Greetings -
This date, I had not planned to post, but of course, we know that GOD changes our plans...
It was interesting that this evening I watched on TBN, a Christian man, Ben Ward, who is on staff at a faith-based program called Eagle Creek Recovery Center - http://www.eaglecreekrecoverycenter.com/. He gave his testimony that from the age of 12, he began to drink alcohol which led to pot, and a crack cocaine addiction. It was interesting because Ben's testimony was broadcast on the same date (original broadcast date was yesterday - re-broadcast today) that I posted my last installment of "...HE LEFT ME AND MOVED IN WITH THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR..." http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/02/part-4-he-left-me-and-moved-in-with.html For those who may not have read the subject post, it had mentions of crack addiction.
Ben testified that before he became a staff member at Eagle Creek, he was a client there. He had these things to say:
- He became "intimately acquainted with truth."
- There is no freedom in sobriety to change the human heart.
- Only the indwelling Spirit of Almighty GOD can change the heart.
Ben went on to advise parents and other loved ones of addicts. He said to release them, and to stop giving them money... He said, "Get your hands off and GOD will get HIS hands on."
I praise GOD that Ben Ward shared his journey to freedom in CHRIST.
The prayer below is what our Lord told me to write and post. The prayer and scriptures that accompany it are available for copy/print/distribution on my blog FREELY RECEIVED FREELY GIVEN at http://www.giftsfromglory.blogspot.com/. Specifically, view under the separate tab there titled, "THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS." It is shown as the [3] prayer. For Conditions of usage, please read in the content at the top of the Home page of FREELY RECEIVED FREELY GIVEN.
PRAYER FOR ADDICTION STRONGHOLDS:
For addicts
Pure and holy Father GOD, thank You that with You all things are possible. Your Word states that there is nothing too hard for You.
In this prayer, I decree deliverance and complete freedom for drug and alcohol addicts. Father, You know that among the many addicts, there are professional people* who are addicted, and that includes doctors and other medical professionals, some of who are addicted to prescription drugs. There are people all over this world who are gripped by the bondage of addiction. They are found in every economic class, race, culture, and persuasion.
Lord, I ask, according to Your Word, that You will set the captives free, set at liberty those who are bound, and send Your Word to heal them. Let Your holy saints go forth to love on those who are gripped by the strong holds of demonic addictions. Reveal the best ways to help them with Your Word as guide. Allow Your Holy Ghost power to move within the ensnared hearts, and lead the addicted to run into Your healing arms.
Work Your marvels, blessed Lord, and prove to the doubters that You reign. You are powerful beyond measure and only You can subdue and destroy the works of the Devil that hold people captive. Get the "monkeys off their backs," Lord, and put JESUS in their hearts. You are love, glorious Father GOD. Let, please, Your rivers of living water pour forth as a miraculous fountain to wash people clean with the operation of Your Word and JESUS' righteous blood. You are a Fortress, a Rock, a Strong Tower, and a very present help in the time of trouble.
Deliverance is a process. Process people, please Lord, through all of the necessary channels to reach triumphant victories. Equip them, glorious Father, to stand fully armored to vanquish the vicious "death" grips that Satan worked on them. Teach them to have life and to have it more abundantly. Let them taste and see that the Lord is good. Teach them to fight the good fight of faith through steadfast obedience to You and Your Word. Give them staying power. Show them how to fight on their knees and on their faces in full dependence on You. Remove them from toxic and negative relationships. Let Your awesome anointing flood the souls of the many thirsty people. Work in them, please, Lord, hearts that will not faint but press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of GOD in Christ JESUS.
For loved ones of addicts
Father, in the name of JESUS, help those who love and care for addicts. There are Christians who have loved ones who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. They hurt, Lord. Please help them to continue to believe Your Word and to trust You to deliver and to destroy the works of the Devil. Give them the strength to use their holy authority to keep faith in the powerful blood of JESUS. Teach them, please, Father, to be still and to know that You are GOD. Lead them to seek Your wisdom as to what to do, when, and how.
Assure them that they are NOT victims but blood bought heirs of You, Almighty GOD and joint heirs with JESUS. Guide them to know that they can have peace, joy, and Your blessed assurances in the midst of their storms. Let them shed the necessary tears of grief but then to dry their eyes and praise You, Lord. You promised to keep us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed on You.
Lord, those who are not Christians need salvation for themselves, and for their drug and alcohol addicted loved ones. Please reach the hearts of the unsaved and distressed. So many are in despair, Father. But You can change and liberate weary and despondent conditions. Please, Lord, prove to the many that are gripped by fear, pain and uncertainties that You love them hugely, and can effectively help in ALL matters.
Thank You, Lord - Amen.
UPDATE:
Please, note the excerpt below from the above prayer:
"Father, You know that among the many addicts, there are professional people* who are addicted,..."
Imagine my surprise when today, Friday February 11, 2011, just a day after posting the above prayer yesterday, I read this on www.bcnn1.com, "Former television news anchor Laurie Dhue,...has opened up about her struggle with alcoholism."
Scriptures from the King James Bible:
1 Corinthians 16:15
...addicted themselves to the ministry...
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Psalm 107:20
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Isaiah 61:1
...to proclaim liberty to the captives,...
Psalm 146:10
The Lord shall reign for ever,...
John 4:10
...given thee living water.
Jeremiah 2:13
...the fountain of living waters,...
Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Psalm 46:1
God is...a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith,...
Romans 8:17
...heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God:...
Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
John 10:10
...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Sandra
Written Thursday February 10, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
PART 4 - ...HE LEFT ME AND MOVED IN WITH THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR...
Greetings -
This is Part 4. If you haven't read Parts 1, 2, and 3 and are inclined to do so, please note that they were posted here on February 5th, 7th, and 8th.
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Last paragraph...from Part 3:
One evening Paul, Dee, and some others were out in front of their building, and I was sitting in the front of mine. Dee began to loudly share how she and Paul had visited his hometown in Connecticut. She went on to loudly share about the content of some photos that they had taken. She expressed something like, "This is me and Paul and his sister." On and on she loudly shared, purposely to hurt me.
That did it - it was on...!
PART 4 BEGINS:
The night before Dee's photo sharing, Paul had phoned me. After Dee's loud sharing on the front that day, the following evening, the Lord told me to sit on the front until Dee and Paul arrived home. I don't recall how long I sat out there but it was in excess of an hour. When they arrived, and got out of the vehicle, I verbally unloaded. I cannot remember verbatim what I uttered, but I clearly recollect that the first thing that I loudly said was, "Did he tell you that he called me last night?!" They were both stunned at my verbal boldness because up to then, in this drama, I had been largely silent on the public "front." That night, I "let it rip." I revealed to Dee what Paul had shared with me about her personal business, and that he had told me that she was insecure. I let her know also that Paul had phoned me to give me his new cell phone number. And for "good measure," in case she didn't believe me, I cited Paul's new phone number digit by digit. Paul denied that he had phoned me the night before - no matter - my mission was accomplished.
They went inside their building and I went inside mine. I didn't feel ANY conviction from our Lord that I had misspoke a single word.
One day Daryl shared with me that Dee and Paul had been going to church on some Sundays. That surprised me.
I had a friend (I'll call her Vicky) who was once our upstairs neighbor. She had an uncle (I'll call him Arthur) who lived a few buildings down from me. One weekend day, I went out for a day of recreation. I was gone for most of that day. Vicky phoned me and asked if I had heard about Dee and Paul. I replied no. She said that Arthur had told her about a loud argument outside between Dee and Paul. During that argument, Paul had called Dee a crack addict. What?! I thought, Dee is a crack addict?! I was stunned. Later, I received confirmation that it was true.
One day I was walking down the street on my block toward home. Dee was standing out front on the sidewalk talking to a man. As I approached to pass by them, Dee spoke "hello" to me. The Lord told me not to respond, and that I was not to speak to her until she was no longer with Paul. The Lord also reminded me of that day when I had come out to speak with her and how she had "blew me off." This morning, in process of writing this, our Lord gave me Ecclesiastes 3:7, 8, "...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time of war, and a time of peace." Our Lord also gave me Mark 6:11, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them."
Another day, when I sat on the front, Dee drove up and stopped. She said to me that if I wanted to talk to her that I could phone her. She told me at about what time she would return from church. I didn't respond. Later, I phoned Paul and told him to inform Dee that I didn't have anything to talk to her about.
GOD had arranged a reversal. Dee now had a desire to engage me. Our Lord reminded me yesterday of this scripture from Hebrews 10:13, "From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool."
Following are revelations from Daryl which were later confirmed:
- Dee was once married for seventeen years to a pastor. I assumed from that information that Dee was a backslidden Christian.
- Dee was cheating on Paul. She was leaving Paul at home while she "tricked" (prostituted) uptown, with at least one man, to get money to feed her crack habit. Some nights she wouldn't return home.
- Paul went to Daryl because of the pain caused him by Dee. Daryl became comfort and help to Paul. He had warned Paul about Dee.
- Daryl had grown more discomfited about Dee. He shared with me that her "evil spirit" was "wearing" on him. He told Dee that she had to leave his unit.
Some days later Vicky phoned to tell me that her uncle, Arthur, saw Paul moving his belongings out of Dee's place. What?! He had decided to leave Dee. Later I found out that she "fought" to keep Paul there, to no avail.
Several times, Daryl told me that Paul came to visit Dee.
As I mentioned in Part 3 of this topic, Daryl knew Dee from another neighborhood. Our Lord used Daryl to share information with me about some of what was going on with Dee and Paul. Paul had elected to confide in Daryl. During that time, and after the drama ended, I never betrayed Daryl's confidence that he was informing to me about Paul. It was about a year later, AFTER Daryl was deceased, that I could be "released" from confidentiality to tell Paul what Daryl had confided in me. I fully believe that our Lord used Daryl, a backslidden Christian, who became a crack addict, to be an "informer" to benefit me, and of course, more importantly, GOD's purposes.
Before I continue, I pause here to place on written record that I am deeply grateful to Daryl not only because of his role as informer, but because he really cared for me, and I know that his heart felt for my pain in the triangular drama. Also, when Paul shared with Daryl about the "prophetic" letter that I had given Paul, Daryl had wisely advised Paul to heed the content of the letter. Daryl had also warned Paul about Dee. Paul chose to continue the doomed "affair." Thank GOD for his mercy and forgiveness - without it, none of us could overcome.
Daryl was a deep comfort during this entire episode. Yes, he was a backslidden Christian, but thanks be unto GOD, that HE had Daryl there for me. I truly felt Daryl's compassion and care.
One morning at work at about 7:30 a.m. (my shift had started at 7:00 a.m.), I felt very nauseous. My supervisor allowed me to leave. I got home and went to sleep. A few hours later, I woke and my nausea was gone. The Lord told me to go look out the front window. I did, and Dee was in the process of moving out! The Lord told me to go and sit out front until she had moved out completely, and drove off from the area. Daryl and his girlfriend joined me on my front. His girlfriend was somewhat hesitant and expressed her reluctance. She said something like she didn't want to start anything. I believe that she was somewhat intimidated by Dee. Daryl and I spoke up and stated boldly that we were staying right there. His girlfriend stayed, as well. Dee said nothing to us and we said nothing to her. We three sat there until she and her help had completely finished her move and drove off. I fully believe that our Lord allowed me to feel very nauseous at work that morning to be able to come home to watch Dee move.
One day, I believe it was about a couple of weeks later, our Lord told me to phone Dee to let her know that I had forgiven her and to ask for her forgiveness for anything that I may have done wrong relative to her. Her voice mail came on and the Lord let me know that I could leave the subject message on her voice mail. I left the message which I ended with a statement something like, "I wish you the best..." Later Paul told me that Dee had told him about my message. She told him something to the effect that she wasn't receptive - no matter - I did what our Lord told me to do relative to the forgiveness issue.
