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!

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!

You are a winner!

We are so excited to be celebrating our first year anniversary at Key Tov Blog!

In celebration, we hosted a fun drawing to give back to you, our loyal supporters! Please see the link for details.

http://keytovblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/mahalo-nui-loa.html

We are thrilled to announce the winner or our drawing!

Totally Totes

You have won first place!

Please send us a message and let us know the book of your choice between “Breaking the Cycle of Offense” by Dr. Larry Ollison or “Streams of Living Color: The Light of His Glory” by Pastor Melissa Harris.  

Totally Totes, we will also be sending you a VISA gift card in the amount of $25.00 as promised! We have a surprise! Due to Dr. Larry Ollison’s extreme generosity, we are able to include a signed copy of his most recent book, “The Practical Handbook for Christian Living”!

Additionally, because of Dr. Ollison’s giving heart, we are able to have a 2^nd and 3^rd place winner as well!

Jennie Crowell, as a 2^nd place winner, you will receive a signed copy of Dr. Ollison’s, “Breaking the Cycle of Offense!

Tina Turner Ministries, as a 3^rd place winner, you will receive a signed copy of Dr. Ollison’s, “The Practical handbook for Christian Living.”

Participation in our drawing has been such a blessing. Thank you all who participated! Mahalo Nui Loa from the depths of our hearts for your love, encouragement, and support via FB posts, tweets, texts, emails and phone calls! We are eternally grateful to God for placing in your our lives! And we take to heart every encouraging word, prayer request, and words of life spoken into Key Tov Blog!