Beware Strange Food!!!

My blogging today includes another validation/confirmation that I am hearing and being obedient to the Lord to do His will.  It's hard when people have attacked you so much that you do begin to doubt that you are hearing from Jesus.  And to be honest, it's not the people, it's the devil trying to get you off track.  They really get offended then because they're a Christian and how could the enemy ever be operating in them?  Right?? Ever met one of THOSE people.  The reality is we can all be one of those people.  

So a few months ago, I got in trouble.  I mean I really got in trouble for giving a word for the Lord.  The Pastor called me and wanted to ask some questions.  It wasn't said outright so much but it did feel like a threat or an intimidation to do what they said or you will not be allowed to come here anymore.  Questions asked were confusing and I just did not understand why is it so hard for them to understand what God was saying, "Repent! Repent!  You lie, you cheat!  You Steal!  You talk about people and say all manner of things about them which are not true!  I want to spend time with you.  Repent and come back to me."  It is essentially what I remember of the word and if I had known I was going to say that, I would not have said it.  

I felt very validated yesterday.  I watched the youtube video put out by Kim Clement's daughter, Donnae Petruske (probably spelling her name wrong) which Kim had given over Paula White.  It was from 2009.  In his message, just a few minutes after he had prophecied over Pastor White, Kim made the statement about how "He did not want to do this.  And you have no idea, how many times he had asked God to take his gift of prophecy away.  He did not want it."  I totally related to that moment.  The confirmation of "If I had known I was going to say that, I would not have given it."  He is explaining how God does not let us know what He is doing because if we did, we would not do it or say it.  That's kind of like God and exactlty how He does things.  I felt more validation and confirmation as I was asked if I was able to 'control'when this happens to make it more acceptable to the 'church gathering.'  Ummmm, no, I can control it like - not say it.  But when God says, "Say it."  There is no delay,.  It's "Yes Sir!  Right now."  And I never know when it's going to happen.  Kim again relayed that he did not know when or if God would move, when or if he would have any thing to say and that anyone wanting that is trying to control the prophecy, to put God in a box, control God.  Well, yes, that is exactly what happened.  I understood in an instance and if I could go back and have that phone conversation I would say to them, watch Kim's video.  Take heed the warning.  God is warning you.  As for me, I'm going to be obedient to Jesus and say what He says to say when He says to say it.  That's all I can do because I want to hear the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!"  

Now on to the dream - So lately I have been asking God to meet me.  I'm not a person prone to dreams or remembering them, whatever goes on in that process.  However, lately I have been praying before I go to sleep, Lord meet me in my sleep.  I want to hear your words.  I want to know what you want me to know and say what you want me to say.  This morning I woke up hearing the words "Beware the Strange Food!"  I was in the middle of a dream.  You know that weird thing where you are literally waking up from a dream, hearing God speaking to you while trying not to forget what you were doing or where you were at in the moment...

So another couple and my husband and myself were at an event that had just ended.  We all were very hungry and decided to try out this new place in town.  We were seated and the host was serving us cereal (appetizers).  It was new.  It was hopping, busy, busy, busy.  He had a bright shiney white teeth smile and the colors were amazing.  I was kind of amuzed because of what was being served, cereal...I was so hungry and I was looking around for a menu because I wanted more, something meatier...you know really hungry.  I thought to myself if all I'm getting is cereal then I want my favorite which I haven't had for years due to an allergy to bananas.  I was gonna having banana walnut cereal.  

The host came back but in the process changed, not that I saw it, but it just changed in the moment and the waitress was standing there ready to take our orders.  I was frustrated at this point as I wanted to see a menu.  I had been asking questions and she seemed to be irritated that I was asking questions.  I kept asking for a menu because others were ordering but I could not figure out the ordering menu system and I yet to see a menu.  The host had not given us one; there were not any on the table as is the custom nowdays, and the waitress had not given us any menus.  I continued asking questions and she really seemed irritated and finally handed me a menu.  I chuckled at this point because I was confused.  The menu was no menu.  I looked at it and it had only two sections.  One was appetizers (cereals) and the other was chicken.  No prices. No other food choices.  At this point I again heard a loud voice say, "Beware strange food!"  

