Is God manifest-ING anything these days?

I always feel like God is up to something! In fact I know he is, I like how he expressed it in Jeremiah 29:11 when he said:


For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

If you’re like me you have some ‘desires of your heart’ on the altar and are excitedly waiting for the manifestation. Speaking of manifestation, what is that? We hear people talk about it and The Word speaks of it but really what is it? Merriam Webster dictionary defines manifestation as the act, process or instance of manifesting. I like that; nothing manifest naturally or spiritually without a process. Sometimes the process is known to us and sometimes it’s a hidden process; regardless the end result or manifestation is what we long and have faith for!

To manifest simply means to appear, come, lighten, be revealed, be made naked, to take off the cover, to make bare, to make known, to make manifest, to disclose---to lay open what has been veiled or covered up.

Just as Jesus spoke to the disciples in parables we often use analogies and examples to help us better understand; one example we often hear is that of a woman in childbirth going through the process of delivery to manifest her child. There is a process to birthing a child…no matter the method of delivery there is still a process to getting the child from the mother’s womb to the earth realm, until the child is revealed his or her facial features, eye color, sound of his or her cry remain unknown or hidden. The Lord takes us through a labor process in the spiritual realm before we see the manifesation. Some people have early labor while others have active labor(intense pain) or both...but there is a process.

Manifesting is multi-dimensional in that the ING indicates to us that it is progressive in nature…it is never static but alive with action, movement and motion. Anything that is manifest-ING is in motion. Sometimes manifesting is painful just as a woman in labor has labor pains and on the flip side not all women experience pain in childbirth but still they have healthy beautiful babies. Likewise, sometimes God shields us from the pain of the labor process while he is manifesting things in our lives but there is still a process taking place—there is still motion happening.

This is a season of greater manifestation. Spiritually we often hear manifestation used in a positive context but we have to understand that dimensions of manifestation also include God uncovering and disclosing things that are not of him. There are things which Jesus has “by process” attempted to bring correction and grace too; he’s long suffering and merciful and the exposure we’re seeing in various arena’s has come after a process. Simply put…Proverbs 16:18 says that Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Any time we see God uncover or lay open what has been veiled with a man or woman of God and disclose (manifest) ungodliness we know that a process of redemptive grace preceded the uncovering…that’s just the kind of God we serve! This dimension of manifest-ING is filled with motion just as receiving the blessings of God are filled with motion.

The base of the word manifest takes its meaning from 1) to hinder the knowledge of a thing and 2)to take away by stealth (Klepto) and 3) a wholesome part is taken from … such as in there is separation, departure, cessation, completion and reversal—do you notice that all of these are motion?

Manifest-ING is a multi-dimensional process. The end result of manifesting can yield what we often call positive or not-so-positive results but even when God uncovers ungodliness, it is positive because it offers that individual another opportunity to sincerely repent.

When God prepares to release his blessings, things we’ve been praying about and waiting on …things we’ve exercised faith concerning, the hidden things…he through the motion of his anointing takes it from where it is, even if the enemy is trying to hold it up and makes it known to us in the earth realm –he manifest it. He unveils it. He uncovers it. He reveals it. He discloses it.

Likewise, when he prepares to release his blessing of uncovering ungodliness he does the same thing…that which has been hidden is taken from where it is, the covers are moved back and an unveiling takes place; he manifest it. AND, yes it is a blessing. One inmate said to me "I never would have stopped, if I had not been uncovered!"

Is God manifesting anything these days? Absolutely! IN every dimension he’s manifest-ING. He’s taking us through the process whether we see or feel the effects of the process or not, it’s happening.

Just another Tiney Thought....

[In case you’re wonder-ING why Tiney is spelled that way it’s my maternal family name not a misspelled word-LOL. ]

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But a Vapour.....

I think death has to be one of those awkward moments where you just don’t know what to say for a lot of people. There are hundreds if not thousands of books written on the topic of how to comfort those that are mourning. I thought about this today as I posted on Facebook and beyond that one of my sisters (I had 21 siblings total-what a blessing!) went on today, she was a beautiful God-loving jewel. I don’t say that because she was my sister, but she truly was beautiful inside and out. I took time to notify my photography clients that are scheduled in the coming weeks that there is a probability that I may need to reschedule their appointments and an interesting thing happened. In my notification I was specific that I lost my sister in a car accident and other family members are injured; the responses made me think. Some said “thanks”, others said “Oh, okay” and I began to think about words; not just those said but also those not said.

Life is very fragile and as The Word of God tells us it is like a vapour (James 4:14). We don’t know when our time or moment is and we can’t spend it in fear wondering when that time will come…BUT we can be ready… one second could change everything. The question each of us must ask ourselves is “are we prepared to meet Jesus?” If we aren't today is just as good a day as tomorrow--in fact, even better:)
Tragedies always seem to make us reflect on things like this and make us remember our words or lack thereof. Sometimes we can embrace the passing of a loved one better when it's not sudden and we've had time to prepare our minds and hearts but sometimes there is just no preparing no matter what. It's a wonderful thing when Jesus is your strength!

