RUBY SLIPPERS

Soul supporters are essential! Diana gave me these ruby slippers and today I wear them as I post this. Watching the life of Di and Katie transform has been like watching a brilliant sunrise in the land of OZ, a place where colors are most vivid, and memories are unforgettable! We are all on the yellow brick road to OZ, the place where it is safe to use the gifts, to employ the talents we were born with. Awe is what I felt this morning as Di shared a peek at her first assignment for her writers group. "A year of Firsts" In reflection, hopefully we can all look back in 2009 and pinpoint a first time ever "I felt love" "I saw light" "I knew truth" "I trusted God" or that "I loved well" and "I witnessed transformation"! 2009 was totally amazing for all who look back and remember the season changing, death, birth, and new beginnings. Dorothy, like many of us had her heart broken. Along her scary path, Dorothy meets a Lion who lost courage, a person dressed in tin to protect their broken heart, and a silly Scarecrow who lost his memory. Sharing the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY, they bond over a cup of Starbucks and journey down the yellow brick road singing some where over the rainbow, where troubles melt like lemon drops, and........ when violent threats and unexpected challenges pop up, the group sticks together with confidence! Lynn the lion laughs, Alma removes her tin armor, and John the scarecrow begins to use his brain -- thanks to Ron the wizard! As the wise wizard, Ron retired his crystal ball and encouraged the trio to help each other melt the wicked witch of doubt! Evaluating their combined talents, they work through matters, overcome obstacles, as they cheer each other to "GO FORTH" and ."BE BOLD" They kick up their heels, laugh and have a good time! Our spirit and talents did not come from our parents, but THEY were placed in us by our Creator! Sometimes our mates, siblings, co-workers, or teachers -- they just do not understand what drives us and makes us thrive! But somewhere out there is a co-worker, a small group, or a soul sister/brother that will walk alongside us and speak to our soul's desire to emerge. That is when we contribute our significant, unique verse! We were not designed to flourish on our own. In order for a flower to bloom it needs to have the weeds pulled, and it needs to be watered with just the right amount of encouragement. We were created and given talents to use, not bury in the ground of fear. IZZY boldly strikes a chord, he appears different, and he found his way home, and his future life, over the rainbow. Wake up where your troubles are behind you, where burdens are light. Dreams really do come true! Like a poinsetta can only blossom when it thirsts for more, so do we blossom when we strive for more living water. My ruby slippers clicked me to a place where I felt at home. Arriving in Ajijic was like finding the pot of gold at the end of my work life. As we walk, run, or fly into the unknown, up the yellow brick road, without seeing, only believing, we arrive at the doors that God has opened for us. THE SECRET and world success guru's promote NAME IT and CLAIM IT, or BLAB and GRAB whatever you want in life. However, the truth about the buried talents of any successful person today is that nobody uncovered their unique talent, their gifted treasure overnight! We begin with mustard seeds of faith --- and we must dig through the dirt of doubt to reveal our talents. When our desires and talents are buried, His way is to give us opportunity that requires a shovel, to uncover, to expose, to remove the piled on dirt of doubt one shovel at a time. After years of struggle to believe in ourselves, to trust our instincts, we gotta admit that we NEEDED that kick in the pants, that wake-up dream, those night sweats, or that news release that appeared bad, but - through the eyes of another - an opportunity of GREATNESS became visible and POSSIBLE! WOW - In August 09 my condo foreclosed, then in December 09, my dream Casa in Mexico was purchased! Any desire that we hold and release to God, for His will be done, we then walk in faith and release our dreams, trusting the best outcome. We humans NEED support, we NEED to be cheered - just like the tin man, the lion, Dorothy and the scarecrow! Together, one day at a time, one shovel at a time, one step along the yellow brick road at a time, this motley crew of strugglers - identified each others strengths and voiced them! Our ancestors started out in the garden of Eden where they could just wake up and grab the fruit they wanted from a vast unlimited orchard of trees. On Monday they might have chosen to grab a shiny dress from the Macy tree, and Tuesday to grab a tennis ball from the US OPEN tree. The grace of God paves the long and winding yellow brick road to eternity. He did not promise that it would be easy, but He did say that a full life would take a community of believers sticking together through the good and bad times. FAITH is walking in a way you have never walked. FAITH invloves risking loss, it requires us to stretch and move in scary directions. The first tiny step might be to do things differently than you ever have! Change your comfortable routine, strike out and appear foolish! Perhaps you need to talk to a tin person with a guarded heart, or sit next to a cowardly lion - LISTEN, watch and encourage them! We grow stronger as we acknowledge the reflection of spirit in others! There are scads of folks who would love to walk beside you with their own pair of ruby shoes! Tiny steps of courage may cause a panic attack, your adrenaline to pump, but remember that the witch of doubt, or any fear found on the yellow brick road is NOT REAL! The reality IS that God gave us the VISION and the talent! He placed His spirit within! We KNOW that we can do all things through Him! When God called His people to the promised land, ten spys made the majority of hearts afraid when they reported that there were too many obstacles to overcome. Joshua and Caleb came back and said "we can do this". FEAR is a state of mind, often times unjustifed, but unless we take a step out, we are NOT exercising FAITH.
Journey on the YELLOW BRICK ROAD requires:
1) DIG thru the DIRT and unearth dreams and courage
2) FAITH the wee size of a seed, and tiny steps
3) THE POWER AND FUEL OF A SUPPORT GROUP
God empowers us to do exceedingly more than we can imagine. However, traveling down the road in the way that God compels us, is to travel believing that His presence is with us. God gives us the dream, the vision, our hope and the JOY goose bumps we experience when we arrive at our destination! His spirit is ever in us. He goes before us to open doors. God gave us His invisible, untouchable power and He also gave me the desires of my heart to live near a lake, in a house of light to write! When the people of Israel took the yellow brick road away from Egypt (bondage) to the promised land, there were no solo travelers. People were fueled from the inside by God and outside by the people placed on the path alongside them. We were created by God, He is self-sustaining, but we can only thrive as we come together. There is no such thing as a self-made person. My trip to Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico was because I felt compelled to go from the inside. Trusting that God's plan for me includes walking in faith. Courage from the inside led me and as I walked through the doors of Casa Del Sol, I asked God for help and He put Kristina Morgan, Cathy Roberts, Don & Linda Wright, and Michel Bureau in my path! The Chapala Malecon!

