Bring on the Rain

Hi everyone!


Halloween is quickly approaching! I wanted to share an article that I wrote last year called "Hell-oween." I already made my own decision not to celebrate this dark holiday five years ago. I remember what a difficult decision this was. Several people thought I was depriving my children of fun times. Yet, every year that I stood firm by my decision, I became stronger.

I definitely don't intend on depriving my children from fun times. We are starting our own traditions and having a fun family day instead. I have been brainstorming and was thinking about doing a "Candy Day." Yet, I'd love some ideas from you guys! What do you do instead of Halloween as a family? Please share :)

It is with excitement that I introduce to you a new website created by my family called "A Voice in the Wilderness." Here is the introduction:

"We address controversial subjects. The views expressed here may offend some people. Our team makes sure that we seek God's guidance first and we search His Word diligently before submitting an article. We share the same hunger for the Word and are being led to explore the deeper subjects of the Bible. If you share the same desire, then this blog is for you."


I would like to invite you to be involved with this brand new ministry, by following us on blogger, adding us on Facebook and Twitter! You will be able to receive updates of new posts! This blog also welcomes any guest writers to submit posts!

We also are creating a Deaf Ministry link (COMING SOON) with videos that have the entries translated in sign language for them!

Come and visit us at VW!

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." Isaiah 40:3

As for some of you who follow me, you may notice that I write things that I am passionate about. I'm passionate about taking stands. I feel it driving me. Two years ago, Id never know that I was passionate about any of this. I know that I can come on strong sometimes, but I feel like crying out in the world.

I want all of you to know that my stand does not come from any hate, but a longing for victory in Christ. I stand for the cause. I stand against the sin. I'm speaking out against politics and the way satan is infiltrating this world. Yet, it is very important not to call out a specific person or bash them. That would lose all purpose because God loves each and every person He created. He loves every one of us and every one of us is a sinner.

Yet, what kind of world will it turn into if no one ever speaks out about sin? What if we never told our children that lying was wrong? That stealing was wrong? God is our Father. He hates sin, He won't accept it, He is just, yet He still loves us and thought of us worthy to die for.

It's not an easy thing to stand up or speak out in this day and age, and it never was either. But, the Bible calls us to rebuke and not to be lukewarm. God and satan are having a full blown out war and Earth is their battlefield. Pick a side, because whoever is standing in the middle will get crushed. It's the worst place to be.

And yes, you will be hated. The Bible says the world will hate you and that it will only love it's own, but we are not of the world. We belong to the Father and we're fighting for His kingdom. The disciples called out sin when they saw it, and they suffered and were killed but great is the glory they will have when Jesus appears.

Show love to every person, but take a stand against the cause, against the sin, and against the enemy. Stand with Christ. The world will crucify us with Him, but we shall rise and have victory with Jesus.

John 15:18,19 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Mike showed me this video of how many hidden symbols of masonic images and luciferian images there are in Hollywood and in popular movies. It's very eye opening and even nauseating. Up until now, I never fully realized how much satan was involved in movies, but then again, it does make sense that he is.

I also recommend doing further research on masons, shriners, luciferians, illuminai and so forth because it's everywhere, even in the white house and even in your neighborhood. The wiser we are, the more we can protect ourselves.

Hi everyone!

I have internet back on, finally. I definitely missed blogging and writing for God. I also missed learning and fellowshipping with you guys. I can't wait to start writing again! I also noticed that I have thoughts here and there that say enough instead of writing long passages everytime. I'd like to start posting simple, brief thoughts here and I'd love your input.


Here is my first one.


I was sitting last night and it occurred to me that another reason to prove that God does not have a mother (ex. holy mother of God, etc) is because He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the beginning and end. God was never created or conceived by anyone before Him.

Here is something special that I wanted to share.


When I was sixteen years old, I was obsessed with the song called "At Last" by Etta James. It was my favorite love song and I would listen to it over and over. To me, it spoke the words and captured my dream of finding the true one I was destined to be with.

One day, I prayed and asked God that when I am with the one that He has chosen for me, then He could play the song "At Last," unexpectedly out of the blue while the one was in my presence. I held onto that ideal for a few years until my friends and family said I couldn't ask God for a sign like that. I was finally convinced that I couldn't really ask that from God and I let that go.


