Count the Cost

If you have had a house project, or even a school project there are things you must do.

- make a plan

- evaluate the cost

- gather tools/resources

- execute your plan

 Many people though, skip step two. Which is why so many people do not complete projects because they have no idea to what they have really committed to.

But what does it mean to count the cost? When it comes to our faith, to following Jesus, He told us Himself:

Luke 14:25-34 (NIV) - The Cost of Being a Disciple

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

The parable of the seed reminds me of the 4 types of "Christians." I was raised, I was taught, that the parable of the seed is about all the earth, all the people of the earth. But after more study, instead of just accepting what I was taught, I realized that the parable is about the church, not the Church as in the Body of Christ. But when you look at a gathering of believers, usually in a "church" building - just because someone is there does not mean that they are truly following Jesus. Only 1 of the 4 (but do not think it is an even 25%) truly counted the cost and decided following JESUS was worth EVERYTHING.

What is the cost of following Jesus?

• You will be hated, mocked, and ignored.
• You could lose your home, your job, your family.
• You will be hunted.
• You will hate the things of the world.
• Your heart will hurt for the lost.
• The things that break God's heart will break yours.
• You will commit to knowing God's word, and obeying It.
• You will live with anticipation that His return is eminent. 
• You will hate your past but anticipate the future with Christ as your LORD.
• You will go/do where and what He says for you to do to spread the Gospel.

****At the end of this post find scriptures to back this up.****

How does this look in our lives? How does counting the cost and living for Christ look with your family, your work, your social media presence?

The past 18 months have been a whirlwind on a global level. Politics are divisive, more so than ever. The United States is divided and without God there will be no unification. Was this last election won fair and square, was there collusion, was the election stolen from the people. Only God knows, I am not sure we will know this side of heaven one way or the other.

Than there is the "V" - please note, I will not say the name of the "illness", nor will I say other "v" word associated with it (I will go with jab). I refuse to use either of those words so in order to not be censored at this time. And that is where I am going with my post.

I am of the belief that the "V" was man made, and purposely released by the Red Dragon country to destroy the USA, disrupt the good work that Donald Trump was doing ( I believe God was using him to move the world closer to the Rapture), and to push the globe into a population control scenario.

I believe the jab is not what we have been told. And many, many, many others are of the same mindset of me. Some are more vocal about it than others. But the fact is, the jab does not prevent you from getting the "V" nor does it prevent you from spreading it. So what is the point?

I know many who with in days, within weeks of getting the 2nd part they developed severe medical issues. Then there are the women who with healthy pregnancies miscarry for no reason. Or the women who are past menopause all of a sudden having cycles again. I do not judge anyone who received the jab, and I do not hold it against anyone who is holding out. We all have to do what we believe is right for us and for our families. 

My spirit is not well with what is going on in the world. This place is not my home, and what is going on is causing my heart to yearn for heaven even more. 

I saw the image to the side a few days ago and it stuck with me. Censorship is unchecked now. You speak out against the "V", the jab, the LGBTQ movement and "Pride" month, or against the current administration and you censored, put in FB jail, or your social media presence is erased. The party that calls the other side Nazi's for our beliefs is using all the tactics that Hitler put into place to rise to power. Ironical, to say the least. 

I don't want to be lukewarm. 

Revelation 3:14-22 New American Standard Bible

Message to Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of the creation of God, says this:

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. 22 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

With those of like mindedness, I have spoken my thoughts on the "V", the jab, and all the crazy political upheaval. But not too much online. A "safe" post here or there, but nothing more. And I am convicted. I am afraid of what I would lose. And for that I am ashamed. Now is not the time to worry about what I will lose. Jesus is coming

Read that again.

JESUS IS COMING!!!

The last 18 months have conditioned people for the Great Tribulation and the Mark of the Beast system that will come after the Rapture. So many took the jab to "return" to normal, and that is what they will do during the 7 year time known as the Time of Jacob's Trouble. The stage is set. We must get people to Jesus. Because if you reject Him, you will pay a great cost.

Should you die prior to the Rapture...you will go to hell.

But, if you are here after the Rapture, you could become saved, and many will, but how sure of that are you? Why would you want to go through the pouring out of the Wrath of God on humanity? Plague, death, war, disease, famine - just to start.

I am going to share Jesus with people. I am going to share the articles about the healthy people dying immediately after receiving the jab. I am going to share the studies on the number of children who have such adverse reactions, on a jab that is not FDA approved but being pushed under Emergency use. I am going to share the information that the jab is to cause sterilization.

I will not be quiet, I will not be lukewarm.

But, I will not be pushy, I will not be yelling. I will do all this in love. People are confused right now. People are hurt. And Jesus loves everyone - He wants all to be saved. So many have lost so much - they don't need to be yelled out. They need compassion. 

John 13:35 - New American Standard Bible

35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

I have read God's word. I know how this all ends. And I see the signs He told would happen, in greater occurrence right prior to His return to call his Bride (that's us Church!) to Heaven to be with Him.

