Last Text

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26 NKJV)

Recently, I was texting with a friend. Their text seemed very…well, a little odd. 

After a few minutes, it dawned on me….my friend was texting and driving. 

*GASP* 

In order for us to avoid being diagnosed with the speck-n-plank syndrome…let’s take a different approach. Let's learn from the situation. (Matthew 7:3-5, Mathew 7:1)

To insure I was correct, I asked, “Are you texting and driving?” My friend responded with, “Yes but I have voice text.”

This is my issue with driving and voice texting.

1. The recipient still has to read incoming texts in order to respond. Voice texts only work for outgoing texts.
2. The recipient still has to proofread their outgoing texts to insure the text is correct.
3. In both scenarios, the driver is still distracted…terribly distracted.

According to the (NHTSA) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Driving while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while drunk."

From my experience, people cannot text and have a decent conversation when they are face to face with someone. Much less text and safely operate a six thousand pound (average weight) vehicle at the rate of speed of sixty miles per hour (average on the highway) creating a velocity of…well, a lot. 

Once I discovered my friend was texting and driving, I explained;

"I love you too much. And I will never knowingly be anyone’s last text.” 

And I stopped texting, immediately.

Thankfully, my friend has read Dr. Larry Ollison's book, "Breaking the Cycle of Offense" and still loves me. They didn't get offended and hopefully will never text and drive again...even with voice text.

I’m sure you’ve seen the notices that show a picture of a person’s last text. That last text before they crashed their car and hurt or killed themselves or someone else.

Before I get in my car, I put my phone on silent, and put it in my purse. That is my way of committing to not text while I drive.

After this incident with my friend, I started thinking about all the challenges going on Facebook, etc. And I thought to myself, we should make a Last Text challenge.

So, I challenge each and every one of you. Refuse to position yourself where you could be someone’s last text by letting everyone know, I don’t text anyone while they are driving because I love you too much. 

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every reader right now to rise up and commit to refuse to text and drive as well as refuse to text anyone who is driving. May each and every one of us understand the magnitude of the power we are responsible for when we are behind the wheel for ourselves as well as all those around us. Thank You Lord for loving us so much, we know to walk in wisdom. Especially when assuming the responsibility of driving a car. 

What about you? Will you take the challenge? Will you challenge your friends and family?

Tidy Up

But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. (Mark 4:17, NLT)

First, please allow me to say this blogpost looks really long. But it should take less than ten minutes to read it in it's entirety. For example, if you are willing to exchange ten minutes of Facebook time to read this blogpost, I believe it will really bless you. Enjoy!

This week has been a very busy week for us. To give you an idea, Thursday my day started at 4:00 a.m. Nuff said.

Last night I laid down on the couch to catch my breath. I looked around the house, which was in need of a little…let’s just say, tiding up here and there.

When I saw the task that lay before me I wondered, how a house gets this messy when we were out of the house most of the week. 

Then it occurred to me. When we are home a lot, we tidy all day as we go. We take every opportunity to put things in their place and keep the house organized. When we are up and out early, then back late, we don’t take time to put things in their places but just drop everything where we stand. And then, we have a pile to clean up. Or in this case, many piles.

This week, I learned a valuable lesson. My spiritual life is the same way. When I take every opportunity throughout the day to visit with God (prayer), keep spiritual matters in their place (meditate on scripture) and keep my spiritual life “organized” (pursue peace and quick to forgive), my life stays tidy. (Matthew 6:33, Deuteronomy 6:6, Colossians 3:13, Psalm 34:14) 

However, when I “drop everything” (everything God has taught me)…life gets real messy real quick.

By organized I mean, quickly dealing with offenses (large and small) as they occur. Jesus said, “Offense will come.” (Luke 17:1) It is wise for us to have a plan for dealing with offense. Ignoring offense will not keep offense from occurring. Suppressing offense is not dealing with offense. Ignoring offense will only cause it to compound in our hearts and on our minds.

