Giveaway: )

Giveaway over at: http://www.lemonademakinmama.com/2012/12/new-years-diy-and-giveaway.html. Check it out : )

Who He Is

Well I got "it" again, by "it" I mean the desire to write a note : ) I usually get "it" when something is on my heart and mind and if I don't sit down and write it out I'll just think about it constantly. So lets get down to it! I pray the Holy Spirit reveals to you what you need to see and what I need to write! Gosh, where to start! I guess I'll first start by saying sometimes I feel the need to protect God. I know what you may be thinking that that is pretty laughable....God, God, needing protecting...ha, yeah right! But when I think about and see what people say and think of Him, even believers.... most the time believers, it saddens me to the point my heart just aches for the Father...But more so for you....the one who pictures God as this...this taker away of loved ones, baby killer, tornado causer, inflicter/allower of pain to teach a lesson, takes away jobs, cancer giver, you name it... fill in the blank... the list could go on and on and on of what I've heard and seen! Why do people say these things? Why do people believe this is who the Father is? I think one of the major reasons is not understanding the finished work of Jesus. I love what Andrew Wommack says in his book, The War is Over: Wrath Appeased (appease means to satisfy...satisfy means to meet the expectations, needs, or desires of (someone) • fulfill (a desire or need) • pay off (a debt or creditor) ) Jesus made a difference in the way God relates to mankind. This is what the angels were praising Him for in Luke 2:14. They were really saying, “Glory to God in the highest. The war is over!” The anger and wrath of God has been atoned and appeased. God’s wrath was placed upon His Son, and He isn’t angry with us anymore. All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 The Lord made us friendly. He brought us—not only believers, but all mankind—back into harmony with God. The debt has been paid. Now we must receive it. We must put our faith in the Lord before what He has provided has its full effect in our lives. But God’s wrath has been appeased. Man may not be reconciled to God, but God has been reconciled to man. His wrath is over—and He’s given us the ministry of reconciliation. (reconcile: reunite, bring (back) together (again), restore friendly relations between, make peace between) The reason that Christianity isn’t having a greater impact on our world than it is today is that we aren’t preaching this message. I think some people think it is comforting, I don't get why(maybe they don't know what else to say or that's what they've been taught), to tell people God allowed/caused whatever to happen to show them/people whatever...fill in the blank, but how can we/anyone, for that matter, really trust God if He is hurting us in some shape or form! In John 14:9 Jesus says, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father"...How many times have you heard great things about Jesus but then on the other hand heard not so great things about God, but what we have to realize is what we read about Jesus in the Bible is also who the Father is! How did Jesus speak, act, and be while He was on the earth? He was a friend to sinners, healed people, and taught and showed LOVE. He didn't conjure up tornadoes, kill people, or inflict pain on anyone. Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds....wouldn't we be pretty brokenhearted if we lost a child, got cancer, our homes were destroyed and then on top of that think that God did it!!! Jesus was pierced, crushed, and punished so you wouldn't have to be!!!! Sometimes there isn't answers to why horrible things happen, but when did it become OK to blame horrible things on God!?! God is NOT double minded( pretending to entertain one set of feelings, and acting as if influenced by another). God is LOVE! He cannot love the world and at the same time hate it! He would be a liar and if that were true, which it isn't, He would cease to be! John 3:17 Amplified Bible (AMP) 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. I love in the verse above when it says, "the world" because who is in the world? We are....those who believe and those who don't and what does it also say in 17, God DID NOT send Jesus to judge the world, but that the world(who's in the world..everyone!) might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him! God isn't a baby taker and need another little angel/flower in Heaven! Lord, help us...open our eyes to this! I love what I once heard a pastor say, "If God needs another flower in Heaven....He will grow one!" That quote is sooooo true!!!! Why do we put God in this box...in our imaginary box of who we think or how we think He is!?! God the creator of heaven and earth....Who created man and woman!!! And we're all over here talking about how He took that and this to teach us or show people who/how we think He is! He's not the Godfather, as my Dad would say, He's Father God! He is our Dad! He loves US! I love what Matthew says: Matthew 6:26 Amplified Bible (AMP) 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? Are we not more valuable then birds...Yes, of course! God loves you and is not mad at you! He only wants the best for you! There is NOTHING we can do to change that fact! Because of Jesus! Because of Jesus we now can have the relationship with God we've always dreamed about and probably can't really comprehend that kind of love that only God is! This is the Good News! Andrew goes on to say in His book: The Gospel is good news. In fact, this Greek word translated gospel actually means “nearly-too-good-to-be-true news.”1 The Gospel is the nearly-too-good-to-be-true news that God isn’t angry with you, that He loves you, and that He wants to extend all of His blessings toward you. When we realize/believe the Truth; the Truth being the Gospel/ Good news; the "nearly-too-good-to-be-true news, we will start seeing God as who He is:LOVE! 1 John 3:1 Amplified Bible (AMP) 3 See what [[a]an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. By acknowledging Jesus and what He did we are recognizing who the Father is. Jesus fulfilled the wrath of God! God is no longer angry! When you read the Bible now always remember to read it knowing the finished work of Jesus! I'll leave you with these verses as a prayer. May our eyes be opened, hearts be changed forever, and the words out of our mouths spoken about the Father be the truth of who He is: LOVE! Ephesians 3:14-21 Amplified Bible (AMP) 14 For this reason [[a]seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. 16 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; 19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, [b]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses [c]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] [d]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and [e]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! 20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— 21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Whatcha Sayin….