They can block me, they can put me in FB jail. That is fine. When you squelch truth, try to stomp it out - you give it a bigger platform. You cause more people to pay attention to it. And my God, His word does not return void.

Isaiah 55:11 New American Standard Bible

11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;

It will not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire,

And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.

*** Scriptures on the cost of following Jesus****

Luke 9:23 ESV And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Matthew 24:44 ESV Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Luke 14:33 ESV So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 8:18-22 ESV Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Luke 10:3 ESV Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Titus 3:5 ESV He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Acts 20:35 ESV In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Galatians 2:20 ESV I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Matthew 10:38 ESV And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Luke 14:25-33 ESV Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, ...

James 4:4 ESV You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Matthew 8:20 ESV And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

John 8:24 ESV I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

Ruth 1:16 ESV But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Deuteronomy 4:2 ESV You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ...

John 8:31-32 ESV So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:12 ESV Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Luke 16:13 ESV No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Luke 9:57-62 ESV As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” ...

Matthew 19:21 ESV Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Matthew 10:34-37 ESV “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

1 Peter 2:21 ESV For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Titus 2:11-14 ESV For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

1 Timothy 4:13 ESV Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Colossians 3:17 ESV And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Romans 8:1 ESV There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 24:36 ESV “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 10:37 ESV Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 8:18 ESV  Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.

Matthew 6:24 ESV “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

2 Samuel 7:1-29 ESV Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? ...

Joshua 24:15 ESV  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Romans 12:1-2 ESV I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Matthew 4:18-22 ESV While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25 ESV  “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ...

Exodus 20:1-26 ESV And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...

Philippians 3:20 ESV But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 5:25 ESV Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Ephesians 5:2 ESV And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Acts 2:22 ESV “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know

John 3:17 ESV For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 14:26 ESV  “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 9:60 ESV And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 4:19 ESV And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Proverbs 4:20-21 ESV My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.

Make Time for Jesus

 "More time with Jesus." 

The collective answer that my former ladies Sunday school would answer in response to all the woes - how to make a decision, how to parent better, how to "wife" better, etc.

A sweet lady I have studied under for years quipped that statement a few years ago, and it stuck with many of us. And honestly, while simple, its deep. What does time with Jesus look like? It's prayer, it's scripture reading, scripture studying (there is a difference in reading and studying), its worshipping, its singing His praises, attending/listening to sermons that are biblically sound, fellowshipping with other believers.

Time with Jesus - based on the above, well its a lifestyle. It is not something you can flippantly partake in. If you are wanting time with our Lord and Savior, its a commitment, it takes dedication, it takes a mindset that is focused on the heavenly things.

But when you add the word "more" to the front of the phrase, it implies someone who is already dedicated and committed to their relationship and walk with the LORD. And that is beautiful. That someone who is not satisfied with a surface level encounter with Jesus.

This reminds me of the analogy given by my mentor L.M. regarding the study of the Bible in the Precept Style. This is how she described different Christians, the different levels of involvement that Christians have in their walk with Jesus. Precept in her opinion was scuba diving.

• On the beach, feet in the sand
• Christians who attend church on Easter, Christmas, for weddings, and for funerals
• Splashing toes in the water/waves
• attend Sunday School and one church Service a week
• Water up past the knees
• Serve at church, attend several times a month, involved in activities hosted by the church
• Snorkeling, face under the water
• All of the above, and attend events that are study-like, but said study's require very little from the individual at home in the way of study.
• Scuba Diving out in the water with land no where in sight
• This is where someone who does Precept Bible study is according to my former mentor. With Precept Bible Study, you are essentially taking a college course in Bible. In depth reading, a good 4 to 5 hours a week of study, using God's Bible to study God's Bible. So many beautiful cross-references. And a person who has studied God's word in this manner....they live a life transformed by Jesus. When you have seen the beautiful interweaving of God's narrative you serve, you worship, you participate at a different level.

I miss taking precept. Thanks to the global pandemic, the classes have been on hold. Last fall we did
move forward in our studies via online meetings, but something was missing and it was harder. Precept truly is a class meant for in-person instruction and conversation. I am hopeful that this upcoming fall the class will resume and I will be able to attend and study.

Obviously someone who has done Precept, or similar inductive Bible studies, they grasp, they live "More Time with Jesus." When I look at all that is going on in the world, I see a world though that isn't ready for "More" - I see a world that needs to "Make" Time for Jesus. 

