My brother, Samuel.

This won't take long. It's just a brief dedication to my one and only brother, Samuel. I'm just sitting here thinking about him because tomorrow is his birthday. And I really can't even believe he is going to be 21. There's something in me that wants to go back and relive our childhood again. I want to love him again and hold him and kiss him and watch him grow. I want to embrace the beauty of our relationship. I was 7 when he was born. I've adored him his whole life. I still don't think he knows how much. He was my little buddy. I would go into his room at night when he was little, for years, just to check to see if he was breathing and to kiss him. Sometimes I just sat and watched him sleep. Not wanting to miss even that because I adored him so much. He told me that as we got older, he would stay up at night waiting for me to come home, to know I was safe in the house. It was something that happened the moment he was born. Like this love between us. I'm sad that those years are gone. But my love for him never dies. All three of us are in this season right now where we are apart. Not apart in heart, but apart in distance. And it's extremely hard on us. I can feel this triangular pull. It's what's in the middle of us that ties us together. It's like a magnet. I feel them. I miss them. I still want to hold them. They are so much a part of me. So much. I can't really even express or put into words how much I adore and cherish them. Time has aged us. Within that time, our triangle was formed. To keep us connected in our physical distance. Parts of a whole. Tomorrow is a big deal to me. It's one of my favorite days of the year. I cherish my brother's life. I always have. I always will.

Sam, you're a treasure to me. No precious jewel or material item can even compare to your value in my heart. Your precious. You've been a continuous gift. You and Janine were my first students and first loves.

I love October 13, 1990.
-MLB

Be encouraged!

I just wanted to share with this with you guys.

*The first couple paragraphs might be hard to understand. Just bare with it...

Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) is the Jewish New Year. It falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Yamim Nora’im, which means the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English they are often referred to as the High Holy Days.

Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It falls in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. The reason for this is because the Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it's believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world. Hence, another way to think about Rosh HaShanah is as the birthday of the world.

Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei. Jewish tradition teaches that during the High Holy Days God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. This process of repentance is called teshuvah. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.

Even though the theme of Rosh HaShanah is life and death, it is a holiday filled with hope for the New Year. Jews believe that God is compassionate and just, and that God will accept their prayers for forgiveness. END.


Please, please be encouraged by this! When I read it, I can feel it in my gut! It's such a beautiful time!
I believe that there is a major transitioning happening. And I know there is an open door! To peace and joy and unity! An end to things that have oppressed and divided. I believe that as we take part in this, MANY, MANY principalities and strongholds are going to fall out of high places.

They say "jews", but this is for every one! When ever the Lord talked about these FEASTS, He called them HIS FEASTS. Not "jewish" feasts. He is OUR God!  If we all focus on our relationship with the Lord and in that place work on ourselves and take our eyes off of each other, we all experience transformation and the Body of Christ is able to unite in such a great way. The enemy has been tormenting and attacking the Body. He goes strong to certain places that are weak and brings division. Because united, we are SO powerful against Him. He works hard to keep the Body from standing up and uniting with each other as God's army. Because He can't stop them. I believe that this new transition is going to change that. As we turn and "repent", we are stepping into a new place with our God. We will be stronger in Him. Healed. Delivered. Refreshed. Free from bondages. I believe that there will be a great restoration. Double of what the enemy has robbed us all of.

I know for some that may read this, this may seem foreign or totally outlandish. But you can't deny that there is two forces out there. Satan and his angels and Jehovah and His. You see where Satan has damaged this world and the Body of Christ. But God is raising up people to change all that. To bring Heaven to Earth in a MUCH greater way.

Be encouraged. Things have seemed so dark for some. But this year is going to be NEW! Even for those that don't catch this. I feel like things are still gonna start going up hill. Because the atmosphere around is going to start to change. Atmospheres of unity change things. Atmosphere of praise and thanksgiving.

I personally am more than ready for this. Just thinking about it has forgiveness pouring through my heart! I don't care about anything but going forward into this. WITH all of you! : ) 

I truly believe!

A laid down lover in the making,
MLB

A look inside...

