Apart

Set apart, made unique.

I've always been that individual who was slightly awkward.  Good gravy as I was walking onto a stage yesterday I tripped.  In front of everyone.  In front of the whole church!!!  Now that's set apart :)

Paul isn't talking about that kind of set apart.  This kind of set apart was something that happened even before we were born.  We were unique in our Father God's eyes before we were even created.  I don't know about you, but that's incredible.  To be loved in such a way and to be treasured.  In doing so we are called by His grace.

Friends, if you're having a rough day, if you feel that the world is against you and things aren't going your way remember you are the chosen.  You are a holy blameless child of God set apart before you were born, called by Him who loves you, by His Grace.

Now that's a treasured thought.

Conundrum

Sometimes when I read the Bible I run across a chapter that I think in my head, Say what?  And so reread it again, I’m like mhhrrrr, I don’t know how to take that... and I’m compuzzled (compounded and puzzled, I made the word up).

Like this verse and chapter I had to reread it and then reread it again.  I’m still confused.

Friends, I want you to know that that’s ok.  The Bible is filled with incredibly awesome, epic, and sometimes mysterious words.  I feel as we walk on this journey with our Father God that some things He’ll reveal at a later date.  So after I got done rereading this chapter and then the verse.  I prayed to God asking Him what it all meant.  How do I test myself?  How does one make sure you are in the faith?  Possibly just simply asking God “ am I in the faith?”

If anyone knows I would love the answer 🙃

John Crist

If you’re a Christian and haven’t heard of comedian John Crist you all need to start hearing about him.

He is hilarious!  I can’t help but crack up every time I hear one of his skits (do you even call it a skit). So because Easter’s coming up, enjoy this video 😂

And if you want here is a link to his website so you yourself can check him out.
Click Here

Cunning

So today in 2nd Corinthians 11 Paul gives a hard scary truth.  If you haven’t read this chapter let me give you a quick synopsis.  The Corinthians have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior they believe that He died on the cross and rose again.  That Jesus conquered death and in doing so broke the chains of bondage in order for us to have an intimate relationship with God.

Now as they  are growing in their faith and time has past by Paul is seeing an unsettling amount of stumbling blocks.  I can see how easily I would fall on these blocks too.  One of those blocks he addresses is verses 3 and 4 in chapter 11.

     “For I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve”

Stop right there and consider that.

He didn’t say “Hey you idiots!  You’re listening and believing all this mumbo jumbo!”  No, He was afraid, not very much scared Paul.  He had walked through so much in his life and I can only assume not much scared him, but the thought of even one of the followers of Christ being led astray scared him enough to write to them.

Now go ahead and look at verse 4.

“ For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus.”

What does he mean by that?  So many times we are looking for the obvious abnoxious loud unclean spokesman proclaiming that he’s Jesus.  I want you to consider this though.  This could be anyone preaching something slightly different then what the Bible says.  This could be someone going over a book of the Bible and skipping the chapters that might not seem relevant to today’s culture.  This could mean someone saying well I  think the Old Testament is an allegory.  Friends, this is dangerous grounds we’re on here and unfortunately too many people put up with it readily enough.

You want to know if you’re being deceived by a cunning serpent like Eve was?  Read your Bible.  I would never allow a professor to lecture me in college and simply use their lectures to study for tests.  I would read the book to make sure everything was covered before I took the test.  Why in the world would you take another person’s opinion on the Bible when you can read the Bible for yourself!  Now am I saying that you shouldn’t go to church and listen to your pastor? No!  But for goodness sake read your Bible and hold your pastor to the standards the Bible puts on everyone not the other way around.

So please, whatever you may think.  If you’re a Christian read your Bible so you don’t readily fall to another’s opinion of who Jesus is.

War

If you have never considered the fact that there are beings outside our realm of sight, I would highly suggest you start reading the Bible.
Friends are you prepared for war?  Are you prepared?  Do you have the armour of God, have you prepped for your day?

For though we walk in the flesh we’re not waging war according to the flesh.  We have a God that has given us tools and protection to help us during our day.  He wants to be able to protect you from the onslaught of the evil one.  From things that could cause you to stumble and fall.  These weapons have divine power.  Power to destroy strongholds of addictions, and fear.  That’s an incredible weapon!

