My Last Blog

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas! I was thinking about my blog yesterday and what I should write next when I felt in my heart that God was done using me in this avenue. I felt He was telling me to focus on getting my magazine back together for the new year and to focus on getting my books (yes books I have successfully written two Christian novels over the past two years!) published. I just want to thank everyone who read, commented and supported me through this blog journey. I enjoyed passing on what I heard from God as I studied and spent time with Him. I want to thank Lashawn Barber who spoke to my Christian Journalism group and inspired me to start this blog and even though we bumped heads on many issues, I never stopped praying for her and that her walk with Christ is strengthened and blessed. Please go through my back logs of my blog by clicking on the month and year on the left hand side and continue to read and comment on them! I will get the comments and respond back! No blog is too old! I know my blog didn't reach readership and the worldly success of many other blogs but I felt my blog was successful in the sense that I was blessed by e-mails of people telling me how a certain blog I have written helped them in some way or opened their eyes in some way. I know that I am called to reach people through my writing, especially the youth. I also invite everyone to e-mail me telika8@elitemail.org for updates about the restoration process of my teen magazine and when my books will be published. I have faith that they will!

Now I just want to end this blog with this last thought: Don't forget about the Bible and hearing from God for yourself. I was reading Enjoying Everday Life Magazine, Joyce Meyer's magazine and she was celebrating that her book, Battlefield of the Mind has sold 2 million copies. There were testimonies of people saying that they don't know what they would've done without the book and how the book changed their lives. Now I am not against buying Christian resources (of course not I want to write myself lol!) But people still have to recognize that all of the answers are in the Word of God and that most Christian books and tapes and preachings all come from the Bible and are clarifications of the scripture, so make sure you don't forget to grab the Bible and read it and hear from God yourself as well. (2 Timothy 3:16)

GOD BLESS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE THANK YOU FOR READING!!!!!!!!!!!

Throwing Away the Gauntlet for Good

God taught me yesterday that I was just as judgemental as the people I put my effort in trying to write to and teach about just loving and not judging. If you are a regular reader of my blog you may think that sounds strange, seeing that most my blogs are themed against being judgemental. I didn't know it myself, however I realized it and repented.

Let me start from the beginning, I grew up around drug and alcohol use. I'm not going to say exactly who but I was young and around it and I always knew it was wrong. I grew up hating drug and alcohol use and never used drugs or even tried smoking cigarettes. I very rarely drink alcohol and if I do at a celebration or something I don't get drunk. I realized that the people I know that heavily uses drugs and alcohol I have mentally judged. I don't think that I have made it obvious enough but I know it bothered me and I vented about it behind closed doors. I prayed to God for their punishment and proclaimed my hatred for it. It wasn't until yesterday when I was upset because I found out a new certain member of my family has started using drugs and I wasn't invited to her birthday party because she didn't want me to know this about her. I was so angry and threw a private fit to God. "Why God, why do they have to be like that?"

"Like what?" God asked.
"Why does everyone have to be weed smokers! Abolish this sin! Crack the whip Lord, Throw down the gauntlet!"

"It's a sin, yes a sin like everything else."
"Yes Lord I get it, I know I preach that I tell people not to judge but this is drugs! and she's only 20!"
"Pray about her salvation and leave it to me, why are you getting so angry? You still have your problems to work on."

"Because Lord...because....Oh you are right Lord, Praise You Father I need to repent about this."

I continued to pray until the feeling went away. I continued to pray until the pain of my past melted away. I continued to pray for their salvation and for blessings over their lives.

Today I write this blog freer then I have ever felt before. I believe that everyone has that one thing that the devil uses to keep them from praying for people's salvation and blessings. Satan put these dark glasses of judging a certain sin over our eyes to keep us from truly seeing how forgiving and loving God really is. For some Christians it's homosexuality, others it's fornication some it's liars but the truth is it's all sin and all paid for with the blood of Jesus Christ.

John 12:43-50"for they loved praise from men more than praise from
God.
Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does
not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees
the one who sent me.I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who
believes in me should stay in darkness.
"As for the person who
hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to
judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and
does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the
last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me
commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to
eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to
say."

To People with Problems with Certain Pastors, Teachers, Profits

When I was searching through Christian forums, I came across alot of discussion about certain high profile preachers, teachers, prophets and their imperfections, and most were rejecting their teachings because of that. Just because you may have a problem with certain preacher's wealth, lifestyle, etc doesn't mean that you can ignore their teachings and be judgemental (James 4:12), unloving (John 14:24), and untithing (Malachi 3:8) etc.

Now I could debate the validity of some of these high profile Christian teachers and I can plead for your mercy or prove that they are right or wrong etc but that really isn't the point. No matter what happens or what God's chosen leaders may or may not do you still have the Word of God for yourself. God is perfect and He will never leave, forsake or lie to you. (Titus 1:2-3, Deuteronomy 31:6) So if you doubt a certain Pastor's teaching because of his or her lifestyle then you should learn the Word of God for yourself.

The Bible is the awe inspired living Word of God. If you think you can't understand it alone, pray before you read it and find guide books and a translation that can help you. It's also still good to attend church to help yourself clearly get a message from the Bible that you may have missed. But you can't rely on the pastor's perfection because there is no such thing. You can't rely on a perfect church because there's no such thing. We all need to approach Christianity as a relationship with God and to never forget that. You could attend the worst church in the world but if you have a strong relationship with God, He will still show you what you need to know and He still will help you grow. For an example you can turn on the TV and hear a passage preached in the Bible. If that Word is wrong God will lead you to the right meaning or the right meaning for you in your life as you spend time with Him in His Word.

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God"

Making Others Thankful

Last year I blogged about thanksliving and how we should all live our lives thankfully. This year I want to take the attention off of our thankfulness. Not that we shouldn't be thankful or notice our blessings, but we need to focus on other people and their lack of thankfulness. We should take the time to be the avenue in which someone is thankful. We should cause others to say I am thankful on this Thanksgiving because God brought you in my life. No only giving to charities and food baskets etc that are popular during the holidays but stopping to listen, sharing a Bible verse that you know has helped you. Praying for others. This Thanksgiving let's be thankful for helping to make others thankful.

