Pearls of Wisdom

Wisdom for Women

Why Truth Matters

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The Oxford Dictionary defines truth as that which is true in accordance with fact or reality. The Meriam -Webster definition states truth as the body of real things, events, and facts; actuality. As children, we were taught the importance of always telling the truth. We grew up in a society where being truthful created social bonds that were built upon trust.  Truthfulness was respected and valued. Truthfulness mattered.

If we look further, truth, in the biblical perspective, has a direct correlation to God. God is truth, meaning it is absolute and unquestionable. I like to picture ‘truth’ as being the palm of the hand, where the fingers represent the elements of truth, or characteristics of God – love, joy, peace, hope and faith.

So, what happens when we remove the palm, the truth or God?  There will be five fingers behaving independently, acting on their own will.  Love could present in any form including pedophilia.  Joy could turn into anxiousness, and peace could include chaos or any justified uprising. Our hope would disappear while our faith could be transferred to statues or idols. Then truth becomes anything that you choose to believe, which would make lying meaningless.

What is apparent is that today’s culture no longer values truth.  We are beginning to hear stories and witness events supposedly cloaked in truth, with no evidence of facts or actuality. Truth is being distorted to whatever one  wants to believe, and relationships, activities and events are being built around fallacies. Society has become intolerant of God’s word and His truth, and seems to disregard accountability.

A world that lacks accountability and logic becomes disorderly, lawless and ungodly.  Attitudes become distorted, believing we can always get what we want. We tell ourselves it is deserved or owed to us. Relationships become tenuous, as they are not built on any foundation of truth, but rather lies and hypocrisy. We slip further and further away from the core values and the word of God.

As our society moves further away from being Christ-centered and no longer aligning its beliefs with God’s truth, Christians will have to choose sides. They can follow along and become complicit with the current environment of falsehood or they can choose God’s truth. II Thessalonians 2:3 warns, ‘Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.’ We are encouraged in II Thessalonians 2:15 to stand firm and hold fast to the teachings passed on to us. Anything that contradicts the Word of God or the Spirit of God is of the enemy and should be avoided.

So, choose wisely.  He who walks with integrity, and does what is righteous, and speaks truth in his heart…will never be shaken. Psalm 15:2-5

Dear Evangelicals….Which God do you serve?

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 (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)

Unless you were living under a rock the whole year, you were aware that the big news story of 2020 was the United States presidential election.  President Donald Trump was seeking re-election against his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden.  Throughout the election, there was a loud chorus by Donald Trump’s base, including the evangelicals, that Donald Trump was God’s chosen candidate.  Many prominent evangelical leaders even predicted that President Trump would be re-elected.

Alas, Election Day came and went. Finally, four days after Election Day, Joe Biden was declared the winner.  Joe Biden won the popular vote by 7 million people, with a total of 306 electoral votes, compared to Donald Trump’s 232 electoral votes. Then, all hell broke loose as shock and horror rumbled through the Republican Party like an earthquake.

What followed was a bizarre series of conspiracy theories as to how the election was ‘fraudulent and stolen’.  Eighty million people chose former Vice President Joe Biden as their next president in a legal and fair election. However, those votes were suddenly meaningless and declared invalid by the President’s base and evangelicals because President Trump lost the election. This led to an all-out campaign to overturn the election results. Trump’s supporters took up arms and fought because they believed that the election was stolen.  At a recent Trump protest in Washington, I watched as the President’s followers destroyed church property, attacked, and intimidated counter protestors, while wearing ‘God for Trump’ tee shirts. Millions of people were willing to help Trump overturn the election by any means, including lying, cheating, intimidation, violence, and even insurrection and murder.

 If evangelicals find this behavior acceptable or believe that God would condone these actions, then I believe they are confused and misguided about the nature and heart of God.  Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus condone lying, cheating, intimidation, violence, rioting or murder for any reason and certainly not for a presidential election. So then, I ask, which God are they fighting for?  Jehovah God or Donald Trump?

I believe the cult like obsession we are witnessing in Trump’s followers is driven by the idolatry of a self-worshiping and self-serving President. Idolatry is the worship of something or someone other than God as if it were God. In the Bible, Exodus 20:3-6 states, ‘You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God am a jealous God.’  

Unfortunately, President Trump seems to be living in an alternate reality and has convinced his followers, including many evangelicals, to live in his alternate reality with him. Trump’s reality has no resemblance to the kingdom of God.

