You guys have NO IDEA how torn I was about posting this image. I am forever grossed out.
One of the most popular television programs airing today is “The Walking Dead.” If you’ve never heard of it then it probably means you’ve been living underground. Accordingly, it’s a horror drama television series developed by Frank Darabont whose lead character, sheriff deputy Rick Grimes, awakens from a months-long coma to confront a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Grimes reunites with his family and becomes the leader of a group he forms with other survivors.
I watched approximately five minutes of the first episode a few years back. The moment I heard the sound of flies buzzing in the background while seeing those unforgettable soft pink fluffy house slippers standing underneath an abandoned car, presumably worn on the feet of a zombie little girl – I dashed out of the room along with my open-mindedness to this particular TV series. My husband thinks I’m hilarious because I have to leave the room whenever a disclaimer of, “Viewer Discretion is Advised” comes across our television. He has watched almost every episode since then while I hurriedly excuse myself to my quiet zombie-free zone in my bedroom. I can’t handle zombies, people. They freak me out.
To me, it’s as though these Hollywood screenwriters are following the biblical narrative spoken by our Heavenly Father. According to the apostle Paul, we should all consider ourselves the “Undead” or zombies, in a sense, until we are *rescued.
Ephesians 2:2-7 says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sinsin which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air (the devil), the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
I cannot help but to read this scripture and understand that it describes our “Zombie-ness” perfectly before our *salvation. I imagine that just prior to each of our *rebirth, we actually looked equally horrifying to God as these “undead” beasts look to us. I mean zombies are disgusting, flesh eating, selfish, and unstoppable evil creations. Yep, sounds like all humanity.
How often do we go to work, attend our churches, and drive through our communities seeing all the outwardly beautiful people not realizing that inwardly, they have a disease that causes them to seek nothing but things that feed their flesh. They unknowingly continue to nourish it which is actually killing them more. Like unreasoning animals seeking a vision of a perfect life without a helper, wearing tailored suits and “red carpet” dresses they live their lives deceiving themselves as the reach deeply into this world. Unwittingly, they work all along in the spirit of the prince of the power of the air (Satan). According to traditional folklore there’s only one way to actually kill these zombies – and well, we won’t go there. To kill the real zombie in all of us is to recognize that God does not lie. He is telling us the truth in His Word (the Bible). He is telling us that we are indeed sinners – who are actually so bad off that we cannot save ourselves without an outside source. And that source is only Him. God even sent His son, Jesus Christ, into the world to live a sinless life and to be crucified on a cross for the sins of the world. Jesus willingly died for the punishment of our sins. God raised Jesus from the dead and promised us the same reality if we confess these truths.
My prayer is that you will consider all your options. Think about your life. Think about what monopolizes your thoughts. Think about the reality that on our own – we are unable to stop walking around seeking the passions of the flesh (even though instinctively we know it is killing us). If you agree with these concepts…I ask you to reach out to our great God of Heaven asking Him to make these things known to you.
With all this in mind…I will continue to consider how I act daily, how I love others, and whether or not I can humbly die to my selfish ambition. Daily, I will ask myself, “Am I still trying to feed a long since dead man that God has already “put down” or am I seeking the ways of my Heavenly Father? I pray the latter!
*Salvation – How to Kill the Zombie and have eternal life
John 20:21 says, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Romans 10:8-11 says, “But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
This photo is dedicated to Jo, who interpretated for me most of the week. Tonight all of us ladies cried as we said our “good-byes” to those of whom we put so much trust.
The title of this blog is also dedicated to a young man that translated for me one day. After lunch one day, I said, “I am so full” and he then proceeded to ask the question I posed in the title of this post. Poor soul. He had no idea the confusion he was stepping into trying to interpret for a true southerner.
Thursday, July 9th at 9:00am.
We have been driving for about an hour this morning and have about another thirty minutes to go. I’ll try to take this time to write you about yesterday.
We did not arrive back at the hotel until 11:00pm last night. A Christian family from Piatra Neamt wanted to treat us to a nice dinner because of all our work. They were so kind as they had the restaurant roll out the red carpet for us. We were greeted by the family at the entrance of the door and traditional Romanian dishes were brought out like; baskets of fresh bread, bowls of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, cheeses, meats, a variety of homegrown fruit and dishes of zacusca (roasted veggie spread) to the table. As we were seated, the hospitable family thanked us for our work for the Lord. I sat next to their son, Bin, who shared his testimony. It was so refreshing to hear a young person who is freshly reborn. And it caused me to reflect inwardly wondering if God is saying, “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at the first.” (Revelation 2:3-4).
It was rather warm in the restaurant and the main course was taking a while to come out so we all decided to step outside. Many of us walked around the grounds where we noticed the garden of which our vegetables would come and raspberries that we’re sure to arrive by the end of the evening too. There, we saw live chickens jive walking around and suddenly, I remembered that I had ordered the chicken schnitzel. A part of me thought, “Ooh, that’s so sad. But once my little chicken was brought out on my plate with it’s Romanian friend; herbed mashed potatoes – I forgot about the guilt. The food was phenomenal. I feel certain our driver had to air up the tires this morning after this team disembarked last night at 11:00pm. Immediately following, we all rolled ourselves off to bed. My roomie and I were nestled all snug in our beds, while visions of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers danced in our heads.
The van ride this morning is much quieter. Lack of sleep and full tummies can do that to you evidently. I slept the best I’ve slept since Thanksgiving of 2014 and now that my body has adjusted to the time change…it’s nearly time to be abruptly jerked backwards in time – by eight hours (by the way).
5:40pm, Thursday
We left our mission point about thirty minutes ago. Almost everyone is asleep. But I’m fighting off that crazy tired train and I’ll do so until we get off the plane from Bucharest to Amsterdam. Then, I may just slide out of my seat and onto the floor. And I’m pretty sure I will not have my bounce back in time for church service in Alabama, Sunday morning.
We are heading to a church service tonight in Piatra Neamt where one of our evangelists will speak. Then we will be fed AGAIN.
11:00pm, Thursday
Tomorrow morning we are heading to Bucharest; the Capital of Romania. It will take us seven hours. This is where we will catch our flight home early Saturday morning. I will write more on the drive concerning the last few days. (Mission work as opposed to food!) But for now, I am very tired. My roommate has already turned off the lights and fallen fast asleep. Love to you. And thank you for thinking of us over here. God uses all things for His glory. Amen (“Amin”). 😉
Yesterday we spent the day at the strategic church (which means this church goes out to the “mission point” churches to mentor & disciple), in the city where we are lodging. So it was an easy drive. We saw a little over 100 people before lunch and I felt as though I couldn’t catch my breath. We all had to eat lunch in shifts. The afternoon slowed down drastically and some of the team were able to pack up and walk downtown to do some shopping. As they were gone, a huge black cloud came and poured out buckets of water and I wondered if they had all found shelter. The temperature dropped and it seemed finally, that a cooler air came whispering through the windows of the room I resided. Once the cloud was rung out, just as the climate I’m familiar, a blanket of heavy humid air settled on the city and I thought I was back in Alabama.
By 4:00pm, we packed up and headed back to the hotel to clean up for dinner. I began typing this post but was interrupted for dinner. Afterwards, several of us gathered together to play a game of Phase 10. 🙂 I made it to phase seven.
You may be wondering why I chose the above scripture. It seems like I saw and heard and did many of the things just as this scripture mentions. A time to break down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together. A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to seek; a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to cast away. A time to tear and a time to sew. A time to keep silent; a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate…
A time to weep and a time to laugh…
There were several women I saw that I quietly prayed that God would open the eyes of their hearts – as they read His Word with their new glasses. And the strange thing…two of them broke down crying as they proceeded to read: “If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Each time this occurred it was as though I anticipated their tears and held mine at the gate until theirs were released first. And when they were- my tears burst through the dam with relief and joy. In those moments, no language can separate two women who live worlds’ apart as we share in our weeping with tightly clasped hands. And though words of different languages were being whispered back and forth between us – our spirits most certainly understood.
A time to tear and a time to sew…
I had the opportunity to see several special needs people: some blind, deaf, mute and with physical and mental disabilities. You notice in them, a deep sense of great appreciation for the simple things in life that we oftentimes take for granted. One particular woman comes to mind. She was deaf, mute and illiterate. So there was no way we could use the reading chart to estimate her need. And because she was unable to talk or understand – it seemed initially, a difficult task to help. When quietly and with planned intention, she reached deep into her purse and revealed a small emerald green spool of thread and needle. She grunted for me to see what she had as her hands trembled. My heart leapt! I immediately began grabbing glasses to place on her face as she tried to thread her needle. Nope, not that one. Nope, not that one. Then finally, we found the pair. It was a +1.75. She was overjoyed and spontaneously gave the universal sign of satisfaction; the thumbs up sign. Again, the tears burst through the gates of my eyes. Luckily, one of the team members snapped photos to capture her moment of excitement. I pray I will always remember to thank God for the simple yet MOST essential things in life. And by the way – she was a church member, so likely, a sister in Christ.
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing…
I’m always amazed at the building, molding, and sifting God continues to work in my heart even more magnificently on these trips. In a sense, these nine days away from my family and all my comfortable things each year act as a sort of “fast.” And as you know, when we fast (from whatever it is), we more clearly see the weaknesses that drive a wedge between us and our Heavenly Father. So it was yesterday, as I fought back some personal issues and decided to embrace that which should be embraced and refrain from embracing that which does not need to be held. My focus will be on God’s mission, whether oceans away from my home or sitting at my kitchen table sipping coffee and teaching my children to divide fractions. And if there are things that I should embrace – I will, with God’s help. Just the same, if there are things that cause a stumbling and a hindrance – I will refuse to embrace and instead; cut away. There is a time for everything, even for planting and a time for plucking up.
We are traveling back to the mountainous village that I wrote you about the other day. Rather than having a worship service though, we are setting up mission work. We have prayed that after last Sunday’s church service and invitation to their friends and family that God will bring those that He is drawing unto Himself. Whatever gift we give we bring (whether by word or deed) is sown for His glory. I pray we never boast. It is through Christ and His spirit that we are able.
This morning we drove two hours from the city of Piatra Neamt, Romania, further north into the mountains. The village is called Borca. (Roll that “r,” by the way :)). I have to say, the countryside is absolutely beautiful, full of rolling mountains and fertile land. The images we saw resembled many photos I’ve seen of Germany. We journeyed by the ninth largest dam in Europe which contains and withholds the fresh waters of Bicaz. The houses sit on the sides of the mountain and I wonder how the residents walk around their grounds upright while working their land. But it is taken care of and they have the fruit trees and lovely gardens full of tomatoes and green beans to prove it.
The roads, on the other hand, are not necessarily taken care of. I told my American travel companion, who happens to be named “Kim,” as well…that had I been pregnant with my twin boys, (as I was -twelve years ago), I have no doubt I would have gone into labor by now. There is absolutely no need for pitocin here; just a two hour drive up these breathtaking mountain roads.