My Place/Our Place in this World

Pastor Scott Schilder of New Life Christian Church was talking about people's place in this world and how we all have a place that God has for us. This got me thinking about me always knowing my place and purpose. Seriously, as a young child probably 9 or 10 (I became saved and baptized at 8) God sent me a very real vision of me writing and teaching other kids the Word of God. Being so young at first I didn't quite grasp it and yet I did. I knew it was from God however I didn't know exactly what it was. For a time I wanted to become a teacher and a singer and then it evolved into a writer. (But this whole time I always had a love for writing and kept journals, diaries etc.) Knowing your purpose early is a good thing but at the same time it's harder then those who have a hard time finding their purpose because you are filled with impatience and eagerness as you continue wonder when God, when will this happen for me? A couple of years ago I had another vision where God when into specifics with me about exactly what he wanted to happen in my life but He also made it clear to me that I will hinder this manifesting in my life or at least the good timing of it if I didn't get control of my flesh, my emotions and grow more in Him. I had found myself making the same mistakes, lashing out angrily and becoming depressed at every pitfall in my life. My vision was that I was going to publish this young adult book and that I was also going to publish this blog and my ministry is going to jump from there. That book wasn't even written at that time but I am happy to say it is finished and in the process of finding publishers and I have a great peace about it. In the mean time I have been finding myself drawing closer to God and turning to prayer everytime something upsets me in anyway and I find myself stronger and my life better from it.

Anyway the Pastor made some very good clear points today about everyone finding their place and he cited in Genesis 2:8 how God prepared the place before he puts man in it. Just as he fashioned this world before placing man in it. and that He knows that you have a place but you are not in it yet until it's fully prepared and your fully prepared to receive it. How can you be prepared to receive it? Hebrews 11:8 Obedience will bring you to your place. Genesis 22:3,9,14 Passing God's tests will bring you to your place. The closer you get to reaching your place the more trials and tests you will have. This isn't punishment from God but a way for Him to see that you have learned from the Word and What He has spoke into your life and that you are ready to move on. And finally Pastor Schilder had this great quote I think we all should remember when trying to find out purpose: "Walk the path of faith to find the place of promise."

NANOWRIMO PROJECT AGAIN THIS YEAR

check out my second blog for more info about it!!

I am on the Threshing Floor

There are various scriptures in the NIV Bible that talks about the threshing floor, After the harvest the wheat would be gathered and placed upon the “threshing floor,” a floor of stones set into the earth on a hilltop. It was then beaten or trampled to remove the grain from the rest of the plant. The wheat was then tossed repeatedly into the air and the wind would drive away the “chaff” while the grain would fall back upon the threshing floor to be gathered for use.

While studying the Bible I saw how in 2 Samuel 24:16 "When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, "Enough! Withdraw your hand." The angel of the LORD was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." I am enduring my attacks right now. I am being beaten and trampled in my job (the writing part is great but I also have to sell advertising and I am having such a hard time) my marriage (my husband lately has seen to be pulling further away from me) and our finances (my husband just lost his job.) However I also can say that I am at the closest to God I have ever been. I have been hungering and thirsting for righteousness so much lately and I have been sowing seeds of love, forgiveness and always making sure to tithe even when my checks are at the lowest. Last night and this morning I was just giving my sorrows over to the Lord and praying my hardest and reading the Bible and God showed me how I was on the threshing floor. My "grain" is being pulled out and I just have to endure this.
2 Samuel 24:18 David Builds an Altar ] On that day Gad went to David and said to him, "Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." David built an altar to God on the threshing floor and Ruth made a request to Boaz by laying by his feet on the threshing floor. Ruth 3:2-4 "Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do."

I am laying before the feet of my God now on the threshing floor. I have joy despite all that's going on around me because I know that through all of this blessings will manifest in my life.

Haters

A word that is most used by teens for the past few years has been haters. Haters are those who are basically jealous of someone else or someone who hurts the feelings of another by being a bully. I also noticed that this word has been used as a shield to hide the hurt feelings of this teen. I noticed many myspaces with slogans such as "Haters keep Hatin' cuz I look good" and "Go ahead and Hate on me, I know I am better then you..." etc. I was studying the Bible when thinking about this and came across Psalm 56:1-5, "Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me;all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me."

Young people deal with "haters" spreading rumors about them, saying they are better then them etc. mostly out of jealousy or that they feel bad about themselves. But they must know that God will be the one who will help them to shine, not themselves. Instead of attacking the haters or becoming like them they should give it over to God and continue to move on with their lives. David continues to say in Psalm 56:9-11 "Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise- in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

David had the worst haters ever. They not only spoke bad about him, and were jealous of him, but they wanted to kill him. But he chose to give it to God and God was the one to lift him up.

Also, if you find you have many haters maybe you need to look at yourself. Do you think you are better then others, do you draw them to you by showing off? Maybe you should be more loving to others and more giving and you will soon have more friends then haters.

Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up dissension,but love covers over all wrongs."

Romans 13:10 "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

A Chance to Share

Okay so while on my profile at yourchristianspace ,I found out that yourchristianspace will be having podcasts for Christians to post and get their word out to the millions of users on itunes. It will be their own 30 minute podcast made up of people just like me and you! Below I copied the information. I encourage all to participate with positive, blessed words and to use this avenue to let your light shine across the cyber world. I definitely will be submitting my words regularly.

I am pleased to announce that we will soon be releasing our first YCS Podcast The YCS Podcast will be around 30 minutes and will feature music, prayer, interviews and phone-ins. There will also be competitions with prizes but in future Podcasts.For now, all members who wish to appear on our first ever Podcast you have the chance to call and leave us a voice message and we will feature you. The number to call is 1-206-309-7394When you call you will be greeted by an automated message that will explain to you when to record your message, it's fun and easy so go ahead and give us a call and give us your very special salute and say hi to your friends!When you leave a message, please do mention your name and your YCS username. Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, your school, what you like about YCS and your of course your greeting. Tell us about your church, your friends and family and course favourite pet(s) if you have any.If you wish to say a prayer you are very welcome to do so. You can even sing if you want... the Podcast is here for us to learn from and to enjoy and have fun.For our admins and staff: It would be ideal if you could also please call to 'Salute' YCS and for us to put a voice to your profiles. For the Pastors and Reverends on our site who wish to contribute with a prayer or a reading from the bible, you are most welcome to do so. This is a perfect opportunity to reach a worldwide audience as this Podcast will be published on iTunes.I pray that most of you make use of this new feature and do make your calls so that we can produce a very exciting, entertaining and of course educational production.I wish you all as always, my warmest love and thoughts...God bless you,GaroYCSPlease Note: The phone number 1-206-309-7394 is NOT a premium service - only national rates apply Please ask permisison to use the phone from your parents or the person who pays the bill first.
__________________

What is Legalism?

Below is a quote from my pastor on his radio show Ask the Pastor he is explaining what legalism is and why it has no place in the Christian church. I am a firm believer in this. We need to understand that we are all redeemed from the law through Christ and the law that Jesus came to fufill was the law of the new convenant, that through his sacrifice and blood shed we are covered saved and loved and through that love we will find ourselves desiring to live right not being condemned to live right.