More Time with Jesus vs Make Time for Jesus

My mind and heart are heavy as I move into this next section. I am saddened. I grew up and live in America. The land of the free to quote the Star Spangled Banner (1814). A country founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs, founded with the mindset of religious liberty and freedom. While many states in this United country have worked hard to keep people of faith from partaking in their God ordained right of worship, the past 13 months has shown the churches that will do anything to reach the lost. These churches, they remind me of Smyrna and Philadelphia -  the two churches who received no rebuke from our Lord Jesus Christ. So many churches initially closed due to wanting to honor Romans 13:1 - 

"Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." (New American Standard Bible)

But then that initial two weeks to "flatten the curve" never stopped. It kept be extended, the proverbial tin-can kept being kicked down the road. And in fact, our current residing President says states that have opened back up, that have given the right to its citizens to decide how to live, that they should shut back down (link). That these states are being "reckless." That type of rhetoric is fear mongering, and I serve a Lord who says, "Do not fear": link, link, link, link, link

I am thankful and grateful for all the churches who stood up, and said enough and opened back up. Not a one was rude, but they left it up to their congregations to attend in person if they felt comfortable. For the individuals or families who did not feel that in-person fellowship and study was for them, the online options were numerous. But when the Apostle Paul, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, said,

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 - King James Version

He was not talking about an online community. Think of it as a watch, and its components. If they pieces are just gathered together but not in the right functioning place, the watch doesn't work. Only when "assembled" does the watch work. That is the Church. We can gather online together, but we are not in a position to function and work as the Lord has called us to do. It is only when we are assembled together, in-person, that we are truly effective and able to be used by our God.

The Church needs to Make Time for Jesus. Many have fallen away - and the past 13 months have revealed an apostasy. I have heard different word studies on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 -

"The Great Apostasy"

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, (New King James Version)

"The falling away" - a mass exodus from the faith, from the Church

Now the general consensus, which makes sense, is that people will leave the faith. But I have heard differently a few times in the past year a slightly different take. Its beyond just a great leaving -  that is evident, but it also ties into the Rapture, which these verse are linked and symbolic of. There will be a great leaving of/from the churches, but also the leaving of the true Church (which is the Rapture). Something to think on, in these days in which we live. I will say though, we are seeing the leaving of the faith now.

Poll: American Church Membership Drops Below 50% For First Time

One in Three Practicing Christians Has Stopped Attending Church During COVID-19

How Many Churches Will Close?

Fewer Than Half Of U.S. Adults Belong To A Religious Congregation, New Poll Show

American church attendance hits historic low, says Gallup survey

More Time with Jesus would solve many of the worlds woes, but unfortunately More isn't even something to consider currently. We are in a state of where people need to Make Time FOR JESUS.

When a society, country, culture goes away from Jesus, we see the horror of depravity that is truly man. His righteousness is what makes us right with God. Without Him, without Jesus, we are sinful, depraved, and disgusting.

So as we start our day this Friday, I am asking you to Make Time for Jesus. It's Good Friday, today we remember the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Some churches observed the Lord's Supper last night as apart of Maundy Thursday. Our church we attend will be having a service tonight to reflect on the sacrifice Christ made as He was nailed to the cross. And on Sunday - all of Christendom will celebrate the empty tomb, the fact that our LORD is RISEN!

Start now by making time for Jesus by settling to attend church this weekend. That is a  very good start.

What you do Monday determines if you will attend Church on Sunday

Did you know that your decision to attend church Sunday morning takes prep work starting on Monday?

What you do Monday determines if you will attend Church on Sunday.

How do I come to this? Many years of making the firm decision to attend church every opportunity I have. 

Attending church, on a heavily regular basis is foundational for a secure walk with the LORD. Christians need to be in fellowship with other believers. We need to be under the teaching of doctrinally sound pastors on a minimum of a weekly basis. We need to read scripture daily. We need to pray daily (minimum).

In the era of Covid-19, I know that attending church can be uncertain. For a long while many church were shut down. First by mandates, then by choice as they navigated how to open and operate with all the requirements for social distancing. Many switched to an online platform, and have continued only with that. That is their choice. Other churches are open, and even those are split. Some have few precautions, many have so many that they are not welcoming. I honestly believe every individual Christian needs to decided for themselves HOW they will attend church. 

BUT, ATTEND WE MUST!!!

So how does Monday play into your decision to attend church on Sunday? It is with each individual decision you make, starting with Monday. If you have resolved that you will be attending church on Sunday, that will guide and direct every decision you make through the week.

In Daniel Chapter 1, we find the introduction to Daniel, the prophet. Starting in verse 8, one see's a young man who made a decision to honor God, even when he was in a pagan nation, and it could mean death. Please read...

Daniel’s Resolve

8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. 10 The commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has allotted your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking gaunt in comparison to the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” 11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please put your servants to the test for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

14 So he listened to them in this matter, and put them to the test for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their appearance seemed better, and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. 16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.

17 And as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every kind of literature and expertise; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.

18 Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service. 20 As for every matter of expertise and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the soothsayer priests and conjurers who were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king. (NASB)

Daniel was not alone, which shows the wisdom of having like minded friends of the faith. There is strength in that! There is accountability.

"But Daniel made up his mind" - v eight. Daniel did face persecution throughout his life, but by purposing his heart, by making up his mind to serve and honor God, he found favor, and his life was even saved. 

Let's be like Daniel. If your intent on Sunday morning is to attend church, stay the course. When you are invited to a Sunday Brunch, ask it start later or you have to pass. If your child is asked to take advantage of a extra sports practice, if it is during church time, pass. None of these things in and of themselves are evil. In fact, they are neutral. But if they take our focus off of Jesus, time with Him...then they are no longer neutral events. Friend, God will reward you for being in the assembly of believers faithfully.

