tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73523510152223704332024-03-13T10:40:30.213-04:00Daily ANTicipationAnthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-24338081325911903932013-07-03T09:32:00.003-04:002013-07-03T09:39:43.719-04:00Please treat me like DIRT!!!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">For many weeks now the field that's connected to the track I walk around every morning has been closed. Likewise, every morning there's a man out there spraying the field and performing maintenance on it. I assumed it was closed for repair and that once the repairs were done it would reopen to resume normal activity. Well, when I drove up today I saw huge tents, carnival rides, games, a ferris whe</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">el, a petting zoo, water slides, food trucks, a carousel, etc. To my surprise, the field wasn't closed simply to be REPAIRED from the normal activities hosted there. But, it was also being PREPARED to host something much greater! I didn't care who saw me as I lifted my hands and thanked God for the current closures and setbacks in my life. I realized more today how He's so loving that He'll only close your field to prepare you to host something greater than what took place in your life previously. Today, I yield to His correction and allow Him to perform maintenance on my life. I agree with<b style="font-style: italic;"> Romans 8:18 ...what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal in us later! </b>I never thought I'd hear myself say this but when I saw what the man was preparing the ground for, my response to God was, <b>"Treat me like DIRT!!!"</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Every morning, I've been wondering why the heck the field has been closed for so long. Now that I've seen WHY, I look back over the past few weeks and I realize that I can learn a few things about faith from the field's response to the maintenance man...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><i>1. The field just laid there</i></b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Not once did I hear the field ask the man, "why am I still closed?" It simply trusted the maintenance man and let him continue to work. I never saw the man talking to the field or explain to it that he was preparing it for a carnival to be hosted there. Yet, the field continued to lay there without protest and allow the man to do whatever he wanted to do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This seems a little facetious because a field doesn't have the ability to object or rebel against what is done to it. However, I feel it is more facetious for us (with limited intellect and power) to protest and rebel against what God (who is all-knowing and all-powerful) is trying to do in our lives. We could actually learn something from the field. We should just yield to His desire to work on us, repair us, and prepare us. Plus, we have the advantage of God's promise of greater things. We are not asked to submit with no hope of being made better. The only obstacle is whether or not we will believe the intent of our God to bless us with more than He asks us to give to Him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><b>2. The field wasn't worried about the people who normally played there.</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In the afternoons, sometimes I take Quinn to that same park and let her play on the playground adjacent to the field. Usually, there are 4-6 soccer games running simultaneously on the field. Since it's closure, I haven't seen any activity there at all. They even removed all of the bleachers, benches, and even the goal posts and nets. Yet, not one time did I hear the field apologize to the disappointed children who could no longer frolic throughout the vastness of the now closed field. Neither did the field request for the maintenance worker to allow the games to revisit the grounds. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">We must adopt this same attitude when we are certain that God is preparing us as a host for something greater in our lives. There is a strong temptation to long for and return to the familiar, but we must resist that inclination and remain still while God repairs and prepares us. The fact that repair is necessary is a clear indicator that the previous activities have created some damage. How foolish to resume the very same activities that left us in disrepair in the first place. I can imagine the kids that usually played on the field in the afternoons may have been a little upset that they could no longer do what they were accustomed to. No doubt, the people in our lives will respond the same way once they realize that they are no longer permitted to access our field, as God has closed it off for His purpose. There is no need to apologize or explain anything to them. Your silence is the only response needed once it has been made clear that you are being repaired.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;">Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate pissing some people off once they realize their access to my field has been denied. To the contrary, I <b>ANT</b>icipate an acceleration in </span><span style="color: #37404e;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">maintenance, preparation, and a grand-reopening, as I keep people from causing any further damage to my ground. Daddy (I'm talking to God), I submit my will to Yours and I make no apologies for what You choose to do in my life! Have Your way!</span></span></div>
Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-74362149166561877472013-07-01T09:45:00.002-04:002013-07-01T17:02:29.913-04:00I felt like such an IDIOT!!!I've lost track of exactly how long its been, but I've been exercising and gradually changing my diet as I endeavor to live a healthier and more disciplined lifestyle. Part of my new routine includes a daily walk around a local track. I typically use this time to focus my thoughts and have conversations with God. Even though I try to remain conscious of His presence all day long, it's during my early morning "walk with God" that my soul seems quiet enough for me to sense His Spirit more keenly. I know Him well enough these days to believe that He has no evil-intent towards me, but what I perceived Him saying to me today during our walk this morning kind of made me feel like an idiot...<br />
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As I was walking and running around the track today the most random thought and accompanying visual entered my mind. I visualized myself running around the track at top speed and jumping over hurdles as if I was participating in a nationally televised Olympic Track and Field Event. I laughed out loud as I imagined how the other runners out there this morning would react if I actually decided to act out the scenario in my head. I thought to myself, "They'll wonder what in the *bleep* this idiot is doing!" I'm still smirking as I write this and imagine their responses.<br />
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Needless to say, I chose not to make a fool out of myself and I kept walking, running, and conversing with God, WITHOUT jumping over imaginary hurdles trying to win some imaginary race. I started to smile again and laugh a little when I realized what God was trying to convey to me. Just as I would have looked silly to my fellow track mates (jumping over invisible hurdles), I look so ridiculous to God as I jump over imaginary hurdles trying to appease Him. Suddenly, I began to notice all kinds of things that I never paid attention to before regarding the track.<br />
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<b><i>1. I noticed that there are NO hurdles in my way on that track. </i></b><br />
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Likewise, during my walk with God there are no hurdles in my way to achieve His approval or His blessing. Religion and people try to place all kinds of stipulations and requirements in the path to intimacy with God. We act as if God is some angry and abusive father who we have to tip toe around in order to avoid pissing Him off and who we must beg and plead with in order to get Him to do something kind for us. <br />
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I would be so hurt and insulted if Quinn (my daughter) cowered and flenched in my presence while begging and pleading tearfully for me to give her some juice. There's NO REASON for her to act that way. I've NEVER beat her and I take great pleasure in providing for her. She could pour grape juice all over my white carpet and I still wouldn't deny her my presence, love, affection, protection, and provision. I LOVE her and I would never place any hurdles for her to jump over in order to have a relationship with me! <br />
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If I (being selfish, lustful, sarcastic, evil, etc) would provide for my baby regardless of her mistakes, how much more would God (who is LOVE, merciful, kind, etc) do for His children? <b><i>Matthew 7:11</i></b> poses this very question: <b><i>If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?</i></b><br />
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Super Christians who know everything there is to know about God and who now live perfect and sinless lives will tell you that you must have no sin in your life in order to commune with God and receive ANYTHING from Him. They unwittingly piss all over the sacrifice of the very Jesus they proclaim to know and love. Simply stated, since God poured out His wrath on Jesus, the debt for our sins have been paid in full and there are NO hurdles in the way of God's presence indwelling our lives <b><i>(1 John 2:2, Romans 5:19).</i></b> I don't care if you pour grape juice all over God's white carpet, He's not going to deny you access into His presence, love, affection, protection, and provision.<br />
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It almost felt like God was puzzled with me this morning and like He was asking me,<b><i> "What are you doing, Anthony? Why are you approaching me with fear? Why do you feel like you have to spend so much time telling me about how unworthy you are? Why are you jumping over all of these imaginary hurdles to get to me? My son, Jesus, has forever paid your debt! You have uninterrupted access to me if you'll only keep your faith in His appeasement of my anger. You don't have to DO anything to please me. I have pleased myself through the shedding of my own blood. Why can't you just be FREE and enjoy my presence? I DIED to be with you! Become dead to yourself and just be with me!"</i></b><br />
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This post is getting longer than I expected and I still have lots more to say. I'll continue in a future post but let me share the second thing I noticed this morning...<br />
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<i><b>2. The scoreboard was off because the game is over. </b></i><br />
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The track I walk around every day doubles as a soccer and football field. Naturally, during games the field is bustling with activity and the scoreboard is lit up, keeping track of who's winning the competition. However, during my walk in the mornings, the scoreboard is not on because there are no points to keep track of. <br />
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I know the majority of people feel like God is meticulously keeping track of every good and bad thing that we've ever done and uses that scorecard to decide whether or not to bless us or to interact with us. But the truth is the scoreboard is off!<br />
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The bible doesn't say WITH sin it is impossible to please God, <b><i>but WITHOUT faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6).</i></b> Faith in who? Jesus. </div>
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It would suck pretty badly to allow your only child to suffer and be killed in order to give the whole world access to You by using His righteousness as their passport <b><i>(John 3:16)</i></b>, but instead they place their trust in their own good works and righteousness in an effort to please you. Without faith in His son's finished work, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. I don't care how good or bad you've been, you can't win or lose points with God. The scoreboard isn't even on. Jesus' works were judged and He won the game, thereby forever turning the scoreboard off! Whoever believes on Him will receive abundant life from God. Not whoever apologizes for their sin, does good deeds, or whines and begs to God. Whoever believes Jesus has satisfied God will act accordingly and thereby receive from God. </div>
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In <b><i>John 16:25-27</i></b>, Jesus says, <i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/john/16-25.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">25</a></span><span class="red" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.</span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/john/16-26.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">26</a></span><span class="red" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.</span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/john/16-27.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">27</a></span><span class="red" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.</span></b></span></i></div>
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate greater intimacy with God as I realize that the only hurdles between Him and I are just like the ones on today's track, imaginary. It's my own imagination that has me jumping over my sin, His anger, and so on. The only real hurdle I have exists in my lack of faith in Christ's finished work and God's character as a loving Father.<br />
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Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-14824865662700621062013-05-13T10:21:00.002-04:002013-06-10T07:07:33.379-04:00What happened TO ME in Vegas....If you follow me on Instagram you probably already know that I decided to go to Vegas for my birthday this year. However, what was supposed to be a weekend excursion turned into a TEN DAY extravaganza. It didn't take me but a few days in that atmosphere to realize that I wasn't ready to leave and that I needed more time to explore SIN CITY! And OH BOY did it live up to its name. I'll share as much as I can to set up my point for this blog entry. But, some stuff I simply can't/won't share because... well, you know the saying... what happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas...<br />
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I prayed earnestly before I went and asked God to give me extra strength to resist temptation to do anything that would adversely affect my life while in the city where Satan might be the mayor. (lol) I know that prayer may sound stupid to many people reading this but now that I'm a parent, EVERYTHING I do and ANYTHING that happens to me can adversely affect an innocent child who I love with all my heart. Well, I'm not sure if God heard my prayer because I wasn't off the plane good before the debauchery ensued! lol<br />
