From Pity to Praise

Courage Is A Choice

Have you ever thought about courage being a choice?

The Bible we can see many times when the Lord commanded certain people to be strong and not to be afraid because He would be with them.

Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you.”

To be strong, courageous, and not fearful is a commandment that implies that we can be courageous if we choose to be.

Fear and courage are an inner disposition. Since we feel fear or otcourage, we could say it’s a feeling. Our feelings directly depend on our thoughts and our way of thinking.

We have a choice. We can be fearful when we don’t and anxious when we don’t have the assurance of security, safety, or certainty. Fear is the unknown that comes from thoughts of danger.

But, can we have courage when the future is unknown?

We are fearless when we have assurance of security, safety, and certainty. And having courage that stems from faith that we will be safe and certain that we will be well.

I understand that there are unknowns ahead of us, as well as challenges and problems that might arise, which can threaten us. There will be dangers and failures. But if we “fix our eyes on Jesus,” (Hebrews 12:22) certainty will come because God is with us. If we trust in God and our confidence is in Him, and not in our circumstances all will be well.

“Looking to Yeshua, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy that as set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” -Hebrews 12:2

It is easy to go quickly from faith to fear because we can allow thoughts that cause concern and anxiety to dominate and ultimately overpower us. That is why watching what we think and say to ourselves about challenging situations in the future is critical.

As we navigate life’s uncertainties, it’s vital to remember that our thoughts hold the power to impact our choices in life, which shape our future. Choosing faith over fear empowers us to confront the unknown with confidence, assurance, and peace.

Courage is a choice we can make each day. We choose courage based on our faith. Trust in God, who is all-powerful and faithful.

With each challenge, we have the opportunity to listen to the voice of anxiety and suffer, or listen to faith, trusting that God will guide us through every storm.

By choosing faith, we can transform our fears into expectancy of blessing and our uncertainties into opportunities for growth.

By choosing faith, we choose God’s plan for our lives and walk in His ways, which can make our life experiences incredible.

‘Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” – Isaiah 42:10

This promise reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles. This is the word that the Lord spoke to me when, I felt alone in the world. So, I choose to stand on this promise every time a challenge arises.

Many times, it seemed that there was no way to make a situation better, there were too many barriers and unbreakable obstacles. But through praying and submitting to God, He found a way where there seemed to be no way.

When God is on our side, we can step forward boldly, trusting that He will guide us through every challenge.

“For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” -2 Timothy 1:7

Giving Up One Word

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

If I had to give up one word. I would try to not use filler words like, “um,” “like,” or “you know.”

Filler words affect us in a few subtle ways. It disrupts our train of thought.

If you have ever seen someone on television being questioned and noticed someone using filler words to them it can be very telling. People use different fillers, depending on stress levels, intent, and role. Interrogations are high stress, high stake situations. The brain is working hard, recalling details, filtering information, and managing anxiety. But if they’re using too many filler words, it can be a sign of deception.

Filler words are normal parts of spoken language, everyone uses them. They usually happen when we’re thinking on our feet, unsure of what to say next, nervous or self-conscious, or trying to hold a place in a conversation. By the overuse of filler words can lead others to perceive you in ways that don’t reflect your actual abilities.

Using them too much and hurt how we’re perceived, especially when you’re trying to appear confident, credible, and persuasive.

My goal is to always be conscious of my use of filler words. I think also a telltale sign, that shows people we aren’t prepared for something.

A Powerful Prayer Life

The Bible gives us examples that we can follow to live in inner peace. I like Joe Luke 5:26 shows that just like you and me, Jesus needed a break from the demands of His busy life to recharge His batteries and spend time with His Heavenly Father.

Jesus didn’t draw on His superpowers as the Son of God when it came to facing life’s challenges. Instead, when He was exhausted or burdened or in need of Spiritual refreshment. He would “slip away” to spend time praying -plugging into the power, perception, and purpose they could only be found in God’s presence.

