Head-On Collisions

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3, NKJV)"

I had to drive into town today for a dental appointment. Once I was close to the dentist’s office, I approached a four way stop. A driver of a truck (purposefully and looking right at me) ran the red light. Legally, I had the right of way. Rather than exercise my legal right, I hit my brakes and stopped, preventing my vehicle from crashing into the truck. 

I had the legal right of way but I refused to exercise my right at that moment. Had I decided, by law I was in the right and refused to stop my vehicle, I would've found myself (along with my children) in a head-on collision. 

God immediately spoke to me and said, "Always refrain from exercising your emotional right every-time-possible. That is unconditional love.” (Ephesians 4:32, Proverbs 20:3, John 13:34, Proverbs 29:11)

There is a connection that we so strongly attach to, and that connection is unconditional love. The love that created us. (1 John 4:8, Ephesians 2:10)

While most will agree, it is a mistake to fail to prevent a motor vehicle accident. No matter who has legal right and no matter who is purposefully doing what. However, many willingly drive right into an emotional head-on collision (with their children/spouse/friends/family, etc along for the ride). 

At times, we find ourselves facing a dilemma when others may purposefully tempt us to drive into an emotional head-on collision. During these times, our right is very obvious to us and many of those around us. We have a choice to make. Either stand up for our right, or avoid an emotional head-on collision. (Psalm 17:3, Psalms 141:3, Proverbs 21:23, James 1:19, Proverbs 16:23)

I am in no way suggesting we should never stand up for ourselves and/or a worthy cause. But I am suggesting, be led by God’s spirit, always choose life, and refrain from exercising our emotional right every-time-possible! (Galatians 5:16-26, Deuteronomy 30:19)

The LORD has had me parked on the following scripture for months. Please read it very slowly and allow every word to fully penetrate your heart. 

"So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another [a]in [unselfish] love. Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]." (Ephesians 4:1-3, AMP)

That Belongs To Daddy

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2 Corinthians 1:20, NKJV)

My husband likes to drink water from large disposable Starbucks cups. Over the years, no matter what type of (nice or cheap) glasses/tumblers/water bottles I've purchased, he reverts back to the same type of cup. These cups are in his truck, his office, and our home.

This morning, our youngest daughter picked up one of the cups fully intending to use it. Our middle child (defensively) said, "That is Daddy's cup." My youngest smiled really big and said, "Then I can have it!" 

And then, she just took it. 

She didn't wait until she felt like she was good enough. 

No hesitation, no doubt, no fear, just joy.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "It is that simple. If only adults would have the same reaction and approach Me the same way."

She knows her father so well, that she knows anything that belongs to him also belongs to her. She knows her father has such a heart full of love, he would never think of withholding anything good from her. 

How much more does our perfect Heavenly Father give us good gifts, withholding nothing! (Matthew 7:11, Psalm 50:10-12, Romans 8:32)

God's Word is full of promises and as part of His Kingdom, all His promises belong to us...His children (to His glory)! (2 Corinthians 1:20, 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 8:17, 1 Peter 2:9, Galatians 3:26)

Whatever you need from Him today, you (yes...you) can have it!

Just believe. (Luke 8:50)







So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11, NLT)

For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. (Psalm 50:10-12, NKJV)

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? (Romans 8:32)

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10, NLT)

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. (Romans 8:17)

However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9, GWT)

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26, NLT)


But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed." (Luke 8:50)

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:9, NLT)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1, NLT)

Country Roads

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4, NKJV)

My middle child has been learning how to drive. We insure we have control of the vehicle by having her sit in our lap. She only drives on country roads and she doesn’t drive over twenty miles per hour. She’s currently ten years old, which explains why she has to sit on our laps.

One thing I’ve noticed about her driving is, she prefers straight roads. If there is a curve up ahead, or an obstacle like driving by a large tree near the road, a ditch, or an oncoming car, she wants to stop the vehicle and have Mike or I drive. As long as she’s on a straight road, it’s all kicks and grins. But as soon as she sees an obstacle up ahead, she wants to stop and have someone else take over. 

Last weekend, she was driving and she saw an oncoming car. She wanted to stop the vehicle, get out of the driver's seat, and have her dad take over. He refused to let her. He calmly said, “No, you are doing fine. You can do this. You are driving safely, and I am right here to help you." 

