On what subject(s) are you an authority?
I do not see myself as an authority on anything. Every thing I do. I do for the glory of One I see who has authority in everything -God
Evil Digs It’s Own Grave
When you’re in the middle of suffering, it’s easy to lose ourbearings. It is easy to question “is God really in control, or ask how much how can a good God allow so much pain.”
The pain that we feel can make hard to think straight. We need anchors that keeps us tethered to the truth so we do not drift when we encounter suffering.
When we experienced pain, we might be tempted to let God off the hook by saying “He is not in control.“ the problem is God does not need or want to be let off that hook. Scripture is clear that God sovereignty is over all things.
Isaiah 46:9-10 tells us, “remember the former things of old, for. I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times not yet done, saying, my council stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”
All scripture is clear about God‘s sovereignty over evil. Amos 3:6 tells us, “ is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?”
And Isaiah 47:7 says, “I form and create darkness. I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.”
This is not a dualistic yin and yang in which God and Satan are fighting it out evenly matched, uncertain who will win. Satan is a creature, he does not have power in and of himself, and he and all his works exist under God‘s power and purposes. Even though evil may seem random and it’s irrationality , and God does not let us take him “off the hook.” Over who is ultimately in control. God‘s sovereignty extends over all things, including evil.
God’s sovereignty over evil does not destroy our moral responsibility for the evil we commit. We are responsible for our own actions, and God is sovereign over them. Joe Rigney, wrote in his book, “God is the author, the world is His story, and we are His characters.”
So if God is sovereign over evil, does this mean that He is not good? This is a question given the fact that immense human suffering is happening around the world. As we all know, this is not a hypothetical question for most of us, but deeply personal.
Scripture clearly tells us that God is perfect and all he does. God is known as the Rock, His work is perfect, His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, and without iniquity. Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “ The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just as right is He.”
In Matthew 5:48 Jesus says, “You therefore, must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”
Scripture affirms God’s goodness and the mist of a broken world. And at the same time, it doesn’t turn a blind eye to the evilness of evil. It also affirms God’s sovereignty over all things, including evil, and God’s goodness in all that He does.
It’s no wonder that the problem of evil is a mystery, there is so much we do not and cannot know. Paul writes in Romans 11:33, “ all the depth of riches and wisdom, and knowledge of God! How unreachable are His judgments and how inscrutable are His ways.”
Evil does not have the final word, in fact, God has made evil dig its own grave. In the book “Evil and the Cross,” Henri Blocher explains it this way.
“ evil is conquered as evil because God turns evil back upon itself. He makes the supreme crime, the murder of the only righteous person, the very operation that abolishes sin. God entraps the deceiver in his own wiles. Evil, takes advantage of the power of good, which it perfects. The Lord, like a supreme champion, replies by using the very grip of the opponent.
One reason evil exists is so that God could redeem a people for His glory who love Him. The most evil act in history, paradoxically was the event of redemption that purchased, hope.
At the Cross, God turned evil against evil, and brought about the practical solution to the problem of evil. He made an atonement of sins, He conquered death, He triumphed over Satan and laid thr foundation for hope.
The cross perfectly shows God‘s goodness and sovereignty over evil. And only in the cross has evil been conquered.
If we doubt, goodness, all we have to do is look at the cross. At the cross evil was conquered through Him who loved us.
Romantic Dates
What’s your definition of romantic?
I am just a country girl. I enjoy the outdoors. I like hiking, fishing, and mudding, and hunting. And if he has a sense of humor it’s a plus.
If he can do those sort of things with me and keep me laughing with some affection and a bottle of wine. I would consider that romantic.
Bad Company
Bad company corrupts good character. We have all heard about having good character or building character. Yet, it is difficult to live life unaffected by the actions of others. We have to be cautious when we are in the company of people who are a bad influence. We can be exposed to repetitive behaviors that can likely move us to have behaviors that mimic the people we surround ourselves with. People are known by the company they keep.
Proverbs 13:20says, ‘One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”
As children of God, we can prioritize everything that brings us closer to God. If our company does not meet God’s standards. We can look for new people to associate with, otherwise we risk losing blessings from God. Spiritual discipline, hard effort, and learning from our previous mistakes, are all part of the process and of developing godly character. Bad company causes problems by destroying our heart, corrupting our character, harming our reputation, and damaging happiness along with hurting our soul. When we surround ourselves with like-minded people, we encourage each other, and build character that is acceptable to God.
You might be thinking, Jesus hung out with bad company. He associated with them to show mercy, offer redemption, and demonstrate God’s kingdom. Jesus was strong enough to influence them without being swayed by their sin. His mission was intentional – calling people to repentance, not conforming to their lifestyle. The Bible acknowledges that not all believers are equally equipped to engage with those values or morals without being negatively influence. Spending too much time with those who actually reject God’s way and we can our flesh, especially if we don’t have a strong foundation.
