Compliment Day!

Since I will be talking about love all week, I hope you practiced your kissing yesterday if you read my blog.  I am all about working to improve a marriage and I find myself doing just the opposite of what I preach.  My counseling techniques my husband is now picking up on cause he starts his complaints with, “I feel”.  You can smile because we all do sometimes without realizing it.  Today I want to focus on complimenting our love and the people we come in contact with on a daily basis.  We can practice this two ways.

First we can cut out or cut back complaining.  We should learn to redirect our words.  If you want a peaceful, happy love life, we all need to learn the art of the compliment.  Compliments are like magnets and the more you compliment, the more your lover will be attracted to you or the more people will want to be around you.  Start noticing things they do, encourage and compliment at least once or twice a day.  You may be asking yourself, “Why should I compliment him when he NEVER compliments me?”  If you want your marriage or your relationship to grow, it is about giving to water it with kindness and encouragement.  Want change for the better?  Then it must start with YOU.

Ever heard of a compliment sandwich?  It is when you place a difficult situation between two compliments.  This works with any relationship.  There is also a way you can compliment their intelligence.  Instead of barking or complaining about the garage being a mess and that he may need to clean up his tool area, you could say something like this, “I would like your help with something, could you figure out a storage system or a way to organize all the tools?”  Suggest to go shopping for a way to organize and do this together.  Sometimes a project can seem overwhelming that is why we just would rather leave it and procrastinate how we will do it later.  Helping one another is a time to talk and form bonding time, not complaining.  We should free our voice from sarcasm and from, ” I am right, you are wrong” attitude.  Your words are life or death in any relationship.  I have also noticed in the work place if you compliment a fellow employee that no one seems to like, their attitude toward you will change for the better if you compliment them.  Some people need to feel loved and showering them with compliments might just be the answer to their love language.

Compliments are a simple, yet powerful, relationship building tool. There are many different reasons to give a compliment. The most compelling – it makes you feel good. You cannot give a sincere compliment without feeling great. It’s impossible. Why does it feel so wonderful to pay a compliment? Because you are connecting honestly, directly, and kindly with another human being. There are also many hidden benefits to giving compliments. It’s amazing that such a small, simple skill like giving away compliments can change the way you view yourself and the world around you. It will strengthen your relationships, boost your self-esteem, and increase your self-confidence. You will experience joy and happiness as you learn to give selflessly.

Each time you give a compliment, you focus completely on the other person. You actively look for positive traits or attributes and specific examples.  People’s positive traits jump out at you. Your thought processes shifts from looking for the worst in people to looking for the best. Being proactive spills over into your life. You see the possibilities, not the obstacles. Compliment giving is a jump-start for looking at the world in a positive, refreshing, stimulating, and creative way.

Knowing something is good for you doesn’t always translate into action. I encourage you to make compliment giving a habit – a compliment habit. All you need to do is give away 5 compliments a day. It doesn’t take long to give away five compliments. Five heartfelt, honest to goodness, acts of kindness. It costs nothing but a little time, energy, and the desire to make your life and the lives of others better. Compliments are defined as gracious words, given freely, which create happiness for both the giver and the receiver.

So today is “Compliment Day”!  Here are the steps.

1.  Decide what you like about the person. 2.  Add a detail of why and what you like about them and tell them.  It is that easy!  Your homework for the day is to give at least five to ten compliments to friends, family and of course your love!

Oh, by the way, you are a terrific blog reader and you are very special in God’s heart!   Now, I have nine more to go for the day…. who is counting right?

Prayer:  Lord, let my words be sweet honey today for my friends, my family and my husband.  Let me see the good and make it a habit to compliment others.  I want to spread your love in my life and see others as you see them.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Proverbs 16:24, Psalms 119:103 New International Version (©1984)
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Today is Kissing Day!

