Author: musingsalonglifesjourney

I've been following Jesus Christ for over 30 years. Married for 38 years, mother to 4 grown children - all married, 9 grandchildren. I am a writer, editor, proofreader; do administration for a small publishing company. My gifts from God: music, artistic, giving, caring and love reading, writing, singing, visiting people, sending encouragement cards, gardening, and volunteering. We travel a lot visiting family and I have taken mission trips to Ukraine & Haiti, recently headed to Tanzania, and visited Israel. My three sons have all been active-duty soldiers. We also have a special-needs grandson. I'm in hot pursuit of more of the Lord and holy fire!

He Established The People’s Boundaries… New Date

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Deuteronomy 32:8 When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race,
he established the boundaries of the    peoples according to the number in his heavenly court. [NLT]

Heavenly portals in gathering darkness

Signs in the heavens, God’s billboard. In the gathering darkness, I saw heavenly portals open in the clouds. Forgive the reflection of the truck dashboard lights in the photo. The veil between heaven and earth is becoming increasingly thin; Pastor Josh saw the glory cloud descend on our congregation at church Saturday evening.

Many people are moving and relocating these days. Maybe, like I am, things are shifting around and changing within your home. I believe God is shifting souls into place to line up with the plans He has for this new era we are in. Bounaries are being realigned and expanded, as in the popular “Prayer of Jabez”. Moving can be adventurous, overwhelming, and exciting, kind of like the road in the photo below.

Photo from Pixels

1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested

As things change in the natural, they’re also changing in the spiritual. Great spiritual hunger is being filled with false and demonic spirits, but those seeking the will of God in Jesus Christ shall find true spiritual life and peace. We must become mature in our faith, setting ourselves up to keep Jesus in our focus and growing in the things of God. This is the time to rise up as manifest children of God and do the works He’s planned for us. This means keeping close connection with Jesus and stepping out in faith and love. As we spread His light in the dark places, we shall bring hope and healing to many.

As for my book publishing, I have done the final read through. As soon as Sabrina calls today and we settle on the changes, the actual publishing shall commence. Musings Along Life’s Journey, Vignettes From The Road, is already on the Zoe Life website as “coming soon”. The new date for my reveal and book signing is Saturday, April 15th.

http://www.zoelifebooks.org

You Are Invited: What: the book debut & author signing Musings Along Life’s Journey When: Saturday, April 15th, 2023, Time: 11am to 1pm Where: Henderson Community Room, Henderson, NY

Change Of Plans

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Elephant crossing at Teringhetti Park from our safari trip.

🙊 Well, a new episode of Kairos, God’s perfect timing. I told you my book debut would be on Saturday, March 18th, but that plan is changing. My publisher Sabrina is starting a course of radiation, the assistant librarian left and a replacement has not been hired yet, and the librarian is taking a two week vacation. Not to mention, I’m in the middle of two dental appointments, getting a cap on a tooth, in transition with my office remodel, and still readjusting from reverse culture shock after my time in Tanzania. Yes, I’ll share more later of the construction team trip from Tanzania 2023 with Wall Builder’s missions.

😀 Wow! That was a mouthful! The new day for my reveal/ book signing will be in April, after Easter. This will give a chance to get the publishing done and books to me through the mail, which is a bit less predictable than it used to be. I will let you know new details as I get them. Due to these happenings, the part of steadfast I am using today is committed. I am steadfastly committed to seeing this publishing journey culminate in God’s perfect, Kairos time.

Galatians 6:9 Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. [NLT]

The back cover of the proof copy of my book.

Sabrina and I have been working on the final editing before printing for almost a week.  I’m glad the time pressure is not as intense as it was last week when Sabrina mailed the proof on Saturday, and I received it Thursday afternoon. 🙃 it would not have come together by March 18th at that rate!

🙂 I  finally chose and started my devotional books seven days ago. I am using two 100-day books that the Spirit is coordinating to bring good to me. They are: GODS heart for you by Uta Milewski and Unbridled Faith from the Horse Farm by Cara Whitney, wife of “Larry the Cable Guy”, Dan Whitney.

