Pity Party

  

The Urban Dictionary defines “Pity Party” as:

A way of experiencing grief, in which you spend your time feeling sorry for yourself and whining endlessly about how crappy your life is. 

Pity parties can be just for one or for many people, such as maybe your friends and close people, who will try to comfort you or just be there for you while you keep asking yourself what did you do to deserve whatever it is that made you so sad in the first place 
Pity Parties require the proper outfit, which is usually pajamas cause you dont get all dressed up during those feeling-sorry-for-myself moments. Also you should have no make up on or just the one from the night before; hair undone as well. 
It also involves tissues, comfort food such as ice cream; chocolate; potato chips; cookies; cake; and candy. Low fat food is banned 

Alcohol might or might not be allowed (if alcohol makes you go wild, no alcohol should be brought to the pity party in that case since the point is not exactly to have fun). 
The purpose of a Pity Party is to dumpt the pity. 

Music is also very important at pity parties, including songs like “One is the Loneliest Number”, “All by Myself” and any other song that makes you feel like throwing yourself from the nearest cliff.

 

Pity parties usually end after you are done whining or if someone breaks it up. This will usually be a cynical loved one who will not let you drown in self pity and will take you either to have the best time ever, drinking and partying or will just make you crawl out of bed by making you see how pathetic you look and how you should cut the whining and just do something to make things better. ~Urban Dictionary 

Although this is quite funny-A “Pity Party” is one party we should never attend. 

As Momma Joyce Meyer says: 
You can’t be pitiful and powerful at the same time.  Choose what you want to be! 

           ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 
  

Let Him Reign

  
As most of you probably already know, the Houston area was hit with extreme rain and flooding over the last ten days! It started Sunday evening, April 17th and by Monday morning many homes were flooded and the rain continued to fall and the creeks continued to rise! They are calling it the, “500 Year Flood” as we had record-breaking rainfall in excess of 16 inches in less than 24 hours in Cypress and surrounding areas.

I must say, it was the worst storm I have experienced in my 30 years of living in Texas; even my 26 year old daughter climbed in bed with us, along with our two dogs. It was a night that I will never forget as we watched the lightning continuously illuminate the sky, while the thunder pounded and the wind blew with great fury! Sleep was impossible, as the emergency alerts kept screeching on our cell phones, flash floods were everywhere.

When the rain finally susided late Monday afternoon, there was wide-spread devastation throughout the City. Neighborhoods were under water and so many families lost their homes and most of their belongings. The news showed rescue after rescue of people who were stranded in their homes and cars and that fled to higher ground for safety. Even horses were rescued and had to swim to safety. It was a day that most Houstonians will remember forever. As the creeks continued to rise and more and more homes were flooded it also continued to rain off and on throughout the week. 

I believe there is a moral to every story and this one shows the humanitarian side that always seems to comes out in a crisis. We all love it when people “rise to the occasion” and help one another in difficult times. There is a true spirit of love and respect that emerges when people join together to help their neighbors and people they may not even know in times of need. Some even risk their own life to rescue another from impending danger!  

It is times like this when we all stop and realize just how small and helpless we are and how BIG God is! We call it “Mother Nature”, but in reality it is “Father God”! We are definitley not in control of our circumstances, and it is God’s grace that we are alive and well! He is mighty and will REIGN forever!  

        “You have heard, “love your neighbor and hate your enemy”, but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteousness.” Matthew 5:43-45

Shine on,
Deb Hicks

BowlofSplendor.com

My Dove

  
I hear His Whisper… “My dove”

I call you My dove. I have hidden you in the split open rock. Into the wounds of Christ I have hidden you and will keep you secure. 

Why would you worry about a thing, when I have hidden you on high. You will see My glory and taste My grace. Mercy has fastened you to My throne and I will never let you go.

My cherishing love is upon you. You will never be able to say, “I am unloved,” for My love is set upon you. My Son was wounded so that you will be Mine. The Rock of Ages was split open to provide you a hiding place. 

Come away, My dove to your resting place on high. Though storms and winds blast at you, I will keep you safe. Though others ignore and resist you, you have moved My heart. Fly to your resting place, dove of My heart, and you will discover who I truly am. No earthly thing is needed when you are at My side. 

