It's Quite a List...Latest Reading for Me!

There are several books on my summer reading list for 2011. They range from a variety of topics covering everything from Biblical Womanhood to Homeschooling, to seeing the Tolerated Sin within ourselves all the way to a rising debate on Heaven and Hell.

1. So Much More by Anna Sofia Botkin

I find this a great book....but highly controversial. Their approach to biblical womanhood and femininity is precise and truthful but it is a hard message to swallow. I would recommend this book. I would caution, however, that loads of grace is required! Grace for yourself and grace to give. 

2. Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe by Todd Wilson. I have not read this book yet. I am looking forward to seeing what the husband of a homeschooling wife has to say, not mention his perspective as a father of homeschooling children. As a woman, be it that I homeschool, or am a wife, or a friend or whatever my disposition may be I tend to be easily influenced by many things. I guess that is why I am a daughter of Eve. And left to myself many of the things I ponder can take deep root into my heart. And without any fault of my own, completely innocent many of these things can be outright lies and deceptions. I am eager to read through these pages the lies Satan has tried to pour into my life to keep me from seeing the Truth of my Lord.

3. Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges is our current Titus 2 book of the month selection. We will be discussing this one in August. I have read this before but am delighted to read it again. It is a MUST read message for every believer today. The message of the Gospel is a message for Sinners... it is a message for Me! Mr. Bridges has a simple way to make the everyday, learned believer that we are not immune to sin and are in need of the Gospel just as much today as in the day when we first believed. As a matter of fact the closer we come to Jesus the more profoundly we should be able to see the subtle everyday sin that lingers in our heart. The problem is that we have become used to it, never the less, it is still a stench to the LORD.

4. Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Cresh. I am currently skimming through this one to read along side my daughter Jamie. Jamie is 14 years old and very innocent minded. God has been gracious in guiding us to kept her pure in so many areas of her being. This book is loaded with Truth. It speaks to todays young ladies and the struggles they encounter. I would urge caution with those of you who have daughters who are not to familiar sexual sin, abuse and other things that target young ladies today. This book exposes the lies of Satan and brings the remedy of God Truthful Word to heal many who have been wounded by the deceptions and standards that are so easily accepted as normal today.

5. & 6. Now these two next books are truly the center of my reading right now. I stumbled across the title  Love Wins by Rob Bell while listening to a message at the web site of Ravi Zacharias. After reading and listening to the commentary I immediately wanted to read this book for myself. I started researching this book more and more and my initial thoughts were becoming more confirmed...the message in Love Wins is a partial truth. It has scriptures quoted and biblical story accounts but the conclusion he comes to is a modern message. It is not in line with the traditional teachings of old...which is partly his argument. He is trying to tell his reader that maybe what we have been taught for so many years about heaven and hell is NOT really what Jesus meant. He is trying to build a case to state that after we die nobody will really be sent to hell after all because the love of God is so great it conquers banishing anyone to hell.
BUT God's timing is always perfect...while researching Love Wins I received an email that Erasing Hell the newest book by Francis Chan was being released the following day. Now I have to admit...I know many, many people love Mr. Chan but I am more reserved. Only because I think his message in Crazy Love can cause feeble minds to focus on how much God loves us that we can fail to recognize that the wonderful God that loves us so very much is also a God who desired to pour out His wrath on us. I know the latter part of that statement is something not many people desire to associate with such a loving God but it is Truth and is displayed in the crucifixion of His beloved Son...Jesus.
Now after watching a video from Francis Chan about Erasing Love  I went and bought the book and started reading it. I have not put it down, I agree with his thoughts... after all they are all based in scripture. Now I have to admit I have never had an in-depth study of heaven and hell. But I believe God is starting to give me understanding on the topics of heaven and hell as I research/read these two books and study Gods Word. I think it is important to weigh how scripture is taught against scripture itself and wait on the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.  In a time when many people say they believe in God and even associate themselves as followers of Christ, I think it is important to know exactly who this God is that we say we follow. All you and I can do is weigh the evidence. Do this by studying history, reading books and really studying the Bible. I know there are many "God loving people" who don't believe that God would cast anyone to hell but read why he says that would happen. Read in His Word why He says that has to happen. After a thorough study Of Isaiah last year in BSF I have come to believe we can never truly even begin to capture a glimpse of God's true love for us until we understand and come to terms with His Wrath toward sin.
I also want to say I have gained a new appreciation for Mr. Chan. :)