We all liked to be kissed.  Today I officially name today a kissing day!  (The Internationally Kissing Day is not until July 6th.) However, I give you permission to celebrate this week of Valentines by kissing someone!  A kiss can be quick, long, sensual or a loving gesture.  Here is a list of some of the kisses I ran across when researching the kiss.  Today is a day to practice at least a couple of these!  Happy Kissing!

Butterfly Kiss – With your faces less than a breath away, open and close your eyelids against your partners. If done correctly, the fluttering sensation will match the one in your heart.

Cheek Kiss – A friendly, “I really like you” kiss. Often the preferred kissing method of a first date. With your hands on your partner’s shoulders, gently brush your lips across her cheek.

Earlobe Kiss – Gently sip and suck the earlobe. Avoid louder sucking noises as ears are sensitized noise detectors.

Eskimo Kiss – With your faces less than a breath apart, gently rub your noses together.

Eye Kiss – Hold your partner’s head with both hands and slowly move their head in the direction you wish your kiss to go… then slowly kiss up towards your partner’s eyes and give them a tender kiss on top of their closed eyes.

Eyelid Kiss – While your partner is resting/sleeping with eyes closed, very very gently kiss the spot right below their browbone. A very intimate kiss.

Foot Kiss – An erotic and romantic gesture. It may tickle, but relax and enjoy it! To give a toe kiss by gently suck the toes and then lightly kissing the foot. It helps to gently massage the base of the foot while performing the kiss.

Forehead Kiss – The “motherly” kiss or “just friends” kiss. The forehead kiss can be a comforting kiss to anyone. Simply brush your lips lightly across the crown of their head.

Freeze Kiss (or Melt Kiss) – Experiment with this fun kiss. Put a small piece of ice in your mouth, then open mouth and kiss your partner, passing them the ice with your tongue. It’s an erotic and sensual french kiss with a twist of cold.

French Kiss – The kiss involving the tongue. Some call this the “Soul Kiss” because the life and soul are thought to pass through the mouth’s breath in the exchange across tongues. Surprisingly, the French call this “The English Kiss”.

Fruity Kiss – Take a small piece of fruit and place between your lips (juicy fruits such as grapes, strawberries, small pieces of pineapple or mango are ideal). Kiss your partner and nibble one half of the piece of fruit while they nibble the other until it breaks in half, allowing the juice to run into your mouths.

Hand Kiss – Gently raise her hand to your lips. Lightly brush your lips across the top of her hand. Historically this kiss was performed with a bow, which showed deference to a lady.

Hickey Kiss – The object is not to draw blood, but to gently leave a mark that will prove your interlude was not a dream. This is often included in erotic foreplay.

Hot and Cold Kiss – Lick your partner’s lips so that they’re warm, and then gently blow on them. The sudden cold blast makes for a sensual explosion, and they will often try it on you next, as well as get very passionate.

Letter Kiss – Send your lover a kiss in a love letter by writing the letter x several times in a row at the bottom of a letter such as XXXXX.

Lick Kiss – Just before kissing, gently run your tongue along you partners lip whether it be the top or bottom one depending on the position of your lips. Very sensual.

Lip Sucking Kiss – When kissing gently suck on their lower lip. This can be very exciting.

Neck Nibble Kiss – Gently nibble up and down your partners neck. End with a gentle kiss on the lips.

Nip Kiss – This kiss can create a very erotic sensation. While kissing your partner, ever so gently nibble on their lips. You must be very careful not to bite to hard or hurt your partner. When done correctly, this kiss ignites wonderful sensations.

Reverse Lips Kiss – It involves standing above your lover and kissing them from over their head. This way, each kisser can take the hyper-sensitive bottom lip of thier lover in their mouths, and GENTLY draw blood to the surface of the lip by nibbling and sucking. A very sensuous, connecting kiss.

Shoulder Kiss – Simply come from behind, embrace her, and kiss the top of her shoulder. This is a sensual, loving kiss.

Sip Kiss – Take a small sip of your favorite drink. Leaving a little bit of it on your lips, kiss your partner. It is a unique way to create a sensual feeling and your partner will enjoy it.