We attended one of the Romanian American Mission (RAM) point churches this morning for their service. By doing so, our team leader was able to give a message on true repentance and the three of us that had traveled with him, were given an opportunity to share a little bit about our testimony. It’s always a little nerve racking because you really have no idea what God is going to have you say. “Over preparing” for these sorts of things never really works out well for me. Yet, not knowing what might come out of my mouth is always a little frightening too. Trust the Holy Spirit is the best way to go.:)
Following our service, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed towards our “home base” when suddenly we realized that our van driver wanted to visit a friend from the church we had just left – to have a cup of coffee. We were like, “What?” And then I thought, “Wait a minute, did they say coffee?! I’m totally in!” Moments later, our van pulled off the bumpy road where we all climbed out, walked through an iron gate and followed the Romanians up a steep sidewalk that was lined with rose bushes of every color. The house was so charming and the host stepped outside and brought chairs for us to sit. Greetings were made and shortly thereafter, his wife appeared with a tray and a carafe of very black coffee and seven tiny, white coffee cups. I turned to thank the woman of the house and recognized her from church that morning. I remembered her modest dress and reverent appearance. But rather than wearing a scarf on her hair and a conversation blouse and skirt, her hair was pulled back like I do at home; and I noticed she was wearing a t-shirt with English words. I burst out laughing as I read her purple, sparkly texted shirt outloud. It read, “The wind in my hair, and men at my feet .” She grabbed herself in shock because she had no idea what it read. She giggled nervously saying, “I only wear this when I am at home.” We all got a big laugh.
Moments later she came back out with short clear glasses and a tall container of what used to hold water but she had mixed some sort of evergreen tea. She and her husband told us it was a remedy for many things there in Romania including breathing problems and illnesses associated with the winter months. I have to be honest, I was a little worried about drinking something that I knew was homemade. Nonetheless, I and the team leader went like sheep to the slaughter and took a few gulps while saying, “umm umm.” It had a slight sweet honey tea flavor. I was secretly praying to the good Lord above that he would protect our fragile American guts from anything foreign. All the while, I was saying, “Mult ze muc, Mult ze muc” (Thank you, thank you.) Thank you for this potential laxative effect I may experience later.
We enjoyed some conversation when finally one of the interpretators said, we need to be heading toward our next mission point (church) because the service begins at 5:00. By this point it was 4:30. I said, “How long is the drive?” And she sighed saying, “One hour, we are already late.” One thing you have to say in Romania is, “It’s no problem.” So as we travel right now, down this rigid road, I am writing you. My team leader is sitting to my left. He has already looked at his scripture verses for his message tonight and is seriously now dozing. And my friend Kim is sitting in the seat in front of me, dozing as well as she listens to music through her ear buds. And our interpretator is asleep next to her. Our doctor and I are drowsy yet awake and barely alive.
I will give my testimony again tonight. Pray God will be in the midst of our worship. Our visits today are intended to act as invitation to these communities. We are encouraging people to come see us on the days we return to their villages and to invite their unbelieving friends and family.
Monday, July 6th at 8am.
Everything went well last night. Our team leader shared a message from the scripture verse in Matthew when Jesus said, (paraphrased), “On that day, they will say, “Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and performed miracles…and Jesus will say, “Depart from me you workers of iniquity – I never knew you.” We arrived back at out hotel at approximately 9:00 and our dinner was ready by 10:00.
I slept well last night. I’m beginning to adjust to the time change. It’s 8:30 in the morning here and we are on the van again heading to the village of Frumoasa (msp), which means beautiful. I will try to write after the day’s events as we drive back to our hotel. I will be working with reading glasses as I simultaneously try to engage them in Christ-centered conversations and prayer time. Pray for opportunities to share Christ’s love through our words, and our actions. Love to you guys.
4:30 pm.
We just left the village and saw approx 150 people today. We stayed very busy. The temperature were pretty hot and I know the children’s team are worn out from the heat. Most of the rest of us worked inside a school. The only chairs I had for the people were made for preschoolers so we had to use the school’s small tables as benches. Each person I saw today were given reading glasses, if necessary, and was asked to read scripture. I was able to have a few interesting conversations – and I only pray that God speaks and they will hear.
8:55pm.
We just finished dinner and I’ve had my shower. This is the earliest we’ve been back at the hotel in three nights. The sun is still up here in Romania. It is closer to 9:30+ before the sun settles down to sleep on us and wake up for you guys. My family is doing well. But I do miss them. Thank you guys for following along this journey. For two days I have tried to upload YouTube videos so you can hear our voices but we are having technical difficulties. I’m hoping by morning our two videos will have successfully uploaded. You can YouTube, “KimberlyMoon” and find them. (Scroll pretty far down -you’ll see me posing with a friend as my profile picture). Also, I’ll try to upload them in Facebook.
I will write tomorrow evening, as soon as I can.
Kimberly
It was Christmas Eve and the phone rang. It was a brother in Christ from Mississippi, whom I’ve had the honor of serving under, traveling on three separate summer mission trips to Romania. “Kim, we missed you last summer and would love for you to come alongside us again this summer.” It made my day to hear those words. None of us are exempt from that longing to feel wanted. And it was just the very news I needed to hear at that time. All I could tell Tom was, “I’ll pray about it.”
By January, I was asked to speak to a church in Birmingham about my book, Journal of a Sinner, as well as give my testimony. As I prepared my thoughts, I realized just how much those five mission trips were forever woven into the fabric of my testimony and the work God has done in my life as a result. I realized that I had a longing to return so I called Tom back in February and said, “I’m in!”
Today is July 1st and the time has arrived. Everything has been planned, packed, and thought out. Prayers and petitions have been made. Tomorrow is our launch; that is, we are leaving at 11:00am. I say “launch” because in many ways…I always feel as though I am being shot from a cannon into the deep blue sky with nothing in my flesh to guide my trajectory accept a willing spirit. And even that comes from the LORD. Maybe trips like this become like “an old hat” for some, but it’s never been that way for me. Sure, I’m more at ease than I was that first time. I’ve learned by now to do my best to accept the reality that all of my “controlling” faculties will be shut down for at least nine days. I will be provided shelter that I have not chosen, I will eat food that I do not recognize or whether it is even safe, I will fly 8-10 hours across the globe and the only decision I will be able to make during that time is whether I want a pillow or not. When we arrive in Bucharest, Romania – our guides will pick us up at the airport and drive us approximately five hours to a destination up in the mountains called Piatra Neamt, near Ukraine. We will hear conversations all week long that we will not understand and we will feel paranoid everytime we see the gestapo. But I’ve learned after going so many times, to lean back in my “emotional lazy boy recliner” and just go along with it all. God has never let me down. Sure there have been some crazy and even scary situations but every single thing whether good or bad – I swear has made an indelible mark on my life for the good.
There is no better way to show God your commitment to Him than to say to Him, (as Carrie Underwood sings), “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” There is no better way to show our love for our Savior than to confess our weakness but walk in obedience anyway. There is no better blessing received than when you see the veil of someone’s heart removed, as a result of the work God is doing through the team. The most profound motivation for me is God’s promise that states, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. “For you will go out with joy, And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
I ask for your prayers. Many attacks come our way when we are on these trips. It is amazing the travel troubles we encounter; personal attacks, traffic jams, lost luggage, sickness, confusion and chaos that befalls us as we go to fulfill the great commission. So your prayers are desired!!! Pray for our health, safety and most importantly for our EFFECTIVENESS.
I will try to write along the way as I have time (and energy 🙂 ). I hope you guys will follow along and experience what God is doing but from the comfort of your very own homes! My boys have even set up a YouTube channel for me. (ppfff! – I’ll see what I can do with that. 🙂 ) I think it’ll be under “Kimberly Moon” – just scroll and scroll. You will eventually see my picture. Hopefully I can upload at least one video each day and post on Facebook. Then you guys will see some of what we see.
We leave Thursday, July 2 @ 11am and return July 11. Pray for us and the hearts of those we share and minister too. God is Sovereign LORD in all things! Amen!
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
This scripture should well up in every believer, a spring of gratitude towards our merciful Heavenly Father. Yet, if examined with a bright light, deep into the private chambers of your soul, would there be an area of unrepentant sin; reluctant to vacate?
Habitually, we bow our heads confessing those pesky sins, hoping against all hope that God, indeed, will forgive. Secretly though, some have no genuine desire to turn away or let go of those things which feed their carnal heart. Perhaps things like hate, bitterness, envy, addictions to food, sex, drugs or even electronics have such a hold on your life that there is no time for the Most High God. An unapologetic person will do anything to avoid God’s purging them of something wretchedly destructive to their flesh. God calls this person “unrepentant” because they are unwilling to forsake that which drives a wedge between Him and them.
Entreat our Heavenly Father, believers, to reveal hidden and unrepentant sin even to the deepest recesses of your soul. Cry out as one ripping one’s own garment in shame; acknowledging those sins and begging forgiveness and His cleansing from all unrighteousness. The Holy Spirit will be activated to put to death that which destroys and separates us from our Creator. With contrition, beloved, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins.
I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother who was, in many ways my primary teacher on gardening, canning vegetables and making jellies and preserves. The last few years of her life, I dug into her treasure chest for domestic golden nuggets. Since then, I’ve enjoyed years of having my own garden, while utilizing the things she taught me. My grandmother even shared tips concerning her infamous sweet pickles recipe.
I’ve thought a lot about those sweet pickles over the last couple of days. As I remember, it seemed my granddaddy could not enjoy a single meal without one. It was not unusual to see him shovel a fork full of purple hull peas a long side a single slice of sweet pickle with every single bite. One year, I decided I wanted to make sweet pickles of my own. Surely, since my Papa enjoyed them so much, my husband would too.
My grandmother carefully demonstrated her step by step method of pickling cucumbers to me one week. You might be surprised that as a young adult – I’m not quite certain I even knew that a pickle was once a cucumber. I just thought, well, a pickle is a pickle. You see – I’d never seen it’s state before pickling. (At least I didn’t recognize it as such). She was careful to take small and delicate cucumbers – not like the ones we purchase at the stores today but those that had been cultivated by a careful gardener. Only a careful gardener understands that cucumbers will not be fit to eat if left too long on the vine. She explained that, to do so, guaranteed big seeds and a tough, tasteless vegetable.
I was surprised at the extent she went through to process those sweet pickles. It took several days of soaking delicate cucumbers in a hot, boiling brine mixture of vinegar and sugar water. Each day she carefully tended them by adding a little vinegar, a little more sugar and then a precise mixture of pickling spices. Being a woman in my twenties at the time, the whole process seemed like a whole lot of trouble but I remember trying to focus on the image of my granddaddy enjoying every bite. Oddly, it occurred to me that our salvation is a lot like the pickling process. God is like the careful gardener, picking us at just the right time. Many people say, “I’m a pickle” but have never been plunged into the hot boiling brine mixture. They may argue saying something like, “Yes, when I was plunged in that hot liquid, I fully absorbed its salty and sweet attributes.” Maybe you were “dipped” but you came out, well, still just a plain ole cucumber. I hope not.