For example, hypothetically speaking:

• When I wake my girls and ask them to take a ten minute shower (in order to maintain our schedule that day) and their shower turns into a thirty minute bath…multiplied by two kids.
• My husband stumbles into the kitchen and while his coffee is cooking (or whatever it is that coffee does) checks his work email and has a list of negative things to deal with before he even walks out the door. And his attitude affects the whole household.
• Dads, you are leaders, even if you don't think you are. Where are you leading your family? 
• I am trying to get out of the house at a certain time and my children lolly-gag  and can’t find their shoes. (Of which, said shoes are supposed to be in the shoe bin at the front door.)
• As we pull out of the driveway and in unison my girls say, “I didn’t eat breakfast.” Everything in me wants to scream, “Oh yeah?! Well, it looks like you’re fasting till noon!"
• When making the forty minute drive into work (that turns into an hour) dealing with Honolulu traffic. I get cut off in traffic (at least three times) and at least two individuals wave at me in that “special” way using their “special” finger. Yep, even people in "paradise" fly the bird.
• About the time I think I have safely and almost without incident (Ok a list of incidents but at least alive!) pull into the parking lot at work, I get a phone call saying one of my co-workers got mad and walked off the job. 

All this before 8:40 a.m. 

Remember, we are working with hypotheticals today. *wink*

At this point, I have a choice to make. I can reiterate every offense of my day to everyone I see. Or, I can cast off every offense as they occur.

If a day like this isn’t immediately dealt with by applying God’s Word, all these offenses are going to add up real quick, negatively affecting me and everyone I come into contact with. 

Have you ever had “insider information” on a subject to the point it gave you an edge when handling a matter? Be prepared! I’m going to give you a hot tip that will change your life! 

And have no root in themselves, 

and so endure but for a time: 

afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, 

immediately they are offended. (Mark 4:17, KJV)

Why does offense come? For the Word's sake. 

No matter what happens in our lives, 

we must concrete our relationship in and with God’s Word.

All other areas of my life follow my spiritual life. When I’m doing well spiritually, I do well in all other areas of my life as well.  

How can this practically be applied? At each offense, run to our Father! Take time to visit with Him all throughout the day. And we can add a few simple organizational skills to help the day run smoothly.

Let's revisit the hypothetical list from above.

1. My girls bath scenario.
1. One thing I keep reminding myself is, my girls are 9 and 10 years old. They get distracted. I made them a list of things to accomplish in order to get out of the door and I gave them a time frame. 
1. For example: 
1. shower = 10 minutes 
2. breakfast = 20 minutes
3. pack backpack = the night before (include the shoes!)
1. Then I allow extra time to check on them every 15 minutes or so to insure they are staying on task.
2. My husband's addiction...oh I mean...coffee scenario.
1. Smile and sweetly say, “Maybe you should have your coffee at that coffee joint. That way you could relax and address your emails while you enjoy the aroma and the ambiance.” Ok, forgo the attitude in that last suggestion. Pray for him…yes pray! And ask God, “Lord, I ask in the name of Jesus, please guide my husband today. Quicken him by Your spirit to listen to Your voice. I thank You for directing his path. I thank You his eyes are blessed for they see and his ears for they hear!"
3. Children lolly-gagging scenario. 
1. Please refer to item # 1.
4. The “I didn’t eat breakfast.” scenario.
1. Ask them to open their bibles and each give you a ten minute sermon of the  King James Version of Matthew 17:21, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” I’m totally kidding. Ok, not totally. There is a number of ways to handle this scenario. Ask God to direct your path in this area. He will give you witty inventions! The night before, have them pack a snack in their backpacks. Snack becomes breakfast instead of snack and it doesn’t hurt any of us to be a little hungry from time to time. It is great motivation to remember to eat breakfast the next day. I now refer you to the Parenting with Love and Logic website at www.loveandlogic.com (A very special thanks to my BFF, Shila for that insider tip!) 
5. The “special” finger scenario. 
1. Keep the praise music turned on and as loud as necessary. Use this time to visit with our Father and ask Him to line out our day, especially the "Honolulu traffic" portion of our day!
6. The co-worker scenario. 
1. “Lord, I ask in the name of Jesus, please guide me today. Quicken me by Your spirit to listen to Your voice. I thank You for directing my path. I thank You my eyes are blessed for they see and my ears for they hear! And I thank You for sending laborers into my co-worker's path to love on them and direct them straight to You!"

Prayer, 

the Word, and 

running to my Father for everything 

(big and small) 

keeps my life “tidy"! 