Foreward:
I'm taking a risk by making this journal entry public. But I know when I read about people in a raw and vulnerable state, it helps me. Because I feel and remember that I'm not alone. I totally appreciate nakedness, but I also feel like you have to be cautious and wise about it. I choose to share this particular entry because if I read this about someone, it would give me hope. So, I hope that you won't see a depressed woman, but someone that is trying to find her place in this world while walking with her heavenly Father. Walking through struggles that feel like your walking through an active platoon. Walking through mud at times. Thick mud. But I know it's not the end. It's just on the way. And great lessons can be learned from the worst most despairing times in our lives. I cling to that as much as I can. Sometimes I feel like the enemy has this vendetta against me. This plan to destroy me. He attacks from every angle. Hating me. And...it could be true. But then, I have to remember that my Father is greater than Him. And He lets certain things go. He lifts the hedge even in His Love for me, because it is His Love for me. And His Love for everyone else too. Because if He can press me and form me and humiliate me and teach me unconditional, selfless Love through trials, then lifting that hedge is a must! I fight it sometimes because it hurts. I'm trying to learn how to wave my white flag. Not making friends with the enemy, but learning to use him to my advantage. I'm learning how to trust Him. But that hurts too. Because we so desperately want to control our own lives. And we can, but it's much easier to just go with the older ox, then pull against Him. There's rest in that. I can't wait to be able to fully do that. Just jumping off the extremely high cliff. Free falling. Not scared at all. Embracing the wind hitting my body as I descend. And then there He is. Just in time to catch me. And then we fly up into the sky together. It's such a beautiful thought. It's those thoughts that I wish consumed my mind more. Part of the surrender. Letting go of my thoughts...breaking a dam and letting His water rush into my head. I believe it's coming and I'm on my way. So remember that as you continue to read....

9/10/11
Good thoughts? Maybe not so. What feels like real thoughts and feelings-more than likely.

I liked feeling blah the other day. It felt a lot like peace and a lot like letting go. Today I feel waves crashing in me. Not constant. They come like a tropical storm, then they die down and then repeat. Today I feel rather cloudy. I'm walking around in all this beauty-under blue skies and luke warm breezes that feel cool compared to the sun's heat. Trees and flowers and grass of all sorts. Away from "civilization". From everything chaotic. Only to find that I can't run from it when it's in me. Thoughts clenching my mind. Tight. I want blue skies and luke warm breezes inside me. Instead it's chaos. Worry, fear and anxiety. Things I try to ignore. But they are such nags!! And if I even glance at them-I open a door. They're invited without being invited. I hate them and what they do to me. I hate how they make me dysfunctional. Keeping me from true goodness. They hate me. And want to destroy me from the inside out. Like a cancer. But, it's in my mind. Eating at it. All the goodness. My breath feels short. It even takes that away. It wears me out and it wears me down. It's so horrible! How something can hate and not Love. Desire death upon a soul and not Life. I believe I'm more than this. That freedom exists. That everything that seems so big to me is probably so, so little to You. There's giants in the land. I want to fight them courageously without mistakenly doing this exhausting work to please You. You say only Faith pleases you. Living out of that. And I totally see why. I'm probably bound by the law. In a way, I feel it. Verses living in Faith. I feel like I have to do the law to get where I'm supposed to be going. I'm not really letting You transform me. I don't know how. I try to position myself so that I can let You in-but I feel like I always fail. And that is part of the chaos. Trying to figure this out. And then even that gets in the way-I feel like. I miss You! When I wasn't trying to work so hard. You were just there. We just were. We were moving. Things were happening without me trying. Now I feel like every thing is in our way. Everywhere I turn, it's something. If it's not one thing, it's another. How can this be? What can separate a daughter and her Father? The Love between them-His Love for her. If I only knew the capacity of your Love for me. Like I know it and feel it from certain people. That tangible. I want to inhale and acknowledge the intensity of It. Your desire and benevolence for me. In more than knowledge. Experiencing it apart from my natural five sense. Being more open to it. Not closed from this heaping pile that sometimes sits upon me. Like a garbage dump. Not the God in the Old Testament that feels so far away. Like there's so much distance between us. But a Father that Loves me crazy. Not a God that demands I hurry and walk straight or I'll be utterly destroyed. It gives me anxiety.
End.

Afterward:
I know that's a lot. But it's my heart undressed. It is what it is. Part of this whole experience of the Spiritual Realm. Trying to tap into that. And live there. In my mind. And not allowing the natural to rule over me. Remember when I said "everywhere I turn?" There's an answer to that even though it wasn't a question. If I can begin to let go of whats around me...being consumed by it....situations and certain things in me and what not....and just look up.....that's my way out. But it's all about trust here. I'm sure you can see. COMPLETELY putting my life in His hands and not my own. Trusting every thing He has ever said to me. Then everything else will quiet down. And the next time I look around, He will have taken care of everything. Because I let go and trusted and took my own hands off.