She said, “But I don’t like obstacles."

My immediate thought was, I don’t either. 

I know how she felt. I remember the days when I was on my dad’s lap, learning how to drive the car. I knew his foot was near the brake and his hand was near the wheel but when I saw an obstacle coming, I wanted to stop the car because I wanted him to take over.

My dad refused to allow me to give up, just like my husband refused to allow our daughter to give up.

Had my dad allowed me to give up, I never would have progressed from driving down a country road to driving across the country.

Life on earth is not always a straight path, or a country road, full of kicks and grins. In life, giving up just isn’t an option. We have to refuse to grow weary. We cannot give up. When we refuse to give up, we will reap…in due time. (Galatians 6:9)

Abide in Him...my brethren…be strong and of good courage...listen to Him calmly say, "You are doing fine. You can do this. I am right here to help you.” (John 15:4, Deuteronomy 31:6)

We’ll go a step further and count it all joy because we know various trials tests our faith and produces patience. When patience has her perfect work, we are perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Sure sounds good to me.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every reader right now and pray supernatural joy in, on, and through them. I ask you to supernaturally give us the ability to refuse the temptation to give up. Thank You for being with us in our every day lives. Thank You for encouraging us and telling us to be strong and of good courage. Thank You for calmly speaking to us in our every day lives. Continue to teach us how to stay one with You. Thank You for joy. Thank You for all Your promises. For without Your promises, I would have fainted had I not believed I would see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living. Thank You for Your goodness. Thank You Father, for Your Word. Thank You Father, for You.  

Psalm 27:13

Chemical Reactions

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” (Psalm 126:2, ESV)

Today in homeschool, we learned about chemical reactions. We concocted a recipe and once we added the last component, our mixture boiled over and out of our bottle as squeals and laughter ensued!

The experiment reminded me of one my best girlfriends, Bambi! When we met, we just clicked and it was like we had always known each other. She's a Texas girl so we "get" each other. We spend a lot of time together and once she is in the mix, there's a lot of boiling over as squeals and laughter ensue…as is evidenced in this picture!

"Hey Genice, watch this AND take a pic!" SPLAT...SPLASH! Ohhhh, that's gonna leave a mark...hahahaha!

She also teaches me how to paddle Texas girl style! 

She is a divine connection, truly a gift from God. She came into my life during a very confusing, difficult, discouraging time. She consistently spoke clarity over me, gave me solid counsel filled with anointing, spoke the Word over me, produced good treasure, but most of all, she made me laugh…and laugh…and laugh, until we saw victory! (Psalm 37:30, 31, Luke 6:45, Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10)

Not every connection in our lives result in this kind of reaction. I don't get this "reaction" from all people. I'm sure some people in my life have found it easier to love me from afar. That's ok, at times, wisdom says love from a distance.

The Lord laughs! (Psalm 2:4) Today, make a date with a best girlfriend and imitate the Lord as much as possible! Well, unless you are male…in that case, well…hopefully there rest goes unsaid!

Father, thank You for creating friendships and thank You for sending friendships to us at precisely the right time, all in Your perfect timing. Thank You for like minds to share all the great things You have done and continue to do in our lives! I pray for friendships for every reader right now, may we always be watchful to honor, love, and bless those friends who You so graciously place in our path. Thank You for all good things!

Homeschoolers, our recipe is below:

5 drops food coloring

2 tablespoons warm water

1 squirt dish soap

1 teaspoon yeast

1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide

Place ingredients in a small bottle, turn 'em out in the yard and ENJOY!

Foot Ride!

The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. (Psalm 28:7, NLT)

Yesterday, a friend and I were discussing the wonderful greatness and awesomeness of God. We talked about how no matter what we had dealt with in the past, or how instrumental people in our lives had hurt us, God always takes our circumstances and works everything out for our good…way beyond anything we could ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

As we were discussing tests that are now testimonies we use to help others, I started to laugh. I laughed and laughed…a silly little girl laugh that just wouldn't stop, which reminded me of when my girls were toddlers. 

Every day when Mike came home from work, my girls ran to him. They never hesitated. They screamed, "Foot ride! Foot ride!" Mikea picked one foot, Gracie picked the other foot and they would sit on his feet and hang on for the ride! He walked around the house, dragging them on his feet as they screamed and squealed!