Let’s do a little spiritual weight lifting with Mark 4:17 and build some strength in this area of our lives.

• And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. (English Standard Version)

Keep on building those muscles!

• But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble. (Holman Christian Standard)
• But they don’t develop any roots. They last for a short time. When suffering or persecution comes along because of the word, they immediately fall (from faith). (God’s Word Translation)

Don’t quit, only one more “set”! We are getting stronger and stronger!

• And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away. (Mark 4:17, AMP)

When we have problems, are persecuted, experience tribulation, are pressured, suffer, have trouble, become displeased/indignant/resentful, that is immediately our red flag to recognize, these weapons have been formed against me to steal the Word and my faith! Stand and declare, "No weapon formed against me will prosper, stand, or prevail!" (Isaiah 54:17) 

Father God, thank You for Your precious living Word! Thank You for never leaving or forsaking us! And thank You for wanting to be in every aspect of our lives! Thank You for being our Father, a father we can run to all day long to get what we need to throw off what doesn’t belong in our lives and to continually put on what does belong in our lives. Thank You for the “great exchange”! In the name of Jesus, I pray for every reader and I ask You to quicken them by Your Holy Spirit and let them know, as they submit to You and Your Word, You will direct their paths and make them straight! 

Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 13:5

Isaiah 61:3

Proverbs 3:6


Additional help:

If you struggle with offense, Dr. Larry Ollison's book, "Breaking the Cycle of Offense" is a great resource and is available at www.faithman.org

Oh Sneaky Boogah!

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (Luke 17:1, NKJV)

After sitting under the leadership of Dr. Larry Ollison for several years and reading his book, "Breaking the Cycle of Offense" (twice, and referring back to it as needed) I believed I was very well educated in offense. I had been very well trained and believed I had a a good handle on recognizing and immediately breaking the cycle of offense. 

A few years ago I was spending some quality time with one of my closest girlfriends. She told me about an incident where a person had wrongfully accused her of something and had attacked her character.

I had a fit! I totally sided with my girlfriend, after all I KNOW her character! Referring to the person who had wrongfully accused my friend, I said, "Excuse her!" Then proceeded to rant about how wrong this situation was and precisely what I was going to do to correct it, etc, etc, etc. In other words, my blood was boiling!

Something powerful and forever life changing happened. My girlfriend (who was really hurt by the attack that really happened) corrected me. She laid her hurt aside, she laid her "right" to be offended aside, and sternly said, "THAT is secondary offense and if you cannot give me godly counsel and pray with and for me when I have a situation then I cannot share things like this with you because I cannot tempt you to stumble".

• HELLO! 
• Jerked up short! 
• Knot jerked in tail! 
• Clock cleaned! 
• Lunch ate!
• Wind taken out of sails!
• Slack jerked out of rope!

I picked up my chin off the floor and said, "Alright, let's start over and biblically handle this. Yeaaaa that's more like it."

Although it may be noble to defend our friends/family, we cannot take a world view on a situation. We have to operate according to Kingdom standards because it's the only way to victory.

My girlfriend and I (after I immediately decided to operate with a corrected and pure heart) discussed the prayer points of the situation, applied scripture to the situation, decreed and declared God's will in the situation, and thanked Him for working all things together for good for everyone involved, all for His glory. (James 5:16, Job 22:28, Luke 22:42, Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

Praise God for friends and family who love us enough to stand up and tell us the truth according to God's Word instead of jumping on our bandwagon, independent of their feelings! 

I wasn't aware I was operating in secondary offense! I walked by feelings instead of by faith and was overcome by self deception. (2 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 3:18, 19) Oftentimes, we can let something said or done to us just "roll off our backs"; however, if someone we love is hurt we can find it quite difficult to "let it roll". Secondary offense can be sneaky, so sneaky! 

Let's go one step further. Wisdom says, when we discuss a matter with someone we must insure we are seeking goldly counsel and not seeking pity and/or looking for someone to "side with us" in a matter. For example, as wives/daughters/sisters/girlfriends we cannot become entrapped by running to our husbands/parents/siblings/girlfriends with an offense. Whomever we confide in, we must make it a safe ground to be corrected by His Word and insure our confidante can handle counseling us and not become offended in the process.

