My Child was Sad, and that was BAD

October 14, 2015October 14, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

There was lots of fun stuff happening, and I was loving every single minute of it, except when I looked at Rebekah’s tight, sad, face. I gave her hugs, I asked her if she was OK, I mentioned it to John (husband/dad), and I queried her siblings, “Do you know what’s bothering Rebekah?” I gave her more hugs (she seemed to want lots of them) and finally, I prayed.

Rebekah is a writer, and we’ve had an ongoing issue about her using up school, chore, family and personal time on the computer–not writing, but looking up and reading about the somewhat ridiculous antics of various celebrities. Recently when I asked her if she was writing she fibbed to me about it. I don’t mind lies as much as I mind a child acting like I am the village idiot. “Shut the laptop,” I instructed firmly. “Do NOT get back on there until I say so. You can write in longhand on your legal pads for now.”

And I went about the business at hand: celebrating: Hannah was born on my and John’s anniversary and this year was, as all years, a celebration of the unmerited, beyond-all-I-could-ever-ask-or-think-or-imagine LOVE of Jesus. Still, I noted and pondered and watched the expressive and beautiful face of Rebekah.

Hannah had her birthday date with John, John and I had our anniversary date, we celebrated both with a steak dinner and birthday/anniversary party, I went on my Hannah date, and finally, last night about midnight, Hannah, John and Seth were off to bed, and Rebekah found her way to a bit of quiet with me.

“Mom,” she said, “I got on YouTube today. And yesterday. And the day before.”

“Why?” I said a bit sharply, reluctantly looking up from watching Creflo Dollar teaching about what the Bible says about speaking in tongues (very interesting stuff).

She looked utterly miserable and I was filled with compassion. I scooted over on the couch and told her to come curl up next to me. I took her in my arms and kissed her head. “Rebekah, God forgives me absolutely when I make a mistake, and I forgive you absolutely.”

She began to cry, and I recognized that look, the sound of those sobs: I try and I try and I just can’t seem to do what I say I will do. I’m such a loser, blah, blah, blah.

“It’s OK, Sweetheart,” I told her. “Tomorrow we will talk and pray and make a plan about exactly what you want to be learning and doing and enjoying. I want to see you practicing your violin. Do you want that?”

She began to cry again. “I don’t know why I haven’t been doing that.” Back to the self-chastisement, the recriminations and condemnation.

I was inspired as I thought of the “roaring success” of breakfast (cooked by her and her brother, Seth, while Hannah and I were gone). “There’s no reason you and I can’t cook more together (she loves doing things with me). We’ll put that on our petition of things we want to learn and do. Now, you just don’t worry about anything at all. We’ll work everything out tomorrow.”

She was still curled up next to me, in my arms. She sat up. “I feel better now.”

I did a few things right: I paid attention to my child, amidst all kinds of diverting activities; I responded correctly to all those hug requests; I shared my concerns with other family members, so that everyone would be kind, aware that “something’s bothering Rebekah”; I made myself available; I listened and suggested solutions, and she listened to me, because of the most important thing of all: I said, GOD FORGIVES YOU ABSOLUTELY AND I FORGIVE YOU ABSOLUTELY.

The Bible tells us that it’s His kindness that leads to repentance. In receiving His kindness, we are able to extend kindness to our children and to our mates, and to ourselves. Let’s do it! Amen.

Me, the “Ignorant Bigot Hater” whose Christianity is “a Joke”

October 4, 2015October 4, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Dear Reader,

I awoke at 4:30 a.m. with a familiar rant running through my head, one that’s been there since recently delivered unjust allegations. As I came awake, my mind took me scene to scene through what I might call, “A History of Lesbian Aggravations and Insults in My Life.” So, here goes.

One of the many benefits of getting a few years under the belt is the slow down in being hit on. By other women, that is. Men are much too gentlemanly, in general, to caress the calves of women in the gym whose names they don’t even know. They generally hesitate to, in the guise of a nurse trying to help a new mother breast feed her baby, get way too involved in “helping” her baby latch on. I have never had a man sit down, uninvited, in my living room and try to convince me my “lifestyle” is inferior to his, nor corner and come on to me in a swimming pool as did the wife of a former boss (while he sat poolside, obviously mortified). None of my male college professors ever gave me an “F” on a paper simply because I wouldn’t come around to his way of thinking. A man has never tried to turn fellow employees against me because I am so obviously heterosexual and in love with my husband. No man has ever followed me around like a hungry dog after saying to others, “I can turn anyone gay.” In short, I am not “ignorant” (as I was recently called) of the aggressive, pushy, IGNORANT ways of many lesbian women.

Nor do I “hate” them. It was a lesbian woman who sat at my table .lamenting the women at her office who never shut up, who never stop griping, about their husbands and kids. She wept as she said, “I’d give anything to have a husband and kids to gripe about.” It’s been years, but still I pray for her to have those heart’s desires. It was a “bisexual” woman being persecuted (a mild way of putting it) by a group of lesbians, who actually fell into my arms as she reached my front door and safety. Sobbing, she begged to come in.

It was a lesbian woman who (temporarily) came between a best friend and me, and it is a lesbian who is aggressively and unceasingly striving to destroy her own sister’s marriage to the point the husband is crying out for help. How, in fact, does one fight such a vitriolic force? In the spirit realm, that’s where.

I’ve had much more pleasant dealings with gay men than with lesbians. In fact, I was once madly in love with a gay man. He has since come out of that lifestyle, in spite of all the propaganda that says it’s not possible, and has a beautiful and adoring family.

Not so another gay man, one I dearly loved my entire adult life. He recently took his life. In all the rantings about homeosexuality, certain things never seem to see the light of day, such as the suicide rates of homosexuals. Really? You really think this is because of persecution from “ignorant bigots” like me?