Talking Kiss – Whisper sweet nothings into your partner’s mouth. If caught in the act, simply say as Chico Marx, “I wasn’t kissing her. I was whispering into her mouth.”

Teaser Kiss – Starting on the forehead, a sweet short kiss on lips, then move up the arms up to her hand, kiss her hand, then come back up her arm, to her face and then lightly kiss her lips till she wants a passionate kiss.

The Buzzing Kiss – Gently place your lips against your lover’s neck , behind their ear. Now, send a shudder through their skin by gently growling and humming, vibrating your lips and cheeks as you do so. Move up and down the neck, over the bones of the face and lips. Stimulating and erotic when done correctly.

The Whipped Cream Kiss – Dip your finger into some cool whip or whipped cream of your choice. Lick it off slowly, then embrace your partner and kiss them deeply letting their tongue slip over yours for a wonderfully sweet kiss. It’s very seductive and passionate.

Tiger Kiss – Quietly sneak up behind your partner making sure they do not know what you are going to do. Out of the blue, grab them and gently bite their neck. Make sure to get a few good growls in too. This will surely surprise them.

Trickle Kiss – Take a sip of a favourite drink and trickle it slowly into partner’s mouth while kissing.

Quickie Kiss – When you’re in a rush. Often the nose gets it rather than the lips.

Vacuum Kiss – While kissing open-mouthed, slightly suck in as if you were sucking the air from your partners mouth. This is a playful kiss.

Wake Up Kiss – Before your partner awakes lean over and kiss their cheek and move over giving soft kisses until you reach their lips. Definitely a more than pleasant way to wake up!

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for all the kisses you have given me in my lifetime!

I Peter 5:14 New International Version (©1984)
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

An Open Hand

I experienced an open hand the other night in a dream or somewhat a vision.  I had been praying throughout the day trying to overcome a heaviness in my heart over some issues dealing with prayer and miracles.   The open hand was shown to me by God.  God was speaking about what I have hopefully instilled in my sons.

The open hand is symbolic of a hand of giving, serving and reaching out.  It is a hand to receive, to be teachable, to be humble to extend into areas and walk by faith.  An open hand is also a hand that catches not only the good but also the bad.  As people of God we must have wisdom in order to sift out the things in which are not of God.  People who are led by the flesh or who are hurting themselves always try to pass the hurting baton to others.  Their motive may or may not wish to hurt but their actions out of selfish motives create a tendency to form rejection.  This sometimes can become very confusing.  God always looks on the heart.  An open hand, is an open heart.  We must continue to keep an open hand, always.  We cannot choose when to open or when to close and call it justification.  We must remain constant, balanced and saved.

A closed hand is refusing to give, to love or to lead by example.  It is as if someone folds their hands and puts them in their pocket.  By this stature or this form of a closed fist may prevent bad things to come your way or from being hurt but it also prevents an open heaven of blessings.  A closed hand cannot receive.  A closed hand symbolizes pride and selfish motives.

Either we are open or we are closed.  To be open is to forgive and say, I am willing to be vulnerable in which I may get hurt again but I will survive and push forward.  It is a form of expression to find peace, freedom and joy.  To be closed is rejecting all and everything the soul searches for.

Today my prayer for you is to open up your heart and open up your hands to receive what God wants you to receive.  Every morning wake up with a new perspective on life, living it for the Kingdom of God with eternal values.  Stand upright in your words, decisions and actions and teach others to have an open hand.

Prayer:  Lord, I pray with open hands today, ready to receive all that you want me to receive.  Give me the wisdom to sift through e things that come my way.  I pray my heart will always be open to love others as you love me.  You have shown us the example of what an open heart and hands look like as you died on the cross for each one of us.  I thank you Jesus for the visions, the dreams and the encouragement you give me daily.  In Jesus Name. Amen

Psalms 112:9  Bible in Basic English Proverbs 16:3
He has given with open hands to the poor; his righteousness is forever.  Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.