I recall John the Baptist saying, “I baptize with water but there will be one after me (Jesus, the Lamb of God) that will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” We must ask ourselves then, have we each been “baptized” by the Holy Spirit? Many will say, “I know I’m saved because I’ve been baptized (by water).” Some will say, “I know I’m saved because a long time ago, I prayed a scripted “salvation prayer.” These responses always make me cringe. Do we really think Almighty God, our Holy, Wonderful, All-knowing God, can be mocked or fooled into saving us without a spiritual and physical transformation?
The reality is, if we are a child of God we are (and have been) buried with Christ through baptism into death (our brine) in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we TOO may live a new life (i.e. become a pickle). You see, baptism is simply put, a term used to describe a process of moving from one positional state to another. This morning as I was studying, I came across a Greek poet by the name of Nicander. In 200 B.C, he wrote down a pickling recipe and described the Greek word for baptize as being two different words with two different meanings. I think of words like “right” and “write.” These are homonyms; they sound the same but have different meanings all together. Nicander explained in his pickling recipe that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be “dipped/bapto” into boiling water and then “baptized/baptizo” in the vinegar solution. The first action is temporary. The second, however, that act of baptizing the vegetable, produces a permanent change – a new man (or veggie 🙂 ). When used in the New Testament, this word “Baptizo” more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. Mark 16:16 says, “He that believes/trusts and is “baptized” (changed into a pickle), shall be saved.” I added the “pickle part” for effect. 🙂
Don’t you see, if you claim to be a Christian because you have been dipped into water but have not been changed through and through; broken over your sin, repentant while producing new and good fruit that is eternal – then you have not been saved, beloved. You are still, just a cucumber. If, however, you have been “baptized” (infiltrated by the Holy Spirit, through and through), thereby able to produce good fruit that lasts eternally, then you can have assurance of your salvation. Sadly, for many – saying a prayer has given them a false sense of security. Being baptized into water has also given them a false sense of security. Have you been immersed (and are you BEING immersed continuously) into the true baptism of Christ? Are you dying to the passions and lusts of this world that lead to destruction and thereby, living a life for the glory of God?
What must you do to become a Christian? Believe the Word of God, Beloved, that says, we are sinners in need of a savior – Jesus Christ; while also never, ever forgetting our true depravity without Him. When you seek and cry out to God with all your heart, – you will find Him. I do not know whether you are truly saved nor does your pastor, your friend or the well-meaning person that “led” you in that one “salvation” prayer. There is only one way we can know for certain. According to Jesus, “You will know them by their fruit” (For their fruit will be eternal – paraphrased from John 15). Let me ask you,
I’ve decided to write an article on where I am right now in my life. After all, we mustn’t forget this blog is entitled, “Journal of a Sinner.” I want to acknowledge to you guys that I too, experience those annoying and reoccurring battles of sin every day. And also, I experience seasons of utter discouragement and even deep sadness. I have a sneaking suspicion that because I have a God-given passion and an intense necessity to study and write about deep biblical truths – there may be a misconception about me. This misguided view sometimes causes this writer to feel alone. After all, when everyone thinks I have it “all together,” who comforts and encourages the encourager? If you guys have decided in your heart that I have all the answers, then certainly, I have nowhere to turn (humanly speaking) when I am disheartened. This article is not about…
I’ve decided to write an article on where I am right now in my life. After all, we mustn’t forget this blog is entitled, “Journal of a Sinner.” I want to acknowledge to you guys that I too, experience those annoying and reoccurring battles of sin every day. And also, I experience seasons of utter discouragement and even deep sadness. I have a sneaking suspicion that because I have a God-given passion and an intense necessity to study and write about deep biblical truths – there may be a misconception about me. This misguided view sometimes causes this writer to feel alone. After all, when everyone thinks I have it “all together,” who comforts and encourages the encourager? If you guys have decided in your heart that I have all the answers, then certainly, I have nowhere to turn (humanly speaking) when I am disheartened. This article is not about a pity party, rather, an honest discussion of my (and probably many others,) Christian journey.
You have probably figured out by now that what I say or write (whether speaking to a group of people, an article on my blog or a post on social media), is predictably, consistent with a fervent quest for sharing spiritual truths. This energy, however, brings much risk and heartache. What do I mean by “risk?” You see, what I have found to be startling, is that speaking about these things, surfaces visible and even invisible wedges between myself, colleagues, friendships, and family. This was not the case before I obeyed the voice of the Lord. Nonetheless, Christ did say,
“Don’t think that I came to bring peace to earth. I didn’t come to bring peace but conflict. I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A person’s enemies will be the members of his own family. The person who loves his father or mother more than me does not deserve to be my disciple. The person who loves a son or daughter more than me does not deserve to be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me doesn’t deserve to be my disciple. The person who tries to preserve his life will lose it, but the person who loses his life for me will preserve it. The person who welcomes you welcomes me, and the person who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Mat 10:34-40
Additionally, I can relate more now with Jeremiah (in the Old Testament) than ever before. God put things on his heart and required him to speak His message to the people. These messages were not “food for thought” types of messages. As a result, Jeremiah had to face the negative consequences from his peers. Look what he wrote to God in response,
“O Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughing stock all the day; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision (ridicule, mockery, taunting) all day long. If I say, “I will not mention Him, or speak any more in His name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.”
I cannot express my emotional state any better than that. I have said in my heart many times…I will not write about this, nor will I talk about it. Also, I have said, I will not open God’s Word today because if I do –it will unravel another urge to speak it or shout it or write it. (As though I can actually say “No” to God.) The crux of the matter is – just as Jeremiah said, “…there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in.” I am realizing that it really doesn’t matter whether I try to avoid the subject or not- I can’t. Unless I’m perfectly fine with walking around full of baby elephant. 😕 The sad thing is – looking at the book of Jeremiah, we see that his criticizers came from within the church. I certainly feel the coolness predominately coming from within the church. Isn’t this so discouraging? We expect outsiders to reject us but to experience what Jesus, the disciples and the majority of all the radical followers of Christ experienced for thousands of years, is eye-opening. Some things never change.
There are days I wake up and decide, I will not open the Word of God because I just can’t take the overload of data. I know that sounds crazy but this is how it is for me. I am so overwhelmed by what is pouring in. I’ve prayed over the last ten years for understanding, wisdom and discernment but obviously I did not pray for the integration, sorting and processing part. I feel like part of this problem comes from not seeking God enough to help me communicate plainly and thoroughly to you guys, whether by word or by my writing. So please pray that God will take all this information He has given, that is crammed in the small space of my brain and use it to glorify Him – eventually. Right now, I’m just an overflowing well with no bucket.
The other day, I was talking to my boys about being compliant and how it is a good thing. I explained the proper order though, obedience to God first, and then to the authority figures we have in our lives. On the other hand, I had to break the news that being dutiful is not always a good quality or a Godly characteristic. For example – if their friends want them to participate in vandalism, using dangerous substances or harming others; being more devoted to the friendship than God is not good. They understood these things. However, the thought of losing people and friendships that they value, because they stand for righteousness as being a real possibility, was discouraging to them. One of my sons said, “But Mama, you have lots of friends and people,” and I said, “Really? Are you sure about that? And both of the boys became quiet. Obviously I have friends – but the truth is….the more I release the “fire shut-up in my bones” as Jeremiah so eloquently phrased it, the more I do not. Do you understand this? Loss is a very real and tangible epidemic in the life of one who tries to do right by God. This loss doesn’t just happen once in one fail-swoop but over and over. Day by day, thin layers of this world are gently being removed by the Master. And yet other times, we sense His aggressive precision as he surgically divides us from those massive glacial islands. And all that remains in us, for a time, is that resounding and deafening crash.
Placing our hope in Him and Him alone has never become so apparent.
Well, I’m excited to announce the most anticipated Valentine’s Day Box Office Hit in recent history, “Fifty Shades of Grey.” [sarcasm] This movie has been the talk of the town. I mean, from the “Today’s Talk” with the giddy Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb to all the major national and local news and radio outlets.
We have to ask ourselves, do we really need fifty extra shades of evil to be devoured by our minds only to be seared there for years to come? How does this play-out with our husbands anyway? Do we really need ANOTHERfifty ways to pollute our hearts? I seem to be doing a pretty good job just living my life everyday and looking around. I seem to manage just fine – running errands all day long interacting with people, words, billboards, and other images I happen to encounter on any given day. I’m doing just fine receiving all the filth by flipping on the TV just to watch the news – or God forbid – watch a “family” football game. You see, no matter what I do – there are millions of shades of evil out there that are attempting to blacken (not just grey~), not only our own hearts and souls but those of our very own children.
Listen, I have to be honest, I haven’t read the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy but I have read the book description when my Kindle somehow came to the conclusion it was a “Recommended Read” for me, three years ago. (???) I think it was because I read, The Hunger Games… And since all the hype about the movie – I started to educate myself so I could write an article about this new phenomenon that is causing women all over the world to drool in anticipation of the Valentine Day Release. Some pundits have even given this trilogy of books, the unbecoming title, “Mommy Porn.” The Super Bowl commercial line-up even enlightened us with a tease as it played the trailer. I have to admit, ladies, my flesh said, “ooh.” But then I was like, “Wha? What just happened?” It was like I was “coming-to” from a drunken stupor.
I read an article from the Washington Examiner moments ago that said that the leading actress, Dakota Johnson, told a national TV audience that it’s so racy that she won’t let her parents watch. In an earlier preview of the sex-filled film for a Today show audience, the daughter of actor Don Johnson and actress Melanie Griffith nervously said, “I don’t want my parents to see it.” When asked who could, Johnson said, “maybe my friends, maybe my sisters.” OOOkayyyyy, – so, let me get this straight, there is this little voice inside you saying, “Aaah, I’m pretty sure this is wrong and nasty and I sorta don’t want my mom and dad seeing me do it.” Darn that voice! It always tries to keep us from having fun. eerrk.
I read a Christian blogger the other day encouraging Christian women to avoid this movie in an attempt to honor God, themselves, and their husbands. I thought it was a good article. But oh my goodness. That poor girl was attacked mercilessly!! And by other Christian women who absolutely loved the books and look forward to the movie. I felt my spurs come up in her defense and though I did not know the blogger personally, I agreed with her 200%. (Can you agree with someone that much?) Anyway – she was ripped to shreds, people! Christian women were calling her a Pharisee and a hypocrite. She was scolded for “judging.” The “not to judge comment” – always comes from those who are really screwing up. You’ll often hear them quote scripture, “Jesus said, ‘Do not judge.'” This is probably the most convenient and misused quote in the entire bible. Clearly, if we read the whole bible and within context – we will see, it is a book FULL of judgement and forgiveness! Jesus said, “First remove the log from your OWN eye BEFORE you remove the speck of wood from the other person’s.” Okay – so let me confess something to you guys. I used to roll in the mud as a younger person. I mean I loved that pig pen! BUT oneday, I heeded to God’s words (it’s that darn voice again), saying, “Kimberly, you are my temple; a holy vessel. Put away all these things.” So, it was then, that I removed that particular log from my own eye.
