Bullies Part 2

A tragedy recently unfolded in our neighorhood. A very beautiful 15 year old girl by the name of Hannah Pauley took her own life.
The cause?
Bullying.
She was relentlessly hounded on facebook. She was demeaned and taunted.

I couldn't help but feel ill when read her story.

How relentless and how cruel children can be!

As hard as it is to say....children are like sponges. Many emulate thier parents.
If a child sees a parent spitting hatred from thier lips, gossiping, talking bad about others, then chances are....

they are going to follow in the parent's footsteps.

If we want to stop bullying in schools, we need to find the root of the problem.
We need to look in the mirror and especially the words that come out of our mouths.
If we speak negative, then chances are...our children will follow suit, like lambs to the slaughter...

but if we can learn to speak life, the words that God has called us to speak,
then we can build our children and teach them to encourage and offer kindness to those that need it most.

I"m very sad and desperately sorry for the parents and family of Hannah.
I saw her father on the news a few nights ago, speaking out against bullying.

If there is anyone out there reading this that is a victim of bullying...
Know this...It's hard. People are mean. I've lived through various forms of bullying.
Remember that you are beautiful and your purpose is great.
Look at things above, not at things below.
You are strong. You are fierce. You are meant to lead by example.
You are an overcomer.

THE POWER OF OUR WORDS

Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. James 3:6

but

Pleasant words are as honeycomb; sweet to the soul and healing to the body
Proverbs 16:24

for those of all denominations and faiths.

Does anyone ever feel like a victim of religious hatred and intolerance?
I'm sad because I have seen people from all walks of life and denominations hurt either by people of another denomination or by someone in thier own religion.

I've been hurt by comments from people from various denominations. From talking to people, I really feel as if the problem is widespread.

Hatred really bothers me. Gossip really bothers me. It's wrong no matter what religion. It's un Christlike.

I've heard of stories from a Catholic friends who felt targeted by Protestants.
Likewise, I've heard stories from a Protestant family member who felt targeted by Catholics.

So why all the intolerance and hatred?
One thing that I have learned is that many people feel very strongly about certain beliefs.
And that is wonderful. I think we should talk about our experiences and beliefs with one another. Peacefully.
It doesn't mean we have to come to an agreement.

There are so many differences even in the entire Christian belief system. It's ok to disagree, but it should be done in a spirit of love.
We should unite in the one thing, our Christ, that brings us together...instead of focusing on various differences.

I am sad because I feel as if various religions think that thier way is the Only way to the Cross.

Didn't Jesus say, "I am the way, the Truth, and the Life? No man cometh unto the Father but by me?

I am learning that Jesus doesn't reside in an building. He is there for all who seek Him.

I can say that I genuinely love people from all religions. I truly love them.
I love my Catholic friends and in-laws. I love the my Baptist friends. I love the Pentecostals. I love everyone. Period.
I know people from various denominations that Know Him.
It doesn't mean I have to agree with everyone...But I can love everyone regardless of our differences. We aren't meant to feel "separate." We aren't meant to be divided.

One thing I have learned in my walk is that Jesus loves each of us so very much. He wants us all to come into the knowledge of who He is...

Lately, there have been things I have seen in various religions that I don't agree with., even my own. Actually, dare I say that I claim no religion. But I know Him and I love Him with all of my heart. And I can honestly say that I love people from all religions.

If every church in America burned to ground, God would still be God. He would still lead us into truth. Because that is how big and beautiful He is. He doesn't limit himself to certain groups of people.
He writes His truth upon our hearts and minds.
He is there for All who knock.
He never said, "I"m there for all of the (insert a denomiation here) that knock.
NO, He calls us each to knock.

He calls the crack addict, the rich man, the poor man, the white man, the black man, the gay man, the straight man, to Knock. He wants each of us to knock.

My purpose in this post isn't to offend. I know that not everyone may agree with me. And that's ok. We are all taught things from a very young age and often those things are ingrained within us...
My purpose is not to change anyone. My purpose in writing this post is to show others that God is bigger than we can imagine. He doesn't limit Himself.

