Random Thoughts

A Section dedicated to the random access of thoughts one might have through out the course of the day.

Jesus Is Our Rest – Sheila Burrier

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Matthew 11:28-30 New Living Translation

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

May we bow to nothing and no one, but the Father Himself.
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Not to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, depression, or addiction.
Not to the opinions or approval of others.
Not to the ways or the weight of this world.
Not to the stagnant or victim mindset.
Not to toxic generational behavior.
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Nothing.
Let all that we are be a posture of complete surrender to the One who is truly worthy.
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If you’re feeling weak these days, check your posture. You might be bowing to the wrong things and our shoulders aren’t big enough to carry the burdens that God has asked us to lay down.

My People Called by My Name – Karen Austin

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“I am calling you up and I am calling you out. I will direct you and I will lead you. I have been training your spirit to follow after Me and My ways. Even in times of trouble, your heart was still tuned towards Me. Watch and see what I will do through you as you yield yourself to Me.

Stay pure that I may work through you as I desire. I will no longer be confined within the boundaries of old mindsets. I have been working in those who are Mine, new garments to hold the new wine that is being poured out upon the earth. “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:21-22, NIV) For I shall do a new thing, such as has never been seen by man. There will be miracles here and miracles there. There will be such an outpouring upon your sons and your daughters that you hearts will overflow with joy. My raw power will be on display.

Even in worship, My Presence will be so heavy, so strong that many will be drawn into that place. Fear, shame, intimidation will not be able to keep them bound as they experience My love for them. For you see, this is the hour of My love being revealed in such a greater measure because the hearts of many are drawing Me near.

Keep your heart continually pure and connected to Mine. You must allow Me to continue a deep work of cleansing in your heart – removing thoughts, ideas, mindsets, traditions and even your opinions. For you to minister from this deep realm – it must come from “the deep” in you. You must continue to walk in humility. Man will only be transformed when their heart is touched with My Spirit delving into the depths of their hidden pain, impurity, anger, resentment and shame to bring healing and restoration. Just as MRIs and CAT scans can see clearly and find foreign matters in the natural body, so shall My discernment increase in greater levels to enable you to see that which should be foreign in the heart of those who are Mine.

A desire for righteousness is rising within My people. There is a cry for truth and no more compromise. These are ones who will stand for justice and freedom. They are not willing to compromise and allow evil to prevail. I have placed destiny within their hearts for the days you are in… a call to change their nation and even their world. Did not My disciples turn the world upside down with My Kingdom truths and My Kingdom authority?

No longer look back for the pattern, for the old will not get you to the destiny that I have for you. This must be a walk of faith, trusting Me as I lead you into the land of promise, what I have prepared before the beginning of time. All that has been done before has paved the way for today – this last day move. Be ready. Seek Me.

Are you be willing to be different? To step out from that which was and into that which is to be? Will you allow Me to manifest Myself through you as I desire and to whom I choose? You must not be afraid of the criticism of man. My Word will testify of itself.

Allow Me to work in you, finalizing the work for the building of My dwelling place – you.”

Mary did you know?

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To me, it would be amazing to be a fly on the wall when Jesus was born. Seeing Mary holding the Savior of the world in her arms, caressing his head, kissing his face. Not only did she have the joy of having the child Jesus in her arms, but she had the privilege of knowing that He was not only coming to save her, but He was born to save all of mankind.

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

What a promise we have in Jesus. What a joy to know that those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior, have the honor of knowing that not only does His blood cover us, but He is inside of us. That the power of the Holy Spirit is active and alive in each one of us. In this day of Thanksgiving, give to Jesus what you are truly thankful for. The redeeming sacrifice of His blood, and the love of the Father for sending His only begotten Son to die for all mankind, so that we may live in Him and for Him. Blessings

Contend to be a father

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You know after watching the movie “Courageous”, for the third time I can’t help but to keep running this one part in my head over and over again. There was one part that really gripped me since I heard it. It was dialog between a father and his son. One line the dad said to his son, I would say to my son and daughter, and I think every dad should take a moment to think about this.

“I did not start well as a dad, but I would like to finish well.”

