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.

You can more of my photography at http://facebook.com/ebbystouch.

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:)