I love to sing! I'm a shower singer, a car singer, and really an anywhere singer. It's just my thing. Since I've become a momma sometimes I wonder if I sing more to Jozie then I talk to her : ) Well, last night I was doing my usual singing around the house. My song for the evening was 'Have Thine Own Way Lord'. I sang it off and on but not for very long. We had supper, I started to clean up the kitchen, and Chris went to go give Jozie a bath. So as I'm cleaning up dinner what do I hear but my sweet husband singing 'Have Thine Own Way Lord' to Jozie...sweetest thing ever! Have I mentioned my husband is HOT...ok ok I'll go on ; ) But in that moment the Lord showed me something....WORDS ARE POWERFUL!!! Whether we sing them or talk them! You know why words are soooo powerful because we can hear/see them and where do they go but straight to our hearts. God reminded me, last night, the verse in Proverbs 18:21-The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. I know Chris is sooo use to me singing that now if I sing he probably doesn't even think about it, BUT do you see what happened!?! I sang words, Chris knowingly or unknowingly received those words, and then what was in his heart come out. So my question to you is, whatcha sayin? To yourself, to your husband/wife, to your children, to your friends and family? Are you speaking LIFE or DEATH over them/ to them? In Luke 6:45, it says, "45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart." What are you saying about/to yourself: I'm ugly/fat, I'll never be fit, I can't, I get sick all the time that's just what I do, well you know it's that time of the season I'm definitely going to get that, my mate hates me, my children don't love me, I'm alone, my friends and family don't care about me. I'll have this problem the rest of my life, this always happens to me. STOP SPEAKING DEATH!!!!! START SPEAKING LIFE!!!! What are you saying about/to your husband/wife: we'll never make it, he/she doesn't love me, you should be with someone else, I don't know why you're with me. STOP SPEAKING DEATH!!!! START SPEAKING LIFE!!!! What are you saying about/to your children: my kids are spoiled brats, they're growing like weeds, you can't figure that out, you'll never be good enough. STOP SPEAKING DEATH!!!!! START SPEAKING LIFE!!!! What are you listen to on the radio? What kind of music are you daily allowing to penetrate your heart? What shows are you watching on TV? Are you watching desperate housewives/ lifetime shows? What are you looking at on the internet? When you talk on the phone or even in person to someone what are you saying and how are you acting?.... are your children with you/ around you? Do you talk bad about your mate to your friends? Do you talk bad about your mate in front of your children? Are you hanging out with people that speak life or death? Remember in Proverbs 18:21-The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Now, this verse does not say God will bring life or death it says you will/your tongue... what you say will bring about life or death consequences. One of my friends posted this saying as her status the other day: 'Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.' I don't know about you but I want what I say to bring life and not death! I think one way to start getting out of 'death talk' is to be THANKFUL! I would recommend sitting down sometime and writing what you are thankful for!...about you, your spouse, your children, your friends and family and post it somewhere that you will see daily. Can you imagine your mate seeing a list of all the things you are thankful for about him/her! What if you even started saying to him/her what you loved/ were thankful for about him/her!?! Ever since Jozie was really little I tell her, " You are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator of the Universe, you are loved and highly favored, you have everything you need and want, you are loved by the Savior!" Speak life to your children! Ask the Lord what should I speak over my child this day, this week, this year...and start doing it! Now is the time to stop watching that 'death' show on TV or that song that you love but know it really isn't doing anything but bringing death. Or what about that friend that just feeds your 'death talk'? Ask God to help you speak life and not death and to show you when you're speaking death. I don't know where you are at in your life. You maybe saying, "You have know idea what I'm going through, etc." And that is true, but one thing I know is that we are responsible for ourselves. There maybe chaos all around us, but we have a choice to think and speak life or death. I'll leave you with a verse and pray we see, think, and choose life over death! Philippians 4:8 The Message (MSG) 8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

You Say…God Says….