So again, I ask you, are you prepared?

I’m praying for you, and I ask that you pray for me too :). That God gives me the strength to go about doing His work.  That my own faults and weaknesses are once again forgiven and that the strongholds in my life are destroyed by Jesus Christ’ divine power.  What an amazing God we serve, have a great Monday!

Royal Family Kids’ Camp

 

Hi Friends,

I have a huge favor to ask you.  My parents Bernie and Margaret Fiedler have been organizing and helping out a much needed ministry to children who are in the foster care system.  These sweet kids who have been affected my trauma and abuse have the opportunity to come to a camp that is set to give them a fun filled week of games, crafts, swimming, singing around campfires.  In this environment there are qualified therapists, counselors, and staff to work with these kiddos to give them a place where they can shine.  

If you live in Wisconsin would you consider attending a dinner and a show in order to raise funds (see the picture above for info)?  All the proceeds will go to Royal Family Kids Camp.  If you are reading this and would like to help financially or to volunteer as a counselor please contact Oakwood Church for more information.  

This is a great way to support the hands and feet of Jesus and I can’t imagine a better way to give.  Please prayerfully consider supporting this awesome ministry.

Guilt

I have struggled with guilt for a good portion of my life.  When I do something wrong I feel it immediately, the all consuming feeling in my gut that won’t go away.  It can be debilitating to me.  When I displease someone or when I make a mistake all I want to do is correct it.  When I let someone down no matter how small that may be, I feel it.  I’m 35 years old and I can still feel the guilt when I’ve done a poor job or when I’ve said something that I know I shouldn’t.

So you can understand my relief when I read this verse.  God’s grief is to convict to lead to salvation which leads to release, no more regret, but the world’s which is a mere imitator of our Holy One will continue to produce ugliness and death.  I know longer am tied down my grief because I know my salvation is in Jesus Christ.  That is an incredible feeling!

My dear friends, what kind of grief over mistakes are you having?  God’s that leads to an infinite freedom or to the world’s that disguised itself as something good but really leads to death.

Read

Sometimes just joking, EVERYTIME the Word of God needs to be fully read :). Enjoy

2 Corinthians 6 English Standard Version (ESV)

6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.2 For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you,[a] Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

The Temple of the Living God

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?[b] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
    and I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst,
    and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
    then I will welcome you,
18 and I will be a father to you,
    and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”

Clash Royale

Ok,
I have to admit something.  I have a guilty pleasure and it goes by the name of Clash Royale.  This little game that I play is a constant time waster.  Whenever I’m tired or wanting to chill guess what I play...
Clashe Royale

My sweet band friends introduced me to this game of skill and it has become one of those games where I’m like by golly I will beat you!  So far I have risen and fallen at the whim of this game losing more often then winning but friends if you want a light hearted battle game go ahead and play it.

Best of luck!

Time

I’m going to say something that might be a shocker :). Have you read your Bible today?  Have you sat in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and spent time talking to him?  Or were you on Facebook and saw my blog and thought here’s my encouragement for today.

Friend, that is not enough.

We need the Bible to guide us on this path, we need our talks with God to encourage us and lead us daily.  I personally need that time with Him to keep me sane!  Time with the Lord is essential for your walk.  He’ll never let you down, He’ll never stumble or become a stumbling block.  God will keep the standards in place and we can’t know them unless we’re studying them.  Read the Word of God in it’s entirety.  Don’t skip chapters because you think it’s irrelevant or not true.  If you’re a Christian, if you follow Jesus our Bible is the living breathing Word of God.  Don’t ignore this or say it’s not acceptable in today’s culture.  Sorry, but today’s culture is messed up, with hate mixed in with acceptance, with mass murders sloshed together with screams of hate.  Do you really want to be apart of today’s culture?

If you call yourself a Christian take the time to read the Word of God.  Get to know the Bible so when times of testing comes you’re prepared and ready.  So open up that book ask God what do you want me to read today, listen.

For those who have never read the Bible start with a chapter a day.  Usually I write my prayers out because I get distracted trying to pray in my head 😏 This book is amazing, an epic adventure where you’ll meet real people with real problems, where you’ll see God’s goodness and justice.  Be prepared to be in awe and slightly afraid by it too.