Therefore, I feel totally okay to judge you – GET THAT SPECK OF WOOD OUT OF YOUR EYE (or I’ll take it out myself – as any mother would say)!!!
If you want your marriage to become weird – then by all means…watch the movie.
If you feel lonely in your marriage and think watching this movie will tranform your husband – then by all means….watch the movie.
If you think allowing those racy images of perverted sex into your mind will not affect your spiritual health – then by all means…watch the movie
If you think watching this movie with your husband (on Valentine’s Day or anytime) and think this will not entice him to seek out further images on the internet and so forth – then by all means…watch the movie.
If you think watching this movie will in no way affect your personal relationship and communication with Jesus Christ – then by all means…watch the movie.
One of my favorite scriptures to ponder these days is “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupttalk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:23-27 These scriptures are rehearsed out of my mouth over and over to my boys almost daily; like when we walk into the mall near the movie theater and are bombarded (and I mean bombarded) with billboard sized images of nearly naked women from the windows of Victoria Secret. Guarding and focusing our eyes straight ahead is not natural to our flesh, evidently. God tells us, therefore, to commit then, to guarding our hearts, keeping our mouths from perversity, corrupt talk, eyes from looking at inappropriate things, and thereby using our feet to run from evil.
I have witnessed many times in my own life, good men and women fall so deep into sexual sin that it seemed impossible they would ever be able to climb back out. So why do we want to entertain these things, people, images, and music that could drag our minds into that dark abyss that leads to captivity? The end result is so costly! First, it will prove destructive in our fellowship with Christ, our spouse, children, family, friends, and even the entire church body.
To sum up – I’ve already figured out how “low” I can go. Maybe some of you haven’t. I fully understand that if God had not lifted me up when He did, my life would be a complete mess. We should all understand the truth of our depravity. Because of this knowledge, I am fully armored from head to toe. I stand guard at the entrance to my heart. I stand as a watchman on the tower of my mind. And as long as I have breath – I will do everything in my power to keep shoveling the poop pile out of my thoughts that are constantly being poured in through my eyes and my ears without my permission. Ladies, we need to stand for righteousness!! Stand firm!
“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body,but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Kimberly
Hit the “share” button on Facebook or share this blog site (journalofasinner.com) if you liked this post. I am fully aware that I will be attacked and criticized for this post (and others) but all I have to say is, Yep, that’s exactly what Jesus said was gonna happen!
Check out my website: kimberlykmoon.com to learn more.
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Also for similar stories and devotionals, you can order my book, Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice, by going to Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobles or Xulon Publishing.com
What am I up to?
Book Signing:
Trinity Methodist Church, Homewood, AL
Faith Baptist Church, Trinity, AL
Eddy Antiques & Interiors, Decatur, AL – March 21
Connecting Women Conference: (Owensboro, KY) – November
Writing devotional on being “Fearless” for all participants
I took this same picture with my cellphone the week it was put on the store shelves. I couldn’t help to have that eerie feeling inside that oozed, “Something’s odd here.” The scripture that came to mind immediately when Jesus said to his disciples, “When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you.” John 15:18-20. Yet here on this cover, he is dubbed “The People’s Pope.”
The world’s most renown religious leader being heralded as “Person of the Year” by one of the more secular/worldly magazines is very interesting, to say the least. I decided, at a minimum, to pay close attention to this pope and his spiritual fruit. Observing it, according to the Lord, is the indicator of true Christ faith.
The day Pope Francis was elected I watched my television as millions of Catholics encamped Saint Peters Square waiting for the white smoke to rise from the chimney indicating the choice had been made. I remember leaning over towards my boys and saying, “If only people would honor and venerate Jesus as they do this coming pope.” People were crying with anticipation, singing and lighting candles as they eagerly awaited Francis’ arrival on the balcony. All the excitement and hype was overwhelming by all, including the media. I decided in my heart that since the world is in such a mess – many were looking for someone to turn to for answers. People were looking for a spiritual leader to help them understand. But as I mentioned earlier – something felt off.
Maybe it was those two lightning bolts that struck St. Peter’s Basilica one month earlier that caused my unwarranted suspicion of the papacy when the prior pope, Pope Benedict XVI resigned. Against all odds, a lucky photographer captured a massive blue streak of lightning hit the Basilica that momentous evening in history. The day was February 12, 2013. For the first time in 600 years, a pope resigned rather than dying in office. The fact that the lightning struck the basilica twice the very evening of his resignation sent conspiracy theorist reeling. To be fair though, the basilica is the highest point in Vatican City and boasts a tall, slender lightning rod. So maybe my spiritual goose bumps were mistakenly aroused.
Superstition. Most of us have heard of those silly little superstitious superlatives like say, “Don’t walk under a ladder” or “if you see a black cat cross your path…” or “rub a rabbit’s foot and it brings good luck.” Let’s talk about where the “don’t walk under a ladder” phrases came from. This superstition came from the medieval period when people were hung by the gallows and the shape of the ladder symbolized the gallows itself. Therefore, people began to believe that if you walked under a ladder – your fate was sealed to a death by hanging. The superstition of black cats stem back to Egypt and is representative of dark magic. And that lucky rabbit’s foot…well, your guess is as good as mine.
Now, let’s say you saw someone walk under a ladder and two days later they happened to be arrested, sentenced to death by hanging; hanging from a medieval type gallows? You might ask, “What are the odds?” What if a colleague, later that evening, shared nervously with you that on the way to work, a black cat crossed his path. The next day that same colleague showed up at work frightened because his house and car were graffiti with satanic symbols? You might think – “huh, that’s just creepy.” On the way home that same evening, you remembered that furry little rabbit’s foot your daughter gave you that was still in your pocket. So instead of driving straight home, you make a quick stop to purchase a lottery ticket. The next morning, you receive a phone call that you have won the lottery and will be receiving one million dollars every year for the rest of your life! You might ask yourself, “What in the world is going on?”
Am I superstitious?” Hardly. But let’s be honest, if the above mentioned things happened just as I stated and in the above mentioned timing…we would completely be within reason to sit up and take notice. Agreed? This is how I see the world. We can’t take one or two oddities and base a theory. However, if we have multiple things occurring at the same time ALONG with the confirmation of God’s Word telling us in advance of these things – should we sit up and take notice then?
Let’s look at God’s own words concerning what we are to be looking for that substantiates TRUE “cause and effect” correlations and not just superstitious fallacies. Like maybe that lightning bolt that hit the Basilica in February 2013. By itself, we can’t read much into it but taking all things (God and His involvement) into account…let’s have a serious discussion.
First, let’s remember that God’s Word specifies to us in the Book of Ephesians, chapter 6, that “our battle is not with flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” There are spiritual-beings; good and bad – that are fighting on our behalf. They are hidden behind veils that we are yet able to see with our physical eyes. Nonetheless, we know it is happening because we believe what the bible says. Read the book of Daniel, chapter 10 just as a reminder.
Besides that weird lightning bolt, there has been an even odder event that took place shortly after Francis took office. On January 27, 2014, while standing next to two Italian children, speaking from a window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis prayed out loud, making an appeal to the Ukrainians for peace. At that time in history, the Ukrainian people were protesting against their leader who was leaning away from joining the European Union, as he had earlier promised, and instead, more towards Russia. The pope spoke to the tens of thousands of people below in St. Peters Square saying, “I hope a constructive dialogue between the institutions and the civil society can take place that any result to violence is avoided and the spirit of peace and the search for the common good is in the hearts of all.” Then the children standing beside him released the two white doves fluttering off into the air as the tens of thousands of on-lookers watched. As the doves were no further than an arm’s length from the window, a seagull and black crow mysteriously swept down from nowhere immediately on a mission to destroy them. The crowd gasped as one of the doves broke free from the seagull’s persistent attack but not before losing feathers. The other dove was even less fortunate when it was repeatedly assaulted and pecked by a huge black crow. It was not clear what happened to the doves after onlookers lost sight of them. Even secular media feared this phenomenon representing some sort of “bad omen.”
You may call me superstitious but the moment those symbolic white doves were nearly devoured by two random prey birds, in harmony with the pope’s peace gesture concerning Ukraine and the world – I knew something terrible was about to happen with Ukraine. It isn’t that I have special knowledge. Scriptural studies reveal that birds, particularly birds of prey are a reference to evil or demonic activity. Let’s begin with Matthew 13:4, for example.
1. Jesus talks about “the seed” (the word) is thrown along the path by the sower (Son of Man) and the birds come and steal it away. The “birds of the air” are a negative symbol as Jesus tells us in verse 19, that the “birds of the air,” is “the wicked one” devouring the seed.
2. In Mark’s version (Mark 4:3) of Jesus’ same parable, Mark uses the specific word “Satan,” and similarly, Luke 8:12 uses “the Devil.”
3. Now let’s look at Revelation 18:2. “And [an angel] cried mightily with a loud voice, saying Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!”
There are many scriptures that reveal birds spiritual symbolic meaning. I recommend a thorough study of these truths for yourselves. You might be shocked. I have inserted a link below with the bizarre video for your viewing.
One year later almost to the day – February 26, 2014 – Russia invaded Ukraine and proceeded to take the Crimean Peninsula. June 11, 2014, Four Russian strategic bombers were seen near Alaska and 50 miles off the coast of Northern California. What is Russia doing over near North America? July 17, 2014 a Malaysian Airlines commercial jet was shot down by a pro-Russian insurgency group staked out in Ukraine.
Okay -first, we have a lightning strike on the St. Peters Basilica the evening of the old pope’s resignation – ushering in the reign of the new pope, Pope Francis. Second, after Francis utters peace and the “spirit of peace” – his symbolic cease-fire birds where nearly mauled to death by two random birds of prey before thousands of horrified on-lookers. Now let’s look at what this pope has done and said while being the Vicar of Christ (“in place of” – or “instead of”).
Pope Contradicts God’s Account of Creation: I am disturbed by some of Pope Francis’ comments that contradict God’s own Word. For example, God explicitly tells us in Genesis that He created all things in six days. We may not understand how all this took place but the bible is clear in saying, “It was evening and day” making one day, so on and so forth. This is difficult, I understand, but it is faith that sets us apart. If we question the validity of scripture already in Genesis, how can we take God’s Word to heart throughout? Pope Francis has made it clear he does not believe the biblical account of creation by saying, “When we read about creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so,” the pontiff proclaimed while speaking Monday at the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. “He created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one so they would reach their fulfillment.”
