Unanswered Questions

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.~1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

I remember the day I found out about you. A smile still emerges. And even though it was unexpected, I found myself sweetly delighted and anticipated your coming.

I became a bit nervous over the small age difference that would lie between you and your brother. And I often wondered if I would have the energy to chase after you both.

Naturally, fear caused me to question many things; but mostly, I questioned myself and my ability at being a great mother.

It wouldn’t take long before the idea of you settled, and so did the joy within the secret places of my heart.

After hearing the sound of your heartbeat, for the first time, there was a confirmation that provided comfort to my soul. I would sit back and patiently wait to hear that distinct swishing noise mixed with the sounds of my own heartbeat.

It was a duet, sweetly arranged, and beautifully spoken between us both. And I found my soul needing to search for it over and over again.

You were alive inside of me, and though our lives weren’t connected by the outside world, we shared the same breath, it was the one breathed into us both.

There was peace knowing [that my body] offered [yours] a covering of protection. It was like a cleansing rain that washed over all doubt.

I found myself getting lost and easily entertained by your mystery.
What would you be like? Would you mirror me?

Would I be yours as you were already mine?

Additionally…I questioned if it would be possible to love you as much as I already loved your brother? How could I love more when my heart was already so full?

I didn’t grasp that love is immeasurable by height or depth.

Love just IS.

It was clear.

There was no question.

                 You were love.

Part one. Please join me next Tuesday for the rest of the message.

~ Baring His Beauty 

    Tiffany Thomas 

Stop Pretending

“Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'” (Genesis 32:28)

After pretending to be his older brother Esau, stealing his birthright and his blessing, and spending 21 years estranged from his family, Jacob finally decides to return home and face Esau once again.

 
On his way home, before he meets with Esau, Jacob wrestles with God. At first, Jacob doesn’t even really know it’s God, but he is grabbed by something. Many scholars believe this was an encounter with the pre-incarnate Jesus.

 
The two of them wrestle until daybreak. At this point, Jacob is suffering from a broken hip. Then the Man demands for Jacob to let Him go. But Jacob replies, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26).

 
Jacob is determined. The same tenacity that made him a schemer, a con man, and a deceiver is now working for him because he has it focused on the right ambition.

 
The Man asks Jacob his name. Remember, Jacob had been blessed by Isaac through pretending to be Esau. But he is no longer trying to be blessed through deception. He tells the Man his name, and that’s when God blesses him and gives him a new name.

 
God gives him the name Israel, which means triumphant with God. Jacob doesn’t just get a new name — he gets a new identity.

 
Our culture plays a huge role in defining our view of success, self-worth, and beauty, but God has a different view. You may think you have to be someone you’re not in order to get where you want to go.

 
The truth is, God can only bless who you really are, not who you pretend to be.

 
You will never get what you’re after if you’re always trying to get it by being someone or something you’re not. God has a destiny unique to you. Don’t settle for someone else’s blessings when God wants to give you your own. 
                 ~ Thomas Joel Trevino 

Redemption Prayer

I hope everyone is surviving well in this great battle for the Kingdom that Our Savior has started and to which he is committed to finishing. 

 I was a POW recently, held captive by laziness and pride. All praise to Our Father and Our Lord for his redeeming grace and mercy.

I am resending Redemption Prayer, for we are instructed to pray when we are troubled, and this is certainly a day of trouble. The battle may be a silent one at times, but it has not ceased. The Lord is intent on establishing his Kingdom, and our enemy is committed to disrupting it wherever he can.

He knows that when the Kingdom fully arrives that he has an appointment in a very uncomfortable place. He cannot afford to rest; his only hope is to delay the arrival of the Kingdom.

Thank you, Father, for redeeming my life, forgiving me all of my sins and giving me a reason to live and a reason to die. Thank you for a forgiven past, a peaceful present, and a glorious future! 

Please bless your children, your church, and let us bless your holy name! Lead us in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Help us be faithful witnesses for Christ. Show us how to lay up our treasure in heaven, making decisions that will reap eternal rewards for us and those we love.

Be near, Father; hold our hands and lead us through this dark world, helping us shine the light of your glorious truth where it is needed the most.

For it is in Jesus’s name we pray and give thanks.