My kids, your kids, they all depend so heavily on their fathers, it’s amazing the impact a father can have on a child, both negative and positive. The outcomes are apparent as you see them grow up into the men and women that they become.
I want my son and my daughter to grow, move and become the destiny that God, since their conception, has placed with in them. Not to ever lose out on what God has given them, or has in store for them, because I as a father did not lead them, nurture them, and love them as they deserve to be loved.

I am required as a father to be an example of God’s love on this earth. I have, and will fail, but I am praying that they see me leaning on my heavenly Father, and know that they can, at any time, lean on me. I refuse to allow the enemy to have my kids, and I will war and pray, I will intercede and I will never cease to place my kids before the throne of Jesus.
We are always held accountable, always watched, we are always being corrected. I as a father need to realize that this is not a game, to which the end is when they turn 18, or are married, or have a family of their own. IT’s NOT THAT EASY!!!!! I am responsible as a father til the day I go to meet my heavenly Father.

CONTEND CONTEND CONTEND and I say again CONTEND for your children, and do not let them down. To hard? I don’t know your circumstances? Shut up Frank? None of that changes the fact that I am a father…AND I AM HELD ACCOUNTABLE! Suck it up buttercup and take hold of the honor of being a father.

Grace vs. Karma

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If there’s 2 words that I hate hearing Christians use it’s the words “Luck” & “Karma.” These words simply shouldn’t exist in a Christian’s vocabulary.

karma

The Law of Karma is basically this: If you do good, good things will happen to you. If you do bad then bad things will happen to you. Depending on your religious views it will happen to you either in this lifetime or another, & what happens to you today could be the result of things that have taken place in a previous lifetime.

The idea of Karma is found in many religions, chiefly Hindu & Buddhist. Karma is actually foundational to both systems of belief, and can even be found in Wiccan & other “new age” type of religions.

But karma is not just exclusive to those systems of belief. Many Christians & people of other religions who believe in God or a “god” also subscribe to the belief known as karma. You hear it in the way they talk

For instance ever heard someone ask the question:

“Why does good things always happen to bad people? And bad things happen to good people?”
That, folks, is karma. I think most of us are guilty of thinking that way at one time in our life. Some of us are there right now & that’s why I feel that now is the time for me to address the “Law of Karma” in relation to Christianity.

To get a true perspective of karma you first have to look at it through the perspective of God the Father. The perspective we currently have of karma is through the eyes of man, and unfortunately man’s eyes never have the best perspective.

Let’s take a look at some of the things from God’s word, so that we can get His perspective on it. But before we do, let me remind you what “The Law of Karma” says. The “Law of Karma” says if you do good, good things will happen to you & if you do bad then bad things will happen to you.

Here’s what God’s word says:

“As it is written: There is none righteous. No. Not one.” – Romans 3:10
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
“The wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23

Ok. If karma is true, then we’re all screwed. If good things happen to good people, & bad things happen to bad people then in God’s eyes we’re all bad (sinners) people and we all deserve death. If karma is true then it’s a merry-go-round that we can NEVER get off because we’re all bad people, and we should expect nothing but the worst from God.

It’s a good thing for us that karma is not a true “law” as some believe it to be. God the Father made a way for us to get off of this merry-go-round & it’s summed up in one little word called “Grace.”

The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
It’s by placing our faith in Jesus (the gift of God (See John 3:16)) that God’s grace is extended to us. It’s Jesus that pulls us off of this merry-go-round of works that Satan spins with his lie called “karma.”
Karma is a lie because in order for karma to be true it would have to be a law established by God, which simply cannot be found in the word of God.

Instead what we find is the law of grace. The Apostle Paul says it like this in II Timothy 1:9 (NLT):

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it,  but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time- to show us His grace through Christ Jesus.”
From BEFORE the beginning of time….GRACE. Not karma. Wow. Enough said.

What is prayer in western culture?

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Sometimes I have a hard time discerning what is prayer and what is just conversation. I have been to plenty of prayer “meetings”, and they usually turned out to be a round table of people talking about their ideas and thoughts. There was no form of prayer whatsoever. Still others proclaim that this is the place to be, “We are coming to intercede for our nation”, but again, nothing of the sort happens and it turns out to be people on the microphone talking about their personal experiences and thoughts. Again, not the intercession I imagined intercession to be.

