Storms...

     I grew up listening to magnificent thunder storms along the Florida coastline. Once it rained so hard and for so long that some of the roads leading to our house were washed away, leaving raging rivers over ten feet deep and fifteen feet across where chalk decorated asphalt and sidewalks used to be. Today's message is for everyone who's facing a storm much like that one had been. One that destroys the path we thought we were supposed to follow. One that lasts for what feels like eternity. One that leaves you wondering where to go from here. God promises protection and provision to all who follow in His will and live on His terms. (refer to http://www.lionsofgod.blogspot.com/ ) But, He also tells of trials made to test our faith. There can be many reasons for the troubles you face, but it boils down to two. Either you've turned from God and His will, or you're being tested in anticipation for a greater challenge with a greater reward somewhere down the road. ...The only way to tell the difference is to seek God with all your heart. To read the Bible and pray. To examine your past choices and be honest with yourself when you reason why you did what you did. To look at your present choices and hand them over for God's handling.  It means to give all you are to God... And when you do, no matter what the reason may be for your storm, you will find peace within it. And when the day comes that it ceases, you will be stronger from it.

"Praise you in this Storm" by Casting Crowns was part of my inspiration and is a great way to carry this messege with you.

HIS Terms

 

I was waiting for God to tell me what to write, (something fresh for the New Year,) and I realized as I impatiently sat here, getting irritated that I was going completely blank, that God had already given me my message.

Life doesn't ever come on our own terms, yet we still expect it to. We want instant gratification. Fast food. Fast internet. Fast cars. Even fast relationships. We think we’re somehow entitled to get what we want, when we want ,and how we want it. Despite the fact that God couldn’t care less about ‘our plans’.

No, I didn’t just say God doesn’t care about us. I said the complete opposite. He cares about us so much He isn’t going to give us what we think we want when He can see it will not end well.

If your 5 year old begs you for a BB gun- are you just going to give it to him without any kind of test or trial beforehand to make sure he’s ready? What if the kid was older, let’s say 10, and seemingly more responsible? Does that make him any less likely to fall a victim to his own ignorance?

Not in God’s eyes.

Just like you as a parent know what your children are ready to handle, so does God know what you really need and what you can truly take.

So if you’re frustrated over the events of this last year, and are anxious for this next one to start, don’t forget the Parent looking over your shoulder. If you don’t get the latest toy, the promotion, or whatever it is you are gnawing at your cheek over, maybe it is because that isn’t what God has in mind for you. Maybe there’s something BETTER out there, (the ever updating electronics are a good example) in a few months, or even a few years in the future,  and if you’ll just trust in Him, and live your life on His terms and His timing, He’ll make sure you get it.

http://www.awordfromgodindueseason.blogspot.com/ further addresses this topic in the poem titled ‘Mind Games’.

What do we even have to offer?

The Birthday above all birthdays is less than a week away. The entire world has been invited to the party. "Um, don't you normally bring gifts for the birthday child?" And then you realize, "What do I have to offer Jesus?" It's a scary idea to think you're showing up to the biggest party of the year with  nothing to bring. "Well, it doesn't matter, God owns everything- doesn't He?" True, but remember this, He gave us free will. He may have died for us to live, but it is still required of us to give our lives back to Him. People have lent their families, armies, countries, lives to the death...But what can we, today, offer God? We will offer that which He most desires... Our hearts. "Hearts?! You just said people gave up their lives! And fought wars!" ...We're in a war now. Since Lucifer's Fall we've been in a war. That is why He needs us. We're called to be His warriors, His Lions, and take up our crosses and spears and join Him in this battle.
So this Christmas, as we celebrate our Savior's birthday, the birthday that spilt time and the course of history itself, be sure to bring your gift. Ask God to make you a new being through the washing of Christ's blood. Beg for Mercy and recieve His peace. Start 2011 with a new outlook on life, one seen through His eyes.

My Lullaby

 

Who will I be when I get free? Can no one see me? I walk, wander through my life. Using substance to escape the strife- That came from my choice. When I forgot I had a voice. And all that came hence- Now called my existence

Who will I be when I get free? I don’t want you to help me. The ‘me’ that was, is lost. The me that is, is lost. What part of me am I? I don’t know- when I fly. But I like to fly. I like to feel so high.

But when I fall... I fall-landing in a stall. No one there but me -Even if me is plenty. I find someone fun. With him I like to run. He will take me flying, But I hide tears I’m crying.

