The Salad Bar

"You Shall Not Add To The Word Which I Command You, Neither Shall You Diminish It, That You May Keep The Commandments Of The Lord Your God Which I Command You."

Deuteronomy 4:2

I am not a huge "buffet" person, basically because I don't know how long the food has been sitting out.

If I happen to find myself at a buffet type restaurant, I will only eat what I see being brought out right then and there.

Now in my opinion, a salad bar is different..

A salad bar filled with all kinds of veggies and fruits, I will take that over a buffet anyday.

There used to a be a very popular pizza place (all over the country) that had the best salad bar ever and their creamy Italian dressing was amazing...

Over time they have diminished to some pathtic lettuce and a handful of icky veggies (though the salad dressing is still there).

What I like about it, is I can pick and choose, what and how much I place on my plate.

My normal salad looks like this - Lettuce, ham, cheese, eggs, cottage cheese, turkey, carrots, some purple stuff (cabbage I think), alfalfa sprouts, sunflower seeds, dressing and a sprinkling of croutons.

I am a creature of habit, and I normally don't vary to far from this set-up.

It is yummy and filling.

Stepping up to the bar, looking out over the variety of food lined up, thinking to yourself which looks like the best bet for you, filling your plate, sitting down, pulling out your silverware and then digging in. - Sidenote, I try to always carry a wrapped plastic fork with me, just because I used to work in the restaurant business and I know how they clean things at the end of the night - You are welcome for the tip...

Will you choose a plate of fruits or a plate of veggies?

Maybe a mix or maybe one way the first trip and something different the second trip.

The array seems endless and how you build your salad has almost limitless possibilities...

Just like in life, there are so many choices you get to make on a day to day basis.

You choose to get up and either skip work/school or go where you are expected that day.

You choose what outfit you will wear, how to style your hair, whether you wear make-up or if it is just going to be a "bum" day, you choose the music you listen to, the shows you watch on tv, the books you read, the games you play, the sites you visit online, the brand of coffee/tea/soda you drink, the foods that will enter your mouth that day.

You choose to go to the gym or for a walk, you choose to be happy and joyful or mad and sorrowful, you choose how you will interact with people, you choose the tone of voice you will use, the stance of your posture, the openess you project.

Life is full of millions of little choices we each make every single day.

Just like a salad bar.

There is one thing in this life that shouldn't be viewed like that though...

Can you guess what that is?

The Bible.

Just like the Scripture states above, you have no right to add to it, nor take away from it.

It isn't on the salad bar of life for you to pick and choose which Commandments or verses you want to follow.

It stands on its own, always has, for hundreds of years.

If you pick and choose which verses you are going to follow, you are most likely taking them out of context which in the end is going to do more harm than good.

One of the most over-used phrases in the Bible which is taken out of context is "The truth shall set you free", I am sure all of you have heard it, however without the verse that comes before it, "the truth" will not set you free, however that is another day, another post.

Take the Word, as it is written.

Follow it as best as you can, with a pure heart, the best of intentions and you won't ever go wrong.

Don't pick at it like you are standing before a salad bar.

Embrace it, devour it as a whole.

JEREMY CAMP
I Was Faced With Passing Time But I Knew The Choice Was Mine
To Finally Come To You And Give You All Control
I've Wandered Miles To Find My Way
And Then You Revealed This Simple Faith
I Know That You Can See The Secrets Of My Soul

Anointing From Above

"No One Will Be Able To Stand Against You All The Days Of Your Life. As I Was With Moses, So I Will Be With You; I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You."

Joshua 1:5

It is amazing to me, how much stronger I feel when I keep my eyes focused up instead of around.

I have been watching a lot of Dr. Creflo Dollar lately.

I came upon him a few weeks ago as I was mindlessly flipping through the tv and from that first encounter, I was hooked.

From what I have seen, it looks like he preaches directly from the Bible and talks in simple language even I can understand.

If you don't like him, that is your right as well, some people I know think he is a thief, or a pulpit pimp as some call him, however that isn't for me to judge.

I was watching him the other night and he said something very powerful that struck me right in the core of my soul.

He said "When you get up in the morning, tell yourself, I am fulfilled with God, I don't need nothing, I don't want nothing and I am not missing nothing."

Now, I don't normally watch televangelists, if I have time to sit and watch TV, usually it isn't anything I would brag about here (ie: Jersey Shore), I try to stay busy other ways than with mindless amounts of television.