Some of the comments I received prompted me to think...

1. Are people uncomfortable being a comfort to others?
2. Are they at a loss for what they consider “the right words” so they say nothing?
3. Have we become so engrossed with ourselves that we cannot empathize or sympathize with others? In other words, we just don’t care.

It was very thought provoking. As Christians and believers, do we ever really stop to show love and offer more than a passing prayer for those who are hurting? Have we taken the time in our journey to know how to comfort others? Scriptures and prayers will be a tremendous comfort to some but others will need your silent presence and a shoulder to cry on as they heal. What you say is so important …and what you don’t say is also important.

Many children have never heard their parents tell them they love them. Many husbands and wives long to hear those words… I’m not saying that saying it alone is all that is necessary…there must be action and an expression of love. In fact, we know that Jesus spoke to that matter in Mark 7:6 when he said many honour him with their lips but there heart is far from him. If you haven’t told someone that you love that you love them…don’t wait any longer. Say it if you mean it and if you mean it SAY it.

I was blessed to have a day with my sister in July as I vacationed in Atlanta and I thank God for the opportunity to see her before she transitioned…thankful to have had the chance to hug her and look into her eyes and say “I love you” from my heart. There are thousands like me today… missing a loved one. For some they never said "I love you" even though they did.  For all I sincerely pray…

Just another tiney thought….

Tattered Capes.

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything on this blog, and I do miss writing but finding the time to write is a challenge within itself. I could say that I don’t have the time but that wouldn’t be true…it’s more like I don’t make the time. After all that’s what prioritizing is…it’s making the time for things you deem important and when we don’t make the time we’re simply saying with our actions “that’s not important right now.”

I had a thought provoking conversation with a wonderful online friend that I hope to meet face to face one day and she called me “superwoman” and I thought to myself…if only she knew. I mean I do get a lot done…just not always the right things get done. Take for example a conversation my husband and I had this week, we live in an always tidy home… minus my messes. Okay, I guess that’s not 'always' tidy then is it? LOL
I’m not exactly the house keeper I used to be. Don’t misunderstand, our home is clean and everything is in its place except for the times when things are not in their place—which is happening more and more since I have an in-home photography studio.

The other day I had four models scheduled for a shoot, they all use the same dressing area so you can imagine that there is plenty of products like make-up, jewelry, safety pins, bobbie pins, hair combs, brushes, applicators, stray hairs etc that happen in that dressing area. For me it’s expected but for my husband, it’s scary! He just happened to see the dressing area after the shoot and was taken aback by it ---therefore I had to explain to him that I am not Superwoman and a dirty dressing area after a shoot is kind of …let’s say 'normal'. I’m not talking filth…I’m just talking things not put away.

I said all of that to say this, God does not expect us to be Superwomen (or Superman). I’m so okay not putting that pressure on myself to be a superwoman and I hope you aren’t caping up and going out to save the world either. Mainly because you can’t! Stop trying. You can’t run to the rescue every time a family member needs something, you can’t say yes to every project others want you to be involved in…you just can’t.

This is nothing new…you’ve known this for a long time already ..it’s just a reminder that Superwomen in the end find they have tattered capes and they’ve devoted more time to everyone else and everything else often leaving their own personal devotion, family and things they find pleasure in unattended. Is that pleasing to God?

We hear a lot about balance but what is that and how do we achieve it? When you find out clue me in...please. The best starting point I can think of is found in Proverbs  3:5-6.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

If you are feeling disconnected, needing some quiet time alone with God not just for you sharing your petitions with him but time to actually hear him, be loved on by him, and to get some insight into his word…take it!
Make it a priority which says “it’s important to me”. It’s time out for saying we don’t have time for the things that really matter and fess up that sometimes we just don’t make time…time to de-cape ladies. You can’t do it all! And to be honest some of it is unproductive anyway—LOL.

So do what’s really, really important, Make the time. Just another Tiney Thought.

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Is it Worldly Sorrow ?

I was up recently at 3am counseling a brother and his wife, he’s an addict and she’s had enough! He talked and I listened. He’s been though many programs and has been an addict for many years. His life cycle has been up, down and up, down and you guessed it…up, down.

Most would look at him and dismiss him and say ” he’s never going to change and he’s never going to be anything in life.” Contrary to what people believe he’s already something in life…we just have to take the time and have the spiritual insight to see him through the eyes of Christ and not our own eyes. That can be hard to do when we often view people and situations through our emotions and feelings, instead of seeing them as Jesus Christ sees them. l’ve grown stronger in this area over the years....

