Wisdom

On a much lighter note than yesterday...

How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person's face, softening its harshness. (Ecclesiastes 8:1, NLT)

Mike and I have been together for a really long time. during that time, thankfully, we've grown much wiser. 

Berries is one of my favorite foods. I eat strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, elderberries, and acai every day. 

Mike likes meat.

Last night he texted me asking what was for dinner. I responded with acai bowls! Which in my opinion, is a wonderful mix of the above berries along with pumpkin seed granola, shredded coconut, bananas, and almond milk. I was so excited. He; however, was quite a bit less excited than I.

He texted and said he had to go to the Kona location. He had been in Honolulu all day and had just arrived at the airport. The airport is in between our house and our Kona location. This could only mean one thing! After taking care of business in Kona, he was gonna drive right by Queen K Tesoro to stop and get some of what he lovingly calls, “truck stop food” and I disgustingly refer to as "funk".

Wisdom point #1

He analyzed and decided instead of making comment about my choice in dinner, he opted to save himself by eating what he wanted at the convenience store!

Wisdom point #2

I interpreted his text and understood  I would gleefully be enjoying my acai bowl alone without asking him what he would be consuming for dinner!

Hence, wisdom lit up both our faces! It’s a win/win!

The Traylor Switch

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. (Romans 8:38, NLT)

This is another post written straight from my heart totally bypassing my head and the advice of some who say, "Keep it clean". 

When I started this blog, I made a commitment to be transparent (even though deep down and even at the surface, that still makes me cringe...it always has) and create a source for others to go to for true help and true encouragement. I've been attacked for that and accused of not bringing glory to God. 

I still hold to that which is my original goal for this blog independent of a few opinions in that I am real, life is real, and at times, we all need real help. Sometimes, we need our friends to jump down in the ditch, take our hand, and help us walk out as opposed to offering up a smile, a quick pat on the head and a, "I will pray for you." Sometimes, we need a friend to say, "What can I do to help?" And then follow up and actually do something. And then keep checking in until victory is accomplished...whether that takes a minute or months. It is my heart's desire to be such a friend and to love at all times. 

Let's just say the first part of this week has been in the ditch. Thats ok, I'm determined it is out of the ditch as of now. 

I will explain. Monday was full of little foxes. One of which, Macy's called security on me.  It's not as exciting as it sounds. If you really want to know, I added the incident at the very bottom of this post so those who wanted to skip it can due to time restraints. 

Tuesday night, we were cleaning up from dinner when my youngest ran in crying and buried her face in my shoulder. A man in the neighborhood told her and her three friends they can not play near his home...which is quite impossible because it is next door to our home. And all the neighborhood kids congregate at our house. And he added, "Do NOT tell your parents about this!"

Suffice it to say, my "Traylor switch" flipped.

Suffice it to say, there was a showdown at his doorstep (I grew up on the Texas state line) and now he totally understands he is to never approach my children again under any circumstances. 

I walked away (as a few of my senses began to return to me) and thought, yep...I've got great opportunity to repent now. But praise God I was reminded that nothing can separate me from the love of my almighty Father, not even me.

I told you all of that to tell you this. Even when we handle matters through mom filtered glasses, He still loves us because it is who He is. 

I'm not at all suggesting you handle matters by having a showdown. In hindsight, it would've been wiser for me to stay home and have Mike handle the situation. He is much better at these things than I am. And I have to say I am very well pleased at how he handled the incident in those rare and very brief moments where he was able to get a word in edgewise during those milliseconds when I inhaled. 

But in all honesty, I cannot say I regret defending my girls. I do not regret standing up for what is right. A man (or anyone else for that matter) has absolutely no right to tell children not to tell their parents anything. Some may view that as indignant. 

If so, please pray for me. I will be here, still wearing my mom filtered glasses, still walking life out. 

SECURITY!