So I fly to escape it- Going higher, just a bit. Using substance to escape the strife, The fearful strife now my life. …Who will I be when I get free? He does not see me. Who truly am I? ...That was my lullaby.

I land in my stall. Higher I go- farther I must fall. (But I like to fly!) ...Even if two years have now gone by.

I kill a life- new life. I fly to escape that guilt and strife. My heart is freshly tearing. Just look at what I’m wearing! This is not me! Not who I want to be! But who am I? …That was my lullaby.

Who will I be when I get free? No one loves me. And who am I? ...My lullaby. So I fly... I fly so high I am the sky! ...But as I fall... I fall back to my same stall. The four walls, my stall, (But I like to fly!) No matter the three years now gone by

The strife -My life. I fly -So high

But now I am falling again. I am back to my begin.  I am not me. Even if me is of plenty. Who will I be when I get free? Who is this person I now see? And who am I? ...My lullaby.

The sky is too far up. So now I use a cup. I fill it full. I feel its pull. I do not want to fly now. The sky is just too high now. (I like to float.) No matter I can’t afford a coat. But when I float... I am pulled from my boat. I am pulled, so far, far down. Then I drown.

I am alone. No place to call home. If I fly- fall to a stall. If I float- drown too deep to call.  There is no strife. I have no life. I want to die. Ending my silent cry. The cry I cry. Watching the year crawl by. I do not fly- no longer float.

(Now I smoke!) The peace I get... Making it easy to forget, When I floated and flew But it is over- now I knew -I knew all I’d done. What once seen as fun.

My silent cry, my silence. Nothing makes the difference. So I smoke. After a while I choke. If I fly- fall into my stall. If I float- sink too deep to call. I cry at the five years now gone by.

Who will I be when I get free? Who is me, where is she? Who am I? That was my lullaby. I fall, drown, and choke -Not to mention I’m broke. No friends, no cash Nothing that will last

I am alone. I cry. No one is allowed to hear my cry. Avoiding the eyes of passers by. They don’t want to see me cry. It is dark now... Can’t cry- not allowed. I cannot fly- no money for coke. Or float or smoke...

She is different. Why does she look bent? Oh, I can see. That poor girl is me. Who am I? Who can now see me? ...To hear my cry? That was my lullaby.

I don’t want to fly, float, or smoke. No coke, cups, and I don’t want to choke. I want help. I need help. But who can hear my cry? I am tired of my lullaby. But who will hear? I don’t let anyone near...

Who will I be once free? I want to see a new me. Someone to hear me cry To change my lullaby. But I can’t do it, so I ask. “You don’t want your flask?” ...But even they can’t help me. Sometimes I agree that I am crazy.

But I know I can get free! ...If someone would just see me. So I listen to my same lullaby, Hating the six years gone by

Who will ever see me and how? “Child, I can see you now” -I know what I heard- No matter how absurd! No one else could hear me cry. No one else could stop my lullaby. I had to ask for needed aid. He let me know my debt is paid! He heard me cry that night & Seen my whole plight!

I read. I plead. I see... I see me. I am HE. He loves me. I am not alone. He is my home. I fly with Him. I drown in Him. Choking on His air . Reminded He is there. He knows ‘who am I’ …That is my new lullaby.

Who will I be when I get free? Depends... I am free from me. In Him I’m alive, For Him I strive. He is my new high. With Him I love to fly.

This is BLISS! Hello, my name is...

  …There is always hope for new life. But you don’t have to wait until all is lost to hear His voice. Seek Him now, with all your heart, to end your own lullaby, before you can be consumed by your past choices. It’s never too late. You’re never so far gone from Christ that you can’t run home. Take up responsibility for your lullaby, and give it to Him to be changed.

It's not about us...

It has to be the hardest concept to swallow. To realize, and to humble yourself, knowing your existence is only to Glorify God, and follow what He says and wants above all else. It's even harder to shut up long enough for God to get a word in and tell you what He needs you to do. But we all have to do it. Especially during this time of year. We're all planning our holiday travel, who gets what gift, when to ship, what to organize to keep the hoards of guests entertained...And some of our fellow Lions simply want to make it through the next month without having to relive any past pain they've associated with this time of year... But what all of us need to take to heart is the fact that this life, and this holiday, so perfectly named 'Christ'mas, isn't about us, or what we want. It's about God. It's about a promise above every promise that He first made in the book of Genesis. He loves us so much that the second we as a race fell, He promised a 'Seed' in the woman that would crush the devil's head that came about 4,000 years later in the form of a baby. Same as you, same as I came into this world, so did our Lord and Savior... We celebrate during this time of year, not because of the gifts we can't wait to open, or gifts we've sent, but because of the Gift we've already been given. And should this season bring forth much less than the promised 'JOY, JOY, JOY', then just remember, God wouldn't have put you here unless you have a divine purpose that only you can fufill. And He wouldn't have sent His only son, to be born within the story we've all been told, unless He loved, and loves, you. May you be reminded of His Love today and everyday to come by recalling the very Reason for this Season, and the all inspiring Love and Hope it represents, not only because Christ came to this world to be with us, but also because He'll come again. 