Praying Today for a Miracle

Today I sit here without freshly brewed coffee.  What was I thinking when I made the last of the bin yesterday?  I should have stopped at the store for more.  I settled for instant coffee my mother had gave me, not bad, just different.  It taste like the coffee in India which is forever etched in my mind.  The children there, the coloring sheets they recently sent in the mail for me with their writings in Telegu brings tears to my eyes.  I miss them everyday and my heart aches to return soon.

The little girl we rescued and bought her freedom has not been well since she arrived at the home.  The testing has taken a toil on Praveen taking care of her.  He sent me an email stating the doctors urged him to put Anitha in hospital for she has AIDS.  This has broken my heart and I couldn’t even imagine what Praveen must be going through now.  Anitha told her story of how the men who have came to the mines to buy the rock, the truck drivers would abuse her little body, continuously raping her.  She is around 12-14 years of age.  They are infecting all the little girls that are still at the mines including Anitha’s sisters who are enslaved there.  We paid $3500.00 to free her.  Praveen is going to talk to the mine owner, which is eleven hours away and tell him of these men and what they are doing.  Hopefully the owner will cease the contact between since he knows they are infected for this ruins his workers although he probably is paid for each one of the girls they abuse.  It is a sad system, corrupt and evil.  A precious little girl, sad and afraid now lies in a hospital bed fighting for her life because of wicked men.  It takes me back to the question of “Why does God allow this to happen”?  Many people have asked the same thing.  My answer is unknown and in time we shall see the glory that God brings about through it all.  Our faith is increased, our prayer life is increased and we are made strong in our weakness to depend upon Him to be the healer, provider and miracle worker.  Anitha needs all three at this time.  Please pray for her right now to receive peace, faith and total recovery.  In Jesus Name we bind together to stop this madness and protect God’s children!

Today, I will not eat for little Anitha.  Not much of a sacrifice but God sees my heart and my intentions.  I pray for Praveen for his faith to increase, strength to have courage and for his mind to be renewed.  Please agree with me in prayer today for the enemy will not win, God will always get the glory no matter the outcome.

II Corthinthians 1:4  New International Version (©1984)
Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Shadow Day

Today my 16-year-old niece Chelsey is coming over for a school project.  It is called “Job Shadow Day”.  She will have the opportunity to follow me around today to see what it is like to have a profession called, Pastor/Speaker/Teacher/Photographer/Counselor/Church Secretary/Graphic Designer/Mercy29 Sponsor Coordinator/ Writer and I could be more creative and come up with more things to call myself.   I am being funny so smile…. As a mother and a busy wife, she might not ever want to be like me but today she will have the chance to be on the run.  Today I made a list of things to do so we will be busy and I hope I am able to teach her something as she follows me around.  She will learn that I am only somewhat organized, that I jump from one project to another, and I love to eat out.  I wonder since I have another girl with me today if shopping is considered in the job shadowing business?  We will be going right past TJ Max so I am sure it would be fine to put that in her essay and we can conclude it’s about being a Proverbs 31 woman.  I am sure she already knows about shopping but it won’t hurt to just look!

Today is a planned day and I know she will be watching.  However do you realize there are people who are around you everyday walking in your shadow?  They may not take literal notes but mentally they see if you portray who you have really claimed to be.  Our words, our actions and our character is constantly being watched by friends, co-workers, business associates and employers.  People always watch you regardless of what kind of day you are having.  There is good days and bad days and days we want to hide from people however there is always someone in your shadow.

I am also thankful to know that God hides us in the shadow of His care.  He is always watching and always with us through it all no matter what comes our way good or bad.

Psalms 17:6-8 New International Version (©1984)
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

This is a pattern to Christians to commit the keeping of their souls to God, trusting him to preserve them to his heavenly kingdom.