About a month ago I went shopping on Oahu and bought a dress. I live on the Big Island. Sunday, I was going to wear my new dress; however, discovered the ink security tag had not been removed. Monday I took the dress to our local Macy's (praying for favor beforehand) and told them what happened. The cashier asked for the receipt. Now...why didn't I think of that? Please refer back to the Monday full of little foxes comment. She called security and asked them to check the cameras to insure I walked in the door with the dress. She asked me my exact route. I was thinking, now wouldn't this be a less than perfect ending to a less than perfect day? West Hawaii News headlines complete with "headshot", local business owner arrested at Macy's for stealing a $40 dress! I'm totally kidding, kinda. 

The security officer walked up, smiled at me, looked at the cashier, rolled his eyes and said, "Just take the tag off the dress." Thanked me and left. FAVOR! 

The Vow

Jesus said,  "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:37 & 38, NKJV)

Last night, we watched The Vow. If you watch it, I highly suggest www.clearplay.com. 

One line in the movie made an impact on me. 

" I chose to stay with him for all the things he's done right; not the one thing he's done wrong. I chose to forgive him."

In this particular instance, the issue was marital infidelity. But I believe the above statement can be applied to other relationships as well. 

Parental (Both as a parent and an adult child.)
Friendships
Professional 
Ministry

When our body grows tired, our emotions run thin, and our feelings scream, "Give up!" God says,  "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9, NKJV)




Special Bonus Scripture:

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31 & 32, NKJV)



A sidenote: It is very important to stay "out of the ditch". Relationships that cause more harm than good cannot be ignored. Sometimes, we have engaged in a relationship that God never intended for us. In that case, we must be Spirit led. 

Freedom Impact Statement

Just believe. (Luke 8:50)

A very dear friend just told me about an experience she had with God. During study and prayer time, she surrendered herself to God and told Him she would do anything He wanted her to do. She explained how she could physically feel His anointing by means of heat and tingling come on her hands, feet, and in her mouth. God had a word for her through me, she will go places for Him, touch people for Him, and say things for Him. 

She is very excited about her experience but explained she couldn't share the experience with "just anyone" because sometimes others cannot believe what she feels physically. 

Jennie Crowell, one of my instructors at Life Christian Universities and one of my closest friends, taught on this subject during one of my LCU classes. She explained, we are not in a position to refuse to believe someone else's experience with God, we were not there. And "it is a very good idea to protect that anointing and that precious intimate experience with God".

Just because some can't believe an experience doesn't make the experience any less true. Are we to say how our Heavenly Father moves on or through someone else? Does He communicate with each of us using the same technique every time? 

Do we as parents communicate with our children in the same manner every time? Or, do we spend enough time with each of them to communicate in a way that is most effective to them as an individual? Do we minister to them individually, communicating in such a way to effectively reach them as individuals? How much more does God, our perfect Father, communicate with each of us as individuals?

God has blessed me with three phenomenal girls. I have been stretched by parenthood having to learn many ways to relate to them that ministers to them. I communicate with one through words of affirmation, another through quality time, and another through physical touch. Thank you Dr. Gary Chapman and The 5 Love Languages.

We must not be so wrapped up in our own understanding of how God communicates with others or we could miss an opportunity to be ministered to or minister to others. Had I totally closed off my mind to the experience my friend told me, I would have missed God's opportunity to speak through me to her. If I decide, based on her experience, she's too far out there for me and then God wants to use her to bless me, it may be very difficult for me to receive from her. Solely based on my own limitations and through a self imposed filter. 

Here is what I call my, "Freedom Impact Statement". No one is 100% completely correct 100% of the time, except Him. In some cases, we have to be as smart as a cow, eat the hay, and spit out the sticks. But we canot be so concerned with the sticks that we miss out on the hay. 

We cannot become so familiar with someone, seeing them in the "natural" and all their quirks...hey, we all got 'em...or what we perceive as quirks in them...that we cheat ourselves out of a blessing. For example, Dr. Larry Ollison once taught on a husband's authority in the home. Just because a husband may have left his dirty clothes on the floor does not dilute the authority and anointing placed in and on him by God. 

This may seem irrelevant but it is pertinent. My friend surrendered herself to God and received direction. While some beg God and receive no direction. As a child of God, we are not begging God to move on our behalf. (1 John 1:12, 13) He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). He offered up His own Son. (Romans 8:32) After offering up His own Son, there is nothing else to withhold. He freely gives us all things. 

