and be counted!!

To become "That Woman" takes diligent and intentional training.  It spells W. O. R. K and self denial.  BUT once you're "broken in" WATCH OUT WORLD!  Just like those that sign up for the 10-16 weeks of basic training offered by the army  (more for Special Operations), these are the women I'm looking for...those willing to run the race, go the extra mile, be single eyed, determined to follow Christ in every area of their lives.  Those diligent to train the next generation.

Anyone feel the same passion?  I'd love to hear from you!!

I Heard It From a Cupcake

Yes you heard me right!
It's the world we live in!   

Today I was talking with my daughter as she drove to her doctor's appointment. She was excited to hear the results of her ultra sound to make sure that she actually was having a boy.....
"I'm  excited to hear from something other than a cupcake"

You see a new way to announce the gender of the baby is to get the "results" from your Dr. on a piece of paper..take it to the bakery and they will fill your cupcakes with either pink or blue (depending on the Dr's note) you then go home and have the "reveal" by biting into the cake.

All these things are gimmicks and are fun for a season of time. 
But I fear that we have become a generation who believes whatever we hear; whether it's from a cupcake or an Esquire magazine.  Everything written sounds like fact and even has pictures to prove it.  We live in a period of Fake News and many have fallen for it hook line and sinker.

There is one  FACT that will never change! 
One day we will stand alone before the Lord and He will speak to us about our "status".  No other one will be there with us. There will be no one to point at or deflect to.  

Perhaps He'll say "what did you do with your life?"

What will you say?

Friend, we have a Holy Book at our disposal.  
It is full of God's Personal Words and Instructions.  
We stand without excuse.  
I urge you to dust that book off today and begin to read.  
Get your instructions from your Maker...the Creator of Heaven and Earth!  
I promise you that it is Full of TRUTH 
and the 
TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!

Just a Crumb

While chatting with a friend the other day, she told me of a long standing rift that she was experiencing between her and a good friend.  As she shared her frustration, confusion and hurt over this broken relationship The Lord began to draw a picture in my mind.

I saw Hansel and Gretel locked up in the wicked witch's cottage.  They were alone and afraid. The difference between what I saw and the storybook tale was the trapped children did not leave a trail of crumbs but to encourage a healing in the relationship my friend needed to drop some crumbs.

I'm thinking that this is probably sounding confusing...but please bear with me.

Sometimes someone pulls away because of a sadness or a self inflicted wound .  They have lost ground and have found themselves trapped in discouragement and or even depression.  They pull away..sometimes for seemingly no apparent reason.

WHAT WOULD/does JESUS DO?

I believe instead of feeling hurt, rejected and frustrated with the "pulling away" of His friend Jesus would begin to drop some "crumbs". The Scripture says "...by His kindnesses He leads us to repentance". Romans 2:4

I suggested perhaps a short and friendly text, a bouquet of flowers, a card or plate of cookies.  Just little bits of "love" strewn along the way that might help draw the friend back.

This counsel I believe was from above with perhaps a heavenly hint as to what was going on.  Would or could it hurt to respond in this way?  I cannot see that it would cause more damage.

I can only hope someone would "hunt me down" and not give up on me.  
We need each other....sometimes more than we know 

Come Home

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we become a "witness against ourselves" that we have chosen the Lord. (Our choice)
Joshua 24:21
"THEN put away the foreign gods that are among you and incline your hearts to the Lord."

Mouth service.  
Humans tend to be fickle...
We promise, vow....
And so often ....stroll away!

How this grieves the Savior!

Take a moment and assess your life..have you let anything take the place of God?
Look carefully you may be surprised. Like the song says it can be a "slow fade" and soon we've forgotten

What a great time to drop to your knees and get your relationship with the Lord right again.  Throw out and denounce all that has control over you.  "The Name of the Lord is like a strong tower..the righteous will run into it and be safe"

Welcome home wanderer!

Come Home

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we become a "witness against ourselves" that we have chosen the Lord. (Our choice)
Joshua 24:21
"THEN put away the foreign gods that are among you and incline your hearts to the Lord."

Mouth service.  
Humans tend to be fickle...
We promise, vow....
And so often ....stroll away!

How this grieves the Savior!

Take a moment and assess your life..have you let anything take the place of God?
Look carefully you may be surprised. Like the song says it can be a "slow fade" and soon we've forgotten

What a great time to drop to your knees and get your relationship with the Lord right again.  Throw out and denounce all that has control over you.  "The Name of the Lord is like a strong tower..the righteous will run into it and be safe"

Welcome home wanderer!

WireTapping

this morning while readying for church I remembered a part of a dream I had had.  It remained vague and I asked the Lord if there was anything in it I needed to remember.
One specific part came to mind. 
I was on the phone with my was-band and was sharing some concerns I had about various things...
He said" marnie, I think we should talk in person because I believe our conversation is being recorded"

WOW!  Do you realize our conversations are being recorded???

Matthew 12:36 tells us, "on judgement day you will have to account for every (idle, thoughtless, careless) word that you have spoken."

Last night sitting with a group of Christian friends around a campfire I now am remembering the 1000's of words that were spoken.   How many of those words will be brought to remembrance on "that day"?

The Bible speaks at length about the tongue***.....How we should be slow to speak.....How we should measure our words.

It's a good reminder for me.  I'm not in charge of all that conversation but I will be accountable for my part.

I want to do better
James 3:11 "can clean and polluted water flow out of the same stream?"

***
James 3
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 12:18

It's Stinky Business

You know what "stinks"?
When someone thinks you do😔
 The Scripture says that we are the Fragrance of Christ...to some the fragrance of LIFE .. To some the fragrance of death. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

We carry His "smell".  
So when someone is "turned off" by us ...they are really turned off by Him.  I think it's one of the ways we "join in His sufferings" and I think it's also a way "we can tell" discern where someone's allegiance  lies.

It's hard...and it Stinks.

BUT 
When I consider what HE has DONE FOR ME...
I want to REALLY SMELL.

There I said it...call me stinky if you must
Or if you like His Fragrance...join me being a Holy Aroma!

He's been so good to me!