Eventually (months later), Paul completely left his relationship with Dee.
In total, the high drama "triangle" lasted about three months UNTIL the Lord did as He had expressed in the letter that I had given Paul - HE broke up Paul and Dee.
...thus ends the triangular saga of Dee, Paul and me.
Sometime in the future, I will share here more of our Lord's movements about Paul...
Mark 11:26
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, 7, 9
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Sandra
Written Wednesday February 9, 2011
Copyright 2011
UPDATE: Please read the excerpts below from Part 1 where I express hesitancy about baring so much in this four-part story. I am pleased to report that it was not a painful experience to re-visit, as I had anticipated. Praise our Lord that it was, with ease, that I wrote all four parts of this story from my life.
Excerpts from Part 1:
Our Lord knows that I was not eager to do this post. It will cause memories to surface. Some of this is truth that some may find challenging to take in. Our Father GOD told me to tell it because it is what it is. Further, He reminded me that the Holy Bible contains accounts that are challenging to take in, nonetheless, it is truth.
I'm not ashamed of any of what I share because I am fully persuaded that it is all covered by the blood of Christ.
Our Lord shared with me that someone is waiting to read this post - only GOD knows who and why. He also informed me that, though, I'm not eager to revisit some "places," healing will happen for me on a larger scale for my obedience to do this. BY FAITH, I BELIEVE GOD!
 |
| Photographed at Botanic Gardens in Washington, DC Photo compliments of Sandra Copyright 2010 |
Greetings -
This is Part 4. If you haven't read Parts 1, 2, and 3 and are inclined to do so, please note that they were posted here on February 5th, 7th, and 8th.
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Last paragraph...from Part 3:
One evening Paul, Dee, and some others were out in front of their building, and I was sitting in the front of mine. Dee began to loudly share how she and Paul had visited his hometown in Connecticut. She went on to loudly share about the content of some photos that they had taken. She expressed something like, "This is me and Paul and his sister." On and on she loudly shared, purposely to hurt me.
That did it - it was on...!
PART 4 BEGINS:
The night before Dee's photo sharing, Paul had phoned me. After Dee's loud sharing on the front that day, the following evening, the Lord told me to sit on the front until Dee and Paul arrived home. I don't recall how long I sat out there but it was in excess of an hour. When they arrived, and got out of the vehicle, I verbally unloaded. I cannot remember verbatim what I uttered, but I clearly recollect that the first thing that I loudly said was, "Did he tell you that he called me last night?!" They were both stunned at my verbal boldness because up to then, in this drama, I had been largely silent on the public "front." That night, I "let it rip." I revealed to Dee what Paul had shared with me about her personal business, and that he had told me that she was insecure. I let her know also that Paul had phoned me to give me his new cell phone number. And for "good measure," in case she didn't believe me, I cited Paul's new phone number digit by digit. Paul denied that he had phoned me the night before - no matter - my mission was accomplished.
They went inside their building and I went inside mine. I didn't feel ANY conviction from our Lord that I had misspoke a single word.
One day Daryl shared with me that Dee and Paul had been going to church on some Sundays. That surprised me.
I had a friend (I'll call her Vicky) who was once our upstairs neighbor. She had an uncle (I'll call him Arthur) who lived a few buildings down from me. One weekend day, I went out for a day of recreation. I was gone for most of that day. Vicky phoned me and asked if I had heard about Dee and Paul. I replied no. She said that Arthur had told her about a loud argument outside between Dee and Paul. During that argument, Paul had called Dee a crack addict. What?! I thought, Dee is a crack addict?! I was stunned. Later, I received confirmation that it was true.
One day I was walking down the street on my block toward home. Dee was standing out front on the sidewalk talking to a man. As I approached to pass by them, Dee spoke "hello" to me. The Lord told me not to respond, and that I was not to speak to her until she was no longer with Paul. The Lord also reminded me of that day when I had come out to speak with her and how she had "blew me off." This morning, in process of writing this, our Lord gave me Ecclesiastes 3:7, 8, "...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time of war, and a time of peace." Our Lord also gave me Mark 6:11, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them."
Another day, when I sat on the front, Dee drove up and stopped. She said to me that if I wanted to talk to her that I could phone her. She told me at about what time she would return from church. I didn't respond. Later, I phoned Paul and told him to inform Dee that I didn't have anything to talk to her about.
GOD had arranged a reversal. Dee now had a desire to engage me. Our Lord reminded me yesterday of this scripture from Hebrews 10:13, "From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool."
Following are revelations from Daryl which were later confirmed:
- Dee was once married for seventeen years to a pastor. I assumed from that information that Dee was a backslidden Christian.
- Dee was cheating on Paul. She was leaving Paul at home while she "tricked" (prostituted) uptown, with at least one man, to get money to feed her crack habit. Some nights she wouldn't return home.
- Paul went to Daryl because of the pain caused him by Dee. Daryl became comfort and help to Paul. He had warned Paul about Dee.
- Daryl had grown more discomfited about Dee. He shared with me that her "evil spirit" was "wearing" on him. He told Dee that she had to leave his unit.
Some days later Vicky phoned to tell me that her uncle, Arthur, saw Paul moving his belongings out of Dee's place. What?! He had decided to leave Dee. Later I found out that she "fought" to keep Paul there, to no avail.
Several times, Daryl told me that Paul came to visit Dee.
As I mentioned in Part 3 of this topic, Daryl knew Dee from another neighborhood. Our Lord used Daryl to share information with me about some of what was going on with Dee and Paul. Paul had elected to confide in Daryl. During that time, and after the drama ended, I never betrayed Daryl's confidence that he was informing to me about Paul. It was about a year later, AFTER Daryl was deceased, that I could be "released" from confidentiality to tell Paul what Daryl had confided in me. I fully believe that our Lord used Daryl, a backslidden Christian, who became a crack addict, to be an "informer" to benefit me, and of course, more importantly, GOD's purposes.
Before I continue, I pause here to place on written record that I am deeply grateful to Daryl not only because of his role as informer, but because he really cared for me, and I know that his heart felt for my pain in the triangular drama. Also, when Paul shared with Daryl about the "prophetic" letter that I had given Paul, Daryl had wisely advised Paul to heed the content of the letter. Daryl had also warned Paul about Dee. Paul chose to continue the doomed "affair." Thank GOD for his mercy and forgiveness - without it, none of us could overcome.
Daryl was a deep comfort during this entire episode. Yes, he was a backslidden Christian, but thanks be unto GOD, that HE had Daryl there for me. I truly felt Daryl's compassion and care.
One morning at work at about 7:30 a.m. (my shift had started at 7:00 a.m.), I felt very nauseous. My supervisor allowed me to leave. I got home and went to sleep. A few hours later, I woke and my nausea was gone. The Lord told me to go look out the front window. I did, and Dee was in the process of moving out! The Lord told me to go and sit out front until she had moved out completely, and drove off from the area. Daryl and his girlfriend joined me on my front. His girlfriend was somewhat hesitant and expressed her reluctance. She said something like she didn't want to start anything. I believe that she was somewhat intimidated by Dee. Daryl and I spoke up and stated boldly that we were staying right there. His girlfriend stayed, as well. Dee said nothing to us and we said nothing to her. We three sat there until she and her help had completely finished her move and drove off. I fully believe that our Lord allowed me to feel very nauseous at work that morning to be able to come home to watch Dee move.
One day, I believe it was about a couple of weeks later, our Lord told me to phone Dee to let her know that I had forgiven her and to ask for her forgiveness for anything that I may have done wrong relative to her. Her voice mail came on and the Lord let me know that I could leave the subject message on her voice mail. I left the message which I ended with a statement something like, "I wish you the best..." Later Paul told me that Dee had told him about my message. She told him something to the effect that she wasn't receptive - no matter - I did what our Lord told me to do relative to the forgiveness issue.
Eventually (months later), Paul completely left his relationship with Dee.
In total, the high drama "triangle" lasted about three months UNTIL the Lord did as He had expressed in the letter that I had given Paul - HE broke up Paul and Dee.
...thus ends the triangular saga of Dee, Paul and me.
Sometime in the future, I will share here more of our Lord's movements about Paul...
 |
| Photographed at Botanic Gardens in Washington, DC Photo compliments of Sandra Copyright 2010 |
Mark 11:26
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, 7, 9
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Sandra
Written Wednesday February 9, 2011
Copyright 2011
UPDATE: Please read the excerpts below from Part 1 where I express hesitancy about baring so much in this four-part story. I am pleased to report that it was not a painful experience to re-visit, as I had anticipated. Praise our Lord that it was, with ease, that I wrote all four parts of this story from my life.
Excerpts from Part 1:
Our Lord knows that I was not eager to do this post. It will cause memories to surface. Some of this is truth that some may find challenging to take in. Our Father GOD told me to tell it because it is what it is. Further, He reminded me that the Holy Bible contains accounts that are challenging to take in, nonetheless, it is truth.
I'm not ashamed of any of what I share because I am fully persuaded that it is all covered by the blood of Christ.
Our Lord shared with me that someone is waiting to read this post - only GOD knows who and why. He also informed me that, though, I'm not eager to revisit some "places," healing will happen for me on a larger scale for my obedience to do this. BY FAITH, I BELIEVE GOD!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
PART 3 - ...HE LEFT ME AND MOVED IN WITH THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR...
Greetings -
This is Part 3. If you haven't read Parts 1 and 2, and are inclined to do so, please note that they were posted here on February 5, 2011 and February 7, 2011.
Scriptural content is from the King James Bible.
Last paragraph...from Part 2:
I had a "hunch" that Paul's "love" interest (I'll call her Dee) lived somewhere in the neighborhood. We lived on a block of four-unit buildings. Paul and I both had work shifts from 7:00 - 3:30. One workday morning, the Lord told me to go stand outside on the front. I believe that I stood out there for about 30 minutes. Then - out walked Paul from the building next door! When he saw me, the deep hurt on his face was obvious. He was deeply hurt that he had hurt me. Of course, when Satan consumes us, we succumb in spite of the pain caused to others. Paul implored me to go back into the building, as he didn't want me to see him get in and drive Dee's vehicle to work (later I found out that she didn't work and was getting, I believe, Worker's Comp due to a back injury.) I refused to go inside and stood there until Paul drove off.
I was shook to the core of my being. My heartache was massive.
PART 3 BEGINS:
In essence, for about two weeks, all I had the heart strength to do was to drive to work, perform my job, and come home to the misery that had camped in my soul. At one point, I spoke to my manager about my breakup (no details provided.) She graciously allowed me to take three days off to regroup. My immediate supervisor wrote me a wonderful poem that clearly had "medicinal properties." One of my
co-workers gave me a sermon on tape to view. It provided comfort indeed.
I have a very small circle of friends, most of who have been in my life for years. Friendship is of major value to me. Even when I was in the world, I had a very small circle of friends because I placed, and still place a high standard on the definition of friendship. Particularly, it deeply disturbs me when friendships are abused. My firm belief is that friendships have to be proven relative to all involved parties. Our Lord mandates us to love and to forgive but He does NOT mandate that we "blanket" trust people. I'm sure that others have had their share of being "burned" by so-called friends. The result for me is that I'm wary until proven otherwise.
My friends were so there for me during this episode. My family members provided comfort, as well. In particular, one of my sisters was of immense spiritual strength, comfort and help. Thank you, JESUS! I made sure to let all of my comforters know how much I appreciated their love, care, and aid.
Even some of Paul's friends were obviously displeased with what he had done.
Ok, now more on Dee and this "love" triangle situation. Paul and I had lived in the subject neighborhood for about six years. After then, Dee moved into the neighborhood - only a few months before Paul's cheat "engagement." Dee moved in during the winter when people tend to "hibernate" because of the cold weather. So I had never even seen her before the drama unfolded.