🧑‍💻 Today’s scripture in the first book starts with Jesus saying, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  You don’t need to be afraid that you can’t do what the Lord asks. He will make you… Use your gifts/talents he’s given you, and He will add things to your life as you humbly serve and follow.

Ephesians  3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen. [ESV]

💞 God is doing this in my life! I am letting Him use the talents and gifts I have, and He is making me what He needs and equipping as more opportunities come. Every time I’m close enough to my pastors, the Spirit uses them to speak forth the things God has… and is… doing, and confirming the gifts and graces manifesting in me.

😇 The second book uses Matthew 5:13, You are the salt of the earth…” We must protect the biblical truth in our life from the ideologies of this world, or we won’t have the salty flavor to bless the lives around us. Cara encourages us to grow and mature spiritually so we can minister to those God brings into our lives.  Let’s join Cara in this prayer:

🙏 Lord, I don’t ever want to lose my saltiness. Help me to grow that they may see Your good deeds. Amen.

🤠 God is really moving if you’ve been keeping track. I have been asking the Lord to rekindle the fire that burned through in other revival/renewal times. Asbury seminary is a case in point. I live close to Adams, NY, where Charles G. Finney was working in a law office when he caught the fire and was redeemed. I live in Henderson, where he had family and spread the fire to. Yesterday, we drove north to Brasher Falls to celebrate our daughter-in-love Joanna’s birthday, passing through a similar route as Finney, the bands of praying women, and revival fire that followed. I’ve had multiple trips that way and noticed  a couple of churches along the way that have recently “extended the corners of their tents” as the prayer of Jabez notes.

👮 Also, I hear of those in our federal government putting forth new legislation to bring down some of the evil things that have been put in place, as well as offenders being exposed and dealt with. This doesn’t mean things are going to be easy because there are adjustments that can’t be made without some things being torn down or demolished. Trust in the Lord and do not be dismayed. Good things are happening, and many more shall come if we do not faint!

A touch of Tanzanian beauty found at the lodge we stayed at.

A Peek at My Book & an Invitation

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Welcome Readers! My book publishing is moving right along. I’m leaving for Tanzania next Tuesday, so I won’t get the proof copy to prevue before I get back on the 22nd. BUT! We have a date for the debut, Saturday, March 18th at the Henderson Free Library. My publisher, Sabrina Adams of Zoe Life Publications, will be here and her daughter may also come with her. It looks like an informal time to share my book, sign your copy, and Sabrina and I will talk about what it takes to publish a book these days. So, you’re invited to come see the debut of my first published memoir, Musings Along Life’s Journey. Stay tuned for more details and other times you can meet me in person. Plans to be at The Little Bookstore in Clayton, NY and at the Henderson Heritage Day in July are shaping up.

Here is a small excerpt from the book. Note: this is from my manuscript and not the formatted book. Sorry, the photos of my granddaughters will not be in the book.

Becoming as a Child

I have been contemplating what it means to become as a little child. What did Jesus mean when He said that?

Matthew 18:2-4

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Now I’d like to talk about becoming as a child. What does this really mean? Jesus doesn’t say to become ‘childish’, but to become like a child. A child is trusting, believes that their Daddy has what they need and what’s best and will give them what they ask for. I’ve heard and can see: the biggest sin in the church today is unbelief. If we pray and don’t believe God is willing and able to answer those prayers, we are in unbelief. We serve a prayer hearing, prayer answering God. Let’s take Him at His word.

 I want to share this quote from K.P. Yohannan’s book Never Give Up; The Story of a Broken Man Impacting a Generation.

“All that is needed to be said [in defending God’s existence] is God is the Creator and we are His creation, and we as believers don’t ask God to prove Himself to us. We are like little kids. We don’t ask our mother and father if they are our parents-we are their children, and they are our parents, and that’s it-period!”

I found the two-way journal with the Lord that I wrote in from October 2019-July 2020. This is part of what the Lord told me on April 7th that goes with what I shared above.

Emmanuel-God is with you-I made you and love you for eternity! Yes, dance with Me and sing and laugh, it’s true you need to let go and trust Me as a child. Joy in the little things, trust in the big things. Behold, I do a new thing, it is marvelous in all eyes!