Additionally, take control of your household. Create a schedule, that way nothing gets in the way of attending church. For our family it looks like this:

• 
  no sports or music practices on Sunday
• bills and meal planning are done on Thursday, Friday at the latest
• grocery shopping and all errands for the week ahead are complete on Saturday
• Laundry. It never ends. Ideally, for our family of 5, I do a load of laundry every other day. Or push come to shove, I wash it all on Saturday, and Sunday evening I hold a Folding Party while listening to the Prophecy update from Pastor J.D. Farag.

How serious am I about having my family in church? 

1. My children, all three, were in church the very first Sunday after they were born. No I did not put them in the nursery at church, for the first 3 to 6 months I would sit in the commons to listen to the worship and message as I held them. All three of my babies heard their momma sing praises to Jesus while she held them, comforted the, nursed them.
2.  Our family had a season of life when my husband was unable to attend church regularly due to his career. But none the less we, our older two children (this was prior to our youngest being born) and I would get up, have breakfast and attend morning services. 
3. I have been blessed throughout my life that I have been member to churches with Wednesday night services. Many families find the stress of attending Wednesday night to be hard, to be too much. Again, pray about it. If it is God's will for you and your family, He will provide the time, the peace, and the ability. I have managed to get children picked from daycare and school (in separate towns), get home, get changed, pick up dinner, eat and attend church on time. FOR YEARS! And now, our new church - Wednesday night doesn't start until 7 p.m. We can easily eat at home and arrive on time with homework done, and a few minutes of piano practice complete.

Now, life does happen! People get sick, bad weather is not safe to drive in. My family missed 2 weeks worth of Bible study and Sunday worship due to me recently being diagnosed with Covid-19. We obeyed the 14 days of quarantine, and Praise to God, only I was sick. I also deal with hereditary migraines. And occasionally they happen when I plan to attend a church function, and its not safe for me to do so.

This message mainly though, is for those who are able to attend and are not firm in that decision, or see the importance in attending.

I want to give a warning to those who think that attending church is not needed for a relationship with Christ. God's own word, the Bible, warns about not being with other believers regularly:

Hebrews 10:25 (NASB) - "not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Well, if you know me, I bring everything back to Jesus, and His soon calling of the Church home to heaven. And in light of current world events, I feel the strong urge again to warn EVERYONE that Jesus will soon call ALL BELIEVERS to Heaven.

The “day drawing near” is the “day of the Lord.” This refers to that terrible day when Jesus will come to bring judgment on all unbelievers. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church about this day in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.  Hebrews 10:27, describes that day as “a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”

Paul was writing to believers. Why then was he concerning them about the day of the Lord?

Here are two reasons:

1. Some of his readers may not have been true believers and he was warning them. Paul indicates this in verse 26, as he wrote of those who “go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth.” This group no doubt includes those who mingle with believers but have not yet believed. They are those who are curious about the faith, and may be under conviction, but have not yet taken steps of commitment to Christ; hence they need this message. (I suggested studying the parable of the seeds – this is not a message of those in the world, but those in the church! Only a very small portion of those in the church are truly believers!)

Then there were those who were more willful in their unbelief, who were imposters—fake believers and even secret, false prophets. Paul wanted to warn these too, for there is always hope for even these. Remember, God wants none to perish – there is hope for everyone. Do not look at people and think – nope they aren’t worthy. God loves them as much as you. And remember, he who is forgiven much, loves much. Parable of Two Debtors

2. The approaching day of the Lord has an effect on believers. Just because believers will not experience the wrath of God on the Day of Judgment, all the days and years leading up to that day may cause us some sorrow and grief. Just think on all that is going in the world currently. Pandemic, political unrest, civil unrest, joblessness, famines, locust plagues, fires.

Nonetheless, there are things we can do to be encouraged.

As the final days of the earth draw near, Satan will do all he can to discourage and deceive us who are believers. He will try to pull us into all the trouble and chaos and will try to mislead us into thinking that there is no hope—that Jesus will not come for us (as I said before, many Christians are confessing that a Pre-Tribulation is not possible, and it is dividing believers).  That is why we need to study and memorize verses of hope, verses on the rapture that tell us that He is coming and that He has prepared a place for us (John. 14:2).  Likewise, we need to be comforted and reminded that even in the midst of trouble, one day, before the wrath of God comes on the earth, He will snatch us up together with Him in the clouds and take us to heaven to be always with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17).

So, as trouble and chaos on the earth increases, we need more and more encouragement. And so this is why Paul exhorted them to not forsake the assembling together.  Fellowship is so important to our comfort and encouragement in these final days.

So friend, what will you and your family do?

Joshua 24:15 NASB

15 But if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."

Vote Biblically

It is here.

Election Day 2020. 

Today those who do not participate in Early Voting, will go to the polls and vote for the President of the United States (and other leaders, proposals, etc).

I am not here to tell you pick this person or that person.