What follows here is what I did relative to Dee. As you read, some of you may think that some of what I did was not spiritual or conduct becoming of a Christian. As I was in process of writing this today, the Lord gave me this scripture from Romans 13:4, "For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Had our Lord appointed me as a revenger? I believe so. There may be disagreement...but hang in here with me, please, people.
A bit at a time, Paul moved his belongings next door. The furniture and household items were mine from what I had from my previous apartment prior to my shelter detour and introduction to Paul.
Paul had Daryl, who lived in the same building as Dee, to help him. Later I found out that Daryl was a backslidden Christian who was a crack addict. He knew Dee from a previous neighborhood and that she had a reputation for being ""bad business for men."
This was the arrangement in the building next door: Daryl and his girlfriend (I'll call her Tina) lived on the second floor in her Section 8 (government subsidized) unit. Daryl had been granted a Section 8 unit across the hall. He allowed Dee to move into his unit for an agreed upon rent payment. That practice is in violation of the Section 8 policy but that is what Daryl did.
Daryl is now deceased. He passed about a year after this matter ended. At the beginning of this "soap opera," I thought that Dee lived in her own apartment unit. I learned from Daryl that it was his unit.
Paul later told me that, from the outset, he had asked Dee to search for another apartment unit because of their close proximity to me. He didn't get any indication from her that she had proceeded to search for another place.
One day, I saw Dee sitting in the front of their building. I felt led of the Lord to go out to her. I said to her in a kind tone, "Are you Paul's friend?" She had this "blow you off" expression. She acknowledged that she was Paul's friend. I said to her, "I'm Sandra." She looked disinterested.... I walked back into my unit.
One night, I saw Paul getting out of the driver's side of Dee's vehicle. I went out to ask him a question relative to some mutual business. Unbeknownst to me, Dee was in the window. She spoke out something to Paul. That pretty much "dismissed" me. I went inside. Later Dee phoned and told me to stay away from her vehicle. At that stage, my wounds were still fresh. She coldly addressed me on that call. All I could muster to say was a weak, "thank you" and hung up the phone. Later when stronger, I thought, I was standing on public space in front of her vehicle. She had the nerve to call me about staying away from her vehicle parked on public space!
Dee began to persecute me. One day, I came out to go to work and photos of me that had been given to Paul were spread on the front where I lived. I gathered the photos. Later that afternoon I drove to where I knew Paul would be and expressed to him about the photo matter. He was visibly upset that Dee had gone into his belongings and done what she did with the photos of me. He desired to have the photos back in his possession. I gave them to him. Later, Paul informed me that he and Dee argued about the photo matter.
Some days later my upstairs neighbor gave me some photos of me that he had found out in front of our building. Dee had again thrown them out there.
Paul continued to call me on occasion. He informed me that Dee was obsessively jealous of me, and the feelings that he obviously continued to have for me. I was very surprised. I said to him something like, "Why is she jealous of me when she has you over there?" He responded that she was aware that he still cared deeply for me and that that "ate" at her.
The police made a domestic disturbance visit to Dee's place relative to her and Paul. Paul later told me that he and Dee had had a heated argument. She had spoken something against me. He defended me. She became furious.
Some days later, the Lord had me to write a "prophetic" letter to Paul. I no longer have the letter but I remember some parts of it. The content included something like this: "The Devil sent Dee to you. The Lord is not going to allow you to continue in a relationship with Dee at the expense of my hurt. The Lord is going to break up you and Dee."
I urged Paul, in the letter, to heed what it stated to avoid GOD's further anger. I listed several things which I won't go into here. I informed that if he didn't cease with Dee that the listed things would happen to him. Paul didn't heed...and later each one of those painful things happened to him. Later, after maybe two weeks, Paul called and asked me if I had put a curse on him - the prophetic things had all came to pass. I told him no. I clarified to him that, in the letter, he was given a choice. He chose wrong and as a result those things came upon him. Don't we all relate to the consequences of our disobedience?
Later I found out from Daryl that Paul had shown the letter to Dee and that she went ballistic which resulted in another domestic disturbance visit from the police. Daryl also told me that Paul had shown him the letter. He advised Paul to heed the contents.
After my two week "hibernation," the Lord told me that it was time to stop "hiding" and "nursing" my pain. It was time to go outside - for real. For those two weeks, I had kept the blinds closed because I couldn't bear to face that I would see Dee and Paul together. That "new" day, the Lord told me to open the blinds. He further told me that every time I looked out and saw Dee and Paul or just Dee, to go outside on the front. That is what I did.
Later Paul informed me that my presence, in that regard, was deeply "eating" at Dee. One day I drove up and Dee, Paul, and a few other people were sitting on their front. Normally, I would park my car in front of my building. The Lord told me to park, this time, in front of their building and to walk by them to go into my building. In route, I spoke to Paul. He responded, albeit, weakly.
Later on another day, Paul phoned to tell me that Dee had forbidden him to speak to me because she considered it disrespectful to her. I couldn't believe that he would agree to such a request. That was not the Paul that I knew. Satan does a number on us when we yield to him, indeed.
Paul continued to phone me on occasion, but wouldn't speak to me in Dee's presence. The Lord didn't forbid me to accept Paul's calls. GOD was going somewhere with this...
On another day, Paul phoned to give me his new cell phone number. He emphasized how jealous Dee was of me. He shared that she was very insecure. During the course of his time with Dee, he shared things with me about her past (I'll share a bit on that later.)
One evening Paul, Dee, and some others were out in front of their building, and I was sitting in the front of mine. Dee began to loudly share how she and Paul had visited his hometown in Connecticut. She went on to loudly share about the content of some photos that they had taken. She expressed something like, "This is me and Paul and his sister." On and on she loudly shared, purposely to hurt me.
That did it - it was on...!
To be continued...
Previews of Part 4:
Revelations
Reversal of fortune
GOD is not mocked...His Word does not return void...
Sandra
Written Tuesday February 8, 2011
Copyright 2011
This is Part 3. If you haven't read Parts 1 and 2, and are inclined to do so, please note that they were posted here on February 5, 2011 and February 7, 2011.
Scriptural content is from the King James Bible.
Last paragraph...from Part 2:
I had a "hunch" that Paul's "love" interest (I'll call her Dee) lived somewhere in the neighborhood. We lived on a block of four-unit buildings. Paul and I both had work shifts from 7:00 - 3:30. One workday morning, the Lord told me to go stand outside on the front. I believe that I stood out there for about 30 minutes. Then - out walked Paul from the building next door! When he saw me, the deep hurt on his face was obvious. He was deeply hurt that he had hurt me. Of course, when Satan consumes us, we succumb in spite of the pain caused to others. Paul implored me to go back into the building, as he didn't want me to see him get in and drive Dee's vehicle to work (later I found out that she didn't work and was getting, I believe, Worker's Comp due to a back injury.) I refused to go inside and stood there until Paul drove off.
I was shook to the core of my being. My heartache was massive.
PART 3 BEGINS:
In essence, for about two weeks, all I had the heart strength to do was to drive to work, perform my job, and come home to the misery that had camped in my soul. At one point, I spoke to my manager about my breakup (no details provided.) She graciously allowed me to take three days off to regroup. My immediate supervisor wrote me a wonderful poem that clearly had "medicinal properties." One of my
co-workers gave me a sermon on tape to view. It provided comfort indeed.
I have a very small circle of friends, most of who have been in my life for years. Friendship is of major value to me. Even when I was in the world, I had a very small circle of friends because I placed, and still place a high standard on the definition of friendship. Particularly, it deeply disturbs me when friendships are abused. My firm belief is that friendships have to be proven relative to all involved parties. Our Lord mandates us to love and to forgive but He does NOT mandate that we "blanket" trust people. I'm sure that others have had their share of being "burned" by so-called friends. The result for me is that I'm wary until proven otherwise.
My friends were so there for me during this episode. My family members provided comfort, as well. In particular, one of my sisters was of immense spiritual strength, comfort and help. Thank you, JESUS! I made sure to let all of my comforters know how much I appreciated their love, care, and aid.
Even some of Paul's friends were obviously displeased with what he had done.
Ok, now more on Dee and this "love" triangle situation. Paul and I had lived in the subject neighborhood for about six years. After then, Dee moved into the neighborhood - only a few months before Paul's cheat "engagement." Dee moved in during the winter when people tend to "hibernate" because of the cold weather. So I had never even seen her before the drama unfolded.
What follows here is what I did relative to Dee. As you read, some of you may think that some of what I did was not spiritual or conduct becoming of a Christian. As I was in process of writing this today, the Lord gave me this scripture from Romans 13:4, "For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Had our Lord appointed me as a revenger? I believe so. There may be disagreement...but hang in here with me, please, people.
A bit at a time, Paul moved his belongings next door. The furniture and household items were mine from what I had from my previous apartment prior to my shelter detour and introduction to Paul.
Paul had Daryl, who lived in the same building as Dee, to help him. Later I found out that Daryl was a backslidden Christian who was a crack addict. He knew Dee from a previous neighborhood and that she had a reputation for being ""bad business for men."
This was the arrangement in the building next door: Daryl and his girlfriend (I'll call her Tina) lived on the second floor in her Section 8 (government subsidized) unit. Daryl had been granted a Section 8 unit across the hall. He allowed Dee to move into his unit for an agreed upon rent payment. That practice is in violation of the Section 8 policy but that is what Daryl did.
Daryl is now deceased. He passed about a year after this matter ended. At the beginning of this "soap opera," I thought that Dee lived in her own apartment unit. I learned from Daryl that it was his unit.
Paul later told me that, from the outset, he had asked Dee to search for another apartment unit because of their close proximity to me. He didn't get any indication from her that she had proceeded to search for another place.
One day, I saw Dee sitting in the front of their building. I felt led of the Lord to go out to her. I said to her in a kind tone, "Are you Paul's friend?" She had this "blow you off" expression. She acknowledged that she was Paul's friend. I said to her, "I'm Sandra." She looked disinterested.... I walked back into my unit.
One night, I saw Paul getting out of the driver's side of Dee's vehicle. I went out to ask him a question relative to some mutual business. Unbeknownst to me, Dee was in the window. She spoke out something to Paul. That pretty much "dismissed" me. I went inside. Later Dee phoned and told me to stay away from her vehicle. At that stage, my wounds were still fresh. She coldly addressed me on that call. All I could muster to say was a weak, "thank you" and hung up the phone. Later when stronger, I thought, I was standing on public space in front of her vehicle. She had the nerve to call me about staying away from her vehicle parked on public space!
Dee began to persecute me. One day, I came out to go to work and photos of me that had been given to Paul were spread on the front where I lived. I gathered the photos. Later that afternoon I drove to where I knew Paul would be and expressed to him about the photo matter. He was visibly upset that Dee had gone into his belongings and done what she did with the photos of me. He desired to have the photos back in his possession. I gave them to him. Later, Paul informed me that he and Dee argued about the photo matter.
Some days later my upstairs neighbor gave me some photos of me that he had found out in front of our building. Dee had again thrown them out there.
Paul continued to call me on occasion. He informed me that Dee was obsessively jealous of me, and the feelings that he obviously continued to have for me. I was very surprised. I said to him something like, "Why is she jealous of me when she has you over there?" He responded that she was aware that he still cared deeply for me and that that "ate" at her.
The police made a domestic disturbance visit to Dee's place relative to her and Paul. Paul later told me that he and Dee had had a heated argument. She had spoken something against me. He defended me. She became furious.
Some days later, the Lord had me to write a "prophetic" letter to Paul. I no longer have the letter but I remember some parts of it. The content included something like this: "The Devil sent Dee to you. The Lord is not going to allow you to continue in a relationship with Dee at the expense of my hurt. The Lord is going to break up you and Dee."