PERK UP

When life is good, STAND UP, SOAK IT UP, and TALK IT UP!
When life’s unfair, you SUCK IT UP
When life is funny, you can YUCK IT UP
When life is sad,
LOOK STRAIGHT UP ---
When life challenges you, LIVE IT UP --
If you’re being hard,
EASE UP ---
If your heart is closed, OPEN UP .......
If you want to buy something, SAVE UP--
If you make a mess, CLEAN IT UP
If you drop trash, PICK IT UP
If people fall down, HELP THEM UP--
If idiots start fighting, BREAK IT UP
If the music is great, TURN IT UP
If the message is poisonous, THROW IT UP---If your words are vulgar, CLAM IT UP
If your words encourage, KEEP IT UP
If something needs to be said,
SPEAK UP
If you make an appointment, SHOW UP
If you make a mistake, FESS UP
If you’re overstepping, BACK UP
If you get behind, CATCH UP
If they knock you down, GET UP
If you’re out of line, STRAIGHTEN UP
When your knees shake, STAND UP-----When your
elders are speaking, LISTEN UP
When your teachers teach, SIT UP
When they preach, WAKE UP
When the fight is over, MAKE UP
If your fly is down,
ZIP IT UP
If you can’t afford stuff, PASS IT UP--
No “bailouts” folks, PONY UP
If you made a promise, you BACK IT UP
And you can take your whining and SEND IT UP---Take inititive, and MAN UP ---
This country was founded on doers, LOOK IT UP --
It’s the American way people, so SIGN UP
Because when life gets boring, you SHAKE IT UP
Cause it ain't entitlement, so SHUT UP!

If you don't agree....well, that's MESSED UP!

A TREASURE

God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure. — Deuteronomy 7:6 (MSG) Cherished by God, chosen by God, selected for Himself, spoken of as a personal treasure by the King of Kings! This pearl of truth, this mention in the holy book, that God chose me, that He plucked me from the beach of all of creation, to be cherished as His beloved treasure --- is to have confidence in my immeasurable worth. Unable to hide in the sand of shame, my Father, my Lord, uncovered me and lifted me up as His prized possession. Trembling with awe, fear and respect, He comforted me and whispered truth into my soul. That I am His child and that I am the focus of His love, and that I can rely on the ever presence of the Holy Spirit to intercede in prayer for me, to go before me, to open doors, and give me the power to overcome the temptations of this world. Special gifts have been bestowed upon me, and the Holy Spirit assures that I am included in His mighty plans, that I am acceptable in our Father's sight. My true value is unquestionable as I am His. Once I surrendered my life to His Son Jesus as my Lord, nothing else was required, asked or expected of me to earn His unfailing love, or to receive the annointing of the Holy Spirit. To gain a greater understanding of His wisdom, His love, His purpose for my highly regarded life, He gives me His Word, the treasure of my soul. In it I find His sincere repeated encouragement, that I ASK for whatever I need, and to BELEIVE that He is able to satisfy and supply me abundantly. "My beloved, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and under
standing. He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones." Proverbs 2 (MSG) "Good friend, take to heart what I'm telling you; collect My counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding. That's right—if you make Insight your priority, and won't take no for an answer, Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, Believe Me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God." Can you see the oak tree within the acorn? Walking by faith, not by sight, is to trust confidently that whatever my need is, my God is able to do for me what no other can do. With faith the size of a mustard seed, when I say I am trusting God, that means I believe in His Word, His doctrine, His existence, His character, His love. Who made all seeds? Who formed the clouds and caused them to rain? Who made planet earth and placed it just close enough to the sun that it would cause growth, not destruction by fire? Having faith in God is to refuse to doubt that a GIANT oak doth grow from an acorn, and that all that is good came from our heavenly Father.
"But Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you'll tell, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God." Matthew 21:21

