We all can be both "bold" and "meek"

"By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you- "I Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away! I beg that when I come I may not have to be as "bold" when away! 2 Corinthians 10:1 (NIV)

"The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strong holds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)

"We do not dare classify or compare ourselves with someone who commends themselves. When they measure themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)

"But, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. "
2 Corinthians 10:18 (NIV)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,and to live self-controlled , upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

You know I often wonder how many people fall pray to these yodels that call blaring a cruise ship horn in your ear, while they inform you, "Pack your bags, you've just won a a seven night trip on our cruise ship! That's right we'll pay to fly you and your spouse to FLA. where you'll board and stay on our cruise line. You can even pick the date as long as it's within this year."


Sure, I'm willing to drop everything, while my bills keep coming in, to float around out in the ocean with a bunch of jokers I've never met. Of course, I'll try to stay happy when the engines stop working and no one can take a bath. No, I have never really liked Spam, but I'll try not to gag on it when it's all you can provide.
Does anyone ever ask these people who will pay our bills while we're gone? Or could you please inform my employer that I need this vacation? By the way could you ask him to hold off calling any of the 150 other people desperately waiting to work my job after the boss fires me, because ironically, the work doesn't stop even though I leave.
Shoot if given my dream vacation, I'd choose a large sail boat in the Caribbean with an excellent captain, plenty of food and drinks. I'd plan this dream vacation during a month that would come just before the dull drams out in the Caribbean set in. I'd plan to be close to an adventurous island with lagoons, waterfalls and bananas & coconuts. Then if the winds stopped and the sails drooped, at least I'd be happy, even though I was fired! I'd skinny dip and fish every day. Watch the sun come up and go down and make things out of shells and palm trees.

Where would you go?

My point is if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't worth pursuing. Paul wasn't a double minded man. He simply stood up for what was right, so should we. Yes, he was bold when he needed to be, I dare say we all need to be that way.

The next time someone points out your boldness remind them that like Paul sometimes we have to be "Bold." Just remember Jesus has also asked us to do all things in love. True strength is often very delicate.

Transending Friendships with no end

An old friend from high school called me last night. What a unique blessing every dear friend is to me. They encourage, help and even when I'm at my worst, like God they always love me. Of all the treasures on this earth, my friends and favorite relations are the best! The way Christ binds us together is a forever bond that needs to be treated as a rare gift. Wrap your mind around that; because we are Family in Christ we can enjoy fellowship with Him and each other forever! That's a love relationship worth sharing and maintaining don't you think?

So how can we maintain those Christian bonds?

First we need to maintain and save our primary devotion to Jesus by studying and following what the Bible advises daily. Walk closely to God in prayer and meditation. When we fail short we need to ask forgiveness and stop performing the sin. Recognize the warning signs of trouble. The Holy spirit will prompt you, God hates sin, but you have to consciously change what is coming. Sometimes it's necessary to get away from from the temptation, aggravation or thought. Because I have a short fuse, and certain areas of temptation have to do this often.

If you've sinned against someone else you need to apologize, do not wait for them to come to you. In some situations, it's best to shake the dirt off your shoes and severe the relationship. Some relationships can not be restored because there will never be common ground again. Relationships with nonbelievers can begin on shaky ground that will crumble, unless Christ becomes the foundation, they are not likely to withstand the tests and trials of time.

Encourage one another with positive thoughts in Christ. There are so many positive things in our lives. Even in the worst of times we all can find positive things to think about and share with other believers. Everyone needs Son shine in their life. :) I have so many wonderful people who will send a card, or just call me, just when I need it the most. I wonder if they know how much I appreciate their wonderful love and friendship? Little things like that make bad days so much brighter, God bless you and keep you always. You know I love you, too.

Hugs and a kiss on the cheek are such a blessing for both people involved. Please, don't be stingy with your love, it will come back to you at least three times over. Love eases so many heart aches.

Finally, you must always keep an open mind and heart. Forgive often, so many times things are over looked, misrepresented by a look, lack of thankfulness or just postponed, unintentionally. Life can get so busy we all often feel swept away by the "have to things in life." (You know- the cleaning, fixing and maintaining we must do things in life.) It doesn't mean we didn't want to, there simply isn't enough time for everything we want to.