That is a personal choice. If you want to know who I voted for, reach out to me.

But, if you are a believer I want you to remember this; each of us will answer to God for what we did with our lives - good and bad.

Romans 14:12 New American Standard Bible

12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

America is more divided then ever. This election is divisive. But I encourage you to put all that aside. As a Christian, we need to look to God's word to direct our vote.

Joshua 24:15 New American Standard Bible

15 But if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Our Pastor on Sunday encouraged everyone to vote, and to vote biblically. Consider these 4 points before you cast your vote:

Abortion

Proverbs 6: 16-19

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,

Seven that are an abomination to Him:

17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that run rapidly to evil,

19 A false witness who declares lies,

And one who spreads strife among brothers.

Friends, who is more innocent than a baby in the womb? Roe v. Wade is evil, abortion is infanticide, it is murder. 

Psalm 127:3 NASB

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

I think the world has forgotten this fact. God's word states clearly that children are a gift, a reward. And yet, for all time children have been cast aside, viewed as a distraction, a hinderance. During the times of 1 & 2 Kings, people participated in child sacrifice to their idols. Now that has been dressed up and is called "choice." 

Psalm 106:38 NASB

And shed innocent blood,

The blood of their sons and their daughters

Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;

And the land was defiled with the blood.

That choice has consequences. The God that knitted us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13), He will not let it go unpunished. 

Joel 3:21 NASB

And I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged,

For the Lord dwells in Zion.

Yes, even the Israelites sacrificed their children. They had divided hearts. It is a sad state of affairs when women advocate for the right to murder their own children without punishment - and the government allows it.

Marriage

I wrote a paper in college, and called it Adam for Eve, not for Steve - or something along those lines. The assignment was to write a controversial opinion piece. I passed, my professor seemed impressed. 

Gods word is controversial to a world that thinks they are their own god. And for believers, to stand on God's truth, is to be viewed narrow mindedly. But, Jesus said that the only way to the Father is through Him. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). That is pretty narrow and specific. 

And when it comes to marriage, God's word defines it:

Genesis 2:24 NASB

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Our country has seen a downhill slide in depravity since the sexual revolution of the 1950's and the 1960's. Free love, increase in STD's, generations born of broken families, the destruction of the nuclear family, gay "marriage", pushes to normalize pedophilia, and so much more. I have been reading through "The Book of Signs" by Dr. David Jeremiah. And one point that stuck out to me was this 

"In 1947, sociologist Dr. Carle Zimmerman wrote a text called “Family and Civilization.” He identified eleven ‘symptoms of final decay’ observable in the fall of both the Greek and Roman civilizations. 

See how many characterize our society:

1. No-fault divorce
2. “Birth dearth”; increased disrespect for parenthood and parents
3.  Meaningless marriage rites/ceremonies
4. Defamation of past national heroes
5. Acceptance of alternative marriage forms
6.  Widespread attitudes of feminism, narcissism, hedonism
7.  Propagation of antifamily sentiment 
8. Acceptance of most forms of adultery 
9. Rebellious children 
10. Increased juvenile delinquency 
11. Common acceptance of all forms of sexual perversion."

Israel

Genesis 12:3 NASB

"And I will bless those who bless you,

And the one who curses you I will curse.

And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

God's word sets the precedent for other nations and how they should act towards and with Israel. Pray for Israel, and elect leaders who support Israel.

Church - Essential

Essential - that could be one of the top 10 words of the year 2020. 

es·sen·tial

/əˈsen(t)SHəl/

adjective

absolutely necessary; extremely important

noun

a thing that is absolutely necessary

I never thought I would see the day when churches in America would freely shut their doors. But that happened. Church leaders shut the churches down, because the "leaders" in government said it was essential to flatten the curve and prevent people from getting the virus! (by the way, the government is to represent us, not lead or lord over us - we have a republic if we can keep it!)

I will admit, closing things down for the 2 weeks, at first sounded rational. Logical even. But then, they kept extending the time frame. And it wasn't just churches. But schools and businesses too! And here we are, about 8 months later and many states and cities are still in lockdowns. And many churches are closed, forbidden to open! 

In these days, these last days, people need hope. They need Jesus. They need fellowship. We are not meant to be alone and isolated. God meant for us to be together.

Hebrews 10:25 NASB

not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

If you have followed my blog for any time, but especially in the last 8 months, I have mentioned Pastor J.D. Farag often. I came upon his prophecy updates, and have faithfully listened to his 3 weekly sermons without fail. How he explains Hebrews 10:25 conveys the right visual to what God intended when Paul (more than likely) penned the book.

Many think the meeting together is gathered, but Pastor Farag argues it is assembled. His example is a watch. The pieces can be gathered together, but they don't work until they are assembled. The church can "gather" online, but its not until we are assembled together that we truly can do the work of Christ.

2020: To Stand. To Serve.

It is a new year. For most, the start of the new calendar year means resolutions, new starts, fitness goals, ambitions, and the such.