But for some reason, I stopped and listened to his entire sermon and then programmed my TV to tape it each night.

What I watch on TV isn't what my post is about though and apparently I got side-tracked, anyway back to being focused on Above...

If you, as a Christian, are walking through a trial and/or tribulation, I have recently learned, He will anoint you right in the middle of each of these trials.

And once God anoints you in the heat of these battles, you will literally have the power of the Holy Spirit flowing and operating through you so you can make it all the way to the end of the trial/tribulation and come out with a complete victory if that is how He wants it to turn out.

When you receive this anointing, He will give you His strength, as well as His strategies on how you should handle each different part of the trial.

Sometimes, He will completely take over and remove the storm clouds from your life, however if He hasn't and you are still sitting in the midst of pain and hurt and disappointment, remember this, there is a lesson to be learned within that pain.

I know it is hard to see when you are standing in the center of the storm, trust me, but there will come a day when you get up and notice the clouds, just aren't as black as they used to be.

Some are still very dark, while others seems to be a little more gray.

However, it is during these storms when you will receive the anointing from Above, if you take a second to look around, you will see exactly what I mean.

When He anoints you for battle, some very special things will happen to fall over you.

He will give you His protection, strength, boldness and courage.

He will empower you with His patience, stamina, and endurance to make it to the end of the trial/tribulation.

You will receive His knowledge and wisdom on what to do as well as what to say.

You will be blessed with His favor.

In short, God will tell you what to do, what to say, give you all of the favor you will need with the different people who will be involved in the trial, as well as giving you His divine protection, power, courage, and stamina so you can make it all the way to the end.

I have notied many people, myself included, let the trial defeat them right at the first sign of trouble all due to major fear hitting them, even before God has a chance to show up with His anointing to get the job done for them.

Depending on the severity of the trial, you may at first start out by literally shaking in your boots.

Just the thought of having to go through it will send major shock waves through you, almost to the point of paralyzing you to death with fear.

However, once God’s strength, courage and boldness starts to flow through you, much, if not all of your fear will actually leave you.

Once you literally feel God’s strength, courage and boldness start to flow through you, you will feel like you could do absolutely anything & nothing can stand in your way.

It has taken me 22 months to actually start to truly feel this, it wasn't something that overtook me the minute I needed it, it was only after I stopped doing things my way and sought Him to do His perfect will in my life.

The knowledge and wisdom, to know what to say, now that one I have felt for about the past 2 months.

Where as before I would pretty much state what I felt about my husband and his choices, lately, I have a love flowing when I speak to or text him, weird I know, so I know it is from Him and not me.

He may text me something that (most likely) riles me up and as I am thinking of what way to cut him down in my response, I am already typing something back that is no where near what I was thinking.

Something that has to come from somewhere deep within, a place where the pain isn't living on the surface, a place where only He dwells, a place where there is nothing but pure love...

I know you may be thinking I am a loon and that is okay as well, however regardless of what his choices have been, they are not mine to judge, yes I have had to live with what he has done, however I forgive him, each and every single day, each and every single action.

I am still trying to learn how to be guided by His wisdom and knowledge, because while I recognize this as an incredible gift, there are still plenty of times that I get tongue tied and don't know how to properly express myself, if I could write everything, I would be golden.

His favor, I have found, I need the most...

Especially with hillbilly lawyers trying to take me down, trying to take everything I have, including one of my children.

God’s favor is needed, if there are going to be different people involved in the trials and tribulations with you.

There may be times that you will need certain doors to open up for you, so that you are able to go to the next step, His favor is what is going to open up these doors for you.

The next time you are facing something you don't have the willpower to face, get on your knees and ask Him to anoint you, then step back and watch just what His Mercy and Grace can do for you.

THIRD DAY
Show Me Your Glory
Send Down Your Presence
I Want To See Your face
Show Me Your glory
Majesty Shines About You
I Can't Go On Without You, Lord

Secret Santa Strikes

"Each Of You Should Give What You Have Decided In Your Heart To Give, Not Reluctantly Or Under Compulsion, For God Loves A Cheerful Giver."

2 Corinthians 9:7

This is the 2nd year in a row I have participated in the Secret Santa, hosted by Georgie over at Decisionally Challenged.

I love doing this, picking out a few gifts for someone I have never met who lives no where near me.

It is much easier than shopping for family.

I look forward to the email saying it is that time of the year again.