Sometimes when people are sick it's so hard to accomplish the simplest of things. The will is there, but the body or mind can't muster the strength to accomplish the simplest tasks. Chemo has really taught me this-some days I barely muster the gumption to get meals and dishes done for Mark. It's frustrating to be so weak and tired, but it's where God has put me for now, so I have to find the good in weakness, does that make sense? Sometimes I just spend the day being held in God's grace close to His face. It's so warm and cozy there, but little gets done around here. The blogs aren't written, and some of the have to's are not even done. Like a bride preparing to spend eternity with her groom, even this time has it's place, covered in His grace. :D

"Brothers we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord,will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)

With everything that is happening in this world today-riots, chaos, destruction, wars and more rumors of war, is there any doubt that Jesus return will happen soon? There shouldn't be any doubt; are you ready, or will you be left behind? Make sure your soul is secure in Christ Jesus. If you're unsure Please contact me, I will help you make sure you are ready today.

sunnyfunfish@aol.com

Once Again I've Sinned Lord, Please forgive me

You know I've always found sexuality in individuals very interesting. My daughter Heidi has said I could be the next Dr. Ruth. Well...I wouldn't go quite that far.

Saturday was an interesting day after working with my husband to replace a faucet he broke, we also spent several hours repairing a leaking drain under the kitchen sink. Needless to say frustration of every kind had set in by 3:30. So when my homosexual neighbor stopped in my front yard to let his Akita (sort of like a miniature horse, but a dog) take a healthy dump in my front yard, you could say the poo hit the fan! This frustration escalated when I asked Mark to please address it this time, but he refused. An hour went by, the mail man came, and I stepped outside to go get the mail. Finally, I felt a little relief from Satan's semingly endless hurls. Ah, but he was obviously watching and no doubt laughing. Bouncing back and basking in the sweet sunshine, who should a peer? Well it wasn't Santa Clause and his eight tiny rein deer! Of course, Satan's next hurl, The super pouper and his beloved master.

So much for lowering my blood pressure, it shot probably higher than before. I marched right back out there. "Ray, I've told you nicely at least four times; now I'm gonna say it bluntly...." Out of better judgement and a clearer mind I'm not gonna repeat all the nastiness that came out, let's just say I completely lost my testimony for Christ. In fact, the guilt was so bad I couldn't make myself go to church on Sunday, because I felt like a hypocrite.

This fight was so bad that before we were finished Ray threatened to kill my 25 pound dog because his 200 pound minature horse/dog couldn't take dump anymore without me being a certain "B" word according to Ray. I called him a fagot, then the final icing on this huge cake came when he picked up dog poop, and threw it at me. He said I should shove that "S" up certain part of my anatomy. To that I went back into the house, and called the police instead of beating the living fesses out of him. Now tell me, could you have went to church the next morning? If you could of, well then you're certainly a better Christian than I am.

Ironically, I've tried so hard to befriend Ray and his "partner." You can hate the sin, but God asks us to love the person. I've really tried, but frankly I'm so tired of trying to befriend someone who tries to promote his homosexual agenda to even the youth in my neighborhood. If my kids were at an impressionable age right now, I would have already have cleaned his clock last summer, when I heard him telling a group of preteens how cool and wonderful homosexuality is. Have you ever met a happy homosexual? I have not. There's a reason why we haven't- homosexuality is a sin. Is anyone truly happy after they sin? NO-all sinners, hello that's every living soul, feels the pain of sin.

Homosexuality is not cool, or even satisfying. God created us male and female for a reason. Intersecting parts fit best, and together they make babies. Because it takes the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual dynamics of both a man and a woman to raise and nurture a child. Not a double dose of the same sex for balance in life and family.

That being said, I truly admire the people who struggle with homosexual feelings, but choose to stay celibate. We all have temptations in different areas of our lives. I thank God for forgiveness of sins and the Holy spirit to help deliver us from all temptations when we call on Him.
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2ND Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

"for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." Romans 3:23-25 (NIV)