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Slow Down...and Breathe

5/28/2015

Sometimes I like to ride out in front…ahead of the crowd.
It is a great place to be trotting along at my own pace without a care in the world.
But if I slow down and look over my shoulder at what I left behind sometimes it isn’t too pretty.
Usually, I get to the front by a lot of pushing and shoving.
I look the other way and avoid words of caution and attempts to even my pace.
Oh no…I want to do it my way and get ahead to where I want to go…
because I know what is best…
or at least sometimes I like to think so.

A brittle veneer forms when I am fixed on things going my own way…
when I am teetering on the tight rope of balance…me…me…me…isn’t that what this life is all about?
Then the blow comes…it knocks the wind right out of me…dizzy with confusion and my mind whirling…I wonder…
”What just happened…what could have possibly gone wrong?”
Then comes the gentle tap on my shoulder…
Jesus gently calling…
"Slow down…breathe…take my hand”…
The last of the “Remedy’s for Neglect” is self-control…grabbing a hold of myself and allowing God to go first.
He really does know the best way to do this life…why not trust him…slow down…take a breather…
and follow the one who is God?
I reach out grab His faithful hand…”You first Lord…I’ll follow you”

Galatians 5:22-24
"But what happens when we live God’s way?
He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--
things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.
We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart,
and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.
We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life,
able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ,
everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is
killed off for good—crucified.”
(MSG)

Prayer:

Dear Lord,
Thank you for your love that helps to steady my pace in this world…
your gentle guidance that leads the way.
It is always so much better to look up and see you in the lead…
your way is the best choice!
Thank you for picking me up when I fall…
dusting me off when I get dirty…
holding my hand when the road gets rough
and best of all loving me the whole way!
Amen

Caprice <><

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A Gentle Spirit Comes from God.

5/13/2015

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What comes to mind when you think of “gentle”?

I prefer a gentle breeze to a cold sharp wind.

I like to ride a quiet mare, rather than a feisty horse.

A Tender touch verses a heavy hand...

A calm ocean...

A mild mannered child...

"A gentle hand may lead an elephant with a single hair.”
Persian Proverb

But what if that elephant is…well you know…that huge and undeniable

“elephant in the room”?

Meaning that there is an apparent problem right in front of you that is embarrassing…
terribly taboo and needs immediate attention.

Can a quiet attitude work even then?

I am talking about a big and obvious elephant…
A woman caught in adultery.

John 8
Verses 1-3 “Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.”

The “religious” leaders of the day were trying to ensnare Jesus with
a problem, a controversial issue…

Verses 4-5, “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
The law of Moses says to stone her.

What do you say?”

But Jesus did not take the bait...instead…the spirit of gentleness filled the air…

Verses 6-8, “They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him,
but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said,
“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”
Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.”

Verse 9, “When the accusers heard this,
they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest,
until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.”

The elephant was being led away.

What the religious leaders meant to destroy, only revealed the truth…
The truth that God’s love is for
Me…You…and Everyone
Who accepts his gentle forgiveness.

Verses 10-11, “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman,
“Where are your accusers?
Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said,
“Neither do I.
Go and sin no more.”
(NLT)

Gentleness is a solution to what torments this world…
Let it be your attitude this week…tender, ready to do good in every way possible,
Calm and peaceful with the warmth of kindness…

A gentle spirit comes from God.
Use it wisely and as often as you can!

Prayer:
Dear Lord…I pray that gentleness will be my approach to life…
That I too may have a gentle hand and heart,
that leads the elephant out and embraces those who need,
your love and forgiveness.
Amen.

Caprice <><

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the Faithful Prayer Warrior

5/6/2015

2 Comments

I asked my daughter today what in her life represented faithfulness…
Without hesitation she said her husband.
A husband is to be the provider…loyal and true…
The one who cares for and protects his family.

Did you know that we are the bride of Christ?
That means that he cares for us as a
loving and devoted husband.

When I think of the faithful...I also think of devoted pastors…
they are the…trustworthy and reliable.

I was moved to tears yesterday as I read a letter from someone in prison…
not an American, air conditioned cell but a place where bones can get broken.
This letter came from a faithful prayer warrior who wants to care for us…
by praying for us.

May 7th is the National Day of prayer and happens to be Pastor Saeed”s Birthday.