"How do you know when a church is being legalistic? The ways that we know that is legalism brings people the Bible to restrict them, to condemn them, to control them. The true gospel liberates people. The true gospel
sets people free to obey God. The true gospel does not set people free from obeying God; the true gospel sets people free to be able to obey God. So that is
how you know if something is legalism. Not “Is someone is preaching it strongly?” but “Is
someone preaching it in away that they are putting
bondage on you and making you feel like you are a slave to obey it; that you are not pleasing to God if you do not do it and there is guilt and
condemnation associated with it to what is
being said?”The other thing
that shows legalism, is people say you have to
do this in order to be loved or accepted by God. There is nothing in the Bible that we have to do in
order to be loved by God because if there was it would not be love at all. If love required us to be a certain way in order for God to love us, then it
is not love at all. That is how we know if something is legalistic or not.
If someone tells a woman that she cannot wear a dress or she cannot wear pants or a woman cannot wear makeup; that is legalism. It’s when you are
putting external rules on people to show that you are holy, external restrictions to show that you are holy. Holiness has to come from within you,
not from the outside of you. It is legalism when you try to put religion on the outside of people when, meanwhile, we do not change their heart. We have to change their heart first, then their outside will
change."

This is Interesting God's perfect will for your life

This was e-mailed to me along with the pictures and I thought I had to blog it. I don't usually blog my forwarded e-mails but this amazed me so much that I had to share!

THE SHORTEST CHAPTER IN THE BIBLE IS PSALM 117

THE LONGEST CHAPTER IN THE BIBLE IS PSALM 119

THE CHAPTER DIRECTLY IN THE CENTER PSALM 118

594 CHAPTERS BEFORE PSALM 118

594 CHAPTERS AFTER PSALM118

ADD 118+118 AND U GET1188

THE CENTER VERSE OF THE BIBLE IS PSALM 118:8

Does PSALM 118:8 SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT ABOUT OUR LIVES?

Psalms 118:8 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Now isn't that odd how this worked out (or was God in the center of it)?
The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word!

Jena 6 from Obama

This is a letter I received after I wrote Barack Obama about the situation in Jena, Louisiana. I love it


Thank you for contacting Senator Obama about the situation in Jena, Louisiana. Barack stands with those who stand for justice in Jena, and he is speaking out strongly on this issue. As he said recently, “The thousands of Americans from every race and region who have descended on this small Louisiana town carry forth the legacy of all those who sat at lunch counters and took freedom rides to strike a blow against injustice wherever it may exist. When a noose hangs from a schoolyard tree in the 21st century and young men are treated in a way that is not equal nor just, it is not just an offense to the people of Jena or to the African-American community, it is an offense to the ideals we hold as Americans. I renew my call for the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges filed in this case, and I will continue my decades-long fight against injustice and division as President.” "There are a number of signs that the system is not working in this case. It’s a problem when criminal charges are brought against some students for fighting, but not others. It’s a problem when a public defender doesn’t call any witnesses. And it’s a problem when a prosecutor decides to try teenagers as adults for a school fight, a charge that could leave them in jail for the majority of their lives. That is why I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in calling on the judge to consider all the relevant factors and calling on the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in this case. And I, along with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, will continue to monitor this case closely." "Going forward, we have to fix our criminal justice system. Whether it’s Jena 6 or Genarlow Wilson, it’s long past time for us to admit that we have more work to do to ensure that our criminal justice system is fair. We must ensure that both victims and defendants can receive equal justice under the law, regardless of race, wealth, or other circumstances." Thank you again for contacting us.

Sincerely, Obama for America -------------------------------------Paid for by Obama for America

Why There's Evil In the World (MY 200TH POST!!)

I am remembering a quote from the first Bruce Almighty movie starring Jim Carrey where "God" is speaking to Bruce and He tells him that now He is God he has all this power except he can't make someone love him. He says, "No one can make someone love them not even God." or something like that. Now I don't think God is unable to force someone to love Him, I just believe that that is not His way. Which brings me to the subject of this post, Why there's evil in the world. I would have to say that is one of the biggest reasons why atheists are atheists or young people are cynical about the Bible or God. Why would a good God allow evil in the world? They wonder. Because of choice and freewill. God loves us all so much that He refuses to be a dictator but instead gives all of us the choice to choose good or evil. When someone chooses not to love Him or listen to His words then they choose the way of Satan.

Why does bad things happen to good people? First of all no one is good, we all deserve hell but we have been given the gift of Jesus Christ's blood to wash away our sins. This gift is to show that God desires us to come back to Him. But we hear all the time about children and churches and other horrific things happening in the news and we just wonder why God why? Don't ask God ask the devil. Ask why did he use those people to do those things. Because of the freewill that God gives all of us, some will choose to follow the devil and do evil things. It was their choice to do those things. We shouldn't blame God but Satan, he is the one keeping people from choosing the right way of life. If we all chose the way God wants us to go, then this would be a wonderful world.

There will be a time where there won't be evil in the world. But that time will come after Jesus has come back. That's why it's our job as Christians to get as many people as we can to use their freewill to choose to follow God and accept the gift of Jesus Christ. After Jesus comes back, we will all live in Heaven until the earth is swept away of all the evil and then we will live on earth in complete paradise.

3 John 1:11 "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."


Revelation 21:3-7 "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son."

Saul, Paul, Osama Bin Laden

If you had the opportunity would you take Osama Bin Laden in and lead him to Christ? Could God use him? What if he showed up blind at your house saying that he was changed what would you do? That's exactly what I was thinking when I was reading about Ananias and the request God gave him to take in Saul and lay his hands on him so that he is healed. As many Christians know, Saul was a murderer of Christians. It says in Acts 8:3 and 9:1 that he imprisoned and killed men and women just because they were the disciples of the Lord. So ofcourse, Ananias had some doubt when God asked him to take in such a man and in Acts 9:13-14 he said,"Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

Can you imagine the thoughts of the others as well? What about those who had their family killed or in prison because of Saul, can you imagine how they must've felt after God said in Acts 9:15 "Go for he is a chose instrument of mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel."

Can you imagine what would happen if Osama Bin Laden suddenly became baptized the way Saul did and changed his name and began preaching that Jesus is Lord. The people who saw Paul preaching had their doubts and said "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on His name and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" Sort of like, who does he think he is? Why should I listen to him? But we now not only listen to him but we study Paul's words in the Bible and He is known to have written some of the most profound scriptures in the Bible.

Now I am not saying that Osama Bin Laden shouldn't be punished for his crimes of 9/11 or to belittle the sufferings of his victims and their families. But I just wanted to show the capacity of God's forgiveness and power to use anyone for His kingdom no matter what they've done.