Don’t say, “I have a need,” but say, “I have all that I need when I have You.”
                    ~Hephzibah Beulah 
Connect more with Hephzibah Here

Song of Songs 2:14 The Passion Translation
For you are my dove, hidden in the split-open rock.

It was I who took you and hid you up high

in the secret stairway of the sky.

Let me see your radiant face and hear your sweet voice.

How beautiful your eyes of worship

and lovely your voice in prayer.

~ Brian Simmons

Rewards

  
WORTH THOUGHT: Are we sounding our own trumpet of ‘acts of righteousness’ in front of others so we can receive our own rewards or praise? 

Often times we want to receive recognition or praise in the things we do for the Lord. 

What Jesus describes in scriptures in the book of Matthew is what is our motive, is it ‘God’ centered or ‘I’ centered? 
Jesus teaches about giving to the needy;

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the •synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. •I assure you: They’ve got their reward! (earthly reward not heavenly reward) But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Matt. 6:1-4 HSCB 

When you want to help or give something to the poor and the next day you have lunch with your best friends and share with them the good deeds you did the day before for the poor, your best friends will praise you for having a good heart for helping the poor. But, Jesus is saying that is an “I” centered motive and giving yourself a pat on the back will be your earthly reward, not your heavenly reward. 

We should give only in secret to please God and receive His praise. If we give to win the praise of others or to be able to compliment ourselves then our immediate reward is earthly praise -we lose our eternal reward. 

We cannot get rewards twice. If you give in secret, only our Father will see it and He will reward you in heaven. 

                  

                   ~Angela Lipe-Pattengill 

Love By Discipline

Some time ago, I was caught off guard in regards to the importance of discipline. And God showed me where He instructs about it in Hebrews.

“We have all had fathers here on earth who disciplined us, and we respected them. So it is even more important that we accept discipline from the Father of our spirits so we will have [eternal or true spiritual] life.” Hebrews 12:9. (EXP)

My childhood was one of frequent and what seemed to be merciless encounters of discipline from parents who thought they were doing their best, at that time. I believe now that my parents meant to express love through their disciplinary actions but were without the tools to express such love.

Though I have reconciled with my painful past, as an adult, I have struggled with the harsh reality of flashbacks and have errored in the opposite direction. I realized that my skewed thoughts of discipline were, in part, responsible for creating a negative result in one of my daughters.

My fears of rejection and abandonment had allowed me to become lax in my parenting. Subconsciously, I thought my children had suffered enough through various life changes which had been unexpected and undesirable. I didn’t want to interject any more pain into their experience.

Slowly, over time, I became tolerant of things that I should have guarded against. I began to allow a little too much of this . . . and a little of that . . . until I found myself making excuses for their poor behaviors. Oh, you know, like, “they were too tired or upset” or “maybe they didn’t understand the direction provided.”

But then, unruly behaviors were growing as a direct result.

I never meant for my excuses, or enabling to create such changes in character. I obviously had not considered how their life would be effected in the absence of boundaries and clear expectations. In addition, I had not considered that it was developing a negative impact in their lives until things were simply out of control and I didn’t understand why . . .

But God has an amazing ability to draw me close to his heart. In a moment of closeness he provided an answer to my prayerful searching. He reminded me that He built consequences into the very fabric of nature and that even really great excuses do not prevent poor attitudes from yielding poor results. Even God disciplines the ones He loves for our own good, so that we might truly be his child and live, so that we may inherit and experience eternal life.

 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 NIV

There is a clear purpose for our lives…..and it requires discipline.

It made me think about the pain that I have afflicted on the heart of my Heavenly Father at each and every unruly action he was calling me out of.

It provided a new understanding about discipline, it gave me a new way to look at how God loves.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving us your word as a source of direction for each and every moment that arises in question. Thank you for disciplining us out of love, and providing a way to live by your instruction. Father, forgive us when our hearts become unruly. Guide us back to your ways and offer a chance to learn more about the harvest of righteousness and peace. I give you praise and glory for all that you are, all that you say and do, and for teaching us who we are to become in you.

In Jesus Name, Amen.
~ Baring His Beauty,

Tiffany Thomas

Surprise! Surprise!