I love you friends, read your Bible and talk to God.  TODAY!!!

Go

Today I’m praying for my sweet family and my dear friends who teach and the kids who are going back to school (what a mouthful)  I’m praying that we allow God to go before us and to protect us in the back as well.  You see friends I  carry a responsibility to not just teach my subject matter but to carry along the expectations of teaching respect, love, how not to cross an invisible line.  To be aware of a students homelife, and emotional state.  To love them where they’re at but all the while encouraging to them to grow and change into adults who can think on their own and put others before their own needs.

Teachers and friends we need God in our schools, we need His light and love to encompass every single one of the students who enter the building.  We need God to surround our kids from the front and back.  We need to be His vessel allowing light to shine forth even when our mouths are shut to speak His words. Because one day the Lord Jesus will come sounding victory, baring His arms to all nations and jubilee will set forth with singing and praise and I want to look at Him and say Lord I went not in haste but you went before me and were behind me and all the ends of the earth heard of your salvation.

So I continue to pray intercessing for our schools and the kids who come into them, for the teachers who carry a huge responsibility and for the parents who trust us with their little ones.

Abundant

This verse in my reading today popped out like a bright neon light.  Why do you ask?  I think because  it made Paul real.  I could imagine him stressing out over the fact that he would have to write the Corinthians to say “Hey! Guess what!  You’re sinning again!”

I can imagine him praying to God asking him to have someone else tell them of their sin.  But after much affliction and anguish he told them in 1st Corinthians what they were doing wrong and how they needed to fix the problems.  Now in 2nd Corinthians Paul talks about how hard that was but because he loved them he needed to point out sin in their life.

Friends, this is a hard topic because we live in a society that says if you love them you’ll accept them.  To point out something that is making a brother and sister in Christ stumble is very hard.  But here Paul is saying if you love them you need to do it.

So I’m asking you, do you see sin in the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ that is causing them to stumble?  If you do, you have an obligation out of love to come alongside of them and talk to them about it.  If you love them wouldn’t you want them to have an intimate relationship with Christ?    It can’t happen if they are doing things that are separating them from Christ.

Another hard verse but I feel an important verse for those who follow Christ.

Hey :) if you would like to read the chapters of the Bible I’m reading each day please feel free to join my youversion Bible app reading group clickHere

Boden

So I have a confession to make.  I like nice quality clothes 😳. Not that that is bad but the price tag that goes with quality clothes breaks my little banker’s daughter heart.  So usually my kids are decked out in hand me downs or clearance rack deals.  They still look cute but honestly, they play in them so hard that they’ll be worn out in no time.

When the major holidays come up though I treat myself to matching dresses for the girls and a complimentary button up for Drew.  They’re adorable in them.  My one store that I’ve been going to lately is a store that’s over the seas.  Boden is a British company that make incredible clothes.  Here’s a statement from their website.

WELCOME TO BODEN

Welcome to Boden, so nice of you to drop by. We’re all about British fashion that’s the enemy of ordinary. Unmatched quality. Incredible service. That’s what we do best. You’ll find exclusive prints, premium fabrics, effortless cuts and surprising details for the whole family. And it’ll be those things that keep you coming back demanding more, more, MORE.

I love their clothes and how each article of clothing is done well.  I can even throw it in the laundry and the quality still remains!  Their attention to detail is what keeps me coming back.  For instance each clothes are lined with fun prints inside and the girls dresses have pockets on them, I absolutely love pockets!  Just a warning though, you’ll pay for all that quality but sometimes on special occasions it’s totally worth it :)

If you would like to get an Easter outfit for you’re sweet beb click Here.

Kernel

When I was in college I would spend my spring break at my Gramps and Grams house.  It was an incredible time where Grams would spoil me rotten literally making my favorite meals all week long and at the end of each day Gramps and I would sit and have ourselves a drink.

I’ll always cherish these memories with them.  One day when we were walking Grams said “Breeze, this body is not going to last, and soon I’ll have a new body one that doesn’t have pains and will be able to do so much more.”  It was the first time I realized that our bodies are just kernels of seed compared to the heavenly bodies that God will give us.

