Success and Failure Blog

The climb at first sight seems unattainable and risky but when you include a team of experts with your calculations than you see the end in sight. This is true with anything you do from scaling that rock wall to chartering a plane to Haiti’s; you plan using others input to make your plan come together. So, you would also need others to guide you on your journey to your heart.

My experts consist of counselors, pastors, Holy Spirit, Bible, authors, and church family they know me best. Trying to make this journey on my own would take me nowhere really fast. I tried that once and it was a disastrous to think I could accomplish what others do in a day, month, a year. Silly really…

Why did I think I could do this on my own? Let me give an example that the Holy Spirit gave me:
Looking across Lake Bountiful (my name for lake) I saw Jesus Christ on the opposite shore. I thought gazing at the water it would be a short distance I can swim this. So, I set out at an easy pace and found that there was a under current and looking up at the shore I wasn’t any closer. Getting tired I turned back and found myself back at my side of the lake. Scanning the shore I notice a boat and pulled it over and got in and set the oars to start my journey again. Again, my focus was not on Jesus Christ but my ability to pull on the oars to glide across the water. Looking behind me I wasn’t going across but going down stream. “AWWW!” Turning the boat around and focusing on the horizon and rowing at the same time was hard and tiring. I was caught in whirl pool spinning me out of control and was back on my side of the shore. “Aw!” Dropping to my knees I cried “Lord, help! I can’t do this on my own. It looked so simple. I thought I could do this. I was wrong. Please, Lord Help.” Standing up I gazed across the water and I found myself staring into my Father’s eyes the bluest of blues and I reach out and I was in His arms and He held me tight.

When you experience the arms of Christ and His forgiveness it transforms you to another place and person. All of sudden you are not alone in your plans for your future you are asking for others input. You are praying for God’s will be done in your life. The Holy Spirit pricks your heart and you begin to change and forgive. Why? The Lord forgave me of my sins for He gave up His life for me. So, I can have a life with Him. A relationship that brings tears to my eyes… When I think of all He has done for me and is still doing for me; my heart wells with love.

My Jesus is real and there is nothing I can do that will send Him away. He says in his word that He will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5) The Lord has a plan for me for hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) The Lord fights for me. (Deuteronomy 3:21) There is hope for a tree if it be cut down it will sprout again.(Job 14:7)

Do you know that the door is always open (John 10:9) for you. When you approach this door do it with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). Focus your eyes on the prize which is Jesus Christ. God raised us up with Jesus Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 2:6) We who are sealed with Christ have everlasting life. But, you who do not know Jesus Christ and is still playing at the gate will have fire and damnation. We do not know when are time is up on this earth we can die tonight in a car crash. Do you want to take that chance?

The Lord is waiting for you to come out of this world. I lived in this world through some horrific times do I want to repeat that time? No!!! My time now is hard with unemployment but the Lord keeps blessing me with His presence and His provisions. Life is good. My hope is in the Lord. I trust Him with my life and future. I can’t imagine life without Him. He is the hand that guides my walk I do nothing without Him. Jesus is light to my darkness.

Come to the waters of Lake Bountiful and give your life to the one whom will turn your tears into hope. In His arms you will find rest from your burdens. In His arms you will find peace that passes all understanding. In His arms you find refuge and strength in times of trouble. In His arms your heart will flourish and grow in the likeness of your Father. In His arms you will have eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Lord that I do not have to do this life alone. You have given me eyes to see and ears to hear. You have given me a church family that prays for me and we have life together.

I pray Lord, that you draw your people to yourself and impart your Holy Spirit to live in their lives. Give them wisdom and strength to walk this path. Put your angels around about them keeping them safe. Bless them, extend their boundaries, and keep them from evil in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

          “a ribbon of road was my companion”

     I walked on this road hoped to see someone, though nothing but, a ribbon of road was my companion. I was thirsty and hungry. My throat was so dry that I picked up a pebble and toss it into my mouth. Let this pebble whet my thirst. Let me draw out every last drop of moisture.  Am I going to die here, die among the creatures of the air and this dirt road? I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t see the bird of prey approach me.