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It would take me way too long to tell you about the celebrities I ran into, all the alcohol I consumed, the beautiful women I met, the ratchet ones too, the five CRAZY pool parties I attended, the nine IGNANT nightclubs I visited, the dehydration, the nose bleeds, the vomiting, the diarrhea, the strip clubs, the champagne room, waking up and finding random people in my hotel room, the invitation to a threesome/orgy, the drug propositions, etc.... The list goes on and on and those are just the things that I'm NOT ashamed to discuss!<br />
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Listen! I was in SIN CITY, and "when in Rome..." Anyway, I had LOTS of fun but I did feel bad that I broke some (maybe all) of the promises I made to God before I went. Nevertheless, I hopped on a plane back to Charlotte and hoped that He still loved me as much as I felt He did before I went to Vegas.<br />
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Immediately, the flight was BAD! This, by far, was the WORST flight I have EVER been on. I already don't like to fly, so the constant turbulence was sending my mind and body into all kinds of dark places. Of course, in true gangsta' fashion I tried not to display outwardly how I was feeling. To the contrary, the lady beside me was visibly FREAKING OUT! I asked her if she was ok and she simply responded by typing on her phone "panic attack"...<br />
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I asked her if she'd like me to pray for her and she said yes. As I started to pray for her peace my "prophetic gift" started to "act up" and I started to declare rather than make requests. I told her what I felt like God was placing in my heart to say. Not very long into the message I could feel tears welling up in my eyes and I abruptly stopped talking. I gathered myself and tried again but a huge lump formed in my throat and I knew the UGLIEST cry possible was trying to embarrass me on that plane. By this time, I could see the lady crying too from the few words I was able to share thus far. I closed my eyes and mouth as my face began to curl up while my throat burned from me trying not to make another sound. Finally, I decided to just let go, finish the message to her, and just lean into the ugly cry!<br />
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We cried until our drink napkins were soaked and tearing apart. Eventually, she asked me why I was crying. It was obvious that she was crying because the words hit home and were comforting to her but she wasn't sure why I had such a violent reaction to words that were coming out of my own mouth. All I could say at the time through my tears was, "tears of joy." But now I can go into a little more detail...<br />
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You see, the message I was delivering to her was centered around God's BOUNDLESS love for her. I was sharing with her that no matter what she's done in her past, NOTHING can stop the love that God has for her. Furthermore, God IS Love. I also shared with her Romans 5:20 that says "<b style="font-style: italic;">...where sin abounds, grace abounds much more."</b> In other words, if you add up everything you've ever done wrong and multiply it by 100, it still wouldn't outweigh the grace and favor that God has made available to you.<br />
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That simple message hit me hard in the chest because I realized God was using my trip to Vegas to answer a prayer that I placed before Him weeks ago. I've been trying so hard to forgive a person that wounded me DEEPLY. It changed me. It wasn't a one time act but after I finally trusted them (which is hard for me to do) they took a proverbial knife and stabbed me repeatedly. My response was to simply STOP loving them. I didn't need revenge, I no longer needed an apology, I just wanted to be done forever as if they never existed.<br />
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It was on that plane, during that turbulence, while sharing that message that I finally realized God's grace for me to forgive and heal. Despite my trip and extended stay in SIN CITY, (I'm not talking about Vegas this time), God never just stopped loving me. He had NEVER treated me like I treated this person. I've lived in SIN CITY for 34 years now and I've betrayed my relationship with my creator too many times to calculate. Nevertheless, His grace was more abundant than my sins. That means He knew, before He decided to love me, EXACTLY how much wrong I'd do. He pre-calculated it so He could make sure that He had more grace than I had sin. He NEVER wanted His love or forgiveness to run out on me.<br />
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I wanted to tell the lady exactly why I was crying but at the time I didn't have the words. If she reads this, I was crying because in that moment I felt healed. I felt the love of God towards the person that hurt me. I saw them as He saw them and I knew that He had forgiven them. I couldn't hold on to my anger towards them knowing that God wasn't angry with them. After all, they've betrayed Him more than they've betrayed me in their lifetime. Yet, His grace is greater than the sum of their transgressions. I began to see me and my "betrayer" as the same person as God spoke through me to the woman on the plane. I FINALLY understood that I am no better than those who transgress against me. God's call on my life was reignited in that very moment.<br />
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God has allowed MUCH pain and betrayal to touch my life in order to demonstrate the depth of His love. I now know something way more painful than betrayal and its called forgiveness! It has been so much easier to nurse my anger than to truly love and forgive. I have a better understanding now of how much He loves us, evidenced by how much pain He went through to secure our forgiveness on the cross. It would have been so much easier to just let the world continue to offer up animals but He decided to DIE BRUTALLY to reconcile mankind to the creator.<br />
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate that soon new platforms will open up for me to share His love with more people as I am now COMPELLED by the pain of forgiveness! Father, touch those who will read this entry and cause them to know greater pain than they know from those who hurt them. Acquaint them with the pain of forgiveness and the reward that it later brings. Your name is exalted!<br />
<br />Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-89735831601325972872013-02-18T08:59:00.002-05:002013-02-19T13:02:12.250-05:00I will NEVER punish my child! Most Saturdays I allow my mother to pick up my 2 year old daughter so they can spend a few quality hours together. Somehow, those few hours end up being ALL DAY the majority of the time, but that's a story for another time. Let's talk about the incident that occurred between them this past weekend. About twenty minutes after my mother picked her up she called me and I could sense something different in her voice. She proceeded to ask me, "How do y'all discipline Quinn, since you don't whip/spank her?" I chuckled and asked, "What did she do?" My mother replied, "She keeps telling me <i>NO</i> and <i>STOP</i>!" I continued to chuckle and simply told her, "You better not HIT my child!"<br />
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The truth is her question caught me off guard because I haven't had to give much thought to it at this point. My prayer, since I found out that Quinn was on the way, has always been that God would parent her through me and that I would simply be a conduit of His love towards her. When she "acts up" I usually just give her "the look" to let her know I'm displeased. She'll usually realize she's wrong and start calling my name repeatedly, and I'll just ignore her until she can't take it anymore. She then comes over and kisses my leg or something, and lays her head on my lap. This scenario has played out many times but it's not something I theorized over, or even realized was a spiritual principle until today during my prayer and meditation time. </div>
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I simply asked God for a word for TODAY and then I opened the bible app on my iphone and it was already displaying Hosea 5:15 which says,<b><i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica; font-size: 13px;">I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. </span></i></b></div>
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At first glance that passage meant absolutely NOTHING to me and I was prepared to dismiss it as a random coincidence and keep looking for something that sounds more exciting. But somehow the Holy Spirit was able to get me to connect the dots and hear what He is saying to me today! The way I discipline Quinn is the same way God disciplines me!</div>
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Since I mess up ALOT, when things go wrong in my life, I wrestle with whether or not God is punishing me for my sins. I know there are many out there who are wondering that very same thing at this very moment. However, a LOVING parent has no interest in PUNISHING their child for something they <u>did</u> wrong. Their focus is on DISCIPLINE so that their child will <u>do</u> better. In other words, punishment focuses on the the <u>past</u> and what was done; discipline focuses on correcting my <u>future</u> behavior and points me to what I should be doing!</div>
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When Quinn told my mother "NO" and "STOP" she committed the very sin that we ALL commit against God. I don't believe He categorizes and rates our sins. Whether it is whoring, lying, stealing, or hating, I think all God hears is "NO" and "STOP"... When our actions disagree with what God says is right, we are very disrespectfully yelling "NO" in His face. When we choose a direction contrary to the place His Spirit is leading us, we scream "STOP" to His plan for our lives! A toddler has no right to yell those things to an adult just as the creation has no right to scream them at the Creator!</div>
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Thankfully, God poured out all of His wrath and punishment on Christ so that all we receive now is discipline. The bible says He corrects, not punishes, those whom He loves! His method is simple. If you look back at the passage in Hosea, He says, If you keep saying NO and STOP to me...</div>
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<li><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica; font-size: 13px;">I will go [and] return to my place</span></i></b><b><i>:</i></b> I don't "leave you" but I do leave you to experience the consequences of your choices. You know where to find me because I return to MY place. <i>This is like when I give Quinn "the look", go sit on the couch, and wait for her to stop her bad behavior and come over to me...</i></li>
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<li><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica; font-size: 13px;">...till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: </span></i></b>That's pretty self explanatory. At some point we must see and acknowledge the error of our ways. The negative results of my offence (saying no and stop to God) will lead me to seek His face. <i>It's at this point when Quinn can't stand the loneliness of my lack of interaction with her and begins to call my name repeatedly.</i></li>
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<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica; font-size: 13px;">in their affliction they will seek me early: </span></i></b></span></i>Only a fool keeps doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. God may not punish us, but our decisions sure will. Remember DISCIPLINE focuses on behavior modification and leading us to do what we should have been doing all along, seeking God EARLY! <i>Quinn is starting to look for my approval before she touches certain things or does certain things. My previous reactions have caused her to move more slowly before she acts.</i> Sometimes we say NO and STOP to Him inadvertently. Our lack of prayer and fellowship leaves us ignorant to what His desire is and we end up offending Him before we know it. Seeking Him EARLY, before we make decisions is the behavior He's trying to instill within us. </li>
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate a more peaceful existence as I develop a lifestyle that seeks God EARLY. I'm tired of making bad decisions, suffering the consequences, and THEN seeking God for relief. I'm grateful for Him withholding punishment and developing discipline within me instead. </div>
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Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-15780136955107981982013-02-13T08:42:00.002-05:002013-06-10T06:48:52.172-04:00Quinn will be a MULTI-MILLIONAIRE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hopefully by now many of you know that I've started an accessories line in honor of my daughter, Quinn: <a href="http://www.QuinnOnline.com/" target="_blank">www.QuinnOnline.com</a>. She used to cry and whine all of the time for her mother's bangles, so I decided I'd just buy her some in her size. I quickly discovered that they were virtually impossible to find! Of course, I couldn't just let her go without so I commissioned local artisans to make some in her size. Little did I know, God had a plan all along that was set in motion the first time I saw her cry for her mother's bangles. Without Quinn's prompting and people's inquiries, I NEVER would have considered starting a line for children. But, that's not completely what this post is about...<br />
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Because of God's favor Quinn's popularity has grown quickly on social media sites and the internet. Likewise, the line has taken off and after just two months, we've had to hire full-time help. Despite the help, we've still had difficulty keeping up with the demand. <i>That's a good problem to have!</i><br />
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Yesterday, I decided to pitch in and make sure that we got orders out in a timely fashion. When I asked our artisan what I could do to help, I was told to sand the bangles. As I begin to sand them I noticed that they were losing some of their sheen. I then recommended that we use some of my virgin olive oil to polish them and restore the luster lost in the sanding process. Somehow, I knew there was a lesson coming before the words left my mouth.</div>
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While polishing the bangles with the oil I heard these words come from inside me, "The oil is on the rag..." My eyes started to tear up immediately because I knew exactly what God was saying to me. Rather than select one of my GOOD and new white washcloths, I picked one of the discarded rags that I use to dust and clean with. Yet, it did the job perfectly! Those bangles never looked so good. I only poured a little bit of oil on the rag and it seemed to never run out. I lost count of how many bangles I polished!</div>