Prayer:  Lord, I pray that Chelsey will be guided by your strength in knowing how I serve you throughout the day.  Let us all be examples of your love and your spirit.  Let us shadow you as others shadow us.  In Jesus name. Amen.

What Commitment Looks Like

Last year, Jeff and I had the privilege to meet Joel Osteen.  We were asked to come to his church as a part of “Significant Churches”.  Along with several other churches, our group consisted of less than a couple of hundred people in a session with Pastor Osteen.  I found him to be true to his commitment, smiling and quite personable.  He wept several times, humble and very encouraging to all of us.  He is a prime example of a successful leader and a committed person in all areas of his life.  His mother upon speaking to her was quite the same in friendliness and respect.  What I found in both of them is a high commitment in reaching others for Christ.  We both prayed for a gentlemen who suffered with cancer there at the table.  I felt it to be a honor to be a part of their ministry not only for that day but also a part in the Kingdom of eternity.

What is commitment?  A pledge, a promise, a responsibility or dedication?  So many people don’t view commitment as lasting, enduring or means to show loyalty, duty or pledge to something or someone.  Everyone wants to be a part of something yet they are unwilling to commit to be successful and give only part in the form of what I call “convenience commitment.”  Convenience commitment is not really commitment at all, it is just filling in space or time in doing what you want for selfish reasons.

The most important single factor in individual success is commitment. Commitment ignites action. To commit is to pledge yourself to a certain purpose or line of conduct fully. It also means practicing beliefs consistently. There are, therefore, two fundamental conditions for commitment. The first is having a sound set of beliefs. The second is faithful adherence to those beliefs with your behavior. Possibly the best description of commitment is “persistence with a purpose”.  There is an old saying that goes, “Stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”

Anything that is successful or anyone who becomes successful is a person who is  committed wholeheartedly to the purpose.  In other words, a marriage is something two people commit themselves to and is a choice.  If you want it to have a loving, lasting and happy marriage, then your behavior will show the actions to make it happen.  To have an effective commitment is to have commitment to oneself, to others, to a goal, and produce results.  The truth is, demonstrating commitment is hard work. Wavering commitment is usually seen as no commitment at all. The only way to achieve a reputation for commitment is through determination and persistence. Genuine commitment stands the test of time.

What is the first action one must do to show they are committed?  The first action is called supporting.  Genuine support develops a commitment in the minds and hearts of others. This is accomplished by focusing on what is important and leading by example.  A crucial aspect of true support is standing up to those who would undermine commitment, those whose words or actions show disrespect.  The second action underlying commitment is called improving. Improving stretches our commitment to an even higher level. Commitment means a willingness to look for a better way and learn from the process.  It is the combination of both supporting and improving behaviors that makes up the practice of commitment. Separately neither action is capable of sustaining commitment. Promoting alone can come across as a shallow. Continuous improvement can be seen as “good is never good enough”. Together they provide a needed balance. Both are essential to commitment.

When your competition scores big against you, when the money dries up, or when the glamour of success wears off, this is when it is easiest to compromise commitments. The real test comes when you can hold the line against the easy route of compromise.  People who hop to one commitment to another without longevity never reach success or attain happiness because they continue to run to what is easiest for them.

Fortunately, paying the price that commitment commands has payoffs worth the cost – a reputation for integrity and, even more important, the commitment of others in return. Commitment is a two-way street. You only get it if you are willing to give it.  If you want others to follow you, then you must be willing to follow others first and lead by example with the actions of support and improvement.

Think about your commitments in your life right now.  In relationships, family, friends, in work, in church, in hobbies or anything in which you have promised to commit to.  How long do you stay in your commitments?  Do you lead by example?  We must realize our children will practice the same techniques of our own commitments and we set the example.

Joel Osteen’s father passed to his son not only a mega church but also a lasting example of the results of commitment in which is still practiced today.