When you say your prayers for the victims and their families of 9/11 today pray for the terrorists as well, ask God to open their eyes to peace and to Christ and to show them their way of doing things is not the way.

"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Romans 5:7-10

Click on the picture and read the words

Differences in sin?

I know I have mentioned this before about how in God's eyes sin is sin. All sin leads to death (Romans 6:23) and it's all been paid for by Jesus Christ. However, this blog is to show how some sin are worst then others because of consequences.

Yes in the previous blog I talked about how as humans we all will fall and make mistakes but we have to realize that consequences from these mistakes can and will vary and bring us further back from the plans God has for us. For an example a man who has an affair. Yes he had weakness and yes he can be forgiven through Jesus Christ but he also can suffer losing his wife, family and he can also suffer other consequences such as diseases. God can and will forgive him but he still will have to deal with repercussions in his life to get back on track.

If you are a person who are currently paying for consequences in your sin, go back to God and prayer and sometimes you may have to suffer to get through it. But the best thing is we serve a merciful, graceful God who still loves us and still will put us back on track if we are willing.

MY SUNDAY NOTES

Here is some absolutely awesome things my pastor spoke on today!!!!

1. As Christians we live a cleansed life which is not always a clean life but we stay cleansed through the blood of Jesus

2. A True Holy Life is a cleansed life. You have to believe with your heart that you are forgiven through Christ and you are walking in love

3. Your repentance is NOT a response of God's Forgiveness it is a Result! God forgave you first! and because you know you are loved by God you repent. Guilt and Finger pointing is NOT the way to get someone to come to Christ/church that is manipulation! but telling them they are loved and that love will change them!

4. TRUE HOLINESS is from THE INSIDE-OUT NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

5. Homosexuals should be open to come to church even if they stay homosexuals. Homosexuality is a sin just like everything else the church doesn't condone it BUT Homosexuals should be accepted and welcomed in church just like couples who live together and not married, or people who lie, or people who don't tithe! The more people consume themselves of God and hear/read His Word and know they are loved they eventually will change.

STOP TELLING SINNERS IF THEY CHANGE EVERYTHING IN THEIR LIFE THEN THEY CAN COME TO GOD! GOD WELCOMED THEM THE MINUTE HE PUT JESUS ON THE CROSS TO DIE FOR ALL OUT SINS!!!!Scriptures used: Acts 26:14-16Matthew 5:8Hebrews 12:14-17

New computer!!

I also wanted to mention that I am typing from a new computer! This is a blessing and I can't be held down! I am believing that nothing will happen to this one and that my ministry will continue on stronger, higher and more blessed! Amen!

Giving Christians Staying Power

There are many Christians who think that constantly teaching about God's love and forgiveness will give others a free pass to sin. My blog is mostly about how people are going to make mistakes and that God is a gracious and loving God with mercies new every morning. (Lamentations 3: 22-25 1John 1:8-10) So do I feel like I'm giving people a free pass? No! This approach is the best approach because once you know you are loved and forgiven, the desire within you naturally changes to want to do good. It naturally becomes harder for you to just sin because you know you are loved! When people get beat down with condemnation and every mistake they have made or is making being thrown in their face this makes them go further away from God. They think, well I can't do it right even when I try so why try at all? This is not the message we should send. God loves and understands the temptations we go through in life! I know that is what keep me closer to Him because when I make a mistake I think, I shouldn't have done that but I know God loves me, I will repent and try not to do it again. Then I find that I am stronger on the inside only from His grace to get past that temptation the next time. When you accept you are nothing without Him and can't make it without Him you are more willing to hold on to HIm and use His strength to get you by because that's the only strength that works.

Hebrews 4:15-16 "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses...let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and and may find grace to help in time of need.

I have a new job

Check out my personal family blog http://thesecondlove.blogspot.com/ to find out more! God bless!

Accepting Christ/Easy Evangelism/My Promise

I have a burst of things I want to blog today, so I decided to do it in this one blog because I am unable to get online as often to do them in separate blogs. So here goes....

Accepting Christ

I recently was inspired through a DVD to start evangelizing more often. But I was feeling condemned and down on myself because I was chickening out everytime it came to approaching people. (I don't have a problem expressing my faith if someone brings it up but me starting the convo is always hard.) So I felt like a failure until this pastor (more in the next heading below) let me know that I do have a ministry through this blog and my websites and God will never give you a task that will burden you but will use you in the ways you are best at. So I wanted to post this just for people who do not know Christ in their life. (If you already know Christ and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior you can skip down.)

It says in Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus Our Lord. God gave you a gift because he knew that you will sin everyday and all sin will lead you to hell, not just what you think are big ones. Even white lies, even lusting. So you can never be good enough to get in heaven, you need God's gift of Jesus' blood. To receive this gift is simple, believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and took on your sins. And don't worry about everything you are going to have to change once you give your life to Christ. You will soon be overwhelmed with His love inside of you and as you read your Bible, go to church and walk in His love things will naturally change in your life. Do you know that most of the things I stopped doing I didn't even realized I stopped doing them? Until someone came and pointed it out to me and that would make me proud that I was growing and maturing as a person who is living for the Lord not left out. It says in Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (You will know that you are going to heaven when you die) So say this prayer right now. Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know I can not earn my way to heaven but I believe right now that Jesus died for my sins and carried all my mistakes with Him to the cross. I want Jesus to be Lord of my life and to save me from the condemnation of hell. Help me to live a right life and to live for the coming paradise that you now have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen
Congratulations! You are a Christian. Feel free to go through the back logs of my blog to learn more on how to live for Christ and walk in love.

Easy Evangelism
So I was saying that this pastor that was guest preaching at my visiting church New Life Christian Center in Woodstock,IL. Was pointing out how we are all too much involved in what's going on in this world when our lives are just a speck compared to eternity. We have to go out and evangelize so that we know we have affected eternity because the people we save will go on to live beyond death. This made me think as well as made me feel bad that I still haven't came up to a stranger and saved them. But then he expressed how it's not as hard as you think that just dropping off tracts can save someone. I was shocked by this and spoke to him afterwards. I told him how I was feeling and he told me that I shouldn't feel that way if I have a blog talking about Christ and websites. He also told me to pick up his handout about easy evangelism. I love it and I feel so free now. I will transcribe it here for you now.
Easy Evangelism:
1. Hand out tracts to people-just say did you get one of these yet, as you hand it to them and they'll take it right away.
2. Leave a large stack in restaurants for people to take one
3. place tracts in bathrooms and public places as a leave behind
4. place tracts in shopping carts that are in a coral outside of a store
5. using postage paid envelopes to mail solicitors a tract
6 mail a tract with your check when sending a bill
7. Donate 200.00 to fellowship tract league and they print 125, 000 tracts for others to give away free. www.fellowshiptractleague.org 513-494-1075
8. 5.00 gets 1 Bible to China. on average 2000 people will read that Bible. contact the Bible league www.bibleleague.org 866-825-4636
9.Don't have tracts? God some at www.livingwaters.com under the heading ice breakers 800-437-1893

My Promise

I fell into some sin recently. Well, we as Christians all still sin everyday, we don't become perfect but we strive to do our best and allow Christ to use us, but I realized this particular sin was hindering me and I allowed it to go on and just as David was awaken by the prophet about his condition with Bathsheba, I had to fall on my face for forgiveness. And the best thing happened when I opened my Bible. I opened my Bible and noticed these versus:

Isaiah 54:6-10
"For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,"
says the LORD your Redeemer.
"To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

And then after I rejoiced from that I noticed these versus and felt in my spirit this was my promise from God.