I urged Paul, in the letter, to heed what it stated to avoid GOD's further anger. I listed several things which I won't go into here. I informed that if he didn't cease with Dee that the listed things would happen to him. Paul didn't heed...and later each one of those painful things happened to him. Later, after maybe two weeks, Paul called and asked me if I had put a curse on him - the prophetic things had all came to pass. I told him no. I clarified to him that, in the letter, he was given a choice. He chose wrong and as a result those things came upon him. Don't we all relate to the consequences of our disobedience?
Later I found out from Daryl that Paul had shown the letter to Dee and that she went ballistic which resulted in another domestic disturbance visit from the police. Daryl also told me that Paul had shown him the letter. He advised Paul to heed the contents.
After my two week "hibernation," the Lord told me that it was time to stop "hiding" and "nursing" my pain. It was time to go outside - for real. For those two weeks, I had kept the blinds closed because I couldn't bear to face that I would see Dee and Paul together. That "new" day, the Lord told me to open the blinds. He further told me that every time I looked out and saw Dee and Paul or just Dee, to go outside on the front. That is what I did.
Later Paul informed me that my presence, in that regard, was deeply "eating" at Dee. One day I drove up and Dee, Paul, and a few other people were sitting on their front. Normally, I would park my car in front of my building. The Lord told me to park, this time, in front of their building and to walk by them to go into my building. In route, I spoke to Paul. He responded, albeit, weakly.
Later on another day, Paul phoned to tell me that Dee had forbidden him to speak to me because she considered it disrespectful to her. I couldn't believe that he would agree to such a request. That was not the Paul that I knew. Satan does a number on us when we yield to him, indeed.
Paul continued to phone me on occasion, but wouldn't speak to me in Dee's presence. The Lord didn't forbid me to accept Paul's calls. GOD was going somewhere with this...
On another day, Paul phoned to give me his new cell phone number. He emphasized how jealous Dee was of me. He shared that she was very insecure. During the course of his time with Dee, he shared things with me about her past (I'll share a bit on that later.)
One evening Paul, Dee, and some others were out in front of their building, and I was sitting in the front of mine. Dee began to loudly share how she and Paul had visited his hometown in Connecticut. She went on to loudly share about the content of some photos that they had taken. She expressed something like, "This is me and Paul and his sister." On and on she loudly shared, purposely to hurt me.
That did it - it was on...!
To be continued...
Previews of Part 4:
Revelations
Reversal of fortune
GOD is not mocked...His Word does not return void...
Sandra
Written Tuesday February 8, 2011
Copyright 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
PART 2 OF ...HE LEFT ME AND MOVED IN WITH THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR...
Greetings -
Some readers here may be interested to read here under the separate tab titled, "MY LIFE + TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON" topics such as, TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER, INFORMATION ABOUT SANDRA'S MOST RECENT JOB "IN THE SYSTEM," and GOD'S ADVENTURE FOR ME IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA...
THIS IS PART 2 OF ...HE LEFT ME AND MOVED IN WITH THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR... IF YOU DIDN'T READ PART 1, AND ARE SO INCLINED, IT WAS POSTED HERE ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2011.
For those who aren't inclined to read all of this and instead desire to read the weightier parts, I have accommodated you with the weightier parts highlighted in yellow.
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Last paragraph from Part 1:
Bear with me saints while I share this bit of sin slide. On a given day, Paul and I left the shelter to ride the subway to a motel. That was our first motel "journey." What particularly struck me was that as we rode the subway, I noticed that Paul had brought along a book to read. I was quite surprised. Who brings a book to read for the first motel weekend with a "love" interest? After "recovering" from my surprise, I felt a level of respect for that choice that he had made to bring a book. It is not easy to explain. Maybe someone can help me on that. All these years later, when I think about that "episode," I laugh. I am 54 years old and have never dated any other man that came with a book to read for a date or motel stay.
PART 2 BEGINS:
Paul comes from a middle class family in Connecticut. He has five siblings and other family there. He yielded to drug addiction in his 20's after the death of his mother devastated him. We know that people handle heartbreak in different ways. Also, during that time, he became angry at GOD because he couldn't understand why GOD would take such a good mother.
He told me that he loved school and never missed a day. Even when he didn't feel well, and his mother urged him to stay home, he insisted on going to school. After high school, he joined the military...
Paul moved to the D.C. area. He later went back to Connecticut to care for his dying father. I once asked Paul what was his father's hobby. He replied, "His children." Also, Paul stated that his father was the one in the community whose character drew youth to him.
After his father died, Paul came back to live in D.C. He moved to the shelter after a job loss. That is where we met.
Paul got a job and a "hook-up" allowed him to get an apartment. The application process was "eased" because he knew someone that was a friend of the woman who worked in the rental office.
Paul asked me twice to move in with him. I didn't answer. The third time that he asked, he said, "I'm not going to ask you again." I "caved" and went with him. I knew to do better but chose to do wrong.
We know that the Word of GOD states that GOD is married to the backslider - Jeremiah 3:14. It may be challenging for some to believe, but our Lord helped us in spite of our sins. But I knew that my day of reckoning would come - the season when the "hammer" of GOD would get me. I didn't know when but I was certain that there would be a "date" with hammer time.
Paul and I lived together for about seven years. During that time we had phases when we both had jobs, or when one or the other lived on unemployment for a bit. We were, typically, never unemployed at the same time.
For approximately five years with Paul, it was pleasurable. We know, saints, that the Holy Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable for a season - Hebrews 11:25. Well, about year six, the hammer was looming. GOD was coming after me.
Details are fuzzy now on this aspect but I remember that Paul and I went to church. When I chose Paul, I had ceased to go to church.
I was the type that was going to be in sin for real or in GOD for real. I'm not a straddler. Even before I ever knew our Lord, I was either hot or cold. With the many flaws that I had, being lukewarm, typically, was never one of them. In Christ, though I falter, lukewarm does not attach itself to me - all glory to GOD, of course. Ok, back to me and Paul and the church visit. I had to choose THE ONE or the other. I chose the other. So I cannot remember how I was convinced to go to church with Paul that Sunday.
At bit about the church:
The pastor was raised in a Christian home but, as many of us do, he went out into the world. He became a drug addict, and I believe that he was also a drug dealer. Well, our Lord got hold of him and he is one of the most fiercely in love with GOD pastor's that I have experienced. His focus is youth and families of murdered inner city youth have funerals at his church. He truly has a heart for youth, and they know that he is real. D.C. government officials consult that pastor, and he goes to speak before the city council for the causes of youth issues and inner city problems.
Anyhow, in church, we were. Paul was clapping to the music. I believe I clapped, as well. But I could not raise my hands in praise like I could when I walked with the Lord. I know that there are people who live lives of habitual sin yet go to church and raise their hands upward to GOD. I could not. That day, when I left church, I told the Lord that I would not step foot in a church again until I was righteous in conduct. I kept my word - when I did return to church, I was again in righteous mode. Still...for a season Paul continued to be my god.
As the Holy Spirit continued to work on me, GOD'S conviction was closing in on me. Paul continued to go to church. And one Sunday, he came home and told me that he had went to the altar. I was pleased, and encouraged.
My wishful thinking was that the Lord would lead Paul further in Him and, thereby, I would be able to marry Paul and cease to fornicate. I would have GOD and Paul. Yippee! - - NOT. Paul went to church for a few more months but didn't read the Word or otherwise make progress. He discontinued church attendance. His spiritual movement stopped.
Fast forward a bit:
I was again between jobs. Paul had a job but had had his hours decreased. One day, while at home, I read in the newspaper about a Customer Service Director who headed the D.C. Mayor's City Wide Call Center. A job position in that office was of deep interest to me. The Lord told me to write her a letter with a job interest "package." I sent her my resume, and a paper that the Lord told me to write titled, "Customer Service is an Art" which detailed my beliefs about the importance of excellent customer service. Also, included in the package was a cover letter asking that I be considered if any job openings came available there. In addition, I sent samples of my writing abilities, and I cannot recall, but I believe that I sent her some copies of commendations that I had received from previous supervisors and co-workers. I thought that one day in the future they would have an opening and call me in. To my utter surprise, two days later they phoned me. That is how I got my Customer Service Specialist job in the D.C. government where I worked in excess of five years.
For Paul, the Lord had me to go to the Yellow Pages, and seek a D.C. government agency that could use Paul's skills - which were mainly as a painter. I located the said agencies - about four, if I recall correctly. I wrote a cover letter for Paul and faxed it with his resume. Paul didn't know anything about this beforehand. He was at work when I did this. That same evening, a supervisor from one of the faxed agencies called for an interview with Paul. I already had a blank copy of the D.C. job application. Paul filled it out and the next morning, he went to the job interview. The supervisor told Paul that he needed to fill out an application. Paul had already done it as I had given him a blank application the day before. He gave it to the supervisor which, I believe, surprised him. Also, the supervisor told Paul that one reason that he stood out to him was because of the cover letter! Long story short - Paul and I both got hired to work in D.C. government and began on the same date at different D.C. government agencies. He started as a laborer but desired to paint...months later, he got moved to a paint position. Sometime later...Paul got new teeth to fill in his missing places. That gave him more confidence than he already had...
Holy conviction was chasing me, and I couldn't out run it. Eventually, that caused a major gulf between me and Paul.
I was moving back to the Lord and away from Paul.
One day Paul told me that he wasn't "feeling" me anymore, and for me to go to live with my sister. He suggested that a separation could help and maybe we would get back together.
My steps back toward GOD developed to where I was no longer in love with Paul but I loved him. The same for him - he was no longer in love with me but he loved me. Our care for one another was deep.
Anyway, I moved from the bedroom to the living room. My plan was that since I had ceased to fornicate, and was increasingly moving closer to GOD, that the Lord would cause Paul to feel me again but this time, righteously. Subsequently, we would marry and I would have GOD and Paul in holy matrimony.
GOD had other plans. I refused to move as Paul had suggested.
After a few months of said living arrangement, I suspected that Paul was cheating.
Fast forward...skipping over some details...
I had a "hunch" that Paul's "love" interest (I'll call her Dee) lived somewhere in the neighborhood. We lived on a block of four-unit buildings. Paul and I both had work shifts from 7:00 - 3:30. One workday morning, the Lord told me to go stand outside on the front. I believe that I stood out there for about 30 minutes. Then - out walked Paul from the building next door! When he saw me, the deep hurt on his face was obvious. He was deeply hurt that he had hurt me. Of course, when Satan consumes us, we succumb in spite of the pain caused to others. Paul implored me to go back into the building, as he didn't want me to see him get in and drive Dee's vehicle to work (later I found out that she didn't work and was getting, I believe, Worker's Comp due to a back injury.) I refused to go inside and stood there until Paul drove off.
I was shook to the core of my being. My heartache was massive.
To be continued...
Previews of Part 3:
Our Lord tenderly comforts and consoles my broken heart.
Our Lord defends me and teaches me to fight my way to healing.
Our Lord fights for Paul, but against Paul's conduct.
Our Lord brings justice and healing.
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall revealed in us.
Sandra
Written Monday February 6, 2011
Copyright 2011
Some readers here may be interested to read here under the separate tab titled, "MY LIFE + TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON" topics such as, TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER, INFORMATION ABOUT SANDRA'S MOST RECENT JOB "IN THE SYSTEM," and GOD'S ADVENTURE FOR ME IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA...
THIS IS PART 2 OF ...HE LEFT ME AND MOVED IN WITH THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR... IF YOU DIDN'T READ PART 1, AND ARE SO INCLINED, IT WAS POSTED HERE ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2011.
For those who aren't inclined to read all of this and instead desire to read the weightier parts, I have accommodated you with the weightier parts highlighted in yellow.