Immediately, the Lord began to give me bullet points:  

1.  Question everything.  Don't let it bother you if they get upset.  I don't mind questions. ( my after thoughts - Now, isn't that so much like God? )

2.  Look for details and specifics.  There will be details - The absence of prices, products, missing parts of the menu and I realized the menu was symbolizing the Holy Bible.  Their menu was fake representing half truths, lacking details and specifics.  God's Word is very clear and while not always so readily understandable and needing input from the Holy Spirit to help us understand, guide us, or teach us.  He always has patience with us, does not mind our questions, and He wants us to search and search, never getting upset with us for asking for clarification or understanding.

3.  Beware strange food - Heed the warning.  Search, seek, ask questions of everything, and know that God does not mind you asking.  He does mind you doubting, but He does not mind you asking for clarification.  It is only by knowing God's Word that is going to keep you safe going forward.  It is up to us to know God's Word by spending time in it and seeking answers, spending time in prayer, doing the things God has instructed us in His Word.    

 I could be really snarky right now and say, "I TOLD YA SO..."  

First of all, God, I come to you and ask for forgiveness (repentance) ...help me convey what I have had on my heart for years and have held the word, and held the word because I thought it was me...It was just me being emotional about something I'm really passionate about...Only to find out, that no, it wasn't being passionate about something.  It was you trying to get me to say what you wanted said which I still struggle with because, why Lord, why oh why would you pick me, this horrible, carnal, lives in her flesh person to try to give your words to others.  It must be really bad because you keep on picking me and I keep trying to sound the alarm and everyone, I mean EVERYONE, says "You're judging."  'It's only your own unforgiveness speaking.' "Sit down and be quiet, we don't want to hear it."  All while I'm struggling to believe God would pick someone like me to use for His purpose which now, I thank you because you have given me confirmation, after confirmation, after confirmation that I really was hearing from you.  It wasn't all in my head.  It wasn't just the pizza talking.  Thank you for being understanding with me and patient and bringing me to the point that the only thing that matters is that I obey you, Jesus.  You are the only one I have to be worried about not obeying.  
And already the enemy is attacking and I hear, "Who do you think you are?"  'Narcicist!' "Derisive laughter with a screaming Yeaaaaahhhhh Rrrriiiiigggghhhht!" 
Thank you, Jesus, you are so faithful to us when we are not faithful to you.  
This post is about Praise and Worship.  No, it's not a gripe about the way something was played.  It is, however, about how our song lyrics should reflect true Biblical doctrine.  I could really get on the band wagon right now about how satan has influenced and gotten in to the church.  But, believe it or not, that is not what this post is about.  
This post is about bring a sacrifice of praise unto the Lord because He is the only one worthy to receive glory, honor and praise.  This post is about when ministering (leading praise and worship) to Jesus' body, how we are to approach it.  I have seen some really flippent attitudes when it comes to praise and worship.  Like, all you gotta do is play and sing, right?  right???  NO, that's not all you gotta do.  At times, in the past, when I have tried to explain I get rolley eyeballs, sighs, and mumbled 'Oh brother...'  'you're too serious..'  yada, yada, yada....
Several years ago, I wrote an article that I have been sitting on for a while.  I have shared it with a couple of people who I wanted them to understand the place 'praise and worship' has in my heart.  God gave me the gift and I'm going to use it for only for Him.  I'm going to obey when He says, "Do this."  I'm afraid it will confuse people more which is one reason I have held on to it for so long and not wanting to hurt people.  Also my own insecurities and doubts, but remember that confirmation.  Yep, I got confirmation it was time to share it.  I have to thank remant ministries who are standing against what is happening in the churchworld today for giving me the courage to try yet again... 
Before I share it, I just wanted to remind you that satan was the angel who was the gifted musician who played in Heaven before decided he could take on God and take over God.  There's the first mistake.  The enemy knows music is powerful and did you ever not think he would not try to slip in and ruin true praise and worship?  Corrupt the doctrines through music so that greasy grace and inappropriate dressing, actions, and behaviors would cause disruption to the point that no one can focus on Christ much less be able to respect and give reverance so that the Holy Spirit could move.  No, the disrespect is loud and clear.  The Holy Spirit is a gentleman.  He never forces, He will leave where He is not wanted, and He will not try to talk over you because He is all about free will.  If you want Him to move, you have to make place for Him.  If He wants prayer, you pray; if He wants singing, you sing, if He wants preaching, you preach.  It's never the same...He doesn't do the same thing over and over and over....that's called a rut, and to quote my Pastor, "Do you know what a rut is?  It's a coffin with the ends knocked out. You just keep doing the same thing over and over."  Yeah, see how far that one will get you....Please can we get back to giving the Lord all praise, glory and honor, make sure our lyrics are lining up with Biblical Doctrine and does not go against God's Word, The Holy Bible.  
Here is the article..I wrote it to have an answer to give when someone asked me about wanting to be on the worship team - Warning, Remember, the priests were held to a higher standard.  They had to get it right.  If they didn't, it cost them their lives.  If you are going to serve Christ, it will cost you your life.  The flesh must die.  I pray Lord, eyes will be opened, and ears will hear what you have to say in the name of your Son, Jesus  Christ!      