As I grow older this brings a new kind of excitement to me. No more aches and pains no more wrinkles or droopy bums, or sagging tummies.  My body will be new in Christ, the moment I die, my kernel will flourish into something beautiful and unexpected.  I hope this brings you joy, I hope you have the understanding of Christ Jesus in your hearts to know where you’re going when you die.  It’s a peace that fills me every day.  For one day I’ll bloom.

This picture is of my 94 year old Grams an amazing woman of God who shines brightly.

Drew

This is my Drew Bernard, incredibly bright and oh so handsome, he’s creative and a snuggle bug.  Drew also has a wicked temper.  When he was about three years old his temper was monumental.  Friends he would hit, punch, say things a three year old should never say, break anything within reach, if he could he would physically harm himself.  It was a time in life that was incredibly hard for our family.  Drew would go into this state and it wouldn’t matter who he hurt and it would last for hours.  Let me repeat this again, it was an incredibly hard time in our families life.

We had tried every type of parenting method out there.  You name it we tried it.  It was coming to the point that I was thinking we needed help.  Our lives were being disrupted because I was afraid of his meltdowns in public.  They couldn’t be stopped and they would last for hours.  Then one day a friend of mine suggested a no sugar diet, and truthfully in my head I was thinking we don’t eat that much sugar. But I was desperate, so I tried it, and that’s when I discovered the truth.  Sugar is in everything.

I went through all the food in our house.  If it had sugar in the ingredients I threw it away.  3/4’s of the food in our house got tossed.  From milk to pasta there was sugar in everything.  When I started this process it was a rough couple of days, but by day three Drew’s meltdowns were few and far away.  I couldn’t believe how much he changed, his attitude was a complete 180 degree change.  He was my snuggle bug who could understand and rationalize change and unexpected situations.

Over the last five years we have slowly added sugar back but in moderation and truthfully I still tend to shop the outside of the grocery store.  This experience has taught me how dangerous sugar can be.  If you are struggling with a little one, might I encourage you before you go to a doctor try for one week a completely sugar free diet in your household.  I’m not saying this is the end all be all change but it might help your little one be able to process things differently.

Praying for you all.

Immovable

Solomon once said that everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.  I can only imagine how that must feel to someone who has no reasoning to why they’re alive.  I take for granted sometimes the fact that God has given me a purpose.  What must it be like for those who are chasing after the wind?

This verse is incredibly reassuring to me, this amazing contentment flows into me when I read it.  From the very start I see a therefore.  For everything before that verse was and is a hard pill to swallow.  Paul is admonishing the body of Christ encouraging us to turn away from sin and to reject the world and it’s ways.  And then we get a therefore, he’s asking us to take everything we’ve read prior to this verse, oh beloved take heart, be steadfast, and immovable.  Don’t give up the work the Lord has for you, because all that you do, all the sweat, anxiety, and tears are not in vain.

God knows you and has seen the amazing work you’re doing.  He see’s the struggle you constantly have and the effort you try to draw closer to him.  You’re work is not in vain, you are beloved.

So today I’m going to memorize this verse for when the going gets tough I remember to keep working hard, and that my labor is known by a God who encompasses and surrounds love.

Hungary

I started going on mission trips at a fairly young age.  If you don’t know what a mission trip is, it’s basically a time where you go and help people out.  My gifts are useful to a lot of people and I felt the need to use them to glorify God.

God gave me the gift of teaching and intercession.  My heart is for anyone wanting to learn and I pray for them.  Some of my students that I taught 20 years ago I still pray for.  I don’t know where they’re at or how they’ve grown up but I have an immense burden to pray for them.  If I’ve taught you or formed a relationship with you, Jesus has put it on my heart to pray for you :).

I’m horrible at evangelizing, what I’ve noticed for me is it takes a relationship for me to open up.  I can’t do that too often by going up to some random person.  What usually happens is God puts someone in my life for a reason.