I don’t persecute my gay friends. I listen to them. Without exception they were raped as children or young men. Without exception they want to be free. I did not say that this is true of the entire homosexual community. It is, however, true of my friends.

Noticing the interest of one such friend (I’ll call him George) in a lovely young woman, I teased him. “George is going straight,” I said.

He turned mournful eyes to me. “I can’t go straight.”

“Why not?”

“Who would go out with me?” (This was in the 80’s and at the height of AIDS awareness).

“Would you?” he persevered.

No, because I am not interested in AIDS, thank you.

I stood, mute, having no idea what to say.

“See,” he said sadly.

I was caught unaware and unable to answer what I would now: “First of all, George, Jesus would go out with you. He LONGS to go out with you, to bring you out, to heal you and help you and love you.” And when George tried to shoot that down (he was molested by a priest and didn’t think too highly of God) I would show him beautiful scriptures about what was accomplished on the Cross and show him how it’s the enemy of our souls who brings shame and guilt and despair. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” would be right in there with God’s love, love, love. I would take him to the book of John, chapters 14 through 17, and read them aloud with him.

And, I would explain how the enemy works. John 10:10 tells us the thief comes to steal and to kill and to destroy, but that I (Jesus is speaking here) have come that you might have abundant life. And I would prove with scripture and my own checkered past and subsequent deliverance and healing (if I had to go there) how God calls sin those things which expose us to the enemy. Beginning with (you thought I was going to say homosexuality) unforgiveness.

“George,” I would say, “You have a soul tie to that priest, and to the nasty accusations of the enemy, by the SIN of unforgiveness. Like it or not, forgiveness is key. Who must he first forgive? Again, I think you didn’t guess it. It’s not the priest. It’s his parents who didn’t protect him, and who haven’t forgiven him (or so he thinks). And it’s himself. I wish I had shared the trick I use against Satan when I feel shame and guilt: In the midst of my sin I say aloud, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.” I would explain how this appropriates what Jesus did on the Cross covering all, even MY horrid sins, unto me, thereby strengthening myself against that sin. I wouldn’t give up until George understood that guilt and condemnation are from Hell and they keep us there. “George,” I would say, “The Word says Satan is the accuser, the deceiver, the Father of Lies.” God says you are loved and you are forgiven. Get loose of your pride that makes you think your sins are special. Stop insulting the Blood of Jesus with your refusal of it!”

But I wasn’t that good a friend to George. Nor was I to other gay men in later years. When Chuck told me about his mother’s unending and all-consuming money ambitions, which included taking in foster boys who were unsupervised as she pursued other career goals (he was repeatedly raped by older, stronger boys) I never said what he gave me opportunity after opportunity to say. I never said, “I love you and Jesus loves you. And you MUST forgive, even as Christ forgave and continues to forgive you. Forgive your parents, your abuser, YOURSELF. Remember, Chuck, the Bible says when we confess our sins God puts them as far from us as the east is from the west. Did you hear me, Chuck? The Word of our Maker says He will remember our sins no more. Chuck, that hopelessness you’re feeling is from your enemy.” But again, I said nothing at all.

And so Chuck, like so many other victims (by the way, Chuck’s mom was a Christian) gets his “encouragement” from people who “support” his “lifestyle choice”. I recently started reading a book by a man who had some good things to say, until he got to the part about all the calls he gets from suicidal homosexuals. He blames society, especially Christians, for the misery of these men, telling everyone who calls and who reads his book that there’s nothing wrong with homosexuality, and that they should accept who they are.

Let’s get one thing straight. In our Maker’s eyes (and He should know) we are not defined by our hang-ups, our addictions, our sexual habits. Promiscuous women are not sluts, people who drink too much are not alcoholics, those who struggle with substance abuse are not drug addicts, people who can’t seem to stop throwing their money away at casinos are not gamblers, and people who engage in homosexual behaviors are not gays and lesbians. Yes, that’s what we call them, what we label them, how we define who they are.

This is unkind, to put it mildly. Notice how the enemy works here. People who beat cancer are told it’s “in remission.” People who stop drinking are told, “Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.” Women who struggle with promiscuity say, “I just have to stay away from men and dating because I have this problem.” I agree that staying away from dating might be a start, especially if that time is spent pursuing the love of Jesus, but it’s not fully accepting the freedom bought on the Cross. “Free indeed,” is how it’s described.

The truth is that we were all fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Because I told a fib when I was five, does that mean I am a LIAR, and never to be otherwise? No, as the Word of God says, all things are possible for those who are in Christ Jesus. If your past is keeping you down (usually from unforgiveness) dare to listen to the loving words of an “ignorant, bigot, hater” like me, one whose Christianity is “a joke.”

I am not ignorant, either of sin’s pain, the enemy’s devices, or the Hell on earth of bondage to sexual sin. I am not a hater, except of Satan and his lies. If “bigot” means someone whose mind can’t be changed, perhaps I am that. My mind cannot be changed in that I love sinners with the very love of Christ (beginning with myself). I, like the Apostle Paul, was and often still am, a chief of sinners. And I, like Paul, PRAISE GOD FOREVER, have been delivered from real bondage through the love of Christ. Not religion. Just Jesus.

As for my Christianity being a joke – people who have been delivered from underneath the pit of Hell do not joke about Jesus.

Thanks for listening.

Love,

Bev

P.S. For real insight into this subject from someone who was a lesbian for 14 years and is told and re-told the lie (from “professionals”), “Once a lesbian, always a lesbian,” consider the books and website of Janet Boynes. And for help with forgiveness check out Dr. Caroline Leaf’s Who Switched Off My Brain?

