Friday, January 18, 2013

There Is No In Between

It has been impressed upon my heart very recently to post something that I believe God wants to bring home to His people...which is, how important it is that we desire to learn what it means to live and walk in the light, vs what it is to walk in darkness..

 

 

I would HIGHLY encourage you to do a bible study on what I am about to talk about...as the scriptures that back up this topic are MANY.  

 

 

 

Grace has a lot of wiggle room, vs the old law which hardly had any...

 

 

What God says about this is - where we used to work for our salvation by having to mind our actions so closely due to the strict demands of the law...grace has now given us the total freedom to do the complete opposite.

 

 

The law meant having to mind our P's and Q's so closely that our eyes had to stay on our own behavior most all of the time.

 

 

However now that we have been set free...similar to a person being freed from prison...we may just want to take advantage of the freedom and let 'er rip! But God says that we have been freed for a reason. To serve one another. To be truly concerned what is going on in other's lives...when we used to only be concerned what was going on in our own lives. Therefore our focus does an about-face.

 

 

 

If you look honestly through scripture, you will see that God's character and ways are not just a little bit different from ours....or mostly different...or usually different...no, His ways are always 100% different than our carnal nature. His ways are NOT our ways. His thoughts are NOT our thoughts.

 

 

 

Now, when we are acting-out...being absolutely monstrous...does He veer into acting carnally even just a wee bit?  I think, well if we are acting this way then He has every right to 'flesh-out'!!! Yes? Well, maybe a right...but He will not stoop to acting like us just because we are acting like us!

 

 

God even showed this in Christ. Even though He was God and could show His power against sinful man as He did in the OT, He decided not to present Himself as God, but to humble Himself and come as a man.

 

 

 

 He decided to come not only to die for us, but also to show us how to live for Him.

 

 

 

Christ showed and taught that God's ways are opposite of the carnal man's ways. We are not to keep our eyes on what people are doing to us and then react to them in kind. No. We are to fix our eyes on Jesus! We are not to stoop to the ways of the carnal nature, and then miss the wonderful grace of God.                  

  

Please click on this link:               

               http://nlt.scripturetext.com/hebrews/12.htm

 

 

 

God makes it plain to us that we cannot dabble in the ways of the carnal nature....no matter what we are feeling. Light is opposite from darkness...and there is no in between. No matter what anyone is doing...anyone! Or what is going on around us...it does not give us permission to take up even ONE of the carnal nature's attributes as a way to respond to what is going on. Even when we are angry, we are not given the permission to sin in the process.

 

 

If we say we have the Holy Spirit inside us. If we say we are lead by the Spirit...then we slander, get involved in factions and conflict...then we had better realize that there is NO darkness at all in the Holy Spirit and then turn from this and get things right with God. He wants to bless us abundantly and answer our prayers, however,  if we are stubbornly participating in darkness,  He can never-ever be a part of it. 

 

 
 

Gal. 5: "16Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants. 17What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don't always do what you intend to do. 18If your spiritual nature is your guide, you are not subject to Moses' laws.

 

 

19Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, 20idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I've told you in the past and I'm telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

 

22But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires. 25If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature. 26We can't allow ourselves to act arrogantly and to provoke or envy each other."

 

 

 

Darkness will never affect darkness for the good. Satan cannot drive out Satan. The dark strong holds of the enemy can only be bound up and driven out by the light. The more we dabble in the things of the carnal nature, then the weaker, and more ineffectual we become. God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all..

 
 

 

We have to get to the point of loving...absolutely loving...God's commands.

 

 

We have to get to the point of believing...strongly believing...God's promises.

 

 

Then when we finally believe God's words above all other voices...is when we will begin seeing victory in and around us.

 

 

 

Did you notice the quote above...in the three different designs? It's in my heart to help all of us remember this quote as we pray. > To ask God to implant: a strong love for His new commandent, and a growing faith in His promises in our hearts. Therefore, if you would like a print of the quote, please click on them to enlarge, then choose which one you want, and write me at com4tea@yahoo.com . Then I will send you an attachment that you can have a print made from. From left to right #1 - #2 - #3  Bless you!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

God Loves You From A-Z

~can always click on images to enlarge~


God loves you from A-Z. There is not one area that He does not love about you. Even the weakest areas! Well, I would even say especially the weak areas. Because those are the areas that show their need for Him the most...as the strong areas are like a glass filled to the brim with water...they have no room for anything else. But a glass that is lacking...and is even willing to be emptied...is open for and thirsty for more.