“You can be committed to Church but not committed to Christ, but you cannot be committed to Christ and not committed to church.”
Joel Osteen

If you can be committed to both equally on a level determined with consistency without wavering, then you my friend will find success in all the areas you are committed to.  If you are only committed halfway, then you will find half way success.  Find commitment in the true form and you will become the successful person you want to be.

Prayer:  Lord I pray that you continue to feed me with your word.  I pray my commitments will remain true, without wavering and bring you glory.  I don’t want to separate myself from you by committing to other things in which compromises my integrity or walk with you.  Help me make decisions that will be best for everyone including those who are around me.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

I Corinthians 10:24, 13:4- 7

New International Version (©1984)
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

www.significantchurch.com

The Dangerous Beauty of Ice

This morning is really cold but beautiful.  As the sun beamed down on the trees and the road yesterday, the snow disappeared.  This morning however the trees look like glistening diamonds as the sun beams reach them.  Frozen in the night, the water turned to ice forming crystals.  Outside my window is breathtaking.  I noticed a little squirrel in the top of one tree munching on a goodie he must have hidden and dug out.  The air still looks cold and the fog from the lake close to the ground still lurks as if I am watching a movie unfold as the sun rises.  The fog overtakes the trees and I no longer see them glisten only the trunks since visibility limited for moments of time.

Ice can have two sides, beauty and dangerous.  Shining and twinkling yet sharp and slick.  It captivates everything in it’s sight not just choosing across the landscape but consuming the entire surrounding.  There is many beautiful things that may attract our eye yet they are dangerous, slick and sharp, deadly enough to kill.  Sin in all forms takes on a new meaning when a person views it as beautiful and enticing.  We know that Jesus tempted to such as he was led away in the wilderness and satan came to him and showed him a beautiful sight on top of the mountain promising that it would be his if he would only bow down to him.  We know Jesus rebuked and refused.  How many times do we fail God when we are tempted to a beautiful sight or because of lust of the eyes, wanting without thinking about the consequences.  It is though we jump into a speeding car and drive across the black ice and call it fun.  The sinful fun only last for a season for the end result will be that of a crash.  We find ourselves cut, scarred, bleeding from the heart from our own mistakes yet Jesus is there waiting, ready to melt the ice from our soul.  It is He that makes true beauty and once He has captured our very soul, hopefully as we grow in Him, we look away from enticing lust for we know the result.

As for this morning, I think of His beauty, His creation, His power and how much He truly loves us.  I wouldn’t want to live any other way.

Prayer:  Lord I thank you for your glory, your power and your beauty you allow us to perceive.  I pray for wisdom to know when the enemy entices us that may draw us away from you.  I pray for strength to overcome all temptations of the flesh and the lust of the eyes.  I want to behold your beauty and your glory as we all walk in your holiness.  In Jesus name.  Amen

I John 2:16 New International Version (©1984)
For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world.

I John 4:4  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Define Life, Pregnancy, Abortion, Birth Control….

There has always been much debate on when life begins in a human being.  When does a person become a person?  Some say it is when a baby takes its first breath.  Some say it is when the embryo starts to develop and some say it is when the sperm unites with the egg.  Everyone has their own opinion when dealing with this issue.  Why am I writing about this?  Sanctity of Life is now being recognized all over the world and given a time to honor and respect life.  Every year an invitation is extended to come to our church to recognize, reflect and remember life of others.  From the unborn, handicapped and to the elderly we respect life.  

I also educate people about birth control and pregnancy.  Many women who are Christians respect the issue of life and most agree in Biblical sense that life begins upon conception. Pregnancy defined is the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus.  Once conceived the fertilized egg will travel down the fallopian tubes and attach itself to the uterine wall.  Once there the cells will continue to multiply or divide until a zygote forms into looking like a small being.  It’s heart will start beating after 21 days in which this is the stage most women will think or know she could be pregnant. The baby will continue to grow until born.  Pregnancy can be prevented if sperm does not reach the egg.  This is the issue. Birth control should prevent fertilization. What happens to most women and consumers we are uneducated on how birth control devices really work.  Devices such as condoms prevent the uniting thus prevents conception and pregnancy.  However, if you carefully study out the rest of the world of birth control you will find out different.  I am not against birth control, I just think people should know the difference before choosing.