     “Caw, caw!” screech a buzzard. My hands reached up to protect my head at the same time I swallowed my last hope, I thought.

     My hand went to my throat, and I gasped for air as I swallowed that pebble. I gazed around at the vast emptiness. That bird of prey was waiting for me to die.

     “What are you looking at? I am not dead yet. I might look like death, but I am not.”  I tried not to lose hope in the One who gives me breath.

     I was drawn away from the path to a high plateau in the mountains where as a child I would escape to have lunch with Abba. I would bring bake chicken, potato salad and for dessert we would have chocolate cake. I would have His total attention. Today, I looked off into a time when I wrestled with disenchantment, pain, being alone and I admit to the hate I felt towards my Abba.

     Look at me! Who would want me? I am without child and have lost my youth. I want to disappear like Alice in Wonderland into a hole; into a new world to save me from my shame. You say to me, Lord, “I do not know you.”

     How absurd! I spoke back to Abba, “What do you mean that you do not know me? Did I not serve you during my year of discovery? I learned to search the scriptures to find the hidden truths that you lead me too. Have you forgotten the mission you sent me on and the ones that gave their lives to you?” What does this mean? Have I been walking this path by myself? I pondered.

     I found myself back on the road, the hard ground under my feet. The weight of my burden was heavier on my shoulders. My walk stopped. Looking skyward I was trying to comprehend what this all meant. How did I lose my way? When did I get off the path? Maybe I have never been on the right path that leads to Abba. I have been lost? Please help me. At that moment I knelt down on the hard, dry ground and my dry parched throat prayed a simple prayer, “please, forgive me Abba for going my own way. Teach me your ways. I want to learn from you.”

     I remembered a song from the old book. Searching my mind I remember bits of it that says, “I trust in thee, O Lord; I say thou art my God; my times are in thy hands.”  Concentrate. I closed my eyes, and I was back reliving my past.

      You swooped in like an angel lifting me up off the rough road and sustaining me in your arms; fighting my battles with the serpents that surrounded me on both sides.

     At times it was hard to hear your voice, the dark one sounds like you. I hit the pavement with a thump! The dark one would taunt me calling me the old names that someone supposedly dear to me had call me; I struggle with my Father’s love and I would get disconcerted, disillusion and throw it in your face. You taught me that I could trust you again and lean on you. You brought me new comrades and new hope. You showed me in little tests that I can trust you again.

     And so, I started to trust God in little ways by getting counseling. I truly grappled with my faith. Does he truly love me? Finally, I was able to make changes in my life. I made more new friends and started to go to church regularly, making a contribution by leading a single’s group.

     Many tests later, I came to my biggest challenge of all. I lost everything: my home, my car, even my precious possessions. God again said, “Trust me.” When I thought of those two words trust me, they reminded me of the humiliation, pain, and guilt. And I cringed and I am reminded of my lowest moment in the hands of him. Dark memories from a time long gone but it feels like yesterday with the smell of burning flesh.

     I suddenly realized that the landscape has changed and I am very parched and sunburn. My long lost friend we meet again. “Trust me.” How can I trust you when I am losing my car? My car has been my freedom, freedom from my mistakes: marriage, unwanted singleness, shame, guilt, and you. I see. I have been running away from you…

     How did I get here, again on the road of despair? We sometimes make strange bedfellows. I lived many years in abuse and heard from the man I loved that I was stupid, dumb, and idiotic so many times. He said he didn’t want children with me because they might be like me. And so, I became numb, slow to feel good emotions. It is so very hard to trust.

     When I meet people who remind me of my ex-husband, a war breaks out in my head. I become consume with memories and distressed that can punch me down and leave me silent. I work for such a person and was trying to make my escape and in doing so lost my only income. I haven’t been able to get another job and my every moment is consumed with having my boss tell me, “MaryAnn you’re too old for the industry and no one will hire you.” I hear the voice of my ex-husband telling me, “When you look for a job, make sure you don’t have to write, communicate, or drive because you can’t do any of those things.” STOP!! The Lord has made me a promise: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)   And, then “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart.”(Proverbs 3:3) Be truthful to yourself MaryAnn. “Love shall never leave you or forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5)   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”(Proverbs 3:5-6)   Out of the dirty muck I cleaned off the shame and guilt off my feet. I walk with sure footedness up the path of forgiveness and grace. I know I have stumble, but life is challenging it is not painless.