This is an MSNBC interview between Martin Bashir and Love Wins author Rob Bell about Rob's overall message in Love Wins. Notice how Mr. Bell squirms while trying  to dodge answering Mr. Bashir's questions. But even more fascinating then that is watch Mr. Bashir try to make an argument against Mr. Bell in defense of the true Gospel Message. WOWSERS!!!!  I don't know where Mr. Bashirs religious loyalties lie but I do know as a journalist he is being politically correct. If we live in a time where any other religion can be given the liberties to stand on whatever they believe then Christianity has the same right to stand on what it believes to be truthful according to the Word of God without change or compromise...and Mr. Bashir is setting a platform for that. Way to Go Martin!

I hope you will grow in all godliness and be encouraged by the greatness of God's character. When we study topics like heaven and hell we can question our faith. We are apt to turn from a God who would "punish." But remember God desires that all, you and me and everyone in between, would turn to him in repentance. That we as a sinful people, that you or me, as sinners would turn to Him and receive the forgiveness and healing our lives so desperately need.
On a personal note...I was saved rather young, made a declaration for Christ in my twenties but was truly converted in my thirties. As a youngster I was "invited to church" by a church goer. I heard of hell, was afraid and said a prayer. But I never knew God. As a young woman I did the same thing but this time I started to read my Bible but I fell in love with the message of how much God loved me and how wonderful I was! Yet, I still was hateful with Ramiro, a horrible mother, selfish, rude...you name it! I never exhibited or yielded any fruit of the Spirit and I never yielded fruit that bore witness that I was truly remorseful. Then four years ago I heard the Gospel message that I am a sinner and all that it entails and I was truly sorrowful and for the first time in my conversion I began to be transformed. You see I could never truly understand God's great, great love for me until I understood what I was...a sinner...and what I deserved...God's wrath. And when I realized Jesus stood in front of me to take my deserving punishment in stead of me...oh how grateful and thankful I became. In all honesty I was never thankful for the gift of Jesus because I never understood what it was he really did.

Phileo,
patsy

Jesus said, "In this life...

Let’s fill in the blank. Jesus said, “In this life you will have all your requests granted.” No!  Second Corinthians states that Paul asked three times to have some unknown torment removed, but the Lord refused. Rather then granting his desire the Lord gave Paul additional grace to help him in his weakness. Did Jesus say, “In this life you will be liked and appreciated, especially for your pursuit of righteousness?” No!  In Acts 7:54 it states, “When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.” Who was furious, at whom and why? The Jewish people became furious at Stephen when He accused them (his fellow Jews) of nailing Jesus to the Cross and missing the Messiah. They did not like him. They hated him, so much so, they stoned him to death!  In Luke 6:26 Jesus said, “Woe to you when men speak well of you, for this is how they treated the prophets.” So it’s not that. 

There are so many things we “expect” in this life. We expect to have our prayers answered, and answered our way. We expect to be prosperous, including financially. We expect to be healed, after all doesn’t the scriptures say, “That what so ever you ask in the name of Jesus will be granted?” We expect so much in this temporal and momentary life. But the one thing Jesus said that I WILL have in this life is trouble! As a matter of fact, these are His exact words, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

You see I need to read scriptures like these. I need to be reminded that it is his purposes for my life that will be unfolded. 

In Isaiah 46: 9-10 the Sovereign Lord says, 

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; 

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me.

I make known the end from the beginning,

from ancient times, what is to come.

‘I say: My purpose will stand,

and I will do all that I please.”

You see, today I have had a rough day. It has actually been a rough few weeks.

I feel silly admitting my weakness (but I want to be ranked among those as Paul)  especially when I just wrote on my blog a few days ago... Lord let me have a Christian home. A home where the mommy teaches the Bible and teaches her children to love it. Well today I was not an example of that. In all honesty, had the humility factor not shown up this would have been leverage for my girls to turn from the Bible. Before the night ended and they settled into their beds I gathered my daughters and read 1John 1: 8-10 with them and really emphasized vs. 9. 