The most common is the Birth Control Pill. (also other forms of releasing hormones – patch, Dep. shot etc)  The ideal behind the pill created in the early 1960’s was to introduce hormones into a woman’s body to keep her from releasing an egg, therefore preventing pregnancy or conception.  Sounds easy doesn’t it.  What resulted in long-term, side effects was severe and dangerous so to continue making this great scientific method therefore they reduce the hormones.  The mucus results also in thickens in hopes the sperm cannot reach the egg if released.  What the pharmacy companies won’t tell you is that preventing the egg from releasing is only half of the story.  The egg in fact does sometimes release and fertilization does occur. The hormones in fact cause an unhealthy and hostile enviroment on the uterine walls making the united cells, (the early stage of conception,) from attaching to the walls of the uterus, thus preventing their terms pregnancy.  The studies if you want to research, state this happens at least twice a year for women who take the pill.  So does this mean millions of women believe the lie that conception has never taken place and therefore they are preventing pregnancy by killing the potential life the first couple of days after fertilization?  We should be told the facts before hand.  As Christians if we truly believe life or the term, “pregnancy” defined is upon sperm uniting with egg then we should educate ourselves on what these methods actually do.  Will God hold us accountable for destroying the early stages of life?

Let us look at the IUD.   The Intrauterine Uterine Device is a small T structure inserted and left inside the uterus.  The birth control method of stating it prevents sperm from getting to egg.  Although not always 100% accurate on the statement, what it can also do is it continues to float and removes, scrapes the uterine walls.  Can you guess what happens to a new conceived egg that has implanted into the wall and growing?  It is scraped off and discarded through menstruation, thus preventing life to continue to grow.  Pregnancy has already taken place yet the dividing cell of the early pregnancy stage never gets to grow.  Pregnancy is not prevented just discarded as an inconvenience or as a form of so called birth control.  The doctor’s never tell you all the facts but if you ask they will tell you that it could be a possibility.

If we look at the term birth control it is defined: limiting the number of children born, A way for men and women to prevent pregnancy. Methods for women include birth control pills, condoms, vaginal spermicide, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and more.  The term itself makes us believe it prevents pregnancy but if the term pregnancy itself is defined from conception then terminating the conceived pregnancy would be an abortifacient.

An abortifacient is a substance that induces abortion and defined is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo, resulting in or caused by its death.  If an abortifacient is stated as above that would conclude any birth control device that terminates “pregnancy” would be considered as abortion.

It is sad and heartbreaking to know that women all over the world get really disturbed about abortions yet they themselves are unaware of their own possible abortifacients.

Abortions are legal and also show much controversy.  However the statistics show one out of five women have had an abortion by the time of forty-five years of age. I volunteered for a crisis pregnancy for over two years and informed pregnant women about abortion procedures and encouraged and prayed for her to make decisions that promoted life.   The deeply rooted and engrained turmoil from an abortion decision affects a woman who has went through this ordeal whether they agree, admit or know. I also tell women about PAS, Post Abortion Syndrome.  The long-term effects of an abortion in which a woman deals with even years later can be a time of depression and grief in which she has hidden.  I also teach a class on this, helping those who want to be healed from a past decision of abortion.  It can benefit a woman spiritually, emotionally and mentally by allowing her to grieve and uncover a hidden secret.  The sessions are completely confidential.  Women who are facing an unwanted pregnancy do not think about long-term effects but only a way to solve a problem or interruption of their lifestyle or in some cases of emergency conditions.

I hope in some way that readers who may stumble across this blog is enlightened and challenged.  We as Christians need to stand up for the loss of life and pray to end this disturbing news.  As people who respect the elderly, the handicapped and the unborn, we will continue to pray for God to have mercy and make awareness through educating and offering healing guidance in past decisions.