When I first heard about Hungary through my church I had that still small voice in my head or like I tell my kids your God gut is speaking to you.  The more I prayed about it, the more I felt God saying “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”  This mission trip will be teaching English for a week at a school to 9-14 year olds.   Being someone who teaches orchestra to that age group I had to chuckle when I was told that.  God knew :)

So friends, I’m going to Hungary.  If you can pray for the team that He uses us and that we’re lights to those who needs us I would appreciate it.  If you can pray for Todd while he is watching our kids I would appreciate that even more!   If you would like to help feel free to click Here.

If you need prayer, I would love to pray for you.  Know that you are so loved.

Kruno

One of our families favorite luthier is Kruno’s Violin Shop, when I tell the kids I’m going to Kruno’s shop they get excited and all want to go see him.  His store is a place where magic happens and has an old world feeling the moment you step in.  He always is personable wanting what is best for each musician and the quality of work is amazing.

So friends, if you’re a musician who plays a string instrument you need to go to Kruno’s Violin Shop.  You won’t be disappointed!

To visit his website click Here

FYI the cello is one from his shop :)

Vulnerable

Todd and I try to live by the living breathing Words of the Bible.  We try our hardest to honor Him in every way.  Do we sin, oh yes we do, do we make mistakes, yep.  But in everything, we try to honor and glorify God.  Even when the choices we make will effect our family and the people around us.  A couple of months back we made a decision for our family that had such hard recoil that like a shotgun left bruises on our souls.

Friends, I feared our decisions for months, I pleaded and cried to God that these were family why do we have to do this.  But each day things were revealed and God’s voice was evident.  When we finally made the decision I was wrecked.  Words were said from friends that could never be taken back, questions were brought up that made us question our faith.  Our kids cried and we couldn’t explain to them why because they were too young to understand.

To say that I was wrecked and devasted was an understatement.  For the first time anger reached into my heart and I asked myself why am a Christian?  Why when the people who are supposed to support and love instead turn a cold shoulder and say cruel things.  I didn’t want to go to church, I wanted to ignore the body of Christ.  I hurt, I actually still hurt.

I’m opening up not for a show of hate but to say there are people like us who are hurting because they tried to honor God in the decisions they make.  If you’re here like me, hurting because of choices that were made no matter they are, there is a Father God out there wrapping his loving arms around you.  Talk to him give him the ugly details don’t ever run away, run to him.

I don’t know what the future holds for us, I don’t know even now how I’m going to deal with this.  But I do know that God loves me, that he’ll never not speak to me, or cancel plans.  I’m loved by him in my imperfections, in my hurts, and mistakes and guess what, so are you.

Serve

Serve, a concept that I didn’t fully realize until I became a mom.  Becoming a mom was a reality that I had never experienced before.  Usually when you do something notable you get recognized for it.  When Todd and I chose for me to be a stay at home mom there was no recognition and then to top it off our budget was cut in half because I stopped working.  Now wait, before you start screaming that I’m on the oh woe is me train, I have a point that I need to make.

Being a mom, no matter what, is all about serving little human beings who have no concept that they need to be grateful.  All day every day is an act of keeping those humans alive.  And not alive but happy, fed, and clean :). They don’t care that you’re doing that, and they most definitely aren’t grateful :). Nope, they’re disgusted with the food you made, or angry that you’re making them clean up the ultimate fort that covers half the house.  And why in the world would a mom be so cruel as to make them take a bath.  This is serving, because my first mission field, the one place that is purposely placed in my life is my kids.

So dear friends, I always think I can win one more of them to Jesus if I just continue to serve them and be there for them.  Even though I’m free I choose to serve those around me.

Love you and I’m praying for each of you who reads this.

Mornings

Why are some mornings so incredible and then others blah.  I don’t know why but this morning is blah.  My quiet time seems off, my prayer time was sub par, and we ran out of half in half so I’m drinking milk in my coffee.  The girls started fighting at 5:15 am this morning.  This morning is blah.

But I’m sitting here in a house that’s warm, with coffee that Todd made for me, I don’t have to hide my faith, and my kids are healthy (I know they are because I can hear them screaming at each other).  Can you tell I’m trying here :)   I am trying my hardest to feel thankful for what the Lord has done in our life, but right now all I want to do is go back to bed.