So You Want To Be On the Worship Team???
I have been a part of worship teams for quite a few years. I have been approached by people who, with a sincere heart, inquire about being on the team. I try to be gracious as I really do not want to offend the person. Just recently I was approached and decided I needed to have some kind of a response to make the person think about exactly what they are asking. We are in a royal priesthood established by Jesus Christ with Jesus himself as our High Priest. The purpose of the music service is to bring a sacrifice of praise to the Lord, help his people enter into His throne room and interact with the Holy Spirit to bring a sacrifice of glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving to the Lord. I view my ministry as a musician for the Lord, a psalmist, very seriously. Some people would say I am too serious as they have rolled their eyes, basically do not get what I am saying when after they have asked a question; I try to answer their question. This has been a dilemma for me. Their reactions have been, to me, flippant, irreverent, and like – “All you do is play an instrument and sing, right?” WRONG!
For me, to play and sing or just play or just sing is a ministry in and of itself like a pastor, teacher, prophet, evangelist, etc. People don’t get this and I asked the Lord, how can I help them to understand the great responsibility given to worship teams? - Sometimes even when the worship teams, themselves, do not understand the great responsibility and privilege of bringing the sacrifice of praise to the Lord. Others say, you are just too serious and it really doesn’t matter. Hmmmm, really doesn’t matter…I don’t think so…not when I look to scripture and see what the temple priests were required to do for worship. If Christ came to fulfill the law and did not do away with the law, aren’t we still under some kind of, for lack of a better term, regulation to fulfill our office as a worshipper with the same kind of dedication, instruction, and seriousness of heart as a person who is leading God’s people into His presence?
You want to be on the worship team? I ask you to consider what the Bible says about the Levitical Priests and the requirements for worship. Then I ask you to consider the Royal Priesthood. Whatever God has called you to do, he will equip you for your position. But are you taking it seriously? Are you flippantly casting God off or not even spending the time with him to consider how you can improve your ministry?
I am by no means perfect and make mistakes all the time. Thank you Jesus for your mercy and grace because if we were under a Levitical priesthood ruling, your life would count on you having it right with no mistakes. So the next time someone asks me about the worship team, my response is going to be something like – Tell me what you know about the Priests of the Temple. While we have much liberty and freedom in Christ, I desire to approach His throne room with all the respect, courtesy and integrity that the priests of the temple approached the Temple of God.

 Repent...

                Set Boundaries...

                                             Forgive...           

A long, long time ago, I home schooled our children.  When I quit my career of medical transcription, I set a foundation for 'my school.'  I had three rules that we followed.  They were our guideposts in the goals we were to aim for, because you must have goal posts.  

The first rule was:  If you cheat yourself now, you will cheat yourself later.  This meant that if you took a shortcut and cheated to achieve (fill in the blank...) you were only hurting yourself because somewhere down the line you are going to have to come back and learn whatever (fill in the blank) you cheated to get out of doing.  

Rule #2:  If you don't get it the first time, it's okay.  Because you can try again and we will try again until you do get it.  But, I gave them a caveat of - With the world you are going to have to get it the VERY FIRST TIME!  Because in most cases, the world will not give you a second chance.  If I made an error in guiding rules, it would be this one.  I already felt I was too hard on my children and thought I was being kind an generous to give them multiple chances to get it right.  

Rule #3, well, basically, I had two rules, that's it...two rules that  you read above.  But I did have an analogy of "The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Ever."  I do not know who wrote this anology otherwise, I would credit them.  The story goes:  A chef is telling his students they are getting ready to make the best cookies ever.  They assemble the ingredients and began to prepare the cookies.  As they get to the last part of the cookie ingredients being stirred in to the batter, the chef says," Wait a minute!  I've forgotten something.  Here, here is some dog poo!  It's what makes the cookies so great."  The students were like, "Ewww!!!! No Way!!! Are you crazy?" The chef patiently waited, listening to their responses.  Finally one student said, "It's wrong!  It will ruin the recipe."  The chef exclaimed, "Finally, someone gets it!  Yes, it's wrong.  It doesn't matter how much or how little, if there is just the slightest bit of dog poo in there, it has corrupted the batter."  