“Your brother and companion in the suffering and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are ours in Christ Jesus”,

Love in Christ,
~Brad Heilhecker 

          

Blessings

WORTHY THOUGHT: Let us not be hoarders of our blessings.

Faith + Obedience = Blessings

God Is the one who blesses us when we remain obedient to him. Our true reward is the presence of God and the power we receive through the Holy Spirit. 

When we give, God supplies us with more so we can give more.

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. (Proverbs 11:24)

God will extend His Grace to us when we are generous with what we have regardless of the amount enabling us to be generous even though we may have very little to give.

God honors generosity!

Make it a point to share your heavenly rewards!
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.  (Proverbs 10:22)

                ~ Angela Lipe-Pattengill 

Chicago Treasure Hunt

       Lately, God has been reminding me to look for “treasures” wherever I go through out the day. I wasn’t exactly sure what was meant by the word “treasures”.  

     On a trip to Chicago with some friends two weeks ago, we all decided to became intentional looking for the “treasures” that God had in store for us each day. 

We became treasure hunters on a mission to uncover things hidden around us that had the potential to be of great value and worth. 

A treasure can be wealth or precious stones or it can fall into the category of someone or something of great value or worth. 

We were looking for people or things that lead us to an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness. 

Matthew 6:21 says,”Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

We asked God to open up our hearts and to show us all the treasures around us as we explored the city. We kept our eyes and ears open to the possibilities that God would give us the desires of our hearts. 
Our treasures were like ordering a drink. Several came in a small size cup, some were medium and others were extra large cups filled with surprises. 

Treasure Hunt 101

Step One: Ask

Step Two: Look

Step Three: Discover

Step Four: Share

We found a treasure on day one. They were dressed up as police officers protecting the block that we were walking on and gave us daily directions. These officers sacrifice their lives to protect us as we are shopping and walking up and down the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. There were three officers placed at every block. 

Do we stop and thank them? Do we acknowledge their time and sacrifice? It’s a discovery of the people and things around us. 
That is ordering a small drink of thankfulness. 

One night, we look around and discover a man and his wife coming out of the Ralph Lauren Restaurant. We were wondering why they do not sell clothes but rather serve food at a Ralph Lauren establishment. We investigate and find out that there are only three of these restaurants in the world. Curious to see what this couple thinks of the food served there, we stop and talk to them. Forty five minutes later we are still talking and sharing insights into marriage and congratulation goes out to them. They were celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary. The couple had joined their six children to celebrate their anniversary.
  Our treasure was found in the prayers and tears we shared together as we stood and conversed about life’s up and downs. 
That was our medium sized drink of encouragement and counsel. 

I won’t mention how unorganized and not so smart it was for us to wait until the last minute to order our tickets to the production of CS Lewis’s life as the reluctant convert. It really was the initial reason we went to Chicago. So let’s not focus on why we did not order the tickets in plenty of time. It’s amazing how God still leads and directs and delights in helping his children obtain the wishes and desires of their hearts. Even when we at times fall short of our responsibility to make it happen.  
No tickets, it was sold out. We ladies got bold and decided to test our faith. Deb called the ticket booth holder and he said he was sorry there was nothing he could do for us. I’m sure he was wondering why we came all the way to Chicago to see this production and failed to purchase the tickets in time. Not our best move!
Still we knew God would make a way. So we had to just ask, order up an Uber and go to the theater with the expectation that tickets would appear. This is where it is good to have others around you that have more faith than you have at the time. I figured we could try and then shop if all else fails. Not these ladies, they had unshakeable faith that we would all four see the production and God was going to provide the tickets. We got there and hovered over the poor ticket booth guy. He knew who we were from the phone call. First man walked in and said his wife was sick and he couldn’t use the the two tickets. Jessica made a deal and bought his tickets. He used the money to buy new tickets to take his wife later when she was feeling better. Second man from a performing arts company came and gave the ticket booth guy 4 tickets for anyone who wanted them. The show started in ten minutes and God showed up with ten minutes to spare. Third guy walked in with his wife to see if he could buy a ticket for he and his wife. We gave him the tickets we bought and we took the four tickets and all sat together and enjoyed the show. We had five minutes until the show started. 