     The air is cleaner up on the plateau overlooking that hard road I have been traveling. I have traveled this road constantly when I let go of my father’s hand. I believed a lie. I believed that I was worthless and that who could love me. I found that was a lie from that vulture of prey that hunts the souls of the lost children of God.

     So if you find yourself on this hard road of life and you are thirsty for love. My Father, Jesus Christ his arms are always open wide for the losted, hurted, and confused just turn around HE has been waiting for you to notice HIM. HE is standing with open arms to embrace, kiss, and offer you a home with HIM. Ask HIM in and you will never be alone.

Lessons learned on a hard road when one is so thirsty that they are driven to change:  

     1.  Give up your control of your life to God and watch Him turn your life around.

     2.  Do not let go of His hand. Focus on the word. Jesus says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) We are the ones who leave His side when we sin. He promised to never leave us. When we come to the Father he forgives us for our past, present, and future sins. We go into hiding when we are running away and Jesus is right there with us. All we need to do is turn around; His arms are open wide ready and waiting for you.

     3.  Set up boundaries that are attainable. Just because you are stronger doesn’t mean that you can date someone who reminds you of your ex; this is a time to flee, run.

     4.  Read your Bible every day, memorizes scriptures, and pray; the Lord wants a relationship with you. Watch what you say do not let Satan in by the words you proclaim “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)  

     5.  If you lost everything today. Would you love the Lord more than your reputation? Give Him your pain and struggles. Let Him into your situations do not hide them from Him. HE knows all and it pains Him to see you in so much pain. Sometimes, we just get in the way of what He wants to do in our life.

     6.  Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Philippians  3:16) If the Lord shows you something do not let someone come in and tell you different. Those special bonds you have with the Lord do not let someone come and tear you two apart.

     7.  Watch what you say do not let Satan in by the words you proclaim. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14)      

    http://kissedbythefather.blogspot.com/

Having Proper Preparation in Your Life

The motto of the Boy Scouts is to always be prepared. It is a good creed to live by, as you never know exactly what is going to happen. Boy Scouts always make sure they have everything on hand they could possibly need for any eventuality out in the world. Their whole objective is to never be caught off guard. You should live your life that way, too, in order to provide protection and security to yourself and your family. This is especially important when it comes to faith, as it is said that Jesus will come as a thief in the night, so you must always be prepared for his return.

However, the fact is that no matter how much you are prepared, you can not prepare for every single thing. Unexpected things happen. Things that are totally random and out of the blue happen that no one would ever have imagined happening. You can have all of the first aid kits, hurricane kits, outdoor survival kits, snake bite kits, poison control kits and even emergency food supplies for extended natural disasters, and still find yourself without the one thing you need when the unexpected occurs.

Even in household budget planning, the unexpected happens. A tire blows out, a child has to go to the emergency room and there is no insurance, or a job terminates.

So how do you ever have full security in life? The fact is, you cannot outside of salvation. There will always be something that you could never have foreseen or imagined, and it could happen to you at the most inopportune times. Now, do not blow this out of proportion. Having blind faith by not preparing as much as humanly possible is advocated against in Scriptures as it is admonished that faith without works is dead.
Take heed in the meaning of the story of the ant and sluggard. You still need to have a budget plan, savings, emergency supplies, etc.

However, when you have faith in God (proving it through your obedient actions) you know you are never alone, never forsaken, and always protected in God’s own way.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5.

With this faith, you need never worry about being unprepared, because you will always have all the help you need right at hand.

Remember that God is never farther away than your prayers. When the earth quakes and the streets flood and your house comes crashing down, remember that God is with you. Reach out to him in faith and trust, and know in your heart He will protect you. The only way to have proper preparation in your life is to have God.