My Adopted Family

My Adopted Family

"Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

(Matthew 12:50)

Being an only child, this scripture has always had a lot of meaning for me. It felt so good to know that I had brothers and sisters in Christ. I was adopted into the family of God. I was under God's will and His blessing. But what did this really mean and what should I do in this family?

Most of my earthly family didn't follow through on doing God's will. They walked their own walk. As the child of an alcoholic father, the name father meant fun, but neither financial responsibility nor dependability. How could I possibly depend on a God I couldn't see or feel?  So this earthly family who did not follow God's will was all I had. Fortunately, God kept sending people into my life who did his will, who were much better examples of family for me, until I figured it out.

If you happen to be in a family who do not truly represent the will or family of God, just ask the Heavenly Father, who is dependable, to help you find His family. You will most likely find them in a church. You will recognize them when you are faced with crises and they demonstrate God's love to you in so many ways, but mostly praying with and for you. They will be bringing you food, taking care of  your children when you  can't, running errands for you, sitting in the hospital with you and all the other servant things God has gifted this family to do.  Most of the time, you don't even have to ask, He just sends them and the Spirit leads them to do the right thing.

This is how we learn unconditional love and witnessing through concern and kindness. This is where we recognize the gifts our Heavenly father has blessed us with. This passage is the foundation of our personal witness. Thanks be to God, His Son and His Holy Spirit for loving us so we can love others and join God's family as His special adopted sons and daughters. Whose life do you need to touch for the Lord? Don't forget to tell them that we were adopted through Christ's work on the Cross and by His Grace, nothing we personally have done except to respond to the call.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."

(Matthew 5:43–45)

Have you ever had someone who was an absolute thorn in your side? A person that when the name was brought up sent prickles up your spine and you puffed up 3 sizes? I hope you handled it better than I did.

My husbands first wife, divorced about 20 years before I came along, never accepted their divorce and decided to remain in his life forever. She was always calling to give advice, manipulating with lies, or wanting something, usually money. It was not only annoying, but also totally inappropriate. Even his family agreed. I could have understood her need to stay in contact if they children together, but this was not the case.

I would blow up every time her name was mentioned and usuallly end up with a headache just thinking about it. The final blow was when he had ignored her e-mails and phone calls and an e-mail was sent to my address, which was only one letter different from his. She was frantic because he was not answering her mail or calls and thought he must be very ill or dying.

I finally had to admit that this was a very sick woman with a lot of major problems, primarily a result of not accepting reality and moving on with her life. My being angry  didn't bother her one bit. It only affected me. I began to understand "vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." My feelings of vengeance only affects me and makes me feel bad.

So I decided to ask God for forgiveness for the awful feelings I had toward her. I began praying for her and asked God to heal us both...me for my anger and her for her obvious mental state.  Praying for those who annoy us does indeed bring us peace. I know that I have no control over the situation, except to pray for God's help and accept his will for my life. 

Thank you, dear heavenly Father, for being the way for me to find peace by helping me to love your other sons and daughters as you love me.

ARE YOU DEAD FROM DREAD?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

(Joshua 1:9 )

That word "DREAD" is so close to the word "DEAD." And if we live in FEAR and DREAD, we are DEAD, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We become immobilized, unable to think rationally or creatively. We become stuck, unable to make decisions or take needed action. And that is not living, especially the full life God has planned for us.


So, when our situation looks dismal and choices seem limited, where do we go? It's easy to just sit around ringing our hands and repeating, "woe is me." And we'll get lots of worldly advice and sympathy. But is that what we want? Do we need more encouragement to feel sorry for ourselves and continue to flounder? NO, we have options.


Christians do not have to fear and dread what others do because we have hope in our Lord. Through the centuries he has proven himself faithful to believers. Think about Job, Moses, or even Christ as he walked down the Via Dolorosa to Calvary.

In Psalm 34:4 , the psalmist says, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."

Even Sir Winston Churchhill told us that "we have nothing to fear but fear itself."

Freedom is available as soon as we surrender and let Christ forgive us, guide us, protect us and love us? Why then is fear and dread holding us back, keeping us from living the full life God has provided?

Does your business reflect hope and faith?

My commitment to blog each day has certainly not been fullfilled. Life seems to fill up my calendar and first thing I know, I'm off track again. So I will begin again. Aren't we blessed to have a "boss" who allows us U-turns and forgives us when we "slip" a little?

Today I attended the DFW Christian Chamber of Commerce as a new member. I was so excited to have a table displaying the Blessings Unlimited line of inspirational home decor and gifts, cards, jewelry, office and desk and children's items. I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to meet over lunch with other local area business people who represent Christian principles, ideals and service. I pray this is what my business reflects.

Gift giving season is coming and I have lots of Blessings Unlimited suggestions. Of course our greatest gift is the Lord Himself whose birth we honor during this season. As we plan our seasonal Thanksgiving and Christmas activities, let's be truly grateful for all of our blessings, but especially God's grace and Christ's sacrifice on the cross for us. It's never too early to share these blessings. Are you reflecting this in your business as well as your home life?