It states, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 

So with my daughters I confessed my sin of anger and frustration combined with unkind words. As I sat there and asked for their forgiveness I was humbled yet disappointed in my failure. As I cried and received their forgiveness and prayers I realized the things that are occurring in my life are all planned and purpose by the Sovereign Lord for whatever reason. I may never know the reasons but I can trust that He will grant me peace. I know if I really wanted to be stubborn I can make things happen. I could change the way the things are in my life. God would allow me to go my way and follow the way that seems right to me only to learn that it is His ultimate will that will be achieved. 

So I write tonight because I have a heavy heart. Somedays are just hard. Life is hard. Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble!” Expect it! 

I can’t help but question why? Is it because of Satan...perhaps? Is it because of sin...maybe? Is it because of this fallen world we live in...possibly? Have I done something wrong...more then likely? But regardless of the reasons why trouble is in my life or in your life...it is all granted, allowed and purposed by the Sovereign Lord and somehow...that is comforting.

Before I close I want to end with a scripture about the Sovereignty of God and many scriptures of the tribulations promised to the children of God.

Isaiah 48: 17

This is what the Lord says-

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.”

Acts 14: 21-22

Then they (Paul and Barnabas) returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain in the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Roman 5: 3-5

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

1 Thessalonians 3: 1-4, 6-7

So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way as you well know. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because or your faith.

Life is not easy! The Lord never promised it would be. He promised to be with us, to never leave us, to see us through it, to grant us peace, comfort and grace. He will strengthen his people and he will not leave us without hope.

He is our all, in all!

Phileo,

Patsy

Are you a Salty Lady?

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth." Who is?  ME?!!  Just what does that mean?  Why salt?  After learning a little more about this today in BSF I walked away with a deep desire to be a "Salty Lady" and to surround myself with other "Salty Ladies."
Salt is so much more then a seasoning. Yes, it enhances and brings out flavor. Most of my suppers would not be eaten if salt were not added.  It also acts as a perservative and protects. But what struck me most about salt is that it creates thirst. Have you ever noticed that? Well just go suck on a Chinese Candy and I guarantee you will soon be looking for a pitcher of water!
In Isaiah 55 the Lord summons an invitation to all who are "thirsty" to come to Him and receive His waters, wine and milk. What beautiful metaphors here. The water signifies salvation, the wine is a picture of joy and a zest for life and the milk represents nourishment. All of these given by the Lord for us to drink of when we come to Him "thirsty." He freely gives them to us without cost and I am so grateful He does. There is not  enough money in the world that could pay for the salvation, joy and nourishment that He provides for weary souls.
But see in Isaiah 55:1 He calls the "thirsty." Well in the New Testament Jesus made various references to thirst as well. Just take a look:
-Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
-Jesus answered,  "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)
-On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38)
-The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)
All of these are references to those who are thirsty and an invitation to drink free of charge.
You see what we truly thirst for is salvation, whether we know it or not. We go here and there looking for something to satisfy the unquenchable thirst. We turn drugs, money, success, vanity, sex in an attempt to satisfy our thirst. But just as easy as the thirst is quenched it once again returns. Why? Because there is only one remedy for those who "thirst." The finished work of Jesus on that Cross. Once you drink His water of salvation you never thirst for anything to momentarily satisfy. Once you drink His wine nothing else will ever bring you joy. Knowing that your sins are eternally forgiven and you can start anew brings a zest and joy for living. Just ask a woman who has had an abortion then receives the forgiveness from the Lord after drinking from His fountain. She can live again with joy instead of sorrow and despair. Once we drink from His waters, His salvation brings us the nourishment to grow and to learn His ways to live both here, in the land of the living, and in eternity to come. Only He can nourish us in such a way.
But back to salt!! Jesus said you and I were the salt of the earth. And salt creates thirst. And that is what we want in order for people to come to Jesus. They need to be thirsty. So how does this happen. It happens by creating the thirst in them.  Does your life let off salt? Does your relationship with the Lord let off enough saltiness that those around you begin to thirst? Do they start looking for something to drink by your example? Do they begin to be challenged by your convictions and standards? Then you are a "Salty Lady!" See we, I, want to be that salt of the earth Jesus spoke of. When people, my children, my husband look at my life I want them to begin to desire something of what is within me. That is the flow of the living waters Jesus spoke of. It is actually the Holy Spirit they are starting to thirst for when they see something good and worth desiring in me? The way you handle difficult situations can create thirst in another. The way you speak to your children and love your husband creates thirst. And a big one...suffering...the way you and I handle suffering and trials creates thirst as well. Do you give God glory when trying things happen in your life? Or do you whine and complain? Do you accept His Sovereignty for all things and trust in Him or do you doubt and wonder where is God? The way we react to how God unfolds our life will either turn people to the Lord or push them further away. They will become thirsty for something but for what will that be...we want that to be the Lord.
Another thing about thirst, sometimes we don't even know we are thirsty until we see a drink. Think about it. How many times are you sitting on the sofa watching television and you are fine until you see that commercial for a Coke or a Lemonade? The next thing you know you are thirsty? You would have never known you were thirsty had you not been stimulated. The same is true in life. Many, many people are walking around spiritually dehydrated. They are thirsty and don't even know it. But once they see your lived out Christian life you have the ability to cause them to realize they are thirsty. Are you going to give them a thirst for something that satisfies? Are you willing to be the salt of the earth? Are you a Salty Lady?" With Jesus we will never thirst again.
Phileo,
Patsy