On that memory, I had a vision of our Father. He screamed, "Foot ride! Foot ride!" He is beckoning us to sit with Him and scream and squeal and be strengthened by His joy! (Nehemiah 8:10)

I just had my first "Foot ride" and I can fully exclaim with a newly illuminated heart, "The LORD is my Strength and my Shield! I trust Him with all my heart! He helps me and my heart is filled with joy! I burst out in songs of thanksgiving!" (Psalm 28:7)

He is screaming to us, "I am your Father, don't hesitate! Come my child! Scream and squeal and be strengthened! My joy is your strength! See what great love I want to lavish on you!" (1 John 3:1) 

Take time right now and go on a foot ride with your Father!

That UnAwesome Moment When…

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19, NLT)

Earlier this year, we renovated an apartment that was built in the sixties. When I was a teenager, I always dreamed of moving to a large city, buying an old flat, and renovating it. Since renovating this apartment, I'm good on that dream as I have discovered, old buildings are accompanied by old problems, i.e. plumbing, electrical, etc. And I learned, old problems cannot be covered up by new fixtures…no matter how cute and retro they may be.

During this morning's shower, we inadvertently obtained a water feature…again...in our bathroom when the shower handle broke…again…for the fourth time. About that time, the above scripture was brought to my remembrance, certainly by God and not my flesh as my flesh had other ideas…a lot of other ideas. 

Thank God for teaching us to be led by the Spirt and not the flesh! (Galatians 5:16 & 17) As I meditated on that scripture, "Behold, I make all things new!" (Revelations 21:5) and "I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you" (Ezekiel 36:26) flooded my heart! 

Oh…yes…pun fully intended!

Once again, God's Word came alive as it occurred to me, God knew He would have to do something new, make all things new, and give us a new heart because our "old" would've been accompanied by old problems. God doesn't want us to continuously deal with old leaks!

Once I ran those scriptures through my mind and mouth several times, I heard SpiritFM play, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials." (James 1:2)

I had to laugh…laugh out loud, really loud! Thank you www.SpiritFm.org for answering His call and speaking into our lives over the years, always right on time!

Tell us, how do you handle leaks?

Thank You-Thank You-Thank You, most gracious and loving Father, for doing something new in our lives, thank You for making all things new, and thank You for giving us a new heart! Thank You for protecting us from ourselves! Thank You for teaching us to be led by Your precious Holy Spirit instead of falling into the traps of the flesh. Thank You for knowing the end from the beginning and making our path straight! And thank You for making Your Word come alive to us…even during leaks…especially, during leaks. I pray for every reader right now, in the name of Jesus, they will know the breadth, length, height, and depth, of Your amazing unfailing love! And Your Word will come alive to them…especially during leaks. 

Isaiah 46:10

Proverbs 3:6

Ephesians 3:18

Rough Conditions

Count it all joy because He has given us all we need for life and godliness lacking no good thing! (James 1:2-4, 2 Peter 1:3, and Psalm 34:10) 

When I woke up today and looked outside, I saw rain clouds and heard the wind blowing. Immediately, I knew, today will not be perfect conditions for stand up paddling.  

Please allow me to explain, I really like glassy conditions. Glassy conditions are peaceful. Rough conditions…not so much.

I really wanted to go paddling so I sucked it up and went. As soon as I unloaded my board, a friend and fellow (seasoned) paddler said, "It's rough today, stay close to shore." I listened to him because he has paddled way more than I have. And he had already been out. So he has "been there". 

As I paddled in the rough water, against the wind, I envisioned my heart, lungs, and core getting stronger. I was actually joyful during the "fight". Not exactly the conditions I would've chosen for myself; however, I made a conscious choice to mediate on the advantages instead of meditating on all the disadvantages.

The wind was blowing me around and the water was bumpy but I saw something I had never seen before while on the water. I saw three water spouts. They were very small (Approximately three feet in height and approximately fifteen feet from me.) but big enough to knock me off my board if they got too close. 

I reached for my phone (in it's waterproof case) because I thought, "What a great video!" Then wisdom kicked in and I thought, "Ok, if the turbulence from the water spout knocks me off my board, I most likely need my paddle, not my camera in my hand." And, I really didn't want to see my phone drown.