I hope you are encouraged and look forward to meeting many in person over the next year! Be blessed and be a blessing. May you prosper and have abundance to give away to those who need that God brings into your life. Yes, it may be as simple as a smile or a kind word! Shalom, dear readers, until next time. Oh, I leave for Tanzania on February 7th so I’m not sure what access I’ll have to write while I’m gone, we’ll see!

Prepare The Way!

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Prepare the way! Prepare the way of the Lord! Maybe you remember the musical Jesus Christ Super Star? It’s from my younger years with a sister almost a decade older than me and that’s where this song came from. I was just listening to Celtic Worship by Eden’s Gate from my iTunes library, which I’ve not heard for a while. Why am I listening to this? Because I’m working to wrap my mind around packing for Tanzanian 2023 and needed the company. I was supposed to do this two weeks before we travel, which would have been Tuesday, January 24th, and now it’s the 27th. Yesterday we were able to go into the city and get the last things I need to pack… hopefully! My checked bag weighs in at just over 41 lbs., and I have seven more pounds leeway. Lord, as I prepare, help me not forget what will be needed. Oh, the photo above is what our house looks like after a two- going on three- day snow event. I took the pics today when I went out to check the mail.

The constant questions I have been asked about this trip, “Are you anxious?” “Are you excited?” “Are you worried?”… No, No, and I don’t think so. I know I am right where I need to be today, and the Lord has proven He has gone before me to prepare the way. One example so far: the Public Health nurse rattled off the name of the malaria meds she was prescribing, one I hadn’t heard of. She said it’s really expensive, I should get Good RX or something to help pay for it. This brought me some anxious thoughts. When I called the drug store to ask what it was and how much, the pharmacist said it’s Malarone, a well-tolerated medicine combination, and it costs $15.00. Wow!

The Lord knows just how much money I need for things for the trip and for things that will come out of my account while I am gone. At each turn, the money has been there. John has been extremely generous, making sure I have what I need above and beyond my income I bring in. He just got his first Social Security check with the “raise” yesterday, the day I needed to take cash out of our joint account to pay the Visa when we get to Tanzania.

I’m looking forward to meeting the team I’ll be working with, especially a young woman named Hannah who will turn 18 while we are there, whom I am partnered with. Her father is also going, well versed in construction skills, and she told me she went to Mexico with her family on a mission trip when she was 10. We are part of the first team, the only women, the second team comes just before we leave Moshi, Tanzania and that team has no women on it. Our leader said there’s been a word already given that women are being called forth into ministry and Hannah and I are part of this calling forth.

We all need to be extremely sensitive to the Spirit of God, He’s already giving us words to speak forth to those around us. This encouragement is for my readers as well as for our team! We must be in tune with what He’s wanting to say, His spirit in tune with ours.

I am preparing my body to be used as needed on this trip. I was able to help shovel yesterday when the belt broke on the snowblower. I am designated Mason’s Helper on this team, so that mostly means carrying buckets of mud for the masons. It’s an adventure accumulating the clothing needed for this trip. The temps will be above 80 F. and lower 60s at night. We need to cover as much skin as possible since the malaria meds make you sun sensitive. Makes me think Amish dresses might be easier? The Lord led me to the medical scrubs in the thrift store. I found light weight pants with comfortable waists and pockets. I got light weight long sleeved men’s shirts that will keep me covered in the back, and I bought a safari hat with neck coverage and a good brim on the front. I also have some long skirts and summer blouses for church or dinner. Thank you for those who buy new clothes to donate to thrift stores!

I am preparing my spirit. Since I haven’t found a devotional to use before I go, I have spent many hours between 10 PM and 8 AM communing/dreaming with the Lord. I bless the Spirit to seal my dreams and reveal what I need when the time comes, since I’m not remembering much once I wake up. I am keeping a journal as I prepare for this trip and will keep it with me as I travel. I’ve also been playing a lot of Lauren Daigle and other worship songs. I spent my younger years of my walk with Jesus gleaning Scripture from songs, and I return to that in these days. reawakening what’s been planted. The Lord knows we are but flesh, I pray my spirit feasts on Him.