A Great Life Lesson

Proverbs 19 Lesson

Current Conduct in Red/ Desired Conduct in Black

 This was an absolutely great lesson. My girls are learning the Book of Proverbs this year for their Bible Curriculum. We use the AMO Enrichment Guide with the New King James Bible and it has been an excellent resource for learning the book of Wisdom. Today's study was this simple format:
Key Word
Conduct (noun): personal behavior; manner of acting or conducting yourself.
Principle
The conduct of the young child builds the man.
Memory Verse
It is by his deeds that a youth distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right. (Proverbs 20:11)

After we learned the Key Word we took a few minutes to write down what we believe our current conduct to be. The girls were very accurate in their self perceptions. They didn't think to highly of themselves, nor did they think themselves things they were not. For instance Jamie was right on when she said she was happy, kind and giving. Yet she was also right when she said she was selfish and mean. Jeri shared that she tends to be selfish and silly, yet she is also funny and nice. Yes, these accurately desribe my daughters' behaviors'. They were able to identify what kind of "conduct"...behavior they have, both good and bad. They see they don't always behave with acts of kindness, love and obedience. They tend to want to behave in ways that are comforting to them usually resulting in acts of selfishness and meanness. Had we stopped there the lesson would have looked hopeless. But we continued on and learned the Principle of this lesson and WOW!"The behavior we develop as children builds us into the man/woman we will one day be. We took some more time to write down what we hoped to be built into someday. And the girls said some hopeful things. Jeri said she hopes to be built into a woman who serves, loves, is nice, gives to others, not selfish, doesn't get angry, listens and as does what others ask of her, and is calm. Jamie said she wanted to one day be a woman who was nice, follower of Jesus, skinny (not really a conduct issue) and gentle & quiet. I am hopeful for them. You see I didn't have the insight's they have when I was a child. The adult I grew into was straight out of the child I was. I became a grown woman full of selfishness, jealousy, anger, pride, arrogance and conceit. Yes, I was kind and nice. But that was not the essence of who I was and wanting to be. I had no desire to follow the way of righteousness because I didn't know what the right ways were. The Book of Proverbs and the Bible itself tells us what the right ways are. Gods way of growing things, doing things and becoming the way He desires are all found throughout His Word. I didn't know them or Him because I didn't know His Word. So I behaved the way I wanted and did what I thought was right. The Bible says "There is a way that seems right to a man but the end of that way leads to death." That was the way I was headed and my "conduct" proved it. But what grace God has shown to me and my children. At age 37 he is reshaping and building inside me a new way and better way of doing things and being. And I am changing from that old person I used to be into a new person that God desires. And you know what? My daughters are reaping the rewards. As children (young children) they are learning Gods way of proper behavior and decision making. They are learning wisdom and seeing it expressed in their choices and desires. I am so thankful the road for them does not resemble mine. And I am so grateful He is giving them a desire for Godliness, and they are accepting it! Amazing grace!!!
Indeed!!! Great life lesson learned.

Phileo,
Patsy

Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy

Is it the Law or is it the Cross?  Well my dear friend, may I humbly suggest, it is both!  What is the Law?  What is the Cross?  Well I'm talking about the message of the Gospel. A message that is not heard in it's entirety much these days. You see right now, in the year 2011, the message the disciples preached and died for has changed!  The message that Peter preached was the Law and the Cross!


Acts 2 (New Living Translation) Please read all of Acts 2, the following are the highlighted scriptures that I would like to emphasize.


Acts 2: 14, 22-24, 31-34, 36-40

 ¹⁴ Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this.

²² “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene^[d] by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. ²³ But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. ²⁴ But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 

 ²⁹ “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. ³⁰ But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. ³¹ David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.³² “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. ³³ Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 
      
 ³⁶ “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
 ³⁷ Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
 ³⁸ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles^[h]—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”⁴⁰ Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

You see the message Peter preached was the Law...you are a sinner and He preached the Cross...repent of your sinfulness and receive the pardon Jesus died to give you!

And that is the message of the Gospel...Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary for Law Breakers...whom are you and I.  Unfortunately, many modern day preachers are not preaching this message!  What I hear doesn't even sound like what Peter said!  And isn't the Bible our example, our mirror, that we should look on at our reflection?  And after we have seen our reflection and see that it doesn't look like the mirror...well then what do we do?  Do we change the reflection or do we change the mirror???  Well, in today's society the mirror has been changed...the standard has been changed!  Todays Gospel is no longer "Wretched Sinners that so desperately need a a Savior!", but rather "Hurting and Problem Filled People who Need a Savior to Make their life Meaningful and Happy."  No where in Peter's message will you read that!!!  Over and over he points to the Law to reveal the sin in each of us and then he points to the penalty for that sin which is death.  He points to the one who paid for that sin...Jesus!  He points to the guilty one who received the pardon... us!  Finally he tells us what to do about it...repent and receive forgiveness!!! 

We as a created people are sinners!  We simply are!  That is why we fail, we hurt people, including our own spouses and children!  We lie and gossip!  We hate and then pretend that we love!  We steal and are never content!  How many of us are swimming in debt, just so we can have what everyone else has?  Is God the center of your life or is there something or someone else that you want more?  Have you rested on the truth of what Jesus has done for you on that Cross?  Well my friend, if you are guilty in any of these areas then you are guilty of them all...you are a Lawbreaker and your penalty is death!  It doesn't sound like a loving and kind message BUT it is!!  God loves us so much He is offering us a way out of our sinful condition!  In our shallow minds we think that love is... give me my dreams and material prosperity!  But the Lord says I want to give you something far greater...it's forgiveness that we so DESPERATELY need...so that we can really live!  Will you accept the payment made by Jesus Christ for you?  Will you humble yourself and repent and admit you are guilty and then receive the forgiveness and cleansing that Jesus offers!!  This is the message of the Gospel! This is the truth!  We need the Savior, I constantly need the Savior!  The more I read my Bible and get closer to the Lord, the more sin I see and the more sin I see, the more I need to repent and receive forgiveness!  It is a life long process but Jesus is faithful...lifelong!   

May I say, my friend, there are no similarities between the the first message of the Gospel that Peter preached and the Gospel Message of the 21st Century!  None!  One removes our burden and the other places a stronger one!  They are indeed two different messages...whom will you believe?

Come to Jesus!