Isaiah 55:2-13
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."

Happiness vs. Joy

What makes a person happy? You can be happy when you get a promotion at your job, or when you get an unexpected gift from your spouse. A beautiful sunny day or your favorite item that you buy regularly at the store going on sale for half off, that can make you happy. I am particularly happy when my husband decides to spend all weekend at home with me and not with his friends. I am very happy when I get a compliment on my writing. This is all happiness.

Joy is not made, it is there. You have joy when it is deep in your spirit and doesn't want to leave. Joy comes when you know that God is there for you even when you lose your job or your spouse forgets your birthday. Joy is there on rainy days and when you don't have enough money to spend at the store and prices are through the roof. Joy knows that you will be happy again.

Addicted

On Your Christian Space (a myspace for christians) someone offered to send free copies of this dvd of the Because of the Times Conference featuring Matt Maddix. They were ranting and raving about it so I sent them my address to get it. Yesterday I received in the mail and watched it and was awed! Matt Maddix is a very young and inspiring preacher. He was talking about how we need to get addicted to winning souls! He delivered in his message in a very unique and awe inspiring way! (He jumped on his podium (causing all the elders to run and hold it down) and did summersaults in the aisles for starters. He talked about how we need to get out there and preach the Word of God to people. This forever changed my attitude. I would think well maybe my writing is changing someone, or I saved someone through my myspace...Now I have been condemned for that thinking! I have to go out and save someone! Matt Maddix talked about giving something up until you have won a soul to the Lord, so I decided to give up watching tv until I have preached to someone the good news of Jesus Christ! I am eager to share this! The first person to read this blog and e-mail me telika8@elitemail.org with your information, I will mail this dvd to you. I wish I can do more but I don't have the technology to make copies of the dvd. I promise this will change your views on evangelism! So hurry and e-mail me!

Warfare? Punishment? Pruning?

I just lost all my files today. I had to start over from scratch! Everything is gone! Nothing happened to my laptop physically and I don't know what physically caused this. I also don't know if this is satan and warfare against me or God giving me a message about how I'm approaching things. I have also been reading Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson (the same author who wrote The Jabez Prayer) and he talks about how God "prunes" you by taking things away so that you can produce more fruit, just as a farmer would prune or cut away real vines to produce lots of grapes. I know I had spending lots of time on my computer and the files on here were very important to me. I know that I have spent time in prayer and in the prescence of God daily though and I decided that whatever I am lacking I am going to fix. This has also motivated me to spend as much time with Him as I can and I am going to do what I can to be more loving and caring in my marriage and to everyone! I am praying and praying on how to approach this and believing that God will work this out for my good. I am asking everyone to please pray for me that I have strength and I don't give up and I keep pressing on to do the things God desires. Last year I lost my laptop when I was in the middle of trying to get myChristian teen magazine out, It was completely destroyed in a fight with my husband and things never were the same again and I couldn't completely network because of that and eventually lost my magazine because of lack of funds etc. and now I am doing good with writing articles and my book is finished (I am hoping my agent will send me a copy back because I only had a copy on my hard drive!) now this happens. so please pray for me!!

My Weakness

I find myself unbelievably stuck in envy these days. I have expected myself to be much more successful then I am now. I was just reading my fellow co-writer's website on this paid website I write for and just shaking my head in pure envy as I watch at how much more page views she has and how much more money she's made. She had a 9 page article on all the thousands of dollars she's made writing online. Amazing! So let me take a moment to repent and wonder why I am feeling this way. And I go to God to prayer about it and I'm wondering what's taking so long for my book to find a publisher, and why can't I get at least one loyal reader on my blog or anywhere else and I listen to God tell me that I don't stay on track. I don't do everything He needs me to do and so I fall behind and that makes things take even longer for me. So I pray and I try to stay encouraged but I fall and I know everyone falls now and then but I just keep pressing forward. But I thank God that He does this, I thank Him that he tests me and expects the best from me because I know that one day I will be strong in Him, strong enough to reach the world for Him. So I just have to get through this...

7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2nd Corinthians 12:7-9

backslidden or mistake?

I know on this blog I talk alot about how God forgives mistakes as Christians and how He always will be working on us so we will still need improvement everyday. But's what is the difference between a Christian making mistakes or being a Christian who has completely backslidden?

I believe back sliding is when you make a conscience effort to do the opposite of God's will and when you realize it you don't ask for forgiveness. You are someone who has given up on trying to live for God and has completely turned away. Some people who has backslidden may go to church but they don't feel guilty or ask God to help them stop doing a particular sin.

For an example, a Christian who smokes. Ofcourse, there are many out there. But there are those who are praying and trying to quit and if they slip up they are asking God to help them and God is working in them. These people should not feel condemned but to continue walking in the spirit so they won't fufill the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)
But the backslider will go to church but continue to smoke or drink and not feel bad about it or feel convicted.

When you know someone who is a backslider the most you can do and should do is pray. You may mention it to them but do not argue or get angry with them because this would only make things worse. Love will turn these people around to come back to God and live the way He desires. You are to live as a testimony to them and love and be kind and patiently pray. Humble yourself always don't think that you are better then them because without God where would you be?

If you are someone who has realized that you are backsliding and you feel it's too hard to give up certain things. Immediately pray and talk to God. Ask Him for forgiveness. Tell Him how you are feeling and think about all that Jesus sacrificed for you and all He has given you. You don't have to make the leap over night take it day by day in prayer, reading the Bible and meditation in His Word. Make sure you do this immediately because the longer you stay out of His will the more you are open for the attacks of the devil. (1Peter 5:8)

Galatians 5:16-26 (new living translation)
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

New Book Club Book!