I hate to say this, but it's "man" that I don't trust. It seems that anytime another human is in charge of anything related to God, people get hurt....or confused....congregations end up hating people that aren't like them or pointing fingers of condemnation.

That is why I turn to Him and Him alone for my answers. Because He hears me and He is faithful. I simply don't trust in man, but I do trust in God.

Why do we try to change one another? Why can't we discuss our experiences with an open heart and mind without feeling that we have to convert one another to another religion?

There are so many religious barriers...but there is one force great enough to break them all down...and that is love.
If we loved one another the way Christ called us to love, then there would be no religious wars, antagonism, or hatred.
We wouldn't feel targeted. We would feel accepted. We would feel the way we were meant to feel.
We would embrace one another and see one another as fellow creations of Christ.

I don't embrace the beliefs of all religions. But I do embrace the people behind them.


I heard a story about someone who was shunned from church for committing a sin. And it nearly brought tears to my eyes. Have churches become so self righteous that they forget that Christ called us to love. He is the final judge.
I think if we see someone who is on the wrong path, we should lovingly speak to them as it says in the Bible..not point self righteous fingers.
People long to see Christ and we are called to represent Him...not cast stones at one another.

So for all of the people who have been hurt by "christians" and to all of the denominations...
I love you. I can see Christ in many of you and I hope that you can see Him in me. Let's put aside our differnces and pray for another.

Let's pray for those that need Christ and pray that we will represent Him in a true spirit of love.
I'm sorry to anyone who has ever gotten hurt by someone of another religion. I'm truly sorry.

Embracing life

When I first began making "to do' lists for Jesus,
I felt they were something that I had to do...

Now, they are something I desperately want to do.
Now, they are something I live and love and don't think twice about

This weeks to do list:

1. make hot chocolate for my boys
2. snuggle with them
3. buy Christmas Cards and more hats for the homeless
4. visit gran
5. write letter to a friend in need of encouragement
6. help out a dear lady who is going thru a very rough time
7. Talk to Him, (hey, which I do everyday anyway)

My thoughts on Halloween

Here are my thoughts on Halloween to the very few who are interested.
The truth is that I have celebrated Halloween every year.
Until this one.

I used to love the holiday. I actually considered it one of my favorites at one point in my life.

But a lot has happened during the course of a year to change my mind.

Some people say that Halloween is rooted in Christian tradition. But if you study the history and what actually happens on Halloween...the truth is very frightening.

It is day when children dress up as witches and demons.
It is a day when modesty is not honored and Christ is not revered.

I have seen the supernatural. I have seen that demonic forces are real, and I know that there are real witches and Satanists out there that use Halloween to celebrate.

I remember as a teenager...I would cringe when people would start talking about the evils of Halloween. I felt as if they were trying to ruin my fun and rain on my parade.

But now I can see thier concern. I never really hated the things of darkness until I truly walked in the Light of Christ.

So while my children and I will not participate, I can still love all the people who do.
I can pray for thier safety and I can spread my light to them.
We don't have to agree on things, but we can still act in the spirit and love of Christ.
So whoever is reading, I love you. Our convictions may not be the same, but that's ok.
I still wish you the best and I hope you wish the best for me.

What will I be doing on October 31?
It will be a day like any other. I will visit my grandmother who has been very ill and I will love on my children. My situation is not perfect but my God is...and on that day I will thank Him and love Him just like every other day. And maybe some hot cocoa would be nice too.

Please read the following link regarding the History of Halloween...
I didn't have a chance to check out the site..so I can't say whether or not I support it...

