The Sharp Axe

2010 WAS A YEAR OF TRANSITIONS FOR ME 1ST YEAR W/O MY DAD WHICH LED TO SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES OF MY LIFE, EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY, FINANCIALLY THIS YEAR WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST I’VE EVER HAD TO GO THROUGH. THE LOSS OF MY FATHER HAD IMPACTED ME GREATLY. I HAD STRONG CHALLENGES AT MY JOB WITH MY CO-WORKERS. I SAW CHALLENGES IN ALMOST EVERY AREA, ESPECIALLY IN THE EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL REALM, TO THE POINT THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS EXPERIENCING A MIDLIFE CRISIS OR A MENTAL BREAKDOWN. I WAS MISUNDERSTOOD AND CHALLENGED ON MY LIFELONG BELIEFS. BUT IN GOING THROUGH THOSE CHALLENGES, I’VE REDEDICATED MYSELF TO A BETTER WAY OF LIVING. I’VE BEEN TOTALLY TRANSFORMED AND I REDISCOVERED THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER WAS THAT GOD WAS EXPECTING ME TO GROW UP AND MATURE TO AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL THAN EVER BEFORE. I’VE FACED THE CHALLENGES WITH A MIX OF COURAGE AND WITH TOTAL HUMILITY AND RELIANCE IN HIM. I HAVE SOUGHT OUT AND FOUND WISE, KNOWLEDGEABLE COUNSELORS TO HELP ME U...

In the spirit of this season, I’m just going to let the Word do most of the talking. Merry Christmas! OUR HEARTS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL, EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US, Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” NIV HE CAME IN THE WAY THAT MOST PEOPLE THEN AND NOW DIDN ’T EXPECT John 1:10-11 “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” NIV THE PROPHETS KNEW, THEY WERE GIVEN THE LOCATION FOR THE SAVIOR’S BIRTH, Micah 5:2 “ But you...

Just recently, I was talking to a dear sister in Christ that I met several years ago. We were discussing a local church and how it had changed over time. I expressed that even though I understood what the pastor’s point of view was, I no longer felt comfortable being a part of that group anymore. After our discussion, it just confirmed to me several things that have been thinking about. If the place you’re attending is driven to doing anything that isn’t in line with the overall council of God’s Word, you might be, dare I say it, seduced into following something that could be dangerous. Remember the movie, “Basic Instinct,” with Michael Douglas, and Sharon Stone? Sometimes things that seem good, lead to terrible mistakes and major disasters. Following a local body that is personality-driven is always a mistake; Following a specific program in exclsion to everything else is also a recipe for disaster. Putting them together is like shaking nitro glycerin, something catastrophic will resu...

If you're looking for the perfect church, prepare to be disappointed! Even if it was perfect, it probably wouldn't be after you joined! Grocho Marx said that he’d never join any organization that accepted him as a member. This is one of the biggest excuses why people don’t join a local church. They feel the people in leadership are hypocrites. But in truth, there are no perfect people inside nor outside of church. The ministry leadership are regular people trying their best to follow after Christ. That doesn’t mean that we should reject them when they make mistakes. No one on the earth is 100% perfect. There was only one who was, and now He waits for us in heaven. We’ll only reach perfection when He takes us home. The ones who point their fingers at pastors and leaders are themselves full of sinful flesh, just like those in leadership. I say it again for emphasis; no one is perfect . We cannot live this life without the power of the Holy Ghost residing inside our reborn spirits...

Ephesians 5:18 (Amplified Bible) 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. (emphasis mine) Sometimes, Christians get religious about spiritual events that happen in their lives. They seek and experience the event, instead of the one that gives the event. We’re to experience the fullness of an ongoing and vibrant relationship with God. That means everyday we are to seek an infilling of His Spirit, so we can be overflowing in the power and presence of God. If you are thirsty, you get a drink of water. But you will thirst again; that drink isn’t supposed to carry you through the entire day. You’ll need to drink again and drink often. If in that way in the natural, then how much more we need to do it in the spiritual. We are spirit beings and we have spiritual needs. We should be ever filled constantly. A one-time event isn't going to cut it.

This blog discusses the biblical principles, life lessons, and spiritual teachings that shape my life, and ministry. I’ve been traveling on this journey for over 35 years. I will never stop traveling this road until God returns or I go to be with Him. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy walking the destination He has prepared for me. Along the way, there will be many obstacle and challenges along the way. But I’m determined with God help, “nothing shall be impossible for Him who believes.” There will be potholes, rough terrain, detours, and obstructions. Sometimes the path will be hard to see, Sometimes there will be gaps, swamps, bridges. Sometimes it will be an uphill climb, sometimes it’ll be mountainous, and sometimes it’ll lead into a valley. There will be ditches, ruts in the road, and pitfalls. Sometimes there will be quicksand. Sometimes it will be swampy, or sandy. There will be rivers to cross; sometimes the water is high and rushing fast. There will be shady places for resting; sometimes ...

This area I've never been good at...letting others know my needs, and admitting that I cannot make it on my own... It's difficult asking for their assistance so I can make it through my struggles... It's admitting that I don't have it all together.... But neither do you... We're all damaged goods....but we can become better than we could ever hope for... We all need help from someone else, someone who gives us the strength and the ability to move forward... My choice is God... To me, He's my help and my strength... I would be totally hopeless and helpless w/o Him... He fills me with His love, shows me His mercy, and covers me with His grace... No, this life isn't perfect, not for anyone, even those who are followers of God... I used to think that, but that just another lie... Anyway, it's hard to look in the mirror sometimes... I don't always like what I see.. I'm use to believing that it was everyone else's fault that I had problems... But n...

8/10/2010 I'm spending more time reading, studying, and understanding the Word of God, then applying it to my life. I'm focussed on allowing God to work on every aspect of my life. I'm developing my faith and trusting in Him. I'm pursuing His purposes for me. I want to live a purposeful and passionate christian life. I call myself a radical disciple for Christ ... What does that statement mean? To me, it means following Him with total abandon, embracing life as it comes, loving and accepting others, living like He lived, and doing what He did... Yes, I stumble at times. I fall, but get back up. I move forward, never giving up nor looking back. I'm learning that I'm not perfect. But neither are you. Only one is. He's the one who accepts me, just as I am, and helps me become the best me I can be. I'm learning that being religious, isn't God's plan, and doesn't lead to life but bondage and fear. I'm learning that I don't have to have a...