 

 

Our old nature's tendencies must be replaced with what the new nature naturally does....which is what the old nature does not like doing ~ well, on a regular basis anyway. Do you notice that when there is a disaster people will go running to help!? The adrenaline and survival mode kicks in...then the conscience kicks in full gear. Thank God mankind has at least been given a conscience...or this world would have been obliterated a long time ago!

 

 

We as Christians however have much more than merely a conscience. We also have the power and love that comes from the Holy Spirit. Therefore, God does not just want concern to be shown just when there are disasters in the proportions we've seen...then we go home and walk right by the disasters that live among and around us. ~ Peoples lives that are empty and have been affected by the darkness in this world. They NEED the light...the extraordinary love... of Christ shown to them...and who else is going to do it? Seriously...who else is going to do it?  

 

 

Yes, you!...and me! And God wants us to truly LIVE each day...and not wait. The darkness can slip in and will do this as much as there is opportunity...because, where we are not living in the light, there will naturally be room for darkness. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow does not exist yet. Today is always the day.

 

 

Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

 

 

It reminds me when I was a kid. I'd often hear, "No, we are not going anywhere this weekend, because we were already gone  last weekend!" I would think to myself, "What does that have anything to do with it? So that means I don't live, or shouldn't really live, this weekend?

 
 

 

 

 Christianity is not a job, or religion where you and I wait to do it, and go somewhere to practice it at certain times. It is even more than a lifestyle...it is an actual transformation. A 'becoming' what we were originally created to be.  How much closer can one get to describing it then how God describes it in:

 
 

 

 

 Galatians2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

 

 

 

 

God has been impressing on me that eternity does not start when we die, no. It has already started. Eternity starts today. God is preparing us today to live with Him where there is NO darkness...and God is calling us to take as many people with us as we can!!

 

 

 

One Christian comedian said once that when Jesus comes back he is going to grab two sinners as he's going up, then say to them, "You either repent, or I let go!"








 

Christian literally means, "little Christ". We do not wait. No matter how you bring it about according to your personality, gifts and talents...the mindset you and I are exhorted to live by is the mind of Christ...which means the mind of a servant who walks in step with the Holy Spirit and...who doesn't shy away from it because they understand  that being yoked with Christ is easy and His burden is light. A servant is ready at any time...any day...any moment...to serve. They live to serve out of love.


 

Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

 

 

Galatians 5:23-24 "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

 

 

My brother is an Opera singer, and once he told me that anyone can sing, but not everyone is a singer. The same goes for us. There are people that serve...lots of people that serve, but they are not servants in the true sense.

 

 

 

Servants of God biblically live to serve....because they have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer they who live, but it is now Christ who lives in them.

 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A Prayer Closet Conversation



Me: Lord, oh, what a day! I need to crawl up in your lap. I am so glad You are with me. You are so great and so good! I know my attitude wasn’t good today…I want to ask you something…


God: I’m here...

Me: But I am not sure if it’s OK to tell you how I really feel!

God: But, I already know....

Me: Oh, yes…true... Well, by the time I got home today I had a splitting headache. What a day! ...and I'm sorry to say Father, but I have been mad at You because I know you have the power to do anything...so why did you let so much stuff happen to me today? I'm so frustrated!


God: I am listening…


Me: Well, the alarm clock didn‘t go off and I know I set it last night. Before work I wanted to get to the same store that I bought that butterfly net...ya know, right after it opened!


God: Yes…


Me: Then I couldn‘t get the front door to lock, and then finally when I did, the key got stuck…and then it took so long to get it back out again…so by the time I stepped in the door at work I was barely on time and I already had a headache starting! Then on top of that my boss was not very happy!


God: ...I'm listening closely....


Me: ...then at noon break the lunch line came to a stop right when I got in it...even though there were only 2 people! It took about 10 minutes to get through that line…which means I only had time to eat a few bites of my food!


God: Hmmm.


Me: Then on the way home my phone rang 3 times, and so by the 3rd ring I figured there was someone who really needed to get a hold of me, so I looked for a place to turn off the road to talk…then when I picked up the phone to see who called, it was dead. I couldn’t believe it!


God: Yes, I know these things can happen...and it can be frustrating to be inconvenienced.