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That simple illustration gave me new life. You see, I've been STRUGGLING with the call of God on my life for a while now. When you are blessed to figure out why you have been put on earth it can be intimidating and overwhelming. I RARELY feel like the man that God says I am. And I OFTEN find myself being my biggest hinderance as it relates to achieving my destiny. I don't have time to tell you EVERYTHING that I believe that God has assigned my hands to do but I'll focus on one thing just to give you an example of my struggle...</div>
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One of the craziest things I ever felt like God said to me was that He was going to send me into the nightlife industry and cause me to have great success for His specific purpose that has not yet been fully revealed. Despite all of the success I've had, I've felt so inadequate and scared, always a little unsure if indeed this is God's will for me. I often question how it will ever be possible for ANYONE to see His nature in me and how could I possibly share His love/favor with anyone if part of my job is to promote PARTIES??? I received much criticism from "church people" who perceived that I was called, even as a young child. And I couldn't much blame them. From all outward appearances, my life seems pretty sinful. </div>
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I had a child without being married (which requires premarital sex, aka fornication). Sometimes I don't care what my limit is and I get DRUNK. If you make me mad enough, I CUSS and sometimes I let a few choice words slip even when I'm not upset. I am far from the GOOD and new white washcloths in my linen closet; I am more like a discarded rag.</div>
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Yet, God selected me, placed some oil (the anointing) on me, and uses me to shine up and encourage others. I'm certain He has better options but I'm grateful and forever indebted to Him for choosing me. The oil is on the rag! And since the oil is actually the presence of His Spirit, I find myself becoming more like Him as I yield to the process. His desires are becoming my desires. His heart is becoming my heart and so on...</div>
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I'm going to stop fighting what He says about me and what He's trying to do in my life. I will no longer disqualify myself just because I'm a rag. He has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. Something transformative happens when the rag is placed in His hand! He obviously didn't choose me based upon my own merit since He has selected such a poor specimen. He has foreseen all of my mistakes and made provision for my forgiveness with His blood.</div>
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Therefore I lean into what He's doing in my life. I have a photo shoot today for the cover of a local magazine that has named me one of the top promoters in Charlotte. I have FOUR venues that I have not sought, but have rather asked me to come and do something regularly. I am surrounded by God's unmerited favor and I will be and do exactly what He intends...</div>
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Today, I ANTicipate DIVINE occurrences as I no longer resist His plan for my life. He has not told me everything but I will act on the little I know in expectation of Him revealing more. I trust Him more than ever and I choose what He sees in me over what I see in myself! The oil is on the rag!!!</div>
Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-17834034823126844902013-02-07T09:17:00.005-05:002013-02-07T10:13:27.017-05:00I Belong to You! Today's post is just an attempt to get my feet wet and start blogging again. I've been quiet but God's Spirit within me sure hasn't been. Over the last few months there has been a major shift in my life that is probably unseen to most people, but I'm sure it will eventually spill outward and become more apparent. Contrary to judgmental belief systems, I've had a relationship with God for a long time. However, like many, I've struggled to keep up with the lofty things He says about me. I often feel like I'm so far from the man that He sees when He views me through the lens of His intention. I continue to be baffled by how He treats me like the man He wants me to be, instead of the guy I act like I am. Somehow in the madness of that kind of love, I find myself drawn to Him and mysteriously becoming the very person He told me I was. There is so much in my heart that I can't type in this entry but in 2013 everyone will hopefully see more glimpses of that guy who looks and loves like God.<br />
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Father, today I <b>ANT</b>icipate that nothing can pluck me from Your hand or separate me from Your love because I fully acknowledge that I belong to You!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10101363337125210" width="640"></iframe><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoPageCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Side Note: I'm
returning to my musical roots this year and some people are gonna be SHOCKED by
what a few church runs and some studio effects can do! lol Soul.Search.Sing will take on many forms and I hope you'll join me for one of them! </span></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10101363427943210" width="640"></iframe><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoPageCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Well I thought the blog was over but Quinn walked into my office, heard the
song, and said she wanted to sing too. I turned the mic on and in ONE
TAKE she HARMONIZED! World, get ready for whatever she plans to do!</span></span>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-2630560354001659022012-11-28T09:49:00.001-05:002012-11-28T12:26:35.468-05:00I'm a BIG FREAK! What about you?I'll get on a plane when necessary but I don't enjoy flying. I'm pretty sure my "fear" is rooted in the lack of control I feel while I'm just sitting there allowing someone I can't see and whom I don't know to whisk me to a destination without any safety or navigational input from me other than my "ok" when I bought my ticket. When I do fly, the only reason I submit to the process is because I'm trying to get somewhere FAST that would otherwise take me forever, some place I can't stay on the ground and still arrive in a reasonable timeframe. As you can tell, I'm a control FREAK...<br />
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Well, this morning during prayer I received information that my spiritual journey is much like my fear of flying. God impressed on my heart that He has not created me (or you) to stay on the ground, but rather to soar! It's only my fear of flying that keeps me from achieving my maximum potential.<br />
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God had a wonderful plan and destination in mind when He created me (and you), and I GLADLY said "YES" to His will when I discovered where He wanted to take me. However, His WAY has repeatedly left me nervous and down right afraid at times.<br />
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<b><i>Isaiah 55:8-9</i></b> says <b><i>God's thoughts and ways are not the same as ours, but HIGHER.</i></b><i><b> Just like the heavens are higher than the earth. </b></i>Simply put, if we are going to go where He has in mind for us, we MUST fly! We can't walk (use our own might) and get there in time. Staying on the ground is not an option! We can't say yes to His WILL (the destination) without also signing up for His WAY (the journey)...<br />
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I felt a little relief this morning in prayer and meditation when I heard these words... "You should be more afraid of <u>YOU</u> being in control of the plane than allowing someone who is trained and skilled to pilot it! YOU don't know how to fly or how to get to the destination!"<br />
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God is RIGHT (of course). It may be hard to trust someone that I can't see and who I often feel like I don't even know. I have to just sit there and surrender to the process while trusting that He's taking me to the destination that I signed up for. My only other options are to: 1. Stay home and on the ground. 2. Go somewhere that I can get to without having to fly. or 3. Fly the plane myself to His destination. The problem is I don't want to stay where I am, I don't want to go anywhere lesser than the place He's shown me, and I CAN'T fly a plane.<br />
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I'm left with one recourse, let Him pilot me. The truth is I have tried to fly this plane many times and crashed and burned every time. I'm READY to sit down, buckle up, and let God whisk me off to some exotic locale that I've never seen before!<br />
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Like a normal flight, it makes me a little anxious when there's turbulence and I don't know what's going on. However, I'm grateful to hear the pilot's calming voice explaining the situation, eventho I can't see Him. I have to struggle to hear him over the noise of rude passengers sometimes but the calm in His voice always gives me peace. As long as He isn't panicking, I won't either...<br />
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate that I will gain altitude and speed because I'm trusting God more with my life! I pray you'll find courage to do the same... Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-27396263939231263592012-10-12T08:44:00.001-04:002013-02-13T07:44:06.457-05:00Lots of Money, Naked Women, Action and Excitement! I woke up suddenly this morning after having what seemed like more than a dream, but instead a VISION from God. I don't know whether it was a nightmare, a wet dream, a warning, or all three. The "vision" was so diverse. At one point I was surrounded by beautiful women (some naked, for which I give God praise), then I almost drowned while kayaking/sightseeing in an exotic locale. In another scene, some guys were TRYING to beat me up, but I escaped and ended up with a bag full of money. So much more occurred but none of the specifics are really relevant to the message I was given the moment I awoke.<br />
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I woke up abruptly from the dream and received the mental picture of a very big (immeasurable) and very oddly shaped hole! The hole was too deep for me to see the bottom. It actually appeared to never end. I then saw myself over time (almost like time lapse video) dropping things into the hole. However, my intent was not to simply drop those things into the hole but I was trying to plug it. Now that I am fully awake I can see how ridiculous and futile my efforts were as I compare the size and the complex shape of the hole to the small and simple designs of the various items I was using to try and cap it.<br />
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I heard God LOUD and CLEAR after that. He wants to know how much more time I'll waste trying to come up with things to satisfy the void in me that only He is big enough and complex enough to fulfill. I've dumped so much money in the hole, its ridiculous and the hole is STILL there! I've been with some BEAUTIFUL women (some of them naked) and the hole may have actually gotten bigger after things ended. I love my daughter more than anything on earth and I spend SOOOO much time with her. She makes me SOOOO happy, but even her laughter can't drown out the sound of the wind blowing through that colossal hole in my existence. I'm self-employed and EVERYTHING I do to make money is a JOY to me. However, I'm still haunted by the knowledge of the oddly shaped hole, even when I'm being productive and smiling at my desk.<br />
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Every family member and friend I have, is dear to me. The love exchanged between us is uplifting. Yet, it doesn't measure up to the abyss that exists within my soul. Lately, I've been considering a new condo uptown and a new luxury vehicle, but I know the excitement will only last for a moment because I've been there and done that. God HAS to be right! What more can I use to seal this tremendous open space? I MUST yield to Him in a greater way and allow Him to prove Himself in my life...<br />
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I'm not talking about going to church more. A HUGE percentage of church goers try to use the pastor, choir, ceremonies, tithing, community service, etc to do what only God can do for them. Simply put, there is NOTHING (not even His church) that can compete with or replace what it means to have a close, personal, and passionate relationship with The Almighty.<br />
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NOTHING trumps investing time and energy into seeking Him, and in return sensing His presence. NOTHING even comes close to waking up early every morning, before the sun comes up, and singing songs to Him about His greatness, then having Him illuminate the answer to your turmoil. NOTHING holds a candle to developing an ear sensitive enough to hear Him whisper some direction to you while you are in the middle of a business meeting or argument with a friend. Simply stated, NOTHING compares to trying to get to know God and allowing Him to reveal Himself.<br />
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After writing that last sentence I NOW realize the true connection between that crazy dream and God's message to me. Out of ALL the exciting things that kept occurring one after the other in my dream, none of them combined are as exciting as the journey God takes me on. I've only tasted a small portion of His favor and my head is spinning. I can't even imagine right now what my life will look like if I would surrender it to Him in the way He desires...<br />