Phileo,

Patsy

My Purpose, Is His Purpose

 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who see's us? Who will know?" You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"? Isaiah 29:15-16


This little, itty, bitty nugget came from my BSF study this morning. It brought with it great thought and understanding. In our society today I see it and hear it everywhere. What is your purpose? What are you going to do with your life? There are even books and counselors to help guide me to find what I'm "created to do." How arrogant! How ignorant to think like that! To think I know what my future holds, how to make it happen and how to get there. And yet, for most of my life, that is how I thought. At a very early age, I wanted to have it all and I wanted to have it fast. I wanted to become a nurse, own a flower shop, buy a house and get married. By age twenty-three it happened. I graduated from nursing school in August 1995, got married September 1995, bought a flower shop February 1996 and bought our first home September 1999. Now how's that for making things happen! But you see, even though I had all that "success", I had accomplished "great things", I was still a failure. In reality I hadn't accomplished anything at all. You see, we had just come to know of Jesus in September 1996. I worshiped Him with my mouth but my heart, my heart, was very far from Him. Read Isaiah 29:13-14, he is speaking of His own people. At this point I qualify. When I look back now, fifteen years later, fifteen years of being shaped, molded and worked on by the Lord I realize and see things so much different...it is not my life to lead, but rather it is His hand to follow. Even up to a few months ago. Again, God showed and said, "It is my purpose you were created for." And what is that purpose...I think it quite ironic... Simply to raise my family. Why ironic? There's no glory there, there's no wowing anyone with being a mom. People aren't impressed by my title..."homemaker." Ahhh, but God is. God knows me all to well. It's true. He knows what "success" does to me...it cause great pride! But humility... it causes great submission! And after all that is were the Lord wants me. He wants me in a place where I can submit and not resist. Where I will obey what He desires to do in my life. What does He want? He wants something I would have never planned for myself, something where the focus is not on what I can accomplish to bring me glory but rather what God can accomplish through me to bring Him great, great glory. My purpose...to raise my children, build my home and love my husband, all to the Glory of God. He desires a new generation of Gutierrez's that will know Him, love Him and serve Him. May His will be done! 
What is your purpose?
Phileo,
Patsy

Being Simon Peter

 Do you notice the resemblance? It's Simon Peter! You know, one of Jesus' chosen disciples. Sure, we could be twins! All you have to do is look real good and you can see what I see... that we are much more alike then you know.


Just what am I talking about... pride, shame, hurt, weeping, arrogance, weakness... the list goes on and on. Peter was God's chosen "Rock." But he was also God's chosen weakling. God used the very makings of Peter to show me a mirror of myself.
Rewind, April 2009, I sat with my friend, complaining as usual. I was talking about this Christian and that Christian and why don't they do things like this and why don't they do things like that? And in the middle of my rampage my sweet friend turned to me and said, "Patsy, I can tell you exactly what your problem is!" "Oh yeah", I said, "What is it?" "Your problem is pride.", she said. I said, "Well of course I'm proud, look at all that God has done in my life. Look at where I once was and look now. Look how much change he has done!"
Wrong answer!!! My reply should have been one of gratefulness and thankfulness that He had done anything at all. But for the next twelve months the Lord took me on a journey to show me my pride, to humiliate me with it, weep for site of my sin and bring me back to forgiveness and grace.
 Impulsive and boastful Peter said in Mark 14: 29, "Even if all fall away, I will not!!!" Isn't that pretty much what I was saying? No one else can endure the way I can. No one else loves you more than me! They will fall, no doubt. But not me Lord, no way! But did Peter fall? Absolutely, and he fell in front of them all. It was humiliating!
On the very night Jesus was arrested he was pretty much told by Jesus to calm down, don't make such arrogant claims, for this very night you will indeed fall away. As a matter of fact you will completely deny you ever knew me! But Peter doubted, even exclaiming I will never disown you! He didn't yet fully believe that Jesus knows the inward makings of the heart. He didn't fully know the limits of his own weakness and strength.  So Jesus was going to have to prove it to him and teach a lesson that he would learn well and never forget.
Mark 14: 66-72, Matthew 26: 69-75, Luke 22: 54-62 and John 18: 15-27 all give accounts of Peters betrayal and fall. In addition they speak about him being broken and weeping bitterly. Those are quite descriptive.  Broken, just what did he need to be broken of? His pride, his arrogance, his self-will.
 Weeping bitterly, what for? Perhaps he saw himself for what he was. A betrayer ranked among the lines of Judas. He saw his sin and ultimately what he was capable of on his on strength.
From the death of Jesus, to the resurrection, to when we finally see Jesus meet with Peter and some of the other disciples on the beach we really never hear pride from Peter again. You see Jesus, in his gentle love, restores Peter. He makes sure to make it known. "Feed my Lambs." In other words care for my very own, love them as you have loved me and as I love you. I never read Peter making a boastful claim that he loves Jesus more then the other when Jesus asks, "Do you love me more then these?" As a matter of fact he is beside himself again with wonder because he knows that fall he just had and he also knows that Jesus knows his heart better then he does. But in Jesus' gentle way He loves on Peter and brings him back to that place where he can walk in confidence with his Savior.
Is that me? Absolutely! God just took me through a humiliating season of seeing how far I can really go for Jesus. He showed me how much sin was in my heart, how much shame I bring him when I fail him and fall and most of all the lonely feeling of not having his presence with me. And I wept... I wept bitterly to see me as I was. I experienced humility once my pride was removed and I was able to call upon the name of the Lord to forgive and he did.
What did I learn? Never again will I boost that God has done more in my life or that I am more faithful than another. John 15:5 "Apart from me you can do nothing!"And that is the truth!
One other note that I was thinking of today. It will be one year this June 2nd that I suffered a miscarriage,  and as sorrowful as that loss was... it was nothing compared to the sorrow I felt for disappointing my Lord and not having His presence felt near me!
Blessings, Patsy

