FOOD FOR SOUL MAGAZINE

Monday, February 16, 2015

Sticks and Stones

This month, I had the pleasure of attending an IF Gathering. It was where a group of women from all different churches, and backgrounds gathered to become more equipped in their walk with Christ. It was a time of learning, and healing as we unveiled in front of one another the matters of our hearts. It was so powerfully inspiring, and life changing for thousands globally with over 68,000 in attendance to watch simulcast. It was a profound lesson of faith walking.

It is difficult these days to walk in faith when you see the heinous things happening in our world. We might ask where is God? Why isn't he stopping it? To ask these questions are not unusual.

We are human, and it is difficult to imagine how a powerful loving God can allow for tragedy to keep happening. We find what is being reported in the news frightening, discouraging, or shocking at times. How can a person have faith in a world with so many tragedies? God never intended for this to be. However, He loved us SO much, He gave us FREE WILL.

His plans allowed for a rebellious nature to occur, simply on the basis that He has given free will. Would you as a parent, want your child to be forced to say, "I love you", knowing they can’t stand the very sight of you? Would you want to be married to someone who demanded your love and respect?

No! Not in the least…therefore, God doesn’t force us to love Him. Yet, He loves us (SO) much that He desires for us to be with Him always. This is where the eternity speaks volumes compared to the temporary messed up selves we have here on earth. -Food For Soul Magazine, "Oh How He Loves Us" -article, Feb.14, 20015

It's like giving a child the pick of candy in a store, and they grab the whole bag! He gave us the choice of right or wrong. Sadly, some choose the whole bag of wickedness.

We believe these events are just now occurring on earth. Yet, in reality, if everyone sat down and really read the scriptures, what we see happening has been happening since the beginning of man-kind. Some scenes in the Bible are not only violent, but graphically speak of tragedies unfolding. It was a true account of the ugly truth about the evilness of some of man-kind.

The only difference is now we have the news media to blast it all over, every gory detail of it. I have to shut it off sometimes.

Now back to the IF Gathering. I learned that not only is our God loving by the testimony of women who shared their tragic stories of loss, and pain, but how faith in small measures can change much.

God used a stone through the faith of one small boy to kill a giant.

I SAMUEL 17

He used a stick to show signs and wonders through a stuttering man of faith.

EXODUS 14

By faith, Aaron and Moses used a stick which turned into a snake.

EXODUS 7

He used a stone for a pillow in Jacob's faith, which became an alter unto God the ROCK of our salvation.

GENESIS 28

He used a stone as an example of mercy and grace.

JOHN 8

He used stone to teach us from right and wrong.

EXODUS 24

He used the gathering of sticks to show a widow of God's provision.

I KINGS 17

He used sticks to illustrate ONE NATION UNDER GOD

EZEKIEL 37:15-17

IF GOD...can use sticks and stones to illustrate what Faith can do when we believe even as the grain of a mustard seed...

MATTHEW 17:20

Then why do we not pray? What IF we prayed for a world in turmoil?

What IF we prayed for our country's leaders to hear and know the heart of God? What would happen... IF we prayed for Christian martyrs worldwide who have believed enough to lay down their lives? IF God can save Paul the Apostle, who once killed hundreds of Christians, and use him to spread the gospel...that is still spreading to this day 100's of years later...then why? Oh why? Can we not believe that these torchers can be saved too?

What would happen IF we believe that death has lost its sting? Understanding that Jesus the Author and Finisher of our FAITH proved with the rolling away of one stone HE LIVES....and now sits on the right-hand of GOD!

God used a stone to show victory over death!

MARK 20

The world may be in mayhem, and lives are being affected globally, but we need to trust in the Lord who is our only EVERLASTING ROCK! A STONE UNMOVEABLE!

Isaiah 26:4

"Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.

Psalms 62:6

He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

Sticks and stones may break our bones, but by HIS throne, not even death can hurt me. -Selah

LUKE 12

WATCH HEART WARMING SHORT FIRM BELOW

Brenda A. Graff
Founder
FOOD FOR SOUL MAGAZINE

Saturday, February 14, 2015

FOOD FOR SOUL MAGAZINE - VALENTINE'S EDITION
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Monday, February 2, 2015

JUMPING AT SHADOWS

Have you ever found yourself in front of a mirror and questioned, "Where have I gone?"

As you get older, you begin to see yourself differently.

This can be good or bad. There are some days you might glance at the image staring back at you and think, "Okay, a few extra wrinkles, but I still got it"!