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I don't know how big your void is or how complex the shape of it is. However, I do know someone who can fill it! I called on Jesus over 25 years ago with an ounce of sincerity and my life has been targeted by His favor since that day. I'm convinced He is God but I don't want to put words in your mouth. Ask God to reveal Himself to you, seek Him passionately, and see who pops up! <b>ANT</b>icipate a life altering experience as you yield...Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-89732594767278019862012-09-17T18:01:00.001-04:002012-10-12T09:46:36.215-04:00The Richest Man in the World! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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600 BILLION DOLLARS!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">That’s how much the most valuable company in the WHOLE WORLD is worth. It’s not Walmart ($210 Billion). It’s not IBM ($240 Billion). As high as gas is, it’s not even Exxon at ($400 Billion). It’s Apple, Inc. It is the most successful company in the world, and it is all because of one man, Steve Jobs…</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Steve Jobs was the Co-founder and CEO of Apple, and he has been called "The Father of the Digital Revolution", "The Master of Innovation” and a "A Design Perfectionist". Every journalist and business analyst credits him with rescuing Apple and making it the most successful company in the world. Many would argue that makes him the most successful man in the world.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">However, last year on his death bed, the world’s most successful man, used some of his personal fortune of 6.5 Billion Dollars to hire a writer to come sit with him and pen his biography. He wanted the writer to tell his life’s story and when asked why he replied, "I wanted my kids to know me," I wasn't always there for them, and I wanted them to know why and to understand what I did."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">After he made that statement I decided that the world’s most successful man didn’t die last year. There was a man more successful than Steve Jobs that received no international news coverage before he crossed over. He wasn’t a billionaire or even a millionaire and he didn’t invent any new cell phones for the world to play with. However, he didn’t need a biographer to come to Carolinas Medical Center last Tuesday night to write a book in order for his family to know who he was. The love, time, and attention William Jake McPherson gave us, left no unanswered questions. Steve Jobs spent his life building Apple and his last days trying to get to know his family. My granddaddy spent his life building his family and spent his last days enjoying the fruit of his labor. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When true greatness has visited you, it’s often a while before you fully realize it. It will take a few generations before we thoroughly understand what this man’s love has done in our lives. His life has challenged us to rise to a level of love and greatness that few in the world achieve. I can honestly say that I am not there yet. I am not the man that he was YET. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As a teen I always marveled at the scripture when Jesus said we would do greater works than he did because he was going back to be with the Father. I wondered how in the world we could do ANYTHING greater than Jesus? I later realized that after he ascended to return to the Father, his spirit (the Holy Spirit) was sent to indwell us and that same power that raised Jesus from the dead was now living inside of me to assist me in doing even greater works than he did. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It wasn’t until Tuesday night that I felt that same daunting feeling again. How in the world could I be as great as or greater than my granddaddy? He took care of his wife, kids, grandkids, extended family, friends, coworkers, church members, neighbors, strangers, and on and on and on… Well, just like Jesus left in order to send His Spirit that makes us greater, Grandaddy left and now his spirit (his attributes, his character, his example, his love) are available to us to make us just as great and greater. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How we treat each other will show whether or not we caught his spirit. How we provide for our children will show whether or not we caught his spirit. How we care for the sickly, strangers, widows, orphans, co workers, neighbors, and people in need, will show whether or not we have received his spirit. How committed we are to our spouses will denote whether or not we have his spirit. How forgiving we are towards people who hurt us will be a key factor in revealing whether or not we have his spirit. And how generous we are with whatever resources God blesses us with will be a glowing indicator of whether or not we have received his spirit. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I like my iPhone and I appreciate Mr. Steve Jobs for building the most successful company in the world, but I wish he could have met my granddaddy and seen what true success looks like. Today, I celebrate the most successful man in the world, William Jakes McPherson. Job, well done! </span></div>
Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-56575969492293976682012-08-23T07:09:00.001-04:002012-08-23T09:08:43.979-04:00My daughter is a LOSER! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16NyOXsQhEY/UDYP86km_XI/AAAAAAAAAOM/ySVegLuUJ3I/s1600/loser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16NyOXsQhEY/UDYP86km_XI/AAAAAAAAAOM/ySVegLuUJ3I/s320/loser.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Recently, I setup an Instagram account for my daughter in an effort to promote the fall release of her debut baby accessories line. Despite my intentions to stick to my mission, it didn't take long for me to get sucked into the culture that exists on Instagram among parents who think they have the world's cutest kids. I ended up entering Quinn into a photo contest for @babies_with_swagg and she LOST! It honestly didn't bother me one bit until I woke up early this morning to pray. As I began to intercede for Quinn, an UNUSUAL travail overtook me and I began to cry uncontrollably (not because she lost, people). Actually, I'm still teary-eyed as I type this entry...<br />
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Most times when you are praying in the Spirit, your understanding is unfruitful and you have to wait on God to reveal what it is that He is saying TO you or praying THROUGH you. My intercession for Quinn started in english this morning but quickly shifted to my second language (if you know what I mean) once I started crying. In english, I was simply asking God to give us (her parents) insight regarding her destiny that we might steer her in the right direction. I was asking for His plan for her life and yielding myself to Him so He can parent her through me and that I would simply be a channel for His purpose towards her.</div>
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Well, in the midst of my snottin' and cryin', God spoke to me regarding her future (which only made me cry more). I won't reveal what He said right now because I haven't told her mother what I heard yet and I don't want her mad at me for telling strangers first! lol However, I will share this:</div>
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Even though Quinn lost the competition, she's obviously not a loser. That was just a catchy title to get you to read this. As a matter of fact, she is totally unaware she was even in the competition or that people were voting for her. She may have lost the popular vote but she has her DADDY's unconditional love and approval, which she REVELS in daily! This scenario, of course, produced a light bulb moment!</div>
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The message I received from my prayer session this morning was...</div>
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As long as you seek the approval of people, you will LOSE! No matter how many people "vote" for you, it's only the approval and love of our Daddy (God) that will bring true fulfillment in our lives. Anything you do that is not aligned with your purpose will cause you to suffer loss, even if you succeed at it! Your time and energy are EXTREMELY limited and should be used wisely and expressly to fulfill God's purpose and thereby bring Him glory. While you are running around trying to get votes from people, you are misappropriating time and energy that doesn't even belong to you. God loaned it to you for His purposes and His pleasure. </div>
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Honestly, you don't have time to answer every email, respond to every text message, address every scandal, correct every misconception, respond to every critic, etc. You would be better served using all of that energy to worship God, seek His plan for your life, pursue the dreams He places in your heart, be a great parent, help some people in need, etc. </div>
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The warning I leave you with is to BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SUCCEED AT because it WILL cause you to FAIL at something else. What do you profit if you gain everything you want in the world and lose your soul or your purpose? God's time and energy are NOT to be wasted! I have SEEN, with my own eyes, the scriptures come to life. As I resist the temptation to busy myself with EVERYTHING thrown at me and instead spend QUALITY TIME seeking God, SUCCESS in every other area of my life is simply given to me. On the contrary, when I ignore Him and focus my time and energy into simply working hard or trying to win favor with people, and creating my own way... there's never enough time in the day and I end up exhausted and frustrated! (even when I succeed)</div>
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Take a page from my daughter's book and just relax and revel in the approval and love YOUR Daddy (God) has for you. Become oblivious to the approval of people and spend your energy loving your Daddy (God) and watch how He promotes you. Quinn never posted ONE picture or sought ONE vote. All she has ever done was tell me she loves me, smile at me, and believe that I love her too! Her daddy was the one on Instagram posting pictures, soliciting votes, and promoting her business. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #00131f;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When a man's ways please the Lord - God is the guardian and defense of all that fear and love him; and it is truly astonishing to see how wondrously God works in their behalf, raising them up friends, and turning their enemies into friends.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #00131f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate failure at everything that robs me of the time and energy that I need to succeed at God's plan for my life! God bless you for taking the time to read this! </span></span></div>
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Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-64270594386235191622012-06-18T08:23:00.001-04:002012-06-20T08:55:42.041-04:00There's a KILLER inside of me!I woke up with a smile on my face this morning leftover from Fathers Day. I thought for sure I'd have an opportunity to blog about how much a perfect God loves us, if I can be recognized as a loving father by so many, despite how flawed I am... I guess that will have to happen on a later date because this morning, while in prayer, God wiped the smile right off my face. The bible says He chastens (corrects) those whom He loves and I got a little lecture from my Heavenly Dad for something inside me that's wrong...<br />
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At first, I was excited to share what I'm about to say because I thought I'd be helping other people, but I quickly realized that He was speaking about ME! You see, there is something VERY precious to me that I have been holding onto for a LONG time! I carry it with me EVERYWHERE I go but I try my best to not let people know I have it with me. Sometimes I pretend like I hate it, but the truth is I've had it so long that I don't know how I'd feel without it. Occasionally, it even seems more important than God Himself in my life. I guess this is the reason I felt a little jealousy and agitation in the way I sensed His presence this morning.<br />
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God said, instead of nursing it and feeding it like a pet, He wants me to take a knife and offer it to Him like a bloody sacrifice in the Old Testament. What is it? IT is my pain! </div>
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We pray and pretend we want God to release us from our struggle with past hurts and mistakes, but our actions speak otherwise. Instead of taking it to the altar and stabbing it repeatedly and violently, we feed it and caress it by reminiscing over the past, harboring unforgiveness, rehearsing our mistakes, and so on. </div>
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In the Old Testament, God refused to honor Israel's sacrifices unless they presented livestock that was PRECIOUS to them. You'll periodically see the term "fatted calf" used when a sacrifice is referenced. This term denotes that the calf was well fed and well taken care of. We are constantly feeding our struggle and caring for our pain, right in the face of God! It is offensive to Him to always talk about how bad your problem is, or how much it hurts! Do you realize who in the universe you are talking to? He's GOD! There is nothing too hard for Him. He doesn't want you to keep fattening the calf when you come into His presence with prayer. He wants you to KILL it in His presence. </div>
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Stab it repeatedly by telling God how powerful He is. Cut it open by declaring that God has already provided healing and an answer to your issue. Watch it bleed out as you worship Him as a loving Dad who cares for your every need. Don't offend God by telling Him how bad your situation is, kill your situation by declaring how "bad" your God is! </div>
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The bible says in <b>Hebrews 9:22</b> <i>that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin</i>. Of</div>
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course, we understand on the grand scale of the universe that it's talking about Jesus's blood that bought forgiveness for us all. However, on a smaller scale, God is saying that your situation can't go into remission (diminution of the seriousness or intensity of disease or pain), unless YOU shed its blood. Struggle and pain are like a cancer to your mind, body, and soul. To see it go into remission, you MUST stop whining, complaining, and crying, and start stabbing, declaring, and worshipping. </div>
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As a matter of fact, sacrifices in the Old Testament were acts of worship. The time you spend researching your ex on facebook feeds your cancer. Spend that time worshipping God, and watch the cancer go into remission. The anger you feel when you're sitting around rehearsing what has been done to you causes the tumor to grow. Lift your hands and tell God you appreciate that He kept you, despite how evil they were to you. Then, watch the tumor shrink. The energy you spend worrying about how to pay your bills is malignant. Use that energy to seek God and believe He has provided for you, and see every cancerous cell totally disappear.</div>
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Despite how precious our pain has become to us, it is filthy in the sight of God. Yet, somehow, He still wants us to give it to Him and let Him give us something better in return. <b>Isaiah 61:3 </b>says <i>for those of us who mourn, He'll give us a crown of beauty in exchange for our ashes, the oil of joy in exchange for our sadness, and a garment of praise in exchange for our despair. </i></div>