Merry Christmas. With my Love and His: Arial, Lioness of God, Daughter of the Most High, your friend and comrad in Christ Jesus.

STAND UP AMERICA

We all see the problems. We all see the corruption and the chaos. We can all pretty much agree something needs to be done to alter where this country, and our own personal lives, are heading, (and we know it needs to be quickly too.) Yet whom among us will rise to this challenge? Aren’t we meant to yell from mountain tops “Here I am Lord, send me!” ? If we don’t stand up for our own beliefs and what He commands of us to follow, how are we to expect anything, or anyone else, to change? We have to STAND UP, regardless of persecution, regardless of circumstances, regardless of fears. Anyone who has read Anthem by Ayn Rand knows this. The world on which we live will fall into absolute destruction if we forget our voice, if we forget our power, if we forget the word ‘I’.

I AM A CHILD OF GOD. I AM CHOSEN. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN POWER IN THIS WORLD TO USE TO HIS GLORY. I AM WHO IS IN ME. 

If we all recognize these four, marvelous things, and ACT upon what they mean and stand for, can you imagine what will happen in this world?

It will change.

Scars

      We all carry our own scars. Some can be seen. Some can't. But they're still there. Scars from our past. Scars from our choices. Scars from our mistakes. Scars from what we thought was love. Some have begun to heal, some are too busy growing deeper to do more than hurt. They remind us of things we'd rather forget, of hates we still cater to, of lost dreams that were tossed aside when we thought they were too big to accomplish. But let's not forget Jesus has scars too. His hands, his side, each spilling His precious blood for us. Do you think He looks at His scars wishing they weren't there? That He hadn't done what He did to give all who recognize Him as their Savior eternal Life? Do you think He regrets? No. He doesn't. So why should we? In no way should we let our scars and what they are from define us. But without them would we be what we are today? Without Jesus's scars would we even be breathing right now? He was all God, but He was also all Man- a simple, just like us Man. If He can look at His scars and only see the Grace, Mercy, and all comforting Love that they represent, shouldn't we be able to look at ours, praising Him for the hope in a tomorrow that He watches over, knowing that one day, our scars will represent so much more than what caused them.

His Glory

A Chaplin in our church's son was shot in gang related violence a couple weeks ago and later died in the hospital...yet today at church when I look over and see the father singing with his hands in the air, a smile on his face, and praising God with more zeal than ANYONE in the whole church, including myself, I was shocked. I kept waiting for him to break down and have to leave or at least look away and dab his eyes...

He didn't. I later found out why.

His son Brian's funeral attracted 4,000+ people, so much so that 2 High schools in San Antonio (the family's hometown) had to be shut down because they knew none of the kids would show. Many of Brian's friends wanted to retaliate against the shooter's family and kill the shooter. The Chaplin said "Why? We, as Christians, have forgiven the man, and we know Brian is in Heaven now, where there is no pain, or hate, or lust for revenge. If you want to do something for Brian you be sure to meet him up there one day by giving your life to Jesus Christ right now." ...400 people gave their life to God that day alone. The church was over flooded. The altar call was so vast people of all ages were being prayed for out in the parking lot and surrounding area. Their church has doubled in size. The media has become involved and spread the word of this, thus bringing more to God through this story. One life, even if he had to be taken from this world in order for it to happen, brought hundreds of hearts and souls to God and His Mercy... This is how a tragic loss, a funeral, and a simple altar call became a modern day Revival. So if you think that God can't take your dark situation and turn it for His Glory...well, this is proof that He can. He does. And He will.  