And this is all fine and good, but those of us who have secured our salvation we need to remember this:

Lamentations 3:22-23  (NASB)

22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness

New every morning. As believers we get to have a fresh start every day. Not that consequences don't continue, but we can wake each day excited to serve the Lord anew. We just need to stay with Him, continue walking with Him, have that relationship with Him that shows that we are the good seed.

I find resolutions to be daunting, maybe even intimidating. I like goals, like praying more, reading a Psalm a day, essentially small steps to get closer to God ad further from my old self. But I even admit this is pretty vague. I do like the notion that has developed in Christian circles the past few years of claiming a word for the year. And many Christian websites have quizzes to help you find a word.

Claiming a word to guide my year has been very beneficial for me. For 2019 I chose "intentional" - I wanted to be intentional in my reading, relationships, my comings, my goings, in all I did. And I would say I was. I did it. Maybe no as good as I could have, but when it came to interacting with others, I know that the word "intentional" would come to mind repeatedly making sure that I made eye contact, used the persons name in the conversation, the word "intentional" helped me to become more genuine in my interactions.

So here we are, day 3 of the year 2020 and what word will define me, define my life?

I took one of those quizzes I mentioned previously 20202 Word Quiz and it gave me the word: Stand

I decided to look up the word "stand":

stand

/stand/

Learn to pronounce

verb

verb: stand; 3rd person present: stands; past tense: stood; past participle: stood; gerund or present participle: standing

1. have or maintain an upright position, supported by one's feet.

2. (of an object, building, or settlement) be situated in a particular place or position.

3. be in a specified state or condition. adopt a particular attitude toward a matter or issue.

4. withstand (an experience or test) without being damaged. INFORMAL be able to endure or tolerate.

noun

noun: stand; plural noun: stands

1. an attitude toward a particular issue; a position taken in an argument.

2. a rack, base, or piece of furniture for holding, supporting, or displaying something.

3. the place where someone typically stands or sits.

4. a large raised tiered structure for spectators, typically at a sports arena.

5. a cessation from motion or progress.

6. a group of growing plants of a specified kind, especially trees.

For me, for my Christian walk in the year 2020 I am going to stand for Christ, for His commandments. I am going to solidify my position, my faith, what I believe. I will make my stand for Christ and not be moved.

Before I took that quiz, the Lord had been placing another word in my heart and I feels strongly that the two go together. 2020 for me will be defined by 2 words, and the second is serve.

serve

/sərv/

verb

verb: serve; 3rd person present: serves; past tense: served; past participle: served; gerund or present participle: serving

1. perform duties or services for (another person or an organization).

2. present (food or drink) to someone.

3. LAW deliver (a document such as a summons or writ) in a formal manner to the person to whom it is addressed.

4. be of use in achieving or satisfying.

5. (in tennis and other racket sports) hit the ball or shuttlecock to begin play.

6. NAUTICAL bind (a rope) with thin cord to protect or strengthen it.

7. MILITARY operate (a gun).

How the word serve came to me is beautifully woven through my interactions and life with two beautifully, godly women who I admire.

The first woman is Mrs. Diane. I want her energy and her zest. She is hard on herself, she sees her shortfalls, but oh friends, the fire and passion in her - you not only see it but you feel it when you are anywhere near her. She will fill in from time to time in my connection group when our main teacher needs to be out. And when she teaches? It stays with me in ways I cannot explain. My main teacher has fed my soul, and her messages have impacted my life, but Mrs. Diane feeds a different part of my being. I am thankful for both these lades.

Awhile back Mrs. Diane subbed in for a few Sundays, and over time she went over numerous women
in the Bible. Wow, it was amazing. And when she went over Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, God inspired me. Any woman who has had walk with Jesus for any length of time has studied these two godly women. And identified more than likely, with a self-negative perspective, with sister Martha.  And then longed, with doubt of aspiring, to be more like Mary.

The lessons she taught, reaffirmed that Jesus needed both of these ladies in His life, and hat humanity needs both types of women. The house Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived in was Martha's house.

Luke 10:38  (NASB)

38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

This lesson was so eye opening. Martha wasn't just a woman running around doing all the work, she was a business woman, who owned a home big enough to house her, her sister, and her brother, and host Jesus and the disciples. She was business savvy enough to be able to afford to feed this large group. Which makes her appeal to Jesus a bit more understandable. Martha provided for Jesus a resting place, as He was a man with no earthly home. 

And then Mary. In light of her sister we can say she was lazy. But oh friend, both these sisters were socially abnormal, and what examples they set for us. Martha owning property as she must have, was not the normal. And for Mary to sit at the feet of Jesus was socially taboo. Men and women did not sit together as such. Mary was at Jesus' feet. She risked ridiculed and tisked, but she chose Jesus. It is implied that Mary was rooted where she was. And Jesus was her light and her water, His words and His teachings fed her spiritually for her to produce fruit that would later serve her well in her Kingdom task.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

I was so inspired by the idea of Mary rooted at the feet of Jesus I even did a drawing for Mrs. Diane. I haven't draw in ages, but I was happy with the final product.