On another note, at first I was a little reluctant to post this...I know that there will scores of people who disagree with me...but then I remembered the phrase. "Stand for something, or you'll fall for anything."
My goal for this life isn't to force a religion down someone's throat..but to represent the love of Christ in the best possible way I can.

http://www.jeremiahproject.com/culture/halloween.html

other blog posts from different people around the states with similiar views...check them out :)

http://www.troyandjessica.com/blog/2007/the-problem-with-halloween

http://july24tojuly24.blogspot.com/2011/10/its-great-halloween-debate-charlie.html

for those in less than pleasant relationships

the other day..in the midst of what I thought was a "storm".....

I began to reflect on my life.

I began, mainly, to reflect on my relationships with men.

I could tell of horror story after horror story. Each one ending the same.

Complete failure. Total defeat.

I think there may be a country song for every one of my disappointments.

I have always wondered...What would it be like to trust someone? Completely and totally surrender to someone that I trusted? I have been lied to so many times by the men in my life that I have no trust left for them.

Not much, anyway.

I know that there are good guys out there, but not many.

Not many men have a heart that looks like Christ.

I"m writing this because in the not too distant past, I received what I thought was another blow to my marital situation.

On the surface, the waters look grim. But if you look deep then I see the face of Jesus in the entire situation.

He is there even when we do not see Him.

He is there with loving, open arms of security and comfort.

I have prayed for change for so long. But it seems that while God may not have changed the person that I am praying for,

He is completing a work within me.

and I know that God has heard my prayers.

I think that sometimes He justs wants to teach us that we aren't to put our trust in "man."

Sometimes I think that He wants to pick us up when we fall. He wants to be the one to dust us off, and set us back on the path.

I have always longed for a man to really know me. It seems as if I have always had to hide some aspect of myself to men. Even my own husband. I feel as if he doesn't really know me.

Maybe in a superficial way. He doesn't know Christ, so how can he know me, if I am becoming made into His likeness?

I know that he can see Jesus in me, but there is still a very wide gap between us that limits who and what we are to one another. Only Jesus can burn that bridge.

While I was thinking of my failure with men, a song came on....

It's called, "Known" by Audrey Assad

It reminded me how Christ knows us, even when men don't seem to get it...He knows us.

....

Here are the lyrics: Known

As the dew falls on the blade

You have touched all this fragile frame

And as a mother knows her baby's face

You know me

As the summer air within my chest

I have breathed You deep down into my breast

And as You know the hairs upon my head

Every thought and every word I've said

Savior, You have known me as I am

Healer, You have known me as I was

As I will be

In the morning in the evening

You have known me

Yeah, you know me

And as the exhilaration of autumn's bite

Oh, You have brought these tired bones to brilliant life

and as the swallow knows, she knows the sky

This is how it is with You and I

From the fall of my heart to the resurrection of my soul

You know me, God

And You know my ways

In my rising and my sitting down

You see me as I am

Oh, see me as I am

And as a lover knows His beloved's heart

All the shapes and curves of her, even in the dark

Oh, You have formed one in my inward parts

And You know me

You have always known me

You know me

You have always known my heart

______________

am not completely familiar with the book Song of Solomon, but I have always heard that it was written to show the love that Christ has for His people. It is very divine and also very intimate. It reveals how He knows and loves us as no one else can.

Totally, wholly, and completely.

He knows our thoughts, our hearts. every breath,

His desire is for us....

___________

After I heard the song playing on the radio, I couldn't help but cry.

Someone does know me, after all. And He loves me anyway.

And whoever is reading this, He loves you too.

They say that God is a jealous God. You are His Beloved, and His desire is for you.

please read the following links about more struggles with relationships and truths that He has shown...

http://letmewashyourfeet.blogspot.com/2011/03/dark-places.html

http://letmewashyourfeet.blogspot.com/2011/08/life-for-stale-love.html

http://letmewashyourfeet.blogspot.com/2011/03/pain-of-wrong-relationship.html

http://letmewashyourfeet.blogspot.com/2011/10/build-him-up.html

http://letmewashyourfeet.blogspot.com/2011/05/blackberry-revelation.html

Don't Gossip. Period.

You are better than that.

Some more beautiful truths