P.P.S. If you don’t want insight and help, but can’t wait to hurl insults at me, beware. I and my family pray for everyone who persecutes me, and let me tell you, once we start praying for you, you’ll get mighty itchy trying to stay in bondage. Amen and Hallelujah for your freedom!

18 Years Young

August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ 2 Comments

Eighteen years old. A graduate! Old enough to join the Army and shoot people. Old enough for Mom and Dad to send out into the world so that they can get on with their own lives. Old, I say!

Wrong. Who, at eighteen, knows how to handle the adult world with skill and wisdom? What child, at eighteen, isn’t in as much need of prayer and guidance as ever?

Don’t be in a rush to push that child out of the nest. Make the nest more welcoming and comfortable than ever. Be sure your child knows, in spite of all the world’s voices, that you are perfectly fine with God’s timing, be it leaving at eighteen or twenty-eight.

Dr. James Dobson calls eighteen to twenty-eight the “critical decade” — that time of decisions and choices which shape the rest of life. I, for one, made some really dumb mistakes at eighteen years young, and could have used some uncompromising guidance, some Holy Spirit-inspired wisdom and timing. And the world I faced was much friendlier and less threatening and dark than what today’s kids face.

Shall we get off the world’s (and the Military’s) timetable, and have a little rhythm and grace? Our son, Benjamin, always knew he wanted to join the Army, but he waited a bit, leaving home at 19, and turning 20 before he was in Basic Training. During his final months at home he got in shape physically, and grew mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. There is a lot of maturing between eighteen and twenty, and we believe it’s made all the difference for him.

Be prepared to ignore other people’s nosy questions and opinions. My daughter Hannah (www.thewarmjournal.com) hasn’t yet decided where or when or if she’s going to college. The hardest part, she says, is ignoring the judgement and disapproval of other people. A good life lesson right there: Other people’s opinions don’t matter. What matters is what Hannah is seeking: God’s opinion. “Until I know where God wants me to go, I’m not going anywhere,” she says.

And then, amazingly, she wanted to know if I and her dad were OK with her “sticking around a little while.” Was she serious? “Your dad is fine if you never leave, but I think you should leave in the next decade or so,” I answered. She liked that answer.

A warm and cozy nest is the best kind to leave. We want our children to set out in God’s timing, all flags flying high. Eighteen or twenty-eight, or whenever they’re ready.

We can either properly launch our children, all systems go, into an outer space life adventure, or we can push them out of the nest prematurely, and watch in agony as they falter and crash, often with severely damaged wings.

Remember, it’s 18 years young, not 18 years old.

P.S. If you’re grieving because this has already happened to your child, turn up the prayer! God is the God of restoration. I have long claimed the scripture, Joel 2:25, and called on God to restore what the locust has eaten in the lives of my loved ones, and myself. Again and again, I have seen Him bring healing and restoration.

Just Say “Whoa!”

July 30, 2015July 30, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ 3 Comments

Upside down and backwards – that’s how you and I can turn the devil’s schemes, if we will evade the trap of judgment.

What is your burden, what is your lament? That is also your clue to where you have power. Take that thing that irks, bothers, grieves you most, and pray!!!

When you catch yourself (as I did recently) feeling utterly defeated and hopeless and just plain aggravated about something, and you hear yourself saying STUPID things such as, “That battle is too far gone, it’s hopeless, that problem is fully entrenched in our society (or in your marriage, family, child, friend) and will never go away,” JUST SAY “WHOA!”

The grief over that problem – in this case I was talking about the ravages and seemingly hopeless problem of drug addiction – is your latest unction to pray. The Bible sets a very opposite picture of what we’re to be, from what we often are. We are not called to be defeated, defensive, hopeless whiners and sideliners.

We are to be, and are promised that we are, way more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). Matthew 10:8 says, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

Does that sound like a tall order? I don’t look at it like that. I just say, “OK, Lord. I believe. Show me how.” I want to turn the devil’s tricks upside down and backwards. I want him to wish he’d NEVER messed with me and mine. I want to turn every lament, every whine and gripe fest into Victory in Jesus. Amen.

Family First?

July 13, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ 2 Comments

Or last?

One of the many beauties of home education is that family comes first, naturally. The fruits of that, provided grace is in place, are unlimited, and this was brought home to me recently when I read an article about eliminating negative people (especially those who hinder living in faith and love) from our lives.

I respect the author of this article, and gave serious thought to her words. Was I not eliminating such people out of fear of conflict, or perhaps because I’m too nice? Were they truly a hindrance? There was no question that these people are difficult and tiring, but were they really a problem? A spiritual roadblock?

No. And here’s why: My family keeps me strong, on track. We pray with and for each other, and with and for others, every single day. When I am brought down by someone or something and make my fall evident with frustration and negativity, someone in my family will do as I’ve asked them to do: Don’t let me get away with it!

We learned from Pastor Keith Moore’s example to say, in response to negativity (anything contrary to scripture), “If you say so.”

Aaaargh! It makes us wanna box someone’s ears (I’ve been reading too much Georgette Heyer, if there’s any such thing as too much Georgette Heyer ). But, instead, we take deep breaths, roll our eyes, wrinkle our noses as though at a very unpleasant odor, and change our words.

Example:

Me: “I’m sick to death of his crap and I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind.”

Brat Child of Mine with Snarky Grin: “If you say so.”

Me: Really deep breath, mutterings, stomps, yeah-buts, etc. Another deep breath. “I am taking his nonsense as an unconscious cry for help, and I’m not giving him a piece of my mind because obviously I can’t spare it, and I’m going to stop and pray for him right now. Will you, dearest child, agree with me in prayer?”