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate a lighter spirit and a lasting peace as I sacrifice my precious pain in exchange for all that God wants to give me. I reject the bondage that comes with being reactive and I step into the freedom that accompanies proactive behavior! </div>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-83629984428445128022012-06-14T08:42:00.000-04:002012-06-14T08:47:15.444-04:00Quinn THINKS she can drive!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aH_7rrKl6hU/T9nU7ngVZiI/AAAAAAAAANs/myaRX7xwdLk/s1600/150399_10101287094401240_722264340_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aH_7rrKl6hU/T9nU7ngVZiI/AAAAAAAAANs/myaRX7xwdLk/s320/150399_10101287094401240_722264340_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The other day I accompanied Quinn and her mother to Target to pick up a few things. As we prepared to check out I decided to take Quinn to the car and let her mom checkout because the line was LONG and I didn't want Quinn to get fussy. Since I knew we'd be waiting a while I put her in the front seat with me, rather than her car-seat in the back. For a few minutes, she was content playing with the radio and all of the buttons in its vicinity. However, soon she wanted to climb in my lap and "drive"...</div>
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As she sat on my lap and pretended to drive I began to laugh at how ridiculous she looked while she violently shifted the steering wheel from side to side and pushed random buttons. She was so focused, it was almost like she thought she knew what she was doing. I thought to myself just how dangerous it would be for an 18 month old to be allowed to drive.<br />
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Of course, the mere thought of someone who can't reach the pedals or see over the steering wheel being allowed on the road is foolish, to say the least. She's still learning her letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. There are so many variables involved in driving that her young brain hasn't developed enough to comprehend. She's a very smart little girl but I wouldn't even let her steer, let alone operate the entire vehicle. </div>
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Well, when I woke up to pray yesterday morning, the mental picture of Quinn steering was stuck in my head. With greater clarity and sincerity than ever I began to ask God to steer my life for me. I realized that, as smart as I am, there are still too many variables in life for me to effectively steer myself in the right direction. I'm too short to press the gas, hold onto the wheel, check my mirrors, and steer at the same time. How can I parent well, operate a business, manage my friendships, deal with past hurts, pay my bills, check my emotions, handle my haters, maintain a positive attitude, stay healthy, explore my gifts, chase my dreams, etc all at the same time... and keep my vehicle on the road. </div>
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I can't tell you how many times I've ended up in a ditch because of how recklessly I was steering my life. I laughed at Quinn without realizing how similar her steering technique was to my own. It's only by God's grace that I'm not dead due to some of the choices I've made and the places I've steered my life. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">I'm so much more committed to giving up control now and allowing God to </span>chauffeur<span class="Apple-style-span"> me into my destiny. I feel much safer with Him behind the wheel. I can't promise I won't be a "backseat" driver and never question His ways. Nevertheless, I have no intention of grabbing the wheel from His hand and going my own way.</span></div>
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate the presence of God to increase in my life as I have made more room for Him by sliding over into the passenger seat. He can drive me anywhere! </div>
<br />Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-11098487793389097152012-05-23T07:58:00.000-04:002012-06-09T15:46:46.106-04:00I Took Jesus to the Strip Club!Part of the reason I'm able to blog so much is because I believe God is ALWAYS speaking to us and I look for Him in every occurrence in my life. Since I believe, He has a purpose for my life and everything that happens in it, I'm ALWAYS asking Him to show me what He's trying to convey to me. On that premise, let me share with you the story about my recent trip to a strip club in Myrtle Beach...<br />
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After days at the beach with my family, out of sheer boredom and loneliness, I decided to visit a local strip club on my final night there. Despite my inner misgivings about going ANYWHERE alone at night in a foreign city, I threw caution to the wind and pressed my way to see some naked flesh. It ended up being a complete waste of time and money as I sat TALKING to a dancer most of the night, since none of them were attractive enough to get me "excited"...<br />
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Right before I left I decided to let her dance for me, since in the course of my 100 questions about why she was a dancer she mentioned she had a $64 storage bill that was past due. See, I AM a christian! lol Anyway, the sexier she tried to be, the more grossed out I became. I soon thanked her for her efforts and made a b-line for the exit. After a short walk to the poorly lit parking lot I sadly discovered that the driver-side front tire of my vehicle was completely flat.<br />
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So, I immediately go into prayer mode instead of swear mode. It's funny how we start to listen to God AFTER something bad happens, isn't it? I wanted to know WHAT He was teaching me, besides to stay out of strip clubs. I KNEW in my gut that there was more He had to say, since out of ALL the cars in the parking lot, MY tire was the one flattened...<br />
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Fear and paranoia quickly kicked in as I realized I was in the hood, in the dark, out of town, and ALONE! I speedily and falsely discerned that the smart thing to do would be to try to drive on this tire until I found the closet gas station. Boy, was I wrong. The tire held up long enough for me to get out of the parking lot and onto the main road, which had no street lights and was surrounded by woods! With no gas station in sight, I was forced to pull onto the shoulder and call Onstar for help.<br />
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If I tell you all the drama that took place during my call for help, this blog entry would take you as long to read as it took for help to arrive. I eventually had to call the tow truck dispatcher back to reiterate how unsafe I felt and how dire my situation was. After my final plea, the dispatcher assured me that the truck was only five minutes away and I would be rescued.<br />
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To my surprise, the truck pulled up within that new timeframe and two young guys hopped out to help me. One of them started asking me questions about where I was from and how I got into that predicament. I told him I was at the strip club and my tire was flat when I came out to leave. He laughed and said, "That's where we were when we got your call for help." Needless to say, I was a little pissed that they were looking at naked girls while I was on the side of the road in need of help and fearing for my life. The whole time they were only FIVE minutes away, but sat there feeding their lusts, while I was stuck on the side of the road, in need.<br />
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By now, you probably see what God later said to me. The lesson was about the distraction of personal/carnal desire. I was angry at the tow truck drivers for being in the very same place I was in, while I needed their help. Well, God isn't jumping for joy as I spend my time pursuing my personal desires or the lusts of my eye. There are people who are stuck in life and need help while I'm distracted by what I want! While I'm praying for a new this or a new that... While I'm nursing my anger against this person and that person... While I'm at the mall buying the latest whatever... While I'm spending all of my energy trying to build a successful business... Someone is WAITING on me to answer the call that God put out like I was waiting on the tow driver to respond to the dispatcher's call!<br />
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Those of us who have realized that God has a purpose for our lives don't have the luxury of doing what everyone else is doing. If you are going to fulfill your destiny and thus fill the emptiness inside of you, you can't be afraid to yield to the higher calling and rise to your best self. You may have to be the sober one at the party, not because drunkenness is a sin, but so that you won't be distracted when God wants to use you IN THE CLUB! (I have an AWESOME story to illustrate that)... You'll have to be the one in the relationship to practice forgiveness in order to keep your heart free from distraction, thereby hearing God's voice more clearly. You, and the nation assigned to you, can't afford for you to be distracted by your own selfish desires!<br />
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I'm gonna stop here, but I have ALOT more to say regarding purpose, destiny, distraction, desire, and so on. In the meantime, I <b>ANT</b>icipate an incredible move of God as we yield to His desire and seek less to fulfill our own desires. God bless all who read this post...<br />
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BTW, spare me your judgmental comments about my visit to a strip club! If the Holy Spirit can't convict my heart of sin, your imperfect life surely can't either! :)Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-78875548000653298632012-05-09T09:11:00.000-04:002012-05-09T09:19:41.680-04:00Quinn's new TOYS...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxN8rnNYbM4/T6plwaA03GI/AAAAAAAAANE/zIRtvQoSxtk/s1600/561219_10101280826033100_193902904_33154179_1438520886_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxN8rnNYbM4/T6plwaA03GI/AAAAAAAAANE/zIRtvQoSxtk/s400/561219_10101280826033100_193902904_33154179_1438520886_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm going to resist the temptation to prove that I am a decent writer by constructing some long and mysterious intro that pulls you in while trying to veil my point. Let's just jump straight in today! Yesterday, I got REALLY bored around 6:00pm, so I decided to put some clothes on Quinn (my daughter) and take her toy shopping at Target. After about an hour of looking around and trying to find the perfect gifts for her to enjoy, I settled on some electronic bubble machines and an indoor slide.<br />
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It was past her dinner time when I got her home but I thought I'd open the bubble blower and try it out. Chaos almost ensued every time I stopped blowing bubbles. She went into the ugly cry and nearly refused to eat dinner in order to continue playing with the bubble machine.<br />
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After dinner, I decided to open up the slide before bedtime and see what her response would be. She LOVED it too and wanted to play on it all the way up to her bedtime. Needless to say, I was proud of myself for choosing gifts that she loved, and it brought me immense pleasure to see her using them.<br />
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Now, rewind to two days ago. God woke me up EARLIER than usual on Monday morning and impressed upon my heart to stir up the gift of intercession that He placed inside of me many years ago. He told me to post a status on facebook and begin to pray for anyone who responded. Soon, my inbox began to fill up with people asking for me to agree with them in prayer. I responded to each by typing a prayer as I sensed God leading me. I said it was only supposed to last 15-30 minutes, but I literally spent hours praying with people in my inbox. <i>(don't email me now, the anointing has been lifted lol)</i><br />
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I was so full that my throat and eyes started to burn because I wouldn't let the tears flow. It felt so great to obey God and use the gifts that He had given me. My whole day was so full of peace as I mediated on the events that occurred earlier.<br />
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Today, as I was worshipping early this morning, God reminded me of how good I felt watching Quinn use and enjoy the gifts I purchased for her at Target. He wanted me to know how much joy it brings Him when I use what He has given me as a gift. Watching Quinn made me want to take her shopping every day and bless her with something new. God apparently feels the same way! Every day now it seems like He's doing something new in my life as I stir the gifts He's placed within me.<br />
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I encourage everyone to rediscover the gifts inside you and resubmit them to be used by our Dad! Not only will it please God, but you'll find great pleasure as you let Him use you. You'll discover new gifts, fresh ideas, restored relationships and more if you'll let Him see you enjoy what He has already given you!<br />
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate putting an even bigger smile on my Daddy's face as I rediscover and begin to use every gift that Jesus' blood purchased for me! In so doing, God will be glorified!Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-59548353246346714622012-05-08T11:13:00.001-04:002012-05-08T11:19:34.988-04:00How about a QUICKIE???This is just a QUICK praise report. Yesterday, God woke me up EARLIER than usual to pray! <i>(I wish He would put me on the after-noon prayer team!) </i>Anyway, He told me to intercede for my Facebook and Twitter friends and followers and write whatever I feel in the process. He said He wanted to speak specifically through me to a someone who was a complete stranger to me. Despite my issues with having to wake up so early I obeyed and this was in my inbox today, <b><i>from a total stranger</i></b>...<br />
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"Thank you so much for your recent tweets... I believe they were intended for me. I thank God for using you in that way. Have a blessed day."<br />
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I'm starting to really<b> ANT</b>icipate God's miraculous activity in my life as I submit myself to His plan. He is AMAZING!<br />