BSF Season has come to an end for 2010!

BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) has closed it's study of John for the year. I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned and how much my life has been changed from what I learned. God was so good to me. He placed me in the heart of a thriving group of women. The overall women that attend are amazing, as I learned today, but I am also talking about my core discussion group as well. I had the most dedicated leader, supportive and faithful co-searchers and awesome lecturer. Although learning the Word was the highlight I have to tell "what else" God has done. In our groups we have something called ASK. This is where we make our request known. We ask each other to pray for certain requests. I have to tell you the two things I requested were answered!! And as I listened to the many ladies share their thoughts about BSF today, many, many other women had their prayers answered as well. John said in his gospel account that all these things were done so that we may believe and in so doing we would have eternal life. Well God has done just that! I told my leader I have never seen God answer so many prayers as he has done through ASK. I am so encouraged to pray more and pray with others!! Thank you Father. I can't for next year to learn Isaiah!

"Go Therefore..."

Revelation 19:19-21 (New Living Translation)

  Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.  And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.
The Lord has really convicted me this week. I have forgotten or perhaps, I never really understood how powerful His Word really is. In this passage I read that Jesus, the Coming King will destroy with His Sword...which is His Word! When He comes again all those that opposes Him, doubt Him, do not believe in Him, rejected Him and Satan and his workers will all be utterly destroyed without escape. He will accomplish this not by metal or iron, or technology we use in war today but by His Sword. His Sword is his Word. His Word will come straight from His mouth and all will hear it come forth. How powerful must His Word really, really be if He is able to annihilate with it. Genesis says that He spoke and He created the world into existence. He has said for me to not worry, to not doubt and to believe. He has said that I am much more precious than the birds and He takes care of them, will He not take care of me. He has said it is His desire to take me from darkness into His marvelous light. He said to trust Him. He said to cast all my cares on Him for He really, really cares for me. He said it is all finished. He said you are forgiven. And this is the part that made me realize...He said go. Jesus said," Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."

This world is living in darkness. Evil has taken and captured the souls of His creation from the beginning of days. Jesus came to set at liberty lost and bound souls. I can see it everywhere. I first saw it in myself. Satan made me down and oppressed because I too was believing a lie. You want to know what the lie was? He made me discontent with my present circumstances. So much so that I could not even see the goodness of God in my "right now." God has called me to this present life, whatever He has chosen to bring with it! This is what he desires for me today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. But Satan made me believe that right now wasn't good enough... look at everybody else! And I began to feel hopeless. But then I remembered His Word. How he will destroy this very one that lives to destroy me. And my Lord Jesus will do it in an instant with His Word. If His Word was powerful at the beginning and it will be powerful at the end, it must be powerful enough right now. I am challenged to "Go!"
Go Patsy, go forth, the Holy Spirit is with you! He promised it so! Do not be afraid of the unknown, do not be afraid on the evil one, do not be a afraid of what the future may or may not hold. His word declares..." lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age!"
Blessing friends and be encouraged to "Go!"