Pope Contradicts God’s Account of Man’s True Depravity: Pope Francis wrote an open letter, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences. SayWhat? Then later, he wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians (what does that mean, “The God of the Christians”? Isn’t he supposed to believe that there is only one God?) forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.” Yet, God’s Word in Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”
I totally agree with the Pope that God’s mercy has no limits especially to those that come to Him with a sincere and contrite heart but to imply obedience to the human conscience is as good as the guidance of the Holy Spirit that only comes as a result of repentance and belief in Jesus Christ, is a pipe dream. The pope has not accepted the reality that the human conscience has been corrupted by sin and remains in that condition until it makes peace with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Pope Contradicts God’s Edict Concerning the Promised Land to the Jews: “On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates: the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanite, the Girashite, and the Jebusite…Genesis 15:18-19. This covers all the land that is currently in dispute. Now some may not like this scripture but, all the same – it is God that made that decision. Should we dispute with Almighty God? Should the American administration? United Nations? The European Union? The Palestine Authority? God’s Word is indisputable here.
According to the Jerusalem Post, “Pope Francis delivered a powerful boost of support to the Palestinians during a Holy Land pilgrimage, repeatedly backing their (Palestinians) statehood aspirations, praying solemnly at Israel’s controversial separation barrier and calling the stalemate in peace efforts “unacceptable.” The Pope has also called Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority and supporter of terrorism, “A man of peace.” Outrageous!
Pope seeks the daily guidance from “Guardian Angels” rather than the Holy Spirit: In his homily for the Feast of Holy Guardian Angels, Pope Francis told those gathered for daily Mass to be like children who pay attention to their “traveling companion.” According to the tradition of the Church, each of us has a guardian angel who protects us and helps make us aware of things. Often times, we have the feeling that “I should do this, this is not right, be careful.” This, he said, “is the voice of” our guardian angel: our “traveling companion.”
But God’s word does not tell us we each have a guardian angel [Psalm 91 says, “For He (God) shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”] but we are never to seek their wisdom and guidance. They are God’s ministering spirits acting accordingly. I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Galatians “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Also, Jesus said, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He speaks; and declares it to you.” John 16:13. We are to seek the wisdom from the Holy Spirit only.
Pope Will Not Say Anything That Might Offend the Sinner: Pope Francis is named ‘Person of the Year’ again, but this time by a leading gay rights magazine, because of his comment about homosexuality. “If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?”
I suppose if I clean out my mother-in-laws bank account and seek the Lord with good will – I shouldn’t be judged, right? I mean, after all, maybe I’ll do something very good with that money like take myself on a well-deserved vacation. Can you see the problem in his logic? Actively striving after and in the pursuit of sin is a direct contradiction to “seeking the Lord with God will,” as the Pontiff suggested. 1 John 3:9 says, “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they cannot keep on sinning, because they are children of God.”
Pope Contradicts God on Why the Earth is REALLY Wearing Out: The Pope wrote, “As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.” This sounds reasonable doesn’t it? We should all be mindful of our actions that pollute our waters, and poison our soil. No doubt! What I’m concerned about is the popular phenomena in modern culture of what could be defined as “earth worship.” As a matter of fact, my jaw dropped open several months ago when I was watching TV and an environmental commercial came on ending with, “Because the Earth Needs a Lawyer Too.” It is as though the world is now giving the creation (earth) a persona. Aren’t we going too far?
I have yet to find scripture that says we are “called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family.” As you may remember, it was actually God that gave the human family a beautiful garden in the beginning. He called that wonderful habitation, “The Garden of Eden.” But man sinned against God causing himself to be thrown out of that “beautiful garden.” And according to Paul in the book of Romans, “the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, (that being God) in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” According to Paul, “… the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Do I take care of nature. Yes. Do I want my drinking water clean? Yes, of course.
The Pope thinks we have the power to reverse the earth’s bondage to decay. Yet, according to God’s Word – it will continue to deteriorate regardless of what man does. Liberation will not come to the earth until the children of God are revealed! Actually, our true calling can be found in Ephesians 4:1-6. “I, (Paul) therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body (true believers) and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord (Jesus), one faith, one baptism (Holy Spirit), one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”
These are the days, we should watch and listen to everything that is being said and being done. Remember we have been warned that in the latter days, deception is one of the major themes. Do not be deceived even by those who are in positions of authority. Everything that is accepted by popular belief should be verified with God’s own words. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:22
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” 1 Timothy 4:1-5
If you like my blog, please share!! And Check out my website: kimberlykmoon.com to learn more.
Also for similar stories and devotionals, you can order my book, Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice, by going to Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or Xulon Publishing.
What am I up to?
1. Book Signing Events:
January 23, 2015 – Faith Baptist Church, Trinity, AL
March 21, 2015 – Tammy Eddy Antiques & Interiors, Decatur, AL
2. Connecting Women Conference (Owensboro, KY): “Fearless” devotional for participates. Visit ConnectingConference.com to register!
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17
I want to express an entirely irregular discussion of a physical and spiritual substance that I am incredibly appreciative. For it is my love for light and its significance in our lives that intensify my gratitude this Christmas season.
Several years ago my family and I traveled to Mammoth Cave located in central Kentucky. It’s considered the longest cave system known in the world. The narrow walkways and extremely high places were not conducive to my liking, but for the sake of my boys, I faked my response through the entire experience. At the end of the tour, our guide brought us into a huge open cathedral-like room where man-made wooden benches were placed for our resting. I stared with awe at the breathtaking salt and water rock formations dangling from above our heads and protruding from the floor. Our guide explained that we were in the innermost chamber of the cave, and though it was filled with millions of cracks, no glimmer of sunlight could penetrate. For demonstration, she turned all the artificial lighting off for what seemed an eternity. We sat in pitch blackness until honestly, it seemed painful. It was the darkest gloom l had ever experienced in my life. I was ultimately surprised that the places I had thought were deeply ominous before, could not hold a candle (no pun intended) to what we experienced in that cavern. My eyes were opened to the significance of light and the dismal reality of an incurable bleakness, without it.
Scripture tells us that just after God formed the earth it was dark and empty. Thankfully, His Spirit moved over the waters speaking LIGHT into existence. Imagine waking up tomorrow morning and the sun not shining its radiance. Imagine not being able to behold with our eyes the beautiful thick fields of green grass, the stunning purple tulip trees at the first hint of spring, those faithful painted pansies, the melodic blue sky where the birds stretch their wings, the hypnotic teal of the dreamy sea, and the curious prisms that reflect heaven to each of us. Without light, there is complete chaos, sadness, and confusion. The bible tell us that one day, there is such a terrible day coming. And I want no part of it.
That day in Mammoth cave, I could not even see my hand in front of my face nor the presumed frightened looks from my children as they scrunched in closer to me as I too, moved in closer towards my husband. There was no yellow glint peering in, no, not even a remnant of optimism, flickering. After a moment, a hollow feeling filled the pit of my stomach as the Holy Spirit revealed the reality of eternity separated from our Holy and Glorious Almighty God. This understanding was not just limited to the “seeable” kind of light that I desperately sought out in that situation but most especially, it pertained the supernatural kind of light we often cannot see. Recognizing that God is “The Father of Lights,” with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow, is the greatest lesson we all must learn.
Apparently, God created us to seek light. Although, I no longer fear the uncertainty hiding under my bed or those imagined piercing eyeballs peeking from my gloomy closet each night, I still avoid darkness like the plague. My boys, who are nearly twelve years old, prefer to wait on each other – before they “Walk the Mile” upstairs into the shadowy dread. Even if they have bickered all day long – just before bed they are instant comrades again; set on a mission to defeat any hidden nighttime foes that lie covered in ebony colored cloaks. Not only do all of us avoid the scariness of physical darkness but also the foreboding spiritual darkness that we feel on us like a heavy blanket. Physical and spiritual light are life sustaining, and when either one are missing – something dreadful goes wrong in the human heart and soul. Wouldn’t you agree?
Jesus told us, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” It shouldn’t surprise us then, that a bright and miraculous star heralded His birth over Bethlehem. As I recall the moment I became a follower of Christ as a child, I was in the grip of intense night-time fear. The instant I asked Him to come dwell within me, my worries were amazingly lifted. Little did I know then, that because He (Jesus) is The Light of the World – I was cured of all present and future spiritual darkness that overtakes a soul. Unfortunately, according to God’s Word,“this is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people will love the darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil.” (Paraphrased John 3:19). Surely this saying does not apply to you.
I pray this holiday season, that we ponder the greatness of God’s luminous light that brings us hope, love and eternal salvation to all who believe. Merry Christmas and May you be enraptured by His radiant glory.
Today is Twyla’s birthday. Shortly after waking this morning…I thought about her as I frequently have over the years. The last time we spoke was nearly twenty years ago, by phone. Though there was excitement in our voices because of our years apart – I sensed a deep sadness in her speech that has perpetually plagued me. I wondered if I could have said more. Asked more questions. She told me she was moving to Atlanta to start a new life – She wanted a fresh start because life had already been quite cruel to her. I remember encouraging her as we promised to stay in touch. One year later, my wedding invitation was returned to my mailbox marked “Unknown Recipient.” Her phone number was no longer a valid number. I tried to contact her grandmother in Atlanta and that number was disconnected. What happened to my dear friend, Twyla? Did she find the peace she was looking for? Did she settle down with a godly man; someone she could trust to love her always?
I was nineteen years old when I met her. The moment I met her as my college roommate, I noticed she glistened like a bright little star. The only thing we had in common at the time was the fact we both requested a “nonsmoker” for a roommate. Which was ironic because by semester exams of 1989, we had both picked up the bad habit. We used to scrounge up loose change to purchase the little killers, since we were mutually so broke. We were instantly bonded in many ways by our laughter, our years of friendship and yes, even all those sad tears. When I recall those college days, I see that she and I went our different ways during the days and shared different friends but by evening – we were inseparable. Sharing our lives, hopes and dreams.
Twyla was adopted as a baby from Korea and was as beautiful as one can imagine any Asian young woman being. Her skin was absolutely flawless while she innocently touted a chemical-free mane of blackest black. Each night she would meticulously roll every small group of strands up with sponge rollers while I jokily mocked I was sleeping near my grandmother. By morning though, when she released those captive tresses, they daintily fell down her back as I envied that endless natural beauty.
She was the type of person that hoped I would not return to our room “unscheduled” as she loved to dance around the room holding a hairbrush to her mouth, jumping on the bed singing her favorite tunes. I learned, if the music was blaring as I approached the door to refrain from coming in and to return later. I respected her enormously and admired her flare for life. She was full of fire back then; being a brilliant student who rarely had to study. She could be as gentle as a kitten and as ferocious as a hungry lion when need be. She is the only person in my life that ever jumped into my arms after being reunited from summer break. That was Twyla.
Even though Twyla was adopted as a baby – she always seemed to be that unloved orphan. Her mother and father were told they could not have their own children so they adopted Twyla as an infant. Not long after that, her parents conceived a son. From that moment on, Twyla would share, she never felt love from them again. Within a few years of her brother’s birth, her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which left her bedridden, at times. The father hired a care keeper and it was not long before Twyla caught him having an affair with the care keeper. She and her wheelchair bound mother were discarded like trash and left to take up residency with her ailing grandmother. The saddest part of that situation was even her own grandmother often mistreated Twyla for having to put her retirement aside to care for Twyla and her mother. I always felt so angry with all of them. I wanted to rescue Twyla but I couldn’t. You see, I was just a kid too.