After I finished this drawing, the week of my church' Christmas program, I ran into Mrs. Lynne.

She is the wife to our Minister of Music, and caretaker of the banners. Oh my favorite part each year at the Singing Christmas Tree is the presentation of the banners. Each one represents a name or attribute of Jesus, and they are brought into the worship center with ceremony. It is breathtakingly stunning.

Her and I had a private conversation as she was mending one of the banners to be used, but it got my mind thinking about the drawing I did of Mary at the feet of Jesus. In my mind there was a flip, and it wasn't Mary at His feet, but it was Jesus at the feet of the disciples  He wasn't rooted, but he was serving. And until then, I am not to sure I had given much thought to that attribute of my Lord and Savior.

Matthew 20:28 (NASB)

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45 (NASB)

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [a]life a ransom for many.”

John 13:1-17 (NASB)

The Lord’s Supper

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [a]to the end. 2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4 *got up from supper, and *laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

5 Then He *poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” 8 Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” 10 Jesus *said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and [b]you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus came to serve. And from the definition above, when we serve, we have someone in authority over us. Jesus had God the Father. And as a Christian we serve Jesus and God. 

Jesus came to serve. Oh, He came to do more, and He did and He will. But He served as part of His ministry. And He is calling me to serve.

I have this blog, which I must and will do more with. This is but one platform I can utilize to do my part of the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:16-20 (NASB)

The Great Commission

16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I have also felt God put on my heart to do an in-home Bible study on the Book of Joel, and a few other tasks. I am willing and waiting.

So in 2020 I will stand and serve God.

Thoughts...

This is not going to as well thought out as I like to usually post. But so many revelations, ideas, and scriptures have to come to me lately, and I feel that I must share.

I feel I give this "disclaimer" often, but I want you to know where my heart is. I have looked at current world events through the lens of scripture (Joel, Isaiah, Daniel, Revelation, James, John, 1/2/3 John), and what I see is God's word fulfilled. I see that the only thing left is for the trumpet to sound.

Now think on this:

Matthew 24:37-39 (KJV)

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be

I live on the Gulf Coast and currently we are experiencing Tropical Depression Imelda. This system is worse than Hurricane Harvey from two years ago, and that is saying something. The images in my news feed are just heart breaking. But it has me thinking. What if the trumpet sounded now?

The trumpet is going to sound as we all go about life. But these days life includes all these weather issues and mayhem. So in the middle of chaos, which we are all be acclimated to, a major portion of the earth's population disappears.Right now, cars are stranded, buildings flood, stores have feet of water in them - and then the trumpet.

It is not going to be easy when the Church is gone. It's going to be devastating, and if it comes on the heels of a hurricane, tropical depression, fire, earthquake, or tornado (or a combo of these)....try and wrap your mind around that. People will be in mourning, confused, but knowing that they need supplies, but they might not be available. The world that will be is going to be ugly.

Just some thoughts as I work at a school, and parents have been calling all day checking on if we are closing, early dismissal, etc. It's a private Christian school. When the trumpet sounds, most to a majority of our school will be gone. But as an evangelical school, church membership is not required, and we know many of the parents are not believers. They are going to be calling to find out how their child is, and no one is going to answer the phone.

Chaos. Heartbreak. Devastation.

Generation Innocence Taken

Being a parent in this day and age is a challenge that I don't think any of us are prepared for. And if you are a Believer, a Christian, it is even harder. I do remember a time in my life when I said I would not have children; that the world was crazy insane and it wasn't worth it. 

Now, that being said, being a parent is 100% worth it! I love my children. And you can call me a mama bear, you can call me a tiger mom, I would like to think I'm somewhere in between.

I'm going to go with a lion mom who is protecting her cubs. In my connection group we've recently read "In the Middle of the Mess" by Sheila Walsh. Near the end of the book, Sheila talks about how somebody described her as a lioness, with the loyalty the, fierceness, the passion. And she couldn't handle that for a long while. That description, it was too strong to describe her Christian walk/life.

But that is what we need to be as mothers and if you're a guy who's reading this, you need to be a lion, be in charge of your pride: protect them, fight for them. There is a battle going on and our children are in the middle of it. The battle is for them, for their hearts, their minds, their bodies, but oh so more crucially it's for their souls. Jesus said the kingdom of God will be the children's, you have to have a childlike Faith to be in heaven and therefore Satan is going after our children.

Matthew 18 (NASB)

Rank in the Kingdom

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Stumbling Blocks

7 “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

8 “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. 9 If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the [h]fiery hell.

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 [For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.]

I have a hard time understanding how those that are not believers do not see the attacks that are happening to our children. Now there are actual literal attacks. In the Houston area there have been numerous children who have been murdered. Straight up, no question about it: a little girl was cut apart by her mother's boyfriend and that entire situation, while it united the city, the details though they are heartbreaking. Then another little boy was gunned down in the middle of a home invasion robbery. From there there's the drag queen story time issue (I have previously written about it: The Battle Line Has Been Drawn) that is going on nationwide and many of these individuals are sexual predators. And within the past few weeks there was a teenage sponsored drag queen event and a parent tried to remove their child and the parent was arrested.