I encourage my Christian brothers and sisters to return to their first love, and spend some time reacquainting themselves with scriptures about false teachers and false doctrines that infiltrate the body of Christ.  Regardless of what is going on around you, Christians need to stay focused and not be distracted by the world around us. The truth is that we serve an awesome God who is omnipresent and omniscient. He is the only God that matters.

 

Happy to be back!

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Photo courtesy of fifty-shades-black-stock

For about a year, I wrote spiritually themed stories which I referred to as pearls of wisdom, in hopes of encouraging and inspiring those who read the posts. It’s been over three years since my last post. I don’t know if I was suffering from writer’s block, or if God (or the devil) just wanted me to take a break. All I know was that neither the thoughts nor words would come to me.

Over the last several months, I’ve really worked on my relationship with God, including a 40 day fast. I began to notice writing themes returning to me and I would jot them down. Then the ideas started flowing.  I continued to fast and pray, and I felt God saying, just write. I’ll do the rest.

So in obedience, I’m blogging again and trusting that God will direct this blog to whomever will benefit from and enjoy reading the posts.

I hope that includes you!

Steps to Overcoming Your Nineveh

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I recently attended the Sight and Sound production, Jonah, which is a musical adaptation of the Biblical story of Jonah.

The book of Jonah demonstrates the consequences we suffer when we are disobedient and fail to follow God’s instructions. The book also demonstrates God’s patience and love for us despite our disobedience.

In the story of Jonah, God gave Jonah instructions to deliver a message to the city of Nineveh, that they must repent or Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days. Jonah had no love for Nineveh and feared its leaders, so he decided to run away rather than go to Nineveh to deliver the message. Jonah escaped by setting sail on a boat headed to Tarshish. After being tossed overboard by his ship mates, God sent a gigantic fish to swallow Jonah to prevent him from drowning. Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for three days, allowing him ample time to ponder over his plight. After being released by the fish, Jonah knew that God was giving him a second chance to obey his instructions.

In the musical production, there is a song that asks, ‘What is your Nineveh?’ It suggests that each of us, like Jonah, may have a challenge or something that we dread doing. I began thinking of possible Ninevehs one may be facing. It could be a challenge that we feel we’re not equipped for, an illness or treatments that we’re facing, pending changes in employment or even the demise of a relationship. Any one of these things can cause great stress and as a result, lead us along a path that God did not intend for us to follow.

The story of Jonah shares some beautiful lessons that provide hope when you encounter your Nineveh:

  1. We serve a God of second chances. While you may initially run from God’s instructions, God always gives us a second, third, and sometime numerous chances to get it right. God didn’t give up on Jonah and He won’t give up on you.
  2. He will give you instructions, if you ask. God will always give you direction when asked. God gave Jonah instructions to visit Nineveh. Jonah didn’t want to follow them. Had Jonah been obedient, he would not have spent three days in the belly of a fish!
  3. It’s not as bad as you think it will be. You need to remember that God has gone before you and prepared the way. He knows what’s ahead of you. Jonah feared that he would be captured and killed if he went to Nineveh. However, when Jonah finally delivered the message to Nineveh, the people responded in a positive manner and were very grateful to Jonah for delivering the message and saving their city.
  4. Despite our disobedience, God never stops loving us. Of all the cruel and vicious things Nineveh had done to people throughout its history, God loved them enough to give them a final warning before destroying their land. In other words, it takes a whole lot for God to give up on you.

So, what is your Nineveh? Rather than run, face your fear and know that God loves you and is there to carry you through it.

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. ~ Proverbs 4:11-13

A Mountain Top Experience

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Have you ever had a dream and wondered what it meant?

I’ve had many. I recognize that dreams are one of the ways in which God communicates with me. So, I pay close attention to my dreams and try to decipher their meaning.

Recently, I dreamed that I was climbing a mountain. In this dream, several times I stopped to rest and look out, but I couldn’t see anything. Unable to see, the Holy Spirit would instruct me to keep climbing. Finally, I reached a point where I could look out and see the vast land of beauty that laid below the mountain. When I woke up, I immediately thought of Moses climbing Mt. Nebo and looking out to see the Promised Land. (Deut. 32:49-50) 

I did some research to explore the meaning of my dream. Climbing mountains often means pursuing a goal or challenge. There are goals and projects that I’ve undertaken which God has encouraged me to stay focused on and persevere. I strongly feel that this dream is an affirmation of that message.

What happens during the climb is also important. Does the dreamer fall or stumble? Do they complete the climb? Does the climber descend the mountain?   The multiple stops along my climb indicate periods of struggle, distraction or loss of focus. However, since I reached the mountain top where I could see the view, I feel optimistic about reaching my goal or completing my projects with a positive outcome.