Praying to God is one of the most powerful weapons we have. Maybe you know the repeated prayers like “Our Father, who is in heaven” in Luke 11:2 and Matthew 6:9. These prayers should be hidden in our hearts. But I don’t think Jesus intended it to become a ritualistic prayer. He intended to have a relationship with Him. Talk to Him as you would an old friend.

There are a few keys that have helped me develop a more powerful prayer life.

Know who you are praying to.

Prayer is meant to be a conversation with God, and conversations begin by addressing the person you are speaking to. When Jesus prays He would always begin by addressing His Father in heaven.

We share the same right to call God “Father” because of what Jesus did at the cross and His resurrection. We are God’s children.

Thank Him

A heartfelt thank you is always a great conversation starter. Like any parent, God loves to see when we have grateful hearts. But more importantly, as we take the time to praise God for all He has done in the past -the answered prayers, the impossible situations overcome, the healing and grace. Our faith you believe or even greater answers to prayer grow stronger and more confident. Praise open the gates of heaven and should always be a part of our alone time with God.

Ask for God’s will

Jesus role model a heart of obedience and submission to the wheel of God over His own desires and needs. In the garden of Gethsemane, only hours before Jesus’s crucifixion, He would once again pray, “not my will, but yours be done.” in a world were right and wrong are frequently confused and the future is so uncertain, it can be hard to know how to know what to ask when difficult circumstances arise. But one thing we can be absolutely sure of is that God‘s plan for those who love Him is good, and the safest way we can be is in the center of His divine will.

Say what you need

In Jesus‘s time, bread was a staple, one of the most basic needs of life. He did not hesitate to ask God to provide it. By today’s standards, we often hesitate to bother God with the little things we need, thinking He shouldn’t be bothered. And when big problems come, we try everything we can do to solve the problem before we think to pray. The Bible says, “ you do not have because you do not ask God.” never hesitate to ask God for what you need. Your Father in heaven delights to give you good gifts.

Ask for forgiveness

James 5:16 remind us that if we want our prayers to be heard, our hearts need to be right with God and with one another. If you feel your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, take some time to check your heart.

Pray the Word

The Word of God has power it is our greatest weapon. Jesus prayed the word when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-12). He is the Son of God, but He did not use his divine authority when He as on earth. Instead, he used the authority of the scriptures.

I think the most important key to vibrant for life is to understand our spiritual authority in Jesus as he explained in the Scriptures. The only way to do that is to become intimately familiar with the Bible. Even a few minutes a day in the Word of God will add strength and authority to our prayers.

Holding Grudges

Are you holding a grudge? About?

When people don’t hold grudges, a few powerful things tend to happen-both for the person and the relationship.

I have spent too much time in my life holding grudges. When I finally let it go, I received emotional freedom, which freed me from emotional energy.

I think that every one of us are responsible for ourselves. I take care of me and don’t worry about anyone else garbage

If someone gives me a reason to want to hold a grudge it simply tells me exactly who they are. At that time I can choose to stay or walk away. We all carry some garbage, and sometimes they spew that garbage that garbage on to us.

I let them carry their own garbage. I do not have to bleed for their wounds.

I have a general rule, I have low expectations on humans act a certain way. If they do then I’m good.

But, remember not holding grudges isn’t the same as tolerating mistreatment. My father always told me A lion doesn’t have to roar all the time, but when it does everyone listens. Act when it’s absolutely necessary. and your actions will be powerful.

Holding grudges doesn’t help anyone, it hurts the person holding the grudge the most.

The lesson: People will hurt you, but if you react they can continue. If you respond you are in control. Don’t give others power over your emotions.

Standing Firm In A Chaotic World

To stand firm means having clarity in the midst of the chaos. Every battle we face begins in our minds, and our choices. It does not matter what chaos is around us.