As Mike and I were driving from New York to Indiana to get married (although he proposed on the Empire State building on Friday, we had planned to marry that Monday), he asked me to pull out a burned cd from a pile. I put the CD in and suddenly I recognized the song. It was "At Last," and it had caught me unexpectedly. I had no idea he burned the CD for me and he only knew I liked Etta James and some oldies. "At Last" was the very first song that came on.


At first I was stunned and quiet. I kept speaking to God in my mind, and just in awe. God had finally confirmed it for me and brought me the one He had chosen for me. I was humbled he fulfilled an old romantic request I made as a teenager.

After the song was over, I turned down the music and tried to tell Mike what had just happened but I kept choking back tears. I knew Mike was the one, but God confirmed it far more than I ever expected. I hold to that always, that he brought me the one. At last my love has come along and life is like a song.

I flew to Long Island to see Mike recently. He planned a trip to New York City for us to go sight-seeing. I was thrilled since I always had wanted to see New York City! It's one of the places I have never been.

The city was unlike anything Ive ever seen, and it was an amazing day! Mike arranged for us to go to the Empire State Building together! I thought it was so romantic since I love watching "Sleepless in Seattle" and "An Affair to Remember." It was exciting to see the building, but there was a more exciting surprise waiting for me.

When we were at the top, Mike handed me a letter that he wrote February of this year. It was a beautiful letter that expressed his love and he held onto it the entire time for this moment. After I finished reading it, he knelt down on his knee and opened a ring box. He asked me if I would marry him!

I remember feeling flooded with such awe and joy, and I hugged him and said of course I will :)

I put on the beautiful ring and it fit perfectly on my finger (gee I wonder how he knew my size). It was the most perfect proposal and I couldn't ask for anything more special or memorable. I kept trying to remember every detail on the train ride home so I wouldn't forget.

This engagement will be very short considering we will be married in two days! Please pray for God to place our marriage upon his foundation and for it to be a successful and joyful marriage filled with love. Here are some pictures, and I will be posting wedding pictures soon!!!

I was having a discussion with my sister this morning over coffee. I brought up one thing has bothered me before and I've seen it happen in some places that I've been. I've sat in churches and watched people keep score on how many "souls they've won" that day, week or year. They also say that "I've led this person to the Lord," or "I got this person saved today." I started realizing more and more over time that we really have nothing to do with getting a person saved.

Note:I want to make it clear that I am not writing so that we may do nothing, but to fully grasp that it is all from God, his power and not of ourselves. We seek to earn points of righteousness, or take credit for a person's salvation. Is it really ours to begin with?

Here's a short passage from the Bible that reveals how it works.

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:6,7

Who can really keep score or take credit for a person's salvation? Only God. We never actually lead anyone to the Lord. God has spent their entire lives leading them to this point. It's a humbling privilege when the Lord brings his lost and seeking sheep to speak to us about Him. But we are only a tool that God decides to use.



There are also programs in churches called "soulwinning." It reminds me of a contest or a game. There are also classes offered to help us become skilled soulwinners. Do we really need a class to teach us how to sell Christ to people? It seems manipulative. Isn't Christ and all he has to offer sufficient in itself alone? I took that class once and I thought it was no different than my public speaking and business classes at a public college.

Were the disciples bible college graduates? Were they skilled public speakers that went soulwinning in a suit with a Bible under their arm? None of them were. The Bible says they were uneducated, lowly fishermen who spoke with such power that those who heard knew they were with Jesus. That's the power of God and He will lead us to stand and speak for Him.

Let us rejoice with God as he rejoices in the presence of His angels!

I finally got to meet Mike, aka Tranquillity, in person after knowing him for a year and a half. He has been such an amazing boyfriend and I love him! It was definitely a blessing to finally meet him. We spent a week together in California and visited San Francisco and Vallejo! The kids totally had a blast with Mike too and their blog shows what they did with him, CLICK HERE. I'm blessed that God brought him in my life and I never thought I'd meet someone with all the same passions, values and beliefs that I have. God looked down and saw two people on opposite sides of the continent and matched them together. It's amazing how He works! Thanks for such an amazing week Mikey! _\m /

I have been studying something amazing with Mike, aka Tranquility for a while now. God has truly shown him something wonderful. He kept feeling led to do a search for the truth about what the Bible refers to as "Hell." I am so proud of him for seeking the Lord about this and being willing to stand for such a controversial subject.

Have you ever wondered about Hell? Did you know that Hell has five different Greek and Hebrew definitions for one English word? All of them mean something different too! We all have been taught there's a huge, fiery inferno that bad people go to. Did you know there's so much more to it than we imagined?