Friends, no matter where you are know that we all have days that just feel off.  Know that I’m praying Romans 12:12 for all us :)

Mom

Since we’ve moved to Texas my mom and I have gotten closer. You would think that it would be the other way around that our relationship would grow farther apart but truthfully it’s gotten closer.  One reason could be that our stories are almost the same.  We both graduated with music degrees, we both moved for our husband’s job, And we have three kids.  Either way over the years I have grown to understand far more then I could ever imagine.

You see, we never had this terrible relationship, but for the life of me I felt that we were too different. My sister was the more calm, relaxed one, the one that was organized, and didn’t do weird things that got sideways looks.  My sister and mom are almost two peas in a pod.  Growing up there was always this thought in my head that if I could just calm myself down a little maybe I wouldn’t get those sideways looks :).   This is where my mom would say (pretty blunt) it’s not about you Breanna Laine.

Maybe it was the move, maybe it’s the fact that we teach music, either way my morning conversations with my mom are the best.  She’s an incredible listener, and her discernment is always there.  We laugh, oh boy do we laugh.  We laugh at Livie because she may be just like me, we laugh at Kylar because she is so organized and incredibly on top of everything (I’m still slightly scatterbrained), she listens to my heartbreak when I have had moments of grief.  I listen to her stories growing up, and the insight she’s gained.  We pray for each other, and talk about what we read in our quiet times.

If it hadn’t been for the move, I’m not sure I would have grown to understand or know my mom.  I might not have opened up and been vulnerable with her, and her likewise.  I’m grateful for this time that I get and I truly do cherish every moment.

For those of you who are curious about the picture.  This was during my 35th Birthday where my mom made one of my favorite desserts :). I’m sure I said to suck it in because she was looking chubby and as you can see I got the look 🤣.  By the way, my mom’s not chubby (now you know why I get sideways looks all the time) she’s adorable and practically perfect in every way.

Paul

So in today’s episode of 1 Corinthians 6, Paul brings down the truth with a hammer.  He comes in blazing with fiery words and a harsh reality.  He is not very happy with the Corinthians in fact he lays it down pretty thick in regards to lawsuits against our brothers and sisters in Christ, sexual immorality, and eating.  I don’t know about you but wouldn’t you say these issues are the top three problems with people today too?

I personally struggle with the fact that I have a slight Napoleon complex.  I’m tiny but I come with a quick temper and a quicker reaction to what people say or do to me.  Over the years I have seen my words cut people down left and right.  I would be in the first group where Paul admonishes them for bringing lawsuits against each other.   I haven’t ever sued a person, but truthfully  that’s because I can’t afford too.

What’s amazing to me is how God uses Paul and the Paul’s history as a Pharisee.  His legal knowledge as well as religious knowledge creates a unique blend.  He is full of grace and truth which I have to admit we all struggle to balance.  If you haven’t read any of Paul’s writing I really encourage you to.  He is a man who breathes the living Word of God, He is also a man who needed much grace because he sinned like the rest of us.

This verse is a great summary of what Paul went through, our bodies are not our own, it resides the Holy Spirit. So whatever we say, do, or think piles on the Holy Spirit.  Friends, you can not live in a house that is  filled to the brink with mold, dirt, feces, and rodents.  The Holy Spirit lives in you, think about what you put in you.  And here’s the big point, you were bought with a price, a price that no one else would pay.  Why in the world do we forget the fact that Jesus Christ paid for us with His life?  He died a horrible death, He God incarnate who knew no pain prior to sacrificing Himself paid for ours with His life.  So like Paul, realize what you’re doing and stop, and sin no more.

Jesus paid that price for us, now glorify God in your body.

Judge

Oh goodness, sometimes, when I read a verse I feel such joy and I want to write about it because it brings encouragement to the body of Christ.  Other times, like this time I literally am sick to my stomach because I know the Holy Spirit needs me to talk about this verse and I know there could be black lash.  Let me preface this verse before I go on.  Whenever I show a verse on my blog it’s meant to encourage you to go read the whole chapter.  It’s not meant to be your quiet time of the day.  Friends, that is like eating a protein bar for a meal.  Completely lacking in taste, and not fulfilling you at all!  Now after you get done reading my blog go open up the Bible!  If you don’t have a Bible I would love to send you one, just comment below with your email address and I’ll message you.