In order to have clarity, we have to have control of our thoughts. When we learn to take every thought captive and submit it to Jesus. We are only as free as our minds. We cannot be passive in this matter. It takes effort to engage in the war over our minds.

We are the gatekeepers of our minds, not God. We must be attentive to them. The thoughts we don’t take captive will hold us captive.

“Prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” -1 Peter 1:13

“Take every thought captive” -2 Corinthians 10:5. “Set your minds on things that are above, not things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).

We can choose Jesus over selfishness. We have to make an intentional, daily choice to draw close to God. The reality is that we are either drawing closer to Him or further away.

Each of us are being shaped and molded by someone or something. Is it Jesus? Holiness means being totally dedicated to God. We are either all in or all out. There is no good in being lukewarm, or sitting on the fence. In Revelation 3:16 God it says,

So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold -I am about to vomit you out of my mouth.“

There is no way for us to live holy and set apart without the power of the Holy Spirit.

“As children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your annoyance, but just as He called you is Holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior, because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am Holy’”

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” -Ephesians 5:1

Remember that this world is not our home. We must learn to choose Jesus over culture. Don’t be consumed by what the world thinks. As followers of Jesus, we are to conduct ourselves with reverence (fear) of God. I heard it said that “fear God is to be terrified of being away from Him.”

“And if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile” -1 Peter 1:17.

“The remarkable thing about God is that when we fear God, we fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you will fear everything else” -Oswald Chambers.

This one may be a tough one but choosing Jesus over family. I have a difficult time with this one. Today I would put my husband or children first in every circumstance. Right now my heart could not take. But I know there will come a time I will have to turn my allegiance completely to Jesus.

Sometimes theree can be a cost of relationship in order to fully live for Jesus.

When our allegiance is tied to what is or what was there can be clear tension in family relationships.

1 Peter 1:18-21 speaks of choosing Jesus over family.

“Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold. But with the, precious blood of Christ, like that of the lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

Choose Jesus over tribe. Do you know who your people were before you were saved? There may be unbelievers that you regularly interact with. But, our calling is to represent Jesus before them. When Jesus comes into our hearts, we learn how to love others rightly. All other people become ones whom we need to show the love of Jesus to.

1 Peter 1:22-23 tells us,

“Having purified your soul by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly (sisterly) love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God.”

I know people whom I don’t associate myself with too often, because they choose not to follow Jesus. They say they believe, but don’t live like they do. I love and pray for them and show them what it means to be a follower of Jesus, but I separate myself from their way of life..

It is only God’s will, Word, and work that will work permanently in our lives. We need to be people who find clarity in the Word of God (The Bible). We need to find our entire lives in the Word of God. Only His Word will last forever. Only His truth will prepare our minds to choose Him over all else. When truth rests in our hearts, we’ll live from one degree of freedom to another. Remember the good news that was preached to you and dig your roots into it.

1 Peter 1:24-25, (ESV)

“For all flesh is like grass and all glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. And this Word is good news that was preached to you.”

A River Of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is often seen as weakness, an act of surrender, or denial. Yet, true forgiveness is neither passive nor gullible. It is an act of strength, a deliberate choice to release a grip of pain and allow healing to begin. It’s like a river that carves its path through mountains and deserts. Forgiveness can flow through hardened landscapes of a human heart.

I wasted so many years in unforgiveness being too stubborn to release the secrets that I chose to keep to hide a past I didn’t want anyone to see. Not knowing if I let go of the bitterness in my heart, I would be able to heal and move on. That it wasn’t excusing or forgetting my past.

At the core, forgiveness is not about excusing the harm. It’s about acknowledging the pain we feel without allowing it to define us. It’s doesn’t erase what was done, its about reclaiming our power to move forward without dragging the weight of bitterness behind us.