Just believe. 

A Kiss for Payment

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1  Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

Since my girls were babies, in return for me doing something for them or giving them something, I asked them to give me a kiss for payment. It has become our way of saying thank you. 

For example, when they asked for a cup of juice, or when I helped put their shoes on, I'd smile really big and say, "Kiss for payment!"

This morning, I was deep into a pile of work when my youngest handed me a baby doll and said, "Mommy can you please help me with this?" As soon as I heard her little voice say  "Mommy", I stopped everything and gave her my full attention. She was having a problem with her baby doll's dress and needed help untying a knot. After untying the knot, I smiled and said, "Kiss for payment!" That just never gets old!

I love it when they come to me. I stop everything when I hear their voice. Hearing their little voices call me by name is one of the most precious sounds in the world. Then when they smile really big and give me a kiss, I cannot even put it into words. Their thankful hearts is one of my greatest blessings of all. 

How much more, does our Heavenly Father love it when we go to Him?

 (Jeremiah 33:3)

How much more, does our voice make Him stop just to listen to us? 

(1 John 5:14)

How much much more, does He love hearing our voice call Him by name?

 (Romans 10:13)

How much more, does it bless Him to experience our thankful heart?

 (Psalm 103:1)

How much more, does He love to receive a kiss for payment? 

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Going for the Gold!

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6, NKJV)

While watching the 2012 Olympics, I started thinking about how critical training is. Especially training for living life. If we want to live a life surrounded by gold (life in excessive abundance) we must continually engage in training. The sooner we engage, the sooner we can go for the gold!

Today, my nine year old told me about a bible lesson she was taught when she was four years old. She went into very intricate detail about how her teacher used a pumpkin and the significance of the lesson. She also had vivid detail of her teacher and the church we were in at the time. Most significantly, she elaborated on how much her Sunday school teacher loved her. 

I'm not sure what sparked the memory of this particular Sunday school teacher or this lesson. But I certainly enjoyed the look on my child's face and enjoyed listening to every word as she recalled this loving memory. 

Every week, Sunday school teachers prepare lessons, teach the Bible, and love our children. Their ministry is a direct call from God. The impact they are making impacts lives now and for eternity. Not only for children but for families as well. 

Sunday school teachers, keep walking in God's call! Thank you to each and every one of you for helping parents train up our children in the way they should go so they can go for the gold!

Chicken Wars

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

I wasn't going to do it but as you can see, I'm doing it, i.e. jumping on the recent chicken war band wagon. I mean, how can I not? There are too many puns, hash tags, and poultry jokes to miss this opportunity!

I like Chick-fil-A for a lot of reasons; however, I cannot show my support by contributing to the increase of their sales today because we don't have one where we live. Even if they had a location near us, it is highly unlikely I would eat at one of their locations today because I'd much rather sit on a quiet beach, absorbing the surf, and eating a Clif Bar in exchange for long lines, hungry people and fried chicken. 

Assumptions of that part of my personality can and have been interpreted on both ends of that spectrum. I have learned to file assumptions in the "Big Woo" department. You should try it, it's life changing! 

Please forgive the digression. Moving right along. 

Regarding the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, we could get real deep real quick. For example, what if rallies like this occurred every single day until there were no more innocent babies being slaughtered with tax payers money, or not another child died of hunger, or Social Security/Military pay weren't threatened while politicians pay remains secure?Whoa, we got real deep real quick.

There are more issues revolving around this hot topic than can be covered in this post. So I will concentrate on one.

As a business owner, my biggest issue with this conflict is that of power and control; namely, Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religious Expression. However, that is still not the foundational issue. The bottom line (no pun intended) issue is we do not wrestle with flesh and blood. The only way to combat this war is "on our knees", not with chicken. By that, I mean the wars being waged behind the chicken (Appreciation Day vs. Kiss In, etc). 

I am in no way diluting the efforts of over 600,000 participants (at last reporting) in the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day waiting in line for over two hours in up 109 degree heat because it reminds me, when we stand in agreement powerful things happen!

My argument is we can't be distracted and fail to realize this is a spiritual battle. 

So Matthew 6:33 and "Eat mor chickin"!