Here is my “concept” of intercession. Men and women of God coming together with a like mind and like purpose to lift up in prayer a sitution, an event, a church, leadership, our city and even our nation. That their is a continuous line of prayer, worship and praise being lifted up. That we don’t take this personal time with God to give account of the weekend I had with family or friends. It’s not an atmosphere of sharing my personal beliefs, and the many things I have been a part of. It’s about God. It’s about asking Him to move his hand in an area where only He can make the difference. Not regaling my fellow man with tales of valor and glory at the local supermarket.

Persistent widow anyone? She had a sole purpose and intent when she began knocking on her master door. She had a mind set in stone as to what she wanted. There was not going to be anything that deterred her from her purpose. We must come to God in the same manner. I cannot allow the business of the day, week or month to side track me from the greater purpose I have, and that is to be in relationship with my Savior, and serve my heavenly Father according to His will. How will I know what that will is, if I do not spend time with Him in prayer? How I will know the character of God unless I spend time in His living word?

Don’t get caught up in the hype. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted from the vision that is before you. Don’t lose the foundation of our first love, which is Jesus. There is coming a day, perhaps soon, when God will truly separate the wheat from the chaff. Which of the virgins are you?

Harmony of the Lord

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The harmonies of the Lord are intermingling with the spirits of His people to make a resounding chorus, echoing to the west wind.

Let loose the prevailing winds of the Spirit, the echoing chorus will sound to break loose those that are bound by a deaf spirit, those who cannot hear the comforting voice of the Lord.

Let loose the prevailing winds of the spirit, to drive back the arid air that clouds the minds of men. Release your people from the bonds of self –reliance.

Father do not allow your people to fall into eternal slumber being only stirred by the yearnings of this world. Let loose the prevailing winds of your Spirit to awaken the sleeping giant that is your bride. Shake the foundations of our minds to accept those we have yet to see. Open the closed fissures that impair the movement of the bride as she is prepared for the bridegroom.

Like a trumpets call, carry our prayers on the wings of your Spirit, place them before you, burn them as an incense, and aroma pleasing to the Lord.

Facebook is not the rock of our salvation!

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I had written this about a year ago, but I thought it would be a good lead off…

 

Facebook. Isn’t it an interesting creation? What was meant for college age kids to socially connect on campus, has now taken the world by storm. Now anyone who has Internet access has the ability to log on and blog away about anything under the sun. People have even created pages for their pets, or books, or any other object that we hold in high regard. I initially started using facebook, because I was encouraged to take part in this social network of wonder. I was told it’s an amazing way to contact people who you haven’t seen in many years, or to keep in touch with people you see everyday. I could invite people to events, or alert the public to something special that maybe happening. In it’s raw form, this is all true. Facebook can be used as a wonderful tool to spread the word, from birthday parties, fashion shows, dances, theater productions, etc.

 

The list is endless of what I can use this tool of the Internet for. I can even create my very own Church of the Holy Cheese Sandwich, and probably have people flock to it. Problem of course is that I would have people who were pre grilled or post grilled sandwich lovers, and there would be a massive split of ideals. God has been really talking to me, and had me observe what I do on facebook, see what’s being posted, watch the responses of people who are, “The elite of Facebook”. Elite, funny word isn’t it? We use it more as a put down, then what it is really meant to be used for. I apologize for my previous comment. Honestly those that know Jesus Christ as their personal savior are the elite. We are the elect. Except we, as the human race view that term as though we are entitled to, well anything we desire. As long as I say…”God spoke to me concerning this”, that is my trump card. You cannot argue with me in the least little bit, or attempt to sway my already determined mind, because I said God told me and that’s it.

 

I don’t realize how deadly I can really be to other people. My words are daggers, which can cut through any armor we think we have readied ourselves with. Unless I put on the “Full armor of God” (Eph 6: 10-18), I am vulnerable. I have tried as I may, to put on the helmet of Salvation. To make sure that I have it securely fastened upon my mind. But, 9 times out of 10, it’s the one piece I forget the most. Therefore I allow all manner of attacks to come against my mind and spiritual man. Facebook has become a lethal means of disrupting the work of the Lord in our personal lives, all the while hiding behind a façade of humility and conviction. I may find it easier to throw out meaningless comments, with no clear meaning, except to an elect few, in order to garner support for my cause. Please support me in condemning my brothers and sisters in the hidden garb of a well trained assassin. I mean come on! That’s all I am really doing isn’t it? Throwing dagger after dagger of turmoil into someone else’s life, because I haven’t got the courage to actually approach a person, with an offense I might have taken. Or, hey here we go, I will put jaded messages up, cleverly disguised as “Look at the righteous stand I am taking” comments. In hopes that those I know, and know about the turmoil between myself and another person, will rally to my cause because in some way or manner they will see that my opinion is the just one. I take a stand when I am safely tucked away in the comfort of my keyboard and internet connection.