My dear friend, Twyla, never had a real home to go to during the summer’s or holidays. Yet she rarely complained. My heart continually cried for her and still does. My thoughts today? Where is my dear friend, Twyla and has she found a peace that only God can give her? Is she okay and does she have a family of her own?
I wrote this to the tune of “Hey There Delilah.” Click the YouTube link to hear while you read along.
Hey there Twyla, What’s it like in the “City of the South?”
I’m four hundred miles away, but girl today, you seem so far
Yes you do, Peach Park can’t shine as bright as you,
I swear it’s true.
Hey there Twyla, Don’t you worry about the distance,
I’m right here if you get lonely, give this story a chance to tell,
Close your eyes, Listen to my voice and hear my sighs.
I’m by your side.
Oh it’s what HE’s done for me, Oh what He’s done for you
Oh it’s what HE’s done for me, Oh what He’s done for you
What He’s done for you
Hey there Twyla, I know times are getting hard,
But just believe me girl someday we’ll sit and cry about the scars
We’ll decide it’s good, we’ll have the life we knew we should
His Word is good.
Hey there Twyla, I’ve got so much left to say,
If every simple prayer I lifted for you, would take your breath away,
I’d write them all, even more in love with our God you’d fall,
You’d have it all
Oh it’s what HE’s done for me, Oh it’s what HE’s done for you
Oh it’s what HE’s done for me, Oh it’s what HE’s done for you
Four hundred miles seems pretty far, But they’ve got planes and trains and cars,
I’d walk to you, if I knew where to go
Our friends would all make fun of us, and we’ll just laugh along because
We know that many of them have felt this way
Twyla I can promise you, by the time that we get through,
The world will never EVER be the same, and God’s to blame
Hey there Twyla, you be strong, and don’t you worry
Few more years, we’ll be done playing the dual
Still, I’ll be writing stories,
Like I do
You’ll know it’s partly cause of you,
We can catch up like we use to do
Hey there Twyla here’s to you, this story’s for you.
Oh it’s what HE’s done for me, Oh it’s what HE’s done for you
Oh it’s what He’s done for me, Oh it’s what He’s done for you
What HE’s done for you
Miss my dear friend, Twyla this day – her forty-third birthday. And I’m praying more than anything that she has found Christ, who will never EVER leave her as an orphan. Happy Birthday, my beautiful Twyla.
There was a time, I thought I had become so very smart, spiritually. Me and the LORD, well, we were tight. I, even, (dare to say) thought I may have earned a special red phone that rang directly into the throne room just as our president has in the oval office.
Isn’t it funny how we as humans become so enamored with ourselves? It happens so quickly. We do a few things well and rather than giving God the glory and credit – it infiltrates down into our very nasty sin-filled gut. Sure – outwardly we say, “Yes, it was all God – all God,” but inwardly, there are times we actually think, “Man, I am so awesome.” Remember though, no matter what we may be saying with our mouths or displaying to others outwardly – God judges a man strictly by his heart. Our arrogance and false humility cannot be hidden from our all-knowing and ever present Heavenly Father. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Pet. 4:17
I think about King Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel when he stepped out on his balcony and boasted, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” In that instant, God gave him over to insanity. He spent the next seven years of his life believing he was an ox, living in the fields, grazing on grass, hair as long as eagles feathers and nails as long as a bird’s talons. After seven long years, in a moment of lucidity, he glanced up towards heaven and confessed: “His rule is everlasting, and His kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to Him. He does as He pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop Him or say to Him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’” Dan. 4:34-35. Instantly, Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity returned.
During my “Nebuchadnezzar days,” I recall standing in my bathroom blow drying my hair and hearing a voice as clearly as one of my children saying, “You whitewashed tomb!” I immediately turned off my dryer and listened again. Nothing. The voice I heard was so profound in my spirit that it might as well have been audible coming straight down from heaven. Despite the blaring, hot air screaming from my blow dryer directed towards my face and ears, there was no doubt a message was given. I suddenly felt sick at my stomach. Rather than focusing on my outward appearance as before, I hurriedly placed all my cosmetic gadgets to the side to contemplate God’s apparent message to me.
I began searching the scriptures for “whitewashed.” You might be surprised to learn that there are actually seven different references throughout. Seven, happens to be God’s perfect number. Two of those scriptures in particular, drew my attention. One being Jesus admonishing, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Mat 23:27. Ouch. That was painful. Could the LORD be speaking to me too?
Was I thinking about “whitewashed tombs” when I heard such a strange message while focusing on my physical looks? Hardly! It’s more likely I was wondering whether or not my hair would cooperate or not that day. I never gave any meaningful consideration to the “whitewashed” verses until that particular day which made the unusual message even more significant and mysterious to me.
Ezekiel, the prophet, even warned the people of Israel of the false teachers that were “whitewashing” the truth of the nation’s filthy and idolatrous condition. He said, “Precisely because they (the false prophets) have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these (false) prophets smear it with whitewash, (God says to Ezekiel) say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out. And when the wall falls, will it not be said to you, ‘Where is the coating with which you smeared it?’ Eze. 13:10-12
Yikes! God had removed His protective hedge around His people due to their idolatry. Truth is, we can cover our cracks and the chipping paint all we want, but if our hearts are not right, it’s only a matter of time before the whole structure is brought down low. Shall God say then, concerning us, ‘Where is the coating now (of whitewash) with which you smeared it?”
You may be wondering, what was my sin back then? Perhaps it was the fact that I strutted around as though I had it all together. Meanwhile, exalting myself in my heart as though I had acquired righteousness on my own and was deserving of salvation. I strived daily to add layer upon layer of white paint to my exterior so as to not reveal the reality. I was dripping in grime, full of cracks and perpetually plagued with flaking paint. I was running from the brutal facts. How about you? Are you running, and struggling to justify yourself in the eyes of the world and especially to God? Maybe you are exhausted from all the whitewashing; day after day.
Sadly, my sinful heart boasted like Nebuchadnezzar, likely saying something similar to his own words, “Is not this body of Christ (church), that I have helped build for the house of the kingdom of God, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” Can you believe the audacity? Yet, do not judge too quickly. Could you be making the same mistake?
At the height of my “Nebuchadnezzar Days”– God revealed that I had somehow come to the conclusion that I had acquired blessings because of the works of my own might. Therefore, in keeping with God’s Holy Word, He was obligated to humble me. Granted, I never believed I was an ox, like Nebuchadnezzar, nor did I desire to graze on grass in my backyard with unclipped fingernails, or flaunting hair as long as the feathers of an eagle. Nonetheless; my body and spirit were forced down to the ground into a complete state of absolute humiliation and shame. Like Israel, I was depending on heartless offerings and sacrifices to bargain salvation rather than trusting God to work through me.
God’s discipline for my haughtiness could best be described as “Shock and Awe.” Remember when the U.S. went into Iraq over the potential threat of stored weapons of mass destruction? The military strategists and media titled that night of attack, “Shock and Awe.” The darkened night sky of my heart was littered with streaks of darting missiles and blue and red burning illuminations. Explosives were precisely positioned to bring down strongholds, while something like a special, elite group of fighters went out destroying any potential storage of weapons of mass destruction, hidden in the deep quarries of my soul. Just when I thought the “Shock” was over – another elite group would be deployed. I wondered if the agony of “Awe” would ever cease.
I found myself like Isaiah when He saw a vision of the Ancient of Days in the throne room. The train of God’s robe filling the temple. The smoke seemingly rolling upward and all around. While Seraphim stood above the Glorious One sitting on His throne, as one seraphim exclaimed to another, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord, God Almighty – the whole earth is full of His glory.” And like Isaiah, I fell on my face, literally, and said, “Woe is me, I am ruined!”
Examine your heart. Are you standing in front of the mirror concentrating on your outer appearance of “religiosity” rather than washing your uncleanness with the truth of God’s Word? If you think you are self-made, you are in danger of God’s chastisement. If you think you are righteous by all your honorable ministerial acts of service at your local church, you are in danger of deep shame. I fear you are heading for disaster with threatening rainstorms of unfathomable humiliation.
We have been saved by grace through our act of faith and trust in Him, not by our own works. (Eph 2:8-10). These good works we perform are an expression of Christ in us. So let us praise Christ for abiding in us while creating in us a heart to love Him and others. Additionally, let us also walk cautiously as one would walk through a field littered with explosive mines. If not careful, you may find yourself stepping out on the balcony of your own self constructed palace to make such a pronouncement, “Ah, look at the success of my life, which I have built by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty! Is it not a perfect work of my magnificent accomplishment?”
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psa 51:17
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
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Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
My boys are studying Anatomy and Physiology this year. In doing so, they are learning all kinds of things I had forgotten about when I was in school. After all, who walks around asking things like, “What is the smallest bone in the body?” Or what happens to a saltine cracker when you spit on it? It is supposedly important that our children know that our saliva is 99% water and 1% stomach acid. I’ve met people that I’ve come in proximity with that I recall thinking, “Something climbed in that mouth and died from that 1%.” But anyway…
Just last week the boys were learning about the voluntary and involuntary muscles in our bodies. Remember learning about those involuntary muscles, like the heart? The brain covertly sends cryptic messages to the heart that says, “BEAT, darn it!” And miraculously, it does. When we accidentally touch something hot, our brain sends an involuntary demand to our hand to, “Get your hand off that stovetop – you goober!” We are unaware of these secret conversations going on in our bodies.
This whole study has got me thinking…(Voluntarily, of course).
After having children, I noticed that there is a part of my brain that has been activated or better yet, “unleashed.” I affectionately call it the “‘Mom’abral Cortex” and it is involuntary. I do not ask it to make decisions because it does it on an as needed basis. There is nothing on Wikipedia that confirms its existence, but we as mothers, should recognize its existence. I believe it is likely nestled just behind the frontal lobe, way back behind where all the intelligent things go on, making it elusive to the naked eye and the science community. If I were a TV producer, I could make millions of dollars by simply setting up hidden cameras in mom’s houses all over the world to prove that the Mom’abral actually does exist.
A few years ago, I was flipping through the channels and found a show called “Finding Bigfoot” on Animal Planet. Hidden cameras were set high in the trees and baskets of berries and roots were put out for it to dine on. While the scientists set camp that night, a howl of screeching proportions bellowed forth causing all the Bigfoot researchers to experience the hair on the back of their necks to involuntarily standup. When morning came, an investigation was made only to find a massive footprint and a larger than average poopy. The remnants only perpetuated the suspicion. And so it is too, with the Mom’abral cortex.
