https://youtu.be/FzQ7x_m-17M?

The spiritual discipline of unavailability

Testimony Tuesday

I have a serious question for all of you. How do you feel when you hear Jesus’ name being used as an expletive?

I know for me, I get like this stab in my spirit when I hear it. Sometimes when I’m in public and I hear it I want to say something to the offender, but I shrink back and mind my own business.
Then I feel guilt and shame because I didn’t defend my Lord, not that He needs to be defended, but I suppose there is a better way to approach this.

It has become quite too common nowadays. We hear it all the time. The offenders have no problem offending us Christ followers, but they are careful not to offend most other religious groups. They think nothing of using the name of Christ as a curse word. No one ever curses in the name of Buddha, Mohammed, Muslims or Krishna or even their mother’s name…ever!

I remember one time I was in a public restroom at work, and in comes some young women who were using Jesus’ name in vain (insignificant, trivial as though it were meaningless). I was just washing my hands, and without even thinking I blurted out, “King of kings, Lord or lords” right after they cursed in his name, and walked out. I don’t even remember if the women said anything back to me. But, I do remember how I felt. How can they say his name as if it were to be thrown about like trash? I didn’t like it and I still don’t.

Today’s video, this woman’s shares her feelings about the subject. As always, I peruse the comment section, just to see the landscape of responses and one comment piqued my interest.
Here is a comment by a woman named Angela and how she addresses the issue:
“I asked the Lord what shall I do about this. I had it laid on my heart immediately…”Tell them I love them.” Now I follow up with their words with…“Loves you.”

I loved that response. Isn’t that exactly what we would expect Jesus to say? ”Tell them I love them.” Simple, and yet it carries the power of his love.

This person was guided by the Holy Spirit. We should remain sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting. Not every instance of sin requires immediate confrontation, but we must be willing to act when led by God. Though, fear should not prevent us from standing for the truth. But we need to remember to ask the Lord for his guidance in each unique situation. His Spirit will draw them.

We are called to honor God in all aspects of life. Whether confronting a person for using God’s name in vain or living as lights in a dark world, our goal is to please the Lord.

“Therefore the Lord , the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
1 Samuel 2:30

Blessings,
-Paula
@CallToBattle

"God does not waste an ounce of our pain or a drop of our tears; suffering doesn't come our way for no reason, and He seems especially efficient at using what we endure to mold our character. If we are malleable, He takes our bumps and bruises and shapes them into something beautiful."☕️

~ Frank Peretti

Testimony Tuesday

I don’t know about you, but I am very sensitive person when it comes to things of God and His moving in my life and others. I love to talk about the goodness and love of God to anyone that will listen. It often brings me to tears to speak of His goodness.

When I came across today’s testimony I was touched so much that it moved me. Over the years in my walk with the Lord I’ve come to learn that God is a very personal God. He meets us where we are at in our lives at any given moment of time. He knows exactly how to reach the depths of our soul and speak to us. How do I know this? Should anyone come to you and say, “There is no God because God wouldn’t allow this to happen.” Ask that person this question, “Have you ever, even just once in your life felt lonely?” That person will most likely say yes, because I believe God brings us to a point in our lives where He knows that void in our hearts can only be filled by Him. He alone is the only One that can fill it, and once He does, the loneliness is gone.

Now you realize there is something that occupies that space. You cannot deny it. It was His purpose to get you to question why things happen, to woo you unto Him to begin asking those deep hard questions like; “Why was this allowed to happen?” He invites those questions from your heart as He begins to tender your spirit.

I used to believe that you had to be accepted by God in order to be in his club, meaning you had to go to church, confess your sins, be good and kind, and then you’ll be on your merry way for the rest of your life. Seamed reasonable right? Oh how immature my faith was! I never thought you could have a true personal relationship with Him until He kept pursuing me over and over again, telling me He loved me and would often use a song to reach me. I didn’t know it then, but God was drawing me to Him until I finally surrendered in the midst of my brokenness.

I love this sweet encounter in today’s testimony. Although the ending may seem sad, there is a powerful message here. I believe this woman finally realized she was known by God even at her lowest point in life.

God sees, He knows exactly how to reach the broken heart. His love is unfathomable, unmeasurable, and beyond our comprehension. He doesn’t require us to get our act together to be accepted. He just wants us.

No soul on earth can really say they are lonely when there is a God who sees, and is ready to meet you even at your worst. There is no depth that cannot be reached by Him. And there is no sorrow that cannot be comforted…He is the lover of your soul. His love will always remain. His mercy is tender to the lost heart that is still seeking, even if it’s at its very end.

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
Psalm 139:1

“The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.”
Psalm 116:6

Blessings,
—Paula
@CallToBattle

Every 4th of July this family places these flags along the side of the road near their home. Beautiful!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

https://youtu.be/Y9-4EJOEE-4?
Well, I must say this video tribute to Jackie and Shadows fledglings just touched my heart. Perhaps it was the song, but I guess I'm a little sappy that way. I am just amazed by these beautiful creatures soaring in the sky.

I think of Isaiah 40:31 "...But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
The Lord couldn't have picked a better symbol that represents our walk in faith with Him. I love how Sunny and Gizmo just float effortlessly and let the wind carry them. Thank you Lord for teaching us how to leap out in faith, trusting You in every endeavor, and carrying us through out our journeys. Thank you for your faithfulness as we renew our strength every day. Amen!

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:9

@dailybibledevotionals

How amazing is this dog! He follows his master’s instructions well.

[Clarification: Our daughter is safe and well. My post reflects on the contrast between her recent baptism and the current flooding. Not a personal loss, but a reflection on grief, faith, and hope in the midst of tragedy.]

A few weeks ago, I stood in the river holding my daughter close.

I had planned to be calm, composed, and maybe even a little stoic. But the second I opened my mouth, I almost lost it. A moment from tears, snot and a full-blown ugly cry. I could barely speak the words.

And somehow, that made it even more holy.

In front of family and friends, I baptized her in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. She came up smiling and soaked in God's grace. That moment will live with me forever.

Today, I stood at the river and nearly broke again.

The water that once cradled my daughter in peace is now ripping through our community flooding homes, uprooting lives, and leaving destruction in its wake. What once brought renewal now brings ruin.

But Scripture reminds us: water has always held a tension.

It was the flood that swept the earth.
And the river where Jesus was baptized.

It buried armies.
And parted for freedom.

It can drown.
And it can deliver.

Same water. Different purpose.
Same river. Different season.
Same God. Still faithful.

So even now, even here, I believe the waters will calm.
And when they do, we’ll show up for one another.
We’ll rebuild. We’ll restore.

Because I’ve seen what this river can do in a single moment of grace.
And I believe I’ve only just begun to see what God can do through it.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you."
— Isaiah 43:2

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1V9wjbvof6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

😭😭🕊️🥰🙏🏼

Thank you Lord! Keep praying for the rest of them.