That was our large cup sized order of faith. It was delivered free of charge. 

The next day we go to the beach. Yes, Chicago has a beach and a body of water without sharks and jellyfish. Lake Michigan is huge and appears to be an ocean.  
We did the whole 

1)Ask

2)Look

3)Discover 

4)Share 

Treasure Hunt Strategy

Well, in reality we sat down on a bench behind the walking path and beach under a tree. Miriam said, “Let’s do a Bible Study!“. Not really sure what that meant since we did not have a Bible. We said okay but for five minutes only. We know our dear friend is an evangelist and we could be there for hours. So we set our phone for five minutes or we would never leave that bench. “Go” we shouted. Miriam asked if anyone needed prayer as they walked by us. Honestly, we were just talking and listening to all the rejections of people going by saying, “No, thanks.” That was fine with us. We only had one minute left. Then our super sized treasure walked past us and he stopped and turned around and softly whispered 

“Sure, I could use a prayer”.  
We were surprised and all at once four moms jumped in and started praying and speaking his future over him. We were all so excited to share the potential he carried and we were perplexed what he was doing there. A homeless young man who was clean, sharp and wise above his age. He listened intently as we shared with him God’s plans and the love that His Father has for him. His eyes were piercing blue and crystal clear with vision as he was reminded of the promises of God specifically for him. Sometimes we just need a reminder. I sat there thinking this could be my son. This is somebody’s son!! We discovered that by sharing God’s love and taking our last minute left to speak hope and purpose over this young man we were the ones blessed mightily. 
We actually sat with him for over an hour as he graciously allowed us to remind him that God has a set purpose and plan for his life. 
 He was the super sized drink of compassion. 

These are NOT your normal treasures one might look for or discover on any given day. However, we found them to be of great worth and value. This particular treasure hunt investment is eternal and lasting. 
Where do your treasures lie?
Are you looking for any undiscovered treasures along your path today?
They come in all shapes, sizes and packages. 
Be on the look out!! Set a timer and I bet you find at least one!!
Ready, set, go,

Kelley Allison

http://www.bowlofsplendor.com

Obedience

WORTHY THOUGHT: Late obedience is still disobedience.

When I heard those words “Late obedience is still disobedience” from a wise friend I met on a mission trip in Guatemala. I had a sense of conviction and God’s spirit spoke to my heart to write about it. The question I had even as a Christian, when have I disobeyed God?’ 

Maybe God wants to remind me and others as Christians it is easy to delay obedience. Sometimes we know the right thing to do but we don’t want to do it or Satan will always put things in our paths to distract us from doing God’s important work or we will get to it as soon as we are done with our daily tasks. 

Then it came to my mind and I started to remember. God has asked me to read and study my Bible on book of Matthew for my ministry but instead my husband and I went out to the movies. When I came back home from the movies I will read up on the book of Mathew before my bedtime a sentence or two later, I fall asleep . Next day I will be on Facebook for two hours checking to see who liked my picture’s instead of reading my Bible. Yep! Convicted!! It grieves me now that I am aware of this. 

Delayed obedience it is still disobedience. 

I do ministry work to disciple others and again we must value obedience. I have read book of Mathew before but that week I disobeyed, since I have not read the book of Mathew like God asked me too. 

I could not give out His message to my ministry, I panicked, I couldn’t speak, it was like empty words coming out of my mouth. I’m so thankful for my Christian co-leader who did read the Book of Matthew and she was able to give a great message what God was speaking in Book of Matthew. My co-leader valued obedience and by obeying God, He blessed her. By her example my co-leader obeyed Jesus and taught others to obey Jesus.  
I knew after I repented to the Lord I had learned my lesson. God gives us His grace and mercy and loves and forgives each of us. He is still willing to use me and you to obey His commandments and we will be blessed.

Jesus replied,” Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” – John 14:23

“Whoever heeds discipline shows way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. ” -Proverbs 10:17 

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.    – Deuteronomy 5:33 

Keep this Book of the law on your lips; meditate on it day or night, so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful . -Joshua 1:8

 ~ Angela Lipe-Pattengill 

Enemies

WORTHY THOUGHT: Do you ever pray for those people who bug you? What about your enemies who persecute you?

