The Race

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1, 2)

My girls are on swim team this year and my whole family is very excited! There is just something about competitive sports! Even as I write this, I am filled with excited expectation of watching my girls compete! Today, Kohala...tomorrow Olympic Gold!

We are learning so much about competitive swimming. Swimming and breathing techniques are mastered. There is a specific swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles that each swimmer dons during races that deter drag. All jewelry is removed. There is much chatter regarding focus. 

During a recent practice race, I observed one of my girls lose her race because she was completely focused on the distractions around her instead of the finish line. Initially, she was ahead in the race but as she became more and more distracted by her surroundings, she grew further and further behind in the race. First she looked at her competitor, then as her team mates started to encourage her to swim faster, she looked at them. I walked to the front of the crowd to video her and she as soon as she saw me, she raised her head out of the water. All distractions that deterred her from winning her race.

During her race she only looked at the finish line at the beginning of the race. Once the race started she kept her eyes on all the distractions. She was a little disappointed but as soon as I showed her the video, she agreed, in order to win future races she has to focus on the finish line. 

After our discussion, God gently spoke to my spirit. Many times, I had shifted focus in my race of faith. I had forgotten I am surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses. I failed to strip off every weight so I had been pulled down. God lovingly reminds me to run with endurance the race He has set before me. He reminds me to keep my eyes on Jesus who is my champion! The author and the finisher of my faith! 

Are you focused on distractions?  Refocus today!


Look to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith  and its Finisher!

This is so AWESOME!

This week, I’ve had a few of what I call “mini trials”. I titled the trials of this week as such because when adversity (a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress) comes I have a “placement test” as I quickly assess the situation and assign it properly. In other words, is this a big deal or is this not a big deal?

For example:

1. Is anyone in or headed to the morgue? No. Praise God! Proceed to step two.
2. Is anyone in or headed to the emergency room or operating room? No. Glory to God! Proceed to step three.
3. Are we all (meaning my immediate family), together? In other words, is my family unit still intact (no affair, not separated by natural disaster, fire, robbery, no one is missing, etc.). Yes. Thank You Jesus! Proceed to step four.
4. Are we all safe? Yes. Hallelujah! Proceed to step five.
5. Since we made it to step five, the current adversity is assigned the title of a mini trial; therefore, Psalm 34:19. The only thing I have to do is Matthew 6:33 and 1 Timothy 6:12. He has always and will always do all the rest! Psalm 136!

Every answer I need to every problem I face is found in His Holy Word. His Word is ALIVE! His Word is ACTIVE! His Word changes everything! His Word is absolute truth! This morning, I grabbed my ipad to do my daily bible reading and even though when I was finished with my bible reading last night, I was not in James…today, when I opened up my bible, I was in James. I was going to go to Proverbs and Psalms but I got a check in my spirit to read James. Let’s just see what God has to say to us through James today.

Verily, verily I say unto you! Ok…that’s not James, that’s me! As you can tell, I’m very excited today! God is so good to me!

The title of the scripture and verse I was about to read was entitled, “Profiting from Trials”. I had to do a throw my head back belly laugh! I was so encouraged!

I placed emphasis on the following, please read slowly and absorb every critical word of this passage!

Consider it wholly joyful, (please note it does not say partial joy) my brethren, whenever (please note it does not say, if ever) you (please note that does not say everyone but you) are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation [as a Christian, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God], And the rich [person ought to glory] in being humbled [by being shown his human frailty], because like the flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away. Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. (James 2:12)

GLORY to GOD!

In May of 2008, I heard a life changing message taught by special speaker Dennis Burke at Walk on Water Faith Church in Osage Beach, Missouri (www.faithman.org) He taught on Mark 4:17. Why do adversities come? Adversities come for the Word’s sake. Adversity doesn’t come just to jack up our day; although, if our day gets jacked up it is a side benefit for the enemy. Adversity comes in an attempt to steal the Word.

We must have root! We must count it all joy and seek Him!

Yesterday on Facebook I saw this post by Jesse Duplantis, “What you focus on determines what you live with! So, are you focusing on God or your circumstances?”

As for me and my house, I focus on God! 