Me: And on top of all that, when I got home I just wanted to finally get that lawn mowed!...but the mower would not start!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You let these things happen to me?? ...OH....I'm sorry God, I know it's really a sin to talk this way...oh, my, I can't be mad at you!!


God: Actually my child, it would be a sin to hold those toxic feelings inside...as they can get in the way of our relationship. I bless you for trusting my love enough to let them come out into the light.

Hmmm, now, remember how you’ve been telling Me your frustrations about reading scripture? The reason your alarm didn‘t go off on time was because I wanted you to meet the lady you met on the elevator….remember her? Later on you’ll see her again and she’ll share something with you she's learned that will also help you…and then you both will be blessed by it!


Me: OH (embarrassed).….ah, yes, I remember her.

God: I didn't let the door cooperate with you because I wanted to keep you in the house for another 5 minutes because the next door neighbor’s dog had gotten out, and you know how he bites...and I was going to use your tardiness as a tool in dealing with your boss's attitudes.

Me: (ashamed)

God: …and about your noon break - that cashier, you know the one you like so well? She asked Me to slow things down at the same time you stepped in line. The lady that was talking to her happened to ask her for prayer…so she wanted a minute to exchange numbers, since she rarely sees her and didn’t want to lose the opportunity.


Me: : Ok…(humbled)

God: Then your phone went dead because the person who called wanted to ask you to be in charge of something…and since I had other plans for you, I stopped the call from coming through. By the way, I am so pleased with the light you shine each day…and you do it joyfully wherever you go! I want to help you grow a little bit each day, so you become used to being inconvenienced...so you'll learn to be more and more open to joyfully minister to someone whenever you encounter such a situation...and there are many people that need to be shown My love!

Me: (softly) You bless me Lord....thank you for your grace and mercy...

God: Oh, and that lawn mower, it had a loose blade and was about to fly off!

Me: I'm so sorry Father.

God: I really like your heart attitude! Now I would like you to take another step in taking control over your fears. To do that means to be able to trust my love. Then the more you trust, the more you will be able to comply with what I ask of you…even in the things that seem hard to do.

Me: I want to trust you more Father...

God: Remember these words in scripture *“taking all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ"?

Think about how delightful your niece was the other day when you gave her the butterfly net and she caught the two butterflies. Now think of all your fears and ugly thoughts going wild, flying all around, pestering you and causing problems.

What those words in scripture mean is that I want you to capture those thoughts in a similar way as a person catches butterflies. By faith in My power choose to take each one of those thoughts captive. Then as each are captured, self-control becomes much easier…because your thoughts don’t rule you, you rule them! This is a learning process and takes time…but, we will work together and it’ll begin happening! I am pleased that you always desire to learn more about Me and how to do things so as to become more and more like My Son.

Me: I love you Lord…and I thank you for taking care of me today. I do want to learn to rest in you more....

God: You're welcome, child. I love you and I love looking after My children.

* 2 Cor. 10: 4-5

By Jenny Sorge c

Monday, January 14, 2013

Every Thread Of Scripture



 

The first and most important thing that I've learned in my Christian life and what I'd like to share is that God's written word is not a book of theory,  a religious rule book or a collection of secret coded messages. No. In the eyes of a scholar, they may see it differently...but in lay terms...or human terms, it is a collection of God's thoughts about His character, His power and the desires He has for the people He created. All well put together in a beautiful quilt, with every single piece and every strand of thread having it's own unique importance to the over all story...from the God of the Universe Who patiently is bringing His creation back to Himself.   



My Father reminds me that He didn't Author a book that I must find time to read - as though I'd better know His rules or else! NO. He who has His very own collection of wonderful stories and eternal truths, invites me to crawl up onto His lap, and snuggle into that quilt He lovingly pieced together for me a long time ago...then tells me about His plan, and helps me see a little at a time, how every single word comes together in Jesus.

 

*********


 

 

I've also learned to be more of a literalist. Meaning, that when a verse says command...then it's not a request. When it says 'all'...it means all. When a verse speaks of God's love...then I don't refer to the love I have experienced in my life as being the definition. NO!(Yikes!!) I go straight over to 1 Corinthians 13, to start out with, then Christ's life, as well as various other verses to find out what God's love is made of.