Won’t you join the ranks of the Faithful Prayer Warriors?

America has had a bad case of “Regretful Neglect” let us join together and pray for revival!
This is a letter he wrote which was posted at the "ACJL" website
http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/pastor-saeeds-birthday-wish-pray-for-america

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

I have been made aware that the National Day of Prayer (May 7th) falls on my birthday this year! As an American and as a prisoner for Christ I have spent many hours praying and crying out to God for revival for this great nation. We all hope for the success of our nation and for America to be blessed, but without revival there can be no true success or blessing. As Ezra’s cried out to God in repentance and the Israelites joined him in weeping bitterly and turning from their sin, I would like to ask you to join me in repenting and praying for revival. Me from inside of these prison walls and you on the outside.

Ezra 10:1
“Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly.”

Ezra re-built the spiritual walls of Jerusalem while Nehemiah re-built the physical walls. Therefore, please join me in rebuilding the spiritual wall of our beloved country.

In times of need we see how much government and authorities can influence our everyday life, and when we see that their decisions do not match with our beliefs and standards, our initial reaction is to blame the leadership or the situations surrounding us for our hardships. But the truth is that change has to start with us, just as a wave has power to lead it's surfer so by revival we, as the people, can help or push our leaders to follow their callings.

Change starts with us. Revival starts with us. The first step to revival is praying together in unity as a nation. The National Day of Prayer is a great opportunity for us to come out and use the freedom that we have been given. So many Christians around the world are imprisoned and martyred for their faith in Jesus. You have the freedom to gather across the United States at your state capitol to pray. Please use this opportunity. Please use your freedom for the Kingdom of God.

We see in Ezra chapter 10 that despite the heavy rain and their shivering the people still gathered together. People should stand under any pressures to pray for their nation, for the Lord to bring revival, and to stand under the rain of the Holy Spirit to be filled by His manifestation.

Remember my chains in your freedom and chain together in unity for our beloved America. Know that I am chained with you in prayer on that day in seeking God for America.

There is no other way but to be crucified with Christ so that we may experience the power of His resurrection in our beloved country.

So much love to America,
Pastor Saeed

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Sip the Cup of Goodness

5/1/2015

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My Grandson was telling me about the excitement of
a snake in his yard…

”Was it a rattler?” I asked.
“No…it was a good snake”, he stated.
I inquired, “What made it a good snake?”
“It eats the bad snakes”, he replied with a grin;
My grandson has a great dislike of snakes!

So what is “Good”?

Let me start with some adjectives that describe Good from
the Websters Dictionary 1828

Kind; affectionate; as a good father; good will.
Faithful; as a good friend.
Promoter of Happiness; pleasant, agreeable, cheering.
Honorable; fair, unblemished, as a man of good fame or report.
Cheerful; favorable to happiness. Be of good comfort.
Favorable; compassionate, humane.
Benevolent; merciful; gracious.

All of the above adjectives completely describe God.

Not just part…but,
His totality…His Character.

And here is the best part!
He shares that Goodness with you and me via the Holy Spirit..

We can exhibit acts of goodness because of the
Cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
(NIV)

God is good…
His love has been given to us…via the cross…and then He gave us the Holy Spirit.

Notice the name “Holy” what does holy mean?
Try this on for size…

Perfectly just and good.

If I want to have a spirit in me…
I want it to be that and nothing less.
Remember we are have been looking at ways to Remedy Neglect…

Galatians 5:22-26,
“God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.
There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.
And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires.
God’s Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit.
But don’t be conceited or make others jealous by claiming to be better than they are.”
(CEV)

Here is the great news about these attributes…
they are provided for us
as a gift from God.
Our Father in Heaven has given us the Holy Spirit
whom produces in us these characteristics!
The essence of these attributes is how we…

Love God and love others!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I want your spirit to rule in my life!
Nothing more and nothing less.
Help me to allow the Fruit of Goodness "eat up" the bad in and around me...
So I can love you and love others with all my heart!
Amen!

Caprice <><

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Soul Sisters

Welcome to the
Soul Sisters Blog!
Souls Sisters is the women's ministry of Crossroads Christian Church.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!"
1 John 3:1 NIV

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Slow Down...and Breathe

A Gentle Spirit Comes from God.

the Faithful Prayer Warrior

Sip the Cup of Goodness

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