Then, there are days when you wonder, "Does everyone see what I see? Do they notice the sad lines around the mouth from years of heartache? Do they recognize the blood shot eyes from sob sessions, and sleepless nights? Are they staring closely enough to see the sorrow behind the smile? Do they notice the kitten behind the Lion?"

We make up our face, spray on cologne, gel our hair, and head out to conquer the world. But, what happens when you realize the world has conquered you? It's broken your confidence, shaken your foundation, taken away your trust, and its kicked the breath out of your beauty.

It has convinced you that you are not good enough, pretty, smart, thin or tall enough. The world has deceived you into believing love is extinct, and that there is no such thing as a passionate, unmistakably dedicated marriage that exist on this planet.

It's challenging these days in a society of self-seekers, and sensationalist. Most live to be satisfied by their own desire not taking into consideration the consequences affecting those around them.

Growing up was difficult as I reached Junior High. I distinctly remember walking the halls in fear trying to dodge bullies, and the cackling popular hens who poked fun at me and my four eyes, which had to wear glasses since age six. I also had the misfortune of suffering severe acne chronically looking like a measles outbreak.

Unfortunately, I didn't always escape the bulldogs. There were moments of being beaten up against a brick wall or lockers in hallways.

Sometimes, I would skip bathroom use for fear of being attacked unnoticed by the group of nerd killers. The school bus rides home were just as excruciating. There were boys that would spit in my face, and call me names. By the time I would arrive home, all I could think about was running to my room and praying that God would either shut down school permanently, or let me be run over by the bus.

I hated the images I saw in the mirror. The bullies banter began to cause me to believe their lies.

I became anorexic, desperate to look perfect. No longer did I see a youthful teen full of future. All I saw was fat and failure in the mirror. The desire to thrive was diminished. My grades started slipping, along with my morals. The desire to be liked overshadowed the part of me to love, care, or want to serve God and others.

As I got older and began dating, and then marriage, I found that there were adult bullies. Some that were physically abusive,

and then their were the ones that could demolish a sky-scraper with mere words.

There seemed to be no escaping them. Every time I turned around, like a vicious cycle, I’d fall for the lies and be wooed into an abusive relationship leaving me depleted all the more. My confidence stripped down another level with each swing of a fist, or batting of a hurtful word.

The pain of promises broken overshadowed the promises of God. My eyes were clouded, unable to focus on what He saw in me. For years I suffered with low self-esteem, especially after divorce experiencing infidelity, and excuses from men.

It was difficult for me to see anything but this unworthy, broken, and unattractive vessel. I hated passing by a mirror.

It was pure torcher to see my reflection in a window. Lord, hide me, I would plead. Cover the parts that would turn others away. The consequences of circumstances that left me abandoned and rejected overshadowed the ability to thrive in the person God had created me to be.

It seemed almost hopeless, yet one incredible sunny day as I walked along a trail, I noticed my shadow. I had never really paid it much attention before.

The appearance was distorted as to what I thought my shape, and height was. What I witnessed while walking, was a taller than me version. Glancing over my shape from feet up, noticed my ankles looked sturdy, my calves were firm with muscle. My legs appeared strong. As I wondered further up, noticed a womanly figure I hadn't perceived before.

Walking, my hips swayed back and forth, the shadow seemed to be jumping side to side. It was as if it was its own entity. Yet, I knew that shadow on the ground was me.

It was at that moment that God revealed to me who I really was, and what He saw. I was someone to be loved, adored, and cherished. There was nothing wrong with my shape, it was designed and created in the fashion God chose.

My legs, oh my legs were strong enough to withstand the world, and all its bullies. I no longer had to feel rejected, or unworthy. My Prince Charming, Savior, Lover, Husband, and Friend was courting me all the way to eternity where I will one day rest in His arms.

His love overshadows the pain of abuse. It blankets and soothes an aching soul. I no longer had to jump at shadows lurking in fear.

His wings of mercy, and grace overshadowed all the agonizing existence in this sometimes very cruel world. The shadow on the ground had reason to jump for joy.

She had been designed for a special work. A distinctive kind of mission to mend and bind up the broken-hearted, to rebuild walls with His word, to bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of despair. (Isaiah 61)

It was at that moment of marveling at my shadow, I realized God had given me strong legs to stand firm in His promises, feet to jump for joy in the shadow of His presence, and hips to sway as I waltz with my Savior in His wings.