We should never allow our flesh to rule in any situation, but should pray that we can overcome the weakness of our flesh, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Having Gratitude
How do you express your gratitude?
There are many ways to express gratitude such as verbal expressions like saying “thank you” directly or offering compliments. Some use thank you cards that have a personal touch.
I prefer responding with acts of kindness such as helping someone with a task or giving a small gift. Treating someone to a meal, coffee.
Worrying
What are you most worried about for the future?
I’ve worried a lot over the years and it has not added to my life in any way. It has only added stress to my life.
I have learned to trust God in all things. If I begin to worry I pray. I trust God that He will make a way. Worry is a human tendency, but I can counter that with the peace of God. The peace that conquers all understanding.
This doesn’t mean I don’t do everything that is humanly possible to rectify the situation. 
Be A Thermostat, Not A Thermometer
Have you ever walked into a room full of people and felt its heaviness? We are easily influenced by the mood of those around us. It is usually not something we do consciously, we might hear someone using a tone of voice, or shifting their body language, and our brain notices it. I’m sure we’ve all walked into a room and felt weird vibes, something you can’t put you finger on, but it feels uncomfortable, there is something about the energy of the room -it was off,
I’ve been known to just walk out of the room, because of the way it felt. I’ve had those days when I just didn’t want to deal with it, I’ve learned it’s my gut instinct that keeps me safe.
It’s no surprise humans mirror each other. But we are also highly attuned to subtle cues like body language, tone, and intention which means our presence can shift the vibe. If we enter with calm confidence, a warm smile, or purposeful energy others often unconsciously mirror or respond to it.
Alternatively when we have had a “bad day” we tend to give off strange vibes and people pick up on that and pick up our vibes. Its actually a normal defense mechanism.
Noticing a pattern in these situations takes a lot of practice. But when you start paying attention to people’s patterns of behavior, like how they use words when they feel upset, or their body language. It’s like a kind of taking the emotional temperature of the room. But we can positively change the thermostat. Since humans mirror each other, we can intentionally change the energy in the room, instead of letting it change how we act or feel, we can change the thermostat to a more comfortable temperature.
We can use a calm tone and open body language to find out what people are feeling. For example, nodding at the pace the other person is talking helps the other person know you are tracking with them. Leaning into someone who’s speaking, too often when are uncomfortable they unconsciously back away. This sends a message that we are uncomfortable with the situation or giving off gives you want to get out of the situation. Be intentional about your tone of voice. Getting quiet when the other person gets louder can sometimes shift the mood or even add joy to your voice can reset the temperature in the room.
Sometimes it’s not what you say but the tone you say it in. I have a very kind family member, but her tone of voice can be cold and harsh which creates a “chilly” vibe making people feel uneasy, or disengaged. Tone conveys emotions like empathy or authority. People tend to judge trustworthiness and intent based on the tone of your voice. A clear tone can energize the room to make it feel “hot” or excited, while a hesitant or sarcastic tone might dampen enthusiasm leading to a “cooler” impression. Aligning our tone with the desired temperature. Your tone of voice is a key lever for changing the vibe it the room.
Changing your tone of voice as well as body language and framing your words can align the desired mood in a room.
Bible Principles
The Bible offers several principles for living a life of blessing and abundance, rooted in faith, obedience, generosity, and trust in God’s provision.
We can have blessings and abundance if we do these things
Trust and seek God first. prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness align us with His promises for provision and blessing. Matthew 6:33 tells us, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Put God at the center of our lives, trusting Him to meet our needs. People fight so hard every day to make ends meet, but God promises He will supply our needs if we follow and trust Him.
Obedience to God’s Word. Following God’s commands brings blessing. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 tells us, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands, blessings will come on you and accompany you.”
Obedience positions us to receive God’s favor and abundance.
Generosity and Tithing. Giving freely and faithfully invites God’s provision. This has to be the hardest command from God. Because it goes against what we think. Our brains tell us “If I give this money away, I will lack.” Many times I have given money, and received a huge blessing. One example I needed surgery on my mouth, my molars came in when I was 51 years old, and they were impacted. I have no dental insurance and the surgeon wanted cash upfront. I didn’t have it, I could not schedule the surgery. The exact amount of money came in the mail from a reimbursement I didn’t know I had come. Now that was a God thing.
Malachi 3:10 tells us, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…Test Me on this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
God’s commands are linked to promises of prosperity, protection, and favor. I’m not saying you will get “rich” if you obey God, but many blessings will come your way. God’s love is tied to joy and spiritual fulfillment.