I know it's been awhile since I posted for my blog book club but I'm keeping up the faith that someone would join in. So I recieved The Penny by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford for my birthday and I am already halfway through it because it is so good! So this is my new blog book club book! Post at this blog and tell me your comments, your questions, observations etc. (there are also questions in the back of the book you can answer!) I will get your comment right away in my e-mail so that I can approve it and then I will respond to you! If we can get a few people in maybe we can have a steady discussion! If you aren't familiar with The Penny, it is Joyce Meyer's first attempt at ficton and it's very new. (It debut this month) So Join in!

My 27th Bday

27 years doesn't seem like alot of years I'm still young right? yes and no. I feel like I've been through so much and looking back I am amazed I've made it this far. Between being young and seeing drugs,violence at an early age, moving all the time and not being able to make any solid friends, being a teen mom and then marrying quickly and too early. moving out of state away from my family and dealing with many many stuggles there (too much to write about now) having four kids and just the stress that comes with that....I've been through alot and I know I still have a long way to go. But I thank God for always being there,for always listening for always helping me even when I didn't obey and made life harder on myself. He still forgave, still saved and still comforted me! I love Him so much and I don't care who laughs or thinks I'm stupid or just don't understand because my walk with Him is my walk with Him and our relationship is all that matters.
God bless everyone may you have a blessed relationship with Him the way I have....
"The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbled through the tears
That make her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the master
From her box of Alabaster
ChorusAnd I've come to pour
My praise on Him like oil
From Mary's Alabaster Box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost
Of the oil in my Alabaster box
LYRICS FROM ALABASTER BOX BY CECE WINANS
TAKEN FROM THE VERSUS IN THE BIBLE LUKE 7: 30-50
And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
38and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner."
44Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45"You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
46"You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
47"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
48Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

Pray for your seed in good soil

I was reading over one of Jesus most well-known parables in Matthew 3. This is also a unique parable because this is one of the rare times Jesus explained it Himself. I think that I represented each one of these seeds during my walk in Christ. The one that fell beside the road and the birds ate them up, which means I would hear the Word of God and not understand it and not try to gain understanding of what I heard so the devil came and snatched it up and kept it from growing in my life. I also was once the seed that fell in the rocky places with little soil and grew but was scorched because I had no root, this is when I would hear preaching or read a scripture that would get me excited but didn't hold on to it and as soon as I had problems I lost it. My seed also fell among thorns and I would hear the Word but felt like if I followed it I wouldn't fit in to what others were doing around me and the Word became choked and unfruitful. But I now pray and continue to focus on my seed falling on good soil. That I hear the Word, understand it, and bear fruit from it. That God's Words, I continue to study and take to heart everyday, holds strong and multiplies abundantly into many blessings. This would be a good thing to pray after you read the Bible, or attend church service, just say "God may what I learned fall on good soil. Amen."

Down with Religion!

Below is an excellent quote by a great teacher Joyce Meyer if you haven't heard of her she preaches on tv, radio and is a multiple bestselling author. This quote is from one of her bestselling books and it demonstrates how it shouldn't be about religion but a relationship.

"The devil doesn't want us to hear the truth. He has offered religion, the
following of rules and regulations to try to get us to make a never-ending
attempt to be good enough to deserve God's blessings." (But none of us can be
good enough to deserve His blessings and love that's why He offers it to us as a
gift through Jesus Christ.) She continues to say, "The Bible doesn't teach us
about religion, it teaches us about a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus
Christ. When He comes to live on the inside of us, we receive His nature in our
spirits. We get an opportunity for a frest start, a new beginning!"

Matthew 15:9 "They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men."

1John 1:8-10 "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."

James 1:26-27 "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart this man's religion is worthless. This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Joyce Meyer at My Church Today

http://www.changinglives.org

I was awesomely blessed today to see Joyce Meyer speak live for the first time when she became the guest speaker at my church. I experienced many small blessing that turned into one large blessing of a day today.

It all started this morning I got up early and dressed and waited for my mother to drive me because we planned to attend together. (my mother don't go to church as often.) My car is broken down so us going together is a blessing all around. But then my mother called to cancel because my younger sister who's expecting soon didn't think she would make it back in time for her babyshower at 2p.m. My sister threw a fit and didn't care that I may not have a ride there even though she knew clearly how excited I was and I how much I looked forward to going. So my mother gave in to her and I was so upset, I cried. But then my husband gave me money to take the train and the cab so that I could attend. (money I didn't know he had by the way) I still was griping on the inside thinking about how wrong my sister was to do me like this at the last minute when she knew this was our plans. (church ends at 12 her shower was at 2 there was plenty of time.) I even decided to not attend her shower when I got back but to just send her gift.

So ofcourse God being a wonderfully loving God who listens and teaches, dealt with me about this, and Joyce Meyer's teaching was "Get over yourself." I learned that we should go about God's business of loving others and putting others before ourselves that God will do for you. She also talked about how we shouldn't depend on people but with God's help. She gave the most awesome illustration of something that happened in her life when she was upset with her husband, Dave Meyer who went golfing and she was feeling down. so instead of griping and yelling at him she talked to God. She told him plainly how she was feeling and she knew that she shouldn't be so bothered but she needed help. So the next day she found her bed full of gifts from Dave and she said that that meant more knowing that it came from God then from Dave doing it out of guilt after she yelled and screamed at him.

The message hit my heart and I understood. So I became the bigger person and dealt with my feelings of my sister to God and I am depending on Him because God will never cancel on me at the last minute and God is never selfish and God promises to never leave nor forsake me. I attended her shower and had a good time and I am believing that God will teach her and grow her up spiritually. (Hebrews 13:5)

"There's no where in the Bible that I can find that the Bible tells us to put our expectations in people, It says we are to expect God."-Joyce Meyer direct quote from today's teaching

TWO YEAR BLOGIVERSARY TODAY!!!!!!!(say yes)

I know it's late but I had a busy day today and I wanted to make sure I blogged today to celebrate two years of writing in this blog! I decided to celebrate by posting this song by the Shekinah Glory Ministry singing the song Say Yes. I love the song and If I wouldn't have said yes I wouldn't have this blog because when I first decided to start a blog it wasn't intended to be all Christian and some of the things that came to me to write surprised myself and made me nervous about other's reactions. But nevertheless I said Yes to His will and I have had many e-mail of people telling me how they see things differently as Christians, that it's not about being judgemental and overly righteous and they see God the way He wants them to see Him as the all loving, all merciful, all forgiving God. Below are links to my one year and my first blog thanks for reading and celebrating with me!

http://matthew1236.blogspot.com/2006/05/one-year-blogiversary.html#links

http://matthew1236.blogspot.com/2005/05/conservative-not-always synonymous.html#links

if you are having a hard time with the music you can listen to it on my myspace www.myspace.com/beyonditallmag

Would You Say This?