I look forward to seeing how many people participate, as well as who will be my partner.

I anticipate my partner and what they will be like, what their favorite things are, where they like to eat etc...

Once I received the email from Georgie with the name, I immediately went to their blog to get a feel for them.

Yes, each of us fills out a detailed questionaire, however in my opinion, I can't garner that much without reading what they like to write about.

Fear struck me immediately when I went to the blog...

A very talented person was my partner.

Hmmm, Georgie has a sense of humor, because we all know I have the talent of the rug under my feet.

The two of us couldn't be more different and the more I thought about it, the more I loved it...

Something new to learn about :)

So off I went in search of presents for a woman I can't reveal quite yet.

I had a lot of help.

The store I chose to shop at had a woman there who knew (I hope anyway since I was clueless) exactly what I was looking for, she followed me around for almost an hour as I was swallowed up by all kinds of "crafty" things.

I was like a kid in a candy store, a thankful one that we had a budget as well!

The paper in the top pic (excuse the phone pics) was the one thing I picked on my own, without any help.

With that as a base, the woman helped me with pearls and flowers and ribbons and buttony thingies.

The flops, oh yes, we have to have the flops ornament for the tree and for when she sits and does her beautiful thing, some Peppermint Patties to nosh on.

And I will admit to you all, sad to say, however this is the only present I have bought so far :)

Ssshhhh, no one needs to know I am a bit behind.

Secret Santa ~ Merry Christmas.

Through The Years We All Will Be Together
If The Fates Allow
Hang A Shining Star Upon The Highest Bough.
And Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Now.

A Magical Fairy Tale

"We Loved Because He Loved Us First"

1 John 4:19

I am not prone to fairy tales, knights in shining armor, princes coming to rescue you as they ride in on their white horse etc....

I didn't like Barbies nor dolls growing up, I did own a Cabbage Patch Kid, which I changed into what I thought he should look like, complete with an ear piercing, make-up and a mohawk.

I am not a girly-girl.

I like sports, can curse with the best of them (though I choose not to), can change a flat tire, know where the electrical box is in case of a power failure, I don't spend hours trolling the mall because I have nothing better to do with my time, I like to help people, I enjoy feeding the homeless, I don't tolerate racism in any form, etc...

I can wear a dress and heels just as easy as jeans and a jersey. I can wear my hair down and done or up in a ponytail, it doesn't matter to me and it depends on the situation I am facing.

However, recently there has been a very small part of me that wants the fairy tale.

I want the happily ever after ending.

I want passion and romance and true, unconditional love.

I want to share my life with someone who will play hide and seek with me just as easily as they can sit down and watch football.

Someone who will run through the fallen leaves in the Autumn, walk along the beach in the Winter, stop to see the new blooms of Spring and one who can take a moment to enjoy the feel of sunshine on their face in the Summer.

One who will give me flowers, just because I am me.

One who will sing even if they think their voice isn't that great.

One who will be able to reach the darkest place within my heart and soul.

One who isn't afraid to show their feelings, one who can cry just as easily as they can laugh.

One who knows all my deepest, darkest secrets and loves me anyway.

One who will dance a goofy dance, just because they feel like it.

One who will skip in the grocery store, just because they are moved at that time.

One who doesn't lie straight to my face.

One who enjoys all the minutes of each and every day.

One who loves the rain as much as I do.

And as I sat and thought about these things last night, I knew I already had that One.

He gives me flowers each and every day, just because I am me.

He sings to me using the birds in my yard, He is the only one who will ever get close to my heart and soul in a way that no one, no matter how hard they try, could do.

He feels each and every thing I feel, He laughs as I laugh and weeps when I weep.

He knows each and every single secret I have, He knows my dreams, my fears, my worries, my doubts, my strengths, as well as my weaknesses.

He will dance with me as well as skip with me, He will never, ever lie to me, He makes the most of each minute I have on this Earth and He made the rain so I know He enjoys it like I do.

With Him, I am a Princess, His Princess.

God loves me just because I am me.

He loves me because that is His very nature.

It is who He is.

He takes delight in me, not for what I can do for Him, but for what He can do for me.

His love singles me out as if there were only Him and I.

His love makes me very special, irreplaceable, and of infinite value.

God loves me because I am His.

He loves me because He made me and because He bought me and because He sees the astounding person He can make me, but only if I let Him.

He is so passionately in love with me, that there is no length to which He will not go to pour His love on me for all eternity.