I’ve known this addict for forty-six (46) years, I knew him before he began doing drugs and I knew him when a man set his fifteen month old baby on fire. I knew him when he got shot six times at point blank range and one of the impacts to his leg was so powerful it literally twisted the leg around backwards(foot turned toward his back) and they said he’d never walk again—he’s walking. I knew him when his mother passed and he blamed himself for her death because he felt his addiction brought too much stress on her. I was there when he went to prison, I visited him there. He’s a good friend and a hard worker secularly and in the Kingdom. Maybe you know someone like him…every family seems to have one. Maybe it's not street drugs that's a problem in your family....maybe it's food addictions, sex addictions,lying addictions, being messy addictions, or an addiction to drama and division or maybe it's legalized drugs like alcohol or prescription medication. I know that comes as a shock to some of you but YES prescription medicine is a drug too and many in the church and out of the church are addicted to them. I’ll close that with a simple SELAH.

Fast forward. My time with the brother revealed a Strongman named Guilt and Shame. Guilt and Shame have been playing all of the negatives of this man’s life over and over in his head and his spirit like a audio recording that just won’t stop. Some of you that are reading this have a recording in your life that just won’t stop…voices in your head that remind you of your ‘perceived’ failures, tell you that you aren’t who God says you are, cause you to operate in a FALSE sense of responsibility and cause you to blame yourself for things that ONLY God can do. Guilt and Shame are able to do what they do for one reason—Unforgiveness.

We have to learn how to forgive ourselves just as well as we have to learn how to forgive others and the enemy uses this to his great advantage. This isn't anything new, you've heard it time and time again but hearing it and doing it are vastly different things!

Here’s a common lie the enemy tells….”you’re too bad and you’ve done too many bad things for God to forgive you!” You haven’t done anything so horrible that God can’t forgive it. In most cases if you’ve truly repented and notice I said TRULY then God has already extended his love, grace and mercy but you have built yourself a prison and Guilt and Shame are your cement and bricks. Tear it down! 

What allows the Strongman to torment us with Guilt and Shame? After all, godly sorrow works repentance right? We quote that a lot in the church but we negate the rest of the story in 2 Corinthians 7:10.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

The sorrow of the world works death...humnnn. To be bound to anything that causes us to self destruct is death. And yes, I did say anything because there are other things that some have Guilt and Shame over –even things like gluttony which has an addictive nature of its own. This will throw you for a loop, some are addicted to church. No, I'm not talking about Christ but wood and brick, they think being there every time the doors are open is 'saving' them and they neglect family and other responsibilities and then have Guilt and Shame. Uh-O.  

Do you think the sorrow of the world is –“I’m not sorry I did it, I’m sorry I got caught?” OR I’m sorry you saw me do it. OR does it run deeper than that and maybe the sorrow of the world is the mere fact that God’s grace and mercy has been extended but we’ve rejected it (sometimes unknowlingly) therefore the things we’ve done and even confessed are not removed as far from us as the east is from the west?

You can confess your sins and faults and repent and turn from them, but you have to actually receive the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ to be free of the Strongman that holds the gate open for your torment. Forgive you. Yes, you did it! Yes, it was wrong and bad! Yes, if you could turn back time you’d do things differently! Yes, Christ has forgiven you if you have godly sorrow! Yes, you can turn that recorder off by receiving that Jesus is done with it and you don’t have to beat yourself up over it and you don’t have to let people remind you of it—agree with your adversary quickly!
Yes I did it! Yes, Jesus forgave me and Yes I forgive me!

And guess what, we all have an area where some godly sorrow is in order….if we say we don’t we lie to ourselves and build for ourselves a prison of self-deceit. This is another Tiney thought.....

Lord, Show Me a Sign!

I had an interesting conversation with one of my spiritual daughters recently; she knew the Lord was speaking to her with an idea that he wants her to carry through to completion but she was seeking an ‘anchor’. An anchor? Define anchor, what does that mean?

After much discussion I learned that this anchor is another word for assurance. It made me think, I mean really, really think. God says do something and we say give me a sign that it’s okay for me to do what you’re telling me to do. I know it’s you saying do it Lord but to be perfectly honest I’m going to need you to do something to show me that you have my back and won’t let me fall! Oh and yes, I trust you but I just need an anchor.

How many times has our need for an anchor kept us from stepping out in faith on the very thing God had given us to do? Probably more times than we’d like to admit. It’s not that we aren’t aware that it’s the Lord stirring us forward, but fear of the unknown, fear of falling and failing always seem to be magnified over our obedience to God. How does that happen?

We love the Lord and have a heart to obey him but when he says GO and DO we sometimes say I will IF you’ll show me an anchor. Gideon asked for an anchor when he put out the fleece or the threshing floor in Judges 6:36-40. But how many times will we put out the fleece before we obey God and how much time have we lost waiting for God to respond by fleece instead of us responding IN faith?

It’s interesting that in Judges 6:39 Gideon prefaced his next act with “let not thine anger be hot” against me. That’s a definite WOW moment, do we think God even in his longsuffering towards us is sometimes bothered because we absolutely refuse to exercise even mustard seed sized faith in some instances but rather opt for an anchor?

This reminds me of the Israelites in Deut 1:26-33; who in their rebellion refused to take the Land. Seriously, God has given us so much and we like the Israelites are refusing to take it, refusing to possess it because we need an anchor to cast off our fears and apprehensions and be sure. The Israelites had been brought out of bondage and kept in their wilderness experience—every need provided for!