LORD God, thank You for the loving people You have blessed me with. Thank You they stand up for Absolute Truth and correct and counsel me in alignment with Your Word. Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every reader right now and declare all offense to be over in all our lives! No. More. Offense. We decide to refuse offense. Secondary and otherwise! We walk in forgiveness as You forgive us! We daily do a heart check and ask You to reveal to us any areas of our hearts that may be harboring offense and unforgiveness. Create in us a new heart and renew a right spirit within us. We submit our spirit to Your Holy Spirit and invite you to immediately prompt us when offense attempts to suck us in. We declare, in the name of Jesus, we are offense free! Thank You Jesus for being our ultimate example in refusing offense. Of all people, You had every right to harbor unforgiveness but instead said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Thank You Jesus for coming so that we could have life in excessive abundance! We won't waste one day of the overcoming life You came to give us! Thank You for Your gift of eternal life and being more than a conqueror! We take ahold of it and celebrate it and we thank You for it!

James 1:17

Proverbs 15:31, 32

Proverbs 10:8

Proverbs 12:15

Matthew 6:14

Psalm 51:10

Luke 23:34

John 10:10

John 17:3

Romans 8:37

That Hurts...

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10, NLT)

Tuesday I wrote a blog post entitled, "Cigi Smokers, Scantily Dressed Women, and Alcohol in the Church".

A quick recap of that post, over the last several months while at church I encountered all the above and discussed how each situation was handled. 

But, what about those in church service "of the household of faith". Yes, I know cigarete smokers, scantily dressed women, and alcohol drinkers can also be included in that phrase. I am referring to the ones who are in church service every Sunday, day in and day out, who...from all outward appearances have it all together. 

None of us have it all together and won't until Jesus comes.

What about the other side of Galatians 6:10,  "Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should insure we do not do bad to everyone-especially to those in the household of faith."

That is not good grammar, but the point is solid! Doing nothing is better than doing bad.

While ministering to the ones outwardly hurting, we must be watchful to not overlook those who are of the household of faith (sometimes inwardly hurting).

So many in the household of faith pour out and pour out and pour out, Sunday after Sunday after Sunday, and all through the week,  year after year. 

Let's determine to pour into them!

• Pastors 
• Pastor's Assistants
• Deacons
• Ushers
• Greeters
• Audio/Video Department
• Parking Lot Attendants
• Praise and Worship Team
• Children's Church Teachers
• Nursery Attendants
• Children's Church Teachers
• Nursery Attendants
• Children's Church Teachers
• Nursery Attendants

See the pattern?

Do good, especially to those in the household of faith. Surprise them with a small gift, take someone to lunch, bake them cookies, clean their house, or one room in their house, keep a young mother's small children for an afternoon. Do something for the least of these. (Matthew 25:40) It isn't the amount of the gift, it is the blessing attached to the gift for all involved. It is love.

But, at bear minimum, don't make things worse for those in the household of faith. Church will not "be a army who shoots their own wounded" in the name of Jesus!

One of the seven things the LORD hates/detests is "a person who sows discord in a family" (Proverbs 6:16-23).

So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [^[a]morally] to all people [not only ^[b]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers]. (Galatians 6:10, AMP)

Romans 12:15 tells us to "rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn". It does not say, to rejoice with those who we feel like rejoicing with and mourn with those who we feel like mourning with. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Here's a few examples:

1. When God does something really great for someone in the household of faith, don't get jealous and offended. REJOICE! Tell them, "Wow it's really an awesome thing God did for you! Since He did it for you, He'll do it for me!" (Acts 10:31) REJOICE! And again I say, REJOICE! (Philippians 4:4)
2. About five years ago, I was ushering at a very large church. The house was jam packed, as it always was. Praise service was "game on" full force. Three new people walked in and I was trying to find them seats. I finally saw three seats down front, second row from the front. However, the empty seats were "split". In other words, there were two empty seats, a woman sitting in a seat, then another empty seat on the other side of her. I gently touched her arm (made sure I had a mint in my mouth) and politely asked her if she could move over one seat so I could seat the family together, who just happened to be standing right behind me. The elderly lady (in other words, old enough to know better…Galatians 5:23) "had a hissy fit". She got mad, grabbed her purse/bible/notebook, complained, and threw her things over. She said, "This is MY seat! I was here FIRST! I ALWAYS sit HERE!" and then she moved. Perhaps it was the mint? This situation definitely made me reevaluate transferring from the ushering department to the nursery department. I told you all that to tell you this. Please make "church workers" service as easy as you possible can and…just…move.  (1 Corinthians 8:13, Mark 9:42)

I know, she was probably having a bad day (obviously). I have no idea what she was dealing with in her life. And thankfully, I had just read, Dr. Larry Ollison's book, "Breaking the Cycle of Offense" so I went to the back of the church and prayed for her…and myself…and for the people sitting next to her all throughout service!