There isn't a man alive who can compete with that kind of love and maybe in a way I thought there was.

I thought that someone down here could love me the way He does and I realize it will never happen.

He is my knight in shining armor, the Prince on the white horse, the lover of my soul.

He is my fairy tale.

He is the only one who will ever have the other glass slipper and someday, I will get it back.

THE AFTERS
When Stars Are Hiding In The Clouds
I Don’t Feel Them Shining
When I Can’t See Beyond My Doubt
The Silver Lining
When I’ve Almost Reached The End
Like A Flood You’re Rushing In
Love Is Rushing In

The Great Deceiver

"Ye Are Of Your Father The Devil, And The Lusts Of Your Father Ye Will Do. He Was A Murderer From The Beginning, And Abode Not In The Truth, Because There Is No Truth In Him. When He Speaketh A Lie, He Speaketh Of His Own: For He Is A Liar, And The Father Of It."

John 8:44

When I was thinking of this post last night, I wondered what pictures I would use as a base.

I try to make sure the song, pictures and Scripture all interlace with what I am writing about, so as I perused for pictures of Satan, I came across some horrific images, images I didn't want to be seered into your minds, so I choose to go with just different images of objects on their own.

Today I want to talk to you about Satan, the Devil, Lucifer - Whatever you want to call him, makes no difference to me, what matters to me is you understand what I am going to be saying for the next few minutes as you read this post.

He walks with us each day, standing there, tempting you, tempting me, deceiving, distracting, however the power he has, is as limited as you make it.

What's that?

Yes, the power he has over you, is given to him by you.

Scary isn't it?

What is even more scary is that people give more allegiance to the prince of darkness than to the Prince of Peace.

Why is that?

Because the way of sin is so much fun, therefore you are, in turn, giving Satan what he wants.

I am not going to lie, a life filled with the maximum amount of sin is much more fun than a life filled with minimum sin.

Cursing vs no cursing, drinking vs no drinking, drugs vs no drugs, multiple sexual partners vs no sex at all, doing whatever your little heart desires and not worrying about any consequences vs doing what is right.

Sidenote - I recently watched a movie and in this movie was a man called Pontius Pilate...

Some of you know the name, for those of you that don't, Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect, or governor, of Judea from 26 to 36 CE. Pontius Pilate was officially responsible for condemning Jesus to crucifixion, though he "washed his hands" of the matter, passing blame onto the Jews.

As I watched this scene in the movie, I saw this man torn, utterly torn, by the decision that was placed in his hands (of course I already knew the outcome) and I sat and wondered what would have happened had he done what was "right" instead of what he was being lead to do.

Satan tempts, yes, however ultimately it is your decision to fall into that temptation - Free will my friends.

You can't go through life, doing whatever you dream up of doing and then turn around and blame Satan for it, it doesn't work like that.

He will contain you though, contain you within your mind with thoughts, worries, fears...

His job is to keep you stuck, right where you are.

Just when you think you are moving past the chains that bind, a thought creeps in, a memory, a voice, something that whispers "you can't" or "you are no good" or "you never could" etc...

Instead of moving past the voice of doubt, you give in and most likely say to yourself, "They are right, I can't" you question why you even thought you could become better than where you are at this very moment in time.

His job is to contain you, you are just making it easy for him by falling for it.

This wasn't an easy lesson for me to learn and just last night I saw where he was once again using my own fears against me.

My fear of speaking in public, or more so, praying in public.

Once again I was called on last night at Bible study, only this time I was asked to pray for the Church leaders, I was like "Huh", you want me to pray for who?

I could feel my throat start closing up and the cold hand of fear creep across my neck, I prayed silently to Him to give me the words before I even prayed out loud because, yes I am that blond :)

The prayer I was forming in my head was nothing like the one that came out of my mouth, as usual I spoke to fast and to quiet, however once I was done praying, I got a revelation in my mind, it isn't praying out loud that does me in, it is praying for a specific subject at the drop of a hat with no time to prepare.

If someone asks me to pray for them, I can prepare a little bit before I go into prayer, not with notes or a pre-written prayer but I at least know the subject I am raising up to Him.

When called upon and given a subject with no time to think about it, I lose my concentration, plain and simple and that is what Satan wants...

He wants me to fail in this area so I give up and question, once I question that, it is only a matter of time before I start questioning each and every other aspect where my life is concerned....