After God had walked with them and been their wilderness guide and it was time to get their stuff they couldn’t or should I say wouldn't trust God. They needed an anchor ( further assurance) so they sent spies ahead to scope out the land. Even after scoping and getting a good report they still refused The Promise. Are we refusing The Promise? Are we waiting on our anchor again and again? How long will we wait? How many anchors will we need?

Just another Tiney Thought

Does Death Sting?

A family member passed today and it’s never a great occasion for us when those we care about and love transition from this life to life eternal. So many thoughts have gone through my mind on this as I wonder is it a sheer act of selfishness to want to keep them with us…is it more about us than about them and on an even greater scale, is it more about us than about God’s divine timing for this transition.

Three years ago a care giving facility allowed my mother to lay and die due to lack of medical treatment, she had insight into something being wrong and asked that her children be called-they refused. I was the first of my family to see her after she slipped into a coma; it’s never easy to let go and even more challenging when the circumstances that lead to death are on this premise.
I reflect back to the peace that was so evident and so thick in my mother’s room as she lay in a coma for three days, for some that have never experienced the peace of God it would seem to be a strange and unfamiliar presence; for me it signified that all was well with her and God and that she was transitioning IN peace. There was no fear, no fright. Even though she was in a coma and unable to speak it was a though she was saying –come get me Jesus I’m ready to go home. But this is not the case for everyone, some people (Christians included) fear death, why is that? Why does death still hold such a sting?

We know the Scriptures, quote them verbatim, share them with others as they go through times of bereavement but are we ourselves ready to transition. I mean really ready and if our transition is not sudden like my mother who stayed in a coma for three days before passing, would there be evidence to our loved ones that we are transitioning WITH peace and IN peace or would they see that a time where we are supposedly going to be with God is a time of great fear for us. My mother’s death testified as loudly as her life did … will we be able to say the same?

2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

Just another Tiney Thought~

Shhh, Badu is on to something!

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Wait, everyone I know it’s about art and music and it’s controversial but I really want to hear the rest of what she has to say about those layers and demons. Shhhh.

You can read the story by clicking here. I know what she did and that JFK's assasignation site is considered sacred ground(probably considered more sacred than Jesus by some!?) and I know many said it was distasteful but is there a main message or theme being overlooked? Groupthink, layers, demons etc. Shhhh!

The news is still buzzing with reports that American soul singer Erykah Badu has caused a stir with a music video in which she strips naked in public at the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, and falls to the ground as if shot…..

According to reports the Dallas-born entertainer strips down in Dealey Plaza in the city center, and falls to the ground with a jerk at the sound of a rifle shot, which was edited into the five-and-a-half minute video. Badu, said the song was about "liberating yourself from layers and layers of skin or demons."

Huh? Layers and layers of skin or demons? Groupthink? Maybe Badu is on to something!

Groupthink may be a 1950’s term but the concept and principles are very much alive in the church today, people are going with the flow and sometimes against God’s word to remain cohesive, have less friction and fit in. Critical thinking and analytical skills are watered down to keep the peace. Exactly how far are we willing to go to keep the peace?

I like the way Webster’s defines groupthink: a pattern of thought characterized by self-deception, forced manufacture of consent, and conformity to group values and ethics.

What caught my attention here is ‘self deception’. Think about it;  going with the flow especially when that flow is not Christ-centered is a form of self deception and the root cause of that is generally rejection, the fear of rejection or people pleasing. I think Badu is on to something! And yes this is generally layers and layers of demons.

Attention Christians: Follow Jesus.
If you are doing what they say just to please THEM and what they are saying does not align with God’s word you are operating in idolatry. Many Christians have practiced this form of people pleasing so long it has become layered—like an onion. Or like skin… yep, I think Badu is on to something!

She's onto something the church and body of Christ needs to hear, discern and walk out--Be FREE INDEED. We are called to be fitly joined together (Eph 4:16), walking in unity of peace with one vision-God's vision. BUT to often the deeply layered demon of rejection cause us to to fit-in rather than being fitly joined. Groupthink is not your friend.

No, I'm not an Erykah Badu fan and I'm not saying what she did was okay, I'm just saying that Badu is on to something! ~ Just another Tiney Thought.

[Join Me for INpowering Truth,  don’t forget to set a reminder for ‘Breaking The Chains’ at 7:30PM on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Save the call in number in your cell in case you’re out and about. It’s 1-724-444-7444 Call ID 33937. Shhhh, Badu is on to something!]

Peeling Back The Layers-INpowering Truth

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Please mark your calendar to join me on Saturday, April 24 at 7:30P CST for INpowering Truth, click here for details.

Many of our struggles in life are pushed back after we get a peek at deliverance. Bam and we’re in there…saved, set FREE and delivered, it’s over! Many times it’s not over. Being set free from things that hinder our Christian journey is often a progressive work like peeling back the layers of an onion. Why then do we think we’ve gotten to the core (root) when we’ve only peeled back the first or second layer?