The first two water spouts went past me from a safe distance.  I looked up and the third water spout was headed straight for me. Wisdom kicked in again and I thought, "I do not want to get caught in that"...although, in hindsight,  it would make for a great story if accompanied by video. Perhaps it's time for me to invest in a Go Pro Cam! 

Back to the waterspout. I didn't want to get beat up today. I just wanted to paddle. So I looked at the spout directly in front of me and I said, "You may NOT come near me in the name of Jesus." 

True story...the water spout immediately changed course and turned away from me, passing me from a safe distance.

I've said it before, I'll say it again…stand up paddling is a lot like every day life. 

• Some days are perfect conditions. 
• Other days are rough conditions. 

Thank God who has given us our friends, and apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who have gone before us. They've "been there" and as we heed their advice, we walk in wisdom and stay "close to shore" not being blown out to sea. (Proverbs 27:9, Ephesians 4:11)

Thank God for spiritual authority and for teaching us to speak to the "mountain" and/or water spouts. (Luke 10:19, Mark 11:23)

Thank God for teaching us to count it all joy when (notice that verse does not say, if) we experience rough times because of His promises to work all things for our good. And since He be for us, who can be against us? (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:31)

What are your conditions like today?

Stand back to back...AND conqueror!

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22, 23)

I woke up today with another song on my heart!
This joy that I have, the world didnt give to me, ooh ooh!
This joy that I have, hey hey hey, the world didn't give to me!
OH this joy that I have, the world didn't give to me, the world didn't give it,
and the world can't take it away, oh yeah!

Do you know who can take our joy away? Only who we allow.

Did you also know, we can take scripture and personalize it for our specific situation?

Before we go to bed at night, we can find a scripture that fits our needs for the next day. First thing in the morning, when our eyes pop open, immediately begin meditating on that scripture. And meditate on it all day long.

For example, we know we have a lot of errands to run with our kids in tow. And we know, that requires joy as well as all the fruit of the spirit! (Galatians 5:22, 23)

So we prepare ourselves the night before:

Father God, I thank you for Your Holy Spirit producing fruit in my life! I praise You for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22, 23)

Next morning, eyes pop open, meditate on it again!

Faced with an irritable husband on his way to get his blood drawn for a second time because he didn't finish all his medication. SING! "I've for that joy-joy-joy-joy down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! Where?...everybody sing!"

*Disclaimer: This did not happen at my house. I'm just saying, it could happen under certain circumstances.*

When we are on our 3,928th errand for the afternoon and our kids smack each other, let the best man (or kid in this case) win. Survival of the fittest! Why? How? Because we have maintained our joy!

If we encounter a cranky cashier in the checkout line, smile and shout, "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy!" (Psalm 47:1) Be led on that one so security doesn't get involved. Do not ask me how I know.

If your flesh screams, "But I don't feel like it." Answer back with, "Big woo." (Thank you Dr. Larry Ollison.) Walk in authority over your flesh. Tell it, "You turn that frown upside down right now in the name of Jesus!"
Our kids don't feel like cleaning their room either but we enforce that. Do some flesh enforcing!

Take every thought captive and override the current situation with scripture. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

"Father God, I thank you for Your Holy Spirit producing fruit in my life! I praise You for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."(Galatians 5:22, 23)

Write it on a card if need be and pull it out in case of emergency!

And when we find ourselves really struggling, we call a friend. Not to complain and go into great detail about our struggle de'jour (that's Okie for dujour) but to say, "I've been bombarded today, please speak the Word over me and agree in prayer with me." (Luke 17:1, Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 4:12) Email us at Key Tov Blog, we are happy to pray in agreement with you! Or join us on our FB page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whatsoever-Things-are-of-Good-Report/123471901011836

Whatever means work for you, do not stand alone!




A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT)

Big Doofuss!

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21, NKJV)

Last week, Mike and I planned an interisland trip, partly business, partly leisure. We scheduled our sitter who just happens to be the best sitter in the world, thank you Julie, we love and appreciate you! Everything was all set and ready to roll and we were so excited.