AMAZING AHA

As if a faceless guardian angel stands above me, pouring glorious thoughts and ideas over me, the overflow runs through my fingertips as I peck out a post. Being aware that I have much to learn before I can be my best as a writer, tis a great gift the Holy Spirit has annointed me with. This glorious gift allows me to be the servant of my unlimited Master. To have the AMAZING AHA --- that I give Him great pleasure as a willful participant in His utmost highest plan --- thrills me to humility. In the next decade I shall allow my writing skill to be sharpened by taking a writers course online. Easily and with great appreciation do I surrender to be the instrument that paints word pictures as I am fed and led. Capturing the essence of an encounter, the color of a character, the beauty of a blossoming thought is my blessed calling. Hours upon hours of seeking photos that enhance wisdom, prose and scripture has stretched my imagination and widened my mind to the size of a canvas that matches the sky. Travelling to a beautiful landscape with a cast of extra ordinary people, then writing their characters into short stories has given me such deep satisfaction...which merely echoes a hearty HALLELUIAH, and it's about time --- from the One who gives all gifts! Thank You Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for Your patience, kindness, mercy and generosity! The colors, the beauty, the expressions, the amazing scenes HAVE indeed delighted my soul to overflow with tidbits and rambling samplings for years now. These treasured logs are my legacy of love and I thrive as an unknown author, on a world wide published blog! Your ways are not our ways Lord. Using the world wide web to reach, teach and bring understanding of how great Thou art --- through word art! You Rock, You Reign, and You rain color as You weave a good and steady stock of truth through the light of Your Word - My sacred reminder of who has always loved first. HERE I AM LORD, use me! What wonders You have shown me, and to Jesus all praise is due! Thank You for loving, uncovering, filling, guiding and preparing me to play the part You have given me. I need You Father, I love You Jesus, and I thank You Holy Spirit. I ask for Your wisdom, and invite the discipline. AMEN

GIFTS from HEAVEN

"Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, who sent his glorious arm of power..." Isaiah 63:11 Can you FEEL the presence of the Holy Spirit without education? Do miracles still occur? Can a child age 4 have a vision from God before she can read? Akiane Kramarik is now 12 years old but she started painting visions of God at the age of 4. Without a painting lesson, we can then believe her talent was assigned by the Holy Spirit. Her Mother was an atheist so God was never discussed in her home. She really had never been taught anything about the Father, Son, Holy Spirit or the bible. Akiane had visions and told her Mom she has visited heaven numerous times. She gives God the glory for her talent. Our Father, Son, Holy Spirit used this child to draw parents to Himself, and reveal to us He is among us. TRUTH: People hardly remember what you say, but they always remember how you made them FEEL. How does magnificent art make you feel? Music? Pause now and consider how the presence of God makes us FEEL? Our soul is imprinted with words of truth. Akiane's parents witheld any thoughts about God - but Akiane was able to FEEL safe in the presence of the UNSEEN Holy Spirit. Comforted by the invisible person of the Holy Spirit, he chose to bring wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and show Akiane heaven. He guided her, and gifted her with a talent to paint what she saw. God's word says "Now for each one the manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." I Corinthians 12:7-11. And in the book of Acts 13:2 "While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Clearly, the Holy Spirit gifted this child with the ability to paint for the good of all. The Holy Spirit gives the gifts of wisdom, faith, knowledge, prophecy, tongues, just as he determines. What is your spiritual gift? Are you using it to bless others? Halleluiah! The Holy Spirit, a person sent to us from God:
The Spirit of the Lord.....
brings abundance (Isaiah 32:15)
carries out God's word (Isaiah 34:16)
is the Master Counselor (Isaiah 40:13)
sent Isaiah to prophesy (Isaiah 48:16)
Through the Spirit, God's true children will thrive (Ish 44:3)
The spirit of the Lord brings wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2)