So this is how I came apply a search for the very elusive truth we are all searching for and seeking.  Somethings appear very good, but they added something.  The something they added is the equivalent of dog poo.  I have said, and said, and said "Read your Bible."  The Bible is truth.  

And I will admit I'm the first to run and seek an answer from a 'how to' book looking for those so valuable coping skills that somehow I never learned all in  trying to heal myself.  I do feel like Holy Spirit led me to "Boundaries and Confronting the Jezebel Spirit" books.  But, while these books are very good on seeing the problem, they really are not good at teaching coping skills.  The reason why is because they go against scripture or do they?  There in lies the question...This is why I'm stressing that truth is paramount.  If something goes against scripture, I'm sorry my friend, you are wrong.  If someone is telling you to do something that is not in scripture such as drag up all the details of your past, that is not scriptural.  You have to have the whole counsel of God not part of it.  God told me when I got saved, "You are a new creature in Christ.  All the old things are passed away.  You are no longer that person."  

Now for anyone learning boundaries, it is an incredibly difficult process.  First you do have to shake off the chains of religion.  You know, you 'll hear that voice that says "You haven't forgiven them."  And yet, here you are remembering asking God to forgive you and them.  Yet, this red flag keeps slapping you in the face.  Someone accusing you of doing something that you are not doing.  Be honest with yourself.  If you have done it, admit it.  But trust me, if someone is telling you they are not and they are trying to tell you their story but you are not listening, they are just going to get louder and louder because keeping quiet is what they used to do. Keeping quiet never changed anything except God has a way.  Sometimes it just doesn't happen fast enough.  That's another issue patience.  But sometimes, it is important that someone points out the issue because just take a look at what's going in our world right now.  

So my path and dilemna which I would like to hear others' voices on is:  Where did the dog poo come in?  Have we taken on too much of the world's way of dealing with problems rather than dealing with them God's way.  And it doesn't make it truth if you are outcasted from a community of believers and the only thing you did was stand for scriptural integrity.  I'm a new creature in Christ not a people pleaser.  I used to be a people pleaser until Christ told me I could not be that anymore.  Quench not the Holy Spirit.  Forbid not the speaking in tongues.  Repent.  I'm a new creature in Christ.  I don't have to drag up all my past sins and recount them.  I'm healed.  I'm delivered.  I'm a new creation.  Christ has taken my sin and thrown it as far from the east to the west.  Don't ask me to do what you are not willing to do.  And then you see it, you see the tactic and it's too late because they set you off.  Yet, they say you are the one that's wrong.  

Well, I'm here to say that yes, some boundaries are apparently helpful and will protect you.  But the scriptural chocolate chip cookie has been corrupted because God gives unconditional love and true love in Christ would not behave that way - accusing, talking about someone, trying to set up scenarios that makes them appear a certain way, etc., etc.  God has already warned me of what is coming and has told me I'm protected.  I will stand with God.  I don't giving a flying flip fartleberry what you say, think or feel because I know what scripture says.  I believe my Bible more than what I can see, touch, taste, hear or feel in this physical world.  So outcast me, I'm not alone.  Talk about me, go ahead, I don't care anymore.  I'm gonna side with God and His Word because my Bible tells me so.  If  I'm burnt up and we will all stand before Him and our works will be thrown in to the fire, what remains is what we get to give Jesus.  I want everything I did to count for Christ.  Let's clean up the batter shall we?    

Expectation!!! 

So I woke up with my rambling thoughts this morning, and hearing "what do you expect?"  Then the Lord started speaking to me about our (the church's) expection of Him, the Holy Spirit and why do we find it so "weird" when God shows up and show off.  I was struck with the amazement of 'that's absolutely right!"  We the body of Christ should show up and expect God to be there and do something at every service.  But somehow, we always revert back to the 'normal' stance of "that's weird, God doesn't do that, and yada yada yada."  I've heard teachings on this before and those who know, know.  They know the real.  They know the fake.  Why?  Because they have encountered the Holy Spirit before and they know when something hinky is up.  Actually every believer in Christ should have the 'hinky' meter, but we don't.  We miss it.  Either too much in our flesh or too much pizza the night before, (still flesh) or GASP!!! - DOUBT AND UNBELIEF!  