Residue is an issue. Many people experience deliverance in powerful ways but until we deal with the seed cause of an issue, until we get rid of the residue the enemy has something to work with. I know, I know, no one wants to hear about being transformed into the image of Christ in a time when there is already so much negativity in the air. But why is being transformed an unpopular topic?

Tell me how good God is, how much he loves me, what he has in store for me, how he’s going to bless me etc. is the measuring stick of the day and if you don’t stay in that vein you’re not an encourager. Biblical encouragers spoke the truth in love and not all of that truth was viewed as positive by today’s standards.

There is a truth we all have to embrace, found in 1 Peter 4:17-18: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

It doesn’t give me goose bumps but it does jolt my spirit to attention and help me realize that God wants to do a work in me so he can do a greater work through me.

I know you many people already have ministry up and running, and are preaching powerfully and the people are loving it, complimenting them , patting them on the back, rubbing shoulders with them—I know this and it’s wonderful because they are a gift to The Body of Christ. The Lord deposited in each of us his anointing specifically for the purpose of worshipping him and advancing the kingdom but we are not to forget about our own soul. Don’t say OUCH or AMEN—simply YES LORD!

To many servants are saying they are about kingdom business in the public eye but behind closed doors there is another layer waiting to be peeled back……
Matthew 16:26 ask US a question: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

In our own power we cannot bring about TRUE deliverance in our own lives. There is a call from heaven that the seeking heart and hearing ear is answering in this season to get back to biblical basics. I know this is not popular and doesn’t produce an “Owweee God” moment in our lives. Where God is taking us requires a new level of dying out to ourselves …. Peeling back the layers to get to the core and bring us to a spotless place IN him.

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

For some who think they have to come to God’s measure of perfection (maturity) on their own this is a challenge but the raw truth is you cannot redeem you nor can you peel back your own layers. You don’t have to because God’s grace is available to do the work for you, yield to it layer by layer. ~Just another Tiney Thought.

Ten Things Every Gossip Needs To Know

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We are all familiar with work environments , you know the old talking about whoever is out of the office for the day and being their buddy as soon as they walk in the door. I’ve had the opportunity to witness this often and I’m certain you have also but it’s not just an office thing, this thing is alive and well in the body of Christ too.
Recently I observed some women walking through a little rift in what had been a seemingly good relationship, all of a sudden they were no longer speaking to each other and were doing the ole “backstabbing, talking behind your back thing”. I encouraged them to do two things. I encouraged them to grow up and handle it like big girls and according to Scripture; translated that means GO and talk it out and be reconciled.

After all when you really step back and look at a lot of the things you’ve disconnected from people over or they’ve disconnected from you over it usually not that deep. Sometimes communication-simple communication makes all the difference. Perception is a monster, a big monster. Just because you THINK someone meant something a certain way doesn’t mean that’s how they meant it.
The saying that a person’s perception is their truth has to be coined from satan himself. If what you perceive is your truth and your reality you’re in big trouble. The majority of the time the way you “think” it is isn’t how it is. Our truth and reality should be God’s word not how we feel about it.

BUT, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt and disappoint. I know it hurts and I know it doesn’t feel good. I also know Jesus’ grace is sufficient for the many things we face.

Why can’t grown men and women—saved or unsaved talk it out? Why can’t they love each other enough to work through relationship challenges without all the drama. Yes, drama! Years ago there was a t-shirt line and the slogan said “I’m a drama queen” people may not wear those t-shirts much anymore but the fruit speaks for itself. AND why do we have to go running to everyone but the one involved and tell them all about it? Why? If we are going to talk shouldn’t we talk to the person(s) involved and not everyone else?

How encouraging is it for grown men and women to behave like children and have the emotional and spiritual aptitude of a child? Many of the drama kings and queens have children and grandchildren. It’s amazing….

It’s time to put away childish things. I know it’s hard but that old whispering spirit has to go in Jesus’ name. It’s just gotta go!

A family member called me this week to ask me if another family member was gay! What? I let that family member know I don’t operate like that and engage in such conversations and secondly I did have the other family member's contact info if they would like to contact them and ask them. It’s time to put away childish things…. All the gossip and the chatter is a childish thing! It’s gotta go!

TEN things that every gossip needs to know:

1. Gossip is not attractive
2. In most cases by the time you hear it, it’s all twisted…
3. What a person sows is what a person reaps
4. You’re gifted, use your voice to build UP rather than Tear DOWN
5. God sees and hears you.
6. Gossip is a sign that you need business of your own, a hobby MaYBe?
7. 10 times out of 10 you’re not going to tell it like you heard it.
8. If a person takes time to listen to you gossip, they’ll take time to talk about you too.
9. Gossip delays and in some cases denies your blessings-OUCH
10. The time you spend gossiping could be used for kingdom impact.