“In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but passing it over, he is superior.” – Francis Bacon 

Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. -Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) 

When someone has wronged us, our first response would be to get even or plan on vengeance. 

Jesus is saying, instead we should do good to those who wronged us, to love, forgive, pray, and pronounce blessing on them.  

Example; ” The Lord bless you.” “The Lord make His face shine upon you and give you peace.” 

Jesus is saying, this is the right response in dealing with our injuries and enemies. This is not a natural thing it is a -supernatural. 

Only God can give us the strength to love them as He does. By doing this we would truly show that Jesus is Lord of our life. 

As we are praying for our enemies everyday things slowly begin to happen. We start to change and they change only by God who can deliver people from their natural selfishness. 

We must trust the Holy Spirit to help us and we will experience power and peace in our life.
                  ~Angela Lipe-Patengill 

The Purposeful Gift

  
Jesus said, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” John 10:10 TLB

I’m not sure about you, but for me, the thought that Jesus came to give me life in ALL ITS FULLNESS, surpasses my ability to understand it, at times. My Spirit seems to comprehend it, but the nature of my flesh can hinder the purpose He intended for my life. I would imagine that I’m not alone.

We live on a planet full of lost souls; people who find themselves mindlessly chasing after anything they believe might be their life’s fulfillment. While in reality, what is being sought, may at best only serve as a substitute for the true fullness we seek.

We chase after so many things, and our denial keeps us constantly searching for more, but each empty search only keep us from the one and only life-filler – Jesus.

Haven’t we all tasted something where satisfaction was only temporary, and the search continued for the next thing? If each of us were to be vulnerable and answer that question honestly, we would have to admit to chasing after something we wish might have been exchanged for His greater purpose. Maybe our attitudes, exposure to evil, sin, experiences, or even some of our thoughts and actions have hindered us from the full life Jesus wanted us to discover. Often we are the ones who limit the greatness of the gift He offers.
Ultimately finding the fullness that He came to give, is only achieved by chasing after Him.

As we sift through the areas of our life which have caused us to settle for something far short of Jesus’ purpose for us; it makes sense that our hearts would have empty places in need of restoration. The wonderful thing is that it’s not too late. Right now, today we can change those questionable areas of our lives. We can open our heart, asking for Him to fill us with more of His spirit.
Jesus has the ability to fill in a way that overflows with abundance. It is a fullness where hunger and thirst is satisfied within the wellspring of Jesus. It is the only place where the hidden holes deep within our soul can be filled.

 

Please will you join me in prayer?
Lord, I come humbly before you this day, in search of a place to rest in you. I ask that your presence still my weary and empty heart. Where there is a desire to chase after things that have no meaning, fill me with the fullness of your love. Give me an appetite that is hungry for the life you came to fulfill with in me, by your purpose. May your blessings be in abundance. May my heart be filled in all areas which are depleted. May I live life in ALL ITS FULLNESS because it pleases you for my life to reflect your glory. Thank you for this most purposeful gift.

 

In Jesus name, I pray.

Amen
~Baring His Beauty

Tiffany Thomas

Come connect with Tiffany on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Redemptive-Beauty-481119318742822/

I Want To Be Where You Are

  
What if you started off each day with that declaration??

I Want To Be Where You Are

I wake up and shout this out loud. Okay, maybe after the kids and husband have left for the day I start shouting. 

“Let’s go to Jazzercise, Jesus!!” I whisper as I get ready to leave. 
I chuckle as I imagine if He would be wearing His customary brown robe we all see him portrayed in the movies.  
I got to admit that kinda tripped me up trying to visualize him jumping and grooving to the music with a robe flapping around. 
I started to imagine him in old fashion peddle pushers like the men wore in the 1800’s. I don’t know why I took him to George Washington’s era but that’s where we went. 

Then I saw him wearing brown loose pants and a button down brown shirt. 
I noticed it took my mind to things I didn’t think about before. I could see in my minds eye Jesus walking around touching the ladies on their heads. As if the touch reminded them He loved them and delighted in who they were. 
It caused me to join Him and pray a quick prayer over the ladies to bless them and draw each of them closer to Him. All of this being done while I am trying to keep up with the moves and steps of the instructor. 

This is why I am always in the back!!! 