Are you pursuing a goal or challenge and wondering about the outcome? Ask God to provide you with wisdom with regards to the steps you need to take.

And many peoples will come and say, “Come! Let us go up to the mountain of the LORD.  To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.”  Isaiah 2: 3 NASB

 

If You Don’t Like Your Life, Change Your Voice

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So many times, you hear people complain about their dissatisfaction with life. They may be caught in an unhappy marriage or unfulfilling job. Sometimes people will find themselves unhappy for no particular reason.

Each of us have been placed on this earth for a purpose. There are things God has uniquely created you to do that were planned out long before you got here (Ephesians 2:10). As followers of Christ, our goal is to find that unique purpose and be about the Father’s work.  Finding our purpose is extremely important.  Our inner voice controls every decision we make with that purpose in mind, dictating the quality of life we experience.

Key Verse

Proverbs 29:18 AMP tell us that ’Where there is no vision (no revelation of God), the people perish; but he who keeps the law (of God, which includes that of man) blessed (happy, fortunate and enviable) is he.’

So, when we find ourselves in a place of discontent, that means that either 1) we haven’t found our purpose in life or 2) we have become distracted from our purpose and have strayed off course.

Maintain Focus

Finding your purpose requires focusing on the Word of God and allowing Him to order your steps. Maintaining your focus can be an ongoing challenge. The enemy is very clever in distracting you from your focus.

For me personally, it has taken me over a month to write a post for my blog. While I believed I had good reasons, I also knew that God had given me the vision for this blog and through my words, I had touched a few lives. The force that benefitted the most from my absence in writing was the enemy.  I realized I had allowed the enemy to distract me from my purpose. So, in response, I‘m changing my inner voice – which gave me excuses not to write. I am asking God to change my voice and direct me back to my purpose of inspiring and encouraging women through life application and the Word of God.

What voice do you need to change?

 

 

Proverbs 13:22 What is your Legacy?

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Proverbs 13:22 states that ” A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.”  I think about that verse often as I interact with my granddaughter.

My daughter and four-year-old granddaughter live with my husband and I. After being empty nesters for four years, it was quite an adjustment to have my daughter back home along with her newborn baby. As I reflect on the last four years, despite the lack of privacy, the heightened noise level and home that seems to be in eternal disarray, what I see and appreciate more are the many blessings that I witness daily.

As a millennial, my daughter’s parenting practices are very different from the practices that I, a baby boomer, used to raise her. It is these differences that have created the opportunity for me to build into my granddaughter’s life.  Since my granddaughter lives with us, I have more opportunities to teach her things and values I deem important. We take regular trips to the library, spend time at the park and read together. Best of all, I get to teach her my Christian faith. I take her to Sunday school which she refers to as ‘Sunday church’. I get to provide teachable moments, showing her how to use her faith during the times she experiences fear, disappointments and hurt.

I believe if we want our life to count for something, we need make a lasting investment in the lives of others. As grandparents, we have a duty to leave a legacy for our grandchildren. This can be done in many ways. For me, as my granddaughter gets older and her faith grows, my prayer is that she remembers her Moo-Moo was the one who introduced her to God and taught her how to navigate life using her faith.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  ~ Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Proverbs 11:25 Are You Paying It Forward?

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A few months ago, I stopped to purchase gas on my way to work. I was paying in cash so I had to go inside. I noticed a gentleman standing in the line next to me but didn’t pay attention to what he was doing.  As I approached the window, the gentleman asked if I was purchasing gas. Expecting some sort of scam, I replied ‘yes,’ and braced myself for what he was about to say. He immediately threw $30 down on the counter and said, “fill your car up and have a good day.” I was speechless as the station attendant behind the counter laughed. As I collected my thoughts, I asked the attendant, “who was that guy?” He stated that he comes in often and has done that before. Coming to grip with my good fortune, I went out to thank the man. He simply said, “You’re welcome. Enjoy your day.”

Key Verse

Proverbs 11:25 tells us “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

This verse reminds me of the ‘pay it forward’ movement.  The goal is to perform a random act of kindness for a stranger and instruct them to pay it forward.  I reflected on the many times I’ve paid for the groceries of people in the line ahead of me who were short of money, as well as the times I bought lunch for coworkers who were out of money right before pay day. I wondered, was I being paid forward for my previous acts of kindness?

What do you think? Have you received a random act of kindness from someone? Have you paid it forward recently?