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Last paragraph from Part 1:
Bear with me saints while I share this bit of sin slide. On a given day, Paul and I left the shelter to ride the subway to a motel. That was our first motel "journey." What particularly struck me was that as we rode the subway, I noticed that Paul had brought along a book to read. I was quite surprised. Who brings a book to read for the first motel weekend with a "love" interest? After "recovering" from my surprise, I felt a level of respect for that choice that he had made to bring a book. It is not easy to explain. Maybe someone can help me on that. All these years later, when I think about that "episode," I laugh. I am 54 years old and have never dated any other man that came with a book to read for a date or motel stay.
PART 2 BEGINS:
Paul comes from a middle class family in Connecticut. He has five siblings and other family there. He yielded to drug addiction in his 20's after the death of his mother devastated him. We know that people handle heartbreak in different ways. Also, during that time, he became angry at GOD because he couldn't understand why GOD would take such a good mother.
He told me that he loved school and never missed a day. Even when he didn't feel well, and his mother urged him to stay home, he insisted on going to school. After high school, he joined the military...
Paul moved to the D.C. area. He later went back to Connecticut to care for his dying father. I once asked Paul what was his father's hobby. He replied, "His children." Also, Paul stated that his father was the one in the community whose character drew youth to him.
After his father died, Paul came back to live in D.C. He moved to the shelter after a job loss. That is where we met.
Paul got a job and a "hook-up" allowed him to get an apartment. The application process was "eased" because he knew someone that was a friend of the woman who worked in the rental office.
Paul asked me twice to move in with him. I didn't answer. The third time that he asked, he said, "I'm not going to ask you again." I "caved" and went with him. I knew to do better but chose to do wrong.
We know that the Word of GOD states that GOD is married to the backslider - Jeremiah 3:14. It may be challenging for some to believe, but our Lord helped us in spite of our sins. But I knew that my day of reckoning would come - the season when the "hammer" of GOD would get me. I didn't know when but I was certain that there would be a "date" with hammer time.
Paul and I lived together for about seven years. During that time we had phases when we both had jobs, or when one or the other lived on unemployment for a bit. We were, typically, never unemployed at the same time.
For approximately five years with Paul, it was pleasurable. We know, saints, that the Holy Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable for a season - Hebrews 11:25. Well, about year six, the hammer was looming. GOD was coming after me.
Details are fuzzy now on this aspect but I remember that Paul and I went to church. When I chose Paul, I had ceased to go to church.
I was the type that was going to be in sin for real or in GOD for real. I'm not a straddler. Even before I ever knew our Lord, I was either hot or cold. With the many flaws that I had, being lukewarm, typically, was never one of them. In Christ, though I falter, lukewarm does not attach itself to me - all glory to GOD, of course. Ok, back to me and Paul and the church visit. I had to choose THE ONE or the other. I chose the other. So I cannot remember how I was convinced to go to church with Paul that Sunday.
At bit about the church:
The pastor was raised in a Christian home but, as many of us do, he went out into the world. He became a drug addict, and I believe that he was also a drug dealer. Well, our Lord got hold of him and he is one of the most fiercely in love with GOD pastor's that I have experienced. His focus is youth and families of murdered inner city youth have funerals at his church. He truly has a heart for youth, and they know that he is real. D.C. government officials consult that pastor, and he goes to speak before the city council for the causes of youth issues and inner city problems.
Anyhow, in church, we were. Paul was clapping to the music. I believe I clapped, as well. But I could not raise my hands in praise like I could when I walked with the Lord. I know that there are people who live lives of habitual sin yet go to church and raise their hands upward to GOD. I could not. That day, when I left church, I told the Lord that I would not step foot in a church again until I was righteous in conduct. I kept my word - when I did return to church, I was again in righteous mode. Still...for a season Paul continued to be my god.
As the Holy Spirit continued to work on me, GOD'S conviction was closing in on me. Paul continued to go to church. And one Sunday, he came home and told me that he had went to the altar. I was pleased, and encouraged.
My wishful thinking was that the Lord would lead Paul further in Him and, thereby, I would be able to marry Paul and cease to fornicate. I would have GOD and Paul. Yippee! - - NOT. Paul went to church for a few more months but didn't read the Word or otherwise make progress. He discontinued church attendance. His spiritual movement stopped.
Fast forward a bit:
I was again between jobs. Paul had a job but had had his hours decreased. One day, while at home, I read in the newspaper about a Customer Service Director who headed the D.C. Mayor's City Wide Call Center. A job position in that office was of deep interest to me. The Lord told me to write her a letter with a job interest "package." I sent her my resume, and a paper that the Lord told me to write titled, "Customer Service is an Art" which detailed my beliefs about the importance of excellent customer service. Also, included in the package was a cover letter asking that I be considered if any job openings came available there. In addition, I sent samples of my writing abilities, and I cannot recall, but I believe that I sent her some copies of commendations that I had received from previous supervisors and co-workers. I thought that one day in the future they would have an opening and call me in. To my utter surprise, two days later they phoned me. That is how I got my Customer Service Specialist job in the D.C. government where I worked in excess of five years.
For Paul, the Lord had me to go to the Yellow Pages, and seek a D.C. government agency that could use Paul's skills - which were mainly as a painter. I located the said agencies - about four, if I recall correctly. I wrote a cover letter for Paul and faxed it with his resume. Paul didn't know anything about this beforehand. He was at work when I did this. That same evening, a supervisor from one of the faxed agencies called for an interview with Paul. I already had a blank copy of the D.C. job application. Paul filled it out and the next morning, he went to the job interview. The supervisor told Paul that he needed to fill out an application. Paul had already done it as I had given him a blank application the day before. He gave it to the supervisor which, I believe, surprised him. Also, the supervisor told Paul that one reason that he stood out to him was because of the cover letter! Long story short - Paul and I both got hired to work in D.C. government and began on the same date at different D.C. government agencies. He started as a laborer but desired to paint...months later, he got moved to a paint position. Sometime later...Paul got new teeth to fill in his missing places. That gave him more confidence than he already had...
Holy conviction was chasing me, and I couldn't out run it. Eventually, that caused a major gulf between me and Paul.
I was moving back to the Lord and away from Paul.
One day Paul told me that he wasn't "feeling" me anymore, and for me to go to live with my sister. He suggested that a separation could help and maybe we would get back together.
My steps back toward GOD developed to where I was no longer in love with Paul but I loved him. The same for him - he was no longer in love with me but he loved me. Our care for one another was deep.
Anyway, I moved from the bedroom to the living room. My plan was that since I had ceased to fornicate, and was increasingly moving closer to GOD, that the Lord would cause Paul to feel me again but this time, righteously. Subsequently, we would marry and I would have GOD and Paul in holy matrimony.
GOD had other plans. I refused to move as Paul had suggested.
After a few months of said living arrangement, I suspected that Paul was cheating.
Fast forward...skipping over some details...
I had a "hunch" that Paul's "love" interest (I'll call her Dee) lived somewhere in the neighborhood. We lived on a block of four-unit buildings. Paul and I both had work shifts from 7:00 - 3:30. One workday morning, the Lord told me to go stand outside on the front. I believe that I stood out there for about 30 minutes. Then - out walked Paul from the building next door! When he saw me, the deep hurt on his face was obvious. He was deeply hurt that he had hurt me. Of course, when Satan consumes us, we succumb in spite of the pain caused to others. Paul implored me to go back into the building, as he didn't want me to see him get in and drive Dee's vehicle to work (later I found out that she didn't work and was getting, I believe, Worker's Comp due to a back injury.) I refused to go inside and stood there until Paul drove off.
I was shook to the core of my being. My heartache was massive.
To be continued...
Previews of Part 3:
Our Lord tenderly comforts and consoles my broken heart.
Our Lord defends me and teaches me to fight my way to healing.
Our Lord fights for Paul, but against Paul's conduct.
Our Lord brings justice and healing.
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall revealed in us.
Sandra
Written Monday February 6, 2011
Copyright 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
...HE LEFT ME AND MOVED IN WITH THE WOMAN NEXT DOOR...
Greetings -
Bear with me people as I get to how it came that he left me and moved in with the woman next door. Here I will call him Paul.
I asked Paul if I could tell the part of this story that includes him. He graciously granted me permission.
People have commented to me about my zeal for our Lord. I have been called a warrior and general in the army of our Lord. I heard Bishop Jakes say that people see his glory but they don't know or understand his story.
Some readers have read on this blog some other posted accounts of my life story. For those who haven't and are so inclined, please go to the SEPARATE TAB on this blog titled, "MY LIFE + TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON" and read topics such as "TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER," "GOD'S ADVENTURE FOR ME IN CHARLESTON , SOUTH CAROLINA - PART 1," and "GOD'S ADVENTURE FOR ME IN CHARLESTON - PART 2..."
Our Lord knows that I was not eager to do this post. It will cause memories to surface. Some of this is truth that some may find challenging to take in. Our Father GOD told me to tell it because it is what it is. Further, He reminded me that the Holy Bible contains accounts that are challenging to take in, nonetheless, it is truth.
I'm not ashamed of any of what I share because I am fully persuaded that it is all covered by the blood of Christ.
Our Lord shared with me that someone is waiting to read this post - only GOD knows who and why. He also informed me that, though, I'm not eager to revisit some "places," healing will happen for me on a larger scale for my obedience to do this. By faith, I believe GOD!
FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T INCLINED TO READ ALL OF THIS AND INSTEAD DESIRE TO READ THE MEATIER PARTS, I HAVE ACCOMODATED YOU WITH THE MEATIER PARTS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW.
Here goes:
The bulk of my life has been spent in the inner city of Washington, D.C., my hometown. For brief periods, I lived elsewhere - a few years off and on in Maryland, and about six months in Tampa, Florida.
Typically, inner city areas are high in poverty, crime, violence and drug activity. These days, though, such has spread quite a bit to suburban and urban areas. In spite of all that exists here, it is my preference to live in the inner city. When I worked in government, I had the option to move to suburban Maryland but remained where I prefer.
Before I proceed to the main theme of this post - a little background first. Both of my parents are deceased and I am childless by choice. I am the product of an extra-marital affair. Both of my parents were married when they were "engaged." It was no fling. They were in love. Anyway...years later, our Lord in His love, grace, and mercy saved them both, my mother first.
I am the youngest of four, and yes, I was spoiled. My mother went to be with the Lord when I was a
teen-ager. When she passed, I was a rebellious eighth grade drop-out. I didn't drop out because I was unintelligent. I did it because I chose foolishness over school. I used heroin and pot. Only GOD'S hand in my rebellious life prevented a drug habit from attaching itself to me. A number of my peers succumbed to addiction. Praise our Lord that He spared me that pain.
When my mother passed, I was consumed by guilt because of my less than honorable lifestyle. The guilt rode me for years. I loved her so and brought her such disappointment. Of course, when I came to Christ, I came to understand GOD'S forgiveness and how to forgive myself.
Fast forward...
I got a job in the federal government when I was about seventeen years old. In those days, a high school diploma wasn't required to get a government job. They had a voluntary program that allowed those inclined to go to a program during work hours, at the expense of the government, to study for a GED. I enrolled in the program and got my GED while employed in the federal government.
For seventeen years, I worked for the feds until the Lord told me to quit "my good government job." It didn't make sense to me, and I waited, and waited and received from our Lord, confirmation upon confirmation that I was to quit. My dearest Christian friend (I'll call her Linda) also worked for the same agency. She offered me, rent and bill free, to live with her in her house. We knew that it was a GOD thing. I have since heard various testimonies from Christians of how the Lord told them to quit their jobs but back then I cannot recall that I had heard of such relative to Christians.
Various things occurred and then the Lord confirmed to Linda and I that I was to move to Baltimore, Maryland to live with my oldest sister. I lived there a bit, got a job, and moved into my own apartment, and remained in Baltimore until three years later. I was laid off from my job. On said job, I got excellent performance reviews but when our Lord decides that it is time to move on, that is what He allows to happen. He stated that he wanted me back in the D.C. area.