And then there's the TV shows and movies pushing the LGBTQ "lifestyle".

• My Little Pony:
• My Little Pony Introduces Its First Lesbian Charters with Same-Sex Couple Making Cartoon Debut
• My Little Pony brings lesbians to Equestria - just in time for pride week
• Arthur
• 'Arthur' Creator Defends Gay Marriage episode Following Backlash
• 'Arthur' Opens Season With a Same-Sex Wedding and a Cake
• Toy Story 4
• There's an LGBTQ Moment Lurking in "Toy Story 4"
• Toy story 4 Promotes LGBTQ Agenda
• One Million Moms Protest 'Toy STory 4' Over 'Dangerous' Lesbian Scene

The entertainment industry is doing everything it can to make it seem normal. In regards to Toy Story 4, I took my kids to see the movie; I never heard a peep about the scene. I will say it was very discreet, nothing flashy or over the top, but that is how they're doing it. They're not always dressing up as demonic drag queens with glitter and paint. They're just making it look so normal as a couple dropping their child off for kindergarten and then picking that child up.

I want to say not everybody who is lesbian or gay is demonic or deranged. I've read the studies, a lot of people who fall into the LGBTQ lifestyle/movement have had a trauma or an abuse and my heart breaks for them it really does. And what I will also say is Jesus loves everyone, salvation is for everyone and Jesus does not want anyone to sin and He doesn't want anyone to perish. 

Now back to the children. Moms and dads we have got to stand up, enough is enough! We are the parents, we have a say in what our children are exposed to. My Little Pony is not a cartoon that will be allowed in my house anymore and I will not spend my money on the items. Now we already have items in the house: toys, books and pajamas but we are not going to buy more. And because My Little Pony decided to introduce a lesbian couple getting married I had to explain it to my six and a half year old what is same-sex marriages. I will say having a child whose as is as inquisitive as my six and a half year old is has definitely taught me how to have conversations about the deep spiritual things at a childlike level. 

So say a prayer for your preschool and Elementary ministers right now because kudos to them. They do this on a semi-regular basis and wow. 

I'm dubbing my children's generation as innocence taken because that is what the enemy is trying to do. If he can steel their innocence, in a sense he's gotten them. If our children are no longer innocent at a young age they become hard, they they grow up too fast. 

And I am so grateful that this summer that I have been able to keep my children at home. They are spending one to two hours a day outside in the sunshine: playing with chalk, trucks, bubbles; collecting lizards, flowers, snails, and frogs. It's beautiful and they're watching way too many movies, eating way too many snacks, taking naps. I love it. They are getting to have a childhood, one that is reminiscent of mine which is fabulous, but also they are getting to spend time with your grandmother and that is time, that is precious. And not only have they been at home, they went to Vacation Bible School (now called Kids Camp). They've had swim lessons, we had a family reunion. And next week my Nugget is going to spend time with his dad for a few days: swimming, fishing going to  the movies. And then my daughter is going to go to an amazing week-long camp at our church. She will have the time of her life and I'm so excited she gets to experience it and then before you know it schools going to start and back to life like that but I really am grateful that I have been able to give my children an innocent childhood summer experience. 

Here is what we need to do to ensure that this summer of innocence carries over into the school year. 

• We need to be praying.
• We need to be not spending money on items, toys, movies that promote ideas/beliefs that go against God's word.
• We need to explain to our children why will not be spending money on such things. It's okay to let them know that while the show might be funny, pretty, awesome (pick your adjective,), anything that goes against God's word is not okay.
• We need to make sure that our children understand God's word, that they know God's word.
• It needs to go beyond just the simple Bible story knowledge. They need to know what Jesus tells his Believers, how they're supposed to live, who the apostles were and how they spread the gospel
• Don't put it past your children, they can learn scripture. Plant those seeds. I am so grateful that my husband and I have managed to send our children to a Christian private school. It has been a sacrifice, but it is one that is well worth it. Last year our daughter (in kindergarten) learned 26 versus, one for each letter of the alphabet, additionally Psalm 100 and 23 along with John 3:16 and 17. She is working on her scripture memory for this upcoming school year: she has ten sets of scriptures to learn about 6-8 versus long each. She is already memorized month 1 and has month 2 about 45% of the way done. She is 6.5 and her 4.5 year old brother, he's picking up pieces of it. And the other great thing about it, since I'm working with her to get her to memorize the scriptures, I'm learning the scriptures also.

Investing in God's word planting the seeds in your mind will not return void and it's a great way to help keep your children innocent. Friends be mindful of the movies, the music, the games, the books. Be mindful of everything. We have to be super vigilant, we cannot be lazy. God put the word "intentional" on my heart this year.

I need to be intentional in:

• my marriage 
• my parenting 
• my friendships
• my relationships.

And when it comes to parenting it's knowing what my children are being exposed to if we want to keep our children innocent and not have their innocence stolen. It is time to step up.