The question I ask you the reader is when do you think life begins?  Should we be allowed to terminate life out of ignorance?

Prayer:  Lord, I want people to know you in a greater sense of knowing you give life.  I never want to take the life you give us for granted or abuse it.  I thank you for life. Help me to help others heal from a decision of their past so they may know you in your healing virtue and peace.  In Jesus Name.  Amen

Job 10:10  You guided my conception and formed me in the womb.

Isaiah 44:2 This is what the LORD says–he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you:

Romans 7:5-6 New International Version (©1984)
For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.  But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Where Is The Snow

Living in Kentucky we enjoy all the seasons.  The spring time is beautiful with the flowers blooming, the summers bring in the hot temperatures for swimming fun, the fall with the bouquet of colors and the winter hopefully with snow.  Last night we were expecting by the weather report to wake with several inches of snow.  The schools around the area canceled for safety reasons taking precautions in the expectation of snow.  It is after two in the afternoon at the time of writing this and guess what?  No snow, just a chilling wind with the weather man stating the system had slowed and we wouldn’t be getting inches until night fall.  So, the children all around the county are home and bored.  My mother even expecting us to come and sleigh ride in her back yard, prepared home-made soup expecting a family gathering.  ”Where is the snow?” was the question many woke up to this morning as they raced to look out the window.  High expectations equal frustration when not met.

Sometimes expectations will let us down but we never must give up to not believing in them.  We can hope and look forward to something happening and then when it doesn’t we go through a slew of questions.  Some asking the “why” question, “what if” or “how come” always follow.  Timing is usually the answer.  Just as the weather took a turn, so does our expectations, which include our let downs.  We should always have hope and look forward and have those expectations.  We can except the best but prepare for the worst, that way we are never caught off guard or frustrated.  As for the snow, I am expecting a beautiful white wonderland in my back yard when I wake up in the morning, and of course in the midst of it all, I will grumble about changing my plans at the church for tomorrow morning and reschedule my event.

Prayer:  Lord I know you have plans for us and I always want to expect the best.  You know what is best for all of us.  Let us use the fruit of the spirit when expectation comes and allow you to work in every direction of our lives.  In Jesus name. Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (©1984)
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.

Local Hero Dog

If you own a dog then you just know.  You know and have a sense that they understand what you are going through and they are smart enough to know when they do something wrong or if there is something wrong.  They love attention and rarely seem in a bad mood, always ready to guard and also to love even more so save your life.  Sometimes they do things in which qualifies them as a hero.  A couple of weeks ago, during the freezing temperatures, my neighbor’s dog became a hero.

Kim had let her dog out at 2:30 in the afternoon.  Wearing only jogging pants, t-shirt and socks she went outside to get her and slipped on ice and fell.  She lay there unconscience for three hours.  Her little dog, a Shih Tzu, laid on top of her chest the entire time.  Since no one could get her to answer her phone, family came to her home and found her barely alive laying in the yard as if she was frozen but barely breathing.  She suffered from severe hypothermia and frost bite but is now recovering from the ordeal.  The doctors told her that her survival is a miracle and her little dog kept her heart and lungs from freezing.  I remember my other neighbor calling me and asking if the ambulance was coming to my house and as I looked out the window I could tell it was at her house.  I wasn’t for sure what was going on since it was dark.  I am thankful not only for our pets but that her life was spared.

Kim never felt cold or scared.  She had a comfort that God was with her through it all.  I know that God gives us special friends in times like these, and those special friends might just be a little furry and like to bark.  Darby Jo was her angel.  If you have a great story to tell about your pet, please leave me a comment because I love to hear stories like this.

Prayer:  Lord I am happy to know that your creatures great and small are always there for us and that you made them just for us.  You are always with us in times of need with your grace and saving power.  I praise you for tiny miracles in my life every day.  Amen

Deuteronomy 31:8 New International Version (©1984)
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”