FRAME the VISION

"Lift up NOW your eyes and look from the place from where you are" In other words God was instructing Abraham to get a vision of where he wants to be. (Gen 13) And God asked Jeremiah "More over the word of the Lord came to me saying 'Jeremiah, what do you see?'" God does not want me to stay where I am, as I am. With my indwelt Holy Spirit leading, I should be able to look back at 2010 and shout WOW! Look at what the Lord has done since last Christmas. "Write the vision and make it plain on paper - for vision is yet for an appointed time!" Habbakuk 2:2 --- When opportunity presents itself, it is too late to prepare! The time is NOW to get ready to enter the VISION you have been given. My vision is to be of service, to make a difference in the lives of people who live in Mexico. So before I travelled to Ajijic, Mexico on December 25, 2009 - photo's and video's of the area were saved on this blog site. Once I had a dream board where I cut pictures out and pasted things I wanted. One was to someday have a new home built and choose my colors, and another was to be a published author. My plan to travel to Ajijic and investigate the purchase of a retirement home, did not include the possibility of building a new home. God knows my heart and He did not forget my dream! The map I ordered of Mexico arrived in the mail and I began hanging photo's of Lake Chapala at work and at home. From Thanksgiving 2009 through Christmas eve 2009 ....... I thought about what God has in store for me. Perhaps write a mini-book in Spanish and give it away in Mexico someday? Then I ordered the Babylon product to translate what I write into Spanish, and I signed up for some group classes at church to surround myself with people of faith. My task is to write one hour per day and picture myself in Mexico, speaking with a Spanish interpreter to an excited youthful audience about God's plan to use the willing for His purposes. ABBA FATHER thank you for your unknown but certain plans to prosper me! AMEN

TRUTH ON FIRE

"Powerful!" When was the last time someone used the word IGNITED, LIT UP or ON FIRE to describe you? God put His Holy Spirit in us so we could experience His power. Power over darkness, temptation, and above world knowledge. We need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to become the people of God we need to be, to accomplish the mission God has called us to do. We cannot be effective without the person of the Holy Spirit. "And I (Jesus, the Son) will ask the Father (One God), and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. (Holy Spirit) The world cannot accept HIM, because it neither sees HIM nor knows HIM." John 14:16-17 The Holy Spirit in the Word of God is described as a person, not smoke, mirrors or an invisible force ---but, as a person "The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him." -- On Oct 17th, 1931, a few days before he was imprisoned, Mahatma spoke at London's Kingsley Hall. Gandhi called it "My Spiritual Message". Gandhi opens with: "There is an indefinable mysterious power that pervades everything, I feel it though I do not see it. It is this unseen power which makes itself felt and yet defies all proof, because it is so unlike all that I perceive through my senses. It transcends the senses." --- The Holy Spirit defies all science. As a person, the Holy Spirit has emotions - we are directed not to grieve, or insult the Holy Spirit. Attributes of God ascribed to the Holy Spirit...He has intellect, he has a will, he is eternal, he creates, he is all powerful, all knowing, and present everywhere. WOW, the Spirit of TRUTH has a burning desire to be known-felt-and accepted by YOU! --- "Come to me, all who are weary."The Comforter comforts when we hurt. The divine Counselor sent by God, instructs, guides and teaches us. The Holy Spirit is everywhere we are and he reminds us of the what Jesus has to say.."Judge not, and to love thyself as we are loved, and to love others the same....unconditionally. AMEN

LOVE LETS GO

To let go does NOT mean to stop caring,
it means I can't do it for someone else.

To let go is NOT to cut myself off,
it's the realization I can't control another.
To let go is NOT to enable, but it does allow others to learn the consequences of their choices.
To let go is NOT to be protective,
it's to permit another to face reality.
To let go is NOT to deny,
but to accept.
To let go is NOT to care for,
but to care about.
To let go is NOT to fix,
but to be supportive. - To let go is NOT to judge, but it frees another to fully BE the human they choose to be...
while you FEEL the JOY of issuing kindness, grace, understanding and EQUANIMITY.
To let go is NOT to arrange all the outcomes,
it allows others to affect their own destinies.
To let go is NOT to regret the past, letting go of the past allows you to rejoice in the struggle, and appreciate the rainbows that only appear in the rain...giving rise for new and glorious hope for the future.
To let go is NOT to expect others to meet my desires,
but letting go gives me FREEDOM to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in the moment, in my NOW and be AWED by God's plan for me.
To let go is NOT to criticize or regulate anybody,
but it gives me a pause, a season to focus on, and be GLAD for what I am becoming.
To let go is NOT to try to change or blame another,
it's to take responsibility, learn, grow and become who God designed me to be.
To let go is NOT to nag, scold or argue, to let go of criticizing gives me TIME
to search out my shortcomings,
confess them, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and uproot what works against my highest good.
To let go IS to ADMIT powerlessness, which means
the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go IS to fear less ---
and love more.
To let go and to let God, IS to experience peace.
Author Anonymous