A river is wide, persistent, and unyielding. Perhaps it begins in a small place with hesitation or resistance, just like the thoughts of forgiveness that rise in us quietly in our hearts, a place that’s still bruised. A place where we confront our pain, but still wonder if there is any ounce of humanity left in us in others and ourselves. Maybe there’s a trickle of hope that some forgiveness will be possible. One day we will be able to forgive ourselves as well as others.

One day there their be a river instead of a wall that was used to block further pain. A river that swells with empathy, clarity, and courage. That it is strong enough to carry away resentment and fear.

Forgiveness requires humility, the willingness to accept that we, too are capable of making mistakes. That we deserve grace for our mistakes just as we are called to extend it. This reciprocity doesn’t mean ignoring justice or accountability, it means recognizing that holding onto hatred often punishes the bearer more than the offender. Understanding that peace is more valuable than pride in this way forgiveness becomes a form of wisdom.

When we see that forgiveness is an act that is seen as a path to peace and also a force for healing. The process is never easy, but it is always possible. A reconciliation through the river of forgiveness.

We are often driven by retribution, and a decision to forgive can feel like we are swimming against the current. But, when we choose to forgive, not once but again and again, we can find ourselves carried forward by something larger than ourselves.

Forgiveness is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new one. One that’s shaped not by wounds, but by the wisdom we gained from them.

To forgive is a decision to live freely, and to trust that even the deepest pain can be transformed. Like a river, forgiveness will always find a way forward.

Traveling

Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

The furthest I’ve ever been from home was to San Antonio Texas. Driving it is about 18 hours from where I was living.

This state was founded in 1718 by Spanish missionaries. And it is where “The Alamo” and, “The River Walk“ is located.

I was there for a 5 day conference for a volunteer veteran organization. While there wasn’t much time for sight seeing, I did manage to see a few sites and do some shopping.

I spent 5 days returning home and did see some sites. Fredericksburg Texas, and took in its beauty.Roswell New Mexico where the ufo/alien lore is known.

It was a memorial trip . One I hold on too for sure.

A Ideal Beach Getaway

What does your ideal home look like?

I would choose something small and quaint.

Something close to the shoreline, with an ocean porch. Some I could sit outside and have coffee every morning.

Just a small cottage, cozy and not overwhelming.

A must reading nook with a view of the ocean. Along with small garden, a place with native trees.

Doubt And Unbelief

I know a lady who speaks of doubt and unbelief once in a while. I never really thought about it before. The last few days it’s been on my mind – do we really understand what doubt and unbelief are? So, I began reading about it. And you know I have to share.

I have heard the unbelief comes from not having “enough faith.” Yet, the Bible is clear that God honors faith. I think maybe our understanding of how doubt and unbelief specifically hinder that faith in our, lives is lacking.

On the subject of faith, we hear that it is anything from “a living channel of trust between us and God,”and even a spiritual force. But, faith is not how we get God to work in our lives. Faith comes with communication from God concerning His will in the situation, based on the promises in the Bible. And believing is a process of being consistent with what we hear from God. I believe having faith is not enough. Having the ability to believe is not enough. We must act on that ability by being consistent with what we believe.

If we look at the account of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14:22-33, we can see that Faith is hearing Jesus say, “come,” and believing is actually throwing his leg over the side of the boat.

When Peter began sinking Jesus stretched out his hand, and took hold of him and said to him, “you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

It comes down to knowing God’s will and then knowing we have a choice. How we respond to God’s voice determines whether we are in faith, doubt, or unbelief.

The definition of doubt is “a feeling of uncertainty or lack.”

Jesus says in Matthew 21:21, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea, it would be done. All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.

When I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, the doctor told me I had 1 year to live if they couldn’t get all the cancer removed. After a baseball-sized tumor was removed from my bladder, it was touch and go for a while. To say I was scared was an understatement. My children were still relying on me, and I wasn’t ready to die. I had all but given up when I decided that I was not going to let Satan win. From that point on I began getting better. Every time I would get a cancer treatment or checkup, I would tell the doctor “I am healed.” Eventually, my checks would come back “cancer-free.” I was healed. That was faith without doubt.