Once there, I lived for a bit with my other sister. Suffice it to say that I and her husband were in conflict.
By then, my close friend, Linda, had moved to D.C. from suburban Maryland. She "rescued" me from my sister's house. I was with Linda for a bit more, and then the Lord told me to move into a homeless shelter. Did I have other family help options? Yes, a few. (My family, for the most part, is not close.) But the Lord told me to go to the homeless shelter to live.
It took about two weeks for the shock to my system to wear off. After then, I was confident that the Lord had a purpose for this process. I was able to gain work as a temp employee while housed at the shelter. I am grateful to our Lord for the shelter experience and for the people that I met there.
Our Father GOD taught me so much about other people who found themselves in such circumstances. Within, I became a "richer" person for the eight month period that I was there. One of my roommates had a PhD - she was there because of a marriage gone badly. Another roommate was a beautician. There was a news producer, and at least one Jehovah's Witness there. And of course, there were drug addicts and alcoholics in residence, as well.
The shelter where I lived was formerly the Securities and Exchange Commission building. It later housed a city college. After a period of vacancy, it became a shelter that is located very near the Union (train) Station.
Many people have the misconception that homeless people are, for the most part, drug and/or alcohol addicted, lazy, mentally challenged and unsanitary people. I met a range of people. One man had a steady job but sickness caused him to miss work for enough time that he fell behind, some people have domestic violence issues, some get out of prison and have nowhere else to go.
These days, because of the present economy, more people are becoming homeless so a lot of the misconceptions have altered.
Back then (more than ten years ago) I remember one day when I was in the Union Station area. I cannot recall what led to the conversation but I informed someone that I was homeless. I was never ashamed to express it. The response was, "You don't look like a homeless person." I replied, "What does a homeless person look like?" The person looked perplexed and did not answer.
As stated earlier, my shelter experience was a rich one indeed. Some of my most meaningful lessons came from alcoholics and drug addicts.
While I lived at the shelter, numerous men expressed interest in me. I was not at all interested. In warm ways, I made it clear that I was a Christian and on a mission for GOD.
I had been there about five months when it happened -
I met Paul.
He was a recovering drug addict, and get this - he was missing 2-3 front teeth with no job. I had never in my life been attracted to a man with missing front teeth nor to a man that didn't have a job. This gets sort of funny. The other men in the shelter with all of their teeth, and some had jobs, couldn't figure out how I was attracted to Paul.
The best way that I can explain it is that the other men came on as pressed to be with me. Paul came on as very interested but not pressed. I have never met a man who was so confident (not arrogant) who had so little - plus missing front teeth. Now remember, I had worked in the federal government for seventeen years and engaged with a lot of men for work purposes and socializing. Paul had more confidence than any other man that I had met. They had more than Paul outwardly but they didn't have the level of confidence that he did. You may wonder how could that be if Paul was a recovering drug addict...? He was weak in areas (aren't we all?) but that inner strength in Paul was evident. Our Lord knows us from the foundation of the world. I have since learned that Paul belongs to GOD and GOD knows that we belong to Him before we know it. More on that on another post (relative to Paul.)
Did you guess? I backslid.
Bear with me saints while I share this bit of sin slide. On a given day, Paul and I left the shelter to ride the subway to a motel. That was our first motel "journey." What particularly struck me was that as we rode the subway, I noticed that Paul had brought along a book to read. I was quite surprised. Who brings a book to read for the first motel weekend with a "love" interest? After "recovering" from my surprise, I felt a level of respect for that choice that he had made to bring a book. It is not easy to explain. Maybe someone can help me on that. "All these years later, when I think about that "episode," I laugh. I am 54 years old and have never dated any other man that came with a book to read for a date or motel stay.
To be continued
Sandra
Written Saturday February 5, 2011
Copyright 2011
UPDATE: I completed this story on Wednesday February 9, 2011, and am pleased to report that it was not a painful experience to re-visit, as I had anticipated. Praise our Lord that it was, with ease, that I wrote all four parts of this story from my life.
Bear with me people as I get to how it came that he left me and moved in with the woman next door. Here I will call him Paul.
I asked Paul if I could tell the part of this story that includes him. He graciously granted me permission.
People have commented to me about my zeal for our Lord. I have been called a warrior and general in the army of our Lord. I heard Bishop Jakes say that people see his glory but they don't know or understand his story.
Some readers have read on this blog some other posted accounts of my life story. For those who haven't and are so inclined, please go to the SEPARATE TAB on this blog titled, "MY LIFE + TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON" and read topics such as "TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER," "GOD'S ADVENTURE FOR ME IN CHARLESTON , SOUTH CAROLINA - PART 1," and "GOD'S ADVENTURE FOR ME IN CHARLESTON - PART 2..."
Our Lord knows that I was not eager to do this post. It will cause memories to surface. Some of this is truth that some may find challenging to take in. Our Father GOD told me to tell it because it is what it is. Further, He reminded me that the Holy Bible contains accounts that are challenging to take in, nonetheless, it is truth.
I'm not ashamed of any of what I share because I am fully persuaded that it is all covered by the blood of Christ.
Our Lord shared with me that someone is waiting to read this post - only GOD knows who and why. He also informed me that, though, I'm not eager to revisit some "places," healing will happen for me on a larger scale for my obedience to do this. By faith, I believe GOD!
FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T INCLINED TO READ ALL OF THIS AND INSTEAD DESIRE TO READ THE MEATIER PARTS, I HAVE ACCOMODATED YOU WITH THE MEATIER PARTS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW.
Here goes:
The bulk of my life has been spent in the inner city of Washington, D.C., my hometown. For brief periods, I lived elsewhere - a few years off and on in Maryland, and about six months in Tampa, Florida.
Typically, inner city areas are high in poverty, crime, violence and drug activity. These days, though, such has spread quite a bit to suburban and urban areas. In spite of all that exists here, it is my preference to live in the inner city. When I worked in government, I had the option to move to suburban Maryland but remained where I prefer.
Before I proceed to the main theme of this post - a little background first. Both of my parents are deceased and I am childless by choice. I am the product of an extra-marital affair. Both of my parents were married when they were "engaged." It was no fling. They were in love. Anyway...years later, our Lord in His love, grace, and mercy saved them both, my mother first.
I am the youngest of four, and yes, I was spoiled. My mother went to be with the Lord when I was a
teen-ager. When she passed, I was a rebellious eighth grade drop-out. I didn't drop out because I was unintelligent. I did it because I chose foolishness over school. I used heroin and pot. Only GOD'S hand in my rebellious life prevented a drug habit from attaching itself to me. A number of my peers succumbed to addiction. Praise our Lord that He spared me that pain.
When my mother passed, I was consumed by guilt because of my less than honorable lifestyle. The guilt rode me for years. I loved her so and brought her such disappointment. Of course, when I came to Christ, I came to understand GOD'S forgiveness and how to forgive myself.
Fast forward...
I got a job in the federal government when I was about seventeen years old. In those days, a high school diploma wasn't required to get a government job. They had a voluntary program that allowed those inclined to go to a program during work hours, at the expense of the government, to study for a GED. I enrolled in the program and got my GED while employed in the federal government.
For seventeen years, I worked for the feds until the Lord told me to quit "my good government job." It didn't make sense to me, and I waited, and waited and received from our Lord, confirmation upon confirmation that I was to quit. My dearest Christian friend (I'll call her Linda) also worked for the same agency. She offered me, rent and bill free, to live with her in her house. We knew that it was a GOD thing. I have since heard various testimonies from Christians of how the Lord told them to quit their jobs but back then I cannot recall that I had heard of such relative to Christians.
Various things occurred and then the Lord confirmed to Linda and I that I was to move to Baltimore, Maryland to live with my oldest sister. I lived there a bit, got a job, and moved into my own apartment, and remained in Baltimore until three years later. I was laid off from my job. On said job, I got excellent performance reviews but when our Lord decides that it is time to move on, that is what He allows to happen. He stated that he wanted me back in the D.C. area.
Once there, I lived for a bit with my other sister. Suffice it to say that I and her husband were in conflict.
By then, my close friend, Linda, had moved to D.C. from suburban Maryland. She "rescued" me from my sister's house. I was with Linda for a bit more, and then the Lord told me to move into a homeless shelter. Did I have other family help options? Yes, a few. (My family, for the most part, is not close.) But the Lord told me to go to the homeless shelter to live.
It took about two weeks for the shock to my system to wear off. After then, I was confident that the Lord had a purpose for this process. I was able to gain work as a temp employee while housed at the shelter. I am grateful to our Lord for the shelter experience and for the people that I met there.
Our Father GOD taught me so much about other people who found themselves in such circumstances. Within, I became a "richer" person for the eight month period that I was there. One of my roommates had a PhD - she was there because of a marriage gone badly. Another roommate was a beautician. There was a news producer, and at least one Jehovah's Witness there. And of course, there were drug addicts and alcoholics in residence, as well.
The shelter where I lived was formerly the Securities and Exchange Commission building. It later housed a city college. After a period of vacancy, it became a shelter that is located very near the Union (train) Station.
Many people have the misconception that homeless people are, for the most part, drug and/or alcohol addicted, lazy, mentally challenged and unsanitary people. I met a range of people. One man had a steady job but sickness caused him to miss work for enough time that he fell behind, some people have domestic violence issues, some get out of prison and have nowhere else to go.
These days, because of the present economy, more people are becoming homeless so a lot of the misconceptions have altered.
Back then (more than ten years ago) I remember one day when I was in the Union Station area. I cannot recall what led to the conversation but I informed someone that I was homeless. I was never ashamed to express it. The response was, "You don't look like a homeless person." I replied, "What does a homeless person look like?" The person looked perplexed and did not answer.
As stated earlier, my shelter experience was a rich one indeed. Some of my most meaningful lessons came from alcoholics and drug addicts.
While I lived at the shelter, numerous men expressed interest in me. I was not at all interested. In warm ways, I made it clear that I was a Christian and on a mission for GOD.
I had been there about five months when it happened -
I met Paul.
He was a recovering drug addict, and get this - he was missing 2-3 front teeth with no job. I had never in my life been attracted to a man with missing front teeth nor to a man that didn't have a job. This gets sort of funny. The other men in the shelter with all of their teeth, and some had jobs, couldn't figure out how I was attracted to Paul.
The best way that I can explain it is that the other men came on as pressed to be with me. Paul came on as very interested but not pressed. I have never met a man who was so confident (not arrogant) who had so little - plus missing front teeth. Now remember, I had worked in the federal government for seventeen years and engaged with a lot of men for work purposes and socializing. Paul had more confidence than any other man that I had met. They had more than Paul outwardly but they didn't have the level of confidence that he did. You may wonder how could that be if Paul was a recovering drug addict...? He was weak in areas (aren't we all?) but that inner strength in Paul was evident. Our Lord knows us from the foundation of the world. I have since learned that Paul belongs to GOD and GOD knows that we belong to Him before we know it. More on that on another post (relative to Paul.)
Did you guess? I backslid.
Bear with me saints while I share this bit of sin slide. On a given day, Paul and I left the shelter to ride the subway to a motel. That was our first motel "journey." What particularly struck me was that as we rode the subway, I noticed that Paul had brought along a book to read. I was quite surprised. Who brings a book to read for the first motel weekend with a "love" interest? After "recovering" from my surprise, I felt a level of respect for that choice that he had made to bring a book. It is not easy to explain. Maybe someone can help me on that. "All these years later, when I think about that "episode," I laugh. I am 54 years old and have never dated any other man that came with a book to read for a date or motel stay.
To be continued
Sandra
Written Saturday February 5, 2011
Copyright 2011
UPDATE: I completed this story on Wednesday February 9, 2011, and am pleased to report that it was not a painful experience to re-visit, as I had anticipated. Praise our Lord that it was, with ease, that I wrote all four parts of this story from my life.