So I guess the one thought I'm trying to put in to words is:  Believe!  Believe God will show up!  We ask Him too.  He wants to and we should want Him to, and He desires to bless us.  There are so many things that can affect and factor in to Him manifesting His presence though.  People can override the Holy Spirit just by being rude and discounting Him. Yes, you can disrrupt the Holy Spirit by your cell phone going off.  By speaking to a friend just as someone gets enough courage to start letting Holy Spirit use them and giving prophecy.  By not making space or time for Him..by singing the song that you practiced and practiced for, yet another song keeps coming up and you're like...what....This is driving me crazy I can't get it out of my head, or for refusing to give up their plan/agenda and allowing God to take the service a different way than they had planned.  "Why God, what I have to say is more important than you..."  and sadly, they are very mistaken because when you give over to Holy Spirit, He can do more in 1 minute than we could in 50 minutes.  Or, OR THE VERY WORST, God you can only 20 minutes, then that's it.  Service over.  We need to allow God the time and space to do what He wants to do, when He wants to do it and how He wants to do it, and He doesn't always tell you how He's going to show Himself.  

And, AND no one, NO ONE, who is authentic in their walk with Christ wants fake.  But there are some who will fake it til you make it.  Well, let me tell you friend, You don't have to fake it!  God is true.  He is who He says He is, and He will be there.  It may just not be the way you think it should be.  We have so much offense going on in the church body and now the prophets are fighting.  Chaos and confusion are the enemy's playground.  Let me say to you, friend, to guard against fake.  Read your Bible.  You will know them by the Word.  If it goes against God's Word, there is your first clue - IT'S NOT GOD!  We must go back to foundation.  God's Word is truth over everything else.  As my friend, Pastor Jon Friedt said, "Jesus put His name under the authority of His Word."  Christ is not going to go back and against His Word.  The whole counsel of His Word, not just a verse here and there, nor a word here and there, but the whole Bible.  

Again, I'm going to state - You cannot buy or sell the Holy Spirit.  You cannot produce Him to manifest on a whim.  In other words, you cannot 'divinate or use divinating ways.'  If you do, I would say you are operating in the power of a familiar spirit and NOT the Holy Spirit.  People who minister to others with this kind of gift in a legitimate capacity of having the Holy Spirit use them in this manner have paid a price in their lives.  They have sacrificed the time and walk totally in manner worthy of that calling.  They stay in the Word (The Holy Bible), they meditate on it minute by minute, they laid down what they wanted to do and picked up what God wanted them to pick up and do.  They have died to themselves, their wants and desires and now desire and want to do what God would have them to for Him.  There is also one other thing that goes with this, they always tell the truth no matter the cost to them.  They have integrity that even if it is going to hurt them, they will still tell the truth.  

So I ask you to read your Bible with eyes that see how God shows up, when He shows up, and let us start letting Him show up and 'have the church service.'  We, the body (the church) will be far better off if we allow this versus the same plan, the same ole same old.  Remember, God can have someone down on the ground on their hands and knees, eating grass.  He did it to Nebuchenezzar (sp?) He can do it to you...Don't say, "God can't do that or won't do that."  He most certainly can.  But, BUT if it gets that bad, there is a very good reason why God would do that to someone.  

  

 

 Blessings in the Mundane....

I was thinking back on some favorite photographs that I have taken and shared through the years.  Suddenly, I am hearing my Savior, Jesus, speak to me how He blesses even through the mundane tasks of life.  After all, who wants to wash dishes, right???  Yet, in those quiet times where we start to feel most down, after all who wants to scrub the toilets, right?  In those quiet moments, the Lord can make us feel like the most regal person in the universe.  There is no doubt that those two tasks are very necessary and life will get really nasty quick if you do not deal with the dirty dishes and dirty toilets.  I really find it amazing how many times I have been on my way to a sinkful of dirty dishes and look out the window and life changes to - let me go get my camera or where's my phone? I need to take a picture of this - it's beautiful.  Or, a thought flits through my chaotic brain and the Lord reminds me, He's got it all under His control.  

The thought for this blog posting came yesterday, and life has just been so busy that we put off the most important one.  When we take the time and just sit down with the Lord, He blesses our socks off.  I hope you will enjoy some time with the Lord, today, right now in this moment, and that He blesses your socks off.  There is truly no one like him.  Another new song given to me as I took the time to just sit with Him in our secret place.  

Let me give you a peak in to the journey of a special place where I spend time with my Savior Jesus Christ.  No one paints like Father God and no one creates like Father God.  Thank you for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus, to save a wretch like me.  Sharing a few of my favorite pictures through the years.