So let’s get the basics of his verse down.  “For what have I to do with judging outsiders” this is pretty literal, if you are not a Christian why should we judge your choices, lifestyle, actions, words or anything else.  I could care less about judging you and your actions.  I still love you, you’re an adult and you’re choosing to live your life you see fit.  If you want me to participate in something the Bible says no on, don’t judge me when I say no thank you.

And here is the tough part that the body of Christ needs to pay attention to, “is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”  Friends, too many times the church ignores the second part because it is dang scary.  When we see sin, we are commanded to take action.  This is not an act of hatred but an act of love for the bride of Christ.  We do a disservice to God when we ignore what’s in front of our face.  How are we to grow closer to Jesus unless we confront the sin that is happening in the body of Christ.  It’s not fun and it’s not pretty, you will get backlash, you will get people wiping the dust off their feet for you doing what the Word of God is asking you to do.  You will get mean words thrown in your face, but the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 5 explicitly talks about judging the bride of Christ and how you need to.  I wish we could ignore it.  I wish God hadn’t put this on my heart truthfully but if I want to follow Him completely, I need to throw away the worlds standard and follow Jesus Christ’s standards.

So friends, if you see sin in your church please ask yourself what God would have you do?  Please read your Bible for guidance and more importantly remember what Jesus needs you to do.

A Dangerous Legacy

So this is a screen shot of the book that I just recently bought on Amazon.  I don’t know if you all have noticed but Amazon has been running some pretty awesome sales on Christian fiction.  They also have been putting some great Christian authors on their unlimited membership.  I love that, it helps to be able to save a little since I can read upwards of three books on a Saturday:)

If you have never read any books by Elizabeth Camden I suggest you go and pick yourself up a copy. She writes incredibly.  Her characters are unique and flawed they have just the perfect blend to make each story stand out.

A Dangerous Legacy is about the very intelligent Lucy.  Lucy translates Morse code to the popular AP newspaper.  She gets to read everything before anyone else does.  Her ability helps her and her brother out as well when they have been dealing with a lawsuit that has lasted for over 40 years.  As the years go on it becomes increasingly clear that there is more to the story then just a family rift.

Friends, if you like a little mystery and romance you’re going to love A Dangerous Legacy :)

Spirit

I think we too often forget about the Holy Spirit, today in my quiet time (1 Corinthians 2) I read how often the Spirit uses people who have no business doing what they do, I read how the Holy Spirit searches the depths of even God to know the truth.  How cool is that!  We have this amazing gift and how often do we use it?  Or do we generally tend to forget that the Holy Spirit exists.

Jesus very specifically told us that He was sending us a gift when He left this world, that He wouldn’t leave but give us something incredibly valuable to help us in life.  This counselor, guide, truth seeker is the Holy Spirit.

Friends, if you believe Jesus Christ is God that he died on the cross and conquered death so that we may have a relationship with God, if you confessed that you make mistakes and do terrible things, and you need Jesus.  You have the Holy Spirit!  How cool is that!

Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide, to be your friend today, to speak truth and use you.  You’ll be so amazed at how your weaknesses can be used to glorify God.  If a yankee like me can be used in Texas you gotta know there’s a God in heaven who gives amazing gifts like the Holy Spirit 😋

Numbers

I love the first of the month.  It’s something that I looked forward too and immensely enjoy.  Why do you ask?  Because I get to pay the bills!  I get to crunch those numbers and my analytical side goes squee with excitement.  😂

I don’t know why because I’m a chaotic mess, but for some reason organizing our finances is my happy place.  As I look back over the years I can’t tell you how many times I’ve crunched those numbers and we look like we’ll be in the negatives by week two of the month.  I always remember a story when that happens.  It’s about a missionary who’s husband died at the hands of a group who hated Christians and then eventually they set her grass roof on fire making her home unlivable.  Everyone was devastated but this sweet woman would just say God will provide a metal roof now.  What incredible faith by this woman, her morning turned to gladness even in the midst of great persecution.  I wanted her faith, so friends when troubles come your way through no fault of your own (don’t be buying Mercedes cars when you make minimal wage) remember “who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number”. The answer is always Jesus Christ

Love you all and praying God provides you with a metal roof.