What will you be giving your co-workers, business associates, customers, family and friends during this gift giving season? My suggestions will cost money, but your gift of Christ's love, faith and hope is a free gift. Not sure how to share these blessings? Roaring Lambs is presenting it's annual  "Amplyfy Your Faith Conference" on November 13 at the Hope Center in Plano. You can register on line at www.roaringlambsministries.org or call 972.380.0123. At the end of the day you will be prepared to share the blessings of Christ.

Making Amends

"Esaus ran to meet Jacob and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." (Genesis 33:4)

Jacob was meeting his powerful estranged brother. He feared for his life and that of his family. He struggled with God prior to meeting his brother face to face and asked for a blessing over this situation. Esaus was truly delighted to see this brother that he had claimed a birthright from and resulted in Jacob living a difficult life. They embraced and treated each other in grace and delight for being reunited.

Has a misunderstanding or event estranged you from a relative or friend?  Especially one that prevailed for many years? Then the time came when you had to see them? Did you approach with fear and trembling? I did when I was going to attend a High School reunion and be in the company of my "arch enemy."

Like Jacob, I prayed about it and the meeting went well. I couldn't even remember what our "fight" was all about and neither of us brought it up. The years had helped heal the wounds. We actually found some things we had in common and enjoyed visiting with each other.

Being right with each other is very important to God and our own forgiveness.   Making amends  doesn't always require a long confession of wrongs and asking forgiveness.  Being kind and demonstrating genuine concern and delight in being with the person can create a lot of warmth and acceptance.  Right relationships with others definitely helps us avoid counting sheep all night long.

"Right actions in the future are the best apologies for past bad behavior." (Tyron Edwards)

Self Reliance...True or False?

"Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events. Great men have always done so." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson's essay on self-reliance is oft quoted, especially in motivational literature and speeches. He was a trancendental philosopher and essayist of the mid 1800's. What does he mean by "divine providence" is his quotes? If we leave that out, or do not read "divine providence" as meaning God, then it sounds like it's all up to us. But let's look a little closer.

Transcendentalism was a school of thought prevalent in literature in the 19th Century and a theme of famous scholars of that time. It emphasizes the intuitive and spiritual thought above emperical or scientific evidence. Anti-conformity, individualism and being yourself are core beliefs. It continues to have prevalence today in a lot of philosophical and psychological literature and has deep roots in "New Age" spirituality.


As Christians, we have named "divine providence" God and recognize the three persons of the God trinity, with the Holy Spirit the one who speaks to us and through us. Those special thoughts that enter our consciousness and call us to action, while sitting still in God's silence, come from the Holy Spirit. We are given access to "divine providence," wisdom and knowledge through the Holy Spirit. Think of your divine appointments that have connected the special events in your life. Is your spirituality transcendental through "divine guidence" or firmly rooted in the God of the Bible? So, are you relying on yourself, or on God, to direct your life? 


"But I trust in you, O Lord: I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me."  (PS 31:14-15 NIV)


"And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3)

The First of the 3 P's

There are 3 P's that have immobilized me a great deal of my life. For the next 3 days, we'll take a look at these because I'm sure others have dealt with them. What are they? Mr. Procrastination, Ms Pride and Ms Perfectionism.

I believe the root of evil thought is Ms. Pride. She literally locks us up inside of ourselves and keeps that ME focus alive. We become totally self involved. We can not admit our failures, although we are well aware of them. We have to give the impression of being better than we are. We must keep tight control over ourselves and our environment. Our life is steeped in secrets and fear of being found out.

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." (Proverbs 16:18-19)

Growing up under the shadow of an alcoholic father, I felt very inadequate, less of a person than my friends. I was indeed different. I locked lots of family secrets deep inside, including the real me. I wore my mask very well. How different my life would have been if I had unlocked that door and let my real self out much earlier.

It took me a long time to grasp the concept that I was made in my Heavenly Father's image and not my earthly father's. I had spent most of my life trying to please my parents and make them proud of me. Grace! What a concept. I kept looking for something that would merit it and finally realized it was Christ on the Cross, not anything I could possibly do accept humbly accept Him as my Lord and Savior.


"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)


Christ willingly took that painful walk up to Calvary for me so I could be washed of my sin. Pride could not do that for me. It kept me from recognizing my sin. I was finally freed when I went down on my knees in total humility and submission. He didn't care if my hair was backcombed, red or white. I didn't have on makeup or the latest fashion. He just wants us to come just as we are, leaving our past behind and taking His hand into our future.


"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossions 3:12)

With His help and a lot of encouragement from friends, pastors, Godly women who mentored me, and Christian writers, I have learned to walk in His spirit. Walking humbly before Him is so much easier than walking on eggs, hauling that sack of pride on my back, burdened down with self-pity, strivings, and all the other lies we live in pride.


"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:25-26)

Now, I don't have to hide behind the mask of pride, running from a lot of family garbage.
I am proud to proclaim that I am a grateful child of God, sister to The King of Kings, and member of the best family ever, the family of God. I am never unemployed as a humble servant of the Lord's. There is always lots for me to do and it keeps my mind off of self. For these things, I am proud.


"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8 )

REPLACE PRIDE WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER.