Rebounding in faith and rejoicing in all things is a choice. People can say mean things to intentionally wound us, but we can wisely shield ourselves from those arrows by actually loving our enemies. It hurts to be rejected or HATED for our faith. The behaviors of people who speak words to destroy our faith, courage, or joy — are people who are hurting themselves. BELIEVE in what God promised. He alone is our Avenger.  “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified.” Romans 8:30-32  Paul calls us to think and to apply the fact of God’s grace upon every hardship we encounter. “We must go though many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22 All believers endure in order to proclaim “We are more than conquerors.” Emotional thinking while in the fire of a crisis, will render us defeated.  Christians face stress, persecution, and pain as our loved ones die, we lose friends because of our faith and many times our family, friends and governments will disappoint us.  It is God who calls, justifies so it is not required for us to justify ourselves.  Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Jesus took time to speak gently, but honestly to the woman at the well. He corrected her with compassion.  Her life changed by this divine encounter.  We never know whom our Light will shine deeply upon.  We must choose our words carefully to bless, not to wound. Regardless of our physical or emotional pain, we bring God glory when we shine His light, brightly, but gently! “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3:9-11  Like Paul when he was chained in prison, he chose to sing and rejoice and that led others to Christ. Christians are human and we do “feel” the sting of rejection, hardship, and failed plans.  It is a choice to respond with a hope that confounds others.  There are a lot of lost, empty, miserable people on this planet, and for this very obvious reason, Jesus has entrusted us to win them over with a kind of understanding that surpasses what those outside of Christ can fathom. Those who carry His Joy are a threat to people who are comfortable with their current state of misery. We know the world watches, and with that awareness, we choose to glorify God. We suffer well knowing that this too shall pass. Stroll Slowly

Proverbs 16:28 “An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” Matthew 10:22 “You will be hated by everyone because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Hater’s fish in the polluted pond of self-pity, or in the gutter of gossip as they plot revenge. Their attempts to snuff out our Light is their standard method of operation, it is not personal.  Hurting people hate because they do not know the Love of God.  The transformed by God, show compassion and trust in the Word of God.  We respond with the love He lavished on us.  We were forgiven much, and so we forgive much. Who we once were, and how we used to react, is dead. (Galatians 2).

God tells us that the heart is deceitful above all else, and so our feelings must not dictate our actions. Like many under attack these days, we must anchor our faith securely in the ways of God. The facts tucked in this Bible story cause me to remember that God does confound the wisdom of the world. (1 Samuel 16) Jesse had a litter of sons. The youngest runt was left out in the field while his brothers were  brought forward to possibly be chosen as king. To his older brothers, David was probably just a catapillar, or a pest. David was the least of Jesse’s sons. His ruddy appearance was unimportant to God, but his dad discounted and judged his uneducated son as a boy who would never amount to much! Stunning everyone, God chose David as His perfect choice to be king of Israel. He was not just any king, little David produced the bloodline that Jesus would come from.  David’s father Jesse – did not see greatness or any leadership potential in his son, but our heavenly Father did not consider David’s appearance, for God knew his heart. This story is our Father’s Way of assuring us that we will be overlooked, forgotten, rejected, persecuted, hated and judged in this world, however, He chooses the most unlikely and unwanted to do His will. His Word also instructs us to see each problem as an opportunity to trust in Him as we walk worthy of His supernatural equipping. Rejection has no authority to make us feel hopeless or defeated — unless we allow it. We do not pretend rejection does not hurt, and we are honest about our limitations. Wisely we take His promise to heart, “I will never depart from you, I will not leave you as orphans.” As I am a full time believer in Jesus Christ, that means that I no longer live, but Christ in me lives 100% of the time.  As a full time employee of God on earth, my citizenship and destiny are secured in heaven. According to (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) ALL Believers are called to trust God and obey His command to persuade others.  As much as my heart seeks answers as to what I might have done wrong, or why I am cast out? The superior question remains; what do I need most? Answer: Jesus!   Our Lord already answered “Why do bad things happen to good people?” by His reliance and trust in God,  Jesus was innocent, yet hated, beaten, and crucified unjustly. We may get mad and persist that we’ve been abused, mistreated unfairly, but with a defensive attitude, we deafen our ability to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. The trickster attempts to trip us, to blind us to what God is doing in our midst. Our accuser suggests that we have every right to hold onto a grudge, to be angry, bitter and rightfully complain. Whiners seek the company of others who agree, they do not seek or desire to hear Truth. Many question God as to WHY terrible things happen.  His response is often to remind us that His Word is sufficient to sustain us. He warned us that life will be hard for those who love God.  “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Matthew15:11