I'm learning.
From the best Teacher in existence.
Hope floats...
MLB

Adjustment.

Wed. August 24, 2011
Ever read that children's book "Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day"?

I had one of those today. I recently left my my old job and started at a new daycare. Same position-preschool teacher (3 year olds). And it has been such a hard transition for me. It's so uncomfortable and challenging. The old day care was private and laid back and extra ordinary if you ask me. Way different than your typical day care center. It was at a country club on a golf course. My room was lined with windows. We watched the seasons change together through the year. Nothing is ever "perfect", but I was extremely happy and comfortable. The kids and I connected tremendously and there was a high level of respect between us. I felt like I could reach them. And they totally reached me in so many ways.

And I left. Why? Well, I was offered better pay. And when your single with students loans chained to your ankle, it seems like the best thing to do. I also felt like it was an open door. Like by doing it I was setting something into motion. I would be starting a momentum and things would start moving. Hopefully into a school district. I felt like by stepping out of the comfort zone that is what would happen.

It's only been a week and a half. So I hate to judge my decision off of such a short time period. I'm just having a REALLY hard time. It's difficult not to compare where I was to where I am. I feel like I don't like it. Like it doesn't fit. And I can't tell if it's the adjustment or if I just don't belong here. How do you know? I feel like I'm bailing on the kids if I leave. Like I'm giving up...throwing in the towel. Kinda even like I failed. At a more challenging position.

It's got me feeling a little depressed.

Could it be my perspective?
Negativity?

I guess time will tell.

Today I felt like I was in a zoo (why do people say that? the animals are behind cages and tamed most of the time. But you get what I mean when I say that.). I myself felt like a monster. The kids, totally out of control. And me trying to get control in whatever way I could. STRESSFUL.

To top it all off, after work I went and babysat the twins. Two boys that I am absolutely IN LOVE with. Truly. I adore them. They are so affectionate and they feed my heart. They love all over me. It felt great. I miss it. (They are in my old class).

I feel like the old place filled me up. I was giving to the kids and they were giving to me to. They really helped me. It was like some kind of therapy. The place I am at now is different. I have to pick up the pieces. These kids are in a state of such lack in so many ways.

My last week at the old daycare I was aware that the new place was going to be different. And I felt like the new place was going to be a new learning experience for me. To make me a better teacher. To expose me to a different group of children. To learn how to love and care for all children.

I guess I forget that in the midst of everything. Maybe the truth is, this is going to require more of me. More of my mind, more of my heart, more work, more time, more of my self. To reach them. Maybe the old place prepared me for this. By filling me up. Maybe there's season that you give and you are given to, but there are also season where you just give.

I can't sit here and say this is going to be easy. But I want it. I don't want to give up or turn away. I want to embrace this. And give. By the end, receiving. Receiving all the lessons. I won't walk away empty handed. Ill have a greater ability and more to give to the next group....

In the end, maybe it is all about perspective. Imagine if that's the case with everything.
The state of our mind.

On that note, this is to be continued!

At the end of Alexander's Terrible, Horrible, no good, very bad day, his mom says "some days are like that. Even in Australia." (throughout the book, he kept saying he wanted to move to Australia) It's simple and comforting.

 From stressed to hopeful with a hint of reality that this is going to be difficult. But good.
-MLB

Velocity.

Velocity
By: Billy Collins
In the club car that morning I had my notebook
open on my lap and my pen uncapped,
looking every inch the writer
right down to the little writer’s frown on my face,
but there was nothing to write
about except life and death
and the low warning sound of the train whistle.
I did not want to write about the scenery
that was flashing past, cows spread over a pasture,
hay rolled up meticulously —
things you see once and will never see again.
But I kept my pen moving by drawing
over and over again
the face of a motorcyclist in profile —
for no reason I can think of —
a biker with sunglasses and a weak chin,
leaning forward, helmetless,
his long thin hair trailing behind him in the wind.
I also drew many lines to indicate speed,
to show the air becoming visible
as it broke over the biker’s face
the way it was breaking over the face
of the locomotive that was pulling me
toward Omaha and whatever lay beyond Omaha
for me and all the other stops to make
before the time would arrive to stop for good.
We must always look at things
from the point of view of eternity,
the college theologians used to insist,
from which, I imagine, we would all
appear to have speed lines trailing behind us
as we rush along the road of the world,
as we rush down the long tunnel of time —
the biker, of course, drunk on the wind,
but also the man reading by a fire,
speed lines coming off his shoulders and his book,
and the woman standing on a beach
studying the curve of horizon,
even the child asleep on a summer night,
speed lines flying from the posters of her bed,
from the white tips of the pillowcases,
and from the edges of her perfectly motionless body.