Like a tiny snowball, starting at the top of a tall hill, pushed down, until it reaches the bottom and when you see it again, it is a giant ball.

He is here to rob you of your most precious possession - Your eternal life as well as your future as a Child of God.

He doesn't come announced, wearing a flashing neon sign above his head that states, "I am here to corrupt you", no sir, he is much more subtle than that.

He comes in the form of selfishness, vanity, pride, envy, arrogance etc...

He is looking to turn people from the truth as well as from the life that will bring them true happiness, through Him.

When you fall victim to his schemes, you are bound up, contained within the walls, exactly where he wants you.

He will use any means necessary to keep you from moving forward in the Love of God.

He will allow you to go a little forward because he knows you, he knows how you think, he knows how you react to situations thrown your way, he knows what your deepest fears are, he knows your failures, your weaknesses and he will use all of them against you.

Where is one of the most general forms of  deception found?

Religion.

We have all heard of the Priests that like to touch little boys/girls, the Ministers who care more for the money the Church brings in then the souls that are being saved, the Pastors who drive $85,000.00 cars while many sit in their pews hungry and cold etc...

The Bible warns of these practices - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 - For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

"Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light", that right there should scare you.

"Feel good" Churches scare me, Churches that have a minister at the helm, only preaching what he thinks the body of the Church wants to hear, instead of preaching what is in the Book.

The Bible calls this false doctrine.

Next form of deception - Lust...

Our human nature is filled with vanity, jealousy, greed, and lust.

He can and will take advantage of that tendency and weakness in each and every one of us. He will send temptation through the media...

Movies, television, magazines, books and the Internet as well as through impure and greedy individuals.

Lust, greed, coveting - These are all sins and you need to avoid each of them at all costs.

Lying, another form of deception, as stated in the Scripture I used at the top.

Satan is the king of all lies.

Another form of his deception comes in the way of dreams, visions, miracles etc...

The occult, is a popular fascination amoung our culture.

I, for one used to be drawn to it, magic, witches, spells, Satan himself...

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - "When you enter the land that God, your God, is giving you, don't take on the abominable ways of life of the nations there. Don't you dare sacrifice your son or daughter in the fire. Don't practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery, casting spells, holding séances, or channeling with the dead. People who do these things are an abomination to God. It's because of just such abominable practices that God, your God, is driving these nations out before you."

There was a time, back when I was using heavily, that I owned the Satanic Bible, I read that book over and over again and was completely drawn into the promises the author was making...

Lord have mercy.

Next up on the train of deception - Good ole bitterness...

If we don't be careful and watch our feelings, we can become bitter...

Maybe someone hurt you, maybe someone offended you, if you don't watch your feelings the hurt can turn into a grudge, once the grudge is there, we begin to entertain feelings of revenge, if you allow those feelings to fester, oftentimes it turns into hate, the hate will than turn into bitterness.

As a Child of God you have got to look within, identify and then overcome any and all feelings of bitterness and hate.

As a Christian, you need to pray for your enemies, bless the ones who curse you, because that is what He would do and that is the only way to overcome the attitude of bitterness and hate.

In due time, He will exact whatever punishment is needed on the ones who sought to harm you, don't take those matters into your own hands.

Since this is fast becoming my longest post, I will leave you with one more deception from Satan...

Lack of Faith.

One of the greatest examples of Faith in the Bible, to me, has got to be held by Job...

The man suffered, deeply, at the hands of Satan, yet held onto his Faith, regardless of what circumstances he was facing.

He lost everything, yet by keeping his Faith, in the end he was blessed with twice as much as he had lost.

He faced all of his fears with prayer, which is what each of us should be doing.

You should be praying for intervention as well as for His protection, each and every single day.

By lacking Faith, you allow the door to Satan's deception to be open, and if you continue to lack Faith in Him and instead trust in Satan, you will ultimately be destroyed.

Revelation 21:8 - "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." 

I don't know about you, however that doesn't sound like anything I want to be a part of.

He wants you to be Faithful to Him, a trusting son or daughter, He will give you His Faith, if you turn to Him with all your heart.

Surround yourself with the Spiritual knowledge He has provided you with, continue to stay wrapped within His word.

Avoid at all cost, self-deception, the deception of the world and the deception of Satan.

KUTLESS

There's So Much I Could Say

There's So Much That I've Learned Don't Make My Mistake
There's No Time To Delay
Take My Hand And Learn From My Heartache