Just like Bigfoot – there is strong evidence in my mind that something hairy is going on here with the Mom’s brain. Before going to bed when my boys were little, there was often some sort of elusive screeching howl that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. And when I was potty training them, it was not uncommon that there was a larger than average poopy present somewhere out of place. I never could prove who screamed with beastly-like vocal chords nor could I identify the culprit of the unsightly bodily output. These things too were REAL events yet unfilmed. There remains still, some very important and unanswered questions then. Is there really a Bigfoot and most importantly, is there actually a lobe in the brain called the Mom’abral?
Once I became a mother, there have been times when my children were caught doing something that utterly shocked me. When they were later interrogated, they claimed innocence by reason of permission, “You said we could do it!” At first, I naively denied these accusations earnestly. But now, after eleven years of being a mother, I realize this mysterious and undocumented Mom’abral does exist and hides deep within my frontal cortex. It takes over in my most mentally deficient moments without my knowledge or consent. I have tenaciously determined that this portion of my brain has not yet matured past the age of five. It sees no problem in granting permission to my children in the usage of a butcher knife to cut a banana or to view a documentary on the Holocaust. It joyously grants approval to things like staying up all night to play video games or to eat a dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme. It is surely my children’s best proponent in doing anything nonsensical. Evidently, the children like to ask this preschool-minded region of my mind things like, can we go skydiving or ride a bull named “Fumanchu” for 2.7 seconds. Usually, when my well thinking cerebral cortex becomes aware of this incursion, the damage has already been done. Then I am left to clean up the after-effects like bandaging a concussion or picking up glass from a shattered light bulb.
Perhaps my properly functioning cerebral cortex, and my Mom’abral have an unspoken pact. Cerebral says, “Look bud; I can only do so much – you can take the lead but only when I’m close to the self-destruct button.'” And I can just hear that eager but clueless Mom’abral say, “Oh geez, Pa, could I have the reigns!? Can I? Please!? When it takes over, my children could be caught watching Deadman Walking, eating bags of Halloween candy or running throughout the house with lit candles.
The advantage the Mom’abral has is its stealthiness. It interjects itself when I am knee deep in a flooded bathroom or trying to remove a mouse from a glue board. Perhaps I’m loading the dishwasher, cooking supper, separating the laundry while grading school work. Doing all these tasks at the same time make me vulnerable to attrition warfare. This kind of warfare is a military type strategy in which there are belligerent attempts to win a war by wearing someone down to the point of collapse. Even my husband has benefited from the Mom’bral’s permissiveness like the time it agreed to go tent camping for the weekend. ~
Isn’t it interesting the unique and unexplainable things that occur in a Mother’s mind? When you hear the screech of a Mom’abral cortex howling, “Sureeeeee- You can play in the road!!!!” You’ll know; it isn’t your imagination. It truly is what nightmares of made of.
The Daily News reports:
“To the joy of children world-wide, the elusive Mom’abral once again, has evaded the science community and mom’s everywhere!”
To purchase my book entitled Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice go to Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, any book seller or online ebook retailer.
Recently, I published my first book entitled, Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice. The title is partly a reference to the 1 Kings 19:11-13 scripture.
And he (God) said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
God’s voice here, was clearly spoken through a low whisper.
Evidently, most tend to look for God in the strong winds, earthquakes and fire. Less than twenty-four hours ago, I learned that I mistakenly only look for him in the subtle whispers and not in the blatant storms like most people.
Just as I went to bed, my heart was feeling thirsty as a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for God. Thus far though, my faith has not yet wavered despite my yearning soul. Therefore, I decided, I must be one of those “blessed ones” because “Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” Right now – I am believing, but I am certainly not seeing.
So with all this in mind, I was listening for that still small voice last night and not understanding a thing in the soft wind. In my praying with a sincere heart, I revealed to God that his presence is the only thing that drives me. I sought also, answers to questions stirring in my spirit. In doing all this, I drifted off to sleep hearing only the steady, gentle rain and the distant placid thunder rolling far, far away…
Unexpectedly and without warning, a sharp and fierce clap of thunder boomed over my house like a bolt of lightning that had strayed from his peers whom were far, far away. I awoke with a racing away heartbeat, startled at the lack of warning. In that sudden clap – I heard God’s voice speak to my spirit. It was not gentle. It was not a whisper. It was in the earthquake remarkably. It was in the fire astonishingly. He spoke, “You ARE weak, Kim, but I am strong!” Every concern, question and fear I had made known to him just before I fell asleep was immediately addressed and solved in one abrupt and hardy crash of thunder. Not only did he confirm my weakness with that statement, but other apprehensions I had shared with him just before drifting off to sleep. All my inquiries had somehow instantly been answered. Let me explain.
Recently, I have been asked to provide my Christian qualifications. I’ve had to write short bio’s and little complimentary blurbs about myself in order to satisfy the requirements of my publisher and to promote my book and my website. These exercises have brought me so much discomfort. First of all, I have a serious (did I mention SERIOUS?) aversion to braggadocios’ people as well as going over my list of so-called accomplishments. I am inexpressibly grieved to bring up the different aspects of my Christian walk in order to entice someone to purchase my book or why someone should consider me in a particular ministry. It is going to be very difficult seeing as how if I don’t promote my book – who will? So these thoughts of unworthiness and frustration were fresh on my mind when I sought the Lord last night with sleepy eyes.
My book, Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice has thirty-seven short stories, some of which I’ve shared on my blog and other new stories. The point I push over and over throughout the book nonetheless, is recognizing that God is always speaking to us. Sometimes his voice is a small whisper and can be missed if we are not careful. But after last night, I realize, He is not always in a gentle whisper either.
I do wish I had sat up after that thunderous crack and scribbled down every inclination I felt after that jolt. This morning over coffee, I searched my heart for all the certainty I held last night. Currently, I’m doing my best to describe how one thunder clap, and one statement from God could simultaneously answer all my concerns that a thirty minute, attention deficient prayer sent up, prior to slipping off to dream world. But it did.
Essentially, God’s message is this:
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Cor 1:26-31. ESV
Thank you, Father, you also speak in the sudden and fierce thunder clap…
All I have to say is, “WOW.” I have no certainty in anything I hear or learn anymore unless it comes straight from my Bible. It is important to recognize that if we happen to come across a news clip from just one week ago – it is already almost irrelevant today. Do you realize this? We are moving at mach speed.
These fast moving details drive people like me a little batty as I love to study and learn. Yet everything I get my hands on, unless it is today’s current news or the Holy Scriptures, is out of date. All I can say is I am so utterly out of breath. I have been accused of being Attention Deficit because my brain is too active. This “Activity” helps me focus intently on things that I am highly interested in, (like God’s Word) but unfortunately causes me drop my attention from other things I deem “less important.” It seems like my brain is constantly fighting a threatening “Glitch.” You know, like what your computer does when it’s time to reboot? Am I the only Christian experiencing this “Glitching?” On top of all that – the LORD has allowed me an immense number of migraines landing me in bed helpless; but praying incessantly. Even with the pain; my brain does not shut off. God has my undivided attention for hours when I battle these migraines, as I plead for the Jewish people and all the those Christians around the world that are being systematically murdered for their faith.
I am trying to tell myself we cannot understand these things (and shouldn’t try) because God is in complete control and is allowing the entire world to unravel for a reason. There doesn’t seem to be a black and white answer anymore. This is very difficult for me because I’m the type of person that seeks justice. I’m faced with these questions daily, “Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys?” Things have become so complicated that I don’t know my left from my right. In God’s sovereignty, this HAS to be exactly where He wants his “Treasured Ones” to find themselves. We are in a quandary. The only “Right” way or “Correct” way then, is to look to God only and His Word. In truth, we are currently surrounded by LIARS in every nation, occupation, political arena, whether rich or poor, whether black or white, whether the East or the West. This world has become so mixed up, that we who are believers in Jesus Christ better wake up and do our part. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!!
We used to be able to go to the polls and vote to make a difference. We used to be able to write letters to our Congressmen. Perhaps we could have even made donations to reputable organizations to make a dent in the world’s moral dilemmas. And all these things are still important but ultimately, God has made it very clear – this world is on shifting sand and He is our only unmovable and unbreakable foundation.
The things that are happening are not just another blip in history, like many unbelieving so-called “Christians” are saying. These things happening are monumental! You know it and so do I. We must not allow people to steer us away from the obvious. God has put this “Feelings” or “notions” in us for a reason. That reason is for the saints to sound the alarm and pray.
If we seriously study our bibles, the hair on the back of our necks ought to stand up. Bible students have been blasting their trumpets exceptionally louder in the last few years but is the church listening? Some are, thank God. But the majority, sadly, are not. This is not science fiction anymore nor descriptions of future times. We have arrived.
I would like to spend the next week or so explaining (in several different posts) some very important prophecies that many Christians are unfamiliar. Some of you may be frightened by the information. It may cause you to ask yourselves if you have truly committed yourself to the cause of Christ. And others may take comfort knowing that God’s Word does not lie and we have been told ahead of time that these things would happen. We then, can be prepared spiritually. Am I afraid? Afraid is not really the word I would use. I feel more frustrated and more desperate than afraid. I will tell you though, I am fully prepared mentally and spiritually to fight this battle and to go down with this ship, if need be. It is through prayer that I am fighting any fear that might raise its ugly little head. More recently God has made it increasingly clear that we have little strength in this world to make a real difference now. Don’t misunderstand. We are to continue spreading the Word of Christ. We are to continue the work. What I am saying is, it not necessarily through our vote, nor our money nor our power that will change the satanic agenda any longer. These days – it will primarily be through the constant PRAYERS of the saints that will put down this kind of spiritual darkness.
I want to spend the remaining part of this post discussing a “forgotten unfulfilled prophecy” in our bible that in the last few years has been brought to the forefront. I will examine these passages with you today:
Psalm 83:1-8
Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold your peace, And do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people (Israel), And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. (Many believe these “sheltered ones” are the raptured saints). They (those that hate God) have said, “Come, and let us cut them (Israel) off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: The tents of Edom (Palestinians) and the Ishmaelites (Saudi’s – Ishmael, Father of Arabs); Moab (Palestinians and CentralJordanians) and the Hagrites (Egyptians); Gebal (Hezbollah & NorthernLebanese), Ammon ( Palestinians and NorthernJordanians), and Amalek (Arabs if the Sinai – Egypt); Philistia (Hamas & the Gaza Strip), Tyre (Hezbollah & South Lebanese), Assyria (Syria & NorthernIraq) also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. (South of the Dead Sea/Syria)
Let’s look at the evidence of why this prophecy is unfolding before our very eyes:
Palestinians – “…at base the Palestinian national movement since its inception in 1920 has not been about the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state but rather the destruction of the Jewish state or earlier the prevention of the establishment of a Jewish state and so it remains to this day which is why the PLO has consistently refused statehood every time it has been offered them since 1993.” (Caroline Click – Mid East Specialist) I ask you, Friend or foe of God, Israel and Christians?