In hindsight, I supposed I should have moved them to other seats...usher epic fail!

A few days ago, my sister and I were discussing how hurt we are as moms when one of our kids are mean to another one of our kids. Imagine God's response when He sees one of His kids being mean to another of His kids...

Give, and you will receive. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. (Luke 6:38) Can that scripture go beyond a tithe message? (Genesis 8:22) Just a thought...

Father, we thank You for every person who serves in Your house with a servant's heart all for Your glory. We declare The Blessing over each and every one of them. Thank You for blessing them and keeping them! Thank You for making Your face to shine upon them and being gracious to them! Thank You for lifting up Your countenance upon them and giving them peace! We declare supernatural blessings and supernatural energy and strength over them in the name of Jesus! Father, over the coming weeks, we invite You to prompt us by Your Holy Spirit in ways to bless those in the household of faith. Thank You for instructing us in this. Thank You for showing us how to put works with our faith making it life giving! We bless You LORD, You are at the top of our family. We determine not to grieve You but instead to do good to You, in the name of Jesus! We love You Father!

Numbers 6:24-26

Galatians 6:10

Psalm 103:1

Happy 2nd Anniversary FREE Drawing is Coming Soon!

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the Heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things. (1 Chronicles 29:11, NLT)

As you know, we are gearing up to celebrate our 2nd anniversary! Below are the details for our free drawing.

Key Tov Blog has teamed up with Totally Totes (facebook.com/totallytotesmissouri) in order to bless a faithful reader with a free special gift. Tucked away inside one of their great totes will be one of the most life changing books I've ever read, "Breaking the Cycle of Offense" by Dr. Larry Ollison (www.faithman.org)

For every "share", "like", "retweet", and comment at Key Tov Blog we receive during our series, "Full Return", (May 9, 2013 to May 30, 2013) we will enter your name into our free drawing. To insure your name has been entered, we will comment on each share/like/retweet/comment. If we do not comment, please contact us by making a comment on at Key Tov Blog and we will insure your entry is added. On June 15th, we will draw a winner in celebration of our 2nd anniversary! 

Thank you for joining us during our series, "Full Return". We pray you are blessed as we take you along with us on this journey!

UPDATE:

The winner of our drawing has received her wonderful gifts!
A tote from Totally Totes and a signed copy of Dr. Larry Ollison's, "Breaking the Cycle of Offense". Mucho mahalos for your participation in our free drawing!

You may find more great products from Totally Totes at www.facebook.com/totallytotesmissouri
You may find more great products from Dr. Larry Ollison at www.faithman.org

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!

What is Your Good Report for Today?

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

We are so excited to be gearing up for our next giveaway! Other than the Bible, there is one book that completely changes my life. Please notice, I said, "changes" because I keep re-reading it! 

Breaking the Cycle of Offense by Dr. Larry Ollison. 

You can check out the details at this link. 

http://www.walkonthewaterbooks.com/wowbooks/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2

Since this life changing book is one of my all time favorites, we are giving away a signed copy in the month of October! 

In order to participate in our free drawing, all you have to do is post a good report on our Facebook page and then "share" your post from Whatsoever Things are of Good Report's wall from now until September 30th. Please use this link to find our Facebook Wall.

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

Each "good report post" and "share" gets another entry in the drawing. Only one post (entry) per day is accepted. Please help us increase our likes and share this post! 

We will announce our winner on Oct 1st!  

What is your good report for today?

Key Tov, What's in a Name?

indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “ For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13-14, NLT)

While living in Missouri, sitting under the teaching of Dr. Larry Ollison, he taught us many lessons on the Hebrew Language. One of which being, our language uses the alphabet and the Hebrew language uses the Aleph Bet. In order for us to easily say English words from the Hebrew language, we spell the words phonetically because there is not a letter to letter translation.