As for me and my house, circumstance can take a long walk off a short bridge!

What is your focus today?

How can you take His Word and change your circumstance today?

Count it all joy!

A New Thing is Springing Up!

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. Isaiah 43:19-21

Several months ago, we decided to get a rescue dog. (A rescue dog is a dog that has been rescued from possible euthanasia after being found as a stray, a dog that has been saved from an abusive or neglectful home by an animal rescue organization such as the RSPCA in the UK or the ASPCA in the USA, or a dog that is simply no longer wanted or can no longer be cared for by its owner. Thank you Wikipedia!)

We decided we wanted a very small, female, lap dog. You know…a girlie dog…a puffy, foofoo dog…not a “man” dog. We started our search. We looked online. We visited every humane society on the island…except one, only because that one is over an hour away.

After several weeks of searching, during a visit at the Hawaii Humane Society, I asked God, “What dog would you have us choose?” I felt a pull to look to the left and I made eye contact with a dog that was larger than we had initially decided on. And he was a male. And he was a “man” dog. I immediately thought, “Can that be right?”

There were several dogs in the same area. There was another dog in the same kennel with this dog but there was a distinct leading for us to get this one particular dog. I walked around the kennel and continued to pray. Again, I made eye contact with the same dog. I knew this was the right dog; however, what God had planned was way beyond what I could ever ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

We took him home and found him (Bodhi) to be very intelligent, calm, and exceptionally loving to people of all ages. Several weeks after bringing Bodhi home we began thinking he had more potential than we had ever imagined. I wanted to maximize Bo’s potential to help others. I began doing research to learn what possibilities were available. I was determined! I thought, if a program is not available, I will create a program! Through research I learned dogs can work in many capacities.

Then I came across an article written by Steve Reiman that stated, “For long-term elders, is it not so much the stress of daily problems, but the boredom, loneliness, and lack of control.” My immediate thought was, “Boredom and loneliness? That is something we can change!”

After several phone calls, a meeting was arranged for Bo to be evaluated. He is now a Therapy Visitation Dog and is a registered employee of the Hawaii Humane Society. We report for duty at a long term care facility next month!

We are also working on our Canine Good Citizen Certification. And we will further our education and expand as He leads. (Psalm 37:23)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_Good_Citizen

Check out our Facebook fan page! Please feel free to share so that we can build a network of Therapy Dogs to help one another to gain information, support, and insight.

http://www.facebook.com/KeyTovDOGography

A powerful aspect of this is…when we adopted our dog, we just thought we were getting a pet. However, God was answering prayer! I had been tempted to feel like I was missing where God was leading me and believing I was getting left behind. I was getting bored and lethargic. Praise God we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Praise God, His timing is always perfect. I know I am created to do more than I had been doing. I had checked into several “ministries” but nothing seemed to click. But Luke 16;10! My spiritual momma said, “Isn’t it just like God to use a dog to answer prayer?!” (Isaiah 55:9) 

Ask-Seek-Knock and it will be answered!

It doesn’t matter to me how He brings about His plan, I just want to be a part of it! (Deuteronomy 12:7)

Many of you reading this are walking in His perfect plan for your life. Some are still searching. Here is something to ponder…

What is God’s new thing for you? 

It’s welling up! 

Perceive it! 

He’s making a way! 

Proclaim His praise!

My Father's Heart

But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. (Luke 15:20, NKJV)

Mike and I dropped our girls with friends so we could take an inter-island trip. Before we were out of the driveway I said, "No matter who we leave them with, it is always so hard for me to drive away."

I will think about them all day. I will look for something specific to bless each of their hearts. My heart is always turned to them. I will even run, fall on their necks and kiss them!

Our Heavenly Father's heart is always turned to us! Even when we sin against Him and we feel like we are not worthy to be His child He sees us from a great way off and has compassion! (Luke 15:21-24)

Who Cares?

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6 & 7, NKJV)

Cast:

• To throw 
• To throw with force; hurl
• To shed; molt.
• To throw forth; drop
• To throw on the ground, as in wrestling
• To deposit or indicate 
• To turn or direct
• To cause to fall onto or over something or in a certain direction, as if by throwing
• To bestow; confer

Care:

• Watchful oversight
• Charge or supervision
• Attentive assistance
• To provide needed assistance or watchful supervision

He cares for us as in He loves us. 