 
 

 

When God has made it clear that I am saved by grace, yet something in the bible seems to tell me that I'd better be a good girl or else! Then something is amiss with MY understanding - NOT God's word. When scripture says something is 'new', then it's new. So, if I read some passages that seem to contradict or confuse me...then the contradiction is in my own mind and not in God's word!  

 
 

1 Cor. 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

 

 

When a scripture uses the word fulfills or satisfies...then it means that something has been fulfilled or satisfied...and it does not have to say, 'very satisfied' in order for us to take in the true meaning. Likewise when I read the word obey and my heart feels a twinge of fear, then sadly I have been fed some very faulty information in my past...but yet, this also tells me that God desires to do more healing in my heart! (Hurray!) 

 



 

When God says in Isaiah 55: 8-9 "My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways," declares the LORD. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.",  what He means is, when we read scripture we have to keep in mind that it very often may not seem logical to our human nature...therefore, we must expect to usually have to dig deeper in order to find the true meaning.



 

 

We mustn't dismiss what we don't understand, no, of course not...instead we learn from Jesus who exemplifies God perfectly.  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls". Matt. 11: 29-30 He wants to yoke with each one of us, as the Holy Spirit helps us know what God truly means, as we follow along with Christ in the Gospels, and learn to emulate Him in this world. ~ Which could not happen if we are relying on our own finite understanding! These are the 'uniquely important threads' in the beautiful quilt that must not be overlooked, so as to better understand God's words.

 
 

  

 


John 14: 26 Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit--the Father will send Him in My name--will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you."





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Have you ever eaten something so sweet, and so rich - that you just had to have more? Then the baker tells you that he would be glad to give you the recipe for their Honeycomb Cake? But, not being a natural at things like this, you ask if he can come over and show you how to make that wonderfully rich dessert!

 

 

This is how I've learned to see scripture as well. When I am sitting in my Father's lap, He doesn't just tell me about His Son Jesus and how He is the exact representation of Himself.  He doesn't just tell me the things Jesus said or taught...and then sends me home with the recipe book.  No. He provides me with very visual examples of how Christ related to all different kinds of people and how He handled the many situations that came His way...as well as His very real Spirit inside me. God has surely provided everything I need to not only live a more satisfying Christian life, but a fruitful life that delights my wonderful Father as well! 

 

 

God desires His words to be sweeter and sweeter on my tongue,  because in truth, that is what they are! They are sweeter than the honey in the honey comb and are worth more than fine gold!  Pls go to Psalm 19: 7-11 and follow along!

                                 

 
 

If We Are The Body of Christ

Who would you be willing...or better yet 'glad to'...have a cup of coffee with?

 

         1 Corinthians 12:20-27

 

 20"So there are many parts but one body. 21An eye can't say to a hand, "I don't need you!" Or again, the head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22The opposite is true. The parts of the body that we think are weaker are the ones we really need. 23The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we give special honor. So our unpresentable parts are made more presentable. 24However, our presentable parts don't need this kind of treatment. God has put the body together and given special honor to the part that doesn't have it. 25God's purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other. 26If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering. If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness. 27You are Christ's body and each of you is an individual part of it."

 

 

 

What are the parts of our body that need more care, but many times don't receive it? Well...then what are the parts that we give lots of care to? I am thinking they are the parts that the world sees, so we primp and keep them in good shape...yet these are the parts that don't need as much care...as compared to the parts that do need the extra attention. Yet many times these parts that need more attention don't get it, because the body normally keeps them hidden.

 
 

 

Our hearts need a lot more care than our fingernails....but it is our fingernails that usually get the most care. I suspect it is because they are what people see. They are what gives us a reputation. They are what adds to our appearance.

 
 

 

Our bladder is something we only think about at certain times...and our stomach as well, yet it needs lots of care, as it is what holds our body fuel -- our food, yet most of us ignore it's real needs so it works properly. Then the intestines....which are also needed to provide our body with the fuel it needs. But do these parts get as much attention as our eye lashes, or toe nails...or our hair? I don't think so...well, I'm convicted anyway!

 

 

The lungs, intestines, stomach, and bladder are not pretty, but they are a part of the body, and considered vital parts of the body...so, in light of what God wants to teach us, do we treat those at church who are not very pretty as important as the attendees that are?  The ones who come in with body odor and not dressed very nicely, do we snub them 'just a bit'? Or how about the believers that are still struggling with various sins in their lives? Do the thoughts in our mind immediately begin evaluating them....comparing them to ourselves and having the attitude that some how we are above ever being that vulnerable to this fallen world, so we think, "I don't know how they could let things get this bad! I would never let that happen!"