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<br />Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-21504620803644754192012-03-05T12:31:00.009-05:002012-03-06T09:24:51.594-05:00Bank of America rejected my CIAA deposit!I JUST left the bank after what was almost a VERY frustrating experience. For the last few months I have been without a photo ID. My license has been revoked for seemingly decades, so my state issued ID has been my only proof that I am Anthony Quinn McPherson. I've been too busy with CIAA events to go stand in line at the DMV to get another one. Anyway, I found it last week when I was making a withdrawal at the bank and I was SUPER excited. For weeks and months I had to ask other people to do stuff for me that I knew would require a photo ID. Well, I went to the bank today to make a deposit and when they asked for ID I reached in my wallet and it was gone AGAIN! I wasn't worried because I had just been in there a week ago when I found it. Surely, I thought, if they allowed me to take money<strong><em> out</em></strong> before I found it, they would allow me to put money<strong><em> in</em></strong> after losing it! However, the teller REFUSED to accept my deposit without proof of my identity. Needless to say, I was FRUSTRATED! It made no sense to me that I could <strong><em>withdraw</em></strong> from them without an ID but I could not <strong><em>deposit</em></strong> without one.<br />
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Then the Holy Spirit touched my heart and caused me to realize that this was a teaching moment...<br />
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<a name='more'></a>For weeks, months, years, maybe even decades, (God just caused me to realize) that I had lost my (ID) identity. I've been a lesser version of the Anthony that He created and KNOWS me to be. Because of my loss of identity (ID) I've had to pull on other people to do things for me that I should be able to do for myself. In the "natural realm" they've had to drive me around, pay for things with their credit cards, etc because I lost my ID. Similarly, in the "spirit realm" I've relied on people to fill voids that only occur when you've lost your own identity (ID).<br />
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What pissed me off most today was that I JUST found my NC ID last week but lost it AGAIN so quickly. I realized today how similar that picture is to my real life! Despite spending time with God and discovering who I am to Him and who He is to me, it's SO easy for me to lose my ID in Him at any moment. I first lost it as a child after being molested. I recovered it but lost it again as a teenager when depression took over my life. Miraculously, I found my ID in God once more, but soon lost it when I failed High School and was forced to get a GED. It took me a while to regain my ID, and I thought I was secure, until my early twenties. It was then when I broke my vow of virginity until marriage and later ended up being cheated on and heart broken by the only girl I ever loved. I was sure I'd NEVER be whole again, but SOMEHOW God restored my ID and I started to trust people again, ONLY to be hurt even worse by someone else. That last blow almost permanently destroyed my ID! I was angry, bitter, spiteful, distracted, etc. Yet, not many people, other than those really close, could tell. I didn't care if I EVER found my ID again...<br />
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It hit me today why I haven't blogged in months, and why my prayer life has been so sporadic. I can WITHDRAW or TAKE from people without my true ID but I can't DEPOSIT or GIVE to anyone without being my true self! Who wants to hear or receive from an angry, hateful, or venomous heart? People are repelled by poison but attracted to kindness. The plot of the enemy was to use EVERYTHING that people (and myself) have done to me as a tool to remove my identity (ID). But today I thank God that He has a plan for those same hurts in my life. He desires to use them to humble me, which is to yield to Him and allow His nature and character to be formed in me.<br />
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I may be cussing somebody out on twitter tomorrow but I thank God that I'm on my way to executing His plan for the tragedies in my life, rather than allowing the enemy of my soul to win the battle for my character. I <strong>ANT</strong>icipate a MAJOR breakthrough and shift in my life as I open more of my heart to God's desire and method of healing!Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-74635597876941830352011-12-23T09:11:00.000-05:002011-12-23T09:11:36.165-05:00There's no chance in HELL!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/r9H0OUXEsrg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-73775011080549439342011-12-22T09:19:00.000-05:002011-12-22T09:19:03.344-05:00I feel STUPID this Christmas! (My 1st Vlog)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwd3W_2uWMhVPoTZTyxo2SnEQ1VjoyF5D-kzQnsaF7iZUaaxU0zvproiKck_GwdX6Pye3cRhnqA0wYL50Lv4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-88923532543314372322011-12-02T08:07:00.001-05:002011-12-02T08:45:16.182-05:00This should NEVER happen to a GROWN man!This morning I made a shocking discovery as I prepared to take a bath. I'm sure many of you will find this gross and TMI and, as a full grown man, it's pretty embarrassing to admit. I almost don't know how to say this, but I found a <b>skid mark</b>! Please don't judge me or stop reading here. I ONLY share this because it led me to consider an important spiritual principle.<br />
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There are few things more disgusting than boo boo. I have an one year old daughter who I love with all my heart, but I HATE changing her diapers when there's a #2 present! Nevertheless, she is a baby and therefore expected to soil her pants. To the contrary, I've been wiping myself for years and I consequently expect to find NO surprises in my unmentionables. No one was around to witness my discovery, but I was embarrassed as if there were an international audience gazing at my stain.<br />
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I decided to share this mishap because God touched my heart as I stared at the disgrace and He reminded me that <i style="font-weight: bold;">MY righteous acts are as a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6). </i>What a <b><i>literal</i></b> picture God painted for me this morning.<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>That spot was there despite my BEST efforts to cleanse myself. You have to understand that I'm borderline OCD and I've wiped before until I've drawn blood. So, it was not a lack of effort on my part that caused that spot to remain. Yet, the timing couldn't be more perfect...<br />
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You see, last night I went to bed disappointed in myself for doing something that I was trying so hard not to do again. Despite starting my mornings with prayer, meditation, worship, and the word of God, I STILL messed up at the end of the day. The powerful truth that I just discovered is... no matter how good I am or how much I <i>wipe, </i>I'll NEVER be completely clean!<br />
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I hate to be so graphic but no matter how many times or how long you wipe your butt, there is ALWAYS something left behind, even if it's microscopic. The same is true of our spiritual lives and walk with God. It makes no difference how many times you pray, how much you read your bible, how long you sit in church, how great your pastor teaches, or how many tongues you are able to speak in. You will NEVER be made clean by those acts. <b><i>YOUR righteous acts are as a filthy rag (Isaish 64:6). </i></b><br />
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Clearly, the only reason God accepts us is not because of our righteousness, but because of the righteousness of another, Jesus. No wonder He declared that <b style="font-style: italic;">no man comes to the Father but by me (John 14:6). </b>There is NO ONE else considered right in God's eyes but Jesus <i style="font-weight: bold;">(Romans 3:10). </i>If ANY of us stand a chance of God cleansing us or blessing us, we MUST approach Him based only on the premise of how perfect Jesus' sacrifice is, not how good we've been or how well we've wiped! Our human efforts will always fall short on the grand scale of God's holiness.<br />
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I'm grateful that he hasn't left us to our own devices but has provided us with a clear path to a strong relationship with Him. Even when we sin, we can rest comfortably that God will not destroy us because He already punished Jesus for our filthy deeds. We all are now wiped clean and made righteous through Jesus' obedience<b><i> (Romans 5:19).</i></b> Only He can wipe us clean enough to stand in the presence of God, no matter how dirty we've been, and convince God to accept us as perfect!<br />
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate growing even closer to God instead of running away from Him because of my sins. I am so confident that Jesus' blood has satisfied God's anger against my sin that I walk straight into His presence with no fear and lay at His feet. He will not strike me or reject me. He did that to Jesus so that I could enjoy this interrupted fellowship with Him! NOTHING can separate me from His love!Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-23749703268380632772011-11-30T10:14:00.021-05:002011-12-02T08:45:45.732-05:00God sounds pretty BORING!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was in the shower the other morning praying, singing, etc... you know, just trying to start my day off practicing the presence of God. While doing so, I sensed God say to me that <b><i>He never leaves home</i>.</b> Obviously, that sounds like a pretty boring life, so I was anxious for Him to explain. I didn't immediately grasp the gravity of that statement until I kept chewing on it and He elaborated a little more. Here's what He shared with me...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Since God is omni-present (everywhere at the same time) it is IMPOSSIBLE for Him to come or go. He can't go anywhere because He's already there and He can't leave because He's everywhere else too! In essence, there is no place He can "move to" because there is NOWHERE outside of Him. David declared, <b><i>"even if I make my bed in hell, God is THERE too..." (Psalm 139:8)</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">I then realized God was saying to me that I needed to stop waiting for Him to "move" or "arrive" because He wasn't going to! In fact, He will do neither because He is already there! The reason I wasn't seeing His intervention, wasn't because He was not with me, it was because <b>I was not with Him!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">He said to me that <i><b>He never leaves home and if I want to see Him that's where I must come.</b></i> He's EVERYWHERE but everywhere is not His home. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">He reminded me that the house I live in is made of brick and mortar, <b><i>but His house shall be called a house of PRAYER (Isaiah 56:7). </i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Too often we expect God to come to our home of complaints, fears, doubts, whining, anger, etc. Then we accuse Him of making us wait too long or not moving at all for us. Surprisingly, He has the same complaint. He expects us to come to His home (house of prayer), but we are making Him wait too long and He accuses us often of not moving at all! He doesn't leave home! If you'll be honest, mostly every time you've seen movement on God's part was when you went to His house (prayer)! You've hardly ever seen any movement on His part when you were angry, complaining, doubtful, etc.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">When people of means travel they like to stay in a hotel or rental home that is as nice as their own home. No one with millions of dollars flys out of town and stays in a Motel 6! They spare no expense to make sure they are surrounded by as much grandeur as they are when at home. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Our God is surrounded 24/7 in Heaven by winged creatures crying "holy" and worshipping Him. They are incessantly telling Him how awesome He is. There are elders casting down their golden crowns and falling on their face in admiration of Him<b><i> (Revelation 4:8-11)</i></b>. Creation itself praises Him around the clock <i><b>(Psalm 19:1)</b></i>. Birds chirp His mercy, the ocean roars His majesty, lightning declares His splendor. God's home is FULL of praise and admiration for His presence.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Now, do you really expect Him to leave that atmosphere to answer your doubt-filled, grudge-hearted, angry-toned, complaint-ridden prayers? NO!!! He never leaves home! In fact, <i style="font-weight: bold;">He LIVES in the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3). </i>If you REALLY want to see God move, create an atmosphere in your life that reminds Him of home! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">It doesn't matter how bad a situation gets, tell Him how GREAT He is! No matter who has betrayed you or left you, tell Him how much you TRUST Him and thank Him for His faithfulness! No matter how broke you are, keep telling Him how RICH you feel in His presence. This shift in your attitude will actually shift your whole life. You then go from waiting on God to move, to moving towards Him. The woman with the issue of blood said to herself, <i style="font-weight: bold;">"if I can just get close enough to touch the hem of his garment, I'll be made whole (Matthew 9:20). </i>She didn't wait for God to come to her house and touch her, but she went to His and snatched what she needed from Him!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">There is no situation that God isn't willing to intervene in. The question is, will you respect and trust Him enough to do things His way or do you want Him to do things on your terms? Should He be bending to our will and ways or should we be bowing at His word and acting like it is true (which it is)? Should He respect what we are saying is true or should we honor His word as the final authority over our situation? I don't care how bad it looks, how sick you are, or how broken your heart is, God sees you differently! He sees you whole, blessed, and healed! Don't try to make Him buy into your perspective! Worship Him as GOD and adopt His perspective!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">I <b>ANT</b>icipate reading this post several times myself, because I needed to hear this! Our God is not to be toyed with, He's a terror to EVERYTHING that opposes His love for us! Go to HIS HOUSE today and tell Him how wonderful He is!</span>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-48652190228966163592011-11-22T15:10:00.020-05:002011-11-22T20:22:43.001-05:00"Tworship"... an open LOVE letterI was in the bathtub this morning crying as I thought about how wonderful God has been to me. I became so overwhelmed that I felt compelled to stop simply telling Him how wonderful He is, and to declare His greatness publicly! What greater format than twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/anthonytheseer">http://twitter.com/anthonytheseer</a>) to release a public rapid fire of thoughts and have a written record of what's on your heart! Let's just call today's entry a personal love letter to God, in the form of "tworship"...