He cares for us as in, He is a loving Father.

How do we care for our children? 

Knowing that, how much more does He care for us!

He provides our every need! (Phil. 4:9) 

Who cares? HE CARES!

Hidden Beneath

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV)

We bought a new house last May (2011). We were so excited and everything was brand spank’n new! Mike and I grew up in a lot of lack so to have this home was a huge blessing to us and we wanted to be really good stewards of God’s blessings. We took extra special care of every aspect of our new home.

Our sliding screen door that opens onto our lanai (patio) was very close in color to the outside environment which made it a little bit of a challenge to see when the screen was closed. Over and over, Mike reminded all the kids (ours, friends and neighbors) not walk through the screen door.

Seven months later, after months of successfully not having any children walk through the screen door, Mike walked through the screen door. I was in the kitchen making a salad and he was going to our outside kitchen to check the grill. He didn’t see the screen and walked right through it knocking it off the track and turning him into a screen wrecking ninja! 

When he first walked through it, he didn’t realize what hit him so arms started flailing and the duck and jab commenced! He moved erratically, thrashing about! It was one of the most hilarious scenes I’ve ever witnessed! Days later, I was still telling the screen ninja story and laughing. After all, Proverbs 17:22!

A few days later…I…walked…through…the…screen…door. In one week, every one of us walked through the screen door, Mike, me, both girls, and our dog. Our dog succeeded in making two trips.

As you can probably imagine, by this time, the screen was not quite what it use to be. Mike did a good job repairing it and it still worked; however, the handle was hanging by its side because one of the screws was missing. For weeks, every time I went in or out of the door, I thought to myself, “If I could just find that screw I could fix my door.” I’d make a quick look around on the surface to see if I could find the screw but didn’t really get down close to the ground and look in the cracks.

Today, I used the hose to wash the tile on my lanai. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if I found that screw and fixed the door?” I got down low and cleaned every crack and crevice to wash out all the dirt, small rocks and dead grass. In one of the cracks of the tile I found the screw and repaired my door! The screw had been hidden underneath the dirt, small rocks, and dead grass.

At the exact moment I saw the screw, the LORD spoke to my heart and said, “That is what I do. I dig deep in the heart of man, beneath the dirt, small rocks, and dead grass and I find what it takes to repair what has been broken.”

Open up your heart to Him today, let your thoughts and the intent of your heart be on wholeness. If there is any dirt, small rocks, or dead grass hidden in your heart, allow Him to dig beneath. He wants to repair everything that has been broken! Let Isaiah 61:3 rule in your life!

Trap'n Little Foxes

"Quick! Catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of your love, for the grapevines are all in blossom." (Song of Solomon 2:15, NLT)

I like herbal tea, I like it a lot. A friend recently stated I am in tea denial so there…I admit my relationship with herbal tea! I have a special herbal tea drawer that so nicely pulls out so I can see all my organized tea leaves at a glance. (No, they aren’t alphabetical, although I have considered that.) My cabinet smells like herbal tea and it makes me happy as deeply inhale when I open the drawer. I don’t use bags. I use loose leaf with a press. I cut (as my close friend has termed it) my own tea drink every day. I am not ashamed and I shall not be moved!

I like to do research. Sometimes, during my herbal tea research I make new discoveries. I find an herb or spice I can add to my tea that is beneficial to health, hair, skin, etc. At times, I have gone overboard with all my cutting and I cut my daily tea so many times that it tastes terrible. What happened? Experience reveals I have gotten too far from the original. Too many different herbs (little foxes) have ruined the taste of my tea (fruit).

I always start with raspberry. It will always be my first herbal tea love. Then I add a pinch of this and a pinch that (different herbs). As long as I stay close to the original, I have good tea. Once I operate too far from the original, I have bad tea…nasty tasting tea.

The same happens when I operate too far from my Original. When I find myself producing bad fruit I realign myself (Matthew 6:33). Then my first love remains intact and I produce much good fruit (John 15:5).

How closely are you operating to The Original?