It’s time to experience a mind shift. ~Just another Tiney Thought \o/
** I took the photo on an overcast morning as I was driving. CLICK HERE for more photos:)

The Ease Of Overlooking Truth

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I read an interesting article about a 16 year old who used a Walmart intercom system to announce and encourage all Black people to leave the store. That event within itself does not surprise me, what surprises me is that that the president of the Gloucester County chapter of the NAACP, Loretta Winters is overlooking truth.

Without a doubt this is a racially motivated comment and action, and it should come as no surprise that racism is very much alive in 2010, it has taken on a very subtle form just like the deception in the garden of Eden.

Police said the boy, whose name is not being released because he is a juvenile, went on the intercom at Walmart's Washington Township store Sunday evening and calmly announced: "Attention, Walmart customers: All black people, leave the store now."

"I'm assuming this person didn't realize how hurtful his comments were," Loretta Winters said.
Earth to Loretta—Sure he did!

No doubt, this politically correct response will minimize drama surrounding this event but can it be that easy to over look truth? Yes it can. The truth is this 16 year old was motivated to do this against ‘blacks’ and it’s a matter of the heart.

Matthew 12:34-35 provides some insight that is not only applicable to this situation but is also applicable to us in daily life, we are reminded:

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

What’s in our hearts will eventually show up on the outside. We may not have a Walmart intercom system to announce the evil that’s working in us but it will show up. God wants to set us free and create in us a clean heart—renewing a RIGHT spirit in us. It’s easy to overlook truth. It’s time to call it like it is. Racism is racism, not just insensitivity from someone who didn’t know what they were doing. When we are engaging in or have engaged in sinful things let’s call it what it is! Political correctness does not save, set free  or deliver souls and it is God’s desire that all come to repentance.

The Lord had many occasions in the Gospel to be ‘Politically Correct” but he spoke a truth seasoned with love instead…~Just another Tiney Thought

His Sandals

njstevenson 0310 (64a)
Originally uploaded by ebbystouch

We launched the Ebby's Touch Camera Club on Sunday and we captured some amazing images, you can view the entire gallery at http://flickr.com/photos/ebbystouch and register for the online network at http://ebbystouch.ning.com.

I don't image that Jesus' sandals looked like this but I can image him walking dusty roads in open toe, open back shoes of his day and time. Foot washing was an act of humility and was done by a servant, so why was Jesus washing the feet of the disciples?

There is a lot of history behind the washing of feet as it was done in the bible days and some churches today still do what we call "foot washing" but would you do it?
Jesus being the Lord of Lords, The King of Kings, The Holy One and The Messiah who had performed signs, wonders and miracles could have insisted that the disciples wash his feet but he didn't. Just as he was born in a lowly place he lived his life and carried out his short ministry on earth in a state of humility which is a world apart from much of the pompNfare we see in the church today.
When we really look at the model and example set before us by Jesus, are we walking in his sandals? Just another Tiney Thought~

A Bible-LESS day at Church?!

I just downloaded a few bible apps onto my iPhone, I was wondering will the day come where people will not carry the traditional paper bibles we are so accustomed to? Already the market is inundated with paper books. Self publishing has become popular and everyone is an author these days but what about the changing face of media as we know? Devices like Kindle have changed the face of reading, but curling up with a good paper book and an drink are just relaxing. Would it be as relaxing to have that same drink and my electronic device in hand? If you’re like me you have a bible here and a bible there. One bible for the car, one in the family room, one in your office and on and on and on. When I consider that in some countries having a Holy Bible is a crime and people lose their life over it it makes me more appreciative. I am blessed to be able to have multiple bibles in my home and the word of God hidden in my heart –I’m definitely for decreasing my load. I do plan to use my electronic bible heavily; very heavily. Yes, it displays well and has large print and several translations with a searchable database. I love it already!

We have entered a time where many people no longer carry paper bibles to church; the text for the day is often printed on bulletins, flashed on large monitors or just listened to. “You don’t need a bible” has a lot of appeal. But if I don’t have a means of reading the word on my own away from the Sunday worship how will I become skilled and learned in God’s word? I won’t. Does not having the printed word in front of you make you more susceptible to passive listening? 

What if your church had a bibleless week, no bibles allowed. You’d find out how much of God’s word is committed to your head from rote memory and how much is committed to heart in practical application.  I’m thanking God for allowing me to have a bible-a paper bible and my iPhone apps.  Above all I am thankful for writing the word on the tables of my heart-the best place for the Word is the tables of our hearts.

Are bibles as we know them going away? Just another Tiney Thought

The Marriage: Twittistry.org Integration

I do believe God is calling for us to simplify our lives so we can spend more quality time with him; I’m determined to do just that. Across the various social networks, blogs and face to face settings many who want more of Jesus are feeling the need to slow down, take a deep breath and tweek a few things to devote more time to strengthening their relationship with Jesus.
I'm excited to announce that our Twittistry.org blog is being integrated with this blog—I know it’s not conventional but that’s how it is when you’re unboxed. iHeart Jesus and feel him tugging at my heartstring for me to embrace my next level...I'm on my way.
Traditionally you just wouldn’t have a blog that’s unniched but when you really think about it it is niched and the niche is Jesus. So our http://www.twittistry.blogspot.com/  is officially retired as of this post and all twittistry.org post will be highlighted here. Rest Peacefully http://www.twittistry.blogspot.com/.