If you're like us and love to seek and dig for his Word and truth, I recommend going to Mike's blog! He wrote several amazing posts about hell and he lists TONS of scripture and definitions. I encourage all of you to read and decide for yourselves. I also ask all of you to seek the Lord first and ask him to guide you.

INTRODUCTION

BIBLICAL TRUTH ABOUT HELL PT1

BIBLICAL TRUTH ABOUT HELL PT2


This has been revolutionary for me personally. It also has taught me more in depths about God's true character and the depths of his mercy. Keep searching for the truth my friends. His Word is more endless than the skies and deeper than the sea!

For some reason, the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man told by Jesus Christ has been on my mind for several weeks. I keep looking at it over and over. There's something about it that we are missing. What is this Parable?

I was taught that this was a true event that had already taken place. Jesus was telling people what had already happened. Yet, I don't think so anymore. I've been finding scriptures to prove this. Let's dissect this together.

*Note: This is my own perspective and views of this parable. I will provide scriptures to prove my points, to show how they match. If you see more in this Parable, please share and provide scriptures. This Parable is in Luke, chapter 16, from verses 19 to 31.

The Rich Man in the Parable was shown to be enjoying his wealth and luxuries of the world. I believe he represents those who love the world and their possessions. (v19)

Lazarus was a poor beggar who suffered and had nothing in his life. He was a leper and the dogs licked his sores. I believe that he represents the resurrection, as the real Lazarus rose from the dead. *(note: there are two different Lazarus in the Bible)* (v20, 21)

Hi everyone!

While I've been at home without the internet, I went through my photo album and found a picture from my talent show days. I was also inspired recently by a wonderful video I watched on YouTube by a deaf pastor that worshiped the Lord with his hands in sign language. I decided that I'd share that part of my life with you all.

I started attending the county talent show when I was ten years old. I was encouraged by my teacher aide, Mrs.Elder, to perform songs in sign language. I fell in love with it and performed every year until I was 17. There was nothing like being on stage in the dark with the spotlight, the sweet anxiety before the curtains opened and knowing you had an audience somewhere in the dark. I love expressing music through my hands. I'd do anything for just one more chance to perform again.

(Me and Jenn, 1995)

In the Bible, we can see how God used physical examples of what was yet to come spiritually. Those things were called, the shadow of things to come. They are physical examples of what is now spiritual.

While there are many examples, the one that I will give in more detail about today is baptism.

The physical baptism of those who were plunged into the water was called “John’s Baptism” or “the Baptism of John.” I believe we needed to have physical examples to understand what the spiritual ones really mean.

The baptism of John the Baptist was a shadow of things to come. We see in the physical, water baptism that the person was dunked in the water, and as the person is under water, they symbolically bury the “old man.” Then as that person comes out of the water, they are raised a new man unto Christ who now walks in the Spirit.

This is the same illustration, but this is done in the Spirit. Water does not really hold any power. Many will agree that a water baptism is only symbolic. I am here to tell you that there is a real baptism of the Spirit where we die to self. We bury the “old man” and receive a new life in Christ. We now walk in the Spirit and not the flesh anymore. The flesh is just dead weight and baggage to our Spiritual man. When we allow our carnal, sinful self to die, then we are truly born again.

“ Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 PETER 1:23

"For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." ROMANS 6:10, 11

We see in the New Testament that Jesus Christ fulfilled all righteousness and he was baptized so that we may receive his perfect life in our place. He fulfilled all things that needed to be fulfilled. Christ then put us in HIS place, and took our place on the sinner’s cross. When the Father sees us, he will see Jesus Christ in us and his perfect righteousness.

We see a lot of water baptisms continuing today, but there isn’t very many that teach about the true baptism of the Spirit. In the New Testament after Jesus Christ fulfilled all things physical, he then gave us the new spiritual way. We now have a spiritual temple within us, and not one made of bricks and stone. We have the first fruits fulfilled in Christ (article coming soon). We have the law fulfilled and now we have grace. We now have a Spiritual baptism, not of water anymore but of the LIVING WATER.

There is only ONE baptism now, and that is the baptism of the Spirit.