It’s best for everyone I am there. 

Next stop is the store. Jesus accompanies me as I run to get a few groceries. As I walk around I am aware more than I have ever been before of the people in the store. One by one I pass them. Jesus and I smile and agree together that God has good good plans for them and we declare that anything stopping them from their destinies will be cast aside. We proclaim that they will experience a relationship with their Creator and Company. (Holy Spirit & Jesus)

It’s just a simple fun way to bring Him into your everyday life!!

I am reminded that our minds are powerful and really determine the outcome of each day. 

Will we chose to keep our eyes fixed on Him or the circumstances of life that weigh us down and bring us into fear or anxiety? 
I think Jesus likes shopping!! We are going there again tomorrow and will see what happens!!

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Place this verse in your front and center data brain base!!

If you find yourself not motivated to take Jesus out of your house with you for the day then pray and ask for a desire to want to be with Him!!

Say this prayer and play this song today and see what happens!!!

 ~Keep Grooving with Jesus, 

(He Has Miraculous Moves) 

    Kelley Allison 

Lord, 

        Wake us up and put a hot fire under us to thirst for you and desire you!! We are running after you. My soul longs to be where you are today. ~Me 

Chris McClarney
Running After You (Deep Calls)
http://youtu.be/ZaSSXpRcoH4

Thanks

  

 

Define: 

Thanks can be defined as an expression of gratitude or kindly or grateful thoughts.

 

Affirm: 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 

 

Recall: 

This week, it happened again- I had one of those spiritual aha moments. Please note that the story I will share is a sensitive topic, so I am hoping that your judgement is abandoned and that your heart is opened. I hope that by sharing this story, you too will experience a spiritual aha moment as well.

 

This weekend I learned that a couple at my church lost their unborn child at 32 weeks. I believe they have experienced a few challenges with trying to conceive. This family has been asking GOD to allow them to have another little one and more than likely this pregnancy probably offered them hope. I would imagine they were devastated as a family to learn about their loss. I couldn’t imagine how it might feel to lose an unborn child. I could imagine; however the negative emotions experienced with a loss. During moments of loss, one might feel anxious, sadness, failure, shame, withdrawal, hurt, disappointment…

 

In all transparency, this couple is probably clueless about how their story reminded of how blessed I am. I sit here in tears thinking about my blessing. Two and a half years ago, when I realized I was going to be a single mother, I too experienced negative and sad emotions. I was so scared that I did not want to accept motherhood. Honestly after I found out I was pregnant, I did not want to become a mother. A few people were happy for me and I was miserable. I wanted to throw in the towel- I wanted to abort my child. I developed a fictitious story about how I was going to tell everyone that I lost her and I was going to move on with my life. My struggles were real!  

 

I felt pressured and confused; but I decided I would instead be grateful for her. I kept my daughter and she basically saved my life, my soul. Lereine (my daughter) helped me reprioritize all things; she helped me realign my life with the will of GOD- which is my greatest blessing.

 

The story of the family reminds me of how there are so many families waiting for blessings, healing, children, and/or mending of a broken relationship. There are so many of us that are so scared …that we will abort our blessing and gifts, abandon them, neglect them, mistreat them, and/or ignore them.  

 

I write this today to remind you that no matter what you are experiencing give GOD thanks! Please thank him and know this is his will for your life. You might not see what he has in store for your; but I challenge to thank him anyways. Trust him, he know exactly what you need.

My decision to keep my gift reminds me of how great GOD is. I am so thankful for Lereine- I am reminded that so many people are praying for gifts that sometimes do not manifest- and that sometimes GOD allows others like me to experience that same gift and or blessing. Instead of throwing the gift away; see it as your greatest blessing. I am so thankful for this spiritual aha moment and I am thankful for their story to help me share my story and I hope our story becomes your story. Be thankful!

 

Exercise:

Dear God,

Thank you so much for helping me to have grateful thoughts during life’s character building phases. Help me to see this is your will for my life and this is my opportunity for growth. Thank you so much for giving me perfect peace and rest.    

 

Commit to the challenge. I DARE you.

                      ~ Lereca Monik 

#mydearestsister #Idareyou #restoredministries #itstimeforachange #anewyou #LiveRestored