 

The Lord is very clear on how we are to deal with our brothers and sisters when we have issues with or against them, below is just few, but albeit clear examples;

 

Isaiah 43:26 “Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; (NKJV). Jesus also tells me the same in the following verses

 

Matthew 5:23-24 23 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

 

Matthew 18:15-17 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

 

 

So as you can see from these small examples from scripture, the Lord is not calling us to back bite, or gossip. Not to belittle or bemuse our brothers and sisters, but to come to them with our issues and problems. Do I really think that the Lord doesn’t know my intention when I am posting something on Facebook about another person? Am I that delusional to even consider that the Holy Spirit isn’t aware, or even watching as I sit at my keyboard slandering my brothers and sister with paragraphs of hidden meanings and veiled accusations as though I am actually getting away with something? Let me top that off by giving a little information to certain people, so they can see that I am in the right, and they post comments reaffirming my position, all the while I know in my own heart that I am tearing down the spirit of people I look in the eyes and say, “I am behind you, I promise covenant relationship with you”. When in reality, I have no intention whatsoever of fulfilling that promise. Why? Because in my own insecurity, I have not dealt with the own issues in my own life. So I project that out onto the pages of my facebook fantasy world, again thinking that God actually doesn’t know my intentions or my heart.

 

My family, my friends, my brothers and sisters in the Lord are supposed to be honored in my speech. To be exhorted in my everyday actions. I also know that I have issues in my own life, things I have to bring to the Lord. Hiding in the shadows of facebook isn’t the place I am supposed to be. I have to remember that when I cowardly hide behind the keyboard, posting away to my heart’s content knowing I am not acting in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, I am not only losing valuable ground in the spiritual battle, but also chipping away at a relationship that quite possible could be Lord ordained.

 

I have to keep my eyes focused on what the Lord has called my spirit to be. Not do, but be. How can I have any hopes that my relationship with Jesus will not be tainted unless I first reconcile with my brothers and sisters who I have offense with, or those I have taken offense with? Scripture is pretty clear when Peter ask the Lord in Matthew 18:21-22

 

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

 

I cannot allow myself to fall victim to one of the oldest tactics the enemy uses against me. My own pride and my own ego. He will just whisper certain things in my ear, a random word from a passing stranger finds its way into my thoughts. Perhaps someone I trust lets me down. There are all manner of things that can be used against me, things that will cause me to lash out in anger to hurt those who have offended me. I know that scripture tells us that my battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the power of this world that would try to derail me from the perfect plans that God has for my life.

 

Eph 6:12

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I have to stand strong against the onslaught of the enemies attack against my family, my friends and ultimately against God’s authority in my life. Satan would love nothing more than I be at odds with those I hold dear to my heart, to keep my focus off God and concentrated on my own pettiness. I should always try to move in the Romans 12 mindset.

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

 

I ask all that use facebook as a means of communication to remember that it’s a forum that cannot convey emotion. It’s impossible to truly know the intentions of the text before your eyes. Truly knowing the Fathers love for me, means that I am willing to work out the issues I may have with my brother or sister so that nothing will hinder me from walking out the destiny that God has for my life.

First blog…ever

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What can I say in this first ever, epic blog? Oh yes, I know..I am totally lost. I don’t get what or how people would even begin to see this. I know the internet is a vast array of random searches, so I guess if you, yes I am talking to you. The one person who happens to find this blog, WELCOME! You are now the number one person who has ever seen my blog. What will you find here? Not sure, but I pray that in some way, some how, I can convey correctly what I am swirling around in my brain housing group.

So you maybe asking yourself, why is the name of this blog, “Whirl Wind of Hope”? I am praying that God shows me, in some form or fashion that we can hear His voice through all the noise of this world. Perhaps we can do that, you, the one person who is reading this. Blessings and let’s get this thing rolling!