Blessings aren’t always material or immediate, but they do bring peace, and purpose, eternal life.
Great Teachers
What makes a teacher great?
To be a great teacher he/she has to have empathy and compassion. They have to be able to connect with students and teach honesty, forgiveness and patience.
A great teacher prepares students for life outside of the classroom. Not useless things about the 76 genders or critical race garbage that are being shoved down their throats.
They should teach students to love their country, not hate it.
Ever Had Surgery
Have you ever had surgery? What for?
I’ve had a few surgeries in my life. Cancer surgery, 2 cyst removal surgeries. My latest was knee replacement surgery. Knee surgery replaces the femoral, tibial, and patellar surfaces with metal and plastic components.
Dealing with the insurance was a nightmare. I am allergic to metal. It took a while to get them to pay for a replacement that contained no metal parts.
I had to find a surgeon that was experienced in handling metal allergies and dealt with a high volume of joint replacements.
I ended up having a pure titanium knee replacement, which cost nearly $200,000.
It was a rough surgery that set me back 2 years in healing. My advice is to pick the surgeon’s brain before you have this surgery. There is so much they don’t tell you. Like It’s a year of physical therapy to retrain your knee after surgery.
I definitely will not be having the other knee done. I won’t be having the other one done that’s for sure.
Sadly, my surgeon passed away at 53 years old due to a blood clot after back surgery.
Life can be a wild ride. It’s like a roller coaster with unexpected l twists and turns. Sometimes we have to embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride.
Demons
I thought I would write about something a little different today. Have you heard of the Nephilim? It was the reason God sent the flood in Genesis to destroy every living thing on earth.
The Bible references demons as spiritual beings opposed to God, often linked to Satan, who deceive, oppress, or possess people. In the Old Testament demons are less explicit but implied in reference to “evil spirits” or false gods.
Deuteronomy 32:7 and Psalm 106:37 suggest pagan sacrifices were offered to demons. In Samuel 16:14 describes an “evil spirit” tormenting Saul possibly a demon or divine judgment.
In the New Testament demons are more prominent, depicted as “fallen angels” or spirits under satan’s authority. They are intelligent malicious beings who recognize Jesus’s authority. Mark 1:24 and James 2:19 tell us they can possess humans, and cause physical or mental harm.
They exploit human weaknesses, encouraging moral and spiritual failure. Their actions highlight human vulnerability and the need for divine protection. Demons serve as a constant to God’s sovereignty. Their existence sets the stage for spiritual warfare, where God’s children resist through faith and God’s armor in Ephesians 6:10-18. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.”
The Bible doesn’t suggest God created demons for evil rather they chose rebellion. Isaiah 14:12-14 if applied to Satan tells us their purpose is self-assumed, not divinely ordained.
Matthew 8:28-34 tells us about Jesus’s encounters with two demon-possessed men in the region of Gadarenes. The demons recognized Jesus and begged to be sent into a herd of pigs. Jesus permits it, and the demons enter the pigs which then rush into the sea and drown.
The Bible doesn’t provide a formula where demons can enter us, but instead, possession seems to depend on demonic initiative and spiritual vulnerabilities. But consider that when people sin it can weaken spiritual defenses, and allow demons to enter into us. Oppression and external influence are often implied for full possession. Persistent sin and occult involvement can lead to demons coming into our lives, but this is the belief of theologians.
In Matthew 12:43-45 Jesus describes an evil Spirit leaving a person, then returning with worse spirits if the person’s life remains empty (unfilled by God’s Spirit.
The Bible implies that sin can make a person vulnerable to demonic influence or oppression by creating spiritual openings that allow demons to come in.
Give God Room
Whether it’s facing a difficult season, an uncomfortable situation, or a frustrating relationship in our fallen world these types of problems are all too common. And we often react to them in two predictable ways:
We worry, or we try to control.
In some ways, these are opposite reactions. Worry is mostly passive and control is mostly active yet, it’s quite possible to do both at the same time. Often we are in situations that have no solution and no end with someone who gets under our skin or completely takes us out of our comfort zone. We may not see a way out, but we can give God the space to work by creating opportunities for God’s influence and guidance in our lives. We can let Him be actively involved in our lives.
This involves trusting Him being open to His direction and actively seeking His presence through prayer, reading His Word, and fellowshipping with Him. God’s work may be subtle, and often unseen, but He operates in ways beyond our immediate understanding.
He always leaves me in awe when I see things He has done in the past when I thought He wasn’t making a way for me through a struggle when indeed His had. We can’t always see the full picture or predict the outcome. We should give God some space in our lives by allowing Him to work His way.
Giving God space to work is about creating a life that is open and receptive to His presence and influence allowing Him to move in ways that will bring purpose to our lives.