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” EPHESIANS 4:5

Paul and the others went to seek after the other disciples to tell them of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. They had not heard about it yet and were only baptized with John’s baptism (which was of water and repentance), but now that the Messiah had already come and fulfilled all things, there was now a spiritual baptism they did not know about. Paul went to help them realize there was a new Spiritual baptism that they needed to be a part of. (Read Acts 19:1-4)

“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” ACTS 1:5

How do we receive the Holy Spirit? SisterLisa showed me this good verse and it shows that we are to ask the Father for the Holy Spirit.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” LUKE 11:13

What do we see happen AFTER those people received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? This passage explains it well.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. MATTHEW 16:16-20

Some false preachers will teach that signs and works of God are dormant, or that they are not for this present time, or only for Apostles. The Bible says these signs shall follow them who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, who are truly baptized, and the Lord shall be with them. They will be able to do these miraculous things. God gave us this to use for his glory and we are taught they don’t exist anymore. That is not true! Jesus said that there are greater works we shall do! (John 14:12).

As I study the Bible more, I'm seeing that God has given us the spiritual things. Why do we keep searching for the physical things? He is beyond that. It is our carnal nature to seek things we can see and touch. God is none of those things. We will find Him in the Spirit and be able to walk with him in the Spirit alone.

Hi everyone, I am still without internet. I miss all of you! SisterLisa has been kind to allow me to use her computer. I have some blogs scheduled for a post every few days. Thanks for teaching me how to do that Jess :) Hope you're all doing well! I miss blogging, and reading all of your blogs!

Beth in NC challenged me to do a fun thing by posting the sixth picture in my sixth file folder.

Is that a rabbit? Well no, that's me being silly. I can be silly. All you have to do is dangle a carrot in front of me and this just comes out. >:B

Oh uh, don't mind the laundry pile on the couch. It's only been there uh, 2 days. I'll get to it eventually!



And I'm supposed to tag five victims.. er, people :D

Each of you are supposed to show the 6th photo in your 6th folder -- then pass along to 5 other friends.

My Five Very Lucky Victims are.. ((drumroll))

1. Mikey at Be of Good Cheer
2. Martha at Fly Away Birdie
3. SisterLisa at Home Spun Life
4. Jessica at Pages of My Heart
5. Krystal at Krystal's Rants

One of the most exciting things about this whole experience is how God keeps giving me (and others around me) revelations about the truth that is in his Word. It is outside of everything we have ever been taught and "indoctrinated" with. Truth is at the very source, from the Spirit of God himself speaking to us with his Word. It's enthralling to have the Living God moving inside of us and revealing things to us that our finite and carnal minds cannot grasp on it's own.

I attended two organic church gatherings and bible studies this week. A question was raised by some people asking about baptism. Personally, I never questioned baptism. I grew up with the belief that after we are saved, we go to be baptized with water to represent our new life in Christ. We die, leave our flesh in the water, and we are born again in the spirit.

But someone recently questioned this verse saying there is only one baptism:

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism,"Ephesians 4:5.

Okay, so?

But the bible speaks of two baptisms, one of water and one of the Spirit.

But that's two kinds of baptism, and the Bible says there's only one! We know the Bible doesn't contradict itself, so there must be an explanation.

And there is.

John the Baptist was a prophet of repentance. He preached repentance in the wilderness and baptized many in the water. When Jesus came to him to be baptized, John was stunned and said,

"I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" Matthew 3:14

Imagine, the long awaited Messiah, the Son of God coming and asking YOU to baptize him. Who is worthy? Yet, Jesus replied:

"Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matthew 3:15

Jesus Christ said this needed to be done for now, because he has come to fulfill all righteousness!

Jesus Christ walked a perfect man on this Earth and fulfilled ALL LAWS. He ALSO fulfilled righteousness. He fulfilled BAPTISM!!!

Now there is one baptism, which is the one of the Spirit.

When the guards put a spear through the body of Christ on the cross, it sprinkled blood AND water mixed TOGETHER (John 19:34). We are baptized of Christ in blood AND water, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John baptized with water, but Jesus Christ baptizes with the Holy Ghost! (John 1:26, 33)

All physical things have been done away, and now Christ has brought spiritual things. Christ tore down the physical sanctuaries and created a spiritual temple within us by fulfilling the law. Christ fulfilled the physical water baptism and created a spiritual baptism by fulfilling righteousness.

Water is also an illustration of the spirit in the Bible. John 7:38, 39 reveal this.

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified."

We are now baptized with the living water, which is the Spirit of God.

Behold, Jesus Christ has made all things new. Praise HIS name!!