I saw this(You say…God says) on the internet and had to share : )

2 Peter 1:3-4 (New King James Version)
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

You say: “It’s impossible.” GOD says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)
You say: “I’m too tired.” GOD says: I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: “No one loves me.” GOD says: I love you. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5)
You say: “I can’t go on.” GOD says: My grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 91:15)
You say: “I can’t figure things out.” GOD says: I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: “I can’t do it.” GOD says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)
You say: “I’m not able.” GOD says: I am able. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
You say: “It’s not worth it.” GOD says: It will be worth it. (Romans 8:28; Galatians 6:9)
You say: “I can’t forgive myself.” GOD says: I forgive you. (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1)
You say: “I can’t manage.” GOD says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)
You say: “I’m afraid.” GOD says I have not given you a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say: “I’m worried and frustrated.” GOD says: Cast all your cares on ME. (1 Peter 5:7)
You say: “I’m not smart.” GOD says: I give you wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5)
You say: “I feel all alone.” GOD says: I will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

Romans 8:31&32 (The Message)
So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?

Borrowed Offenses....

I've been thinkng about stuff....borrowed offenses, letting go, & rest ...... sooo I thought I would write about it : ) First off, I don't know everything...go figure ; ) so bare with me. I pray the Holy Spirit reveals to you what you need to see and what I need to write!

So lets begin with borrowed offenses. Have you ever heard that term before? I first heard it from a man named Vic Porter. If you find yourself reading this and you start saying that's me, me, me...then I would recommend going to:http://www.iswlive.com/pages/ISW-Vic-Porter-Products.html and buying the book Borrowed Offenses.

I like to look words up in the dictionary...so that is what I did:

Borrowed
borrow |ˈbärō; ˈbôrō|verb [ trans. ]take and use (something that belongs to someone else) with the intention of returning it.

Offenses
offense |əˈfens|noun annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles

Example's of borrowed offenses~
Example:
Bob says to Jane, "Guess what Fred said about me." Bob tells Jane. Jane takes, uses, accepts, and allows what Bob said to affect, consume, become apart of her. Guess what....next time Jane sees Fred what do you think Jane is thinking about.....what Bob said Fred said about him.

Example:
Pete's friend told him, "Bill is so hurtful, mean, and not a good person." Pete takes, uses, accepts, and allows what his friend told him to affect, consume, and become apart of him. He thinks about it all the time. Tells himself (Pete), " I'm never EVER going to have anything to do with Bill!".......because why?....because of what his friend told him.

There are soooo many more examples and I'm sure while reading this you have thought of some yourself. Borrowed offenses happen everyday! People are in jail because of borrowed offenses, relationships that should have happen didn't because of borrowed offenses. Relationships that were and still should be aren't because of borrowed offenses.

Lets look back over the definitions: borrow- take and use something that belongs to someone else...key words, "belongs to someone else", not YOUR stuff...THEIR stuff. God did not create you to take on someone else's burden....Jesus paid to high a price! With the definition offense, "perceived" popped out at me...which means- interpret or look on (someone or something) in a particular way....what if the way we see something, the offense, really isn't even one at all! We see things the way we want to see them! “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” Proverbs 29:25 (Message) What if we looked to God instead of blabbing our mouths to each other! Can you image the friendships that would be had! Friendships that would not be lost! The life that would bring!

It is time to LET GO of borrowed offenses! You maybe saying, "Amanda, how do I do that?" REST....rest in what Jesus did! Have you ever noticed when you allow yourself to recognize God's presence ( which is always with us) you don't think about anything else but Him. It is like the cares of this world are washed away...that is what resting in Him will do......it will cause you to see what is important! Not some borrowed offense!
Listen to this song and allow the Lord to speak to you : ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gytKkritU0

If This Doesn't Put a Smile on Your Face....

This is Hilarious : ) Enjoy!