I leave you with the glory I captured this afternoon. Yes, my Musings book is on its way; I should have a proof copy before I travel or just after I come home.

Essential Oils?

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design glass items indoors inside
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

NOTE: I began this post a couple years ago and finally decided to finish it. Several tries later, as an hour’s work accidently got deleted AGAIN, I think I’ve finally overcome the enemy’s reluctance to me writing this post.

 Essential Oils are all the rage at this time in our culture.  It goes along with the quest for health, youth and healing.  It’s a luxury, an ancient natural cure for what ails you. With a myriad of uses; some very old, some quite newly discovered, let’s dig into what the Bible has to say about oil, since that’s where this all began. Typing “oil” into a Bible search, I got 207 results, so I’ll try to cover a few Scriptures by categories.

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Food: Oil was essential to mix with grains to create bread. The Lord did many miracles of multiplying the oil as with the widows in the Old Testament. In 1Kings 5 and again in chapter 17, Samuel first decrees that Hiram shall be provided with “twenty kors of pressed oil” along with wheat to feed his family each year. Chapter 17 tells the story of the widow who was blessed… her oil jar did not run dry until the rain again fell on the land.

Photo by NaMaKuKi on Pexels.com

Anointing: Starting in the book of Exodus, almost every book of the Bible talks about anointing things with oil for offerings, appointing kings and priests, mixing with other items like flour, to make a sweet savor for God. Note: the specific mixture of oil God told the priests to mix for the holy offering was not to be used for any other purposes.

Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

Beauty: Esther 2:12 Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Healing: Mark 6:13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. The story of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine;

Photo by doTERRA International, LLC on Pexels.com

Health: Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” [Proverbs 17:22A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.]

For myself, my chiropractor turned me on to essential oils several years ago. She gave her patients lavender peanut oil that her mother mixed for her. It’s great for sore joints and muscles. Also, my nephew and his wife made lavender oil spray for their wedding favors, good for room spray, linen spray, and many other uses. I found a basic book that has guided my use of essential oils,

Aromatherapy Made Easy Simple Step-by-step Guide To Using Essential Oils by Christine Wildwood. I also found do TERRA has an essential oil chemistry wheel you can download that helps visualize how the different oils interact. Of course, this goes beyond what the Bible says about oil; mostly olive oil. I generally use coconut oil and depending on what time of year, I mix some olive or avocado oil, with the essentials. My go-to oils are lavender, frankincense, and cedar wood. I mix one for bedtime and another for morning and oil myself from head to toe before I change clothes. It’s great for keeping moisture in after a shower/bath. Well, let’s talk about oil and unity. Remember, the Bible says Jesus was anointed with the oil of joy more than all His brethren!

 Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.

The blessing of dwelling together in unity! The Spirit is stressing unity in the Body of Christ in these days. In order to experience the fullness of abundant life in Jesus, we must learn to dwell in unity. This does not mean we agree on EVERYTHING, but it does mean we overcome our differences- which make us unique- and come into unity in the Spirit. We need to focus on the major truths and minor on the major dividers the world brings in. The first photo is my young friend Arie, and the second photo was taken at My Father’s House orphanage in Port Au Prince, Haiti in February 2015. I am preparing to embark on my first mission trip since then, Tanzania 2023, February 7-22, 2023. The unity in the Spirit is never more noticeable than when we quickly bond with others that we have never seen before and that we do not share a language/culture with.

I leave you with another display of God’s glory, taken on a day trip to visit our son Alex’s family. As my husband says, I don’t often get to see the sunrise, especially in January!

Galatians 6, Kairos & Steadfast 2023

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Welcome to another musing’s insights readers! Mid-December, I had no idea what the word for 2023 should be, but my devotions just after Christmas included Galatians 6:9 and the Spirit illuminated and brought two words: Kairos and steadfast. Let’s see what this verse has to say.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. NKJ

Do not grow weary, do not lose heart. This seems to fit the online dictionary’s definition of steadfast:

stead·fast

[ˈstedˌfast]

ADJECTIVE

  1. resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering:“steadfast loyalty”

Synonyms are: loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, true, constant, staunch, trusty, firm, determined, resolute, stalwart, stout, relentless, implacable, single-minded, unchanging, unwavering, unhesitating, unfaltering, unswerving, unyielding, unflinching, inflexible, uncompromising.