Dr. Ollison started many church services by all of us in unison shouting, "Halelujah! Key Tov! Key Le Alam Has Doe!" Translated, "Praise the Lord! He is good! His mercy endures forever!" And the glory of the Lord filled Walk on Water Faith Church! 

We are often asked about Key Tov. We named our blog Key Tov as a constant reminder that He is good. (Psalm 136:1)
He is always good. (John 10:10) 
He never changes. (Malachi 3:6) 

On this, our one year anniversary, we are continually reminded of God's amazing goodness. This past year has been a phenomenal journey of introspection, growth, and encouragement, as I pour my heart out through this avenue God has blessed me with and quite literally placed in my path.

This past year, you have honored me by allowing me to pray with you, face battles with you, and walk out this good fight of faith together!

There have been times I’ve written with so much joy I could hardly contain it! There have been times I’ve wanted to quit, believing I was revealing too much of my heart. There have been times of attack and I’ve had to seek God’s face to fulfill the true heart of Key Tov blog which is to always bring glory to God.

Being an extremely private person, sharing the deepest part of my heart with you has been a huge struggle for me. But God directed me to do it. As I fought against some, I had to continue to do what God told me to do, and as a result the fruit continues to flourish. Thank you all for your emails of support and encouragement of how Key Tov blog has helped you! 

Once you shed God’s life giving light, He empowers you to live life in excessive abundance! (John 10:10, AMP)

Key Tov!

The Scar

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2, NIV)

When Mike and I got married, he bought me the most beautiful bedroom suite I have ever seen, before or since. We had spent a lot of time searching for the perfect set. When we found it, we were looking at a catalog in a furniture store and I turned the page to a set named, “Precious Memories”, we both said, “That’s it!” Marital agreement is a good thing!

We still have that bedroom suite. It has been transported many miles, from Oklahoma, to Washington State, across the Pacific to Oahu, back across the Pacific to Missouri, back across the Pacific once more to the Big Island. That is a lot of crossing!

Early in our marriage, during the move from Oklahoma to Washing State, the cedar chest that belongs to the suite was damaged by not being properly cared for by the people responsible for it. It still has a deep scar because we’ve never correctly dealt with it. The cedar chest did nothing wrong resulting in the scar. I know that may sound absurd, but there is a point to the statement.

The allegory being, at times we are scarred simply because we weren’t properly cared for and not by means of our actions.

All these years, all the moving, all the day in and day out of daily living, the cedar chest still has the scar. All these years, I have strategically covered up the scar with flower arrangements, my favorite clock, or candles.

Today, I researched how to correctly deal with the scar at Lowes.com. Below is a brief excerpt.

“When refinishing furniture, you must do the most unpleasant part of the job first. Removing the old finish can be a cumbersome and messy task. For a while early in the process, until you start getting down to the wood underneath the mess, you may feel that you have completely ruined the piece. Have patience. Once you get to the final stage of the wood, you will have graduated from making a mess to creating a masterpiece. When you are finished, you will be proud of what you were able to create.”

To read the instructions in their entirety, please use this link. The process is quite lengthy.

http://www.lowes.com/cd_Refinish+Wood+Furniture_39774404_

Today, I had to remove some flowers that covered up the scar and I was again reminded the root issue had not been dealt with. For over fifteen years, the scar remains.

But today, instead of cringing when I saw the scar, I smiled because God has changed my perception. Now, the sight of the scar reminds me of how deeply God has changed our lives over the past fifteen years. Today, the scar brings me joy unspeakable and made me sing, “Look what the LORD has done!”

I am no longer reminded of what the enemy tried to do. (John 10:10)
I am reminded of everything God has done! (John 10:10)

If we choose to hold onto offense, the list of emotional scars can be quite lengthy. We can decide to cover up the scars with pretty things, but the scar remains. Whether we were or were not properly cared for and a scar or scars resulted, God’s Word remains the same, forgive and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37) God has set before us the choice to choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Dr. Larry Ollison's book, "Breaking the Cycle of Offense" (www.faithman.org) will help you walk out this process.