<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- The whole earth speaks of Your grandeur... What an awesome creator and Father you are! Mighty is our God!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- You're the ONE person I can publicly declare my love for without EVER being afraid of embarrassment! FAITHFUL is our God!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I extol you every morning with a grateful heart! Whatever you do, it is good... You are sovereign and you are LOVE!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I've hidden relationships with people that I didn't really trust. I speak openly of our time together bc of Your faithfulness.</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- For over 30 years, You've been CONSISTENT in my life! I praise Your name publicly for that! You're WORTHY!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I trust you with my life, my daughter, my future, my health, ...everything! I'm YOURS! You are MY GOD!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- You caught EVERY tear that ever escaped my soul and formed them into laughter! I lavishly worship You for Your creativity! You're GOD to me!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I'm YOURS and I don't care who knows it! Your ways are PERFECT in my sight! I echo Your love towards me!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- You've NEVER harmed me and the times You should have, You blessed me instead! With LOVING kindness have you drawn me!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I have NO FEAR when I'm with You! Your presence is the SAFEST place in the universe! I long to be around you! You're my ONLY God!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- In You I live, move, and have my being! Apart from You, I am NOTHING! I HATE when I can't hear Your voice. You are Lord and King to me!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- Everything that is good and perfect in my life is a blatant act of Your mercy! My heart has no option but to beat for You!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- There's NO ONE who could ever replace You! I've been in love before but I've never BEEN LOVED like this! You are the true and living God!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I honestly can't stop praising you this morning! With tears in my eyes, I speak well of you, Jesus! Thank you for loving my raggedy life!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- If I had 10,000 tongues and spoke 100,000 languages, it would still be impossible for me to tell You how much You mean to me! You're eternal!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- My soul rejoices and my spirit leaps at the mere mention of Your name! It gives me life! You're my maker!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I could literally sit here all day and worship You! You've spent my whole life giving me things I'll NEVER deserve! You're so gracious, God.</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I'll recommend You to everyone I know! I could NEVER be ashamed of someone so powerful! It's a PRIVILEGE to know You, Jesus!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I want to be more and more like You all the days of my life! EVERYONE who knows You, falls madly in love with Your presence!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- None of my flaws ever stopped You from interacting with me! You are PERFECT, yet You make time for ME? I belong to YOU!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- What am I that You are mindful of me or that You visit me? Surely, Your mercy is endless!</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- You loved me until anger fell out of my heart... 'til mercy fell on my lips... 'til peace besieged my mind... What manner of LOVE is this?</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>- I find myself left w/ NO OTHER CHOICE! You've been so good to me that I MUST worship You daily! There's a debt of thanksgiving over my life!</b></span></i><br />
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Today, I <b>ANT</b>icipate that my worship will be contagious and others will speak well of you! Out of the abundance of my heart, my mouth has spoken. Every retweet is a song of praise to You!Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-7249266748583617012011-11-08T12:51:00.002-05:002011-11-22T14:49:55.686-05:00I've decided that TODAY is my last day in this world!The last few days have been filled with mixed emotions for me. I've not been overly happy or overly sad. There's just been a "blahness" about my existence. I'm tired of juggling bills, carrying other people's burdens, dealing with heartache, worrying about my future, etc. I know many will say that I'm not dealing with anything that EVERYONE in this world isn't dealing with too. Well, if this is all the world keeps offering me, I honestly don't want to stay in it ONE day longer. While reading my bible and praying this morning, I decided that TODAY will be my last day in this world!<br />
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I know that I sound suicidal right now, but I assure you that is not where my mind is at all. My thought process this morning was triggered by something Jesus said in <b>John 16:33</b>. There, He says <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"T</span>hese things I have spoken to you, that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">in Me</span> you may have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">peace</span>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">In the </span></b></i></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">world</span></i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b> you </b></i></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>will</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b> have </b></i></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">tribulation</span></i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the </b></i></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>world</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>.” </b></i></span><br />
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Jesus is so powerful that, in those few words, I felt my life change today! He said, "<b>in</b> <b>this</b> <b>world</b> there would be <b>tribulation</b>." However, He never said the tribulation had to be <b>in</b> <b>me</b>! As a matter of truth He said that He has overcome this world and it's tribulation, and <b>in</b> <b>Him</b>, I'd have <b>peace!</b> This irrevocable truth led me to declare emphatically that today is my last day in this world as I move to being in Him.<br />
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If I am <b>in</b> Him, when He overcomes the world and everything <b>in</b> it (tribulation), so do I. That means that external pressures that are attached to this world are not permitted to affect me internally because I am in a different place, <b>in Him</b>. Rather, my internal state (that I won when He overcame the world) has the ability to affect the tumultuous climate that exists externally in the world. Simply put, <i><b>"...greater is He that is within me, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). </b></i><br />
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The <i><b>world</b></i> in Jesus' statement in <b>John 16:33</b> is the greek word <i><b>kosmos</b>. </i>It has many meanings, but one of the most popular meanings is <i><b>system</b></i>. Basically, it is the code or rules whereby our existence is governed. It is <i>a way of doing things</i>.<br />
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Jesus said that within this system, which we are governed by, there will be tribulation. Think about it... Our world (system) thrives off debt, drama, people hatin', classism, racism, etc. It seems like those who get ahead are those who are willing to hurt and rob anyone in the process. The most popular reality tv shows are ones filled with lying, back-stabbing, and fighting (Basketball Wives, RHOA, etc). This world takes great delight and even profits off strife and evil/unfair concoctions. Banks profit by charging enormous interest rates and keeping people in debt. Some preachers profit by perpetuating guilt trips and scaring people into submission to their agendas. Politicians prosper by lying to those who support them. The way to get ahead in this world (system) is to lie, cheat, and steal.<br />
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But, Jesus said I have overcome this system. You don't have to succumb to participating in it, or feel the pressure of it, if you simply aren't <b>in it</b>, but <b>in Him</b>. You don't have to be in debt, strife, or pain; and you don't have to cause any of those things either. He says, "<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">in Me</span> you may have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">peace</span>." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">He's not talking about simply having a state of calmness while things are crazy in your life. But </span>peace <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">in this passage also denotes prosperity in every aspect of your life. What Jesus has done for us is far greater than many of us, or even our ancestors, have fully realized. We are living so far beneath our privilege it's not even funny. We are no longer subject to this system, but we have been provided, by Him, with </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"...EVERYTHING </span></i></span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">that pertains to </span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><em style="color: black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). </span></b></em></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Right-standing with God, money, healing, love, etc are all things that pertain to life and godliness. These things have all been provided by God as a result of Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. When Jesus says that He overcame this world (system), He meant that He did all of the hard work so we could escape the tribulation that is imbedded within trying to get the victory oursevles. We no longer have to rely on our own ability to gain right-standing with God, find money to pay bills, or trick people into loving us. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>IN HIM,</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> there is peace or prosperity for every aspect of our lives. <b><i>The question is, will I trust Him enough to acknowledge Him in ALL my ways and allow Him to direct my path?</i></b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><i>(Proverbs 3:5,6)</i> </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">This may all sound a little metaphorical and impractical, but I <b>KNOW</b> it to be true because I have acted on it in my personal life. I am, by no means, PERFECT as it relates to trusting Him, but I have believed in His </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><i>peace </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">which translates as wholeness and prosperity in every aspect of my life. I overcame the effects of childhood molestation using this principle. The world says I should be crazy or a molester myself but He (and I in Him) have overcome the world. I once had a car repossessed because I couldn't keep up with this world's system of debt. I later believed in Jesus'</span><i> peace <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">(p</span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>rosperity in every aspect of my life)</i></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><i> </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">and vowed to leave this system and trust that He was able to bless me to pay cash for whatever I needed. It wasn't but a couple of years later that I was able to pay cash for a </span><span class="Apple-style-span">brand new</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> vehicle and thereby overcome this world's system of debt. (However, I didn't buy it because my license was suspended lol). Nevertheless, when I am ready to buy a NEW car, I'll pay cash for it. </span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">My point is, </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Jesus' promises are </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>NOT</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> metaphors and should not be reduced to mere internal emotional remedies.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> If He says we can live above this world's system, He MEANS it! Our external circumstances can begin to reflect what He's doing internally within us, rather than adversely affecting what He has promised we can achieve.</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I </span>ANT<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">icipate that as I leave this world and it's systems, a whole new world and system will open up to me! I'll experience more <i><b>peace </b></i></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">(p</span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i>rosperity in every aspect of my life)</i></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><i> </i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">as I grow in my faith in Jesus' trustworthiness. His death was to give me an abundant life that includes abundant finances, abundant health, abundant love, etc. His intention is that there is NO lack in ANY area of my life and that I rely on Him instead of this world and it's system. I </span>ANT<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">icipate He'll do more than I could ever ask or think, if I trust Him.</span></b></span>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-10924899019775382892011-11-03T10:21:00.013-04:002011-11-03T12:24:26.373-04:00What if I just PUNCHED my daughter in the head...While in the bathtub this morning I was meditating, worshipping, and doing a little praying for myself and other people when my heart became slightly heavy. It's no secret that times are really hard for lots of people and many find themselves struggling more than ever. However, that wasn't the main source of the unrest in my spirit. What hurts my heart most is the alarming increase of child abuse accusations that are popping up as people try to cope with the traumatic experiences in their lives.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What is MOST disturbing to me is 100% of the accusations of abuse that I know about are absolutely FALSE! People who are sick. broke, hurt, etc are actually accusing our Heavenly Father of being the cause of their affliction.