Would you say, "I don't need school because I'm not smart enough?"
Then why would you say, "I don't go to church because I don't know everything in the Bible."

Would you say, "I had a bad experience shopping at this store so I'm never shopping again."
Then why would you say, "I had a bad experience at a church before so I'm never going to another church."

Would you say, "I'm too sick to go to the hospital?"
Then why would you say, "I make too many mistakes to go to church."

Church is so important because it can help open your eyes to things that you don't understand in the Bible or enlighten you in ways that can help you make changes for the better in your life. I noticed the most that people avoid church because of guiltyness. They think about sin in their life and they feel they don't belong in church. But God is a forgiving and loving God who desires to give you many chances and always wants to welcome you back. Think of the story of the prodigal son, don't think that you are a hypocrite because you want to come to learn about God. So you say, but what if I go back home and go back to sinning? First of all everyone sins, everyday because no one is perfect and the best thing for you is to try your best to please God for a better blessed life but even if you are not sure about having Him in your life, church will eventually change that. In church you may hear or feel something that will open your eyes to Him so don't be afraid.

The Bible says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He’s faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 103 says that “as far as east is from west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." In Hebrews 8:12, He said, “your sins and iniquities, I will remember no more.” What a promise from God’s Word. He says He will remember it no more. And He will never bring it up again.

My Pastor Gregory Dickow says it wonderfully when he says this, "The Bible says in Proverbs chapter 24, “A righteous man may fall seven times, but he gets up.” So, clearly that tells us that God gives us second and third chances. The Bible also says, “If your brother sins against you seventy times seven, forgive him.”
So if we’re supposed to forgive our brother seventy times seven – 490 times – how much more will God forgive us? If God will tell us to forgive over and over again and give somebody a second chance, how much more do you think He gives us a second chance because He is love and He is the God of new beginnings. He gave the thief on the cross a second chance. He gave David a second chance. He gave Moses a second chance. He gave Abraham a second chance. He gave Paul a second chance. He gives everybody a second chance. Now, it’s up to us to seize the opportunity and use that second chance to honor Him and to glorify Him."

Stop giving God the credit for Satan's work

So many of us are so quick to blame God when we are having problems. We either do it angrily by shaking our fists in the air and saying "God why me?" or we are the humble Christian type who says "God is just testing me" How about when we deal with problems and struggles in our lives we rebuke the devil. We shake our hands downward and say Satan you aren't going to win I am the child of God!! It says in the Bible in Psalm 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” God delivers out of affliction He doesn't cause them.

When you're in love and ready...

When you're in love and ready is the popular response for parents to teach their children when it's okay to start having sex nowadays. I was thinking about this while reading an article about how telling teens to wait for marriage is failing. But what's really failing is this you're in love and ready mantra.Some adults past the age of 40 still don't know when they are truly in love, the kind of love that God has sent them.So there are divorces and broken hearts and STDs and unwanted pregnancies and alot of mess! So how can we expect a teenager to know? Some children as young as 13 think they are in love these days! I know this, I experienced this when I failed to realize that saving myself would have saved so many problems in my life. Men basically can say anything you want to hear to make you think that you are in love and ready and vice versa. Then you are stuck with someone who really don't care enough about you to take the extra mile to learn about the real you. That only comes about when someone is thinking about marriage. When they think about bonding with a person for the rest of their lives, they start to really get to know them and learn about them and understand them. This all should happen before sex. I am not the judgemental person. I have made mistakes that has cost me. God does forgive you of your mistakes but it doesn't take back the punishment and struggle your mistakes will ultimately put you through. It's time we take back the "in love and ready mantra" and bring back waiting! Teach your children when they are young let them know so much that by the time they are teenagers they will desire someone to want to marry them first just as they will desire going to college or being whatever they want to be when they grow up. I am dedicated to breaking this cycle with my children and I am ignoring the people who have got it in their brains that it is impossible to for a teen to save themselves nowadays. God is real and it is possible!

Fly Like a Bird

I posted Mariah performing Fly Like a Bird at the 2006 Grammys. I just love that song and I love that Mariah is at that point where she can sing about how she loves Jesus and have scripture in her song etc. and no one judges or talks about her for it. If she would've made that song when she first came out people would've written her off as a gospel fanatic and left her alone I am so glad she is taking advantage of her fame and spreading the word. My favorite part is when she says "I need your strength to survive" That is so true..His strength is the only way I can deal with things in life amongst all the tragedies in this world... I dedicate this video to the Virginia Tech Tragedy.

Out of the Miry Clay

I finished my novel Out of the Miry Clay and am now looking for a publisher. I am proud and happy that this work will entertain and educate young adults. below is my synopsis of my book:

It is about a girl in the inner-city of Chicago who dreams of becoming a singer. After a small break comes her way a stranger helps her to become closer to God. After this happens, many tragic things happen in her life as well as a nagging melody that begins in her head that she tries to ignore, but is always there. After she fails at trying to get her album together she finds words to this melody and these words directly contradict the ultra sexy, ultra violent lyrics she is required to sing. But she realizes that this is the true calling that God has on her life and it not only changes her in significant ways but changes others in her life as well.

Jesus is not just a belief

Happy Easter to all. Just remember that Jesus is not just a belief that He is the only way, truth and life and no one comes to the Father but through Him. I firmly believe nothing will change that. When we witness, we shoudn't just say, this is what I believe...We should say this is the truth and believe it! Jesus died on the cross to pay the debt for our sins, After 3 days He came back again in victory over Satan and now to be saved we have to believe in Him and He will come back some day. What I love to hold on to is this; Every Knee shall bow and Every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord and that is true so don't let anyone who turn you away for the faith, frustrate you!

We All Matter

This past Good Friday I was thinking about how Jesus died for all. The suffering, torture, whips, nails were all endured for all of the world. Not just the pretty Christian that crosses your mind. The Jewish also He died for and I pray that many Jews embrace Jesus and the fact that His word is merely the fufillment of the prophecies they so diligently study. I still believe they are the chosen people but we all became chosen when Jesus paid the price for our sins. God already chose you He's just waiting for you to surrendar all and choose Him. If you already accepted Jesus in your heart, continue to remember to share your faith to everyone because everyone matters and don't be afraid to put aside your pride and surrendar to Him each and everyday.

Pray for Hollywood

I was reading a very interesting Christianity Today Blog about praying for hollywood. Christians remember to pray for themselves, their family, their neighborhood, their cities, their government and their country, which is all good, but this is the first I've heard of people actually specifically saying to pray for those in show business. We should make an effort to do this because these people do influence many around us and instead of talking bad about the violent or sexual movies they make or criticizing their unGodly lives we should pray and have faith that God will show these people the right way and the right things to say and that there will be more positive movies made etc. I'm not saying go to these movies or support them but prayer is stronger then any movie or message hollywood can pump out.