I just strengthened myself, lightened the load of the child who has to listen to MY crap, and prayed myself right out of Satan’s way of thinking and doing, and changed things for the person I prayed for. Rather than a piece of my mind, he got a piece of God’s love. Amen!

“NO!” to Corrupt Communication, “YES!” to Grace

June 6, 2015June 6, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” – Paul, in Ephesians 4:29

Paul says you have the say so. YOU “let” no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. If you have to duct tape your lips together, you just say “No!” to corrupt words. “Corrupt” in this instance is translated from the Greek word sapros, meaning:

rotten, putrefied
corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out
of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless

So, what kind of words, then, do we use? Words good for edifying and ministering grace. Let’s begin with “edify”, which comes from the Greek word oikodome, meaning:

(the act of) building, building up
metaph. edifying, edification
1. the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness
a building (i.e. the thing built, edifice)

Now, let’s look into ministering grace. “Minister” is from the Greek word didomi, meaning:

to give
to give something to someone
1. of one’s own accord to give one something, to his advantage
2. to bestow a gift
to grant, give to one asking, let have
to supply, furnish, necessary things
to give over, deliver
1. to reach out, extend, present
2. of a writing
3. to give over to one’s care, entrust, commit
  1. something to be administered
  2. to give or commit to some one something to be religiously observed
to give what is due or obligatory, to pay: wages or reward
to furnish, endue
to give
1. to cause, profuse, give forth from one’s self
2. to give, hand out lots
to appoint to an office
to cause to come forth, i.e. as the sea, death and Hell are said to give up the dead who have been engulfed or received by them
to give one to someone as his own
1. as an object of his saving care
2. to give one to someone, to follow him as a leader and master
3. to give one to someone to care for his interests
4. to give one to someone to whom he already belonged, to return
to grant or permit one
1. to commission

And now for grace. In the Bible, “grace” has different shades of meaning, from different roots, all of them marvelous, powerful, and wonderful. In this verse, “grace” is derived from the Greek word charis, meaning:

grace
1. that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
good will, loving-kindness, favour
1. of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
what is due to grace
the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
the token or proof of grace, benefit
1. a gift of grace
2. benefit, bounty
thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

And now, let’s put ourselves on the receiving end. Do I want to be the recipient of corrupt words–putrid words, words unfit for use, rotten words, death words? I think not. I was not created for this. In God’s very image, I am created for love, for grace, and to minister grace.

Our mates, children, friends, and associates have no need of any corrupt communication which may be trying to “proceed out of our mouths.”

Choose life and say so.

Healing Scriptures Personalized for Confessing

May 4, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Compliments of my husband, John, here are numerous scriptures on healing, many of them personalized for you to read about yourself, or to insert the name of someone you’re praying for. See the note at the end for my thoughts on essential oils (including frankincense and myrrh) and healing.

Exodus 15:26 I diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord my God and do what is right in His sight, and I listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, and He puts none of the diseases upon me which He brought upon the Egyptians, for He is the Lord Who heals me.

2 Kings 20:5 . . . . . Thus says the Lord, the God of David my forefather: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you.

2 Chronicles 7:14 . . . . . I am called by the name of God. I humble myself, I pray, I seek, I crave and require of necessity God’s face, and turn from my wicked ways; God hears from heaven, forgives my sin, and heals my land.

Psalm 6:2 Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am weak, faint and withered away; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

Psalm 30:2 O Lord my God, I cried to You and You healed me.

Psalm 41:1-3 I am blessed, happy, fortunate, and to be envied for I consider the weak and the poor; the Lord has delivered me in the time of evil and trouble. 2The Lord protects me and keeps me alive; I am called blessed in the land; and He does not deliver me to the will of my enemies. 3The Lord sustains, refreshes, and strengthens me on my bed of languishing; all my bed You, O Lord turn, change, and transform in my illness.

Psalm 103:1-3 Bless affectionately, and gratefully praise the Lord, O my soul; and all that is deepest within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless affectionately, and gratefully praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not one of all His benefits—3 He forgives every one of all my iniquities, He heals each one of all my diseases, 4 He redeems my life from the pit and corruption, He beautifies, dignifies, and crowns me with loving-kindness and tender mercy; 5 He satisfies my mouth, and my necessity and desire at my personal age and situation, with good so that my youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s – strong, overcoming, soaring!

Psalm 107:20 He sends forth His word and heals me and rescues me from the pit and destruction.

Psalm 119:33-50 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I keep it to the end steadfastly. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law; yes, I observe it with my whole heart. 3 5Make me go in the path of Your commandments, for in them do I delight. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness, robbery, sensuality, or unworthy riches. 37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, idols and idolatry; and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways. 38 Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear and dread, for Your ordinances are good. 40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your righteousness give me renewed life. 41 Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord, even Your salvation according to Your promise; 42 I have an answer for those who taunt and reproach me, for I lean on, rely on, and trust in Your word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I hope in Your ordinances. 44 I keep Your law continually, forever and ever, hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it. 45 And I walk at liberty and at ease, for I have sought and inquired for and desperately required Your precepts. 46 I speak of Your testimonies also before kings and am not put to shame.

47 For I delight myself in Your commandments, which I love. 48 My hands also I lift up in fervent supplication to Your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on Your statutes. 49 Remember fervently the word and promise to Your servant, in which You have caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me {and} given me life.

Psalm 147:3 He heals my broken heart and binds up my wounds, curing my pains and my sorrows.