I’m still working on my Twittistry writing project so stay tuned.

OH for those who are not familiar with twittisty, it’s where we highlight a tweet from the CalledWoman or GAPMin Twitter feeds. You can find tweets from either feed on the side bar and we'd love for you to come connect with us there.

Did Jesus Just Say Blah, Blah, Blah?

Tweet From @gapmin: Aren't you glad Jesus doesn't present your prayer request to the Father in the form of blah, blah blah?
I confess I’m guilty of entering the Blah Zone—my husband and I were talking and as I told him about family matters I came to a point in the conversation where I said “and blah blah”…he responded what, just two blahs? Two blahs is more than enough don’t you think? But I realized he was right, what happened to the third blah? Usually we hear blah, blah, blah.

Blah is pompous or pretentious talk or writing---a filler. It made me think of the Lord and how he never enters the blah zone. When we share something with him we’ll never hear him say “blah, blah, blah”. Don’t you just love that Jesus never enters the blah zone, I do.
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Grace x2

There are two sets of doors leading out of my office building, one is automatic and the other opens by hand-it’s the old fashioned “push me” door type. To exit the building you go through one set of doors and then through a foyer to another set of doors before landing outside under the awning.

As I was leaving the office today I was in step with another woman, we arrived at the exit at the same time. She went to the automatic doors while I walked toward the other doors but the automatic door did not open for her—I pushed my door open and begin to walk through it. She stopped for a minute looking puzzled; I’m sure she was wondering why the door didn’t open for her. She didn’t realize that the automatic doors are locked at a certain time each day and the only way to exit is to push.

As we walked through the foyer to the second set of doors she walked over to the automatic doors and guess what? Yes that’s right, they didn’t open. Again, she stopped and looked puzzled. Like those office doors sometimes God’s blessings are open and flowing, they are in season and he’s pouring them out; we can go in and out of the blessings with little to no effort—it’s called grace. All we have to do is approach the throne and it’s done—the doors open and we walk through them exiting adversity, situations, circumstances and stuff. BUT at other times the only way we are going to EXIT is to PUSH; it’s important that we know which mode God is in.

There are many believers waiting for God’s grace to slide back the automatic doors and let them exit what they are going through. News Alert: The sliding doors are locked! The push doors are your way of escape/exit. PUSH your way out of where you are by standing on the word, praying and trusting God to do what HE SAID he would do. I know I say it a lot but here I go..."It may not be easy but it is necessary".

No matter how long we stay at the sliding doors of grace after God has locked them they won’t open and the only alternative we have is to PUSH.  We often make the mistake of thinking that if we have to PUSH God is not walking with us. The Apostle Paul understood that the ability and strength to PUSH is God's grace overflowing in our lives.

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
 
Life will offer us opportunities to exit, sometimes we will effortlessly walk through automatic sliding doors and at other times he will equip us with the strength and ability needed to PUSH our way out....either way his grace is sufficient. ~Just another Tiney Thought.
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Doodle with Me:)

Find more photos like this on ET

God is not limited in his ability to speak to us in different ways and I favor photography. For me, images speak without saying a word. If you enjoy photography and other creative outlets consider joining us on the Ebby's Touch Network at www.ebbystouch.ning.com. You can also check out my doodles at www.njclicks.blogspot.com , that's where iDoodle with my cellphone. It's a photo journal.    I pray he empowers us to see beyond the norm and to embrace the things that cannot be seen with our natural eyes. Thats where faith lies--beyond what we can see with our natural eyes.

IPhone Pardons Whoring?

Stop it---an IPhone application that was supposedly started before this whole Tiger-cheating thing started, an application that allows cheating spouses to store data (text, emails etc) on a separate server and set an automatic delete date so they won’t get caught. Are you serious? Many Christians that are in the SMH (shaking my head) mode have forgotten that God’s chosen people were dubbed cheaters long before Tiger Woods was exposed and they didn’t have an iPhone app to cover their tracks. Ironically, nothing’s changed. Christians everywhere are ‘cheating’ naturally and spiritually.

I know, I know. You’re probably thinking it’s different because the Israelites went whoring after other gods, right? Isn’t lust, of any kind another god or an idol? Tiger’s passion was lust but many have ungodly passions for other things and they go whoring to get it.

Read it:: Exodus 34:15-16, Leviticus 17:7, 20:5-6, Numbers 15:39, Deuteronomy 31:16, Judges 2:17, Judges 8:27-33, 1Chronicles 5:25, 2 Chronicles 21:13, Psalms 73:27, Psalms 106:39, Ezekiel 6:9, 23:30, Hosea 4:12, Hosea 9:1

The word whoring is not mentioned in the KJV New Testament, so are we to assume that there is no whoring taking place under the new covenant—SMH (John 8). We know “whoring” has a sexual implication of fornication/adultery but one of its other meanings is simply to be unfaithful to God. I’m certain there is a group somewhere claiming that they have always been faithful to God and have never detoured from his righteousness and I’d love to meet them; well, I’d like to observe from a distance anyway.