Afterward by MLB:
I used to love this poem!
We are moving even when we are not.
Time is so precious. It doesn't ever stop for us.
It keeps pushing us forward.
There's so many empty lines coming off of people.
When I say this, I mean, unfortunate time spent.
Time that goes by without any good in it.
Depressing days.
Times hugged up by sorrow.
Abused.
Tortured.
Unloved.
Neglected.
Can't get up.
Wrecked with anxiety.
Confusion.
Anger.
Hate.
Strife.
Meaningless.
Division.
I don't mean to be negative with this.
Just truthful.
And I'm bringing it with an angle of inspiration.
Because it can touch somewhere deep in us.
Where we won't want to settle.
But we will move toward and fight for...
being the change we wish to see in the world.
Where lines of light come off of us moving in time.
Where we turn toward The Source of Light to receive.
So that we can give it others.
And it becomes our dedication.
To fight for this.
To turn to The Light.
To give.
Because time isn't stopping.
And anything can happen tomorrow....
So let us bend toward Love.
And surrender to Him.
And the very movement, in time, or out, whispering "hope".

Thoughts on the Casey Anthony trial and repentance.

Thoughts on "the Casey Anthony trial".

I haven't watched one bit of it. I've just heard people talk about it and I've seen glimpses of it's status on the internet. And now there's a huge uproar because the verdict was what every one WASN'T hoping for: not-guilty. Which I can understand. Your heart goes out for that little girl. And you just know the mom did it, and now she's getting off.

We all know how corrupt our judicial system can be. So this really shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Even though justice is supposed to be "fair", it isn't always that way. However, I think one thing that might've slipped our minds is that, though the natural justice system seemingly failed, God is still "The Judge". God sees everything and knows every thing. That lady might not have got what most people wanted her to get for what she did, but she is going to have to face God with this. And it's not gonna be between all of us and her and Him. This is going to be between her and Him. We can get around the natural law and the natural justice system, but we will never be able to get around our God...our Judge...our Creator.

And here is a mind blowing twist: Am I saying that she is going to go to hell for this. No, I'm not. Of course there is ALWAYS consequences for our actions. And if she is guilty, she will be found guilty before God. But here is how awesome our God is, and how different He is then us. She is going to have a chance to repent and receive salvation. One of God's main characteristics is FORGIVENESS. He is merciful. Which is hard for us to comprehend, because we want people to suffer. To get what they deserve. Eye for an eye. And then there's God. Who wants repentance. Why? Because that's what we "should" do? No! Because He actually desires sinners to turn to Him. So they can be set free and delivered.

Repent doesn't just mean to say sorry and then every thing is ok. Or to simply proclaim Jesus as your savior and you're good. Because you can do all those things and not really meant it. Or just use it as a form of manipulation. Plus, it's not a vain act. Where you say you repent because you're supposed to and you don't want to get in trouble. But then you go back and do it again. And again and again. And as long as you say you repent after each time, you're ok. My kids do that all the time in my classroom. They think if they say they're sorry, they are off the hook and can immediately get out of time out or not have to have any consequences to their actions. I started to tell them "Sorry means to change". If you're truly sorry, then you'll begin to change your behavior. You'll begin to see what kind of effect your behavior has on others and yourself. But that has to come first. An eye-opener. A conviction deep within you. To get you to the end of your rope. Where you don't want to be that way anymore. And you really want to turn away from the direction you were going. For your sake and others.

In the Old Testament, repentance speaks of a turning. In the New Testament, it speaks of a changing of one's mind. So what or who are we turning to? The mind of Christ. We're turning to Him. To get back to our Father, Jehovah. In the definition, it actually says to turn back. We were once with Him. And He wants us to come back. No matter how far we've gone away. If this lady would've had a renewing and washing of her mind with who Christ is and who she is really meant to be, would she have done that? NO! She is obviously some kind of sick. Mentally. Something is in her mind. Something other than Jesus. That would cause her to be how she is. The unfortunate and sad part about it is, she might not even know that Satan is her King right now. She might not have even chose him. Who knows what she went through growing up. What kinds of things happened to her. What kind of environments shaped her. Where and how the darkness came in. And began to consume her mind and control her actions. It doesn't make it ok. It's not an excuse for her. But it is the truth. And I believe God wants to change all of that. I believe he wants to open her eyes. And desires for her to repent. I believe He wants to set her mind free. And fill it with His.