Proverbs 3:1-8 I forget not God’s law or teaching, but let my heart keep His commandments; 2 For length of days and years of a life worth living, and tranquility inward and outward and continuing through old age till death, these they add to me. 3 I do not let mercy and kindness, (shutting out all hatred and selfishness), and truth, (shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood) forsake me; I bind them about my neck, and write them upon the tablet of my heart. 4 So I find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight or judgment of God and man. 5 I lean on, trust in, and am confident in the Lord with all my heart and mind and do not rely on my own insight or understanding. 6 In all my ways I know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He directs and makes straight and plain my paths. 7 I am not wise in my own eyes; I reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn entirely away from evil. 8 It is health to my nerves, and sinews, and marrow, and moistening to my bones.

Proverbs 4:20-27 I am a son of God. I attend to His words; consent and submit to His sayings. 21 I do not let them not depart from my sight; I keep them in the center of my heart. 22 For they are life to me who has found them, and healing and health to all my flesh. 23 I keep and guard my heart with all vigilance, and above all I guard, for out of my heart flow the springs of life. 24 I put away from me false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk I put far from me. 25 I make my eyes look right on with fixed purpose, and my gaze is straight before me. 26 I consider well the path of my feet, and let all my ways be established and ordered aright. 27 I turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; I remove my foot from evil.

Proverbs 12:18 There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. I do not speak rashly. I seek wisdom. My tongue brings healing.

Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador brings healing. I am a faithful ambassador. I bring healing.

Proverbs 14:30 A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones. I envy no man. I am jealous of no man. I am not wrathful. I have a calm and undisturbed mind and heart, and they are life and health to my body.

Proverbs 15:4 A gentle tongue with its healing power is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit. I have a gentle tongue, and its healing power is a tree of life for me.

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body. My words are pleasant as a honeycomb. They are sweet to my mind and healing to my body.

Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. My heart is happy and it is good medicine for me. My mind is cheerful and works healing for me. It is moisture to my bones.

Proverbs 18:9 . . . . he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide. I use all my endeavors to heal myself.

Isaiah 53:5 Jesus was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for me was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him I am healed and made whole.

Isaiah 58:8 My light breaks forth like the morning, and my healing, my restoration and the power of a new life, spring forth speedily; my righteousness, my rightness, my justice, and my right relationship with God go before me, conducting me to peace and prosperity, and the glory of the Lord is my rear guard.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me (Jesus), because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the physical and spiritual captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,

Jeremiah 3:22 Return, O faithless son, says the Lord, and I will heal your faithlessness. And I answer “Behold, I come to You, for You are the Lord my God.”

Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I am healed; save me, and I am be saved, for You are my praise.

Malachi 4:2 But unto me who reveres and worshipfully fears the name of God shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and I go forth and gambol like a calf released from the stall and leap for joy.

Matthew 4:23 And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news, the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people.

Matthew 4:24 So the report of Him spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all who were sick, those afflicted with various diseases and torments, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people, and He healed them.

Matthew 8:13 Then to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.”

Matthew 8:16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick.

Matthew 9:21 For she kept saying to herself, If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to health.

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned around and, seeing her, He said, “Take courage, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” And at once the woman was restored to health.

Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed (by healing) and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor have good news (the Gospel) preached to them.

Mark 1:42 And at once the leprosy completely left him and he was made clean by being healed.

Mark 3:10 For He had healed so many that all who had distressing bodily diseases kept falling upon Him and pressing upon Him in order that they might touch Him.

Mark 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in into peace and be continually healed and freed from your distressing bodily disease.”

Mark 6:56 And wherever He came into villages or cities or the country, they would lay the sick in the marketplaces and beg Him that they might touch even the fringe of His outer garment, and as many as touched Him were restored to health.

Mark 10:52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has healed you.” And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road.

Luke 5:15 But so much the more the news spread abroad concerning Him, and great crowds kept coming together to hear Him and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.

Luke 6:18 Even those who were disturbed and troubled with unclean spirits, and they were being healed also.

Luke 6:19 And all the multitude were seeking to touch Him, for healing power was all the while going forth from Him and curing them all saving them from severe illnesses or calamities.

Luke 7:21 In that very hour Jesus was healing many people of sicknesses and distressing bodily plagues and evil spirits, and to many who were blind He gave a free, gracious, joy-giving gift of sight.

Luke 8:46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me; for I perceived that healing power has gone forth from Me.”

Luke 9:2 And He sent them out to announce {and} preach the kingdom of God and to bring healing.

Luke 17:19 And He said to him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health.”

Luke 18:42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight! Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your faith in God) has healed you.”

Acts 14:8-10 Now at Lystra a man sat who found it impossible to use his feet, for he was a cripple from birth and had never walked. 9 He was listening to Paul as he talked, and Paul, gazing intently at him and observing that he had faith to be healed, 10 Shouted at him, saying, “Stand erect on your feet!” And he leaped up and walked.

Acts 28:8 And it happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to see him, and after praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.

James 5:15-16 And the prayer that is of faith will save me if I am sick, and the Lord will restore me; and if I have committed sins, I will be forgiven. I will confess my faults, my slips, my false steps, my offenses, and my sins, and pray also for others, that I may be healed and restored to a spiritual tone of mind and heart. I am the righteousness of God, and my earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer makes tremendous power available, and is dynamic in its working.

1 Peter 2:24 Jesus personally bore my sins in His own body, on the tree as on an altar, and offered Himself on it, that I might die and cease to exist to sin, and live to righteousness. By His wounds I am healed.

Deuteronomy 5:16 I honor my father and my mother, as the Lord my God commands me, that my days may be prolonged and that it may go well with me in the land which the Lord my God gives me.

Deuteronomy 5:29 I have a mind and heart in me always reverently to fear God and keep all His commandments, that it might go well with me and with my children forever!

Deuteronomy 5:33 I walk in all the ways which the Lord my God has commanded me, that I live and that it goes well with me and that I live long in the land which I shall possess.