Friday, February 4, 2011
CIRCUS CHANGE
Greetings -
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
This is fiction with some true realities:
Pastor Gordon Breeze has reached his tolerance peak with the lax spiritual attitudes of much of his congregation, including his staff members. He is at his wits end with the dramaholic atmosphere there at Hallow Ground Assembly Church.
Gordon arrives home and tells, Juanita, his wife, “I've had it with the wayward conduct at Hallow Ground. It has become a circus in that church!”
Juanita listens. She strokes his back, and calmly responds, “We need to fast and pray about this, Gordon.”
He agrees. Together they go to their home altar area to seek the Lord.
The Lord speaks, “Did I not promise to keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Gordon responds.
The Breeze’s purpose to obey the Lord.
The next morning at the church office, Gordon calls in Monica, his secretary.
“I need to meet some project deadlines today so please inform the staff that I am not to be disturbed.” He tells Monica that he will only accept calls from his wife, children, and parents.
Monica exits to inform the staff.
Rita, the office clerk, is a recent hire. She is homeless due to the loss of her previous job. That loss occurred because of her attention to a catastrophic family circumstance.
First lady Juanita hired Rita because she is a firm believer in extending help to the homeless to encourage success in every dimension of their lives. Rita has proven to be a prize hire. She is a quick study who is pleasant, thorough, and always punctual with a ready-to-work disposition that impresses Pastor Breeze and first lady.
Thomas, the receptionist, and Monica, however, are player-hating on Rita. They envy her godly, and admirable qualities. And they bicker regularly with each other.
Rita has been at Hallow Ground for less than a month. In that short period, she has witnessed the frequent friction with Thomas and Monica. Rita is a true worshipper of God – her demeanor exudes that she is clearly close to God. She sits there and thinks, What is up with these people working in the house of the Lord with these unpleasant attitudes?
Betty, the office accountant, is a high maintenance carnal Christian. She will tell you in a minute that she is “saved” but if you expect to observe fruit from that declaration, think again. Betty is on a fast track to dry bones valley.
Rita went to high school with Betty. Now Betty holds Rita in disdain because Rita is homeless. The reason for Rita’s predicament is a non-issue to Betty. She declared recently to Monica, about Rita, “I will not subject myself to dead weight associations.” Betty lavishes herself in material consumption, and is fixated on conduct that demeans others.
Gordon gets home and settles down with Juanita. The fast was beneficial.
Gordon shares with Juanita, “The Lord told me to take the staff, with head Deacon William and Minister of Music Charles, to the circus.”
With raised eyebrows, Juanita exclaims, “The circus?!”
Gordon laughs, “Yes, the circus.” The Lord gave me the plan. In a few days, I will share it in a church meeting.”
The meeting date has arrived. The attendees are buzzing because they do not know the purpose.
Pastor Breeze and first lady have not yet arrived.
Breeze, for the first time, has not provided the meeting agenda.
Betty yawns, “I’m bored.” She decides to stir up mischief.
She winks at Monica then addresses Rita, “Where do you live, Rita?”
Rita is ready. She replies, “On Crescent Street.”
“Oh, says Betty, “Isn’t that where the Gateway shelter is located?”
“Yes, Betty, that is where I live - in the Gateway shelter. You know, every time I go in there I am reminded that wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and that straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life, and few find it. It makes me so grateful that heaven is my home.” Rita smiles, and asks, “Where is your home, Betty?”
Betty is mortified as all present clearly understand that she has failed to humiliate Rita, but instead made a fool of herself in the presence of her colleagues.
The Lord used Rita to manifest Psalm 7:16 upon Betty, “…mischief shall return…”
Betty visibly fumes.
Deacon William and Charles look admiringly at Rita.
Thomas’ eyes bulge.
Monica is itching for a continuance of this declaration of war in words.
It is not to be - in walks Pastor Breeze with Juanita.
Breeze announces, “We are going to the circus.” He shuffles a deck of odd looking cards. “These cards are going to take us there.” He deals one card to each attendee. Breeze instructs, “One at a time, place your card face up on the table.”
Charles happily places his card down first. On his is a lion with these words, “Brave heart.”
Next is Pastor Breeze – on his card is a ringmaster with the message, “Rein in the sheep.”
Rita’s card has on it a pair of stilts with the scripture Psalm 75:7, “But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
The card assigned to William has a tiger on it with a missing paw.
The card for Juanita shows a trampoline with the inscription, “Jumping for joy.”
Thomas glumly places his card on the table – it has a picture of a ring of fire with the words, “Fire breathing on you – choose life or death.”
Betty gets a card with a tightrope photograph that reads, “Teetering Perilously.”
The last attendee to do card placement is Monica. Her hand trembles as she places the card down. On it is a bear with the message, “Stock is bearish – your days are numbered at Hallow Ground.”
Pastor Breeze stands up to speak words from God, “Every card was assigned to each attendee in accordance with My will. I made the calls – not Gordon. He came to me with the complaint that this church had become a circus. I told him to take you all TO the circus. Today you went there to learn your featured roles.
“I AM the Ringmaster who orchestrates through Gordon. Juanita is reflected as jumping for joy because she knows that I am going to put a halt to this toxic circus atmosphere. Out with the counterfeit - in with My thoroughbred true worshippers, and whosoever will desire to become of such caliber.
“Charles is a lion-hearted Minister of Music. Charles, you need to deal with those clowns in the choir. They either get real or get moved aside.
“William, the head deacon, is a tiger with a few vultures on the deacon board. Commune with me, William, and I will advise how to deal with the traitors in the midst.
“Rita, you got the stilts for your promotion that I signed.
“Monica, the bear message does not bode well for you.
“Thomas, you got a circle of fire. Satan is breathing fire on you – it is imperative that you choose.…
“Betty, you got a tightrope and there is no net below you. You vainly live your life as a friend of the world. You know that that puts you at enmity with Me. People have been subjects of your ridicule, and foolishness. You defined Rita as “dead weight associations.” Know this, I weighed her, and she weighs more than you. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting (Daniel 5:27). My warning to you is “Repent with godly sorrow and forsake your ungodly ways or suffer the consequences of your rebellious actions.”
The Lord closes with, “I love you all but will not support any defiance of what is according to My Words.”
Fallout from the meeting resulted in Monica being dismissed.
Rita became secretary.
Minister of Music Charles separated the wheat from the chaff – the choir is now immensely anointed and such an asset to the body of Christ.
Head deacon William communed with the Lord and shifted gears in his ranks. One of the vultures on the deacon board submitted to godly counsel and became a profitable servant of the Lord. The other vulture remained aligned with the Devil – he was subsequently devoured.
Thomas was placed on probation.
Betty has taken on the posture that she can outsmart God. Her game is to, in her words, “Outplay the PLAYER.” She shall soon realize that God ain’t playing.
The Breeze’s are in a pasture of delight where out of their bellies are flowing rivers of living water.
Gordon smiles and asks his wife, “Baby, can you feel the Breeze?”
Juanita laughs, “Yea, cool Breeze, I feel you.”
The circus changed to a deck of cards that changed to spiritual portraits of the people that exacted change at Hallow Ground that changed into an ace church of God. Ah! Change engineered by the God of all currency. He gets it done - in spades!
Sandra
January 20, 2010
© Copyright 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: 7UPS QUIZUPS #9 was posted today under the separate tab here titled, "7UPS QUIZUPS." The answers will be posted tomorrow evening (EST).
Thank you for your consideration and indulgence.
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
This is fiction with some true realities:
Pastor Gordon Breeze has reached his tolerance peak with the lax spiritual attitudes of much of his congregation, including his staff members. He is at his wits end with the dramaholic atmosphere there at Hallow Ground Assembly Church.
Gordon arrives home and tells, Juanita, his wife, “I've had it with the wayward conduct at Hallow Ground. It has become a circus in that church!”
Juanita listens. She strokes his back, and calmly responds, “We need to fast and pray about this, Gordon.”
He agrees. Together they go to their home altar area to seek the Lord.
The Lord speaks, “Did I not promise to keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Gordon responds.
The Breeze’s purpose to obey the Lord.
The next morning at the church office, Gordon calls in Monica, his secretary.
“I need to meet some project deadlines today so please inform the staff that I am not to be disturbed.” He tells Monica that he will only accept calls from his wife, children, and parents.
Monica exits to inform the staff.
Rita, the office clerk, is a recent hire. She is homeless due to the loss of her previous job. That loss occurred because of her attention to a catastrophic family circumstance.
First lady Juanita hired Rita because she is a firm believer in extending help to the homeless to encourage success in every dimension of their lives. Rita has proven to be a prize hire. She is a quick study who is pleasant, thorough, and always punctual with a ready-to-work disposition that impresses Pastor Breeze and first lady.
Thomas, the receptionist, and Monica, however, are player-hating on Rita. They envy her godly, and admirable qualities. And they bicker regularly with each other.
Rita has been at Hallow Ground for less than a month. In that short period, she has witnessed the frequent friction with Thomas and Monica. Rita is a true worshipper of God – her demeanor exudes that she is clearly close to God. She sits there and thinks, What is up with these people working in the house of the Lord with these unpleasant attitudes?
Betty, the office accountant, is a high maintenance carnal Christian. She will tell you in a minute that she is “saved” but if you expect to observe fruit from that declaration, think again. Betty is on a fast track to dry bones valley.
Rita went to high school with Betty. Now Betty holds Rita in disdain because Rita is homeless. The reason for Rita’s predicament is a non-issue to Betty. She declared recently to Monica, about Rita, “I will not subject myself to dead weight associations.” Betty lavishes herself in material consumption, and is fixated on conduct that demeans others.
Gordon gets home and settles down with Juanita. The fast was beneficial.
Gordon shares with Juanita, “The Lord told me to take the staff, with head Deacon William and Minister of Music Charles, to the circus.”
With raised eyebrows, Juanita exclaims, “The circus?!”
Gordon laughs, “Yes, the circus.” The Lord gave me the plan. In a few days, I will share it in a church meeting.”
The meeting date has arrived. The attendees are buzzing because they do not know the purpose.
Pastor Breeze and first lady have not yet arrived.
Breeze, for the first time, has not provided the meeting agenda.
Betty yawns, “I’m bored.” She decides to stir up mischief.
She winks at Monica then addresses Rita, “Where do you live, Rita?”
Rita is ready. She replies, “On Crescent Street.”
“Oh, says Betty, “Isn’t that where the Gateway shelter is located?”
“Yes, Betty, that is where I live - in the Gateway shelter. You know, every time I go in there I am reminded that wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and that straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life, and few find it. It makes me so grateful that heaven is my home.” Rita smiles, and asks, “Where is your home, Betty?”
Betty is mortified as all present clearly understand that she has failed to humiliate Rita, but instead made a fool of herself in the presence of her colleagues.
The Lord used Rita to manifest Psalm 7:16 upon Betty, “…mischief shall return…”
Betty visibly fumes.
Deacon William and Charles look admiringly at Rita.
Thomas’ eyes bulge.
Monica is itching for a continuance of this declaration of war in words.
It is not to be - in walks Pastor Breeze with Juanita.
Breeze announces, “We are going to the circus.” He shuffles a deck of odd looking cards. “These cards are going to take us there.” He deals one card to each attendee. Breeze instructs, “One at a time, place your card face up on the table.”
Charles happily places his card down first. On his is a lion with these words, “Brave heart.”
Next is Pastor Breeze – on his card is a ringmaster with the message, “Rein in the sheep.”
Rita’s card has on it a pair of stilts with the scripture Psalm 75:7, “But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
The card assigned to William has a tiger on it with a missing paw.
The card for Juanita shows a trampoline with the inscription, “Jumping for joy.”