But, we all have a choice to choose Him. We don't have to. He doesn't force us to. But she can never make the choice until it's in front of her and she can see it ("Eyes to see and ears to hear.") So do we damn her to hell? Or pray that her eyes would be opened and she would be saved? That she would give her life to The Greatest Lover of all. And He could do a great work in her. And she could be a mighty testimony of who He really is and of what IS possible. Because we think something like that is so far fetched. And that's probably our problem. Our own mind and beliefs. Who is He then? Someone that just sits back and watches? I don't think so. Things happened to people in the New Testament because they believed Jesus could do it. They believed in who He was/is. Why does that change? Why don't we believe in the power of The Holy Spirit? That it CAN happen today? What changed? Because I know HE didn't.

I hope we all repent. For the changing of our minds. For more belief in the impossible. And a greater heart for people that need The Savior the most. Maybe not with this trial, but I know in other situations and circumstances, I have unrighteously judged people. With my human mind and human heart. Lacking compassion, mercy and forgiveness. But I believe with my whole heart that if we open up to it...if we turn to Him and His truth and His ways and His mind and His heart...that we could know righteous judgement. We could know His mind and His heart. We could be washed by it ("Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Eph 5:25-27). It could cleanse us and set us free. I believe we can know compassion, mercy and forgiveness. I believe we can have His perspective ("If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" Php 2:1-5) . He doesn't withhold it from us. Why would He say "Love others as I have Loved you". We can't! Our human, first Adam nature can't. But we can turn to Him, allow Him to transform us from the inside out. Creating that Love in us.

Paul says in 1 cor 15:
42  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

If these "seeds" are being sown in "corruption", "dishonour", "weakness", "natural body", "first adam"....this is for now!

When a man and a woman are having intercourse (except for rape cases), the woman chooses to be with the man and receives him. She is aware of what she is doing and is engaged in the act.

We are supposed to be the Bride of Christ. But He will never rape us or force Himself on us. He allows us to pursue Him, and choose for His seed to be sown into our mind. He waits for us to turn to Him. And engage in a relationship with Him. Learning of Him, letting Him Love on us. And save us and heal us and deliver us from evil. Transforming us more and more into incorruption, glory, power, spiritual body. Because that's what He is. And if He is in us then that's what we begin to become. Where there is Light, darkness shall flee. The more Light we allow into ourselves, the more darkness leaves. But we have to let go of the darkness. We have to divorce it. We can't be married to both darkness and Light. That's adultery.

I know I've said this before....Jehovah is not bully. And neither is Jesus. They just know what is best for mankind. And they see what darkness does to us. They hate the things that keep us in bondage. They hate to see us choose those things. They hate to see us choose destruction. He just wants us to turn. And not live in limitations. Thinking we have to live like this or this is all there is. There's so much more! And He gives us access to it. We just have to let Faith in and then walk by Faith and not by sight.

I know that was a lot. I just believe in a Brighter Day. And I know it can be now.

It's hard to pray for people we are feeling a type of way about. Believe me, I know. But maybe we can at least ask God to help us. Help us see like Him, think like Him and act like Him.

Because without Him, we can't. Apart from Him, we don't know true goodness.

Love doesn't always come as mushy gushy. Sometimes our parents had to give us tough Love. But it was all because they cared about us and desired to see us go in a safe direction and not do the "wrong" things in their eyes.

One more thing...I don't know where that little girl is, but I'd like to think that she is in God's hands. And that whatever she suffered, has been lifted off of her. Because He is perfect peace and Love.

I'm sending out an S.O.S.
Who's with me?

-MLB

Faith in the Kingdom!