Who We Are

We are all God's children. And every single one of us is loved unconditionally, which means no matter how much we screw up, He's still waiting for us to turn and run back to Him. There is always going to be a pair of open arms for us to crawl into and be sheltered from the world, even if we can't see them. There forever will be Someone to wipe away every single tear, even if we're still crying. He's promised to always be here, even if we don't trust Him to catch us when we choose to fall. Darkness flees from the Light, same as the torments of your life will when you give God ultimate control.
So don't 'fit in', don't lose the definition of who you are for the world's benefit. Don't think that the only way out is to fall into the traps and trials set before us. Don't change who and what you are, a Child of the Most High, for ANYONE. Take Courage in being his son/daughter, courage to face the world and bring others to Him. Take Pride and Honor in the life and body He has given you, by using it to His glory. Take Comfort in knowing the most powerful, evermore being in existence has YOUR best interest at heart. Take Peace in the thought that no matter the hell this life may seem like, by the blood of Jesus, you've been promised a Heaven that will last for eternity.

Faith in Needs

    Faith doesn't just mean to believe in God, it means to also believe in what God can do. (Which, of course, our Sunday School teachers assured us is everything.) But a lot of us, even myself, can't seem to grasp that. Yet the proof of it is everywhere. It doesn't matter how big or little your need is, God sees it, whether or not He meets it right away is up to Him and His ultimate plan. Or maybe its not a need, as in an object, but maybe a changed heart, in yourself, in others. (He does those too. Ever heard of Saul, I mean Paul?)

     Those of us who expect God to work like an IMS forget that God has His own timing. Some might have the faith, just not the patience. Well, I know from experience, you can't have one without the other. You have to trust that God will get you everything you need, know that He knows what is best, and believe that even though it might not happen for years, God is working. He's got more up His sleeve than we can ever hope to see, and faith is just knowing that something up in there is meant for you.

Real Prayer

What is the definition of a real prayer? How many of us have said "Our Father, who art in Heaven..." When we were little? Sometimes that isn't personal enough to get us through all of life. It's a start. It teaches us that opening up to God is what we were meant to do from the moment God made Man. And if we're willing, it opens us up to His spirit.

God's definition of prayer is to TALK to HIM. Even if that means outloud, even if it means all day long. It doesn't have to be rehersed. Or thought over. God already knows what you are going to say, before you even realize it. The main thing is that you drop your walls, defenses, and your 'well God really doesn't have to get involved in this, I can handle it all by myself!' or 'well what does He even have to do with this?' ego (yes, I went there, & have been there) and just say it, straight up. You don't have to use fancy words, or read from a book, or even kneel at your bed. In your car, on the bus, at work, or in class, it doesn't matter where you are. God's there. (And we all know to not ignore Him don't we?) The only thing that truly matters is that you do it, you Talk to your Lord with an honest, open heart, mind, and spirit about everything you would to a best friend.   

Every thought you have He sees. Nevertheless of what it is about. Doesn't that mean that simply thinking 'Thank You', 'Help me,' or 'Well now what?' should classify as a real prayer? And doesn't that mean, no matter what, we're always talking to Him, and always being answered?

Peace

    I need this message this week, so I know someone else does.

   Peace can be very hard to find these days. Between your 150+ Facebook friends, each demanding your attention, comments, and RSVP's, and the drama that goes with that. To the days that seem to just last forever yet the whole time you can't even catch your breath long enough to think, much less calm down. Then there's the demands of the report (whether it be for your job or school) that must be turned in first thing Monday morning (so your weekend has just gone down the toliet.) Or, in my case, being taught how to drive and the newness and adrinaline rush that is. Or the kids (siblings, your children, etc) that each need 100% of you, and you can barely get away long enough to take a bath.

     These days are the devil's playground. One single "UGHH" shows you're off line, and we're all guilty of letting those 'What the heck!', 'This stinks!' or 'Well if he/she would just do....then my life would be fine' comments come in our head.

    Jesus never complained that His pallet was too full, and we know what He had (and has) to do.

    God promises to never give us more than we can handle. He knows our limits.

    The next time we're faced with one of these days we have to find the cure. Mine's a hot shower, a prayer, and blaring 'DC Talk' music as loud as I can on my desktop. Then go face the world, be the bigger person and apologize to anyone who needs it, be humble enough to admit your handled it poorly, and be Christ-like enough to say 'I can handle all things through Christ. BRING IT ON!'

Love

How easy is it to say 'I love you' to your mom before you go to sleep at night? It's kind of routine after a while. People forget the promise imbedded in those three words. A promise to always be there, to adore and care for that person, to correct them when they need it and give them praise. It is not a bargaining chip. Or a tool for manipulation. No one who truly loves you will say the words "If you really love me then you'll..." (Delilah said the same thing. Look at where Samson ended up.) And It shouldn't be followed by asking a favor. It is a promise, given to us, by God, so that we may share it with others...