 
 

*When people think this way, then I wonder sometimes if this stems from a mindset that they are somehow above the human condition...and maybe even think that they could never do what Adam and Eve did to cause the fall!

 

Jesus tells us here the reason why the less desired among us are the ones that deserve the most esteem. The ones who have struggled the most are normally the ones who become the most productive, as they love and show mercy towards others much more. They have experienced and therefore understand what it feels like to be so miserable, and then what it truly feels like to be forgiven! It is likened to a person who has been in utter darkness for many years and then is given the chance to be out in the light vs a person who has never experienced total darkness and so when given the chance to be in the light does not appreciate it as much.

 


Luke 7:47 Jesus said, "I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."

 

 

As the body of Christ...where Christ is our Head, we as Christians have to begin listening better and learning from the Head...and cultivating the mind of Christ that is already in us. The humble attitude that Christ had...as He humbled Himself and became a man, and died a horrible and humiliating death on the cross for us. Therefore we, out of deep love and reverence can do no less, but carry with us a humble attitude in how we see ~ and serve those around us...as our reasonable service

 

.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

 

 

We must begin realizing and never forgetting our own vulnerability and humanity in order to be the kind of people that produce the fruit that is pleasing to God.

 


James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

 

 

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Who Is This Jenny Elaine Anyway?


                            Holding my brother Steven in 1960

 

I grew up on the go. My father, being in the Navy, was gone out to sea when I was birthed here in MN in 1957. By the time I got out of school I had been to 9 schools...and that was before even entering HS, which was number 10!

 

 
 
 

We lived many places from Hawaii to Connecticut. Therefore I made few friends because by the time I got to know someone well enough we moved. Because of being the new kid and always taller than everyone, with braids and freckles, I ofttimes was also a target of bullying, which is one of the things that drove me later on to attend college so as to be able to teach and then work with children for over 30 yrs ~ and then much later write a children's book on bullying that recently came out called, "Monsters, Monsters, Monsters!

 


 
 

I'm glad for the experiences...living among many kinds of people...eating all kinds of food...and living in diverse climates. However, something I missed was roots.


 
 

 

My father loved being in the Navy to the point that he didn't like being home and he showed it. However, I do remember how the families of each crew being able to go down into the submarines when they came home...and how they would stock them with goodies and an ice cream machine so we could have as much as we wanted. We also seemed to have free reign and would run around the inside of the old submarine which was fun to us kids. Our giggles would echo and we wanted to stay a while...although my Dad said that the cock roaches were terrible...well, that did it for us!

 

 
 
 
 

My mother did what she could, but I know it was hard being a 'singlish' parent to my younger brother and myself, and then along with also having to pack up and move so often. So, I isolated myself and drew so much of the time that I filled up many tablets of paper...or thankfully, my mother also tried to find dance or art classes for me to take so I would not spend so much of my time alone. I also began feeling bouts of deep depression when I was in my early teens. However, even before that I found myself not wanting to live. I remember whenever I'd hear people talk about someone being in their 80's, and how they hoped to live that long, I'd shake my head and think to myself that I sure didn't want to live any longer than 50!

 

 

 

 

Fast forward to 1976, when I graduated from a HS in Colorado. I was so glad to be out and ended up really being 'out' because when my parents asked what I wanted for my graduation I said, "A ticket outta here!". So I moved here to MN about three weeks after graduation to live with my aunt.

 


 
 
 

About a year later I moved into a rooming house for young women. It was a gorgeous old mansion near downtown Mpls that had custom made, imported fireplaces in each room. I remember the one in my room had inlaid mother of pearl. I also remember the huge furnace in the basement that looked like a monster octopus!

 

 
 
 

Then shortly I moved in I was invited by someone in the house to go to her church. I had grown up going to church, so I was very open to it. Wherever we moved we found a Lutheran church and attended about every Sunday. So, I figured if it was a Christian church then there was no reason not to go. So after attending for a short time I was baptised. At that time it was and still is considered one of many denominations within Christendom, but it had so many very restrictive rules that in time I felt like I had literal weights on my shoulders. In fact I remember the exact moment that feeling came on me. Needless to say I began squirming my way out of going each Sunday and never went back.