I talk about Faith a lot so I just wanted to share a few things on the depth of It. Really, if we use faith generally, we can have faith in anything. "I have faith in you!" "I have faith in the Mavs this season." Or "my faith is Christianity." "My faith is Baptist." "My faith is Buddism." But what I learned about it, is that, it is truly substance. It's not just a strong hope or a sturdy belief. It is something immoveable. Something that is real. Something that is to stand no matter what. In Hebrews 11 it says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." That word hope actually means expectation and full confidence. So it isn't hope as we've known it. Where you hope it will turn out one way but you really don't know if it will. This hope speaks of a true belief in something or something to come. "I have no doubt in it." And it's speaking of substance. So it's something that we have that causes us to expect and have full confidence. That's why it says it's also the evidence of things not seen. The substance is the evidence of things not seen. An example is Yeshua/Jesus. He was substance and evidence of the Father. He was Heaven on Earth. He was a picture of Faith. His essence was drawn from the invisible and manifested into the visible. His bones were the Father. It was what held Him up at all times no matter what. He was tested many, many times, not just by Satan Himself but by the Pharisees and Sadducees or by anyone that mocked Him or had unbelief in them. And sometimes, with us, that's enough to shake us. It's enough to cause us to say "maybe they are right". But Yeshua/Jesus never waivered. Another example is, what the Holy Spirit reveals to us about the Father. It is substance and evidence of the invisible. The revelation begins to manifest in our lives and become 100 percent real. You'll start to notice that what is being revealed specifically to you is for the greater union of you and The Father. And not only is the Father being revealed but so are you (the bride of Christ). What is being revealed is your Faith so you can become Faith (standing between The Father and others. Drawing from Heaven into you and then pouring out Heaven below.). Faith is not just the bones to hold your temple up, but they are weapons against the enemy. Also, the more sturdy your Faith gets, the more powerful it becomes for other people. Because they can see substance and evidence. Not just by what you say, but by how you live. People start to see Him. His fruit. They start to see Heaven as the essence of your earth. The word Heaven means the abode of God. So wherever He abides is Heaven. As we allow Him to reign in our earth, we become an extension of Heaven. " Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." A Kingdom is a place that has a King that rules and reigns the land. You can see clearly that right now, the King of this earth is not Yehovah/Jehovah by the fruit that is produced throughout the nations. It's the fruit of satan's breath...of confusion and misunderstanding of who the One true and Living God is and who we are. We can tell by the sickness and disease. By the natural and spiritual deaths. By the oppression. By the division. The cruelty. By the lack of Agape Love. By what goes on individually in a person....multiply that by billions and billions. And that is what makes up our earth. Rich and arrogant. Poor and malnourished. A corrupt earth. But it is clear that, that isn't what is meant to be. As we each turn to our Father and submit to Him, He can pour into us, and what He pours into us becomes our Faith. Our Faith becomes an extension of Heaven. And we become a piece of His Kingdom on earth. There's supposed to be healing! And miracles! There's supposed to be freedom in The Spirit of the Lord. From all the oppression the enemy has placed on us because we unknowingly have let him be our king for so long. Seeds planted in our minds. Lies. Experiences that have corrupted us. Lack of True Love. Of pure and Holy judgement. Of Spiritual edification. Of true goodness for our soul. Fruits of the flesh will always wound people in some way. It will always damage them. And that is why submission is so important. Because we, ourselves don't know. We can try to know and try to make up what we think true Love is. Or try to produce fruits of the Spirit on our own. But we can't. We just end up tired and weary. And want to give up or feel full of unbelief at that point. But with the Father in control and by allowing Him in us, He can do it. He can reveal perfect revelations to us. He can make our Faith a sturdy pillar within us. He can perform miracles. He has the right words for people. He can teach us everything we need to know. He can lead us into our destiny. He can heal. He can form true righteousness in us. Not righteousness we make up and try to fit into. He can change our minds and hearts. Because His Spirit holds all the power and all the truth. All the Love and all the fruits of the Spirit. But if we don't submit to goodness....if we fight against His Love...it will just make a big mess. Time and time again. Our Faith is always tested. Situations will come, thoughts from our carnal mind will come to oppose the Faith in us. When the test comes, we have a choice. This is our part. Our fight. We have to fight the opposition with our gift of Truth. And each time, our faith gets stronger and stronger. Enduring the test is often difficult. Especially at first. But the stronger our Faith gets, the easier it is to fight. It's like our muscles. Weight training. The more we lift the stronger we get. We have to practice our Faith and we will begin to develop a new perspective. So the opposition loses its power and our Faith is now alive. We live in the reality of Heaven. Not letting the oppression on earth bring us down, but instead, spread Heaven and defeat oppression. Though things might seem great in your life, things aren't so great in other people lives. And they need Saved. And not that we are their Savior...but it says...saved by grace THROUGH FAITH! People that The Father can use. People that He can have a relationship with. And then together, Love the world. Bringing unity all over the place. True unity. By His Heart and Mind ruling and reigning. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Let us grow in Faith! And no longer be divided against each other. But rising up together against the enemy that loves division. Here's to US! -MLB