The Tiger Woods drama continues to unfold and Christians and non-believers alike are engrossed with the cheating Tiger…. Some are praying, some are gossiping AND some are praying and gossiping! What a great opportunity for us to examine ourselves for the cheater in us. I heard that gasp—sorry but for those that Love God allowing him to examine us and adjust our cheat-o-meter in life is a must. Iphone apps will not be able to erase the thing that stands between us and God. Cheaters never win. They didn’t then and they won’t now, the only way to erase the data from our pursuit of other gods is to repent and allow God to remove our whoring as far from us as the east is from the west. Toss it in to the sea of forgetfulness Jesus…..~Just another Tiney Thought.

Are You Becoming Different?

The last few days have been spent ministering and sharing with wonderful people who suffer from depression. I think “suffer from” is more appropriate than suffer with …after all, depression is not suffering when the individual yields to it, it is very happy to bring us to a point of brokenness. But I have to ask myself why so many people are going through so many cycles of depression and not experiencing the deliverance power of Jesus Christ to set the captives free. Maybe, Jesus really doesn’t set us free and maybe it is our destiny as Christians to be in constant bondage to whatever the enemy decides to send our way---NOT!

The ability to “overcome” comes with God’s spirit of abiding. Abiding is something we have to do for ourselves if we want our joy to be full (John 15:11). We can’t be up and in the clouds all the time but even in times of adversity we can experience and walk in God’s joy which is never suicidal, never despondent, never lethargic, angry and never overtaken by fear.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Of course we know that to abide means to remain but it also means “not to become another or different”. There is an implication here since we know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today or forever we have to ask ourselves if Jesus isn’t changing who is? Who’s becoming different? Who has become 'another'? Who moved? Who detached? If we remain attached(dwell, tarry, and continue) to be where Jesus abides then we are promised that our joy will remain full. NO, not promised that we won't have to endure anything contrary, adverse or unplesant--just promised FULL JOY.... somebody moved. Who is it?  Another Tiney Thought~

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Lock Me In Lord!

I’m wondering what God has to do to get our attention; I mean to really get it? What will it take to arrest us and cause us to stop and realize that it’s him or nothing and that without him we can do nothing that has eternal value worth having. I don’t mean he’s forcing us to serve him because our kingdom service is a heart thing. I’m a Christian simply because I love Christ.

I remember having conversations with my mother and she would say “where is your bible?” and I would always respond “in the closet” and she’d say “get it out and read it”. At that time I had no interest in reading my bible, just wasn’t something that appealed to me. It was something for them and not for me. Them, who? Them, you know church folks; as my sister-in-law says those that are “locked-in”. I want to be “locked in”, in fact I love being locked in. I like how the writer said it in Psalms 16:8

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Think on that for a second. Are you locked in? Are you secure in your relationship with Jesus or are you wavering and undecided about surrendering totally to him? What you think you’ll lose is nothing compared to what you’ll gain. Am I preaching to the choir? I hope so, because occasionally the choir needs to be reminded that just because they are in the choir doesn’t mean they are singing in the right key. We are being called ot a higher place of accountability as Christians to work out our salvation, individually and collectively for kingdom enhancement.  Lord lock us in! Reinforce our relationships with you Jesus, give us a heart and mind to be stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in you. Not tossed back and forth. Not undecided about our Christianity, flirting with evil and darkness—Lock us in Lord!
The picture above portrays the fruit God desires to develop in each of us and my heart melts to know that Christ loved us so much he endured the cross, now who wouldn’t want to be locked in by a God like that? ~Just another Tiney Thought.

Why is it still UNexpected?

Why do we say "expect the UNexpected?" If God has spoken something to you and you believe it, why does it remain UNexpected? I’m expecting the expected—every promise God has made , I’m expecting it! Everything he inspired and breathe on that hasn’t entered my heart, mind or thought process I’m expecting (1 Cor 2:9)! Can you expect something you haven’t even imagined yet, sure you can. Why, simply because HE said it. It might seem large, out of reach or unimaginable to our finite way of thinking but his thoughts are not our thoughts, right (Isa 55:8)?


1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Is it possible that we are limiting ourselves by expecting the Unexpected when God does not dwell in the realm of what we “expect” he exist outside of that realm in a place where fulfillment of His word is coming forth. What he said he’s doing. What he spoke, he’s bringing to pass. What he speaks, he makes good on (Numbers 23:19). And that’s what I expect. The logos is not all that he’s spoken so I don’t limit him to that…he’s speaking some things right now that will manifest Anon and they will be things I hadn’t even thought of but because I know who he is and that he does not abide, dwell or operate in the realm of what I except based on my limited ability to KNOW.... and because he does exceeding and abundantly more than I can ask or THINK……And becuase he IS God...... it's time that we loose ourselves and start expecting the expected!

Number 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
 
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
 
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