Dealing with emotional scars and furniture scars can be quite lengthy. When dealing with emotional scars we must do the most unpleasant part of the job first, removing the root, which can be a cumbersome and messy task. For a while early in the process, until we start getting down to the root issue underneath the mess, we may feel that we have completely ruined things. Have patience. Once we get to the final stage (deliverance), we will have graduated from making a mess to allowing God to create a masterpiece! When we are finished, we will be so well pleased of what God recreated! God doesn't cover the mess up, He makes all things new! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We don’t have to go through daily life covering up scars. Do your scars remind you of the wonderful goodness of God? Or do your scars bring pain that has just been covered up and not properly dealt with leaving the root issue intact?

I thank God we don’t have to go through the same process with emotional scars that we have to with furniture scars! Did you read all those instructions? Mercy!

He is easy and light! Fix your eyes on Jesus, forgive, receive His healing by faith, (Even if your mind doesn’t currently understand, just have confidence in His Word.), walk in the belief you were healed (1 Peter 2:24 & 2 Corinthians 5:7), and you will dance for your King and sing, “Look what the LORD has done!”

Battle!

Resist the devil, and he will flee. (James 4:7)

Ever been hurt? Ever been hurt and what you believed to have happened was truth but as it turned out, you were wrong? And you harbored hurt based on a lie?

Ever been hurt and what you believed to have happened was truth and as it turned out, you were right? And you harbored hurt based on a truth? 

What is the difference between the two when aligned with scripture? Do we have loopholes in scripture? If we were truly wronged, and not operating in a misunderstanding, are we allowed the "luxury" to nurture that hurt until it grows into a full blown root continuing to "bloom" even decades later? Or at least until a new hurt presents itself. And affecting all relationships, present and future.

No, we don't.  We truly have option. Submit to God by obeying His Word.

Of course, there is that other option. Pick up the offense caused by the hurt, hold it, pet it, baby it, feed it for years or even until death finally kills the hurt. After all, some people purposefully hurt others. But I know every person reading this is far too wise, far too full of The Word, and far too led by the Spirit to fall for the enemies schemes by fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. We immediately recognize this as a scheme of the enemy; therefore, we absolutely avoid it. 

How do we do battle against this scheme? I'm so glad you asked! 

First, please understand, we operate in two realms. Natural (what we see which is temporary, James 4:14) and the spiritual (what we don't see which is permanent, 2 Corinthians 4:18). The flesh wants to scream, cry, complain. We must not fulfill those lusts of the flesh. Instead, we must walk by the Spirit renewing our minds daily, having new mercies every day like our Father, and operate in forgiveness. (Galations 5:16, Romans 12:2, Lamentations 3:23, Luke 6:37)

Stay so closely knitted in His Word, there is no room for anything else. And as a result, we lack for nothing. Including freedom from offense. (Matthew 6:33)

We can operate in so much grace, everyone who comes into contact with us is changed! I've been learning a lot about grace lately. I believe one aspect of grace is continually meditating on and operating in the fullest definition of thanksgiving in everything Jesus is and refusing to meditate on anything that everything else and everyone else isn't. At the end of the day, isn't everything we do (including speaking and thinking) all about Jesus? In light of our redemption package, what else truly matters?

The secular world knows offense is poison to the mind, soul, and body. Deadly diseases that manifest in the body can be scientifically linked to an offense(s). How much more must we, as born again believers, avoid obvious traps. Choose life! (Deuteronomy 30:19) 

So somebody we know does something stupid to us...big woo (As Dr. Larry Ollison would say). 


We must spend more time meditating on Kingdom principles than we do on whether or not we are justified in an offense. Failing to do so, is a first step in the wrong direction. Consider this, the next time you are offended, don't tell anyone but Jesus. And then, pray for that person until you are free. That's freedom!

What would happen if we imitated our Father as dear children and focused on the good of others and disregard the negatives. God focuses on the good in us, let's do the same! (Ephesians 5:1)

Doing battle like this in the spiritual realm is not as difficult as some may think. This fight against the enemy is not ours but the LORD's. (2 Chronicles 20:15). My battle and your battle lies in the first part of James 4:7. So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. (God's Word Translation) Hard for him to do battle as he is running away.

How are you going to do battle?