Egypt – Remember just one year ago the news we were hearing out of Egypt? “Egypt’s Coptic Christians, comprising less than 10 percent of the population, have faced discrimination and varying levels of persecution since long before the Mubarak was overthrown in 2011. But the subsequent rise to power of Mohammed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood was of particular alarm to the vulnerable minority, and many celebrated when the military ousted Morsi last July.” (CNS News)
Egypt, as you well know, has been in complete turmoil since 2011, to have them barter peace deals between Israel and Hamas in our current day is OUTRAGEOUS. Does this sound crazy to anyone else besides me? I ask you, Friend or foe of God’s, Israel and Christians?
Saudi Arabia – “During the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, Middle East Eye editor David Hearst wrote an article claiming that Saudi Arabia was supportive of Israel’s actions in the conflict, and that officials from Mossad and the Saudi intelligence agencies met regularly.[11] The Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mohammed bin Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz, denied that the Saudi government was allied with Israel, describing Israel’s actions against civilians in Gaza as “crimes against humanity” – however he did not deny that the two countries had had contact, saying that “any dealings by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Israel have been limited to attempts to bring about a plan for peace.” (Wikipedia).
Friends that don’t want to admit they are your friends – are not really friends at all. I ask you, Friend or foe of God’s, Israel and Christians?
Jordan – “Abdullah said he backed Egyptian efforts to end “the Israeli offensive” and that Jordan would use its international presence at such forums as the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council “to bring the aggression to a complete halt and prevent any recurrence, guarantee the success of efforts to reach a lasting truce, mobilize international efforts to rebuild Gaza and provide a conducive environment to re-launch conclusive final-status negotiations to reach a peace that is based on the two-state solution.” (The Times of Israel).
Wow, thanks King Abdullah! Stated in simple terms according to me – “Hey, Israel, you have no right to defend yourselves against unprovoked weaponry.” I ask you, Friend or foe of God’s, Israel and Christians?
Arabs in Sinai – this is Egypt. Remember all the riots, murders and overthrowing of two governments? How about the burning of Christian churches and murdering them for their faith? These are people who are bartering a peace treaty between Hamas and Israel. Again, I ask you, is Egypt a Friend or foe of God’s, Israel and Christians?
Hezbollah (Terrorist Organization in Lebanon) – “BEIRUT: Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah has said his party’s involvement in Syria will not affect their preparedness to confront Israel in any new conflict.” (Daily Star- Lebanon News.) O good. I’m glad he made that clear. Lebanon – I ask you, Friend or foe of God’s, Israel and Christians?
Hamas (in the Gaza Strip) -Another terrorist organization. “Hamas is an Islamist militant group based in Gaza, where it won a 2006 U.S.-backed election. The United States and other countries designate it as a terrorist group. It formed in 1987 as a “resistance” group, pledging to destroy Israel and replace it with an all-Palestinian state.” I ask you, Friend or foe of God’s, Israel and Christians?
Assyria – Syria & Iraq – (ISIS) – Do you realize that the ISIS group is essentially repeating history to the very letter; just in a different time era? These people are better known to us historically as the Assyrians. Ever heard of the Ninevites? They were the Assyrians. Remember Jonah? He was the prophet instructed by God to go preach rependance or their capitol city; Ninevah, would be destroyed? Well, at that time – they actually did repent and God relented from destroying them until one hundred and fifty years later when they went right back to their old ways of living. Let me give you a little bit of information on what kind of people these Assyrians were and what they are NOW that scarily repeats history:
Ashurnasirpal II, King of Assyria had images carved into cuneiforms that are described as such:
“We see an Assyrian soldier grasping the hand and arm of a captured enemy whose other hand and both feet have already been cut off. Dismembered hands and feet fly through the scene. Severed enemy heads hang from the conquered city’s walls. Another captive is impaled on a stake, his hands and feet already having been cut off. In another detail, we see three stakes, each driven through eight severed heads, set up outside the conquered city. A third detail shows a row of impaled captives lined up on stakes set up on a hill outside the captured city. In an inscription from Shalmaneser III’s father, Ashurnasirpal II, the latter tells us, “I captured soldiers alive [and] erected [them] on stakes before their cities.” (Biblical Archaeology Society, by Erika Belibtreu.)
They were brutal killers and their current day ancestors are following in their same evil, satanic footsteps. God will eventually annihilate these murderers just like He did their forefathers.
Have you watched the news lately? Do you see and hear what ISIS (Syria & Iraq- the Assyrians) are doing to their victims? Decapitating their victims, putting their heads on poles, impaling their bodies. They are crucifying Christians. Read about their ancestors and you will fully see their method of terror and control. I ask you, Friend or foe of God’s, Israel and Christians?
Let’s ask ourselves if Psalm 83 is currently coming to pass: Let’s start with Psalm 83:1-3
“Your (God’s) enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people (Israel), And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
Historically, Israel has always had these enemies but this prophecy is so profound because they have never raged as one or worked so collaboratively in their hate as they do now. Is it possible then, they are meeting privately and making “crafty counsel” against Israel. Additionally, is it possible that they have also “consulted together against Your sheltered ones (Christians)?” Who are the “sheltered ones?” We can’t call Israel, “Your sheltered Ones” – they by no means are sheltered when missiles are flying overhead daily. Have they (these enemies) made crafty counsel against Christians and Christianity worldwide?
“The world is witnessing the rise of an entire new generation of Christian martyrs. The carnage is occurring on such a vast scale that it represents not only the most dramatic Christian story of our time, but arguably the premier human rights challenge of this era as well. [NewStateman, Nelson Jones, April 2014. ]
Let’s look at Psalm 83:4
“Come, and let us cut them (Israel) off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”
Have these crafty enemies said such things? Of course! Who can deny this? Many of them have said it publically! the majority of them are on public record and can be found on Youtube.
I discussed Psalm 83:5-8 above.
The growing hatred towards Israel and Christendom is unifying these countries and terrorist groups like never before. We should not be surprised then when they finally sit down at the table to work together.
And finally, let’s look at Psalm 83:9-18 (paraphrased)
The prophet Asaph asks God to destroy these nations. He says, “Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or flames sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name. May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”
It is my opinion and many others that these enemies called “the inner ring enemies” of Israel will therefore; in short order be destroyed by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in an effort to stop them from trying “wiping Israel off the face of the map.” It is also likely too, that when this happens the whole world will rage against Israel for defending herself. This is a very spiritual and dark war that makes no sense to the rational, godly man.
It is my prayer guys, that we study the Word and to look further into these very serious issues. Anxsting over these things will not be helpful. Prayer acts as our mighty warrior in trouble. l am asking all believers to get on your knees and seek God with all your hearts daily. Seek him for your soul, if you have not made yourself right before Him. Seek Him for the soul of your lost friends and family members. Seek Him for all of our brothers and sisters that are being martyred in the name of our LORD Jesus. It is heart-wrenching. You and I are here to do what we can, here! We must be His ambassadors no matter where we live in the world. There is no time for guilt. We are placed where we are, here on this planet for a very special purpose. Find that purpose and complete it. The most important of which is fervent PRAYER!!
We are on our own now. We have no other shelter but the one true shelter and that is Jesus Christ. He is our refuge forever. “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Oswald Chambers
Please share this post to get the word out. Obama is not the answer nor any other government or political organization. I am calling all Christians to PRAY!!!! Time is running out.
Please follow this blog and share these messages. Someone may need to hear these truths!
Also, Please refer to prior blog posts entitled: “Coming Four Blood Moons” and “My Dwelling Place.” These posts discuss the expected dread for Israel over these next 12-24 months. Additionally, “My Dwelling Place” is a very peculiar dream I had that I think may indicate some tough times here in this nation.
Where Can I currently purchase this book? Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
I recently went to see the movie “Divergent” with my husband. I loved it so much that I went and saw it again with a friend not more than a week later. There was something about that movie that struck a chord.
In this futurist tale of a war-torn world, being labeled a “Divergent” was not a desirable trait. Anyone who “tested” out as a Divergent was in danger of losing their life. Divergents’, you see, do not conform. They think creatively not conventionally and their character is multifaceted. Divergents’ are a threat to those in power because they question and look deeply into things. The leadership of the war-torn futuristic world put everyone in neat little categories or “Factions”. God forbid if you didn’t seem to test into one particular category. You were then called the “Factionless” which meant you were the derelicts of society. Shutouts.
At one time in my life, I was the embodiment of a non-divergent. Next to the definition of “Conformist” in the Webster’s Dictionary was a picture of me. Had I been tested by a system such as that, there is no doubt in my mind I would have been categorized as a “Factionless.” My mom once took me to see a shrink when I was in sixth grade because I wouldn’t go to my teacher or raise my hand in class if I had a question. He gave me a diagnosis, “Test Anxiety.” What? You mean there is a name for that? I just thought all pencils during test times caused an extra secretion of sweat in the hands! I guess that means, I had a fear of failure or maybe it was a fear of standing out or saying something wrong. It was fear that controlled me. Maybe it still can.
There were times I would have absolutely chosen death by lethal injection (as opposed to hanging) rather than get up in front of a group of people to speak. In school, I actually prepared for a speech while vomiting but when asked to get up to present – I denied having completed the work and willingly took a zero instead. I was the epitome of an Anti-Divergent! I was “Factionless”; not belonging, no seeming gift or talent nor was there anything about me that stood out as important. I would not have stood up for something I believed in because I feared retribution more than I feared not doing the right thing. As a matter of fact, when I run into old school mates, most of them don’t recall me but do recall my brother who made a name for himself in the form of delinquent behavior. Once I was called to the office over the intercom and my classmates looked puzzled. When I got to the office, I was quizzed of the whereabouts of my brother. When I returned to class, I was bombarded with questions. When I explained to them that they were searching for the whereabouts of my brother, they all mutually said things like, “Oh that makes sense. We knew it couldn’t be something concerning you.” The earth had not been jolted off its axis after all.
A “Divergent” according to the movie is someone who has strong intersecting personality traits like: candor, gentleness, impulsivity and intelligence, honesty, goodness and sincerity, fearlessness and cautiousness. Make sense? One of my favorite scenes is when the main character is clipped to a zip line and released to soar over the dark city of Chicago. The climatic music caused my blood to lift within my veins to soar as she, when finally she released her fear and pushed her arms out to fly. I was in that moment with her. Shoot, I was her! The music intensified and so did my adrenaline. The wind must have been blowing at sixty miles per hour in her face pushing away her bangs from interfering with her view. Then the corners of her mouth began to curl upwards and her arms stretched outward. The scene shouted freedom. Her face read the same. The whole scene shouted freedom from the very worst of all prison masters; FEAR. One day I pretended to be fearless, impulsive and brave when my husband and I went to Hawaii several years ago. I bravely agreed to ride a bike down the side of a volcano. Yes, that’s right, a volcano.
The volcano was listed as “Inactive” because it had not erupted in over one hundred years. This knowledge brought me much comfort until our bike riding tour guide told us on the van ride up that it was “due” for an eruption. Also, the conversation from this guide to all of us “risk takers” took a serious turn of solemnity when
Where Can I currently purchase this book? Journal of a Sinner, Listening for that Still Small Voice
Journal of a Sinner 