I will take the time this year to go through these in bite-sized portions. Next, we look at the Merriam Webster’s definition of Kairos:

Photo by Andrey Grushnikov on Pexels.com

kairos noun

kai·​ros (ˈ)kī¦räs plural kairoi 

-rȯi

: a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action: the opportune and decisive moment.

  • Modern Greeks also use kairos for weather and time.
Here is an excerpt from 11 January 2016 from UMC young people’s page:

What is Kairos Time?

BY RORI BLAKENEY (SEJ)

“Our time really does count. More importantly, understanding God’s time is key. God’s time is often referred to as “Kairos time.” Greek in its origin, “Kairos time” reminds us that our lives are filled with God moments. This time is all about the movement of God in our lives. These God moments are often characterized as coincidence or serendipity. Yet, if we would listen to the Spirit, we would discover that these moments are acts of divinity.” https://www.umcyoungpeople.org/lead/what-is-kairos-time

The New Living Translation puts Galatians 6:9 this way:  

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

My Bible app’s note gave me a chuckle: We would be surprised if we planted pumpkins and corn came up! Look forward to reaping this harvest of blessings if you have sown blessings and God’s Word. This is already turning into a year of God’s movement and Christians stepping up to the plate on the platform God has given them. Go forth with holy boldness, speaking the truth with love, and moving in compassion. May we all step out in holy boldness in this season of God’s move!

Things are going well with my preparations for the construction team going to Moshi, Tanzania to build the Women’s dormitory at The Kilimanjaro Bible College. Team one, which I am part of, leaves Rochester February 7th, just one month away. I’m tying up loose ends amid the flurry of activities leading up to the trip. The Lord is showing himself faithful, all my needs are being supplied as they arise!

As for Musings Along Life’s Journey – the book, things are progressing. I hope to see the cover design soon, my author photo [shown above] is in my publisher’s hands and we have made a date with librarian Emily to introduce my book at the Henderson Free Library on Saturday, March 18th, @ 11 A.M.

Do Not Compare Yourself to Others…

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God’s glory in the morning sky!

We are traveling again this weekend, seeing the last of our family, minus the California one. I am reaffirming my faith that The Lord is working and it is a good work. I declare: All my family, friends, and loved ones are becoming manifest children of God. They are being saved and healed by Jesus. They will not miss their destinies. They are becoming the manifest example of the saving power of Jesus and are being called forth as workers for the harvest. Amen.

As we enter the year of our Lord 2023, I point you to the scripture in Romans chapter 12. It deals with the parts of the body of Christ, each having differing functions, according to the grace that has been given to you. One version says not to compare yourself to others.

Measure yourself by who you are in Christ, since He is the only true measure. Why measure yourself by someone else? You are unique, and Father God made you for a unique destiny that will not be complete if you are trying to be someone else. Also, if you think others should do what you do, think what you think, understand as you, your life will be frustrating. In a marriage or other partnership, the two should agree to compromise, but if both were exactly the same, one would not be needed!

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Let us walk in humility, dwelling in the love of Jesus, walking in the Spirit. I hope you find a re-set as we enter the new year, whether fasting and praying, starting a new bodily or Spiritual devotion, and pursue the things He has for you at this stage in your life. Next week, I plan to seek the Lord for the word He wants me to concentrate on for 2023. I expect my first book to be published soon and will keep you abreast of how things are going. Also, preparations for the trip to Tanzania February 7th to 22nd are progressing well.

I leave you with this picture of our new granddog Sunnie from last weekend. Shalom!

January Fasting 2023

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Wow! This YouTube short got my attention! I listened to what John-Henry had to say and checked out my NLV Bible on my phone… Matthew 17:21 was not there! John-Henry won’t tell you what that verse says in this video, but you can find it in the King James version.

John-Henry Westin shorts on YouTube

What did translators… as J-H said, after the 1960s… leave out?

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

The background to this story:

Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

A man interviewed on Destiny Image Heaven series was brought up to be a shaman but came to Christ. He said Luna, the base word for lunatic, is a demon spirit that attaches to a baby in the womb or shortly after birth that causes autism, mutism, Asperger’s syndrome, epilepsy… I also look at dementia… demon-entia. So, a demon like this won’t come out except by prayer and fasting. Apparently, Jesus had been praying and fasting before and likely through this encounter. I find it interesting that two dogs in our family are named Luna. I pray my current fasting and concentrated prayer time leads to the breaking of generational curses, release from demons, and healings breaking out in our family, as well as all those the Lord puts in front of me, praise God! [forgive me for using so many ellipses in this post, it’s just the mood I’m in!]

As of today, I will light 5 candles as well as the servant candle on my mini menorah since it is the fifth evening of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. It is good to remember the holy boldness of the Macabes to go forth in the Lord’s power to take back the Temple and cleanse it from the desecration their leaders had wreaked. To honor their faithfulness, God performed a miracle, and one day’s lamp oil supplied the lamps in the temple for eight nights! A foreshadowing of the Light of the World that stepped down into darkness, our Lord and Savior, The Messiah Jesus Christ!

Hallelujah!

May you experience true Shalom peace and provision, a blessed Christmas, and new strength to endure and triumph over the evil ones battling in the air as we enter 2023.

The Fruit…

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Just a reminder: Hanukkah begins at sundown Monday, December 19th. I will be joining in this festival of lights remembering God’s provision for His people and my beloved Jewish family if you’d care to join me!

Now for what’s on my mind: a person is known by the fruit that is produced by their actions and speech. For December 16th, The Prophet’s Devotional by Jennifer LeClaire is titled: Fruit-Bearing Gifts. Amid this flurry of whatever Christmas and other holiday preparations you are doing, let’s look at Galatians 5:22-23 in the Amplified Bible.

“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]”

This fruit grows as we abide in Christ, lean into Holy Spirit, and practice walking in these things. Notice, it’s “the work which His presence within accomplishes” and not our fleshly efforts. We all know people with gifts from the Lord that are accurate in using that gift, but the spirit behind it and their conduct do not match these fruits of the Spirit. For a vine to produce fruit it must be watered and tended. We can sow in the Spirit, feeding and watering the seeds Holy Spirit planted within by reading the Word and praying in the Spirit, and reap the fruit that will remain. If we sow in the flesh, starve and dehydrate the vine, any fruit will eventually die due to neglect.

In reality, this looks like an accurate prophet giving an accurate word, then delving into sexual sin, abuse of others… fleshly pursuits… which turns the word he gave into a falsehood. Many of us have been hurt/burned by Pastors, prophets, teachers, and others in authority. Lots of times love is shut out by legalism. Many have fallen away. They’ve turned against church in general, and certain ministers in particular. Lack of integrity and humility come to mind.

The Passion Translation puts the verses of Galatians 5 this way:

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.”

I encourage you to meditate on these things in whatever Bible gives you best understanding. The Holy Spirit is the one who plants the seeds of the gifts, but we must water and feed them, starving out the things of the flesh instead of starving the Spirit within. By the way, have you chosen a devotional for the year 2023 yet? With my upcoming trip to Tanzania, book to be published soon, becoming a trustee for our historical society, Pastor asking me to think about becoming a deacon in our church, on top of my other obligations, it will be a year of readjusting. I am leaning toward not working at the motel for the 2023 season. Though I enjoy the work and fellowship there, it is tough scheduling. I am praying for my employer’s need for workers to be met as I pray to the Lord of Harvest to send out more workers for the Harvest of souls! Needless to say, I’m waiting on the Spirit to show me how to do devotions in the new year. As usual, I plan to fast with our church January 1-21st, which is another topic to seek the Lord on how to do this year. My first prompt is to spend the 21 days in the books of 1,2 &3 John.

Noting that not all have a prophetic ministry, though Paul encouraged us all to prophesy and we are all to use our gifts to minister, even if we are not in the ordained ministry of Prophet, I leave you with this prayer from Sister Jennifer LeClaire:

Father, in the name of Jesus, give me a hunger to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit alongside the gifts of the Spirit so my ministry will see lasting influence. Grace me to seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness so I can model a Christ-like prophetic ministry.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth good will toward mankind! As I am writing in my Christmas cards I’m sending: May you experience true Shalom peace and prosperity as you journey into 2023.

Taught by Life or The Giver of Life?

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I spent some time watching shorts on YouTube this morning and I want to share a bit with you. In this first video, Dan Mohler poses the question, “Were you taught by life, or by the giver of life?” God says there is a way that seems right to people, but its end is destruction. [Proverbs 14:12 & 16:5] Are you living the way that seems right to people on earth? Are you living the way of life that is right in God’s sight? How can you tell? Examine the fruit of the way you are living this life. I encourage you to watch this YouTube short for more.

Most of us are in a quandary about what’s going on these days. We know God has a plan, but things look messy, precarious, and doomed. I like what Kim Robinson shared on Elijah Streams. God showed her He is shaking out the rug. Think about how dirty things are around us. So much turmoil, so much buffeting from the enemy. God likes to get down to the nitty gritty, the root of the problem. I envision women using a rug beater back in the day, Kim sees a washing machine pounding the dirt out of the rug. I also remember when we pulled up the old rugs in our Victorian house. They had been down for a decade or more. What a mess of sand, dirt, detritus underneath -not to mention- what was on top and fell out when we rolled it up to dispose of it! I vowed never to have wall-to-wall carpet again after that experience. Let Kim Robinson encourage you with her vision.

I haven’t shared anything about my book publishing lately, so I’ll do so here. My daughter-in-love Jenn just sent me the photo she took for my author photo, and I just got the booklet Why Tongues by Kenneth E. Hagin. I want to recommend this booklet to go along with sharing my own experience with the Holy Spirit in my book. Did I mention the book is called: Musings Along Life’s Journey Discoveries On The Path Of Life. Here’s the photo:

Amazing what a good photo editor can do! I told Jenn to pick the one she thought was good because she knows what I look like better than I do. She’s looking for photo shoot jobs if you’re interested.

Oh, one last thing to mention, I am going on a mission trip. I have not been on one since February of 2015, so it’s time. John Wicks of Faith Builders Ministries came to our church on November 12 & 13 to share a need for workers for a construction team and encourage those God was not calling to go to pray and give toward those who were to go. So, it was clear to me that I should go. The Lord provided the money for the down payment for the trip in my savings and I am working to raise the rest by mid-December.

We will be building the women’s dormitory at the Kilimanjaro Bible College in Moshi, Tanzania. Terry & Marilyn Weaver, Elim missionaries for over 25 years, established the college and John Wicks traveled there with a team in 2000 to construct the library and administration building. The campus now has seven buildings but needs a dorm for the group of women who are attending classes. Faith Builders received the building permit and are granted permission from the Moshi government to proceed building the women’s dorm.

I will be going as a laborer and another woman from my church also agreed to go. There will be two teams, one leaving about February 10th, returning about the 23rd. A second team comes about February 21 and leaves about March 4th. Trip days are variable depending on ticket prices.

First, I ask you to pray for all of us going on the trip, that God will provide all our needs, even though it’s short notice to raise funds to travel, get paperwork and immunizations, etc. Pray for favor for all of us, since the Tanzania government is not always easy to please. Second, if you feel the Spirit pulling you to go, contact John Wicks cell (315)380-3725, email wicks444@gmail.com and if you would like to donate, send donations to Faith Builders Ministries Inc, PO Box 15173, Syracuse, NY 13215 putting “Tanzania 2023” in the memo on your check.

How much does it cost? $2,950.00 covers all trip expenses except: visa, airport food and additional luggage costs for the plane, immunizations/malaria meds. Note: we are staying in a 4-star hotel that is air-conditioned, has a fine dining facility serving American/Indian/African foods, outdoor dining with view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a pool, and wi-fi. Daily schedule starts at 6:00 a.m., lights out at 9:00 p.m. Did I mention a sightseeing trip during the team overlap? Oh, don’t forget the 30% DEET insect repellent and lots of broad-spectrum sunscreen and a broad brimmed hat!

Winter is just beginning… what will you be doing in mid-February?