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The combination of years of relationship with Jesus and the birth of my daughter allow me, with great confidence, to reject any notion that God has an ounce of evil in His heart towards His creation. Accusing God, even subtly, of being the source of your struggle or pain is more egregious than falsely accusing a loving father of repeatedly and forcibly punching a newborn in the head. </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew 7:10,11</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> poses the question: </span><span class="woj"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? </span></i></b></span><span class="woj"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?</span></i></b></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you</span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> then, </span></i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">being evil</span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Clearly, if we would do nothing to harm our seed, then God (who is PERFECT and LOVE) has no desire to cause harm to us, His seed.</span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There are times when my 11 month old daughter likes to crawl under the love seat. She inevitably gets stuck and begins to "fake cry"... I didn't place her there and I know she can get out of it so I don't run to her rescue. I know she is uncomfortable but I also know she's not being harmed. I simply watch over her to make sure there is no real danger, talk to her and comfort her, and I wait for her to free herself. In rare instances where she absolutely can't get out, I'll then scoop her up and place her where she should be.</span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is a picture of our relationship with God. MOST of what we get into is OUR fault. We spend frivolously or make bad financial choices and then when we NEED money we "fake cry" God is "testing" us. We eat poorly and don't exercise to the point of bad health and then proclaim, "God is taking me through a storm." We enter bad relationships and then when they go sour we insist that it is "God's will." Throughout most of our drama and discomfort, God is strangely silent and simply watching over us for REAL danger and waiting for us to get ourselves out of what we got into. He'll guide us, coach us, and talk to us, but He rarely SNATCHES us out! </span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Whether it is something we caused or an issue that we have no control over, if it's evil, DO NOT attribute it to the same God you call your father. </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">James 1:13</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> clearly instructs us, </span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 22px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Let no one say when he is tempted (tested with evil), "I am being tempted (tested with evil) by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt (test with evil) anyone. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I know we are used to two-faced people who swear they love us and then do stuff to hurt us, but that is not the character of the Creator. How can we trust someone who speaks out of both sides of their mouth. Either God is for us or He is against us. Before we EVER pray to Him we must settle this issue. Otherwise, we can expect to receive NOTHING from God.</span></span></b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 22px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">James 1:6-8 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">sheds light on this issue when it says</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">...he must </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><sup class="xref" style="line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30273P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup>ask in faith <sup class="xref" style="line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30273Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup>without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, <sup class="xref" style="line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30273R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>driven and tossed by the wind. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">double-minded man, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><sup class="xref" style="line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30275T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup>unstable in all his ways. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We can not be conflicted in our view of God when we approach Him for ANYTHING. We MUST know, without doubt, that His will and thoughts towards us are ONLY good and NEVER evil <b><i>(Jeremiah 29:11)</i></b>. Otherwise, our faith is subjected to a roller coaster effect and we are always uncertain whether or not God will respond in the affirmative to our requests. </span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 22px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 22px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">...he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To create an environment where God moves on our behalf we must not simply believe that He exists, but we must believe that He IS! Mere existence only implies that I'm alive, but "IS-NESS" denotes that I have character traits. We OFTEN tie God's hands from moving in our situations because we approach Him on the premise that He simply exists. That leaves the door open for all kinds of erroneous statements about Him to escape our lips in prayer. If God could wonder, I'm sure He'd be left wondering who we are talking to or about. To be respectful of God and effective in my prayers I MUST approach Him ONLY on the premise of who He actually IS. I don't pray to the healer if I think He has made me sick. Jehovah Jireh (God the Provider) isn't real to me if I believe He is the cause of my poverty. There is sooo much more I have to say on this issue but I sense the Holy Spirit saying stop here and finish in another blog.</span></span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 22px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 22px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today, I ANTicipate a GREAT awakening surrounding who our God really is as we seek Him earnestly. His love will DROWN us as we open our hearts to the truth that HE IS FOR US, NOT AGAINST US! I'll NEVER punch my baby in the head and God has never (and never will) punch you!</span></span></span></span></b></i></span>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-86546514490378964792011-11-01T00:02:00.010-04:002011-11-03T11:32:06.654-04:00Quinn's First Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7jXvAazChIE/TrKz3gqCqZI/AAAAAAAAAJc/-XRveR1Jt1Y/s1600/IMG_2992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7jXvAazChIE/TrKz3gqCqZI/AAAAAAAAAJc/-XRveR1Jt1Y/s400/IMG_2992.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
I have nothing truly insightful to say other than children should be celebrated! There's no secret how much I love my daughter. I understand how God feels about me when I look into her eyes. Click <i>"Continue Reading"</i> to enjoy an original short-film highlighting her first halloween...<br />
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<object height="224" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/627283673270" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/627283673270" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="224"></embed></object></center>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352351015222370433.post-92003304638410246632011-10-27T12:44:00.001-04:002011-10-27T13:16:37.435-04:00I will NEVER forgive them...I like to believe that I'm a pretty decent person and I'm fairly happy with the man I'm becoming. However, I'll spare you the long drawn out attempt to create suspense before I get to the punch line of what's on my heart right now. Despite, my many unlisted great traits I have a HUGE character flaw that has almost crippled my life.<br />
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Most people who know me have never seen this flaw first hand, but those who have been close to me and chose to betray my trust know exactly what it is. For lack of worse terms I'll simply call the monster that lives inside my soul, ANGER!<br />
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However, the truth of the matter is, that which lies dormant in my soul and waits for an outside hurt to unlock his cage is far more sinister than mere anger. He has proven to be relentless and willing to stop at nothing to make sure that those who hurt me know EXACTLY how much pain they've caused and how much he intends to NEVER allow them to forget it.<br />
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Now, before you email this blog to the police, let me assure you that the world and those around me have nothing to fear. This dark force is not violent and poses no physical threat whatsoever. The sad thing is that the only real devastation he has ever caused has not been to those who assaulted my soul. Rather, he has consistently and methodically harmed and hindered the very person he was supposedly defending, me.<br />
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As I hurry to my point (musician walks slowly to the organ)...<br />
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After some pretty devastating life occurrences (childhood molestation, drug addicted father, dropping out of high school, infidelity, etc) I developed a pretty hard shell that prevents me from trusting people and thereby insulating me from getting hurt. Nevertheless, despite my prudent efforts, I've lent my trust to people, who earned it over time, only to STILL be betrayed and left bleeding emotionally all over myself.<br />
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It's a little risky for me to publish this entry because I'm still processing some pain attached to some recent hurts caused by people I allowed to share my space. I never thought I'd be in this place AGAIN in my life but my self-esteem was actually adversely affected by the actions of others.<br />
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For me, there is no pain greater than having my love, honesty, loyalty, and generosity repaid with evil, lies, betrayal, and selfishness. Needless to say, it can be DEVASTATING when you reap what you have NOT sown. What I'm simply trying to say is that there are some hurts that not only make you look at your offender differently, but it can affect the way you see yourself. I believe it is THAT self-altering view that causes the anger and resentment to linger.<br />
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Often times, when we are hurt, we become insecure and subsequently feel inadequate. We question what we did to deserve the mistreatment. We feel like the perpetrator wasted our time and energy, and possibly altered our course. Their wrongdoings send us a clear message that we are not valuable to them. We can't forgive them because it feels like, if we do, we then agree with their assessment of our worth. To let "it" go seemingly means that what was done to us is ok and therefore we aren't valuable. We think holding on to the resentment is a denotation that we disagree with our attacker's evaluation of our worthiness.<br />
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This thought process could not be farther from the truth. Holding on to the hurt and resenting the one who hurt you actually denotes the converse. Unforgiveness says what they did MATTERS! The angrier I am and the longer I hate you is a function of how much I believe your actions have altered my worth or my destiny. I can't stay mad if I truly believe that I am far more valuable than you were able to discern. As we align ourselves with the creator we discover that HE has placed a high appraisal over our lives and NO ONE but Him can change that valuation.<br />
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Let me preach a little bit now... Jesus (God in the flesh) was sold by Judas, in an evil act of betrayal, for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 27:3). How degrading to even put a monetary value on a life, especially a mere thirty coins. To add more insult, this is the son of God we're talking about. C'mon son! Anyway, that act of betrayal eventually led to Jesus being beaten, spit on, stabbed, and even crucified. Keep in mind he was innocent and spent his life serving the very people who were trying to kill him. Yet, despite all of this, Jesus asks his Father to forgive them because they didn't know what they were doing (Luke 23:34). Jesus knew who He was, even if they didn't. He didn't let Judas' price of thirty coins, or the beatings and insults of the blood thirsty mob to alter his SELF-WORTH. It was EASY for him to forgive because He fully understood that NOTHING they did could change who he was or what the Father had said about him. Years before, in an audible voice from heaven, God himself declared about Jesus, "<i>This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased!</i>" (Luke 9:35).<br />
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On my path to TOTAL forgiveness and healing it is vitally important that I understand what God has said about me. Once I realize that, the only other thing that matters is what I say to myself. My internal dialogue should reflect His words. Nothing anyone has done to me should be allowed entry into that sacred place. I must guard my heart against resentment and anger and I must rehearse God's intention rather than my enemy's actions. I refuse to allow ANYONE else's words or deeds to alter what I believe in my heart is true and divine within myself. For as a man thinks, in is heart, so is he... (Proverbs 23:7)<br />
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Today, I ANTicipate the pain of my past to be erased and the anger to be evicted as I ingest God's thoughts about me. I further ANTicipate my ability to repay evil with good and love those who hate me as I understand that EVERY weapon against my life has failed miserably because of Christ! I give Him praise!<br />
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<b>Bonus Quotes:</b><br />
I posted these on facebook yesterday as I was inspired to do so.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><i><b>When you hold on to hate you say to the person that hurt you, "your actions matter." When you forgive you say to yourself, "only I can stop God's plan from being birthed in my life." Today, I choose to no longer give meaning and purpose to what has happened in the past. I now welcome creativity to return to my life and God's plan for my future to be fully executed!</b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><b><i>As I hold on to my resentment, I say to God, "I don't believe your plan or power is greater than the plan and power of the one who hurt me." Letting "it" go and forgiving then becomes my act of faith that provokes God to move in my life and leave behind a blessing that will cause me to say, "my suffering was worth it"</i></b></span>Anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07993526861818516891noreply@blogger.com4