In our weakness, is when He shows up strong, but we must admit we need Him.  May we continue to slowly savor His pleasure in us as we recount all that Jesus has done in us and for us. Take time to tenderly unwrap the unsurpassed gift of God’s eternal 💘 love. It is our daily choice to boldly walk in the power of God. AMEN. We must push through with prayer to His side of Peace. Our Beloved knows our hearts and what is left unsaid. He alone understands our deep yearn to be connected to those who have gone before us, and in their honor, we talk to our Father transparently. Jesus is never disappointed in us when we honestly struggle to fully surrender and embrace His Joy in this chaotic world.

My cup, my triple portion, is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit all in One. Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Romans 8:14 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” 2 Samuel 22:33 “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”  Romans 8:30-32 “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

The truth is that our humanity is fraught with pain,shipwrecked plans and recurringg problems which are simply more opportunities to trust God.  The Deceiver will offer detours away from our reliance on God.  We must look in our rear view mirror and remember all the times Jesus stepped into our midst and provided, protected, and renewed us with hope.  Do NOT be self-deceived, but fully alert.  We have tons of evidence, we also have YouTube testimonies as a witness of our faith in Jesus, Who remains the answer in all circumstances.  Many believers struggle and sadly they choose to complain rather than give thanks, in every situation. I have learned from the people God placed in my life that we must be real, raw and honest before our Lord. He knows it all anyway. The human says “I will never give you the satisfaction of ever hearing me say “I forgive you”.  Bitterness chokes the one who holds onto bitterness. God says forgive and you will be forgiven.

Pastor Gary and Lori

At Ed and Annette’s casa

Pat and Marie

Mothers Day with Jason

Kim and Carter

Reunion in Lodi, Ca

Francisco Dec 2021

Marie and Angie

Marcia and Carol Sept 2021

Jan 2022 in San Juan

Deeper intimacy and trust in God is born in the midst of pain and tragedy. I feel the pain, I know hurt people hurt others. Wisely I acknowledge my limits, and I return to His Word to be inspired by the truth about how big, how faithful, how powerful my God is. Jesus is my Super Hero, He is more powerful than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than any military army, and more effective than any of man’s human effort. My God causes me to gasp in AWE as I consider His brilliant plan to save us all from an eternity without hope. His grace and mercy gives me room to swing high and low and then land in His ever welcoming lap. His Word encouraged me to keep my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my soul.   The apt words in the psalms of the shepherd boy comfort me and I walk with great expectation through the ongoing drama of 2021. ❤️ Continuing with a flow of honesty, today I humbly agree with Pastor Gary Neighbor, Pastor Jack Hibbs, Louie Giglio and Amir Tsarfati, that the rapture will take place very soon, just as God said it will — His timeline is not ours, His ways are not ours. Do NOT allow the “one thing funk” to get your mood all messy! When that one thing goes wrong, when your prayer goes unanswered, when a funky cloud of confusion gets in the way of clarity, grab those dark thoughts and choose His light!  Seek all the GOOD around, and refuse “the one thing funk”. Do NOT edge out God as a “grumpy funk” attempts to darken the Light in you. Simply say hello to a growth opportunity.”

SPEAK with AUTHORITY: “Grumpy, you’re not getting me today!” In the powerful name of Jesus I command the funk spirit to go! Lord I confess my bad attitude and ask that You forgive me and saturate my mind with all the good that surrounds me! Whatever is good, whatever is praiseworthy, draw my attention to these things! Lord give me fresh eyes to see all that You are doing in me and through me.   Joy breeds joy so let’s have more of that in 2022 and beyond.  This is the day that the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. 🎶  Sing praises to God before the miracle!   “You are a GOOD, GOOD Father, that is who You are, and I am loved by You, that is who I am, yes that is who I am.” As His obedient servant, forgive all offenses.  “Here I am Lord, use me.”  Fear Not!