Deuteronomy 6:18 And I do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it goes well with me and that I go in and possess the good land which the Lord swore to give to my fathers,

Deuteronomy 12:28 I am watchful, and obey all these words which You command me O Lord, that it goes well with me and with my children after me forever, when I do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord my God.

Psalm 46:1 GOD is my Refuge and Strength, mighty and impenetrable to temptation, a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Psalm 112:5 It is well with the me, as I deal generously and lend, and I conduct my affairs with justice.

Psalm 119:65 You have dealt well with me, your servant, O Lord, according to Your promise.

Psalm 119:140 Your word is very pure (tried and well refined); therefore I, your servant, love it.

Psalm 128:2 For I eat the fruit of the labor of my hands; happy, blessed, fortunate, and enviable shall I be, and it is well with me.

Proverbs 4:26 I consider well the path of my feet, and let all my ways be established and ordered aright.

Proverbs 5:15 I drink waters out of my own cistern of a pure marriage relationship, and fresh running waters out of my own well.

Proverbs 10:11 My mouth, the mouth of the uncompromisingly righteous man, is a well of life . . . .

Ecclesiastes 8:12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and his days seemingly are prolonged in his wickedness, yet surely I know that it is well with me who reverently fears God, who reveres and worships Him, realizing His continual presence.

Isaiah 3:10 To me, who has been made righteous, it is well with me, for I eat the fruit of my deeds.

Jeremiah 7:23 But this thing O Lord, did You command me; I listen to and obey Your voice, and You are my God and I am Yours; and I walk in the whole way that You command me, that it is well with me.

Psalm 86:12-13 I confess and praise You, O Lord my God, with my whole united heart; and I glorify Your name forevermore. 13 For great is Your mercy and loving-kindness toward me; and You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol, from the exceeding depths of affliction.

Psalm 91:1-16 I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and I remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, Whose power no foe can withstand. 2 I say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust! 3 For He delivers me from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He covers me with His pinions, and under His wings I trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. 5 I am afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it is not near me. 8 Only a spectator am I, inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High, as I witness the reward of the wicked. 9 Because I have made the Lord my refuge, and the Most High my dwelling place, 10 No evil befall me, nor any plague or calamity come near my tent. 11 For He gives His angels especial charge over me to accompany and defend and preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service. 12 They bear me up on their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone. 13 I tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent I trample underfoot. 14 “Because you have set your love upon Me, the Lord, therefore will I deliver you; I will set you on high, because you know and understand My name, and have a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—you trust and rely on Me, knowing I will never forsake you, no, never. 15 You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble, I will deliver you and honor you. 16 With long life will I satisfy you and show you My salvation.”

Exodus 23:24-26 I do not bow down to false gods or serve them or do after their works; but I utterly overthrow them and break down their pillars and images. 25 I serve the Lord my God; He blesses my bread and my water, and He takes sickness from my midst. 26 I do not lose my young by miscarriage nor am I barren in my land; The Lord fulfills the number of my days.

Deuteronomy 7:9-15 I know, recognize, and understand therefore, that the Lord my God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant, (and steadfast love and mercy with me who loves Him and keeps His commandments), to a thousand generations, 10 And repays those who hate Him to their face, by destroying them; He is not be slack to him who hates Him, but requites him to his face. 11 I keep and do the instruction, laws, and precepts which He commands me. 12 I hearken to these precepts and keep and do them, and the Lord my God keeps with me the covenant and the steadfast love which He swore to my fathers. 13 And He loves me, blesses me, and multiplies me; He also blesses the fruit of my body and the fruit of my land, my grain, my new wine, and my oil, the increase of my cattle and the young of my flock in the land which He swore to my fathers to give me. 14 I am blessed above all peoples; there is not male nor female barren near me, or among my cattle. 15 And the Lord takes away from me all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt does He put upon me, but lays them upon all who hate me.

Psalm 34:17-20 When I who am righteous, having been made the righteousness of God, cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers me out of all my distress and troubles. 18 The Lord is close to me when I am broken of heart, and saves me when I am crushed with sorrow for sin when I am humbly and thoroughly penitent. 19 Many evils and afflictions confront me, who is consistently righteous, but the Lord delivers me out of them all. 20 He keeps all my bones; not one of them is broken.

James 4:7 I am subject to God. I resist the devil, stand firm against him, and he must flee from me.

Romans 4:19 Abraham did not weaken in faith when he considered the utter impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s deadened womb. 20 No unbelief or distrust made him waver or doubtingly question concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, 21 Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. 22 That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness, or right standing with God. 23 But the words credited to him were written not for his sake alone, 24 But they were written for my sake too. Righteousness, (standing acceptable to God) is granted and credited to me also, who believes in, trusts in, adheres to, and relies on God, Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 Who was betrayed and put to death because of my misdeeds and was raised from the dead to secure my justification, and my acquittal, making my account balance and absolving me from all guilt before God.

Romans 8:2 & 11 For the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus, the law of my new being, has freed me from the law of sin and of death. 11 The Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in me, and He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life my mortal, short-lived, perishable body through His Spirit Who dwells in me.

Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus, replying, said to them, “Have faith in God [constantly]. Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

I always and continually put my faith and trust in God. His Word is true, and He is faithful to His Word. When I pray, I believe I receive; I am confident in the fact that it has already been taken care of on my behalf. Thank You, Lord!

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 The Lord has called heaven and earth to witness this day against me that He has set before me life and death, the blessings and the curses. O Lord I choose life, that I and my descendants may live 20 and may love the Lord our God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is my life and the length of my days, that I may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to give to my fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

1 Kings 8:56-57 Blessed be the Lord, Who has given rest to me, according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all His good promise which He promised through Moses His servant. 57 The Lord my God is with me as He was with my fathers; He does not leave me nor forsake me.