Join us Thursday evening for our live blog chat at 8:00 p.m. EST as we discuss the above questions and more.  Call 1-712-770-8009; Code: 335261.

Proverbs 27:17 The Best Kind of Friend

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People will come in and out of our life – some for a season, but everyone comes for a reason.

God brings people in our life for many reasons. They may come as a mentor, companion or to teach you something about yourself.  They may even come to support us as we experience one of God’s many life lessons. Others come in our life and serve as a distraction, ultimately moving us away from accomplishing God’s purpose and plan.  God has a plan and purpose for each of us and we need to be sensitive to the opportunities and people that God has placed in our life to help us accomplish those plans.

Key Verse

“Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”   Proverbs 27:17

The above verse is a reminder that we need to be purposeful in who we allow to occupy our time and space. We need to surround ourselves with individuals that will sharpen our minds, challenge our beliefs and mindsets. People who will inspire us to push further, work harder or reach higher. These are the people or friends that really care about you and really want to see you succeed on whatever journey you’ve chosen.

Every friend may not fall into the above category. However, we owe it to ourselves to find at least one friend who will listen to our dreams, plans or ideas, and offer suggestions to make our dream a reality. This friend will also be the one to challenge us to develop a better or alternate plan. As we wander along our journey, they’ll be in the background cheering us on.

Now, take a few minutes to reflect – who is your friend that sharpeneth you? Think about how different your life would be without their influence.  Take a minute to call, text or send an email to thank them for loving and believing in you enough to sharpen your iron.

Please join us for Thursday’s live blog chat at 8:00 p.m. EST.  Please call 1-712-770-8009;  Code: 335261. Tell us about that friend who sharpens you!

Proverbs 24:3-4 Three Steps to Establish Joy in The Home

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Recently, I attended a Women’s Conference sponsored by my church. The theme was ‘Joy through the Journey’.  Approximately 150 women gathered to hear speakers talk about how to establish joy in various aspects of one’s life. I chose to attend establishing ‘joy’ in the home.

As women, we play a key role in establishing and maintaining the mood and atmosphere in the home.  In the role as wife and mother, I believe the woman shares the responsibility (Proverbs 14:1) to create an environment in which children feel safe, and a place where family members will want to retreat, relax and unwind from daily stress.

Key Verse

Proverbs 24:3-4 ‘By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding, it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.’

If we examine the above verse, we find that wisdom is defined as ‘having the ability to think and act in such a way that common sense prevails and decisions made are beneficial and productive.’  The word treasure is defined as ‘something of great worth or value; a person esteemed as rare and precious.’

To restate this verse, one might say ‘a house should be built on a foundation of common sense and well thought out decisions.  The decisions made within the household should be mutually beneficial and productive to all valued members of the household.  Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

Now, I’d like for you to think back over the last three months.  Was the atmosphere in your home stress free? Friendly, inviting, loving? Were there silent wars taking place between family members? Arguing? Complaining? More importantly, were you modeling the Proverbs 31 woman – the virtuous and capable wife or the Proverbs 14:1 woman, tearing her house down with her own hands?

Steps to Establishing Joy in the Home

Shifting the atmosphere in your home can be done by consistently following a few simple steps:

1)      Ask God to give you a clean heart.  Repent of anything you may have done to foster a negative and unhealthy environment in your home.

2)      Begin praying God’s Word throughout your house.  Sing songs, hymns, or offer praises and thanksgiving as you walk throughout your home. We live in a spiritual world, so conducting a spiritual cleaning is very beneficial to keeping negative energy or spirits out of the home.  I perform a spiritual cleansing of my home at the beginning of each season and can truly feel the difference.  On one occasion, my daughter returned home from a weekend trip.  In her absence, I smudged and performed a spiritual cleansing of the home.  Upon her return, not knowing that I had smudged, she stated that her room felt different. It felt clean and calming.

3)      Think before you speak. Pray and ask God to help you find the right words when conversing with loved ones. This will help to improve communication which leads to healthier relationships.

As we begin our efforts to obtain joy at home, remember to bathe each family member in prayer daily. Consider playing praise music in your home rather than watching TV. Try to connect emotionally with each family member daily so there are no concerns festering beneath the surface.  Soon you will begin to detect a pleasant change in your home.  I have not mastered this process myself but am trying to be more deliberate in my efforts.

What are you doing to establish or maintain joy in your home? Let’s share ideas Thursday during our live blog chat.

Please join us for Thursday’s live blog chat at 8:00 p.m. EST.  Please call 1-712-770-8009;  Code: 335261. Share your thoughts regarding this post.