Food for thought. Main dish with a few sides!

I wanted to share something with ya'll today. For a couple reasons.You will find the reasons as you read.

I am going to so called "complain" about a few things first. But it's 1.) the truth and 2.) to help paint this picture. Without the complaints, the whole thought wouldn't be complete.

Part 1:
I am pretty sick right now. Run down, no voice and a hurting throat. No exaggeration on any of those either. I had to go to work today and I had to stay. Meaning I had to strain my vocal cords all day and try to manage a class of three year olds with a whisper (barely). Which obviously drained me even more. But ya know, sometimes you just gotta do it. Stick it out and press through...Amen? Side note: the kids were hilarious. At first they were trying to figure out what was going on. And then when they figured it out, they all started whispering too. And then all of a sudden, they were all sick too. So they said, lol!!

On top of that, I LOST MY WALLET! Yikes!! I have to drive down to the Duncanville Dollar store tonight (40 minutes away) to see if I left it there. I can't call because they won't be able to understand a word I say.

So, with that being said....

These are tiny matters, yes.
It could be worse, yes!
And.....GOD IS STILL GOOD, YES!!!

This is my point. All these things, totally STINK. But God is still good. He doesn't change. My situations change. But He doesn't. He is constant. He is stable. And of course perfect and righteous and so, so mighty.

Those things are only temporary light afflictions. They won't last. It's just something that has to be endured until it all passes.

I realize too, that if I can't handle the small stuff, how can I handle the big stuff when it comes? All these things are raging waves crashing up against us, trying to knock us down. Trying to get us to forfeit our Faith.

Part 2:
Ya'll know I have a little, old blue izuzu pick up truck. To be honest, sometimes I wish I had a nice car. Or just A car. I look around at people driving nice vehicles and then there's me and my little truck.

Then I think of two things. Well three actually. 1.) Does it really matter?? In the grand scheme of things, does it REALLY matter? 2.) God GAVE me that truck. It was a gift from HIM! How much value does it add to that old, little thing?! It makes it priceless. And 3.) I have children's ministry in the back of that truck. In order to actually teach the kids, I have to take them out of the sanctuary. And we have no where else to go. It's either, stay in the sanctuary and try and keep them quiet and occupied or go outside and have a good time. So they sit in the back of my truck while I teach them. And we talk about our God/Father. I stepped back last night and just watched them. In the truck. And I was like...You gave this to me!! You gave me the truck, You gave me the kids and You gave me the ministry. It was beautiful. Who knows, He could've gave me the truck just for me and the kids. What comes out of the back of that truck on Sunday Nights is way better than ANY car I could ever have. I know I will get a car one day. But for now, I need to appreciate the truck. It's SO, SO good. In so many ways. A little old blue izuzu pick up truck.

I know it's hard to see sometimes, but He is all around. We just have to find Him. He wants to be found! He wants to be encountered. He wants us to remember Him. He wants us to know His goodness in our heart because we beheld it. Whether ourselves or in someone else's life. I see His Love and Mercy so much in other people's lives. More and better than any affection I know of. And that awakens me a lot of times. It helps with forgiveness and unrighteous judgement made out of flesh.

God is on a mission. He is as focused as focused gets. And He will accomplish His mission. We can either choose to be a part of this force or reject it. But the Life that comes with jumping on and being a part of this mission is far better than life a part from it. Where He isn't, we aren't safe. Our eyesight is bad. It's dark and confusing. We don't have to stay there though. He opens the door before closes it. He didn't choose to never open it. He invited us in. To be One with all He is. It takes letting go. It takes sacrifice. It takes endurance. It doesn't feel good to let go of what we want to believe. Or our wants. Little kids....they want their way. ALL the time. Even though they are so immature and have no idea about life yet, they will plead with you like they do. But we as guardians are more mature and we know better. They can want something with all their might, that we know would be bad for them, so we have to say no. Is it because we are big and bad and mean? NO! It's because we care and we see things that they don't yet. It kills them when they can't have what they want. But we can lead them and guide them the best we can to what we know they need. And we try to keep them safe. Away from harm. As they grow up and start making their own decisions, there are some things we can't make them do anymore. So when the consequence comes, is it our fault? Are we to be blamed for the effect of a bad decision? No. But we can help them learn from it. And not stop loving them, while they are growing up and learning. This is something I am really trying to work on myself. So this isn't AT you. It's WITH you.

Let us not accuse Him for the bad. Pointing our finger at Him. He is Holy and Righteous. He is our Judge. And His measuring rod is far more perfect than ours. Let's hop on and follow Him. So we can learn His ways. When the training wheels come off, we are going to fall off of our bike. But we've gotta get up and get back on. We can't give up. Because we CAN do it.

This was a little on and off track, so I hope you were able to stay with me.

Peace and strength to you by the Holy Spirit!

God is still good!
We CAN do it!

In the making...
MLB

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