Thomas glumly places his card on the table – it has a picture of a ring of fire with the words, “Fire breathing on you – choose life or death.”
Betty gets a card with a tightrope photograph that reads, “Teetering Perilously.”
The last attendee to do card placement is Monica. Her hand trembles as she places the card down. On it is a bear with the message, “Stock is bearish – your days are numbered at Hallow Ground.”
Pastor Breeze stands up to speak words from God, “Every card was assigned to each attendee in accordance with My will. I made the calls – not Gordon. He came to me with the complaint that this church had become a circus. I told him to take you all TO the circus. Today you went there to learn your featured roles.
“I AM the Ringmaster who orchestrates through Gordon. Juanita is reflected as jumping for joy because she knows that I am going to put a halt to this toxic circus atmosphere. Out with the counterfeit - in with My thoroughbred true worshippers, and whosoever will desire to become of such caliber.
“Charles is a lion-hearted Minister of Music. Charles, you need to deal with those clowns in the choir. They either get real or get moved aside.
“William, the head deacon, is a tiger with a few vultures on the deacon board. Commune with me, William, and I will advise how to deal with the traitors in the midst.
“Rita, you got the stilts for your promotion that I signed.
“Monica, the bear message does not bode well for you.
“Thomas, you got a circle of fire. Satan is breathing fire on you – it is imperative that you choose.…
“Betty, you got a tightrope and there is no net below you. You vainly live your life as a friend of the world. You know that that puts you at enmity with Me. People have been subjects of your ridicule, and foolishness. You defined Rita as “dead weight associations.” Know this, I weighed her, and she weighs more than you. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting (Daniel 5:27). My warning to you is “Repent with godly sorrow and forsake your ungodly ways or suffer the consequences of your rebellious actions.”
The Lord closes with, “I love you all but will not support any defiance of what is according to My Words.”
Fallout from the meeting resulted in Monica being dismissed.
Rita became secretary.
Minister of Music Charles separated the wheat from the chaff – the choir is now immensely anointed and such an asset to the body of Christ.
Head deacon William communed with the Lord and shifted gears in his ranks. One of the vultures on the deacon board submitted to godly counsel and became a profitable servant of the Lord. The other vulture remained aligned with the Devil – he was subsequently devoured.
Thomas was placed on probation.
Betty has taken on the posture that she can outsmart God. Her game is to, in her words, “Outplay the PLAYER.” She shall soon realize that God ain’t playing.
The Breeze’s are in a pasture of delight where out of their bellies are flowing rivers of living water.
Gordon smiles and asks his wife, “Baby, can you feel the Breeze?”
Juanita laughs, “Yea, cool Breeze, I feel you.”
The circus changed to a deck of cards that changed to spiritual portraits of the people that exacted change at Hallow Ground that changed into an ace church of God. Ah! Change engineered by the God of all currency. He gets it done - in spades!
Sandra
January 20, 2010
© Copyright 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: 7UPS QUIZUPS #9 was posted today under the separate tab here titled, "7UPS QUIZUPS." The answers will be posted tomorrow evening (EST).
Thank you for your consideration and indulgence.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
FAMILY FEUD
Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Many are familiar with the story in the Holy Bible about Joseph and his family. I call this piece, "A FAMILY FEUD WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED OUTCOME."
Seventeen year old Joseph was the favored one of his father, Israel. Joseph's brothers knew it and they envied and hated him for being the "chosen" one. Envy and hatred, we know, can be a lethal combination.
Joseph had two dreams that he shared with his family. The dreams revealed Joseph in an exalted position with his family members at "lower" levels.
Did Israel set the "wheels in motion" for his dysfunctional family arrangement? He showed obvious preference for his son Joseph.
Hmmm...
What about Joseph? He shared the dreams with brothers who already hated him. They hated Joseph more after knowledge of his dreams. We know that seventeen year olds don't make the wisest decisions. Isn't that one reason that we consider them minors - not "legally" adults? My belief is that an older more experienced person would have kept the dreams secret from his enemy siblings. That, though, is no guarantee, because we know that older folks make unwise choices, as well, though not on the frequency levels of the young and inexperienced. Then again, I could be wrong. Perhaps it wasn't an unwise decision that Joseph shared the dreams. Whatever - it is all in the MASTER'S plan.
Ok, so Israel sent Joseph to see to the well being of his brothers. His brothers saw him coming and hatched a conspiracy to slay him.
Brother Reuben intervened, thus, the murder plot was foiled. While Reuben was absent, the other brothers sold Joseph! We can only imagine the response from Joseph. He was out minding his father's business to see to the welfare of his brothers and they sold him! Talk about family dysfunction! That is family feud on a high-ranked level.
Good GOD Almighty, of course, was in the equation. The holy reality is that Joseph was minding his FATHER'S BUSINESS.
I tend to believe that Joseph was pleased with his dreams. It is unlikely that our Lord shared with Joseph the "road" to the fulfillment of his dreams. A road paved with family estrangement, false accusation, and imprisonment. No, I don't believe that our Lord gave Joseph advance in-depth knowledge about those situations. I do believe that it is likely that Joseph got some advance "hints" from our Father.
A pastor's wife once shared with me that GOD shares with us the beginning of our journeys and the end results but He withholds the middle - the part that breaks us to be built for the triumphant ends. I can attest to the truth of that, as some readers here do, as well.
Jacob was deeply grieved at the "death" of his favored son, Joseph.
Our Lord could have certainly told Jacob that Joseph was alive. Instead, for years, GOD hid the truth from his servant Jacob. The plan was the MASTER'S.
We continue as Joseph experienced the lies of a scorned woman whose husband sends Joseph to prison. But Hallelujah! The Bible says in Genesis 39: 21, "But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison."
In process of time, GOD "springs" Joseph from the prison house and led him to the presence of king Pharaoh. From the prison to the palace - is that a quantum leap or what?! Joseph shared GOD's dream interpretation with Pharaoh and voila! Pharaoh appoints Joseph second in command in the king's kingdom.
The sequence of events brought a famine which sent Joseph's brothers to Egypt for help.
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and says to them in Genesis 45:5, 7, 8, "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
"And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
"So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."
The spirit of Jacob their father revived - Genesis 45:27.
Joseph's family joined him in Egypt.
For many years, while He worked His MASTER plan, GOD separated Joseph from his family. In process of time, they gained united ties. They were no longer dysfunctional. The hand of GOD worked inner healing and the family came together as one.
In Genesis 37:7 relative to one of Joseph's dreams, it says, "For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf."
In Genesis 50:18 that was fulfilled. It states, "And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants."
Praise our Lord that He had worked a work within where Joseph responded with the love and humility that had been righteously placed in him by our awesome Father GOD. Years of being purged and pruned by the MASTER PLANNER had readied Joseph and his family for their triumphant end of a family feud.
Joseph lived as a righteous man in a foreign land without his family. He waited on the Lord and reaped bountiful favor and blessings.
Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:19, 20, "...Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
I end this piece, my fellow walkers with JESUS, with this scripture to encourage us all:
Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The story of Joseph is found in Genesis chapters 37-50.
Love in His service,
Sandra
Written Wednesday February 2, 2011
Copyright 2011
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: 7 UPS QUIZUPS returns this Friday February 4, 2011.
Previously, it appeared weekly. The modification is that it will not necessarily appear weekly but "whensoever will."
For those unfamiliar with 7 UPS QUIZUPS, please see the separate tab on this blog titled, 7 UPS QUIZUPS.
Thank you for your indulgence.
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Many are familiar with the story in the Holy Bible about Joseph and his family. I call this piece, "A FAMILY FEUD WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED OUTCOME."
Seventeen year old Joseph was the favored one of his father, Israel. Joseph's brothers knew it and they envied and hated him for being the "chosen" one. Envy and hatred, we know, can be a lethal combination.
Joseph had two dreams that he shared with his family. The dreams revealed Joseph in an exalted position with his family members at "lower" levels.
Did Israel set the "wheels in motion" for his dysfunctional family arrangement? He showed obvious preference for his son Joseph.
Hmmm...
What about Joseph? He shared the dreams with brothers who already hated him. They hated Joseph more after knowledge of his dreams. We know that seventeen year olds don't make the wisest decisions. Isn't that one reason that we consider them minors - not "legally" adults? My belief is that an older more experienced person would have kept the dreams secret from his enemy siblings. That, though, is no guarantee, because we know that older folks make unwise choices, as well, though not on the frequency levels of the young and inexperienced. Then again, I could be wrong. Perhaps it wasn't an unwise decision that Joseph shared the dreams. Whatever - it is all in the MASTER'S plan.
Ok, so Israel sent Joseph to see to the well being of his brothers. His brothers saw him coming and hatched a conspiracy to slay him.
Brother Reuben intervened, thus, the murder plot was foiled. While Reuben was absent, the other brothers sold Joseph! We can only imagine the response from Joseph. He was out minding his father's business to see to the welfare of his brothers and they sold him! Talk about family dysfunction! That is family feud on a high-ranked level.
Good GOD Almighty, of course, was in the equation. The holy reality is that Joseph was minding his FATHER'S BUSINESS.
I tend to believe that Joseph was pleased with his dreams. It is unlikely that our Lord shared with Joseph the "road" to the fulfillment of his dreams. A road paved with family estrangement, false accusation, and imprisonment. No, I don't believe that our Lord gave Joseph advance in-depth knowledge about those situations. I do believe that it is likely that Joseph got some advance "hints" from our Father.
A pastor's wife once shared with me that GOD shares with us the beginning of our journeys and the end results but He withholds the middle - the part that breaks us to be built for the triumphant ends. I can attest to the truth of that, as some readers here do, as well.
Jacob was deeply grieved at the "death" of his favored son, Joseph.
Our Lord could have certainly told Jacob that Joseph was alive. Instead, for years, GOD hid the truth from his servant Jacob. The plan was the MASTER'S.
We continue as Joseph experienced the lies of a scorned woman whose husband sends Joseph to prison. But Hallelujah! The Bible says in Genesis 39: 21, "But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison."
In process of time, GOD "springs" Joseph from the prison house and led him to the presence of king Pharaoh. From the prison to the palace - is that a quantum leap or what?! Joseph shared GOD's dream interpretation with Pharaoh and voila! Pharaoh appoints Joseph second in command in the king's kingdom.
The sequence of events brought a famine which sent Joseph's brothers to Egypt for help.
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and says to them in Genesis 45:5, 7, 8, "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
"And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
"So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."
The spirit of Jacob their father revived - Genesis 45:27.
Joseph's family joined him in Egypt.
For many years, while He worked His MASTER plan, GOD separated Joseph from his family. In process of time, they gained united ties. They were no longer dysfunctional. The hand of GOD worked inner healing and the family came together as one.
In Genesis 37:7 relative to one of Joseph's dreams, it says, "For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf."
In Genesis 50:18 that was fulfilled. It states, "And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants."
Praise our Lord that He had worked a work within where Joseph responded with the love and humility that had been righteously placed in him by our awesome Father GOD. Years of being purged and pruned by the MASTER PLANNER had readied Joseph and his family for their triumphant end of a family feud.
Joseph lived as a righteous man in a foreign land without his family. He waited on the Lord and reaped bountiful favor and blessings.
Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:19, 20, "...Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
I end this piece, my fellow walkers with JESUS, with this scripture to encourage us all:
Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The story of Joseph is found in Genesis chapters 37-50.
Love in His service,
Sandra
Written Wednesday February 2, 2011
Copyright 2011
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: 7 UPS QUIZUPS returns this Friday February 4, 2011.
Previously, it appeared weekly. The modification is that it will not necessarily appear weekly but "whensoever will."
For those unfamiliar with 7 UPS QUIZUPS, please see the separate tab on this blog titled, 7 UPS QUIZUPS.
Thank you for your indulgence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)