  
 Great Blog and reminders! 
Enjoy this reblog and be sure to follow them for more great posts. 
 ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 
Jeremiah 29:13 says” You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart What is it about “SURPRISES” that we all like? According to Webster’s Dictionary it’s  an unexpected event, piece of information, and unexpected gift, the feeling caused by something that is unexpected or unusual. People are looking to […]

https://desirayl.wordpress.com/2016/04/25/surprise-surprise/

Open Up My Windows

  
Open up my windows and unlock all the doors! 
You know You own me- Blow right through me! 

A friend sent me this song recently and I love the words.

I think of the old book – My Heart Christ’s Home. 
I imagine Christ doing some serious house cleaning with me! 

Open up my windows Lord, unlock all the doors to things I have hidden. Walk all around my house- Your home! 

               ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Walk Around My House-John Mark McMillan & Sarah McMillan 

Lyrics:

Walk around my house and turn it upside down

Your love pursues me

Walk around my house and turn it upside down

Your Spirit moves me

Oooh! Oooh!

Walk around my house and turn it upside down

Your love pursues me

Walk around my house and turn it upside down

Your Spirit moves me

You overcome my days with the brightness of Your face

My heart will be satisfied

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

Open up my windows and unlock all the doors

You know You own me

Open up my windows and unlock all the doors

Blow right through me

Yeeah! Uuuh!

Open up my windows and unlock all the doors

You know You own me

Open up my windows and unlock all the doors

Blow right through me

You overcome my days with the brightness of Your face

My heart will be satisfied

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

I will hope in the Lord

Let Him be know for who He is, who He really is

Let Him be known for who He is, who He really is

Let Him be known for who He is, a God of love

Let Him be know for who He is, who He really is

Let Him be known for who He is, who He really is

Let Him be known for who He is, a God of love

Let Him be know for who He is, who He really is

Let Him be known for who He is, who He really is

Let Him be known for who He is, a God of love

Let Him be know for who He is, who He really is

Let Him be known for who He is, who He really is

Let Him be known for who He is, a God of love

End

Are You Willing To Drink From My Cup

  
I closed my eyes on the airplane ride home and put my head back to reflect on the past week activities. It had been a great week in hindsight. A group of us all together enjoying our beautiful surroundings and spending time with friends and family. 

I believe all of us came with the same expectation. We desired to learn and grow from each other’s knowledge and experience in the things of God. 

But mostly, we ALL wanted to hear a Word from God. I think we could agree that we were hoping to gain a better understanding of how we could walk closer to God and serve Him more passionately with all of our hearts. I think it’s amazing that we were in one accord. Each of us desiring to draw closer to God and each other. 

Well, as much as we hate the process of refining and reshaping. It is necessary to knock off the parts of us that stand in the way of us receiving more from God. We sometimes need to make room in our “thinkers” and take some things out of our heads to allow space for our “new” thoughts, ideas and beliefs. 

Most of the time we are not really aware that we have a problem until we are challenged in that area of thought. 

For example, It’s always been easy for me to step back and let others go ahead of me. Being last has always easy and okay with me. 

I loved to quote the verse in the Bible, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” So really, I knew by going last I really was being first. 

I was winning in the end!! 

But God has a way of squeezing us clean and clear of debris that stinks up our soul. 

Sometimes by using our closest friends and family to sharpen and challenge our motives and desires. He doesn’t do this to be mean or because He enjoys putting the pressure on His kids!!

It is necessary to prepare us for our future walk with Him and the plans He has set out for us. 

We say we want more of His thinking and less of our thinking. So the shifting has to begin somewhere and sometimes it gets messy and ugly!

If we want to walk in more authority and power and think how He thinks there has to be a surrender of our will to make way for His will. 

Back to my reflection of the week, I asked God why all these little interruptions among us all kept happening. They were like putting out one little fire after another. Most of them were handled silently and quickly. Others erupted with a big explosion and fiery darts of mad!

His answer to me was simple. 

He ever so softly whispered to my “thinker”. 
“Are you willing to drink from my cup?”