Plant the seed

When Christians evangelize, I think it's important to always remember two things; 1. no matter how much you know, how long you've been saved, how many scriptures you can recite, you are nothing without God and 2. your job is to witness to others about Christ and what the Bible says about how they should live their life not to force it to happen or become angry if it doesn't.

If we all just have the mentality that we are only here to plant seeds of God's perfect love, forgiveness, compassion and mercy and then let Him do the rest there won't be these views of Christians being these overbearing, hipocritic, finger pointing creatures.


"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 1 Corinthians 3:5-6

Urge you to bring Gospel channel back

In my myspace page I was notified about a letter from Gospel great singer Kirk Franklin. I copied it below:

What's good, God's people!I wanted to take a minute of your time to tell you about something that is very important to me
and the Christian/Gospel Music community at large. I was recently at home in Dallas, watching the Gospel Music Channel with my family when I saw a message come across the bottom of the
screen that DirecTV will be removing the Gospel Music Channel from it's lineup
on March 14. This disturbed me as not only an artist who greatly
appreciates the opportunity to share their ministry with the world through the
vehicle of television, but also a Christian and parent who greatly appreciates
wholesome television programming that my entire family can watch and enjoy
without worrying about what images are going to pop on the screen.If DirecTV
removes Gospel Music Channel from the lineup, I do not know how many cities will
be affected. With all of the chaos and negativity in the world today, it
is important that people, Christian and non-Christians alike, have outlets they
can turn to such as Gospel Music Channel whose programming consistently speaks
of the hope, peace and love of Christ in the midst of troubled times.I am
inviting my fellow artists, industry associates, radio announcers, friends and
fans to join with me in letting DirecTV know that as paying subscribers to their
service, it is important to us to they keep the quality programming that Gospel
Music Channel offers in their channel lineup. There are two very easy ways
for you to do this. First, you can contact DirecTV at 1-800-494-4388 and
let them know that you are opposed to them removing Gospel Music Channel from
their list of channels, and it is important to you that they to continue to make
the quality and family friendly programming of Gospel Music Channel
available. Second, you can pass this along to everyone you know and have
them do the same.Let's not miss this opportunity to stand together and bring
about change for Kingdom purpose!

In Him,Kirk Franklin

Please call and don't let the Gospel Music Channel go away. I know I've enjoyed the programming and I'm sure that it has contributed to many being fed in their spirit by listening to the music that glorifies God.

*New Note! Also you can e-mail them at this link http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/customer/howToReachUs.jsp

Foolish Debates

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."
Proverbs 18:2

I know I've blogged this before but I can't stress enough the importance of coming across with love and understanding. This world is going to constantly have people with beliefs contrary to the Word of God but we as Christians should not approach this with anger, strife and arrogance but with the understanding that they have not found the gift of Christ just as we all were lost once those people just simply need to be found. Prayer is the key to letting go whatever is putting a dividing line through you and that person. Prayer is very freeing because it puts whatever the problem is in the hands of the one you know can work it out. This also works with disagreements within the church. Maybe that person still has some growing to do in their walk with Christ, don't let that bother you or maybe it's you, maybe God is trying to get a message to you through that person. Pray about it and you will find out. Debating won't solve anything.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Philippians 2:14-16

My Post It Notes

I have post it notes everywhere. It's hard for me to remember things so they are very handy for little notes stuck on my computer, my wall, my television etc. But the best purpose I've found for them is bookmarking God's promises to me. Whenever I have doubts or problems many alternative solutions pop in my mind such as run away or get angry or get depressed etc. But instead I turn to my post it notes. They have helped me so much stay in line with my faith and once I read these scriptures out loud I feel a deep comfort that nothing else can provide. I have listed them below I suggest you get our your post it pad and start sticking away!

Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear for I am with you;Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

Luke 10:19" Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you"

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give to you."

Philippians 4:6,19 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.""And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus.

1Peter 4:7,10 "casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."'And after you suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."

Ofcourse there are so much more and if you crave more open your Bible and find them at all times in your life. When I focus on these promises nothing shakes my faith, nothing any scientists can say, nothing portrayed in the media, because I feel Him and I see Him working in my life.

Until I learn (poetry)

Until I Learn
by Telika Howard 2/07

Dear God
I'm not at the point
where I see any answers
and that's okay
because I'm grateful for your
forgiveness
as I keep falling behind
your love keeps me in line
and I finally see why
why
I have not seen
my dreams and
why things happen bit by bit
I must continue to keep my heart
and desire toward you
don't bless me abundantly
until I grow some more
don't give me my dream
Until I see properly
don't open the windows
until I learn
until I learn
and I will be a better person for it.
Romans 5:3-5
1 peter 5:10

I Hope I Don't Scare You
by Telika Howard 2/07

If you look at me as an example
take the evolution seen
and the unlimited possibilitiesof my life
dont be afraid of where I'm at now
but where I'm gonna be
soon I will flee
all of this
using my faith as wings
only pay attention to that-
my wings
not my cage
and follow me in my faith
don't avoid where I've been come walk with me
without sight
2nd corinthians 6:10

Today I Know
by Telika Howard 2/07

I'm gonna write
writings that will
unlock hearts
and create steps for others to climb
simple letters, words together
put just right by my hands and
lead by the spirit
I know it will be more
more then the stars
can contain
and if this happens
after I die
ripped pieces of paper taped together
80 years from now
it wouldn't matter
because today I know
my destiny
1 timouthy 4:11-16

Everyday new

I had a wonderful vacation I believe over the time spent just with my family I have become stronger and closer to God. I have truly learned to be still and just wait. Everytime I get antsy about things in my life I now lean back and praise Him and thank Him that He will make it happen and I pray and believe my prayers are just that powerful. That has done some amazing things for me and my spiritual life. I'm truly blessed to have reached this point. I used to think it was slothful to not always be running around trying to do things yourself and come up with a back plan for your back up plan but that's not helping yourself that's blocking God and what he wants you to do which is have patience and faith. I am not working, I am not writing (besides this blog) I'm watching my children and I'm talking to my husband and I'm praying and thinking and reading the Bible. It feels good to finally slow down and not have this long to do list. Women has this biggest problem where they think they are viewed as weak and powerless if they just sit back and relax and let God oversee their lives. They think that others will think that they are lazy or not a go-getter. but you know what? who cares what they think! being still will produce much better results in your life. It feels good to begin 2007 like this without any strong obligations on myself accept to simply thank Him and love Him everyday.


Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."