James 5:15 says,

“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he had committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

This verse emphasizes the power of faith-filled prayers offered by the elders of the church, that can lead to healing, and restoration by God. This is the scripture I stood on for years. Having people from church pray for me weekly.

I believe that too many people think that all roads lead to God, and all good people go to heaven. People rely on the man behind the altar at church too much, we’ve gotten lazy, too many think that once a week a church or watching a teacher on the internet constitutes getting into heaven. It takes more than 1 day at week to get into heaven. It takes more than believing what the man behind the alter is saying. It takes studying the message he puts out there.

Unbelief is described as a lack of faith, a refusal to trust in God, and can hinder blessings, limit God’s work, and even lead to eternal separation from God.

Unbelief throws us down when we are lifted up. Faith brings us near to God when we are far from Him, and unbelief puts us far from God when we are near to Him. We shouldn’t let ourselves be destroyed because of our unbelief in God.

Brokenness Leading To Strength

Brokenness leading to strength is recognizing your own imperfections and vulnerabilities which allows for greater self-awareness, a deeper dependence on God, and an increased compassion for others which ultimately leads to a more authentic and purposeful life.

It involves a humble surrender of pride, a transformation from self-reliance to reliance on divine grace, and a shift from despair to growth and healing.

To make this happen I think you need to want to change -really change. Want it so bad your teeth ache.

It’s all about surrender and humility. Having recognition of your personal limitations and surrendering those things to God.

Choosing to have a different perspective on life that offers mercy, love, and provision. A perspective to foster a deeper dependence on God.

It’s a process of acknowledging your own weaknesses, failures, and addictions that leads to an honest understanding of yourself. It can be a long and painful process, but if you don’t give up it can lead to a full and peaceful life.

Through brokenness, you can allow God to work, bringing healing, recovery, and the power to overcome past hurts.

When we have a godly sorrow instead of a worldly sorrow we can rise from, a brokenness that can lead to true repentance and a life that leads us out of worldly sorrow that only leads to despair and spiritual death.

I spent too many years in worldly sorrow, blaming God for my brokenness. But, what I didn’t recognize was that God sometimes uses brokenness to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is. When I realized this I knew I had to allow Him into my heart (and soul) I didn’t just have to gain a new perspective of His mercy and provision, but I had to learn to depend on Him. To develop a more complete comprehension of who I was.

Experiencing suffering and brokenness helped me to cultivate empathy and compassion and a deep understanding of the way others struggle.

Many years ago someone prophesied over me, that I would become a bridge for others. Since then I have tried to be that bridge to help others through their struggles. A bridge that leads others to hope, love, and mercy. A bridge that offers blessings instead of insults.

A Tear Of Joy

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

Tears of joy are born from love, hope and deeply emotional connections.

I am an emotional person. I can cry tears of joy, with something good that has happened to a person who has been struggling.

When someone decides to be water baptized. They have said the sinners prayer, but seeing it, and knowing they died to their self and has chosen a renewed life.

Something about pet adoptions -that second chance at love pulls on my heart strings.

Some say joy is quiet, but sometimes, it shouts through the silence, and runs down your face in the form of tears.

Why Do I Blog

Why do you blog?

I began this blog so I could get my thoughts out of my head. I began to blog because I knew there was someone out there who had similar experiences in life that I had. And maybe, just maybe they could not feel so alone.

But this blog has turned into a way to share knowledge about Jesus. And how to live according to God. They Bible. Basic instructions before leaving earth.

Too many people seem lost on how to walk with Jesus. I think this problem can’t or won’t fix itself. We must learn. Most churches are not teaching the basic principles on what it is to truly follow Jesus.

Action is a necessary part of our relationship with Jesus. Many people think it’s okay to go to church one a week or listen to a sermon online and they are good with God. But if you read the Bible at all you will realize that God wants us to be active, not passive.