Psalm 107: 17, 19-21 When I am foolish, and made ill because of the way of my transgressions and am afflicted because of my iniquities . . . . . 19 Then I cry to the Lord in my trouble, and He delivers me out of my distresses. 20 He sends forth His word and heals me and rescues me from the pit and destruction. 21 Oh, I praise and confess to the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to me!

Psalm 118:14-17 The Lord is my Strength and Song; and He has become my Salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tent and private dwelling of me, who am uncompromisingly righteous: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and} achieves strength! 16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength! 17 I do not die but live, and I declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 I fear not, for there is nothing to fear, for you are with me, O God; I do not look around me in terror and am not dismayed, for You are my God. You strengthen and harden me to difficulties, yes, You help me; yes, You hold me up and retain me with Your victorious right hand of rightness and justice.

Jeremiah 30:16-17 Therefore all who devour me are devoured; and all my adversaries, every one of them, go into captivity. And they who despoil me become a spoil, and all who prey upon me the Lord gives for a prey. 17 For He restores health to me, and He heals my wounds, says the Lord . . . . .

2 Corinthians 4:18 I do not consider or look to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless {and} everlasting.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though I walk and live in the flesh, I do not carry on my warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4 For the weapons of my warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds; 5 I refute arguments, and theories, and reasonings, and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God; and I lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ the Messiah

Galatians 3:13-14, 26-29 Jesus Christ purchased my freedom , redeeming me from the curse and doom of the Law and its condemnation by Himself becoming a curse for me, for it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (is crucified); 14 To the end that through my receiving Christ Jesus the blessing promised to Abraham has come upon me, so that I through faith receive the realization of the promise of the Holy Spirit. . . . 26 For in Christ Jesus I am a son of God through faith. 27 I have been baptized into Christ and into a spiritual union and communion with Christ the Anointed One, the Messiah, and I have put on (clothed myself with) Christ. 28 There is now no distinction, neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for I am one with Christ Jesus. 29 I belong to Christ, and I am in Him Who is Abraham’s Seed; so then am I Abraham’s offspring and spiritual heir, according to the promise.

Ephesians 6:10-18 I am strong in the Lord and empowered through my union with Him; I draw my strength from Him, that strength which His boundless might provides. 11 I put on God’s whole armor, the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies, that I may successfully stand up against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For I do not wrestle with flesh and blood, contending only with physical opponents, but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the master spirits, who are the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore I put on God’s complete armor, that I may be able to resist and stand my ground on the evil day of danger, and, having done all the crisis demands, stand firmly in my place. 14 I will stand therefore, and hold my ground, having tightened the belt of truth around my loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity, moral rectitude, and right standing with God, 15 And having shod my feet in preparation to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness, produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace.

16 I lift up over all the covering shield of saving faith, upon which I can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one. 17 I take the helmet of salvation, and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. 18 I pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end I will keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints, God’s consecrated people.

Philippians 4:6-9 I do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, I continue to make my wants known to God. And God’s peace is mine, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding garrisons and mounts guard over my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.

For the rest, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, I will think on, and weigh, and take account of these things, and fix my mind on them. I practice what I have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in Christ and His disciples; I model my way of living on it, and the God of peace, of untroubled, undisturbed well-being, is with me.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give me a spirit of timidity, of cowardice, of craven, cringing, fawning fear, but He has given me a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Hebrews 10:21-23 And since I have such a great and wonderful and noble Priest, Who rules over the house of God, 22 I come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) heart in unqualified assurance, and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having my heart sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and my body cleansed with pure water. 23 I seize, and hold fast, and retain without wavering, the hope I cherish and confess, and my acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable, sure and faithful to His word.

1 John 3:21-22 My conscience, and my heart do not accuse me; they do not make me feel guilty and condemn me, for I have confidence, complete assurance, and boldness before God, 22 and I receive from Him whatever I ask because I watchfully obey His orders, observe His suggestions and injunctions, and follow His plan for me, and habitually practice what is pleasing to Him.

1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which I have in Him: I am sure that if I ask anything or make any request according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to me, and hears me. 15 And since I positively know that He listens to me in whatever I ask, I also know with settled and absolute knowledge that I have granted to me, as my present possessions, the requests I make of Him.

3 John 1:2 God wishes above all things that I prosper in every way and that my body may keep well, even as my soul keeps well and prospers.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I know that my body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within me, Whom I have received as a Gift from God. I am not my own, 20 I was bought with a price, purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own. So then, I honor God and bring glory to Him in my body.

James 1:2-6 I Consider it wholly joyful whenever I am enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort, or fall into various temptations. 3 I understand, and am assured, that the trial and proving of my faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 I let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that I am a person who is perfectly and fully developed, with no defects, lacking in nothing. 5 If I am deficient in wisdom, I ask of the giving God, Who gives to me liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it is given to me. 6 I ask in faith, with no wavering, no hesitating, no doubting.

Note: I am a true believer in God’s gift of plants for medicine (see Ezekiel 47:12). This of course includes herbs, but I have found essential oils to be herbs on steroids. If you’d like to know more about essential oils (like what’s so big about frankincense and myrrh and what is holy anointing oil?), please e-mail me: homefrontshow@yahoo.com, or leave a comment.

House vs. Home

April 14, 2015April 21, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ 1 Comment

A house is a place to shelter for the night. It warms the body, but not the soul.

A home is a place of refuge, restoration, rest, relaxation, and replenishment.

Do you ever wish someone would come in to your house while you’re gone and clean it, organize it, and best of all, decorate so it feels welcoming when you open the door?