We had an early plane to catch and had a lot to get done before we left for the day so our house was buzzing. It was crunch time and right before I walked out the door, Mike made a negative comment under his breath, which by the way is one of my hugest pet peeves…ever. If he is going to say something, I say belt it from the rooftop! Well, not from the rooftop, but I’m sure you get the idea.

I took a slow…deep…breath, determined to ignore what he mumbled, and determined to overcome the temptation to scream, “WHAT DID YOU SAY?!” I was home free...almost…when all of the sudden my middle child decided to loudly proclaim what he said!

That's about the time I heard Pastor Larry in my head repeatedly saying, "Choose not to be offended. Choose not to be offended. CHOOOOOSE NOT TO BE OFFENDED." I wanted to scream, "SHUT UP PASTOR LARRY!" But I couldn't because that would be like telling my dad to shut up and I just can't do that no matter how loud my flesh screams!

I remained silent. No, despite popular belief, that is not an impossibility. We were driving down the road and I quietly tried to put on my bracelet which it is a tiny bit too short so I generally ask Mike to help me. But this day, I was determined to do it by myself! He saw me struggling and calmly said, "Do you want me to help you with that?" I softly answered, "No" but he knew what I was thinking. I was thinking, "No! I never want you to help me with anything, ever again!"

That's about the time, I…again…heard Pastor Larry repeatedly saying, "Choose not to be offended. Choose not to be offended. CHOOOOOSE NOT TO BE OFFENDED." Please refer to the previous “Pastor Larry” paragraph.

As we quietly drove down the road and this mental war waged, Mike finally said, "Your eyes are so beautiful, sometimes you remind me of an Egyptian Queen." At which time I wanted to roll my eyes in the back of my head and scream, "OH SHUT UP YOU BIG DOOFUSS!" And, for good measure, also add scriptural reasons why a “compliment” of comparing my eyes to an Egyptian queen’s eyes were totally unbiblical! I didn’t know how, but for a split second I was going to use my phone to research the subject and prove my point!

But...alas…I didn't…for many reasons.

One of which, even though he used bad judgement and made a mistake…he is still the authority placed in my life…by God. I believe God called him to be my husband, this includes imperfections. God didn't give me a "mistake loophole". God has never told me, "Mike is your authority as long as he never makes a mistake." As a result, the way I respond to Mike is between me and God. Mike is affected by how I treat him; however, I answer to God for how I treat him. I chose life over death. (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Secondly, I didn’t want my girls to see me respond to their father (the authority God placed in their life) with disrespect.

So...I purposefully laughed...I laughed really hard! Then he laughed! Then my girls laughed!
(Nehemiah 8:10, Ecclesiastes 3:1,4, Proverbs 15:15, Proverbs 17:22)

See, I had two choices.

1. Break the Cycle of Offense (or)
2. Continue the Cycle of Offense

“you must make the decision that regardless of how you feel, you are not going to be offended”, Dr. Larry Ollison, Breaking the Cycle of Offense (www.faithman.org)

I felt like smacking him...but, I’ve read the book…twice. I continue to refer back to it when needed. Personally, I believe there should be an app for that! The book is life changing when the principles are applied.

• Get it.
• Read it.
• Apply it.

You will be glad you did!

Power!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. (Acts 1:8, NKJV)

Last Wednesday, Mikea (my middle child) came to me very frustrated. We planned a homeschool field trip with friends and she wanted to take her camera but she couldn't get it to work. I asked her what all she had done to investigate and I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it either.

She went to her father. She was impatient and upset. She explained she had had it plugged in for days and was upset to tears because she thought her camera was broken. She was sleepy and went to bed upset. 

After she was asleep, he discovered although she had plugged the camera cord into the camera to charge, she hadn't plugged the cord into the electrical outlet. He plugged the cord into the electrical outlet and the next morning,  her face was all lit up because her camera was working so that she could take it on our field trip. She was thrilled to know her camera wasn't broken. 

I thought, "Wow, how many times I had gone to bed frustrated and upset because I had spent the day half plugged in to my Power Source." How many times I had gone to my Father, after working myself into a tizzy when all I needed to do was stop and fully plug in. 

This incident was a great reminder for me. 

Always go to my Father first! (Matthew 6:33)
Joy comes in the morning! (Psalm 30:5)
Stay fully plugged in! (Acts 1:8)

Are you fully plugged into The Power Source?