I thought about how Jesus asked for the cup of suffering which He was about to partake of the cross. He was weak and wanted it to be passed on and not taken.
An angel strengthened Him and of course we know the rest of history. He took the cup of the cross so we could be set free and establish our broken relationship back to God. Sin was the fire that was extinguished out for good. Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and seated with Him in Heavenly Places. 

Luke 22:41-43New International Version (NIV) 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened . 

God was gently asking me if I could look past myself and be willing to drink His cup. Actually, the same cup that set me free from the very things that were trying to creep in and take a hold of me. 

Offense

Bitterness

Anger

Pity

Was I willing to take that cup? Or did I want to keep thinking about how my feelings were hurt or not addressed properly by others. 

For a week I would keep asking what do you mean by that drinking cup phrase??

I didn’t hear much. 

Today, I decided to look in the Bible and see if that phrase is mentioned again. 
Of course I knew about about the cup and Jesus in Garden of Gethsemane. I found another place where the cup is brought to the attention of a mother. 

Okay bear with me, this is a bit long. I want you to see the whole picture of what is going on here. 
Matthew 20:20-28

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 

21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 

22“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”“We can,” they answered. 

23Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” 

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 

25Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 

26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 

27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 

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

A mother was requesting for her sons to sit on both sides of Jesus in the future Kingdom. She wanted affirmation from Jesus that her sons were very important to Him and His ministry. Jesus says the phrase,”Can you drink the cup, I am going to drink?”

Dang, there it was!! Clear as day hitting me smack dab right between my eyes!!

It doesn’t matter where you are seated. What matters is if you are willing to sit at the back or even outside and serve those in line in front of you. 

Your position is not based on where you are seated but where you standing. 
Are you standing on the promises that God will serve you as you serve others?

Are you standing on the promises that God will honor you as you honor others?

Are you standing on His Word for your identity? 

My worth has to come from God and not people or ministries. People and ministries will always disappoint us. God will not! Let’s get real! I have disappointed others. I need to extend that same grace to others that has been extended to me at times. 
Sometimes he uses our closest friends and family to remind us of these lessons. We all need each other even if it gets messy at times. 

Through it all I am learning  to be honest and communicate always in love with respect for one another. God will honor and elevate you in due time for drinking from that cup that isn’t always easy to swallow. 

The Cup of Suffering

In my case…….

I am to be like a serving dish or a cup for others to partake of the goodness and mercy of God. 

Drink on,

Kelley Allison

http://www.bowlofsplendor.com

Book Reviews Coming!

  
A book has the power to transform our thinking, ignite a desire or fuel a dream. It can show us something that we have never seen before. It expands our knowledge and fills our life with more wisdom.  

There are many types of books. One of our favorites of course is The Bible. It is a book of 66 books displayed within and has enormous power in its promises and Transformational Truths -because the Word is actually not just God breathed, it is actually God himself! 

See John 1:1 – 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Sometimes we like to read other books that help us transform or reform or parent better or love better or give better or serve better or deny ourselves better or just get lost in a great storyline and characters to take our minds off our to do lists.  

There are all sorts of books and all sorts of opinions out there so we thought what a great way to share those we love with you all.  

*If you are an author- send us your book and we would be glad to review it for you too!

So soon be on the lookout as we will be posting some blogs under the new Category “Book Reviews” to bring you all some reading suggestions from our favorites.  

And we know this may actually have you all rushing to Amazon a little more to pick up one of our reviews to read for yourself so why not give back to Restored Ministries at the same time!

You can shop Amazon Smile and give back to Restored Ministries too by following this link.
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/charity/homepage.html?orig=%2Fgp%2Fbrowse.html%3Fnode%3D502659011&ein=47-1340577
  ~Happy Reading! ~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Power To Choose

  
We are no longer bound unless we choose to be. 

Thank You Lord that because of Christ I am free. Thank You for breaking every chain of bondage in my life. Thank You for Your Resurrection Power. Help me to choose to live by The Holy Spirit and obey You and Your ways over my flesh and my ways.   

                          ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 
… instead using His own blood as the price to set us free once and for all. If that animal blood and the other rituals of purification were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior, think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out. Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God. ~ Hebrews 9:13-15 MSG 

So you are no longer slaves but God’s children. Since you are God’s children, God has also made you heirs.~ Galatians 4:7 GWT 

So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.~John 8:36 AMP