 
 

 

 
 

However, shortly after that I was invited to another church by a new gal who had moved in. I was OK with going, especially after she told me that there wasn't the rules like the last church. However, she said, that it was probably a little different than what I was used to...because they raised their hands in the air and clapped when they sang!  Well,  even though I had an Aunt that my family always made fun of because she went to a church like that...I still decided to go anyway!

 

 
 
 
 

During this time I used to go downtown with some of the girls in the house to a disco club. (I know, I'm dating myself here! Ha!) One of the girls I went with was the gal who invited me to the church...so, to me I was just following her example because I figured she knew more than me about these things. However, after accepting Christ, being baptised and growing a bit I began feeling uneasy about going anymore.


 

I remember one of the nights we went I was sitting and talking with a guy who would regularly go there as well...yes, sitting there telling him about the church and inviting him too! I look back and remember the look on his face when he said, "I'm Jewish and I rarely even go to the Synagogue!" I remember after that getting sicker and sicker to my stomach each time I went...and within a short time never went back.

 


 
 
 

Then within just a few months I moved into Park House, which was what I like to describe as kind of like a Christian commune. It was one of the ministries of the church...which came out of the Jesus movement. PH had two houses, one for the women and the other for the guys. I thank God for that place as I needed to be taken by the hand and carefully guided. I was there for close to a year and a half. The in depth teaching, prayer and guidance was exactly what I needed! Some referred to it as a halfway house...but we called it the "all the way house"!

 

 
 

Shortly after moving out I went to a bible boot camp...yup, boot camp! Our church also had a wonderful retreat center a couple hours away where a 5 week boot camp was held each summer and a 3 week one during the winter. Well, of course I went to the summer one! (MN ya know!:)

 

 
 
 

It was set up just like boot camp. Up early. Chapel at 6, and if you're late you get either KP or have to memorize scriptures pertaining to the offense. I still remember mine to this day! ;)

 

 
 
 

Then 6:30 exercises,  7 clean bunk area and shower, 8 breakfast, 9-noon bible teaching, noon to 1 lunch, then 1-5 work detail. I'll tell you, the bible teaching was amazing. Because our church had many affiliations, we had bible teachers come from all over the US to teach.

 

 
 

 

 We delved into the wonders of the OT and all of the various ways in which it pointed to the coming of Christ. The temple and the details of it's construction, and how it was laid out is a type of what was to come...as well as in depth looks at what the bible teaches about the cross, grace, the new nature vs the old, deliverance, creationism, bible history, fasting (which included a 3 day fast), considering the whole counsel of God when studying and reading scripture, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit (including gifts), being witnesses, forgiveness, spiritual warfare and etc.

 

 
 

 Wow, I am so grateful to this day for this, especially on top of what I had already been blessed with in PH. Amen! Yes, we played pranks on each other and got in lots of trouble too....but at the end of camp the director said that even tho our camp had the most KP's and bible verses memorized than any other previous camp, that he'd never seen one more committed to the Lord!

 


 

I remember the last time I visited that place was shortly before the church disbanded. We got off the bus and knew right away that the Holy Spirit was not there anymore...and interestingly enough, the lake that we always loved swimming in, fishing in and canoeing in...it died too.

 

 
 

Anyway, having had this rich foundation and these multiple experiences has been invaluable and it contributes each day to my walk with God.

 

 
 

In 1984 I decided to move to California to be near family, as everyone in my immediate family had become Christians. Then I married someone in '87 that I thought was a Christian, but it ended up being a very emotionally and carnally abusive marriage to the point where I seriously wanted to die...which coaxed me to move out for a while and live with a close friend and her husband for a time. However, because he felt he could not directly control my actions anymore, he did everything he could to keep me from my children and then divorced me in '99...all the while, because he was such a charmer, was able to sway many people to believe he was the one being hurt.

 

 
 

One of the things that we were taught in marriage classes, was that women should not speak evil of their husbands and that divorce was almost never, ever an option...to the point that the word 'divorce' should not even be spoken....which is why I didn't speak about his actions much. This, unfortunately was my downfall...because no one knew what was really going on in our home...which contributed greatly to him being able to get away with so much.   

 

 

BTW, I would greatly appreciate your prayers about this, as his influence on my daughter has been my concern...and has weighed very heavy on my heart.

 

 Second half up till now coming soon...