Well, here’s the bad news and the good news. You’re it. Yes, that’s a ton of work and you may feel a little learning-disabled in this area, but the satisfaction gained from cleaning and organizing and making your house a home, a nest, is beyond measure.

Put on some motivational music (Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock and Roll should get you going, or Phil Driscoll’s Soldier will work if it’s a real battle you’re facing) and get started.

Put a load of laundry on (if you don’t have a washer begin by gathering up the laundry and putting it by the front door in preparation for a trip to the laundromat) and put the dishes in the dishwasher and/or in the sink to soak as you go on to the next thing. Now clean the bathroom(s) and then break for fun. No, I don’t mean bon bons and a TV show (NO daytime TV in a place of refuge). I mean a break for some decorating.

Rearrange some furniture and hang pictures in places they’ve never been. Use things in ways you haven’t before. Maybe even use an entire room in a new way. Try a different spread on your bed, especially if the one you have is one of those “in-style” atrocities so many of us have, in some fit of insanity, mistakenly purchased (there is a demon grouping in Hell responsible solely for the design of ugly home furnishings).

Now, back to work. After things are picked up, clean the floors, dust, and wash the baseboards. Did I say this would be easy? Anyway, I haven’t said anything about washing windows and screens or cleaning the utility room, have I? There’s no rest for the best, and as the HOME keeper, you’re the best.

What about your horrid closets and the mess under the kitchen sink?

That’s for another day, a day you need extra therapy. That’s right. There’s not a shrink on earth who can clear your mind like a cleaned out and organized closet.

So, now it’s looking lots better, you’re feeling lots better, and the house is feeling more like a home. What else can you do?

Cook something that smells delicious (bread is always good), or simply put some vanilla and cinnamon in a pan of water and put it in the oven on low heat. Open the windows and let in the light. Put out stacks of books that won’t impress anyone with your amazing intellectual tastes. Include colorful and fun books, crayons and coloring books, easy puzzles, joke books, and especially beautiful children’s picture books. Don’t have any? Yay! You get to go to the library. Not now! When you’re finished, or next week, whichever comes first.

Put on beautiful music and be sure there are throws, quilts or blankets on the couches and chairs. Decorate with Monopoly, Clue, Pictionary and other forgotten board games. Set one up on an end table, ready for play.

And now, it’s time for tea. While the water’s heating, go take a quick shower and put on something comfy. It’s time for a nice cuppa and a not-particularly-memorable but quite easy-to-read book.

If you’re still feeling a little blue after all this (not really likely) change the tea to hot chocolate. Stir up some raw sugar (or use honey and add after mixture is warm) with a little salt and some cocoa. Add milk, cream, half-n-half, powdered milk, or evaporated milk (or any combination thereof), vanilla flavoring and/or almond flavoring and heat until almost boiling, stirring often.

Serve in just the right mug with extremely well-buttered toast and don’t even think about calories. If you think you could use more protein after all that work, go for it – get a second cup of hot chocolate.

P.S. A little cornstarch will turn this into chocolate pudding – get a recipe – don’t cook like I do with a wing and prayer.

Not About Me, Not About You

April 9, 2015April 25, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

It’s about us, and “us” includes our author, and a mighty fortress is our God!

I don’t know how it happened, but we, John and I, got crossways this morning. Over money. Sort of. Maybe.

Or maybe it was about deeper issues, like his need to “get excited about giving” (his words) and mine to “get excited about saving.” Seems pretty straightforward – we balance each other, help each other.

Or, as is the case when Satan gets his way, our differences become his strengths. Our filters came into play: mine that says any miser can save and money is to be shared and enjoyed; his that says any imbecile can spend and money goes in the bank where it belongs.

Ideally, we put both these filters where they belong–in the trash, and seek God’s word on every aspect of money. Better still, we simply seek God, and as always when we do, these things looming so large and untenable, become quite insignificant.

I am quiet inside, basking in revelation upon revelation: John wasn’t mad at me, he was frustrated and rightly so; his personality and background are not something I have to be frustrated about, as God has shown that even when Satan gives it his best shot, it only turns to our good; I am going to start a savings victory booklet beginning with the book I asked the library to get for me, rather than ordering it ($17.00 saved). After that comes the burritos for tonight that I’m making homemade salsa for, rather than running to the store for salsa and no doubt much more (easy $15.00 saved). I think again of how God heard and answered my (and no doubt John’s) prayers and rejoice that in Him, even mistakes are not really mistakes, just opportunities to grow and kick the enemy in the teeth. Always and in all things, He seeks and delivers our good.

It is SO much our good for me to realize that any discord between us, two people He decreed to be one flesh, grieves His heart. I don’t like pain, I REALLY don’t like hurting John, but when it comes to grieving our Lord, I’m simply not going there again.

I heard my worst self muttering (out of John’s hearing) “If you want to be a (you fill in the blank), fine. Two can play that game, and I’m better at it than you are.” That’s right. I am. What an accomplishment, right? I repented of my sorry attitude only to go right back there with more nonsense not worth sharing or remembering.

But the good news continues, taking precedent over the bad, as I choose and decree it to be so. Things to be quite glad about: I didn’t say ugly things to John. I recognized their source and repented over and over. I chose forgiveness. I prayed God would handle it (and of course, He did). Each time I was tempted to revisit John’s words, I spoke aloud: “Love does not EVEN consider a wrong suffered.”

“I will trust in You. I will trust in You. Amen.”

P.S. I will re-read my book, The Maker’s Marriage, and suggest you do the same if you recognized yourself in any part of this post. Thanks so much for letting me share with you.

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It’s about us, and “us” includes our author, and a mighty fortress is our God!

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