THIS SMALL HOUSE

Joshua 24:15New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

 

Recently, I had some guests come over and they began to size up my home.  They spoke of how small it was, how the dining room was right here; the living room right there so to speak to its size.  My feelings were very hurt.  As I walked around my home in an instant, I thought – my home is very small.  Maybe I could…I immediately told myself to stop the murmuring. 

I spent a few moments reflecting.  I reflected on the big homes I have resided in - the ones in the wealthiest places of Illinois, Indiana and Georgia.  But what my guests’ then and now couldn’t see were the tears.  The tears of hope for a marriage that did not make it.  The tears from debt and an ever present fear of not having enough.  The tears from indiscretions.  The tears from near death experiences that took a toll on my body.    All of these tears trying to hold on to a façade so that I could appear as if I had “made it”.  Constantly remembering most of my life had been much worse prior to this extended time brought me to thoughts of wanting to take my life.  Hopelessness abounding - a constant severe spirit of confusion and ever present rancid form of denial.               

So are you thinking, it wasn’t all bad right? Right! That’s what gives us hope – the good times. But good times are not the same as God-times.  You can seemingly be on the right path- but still not on God’s path.  Now for me, I was completely discouraged because I now once again had to make the ride home in my car with all of my few belongings in the back.   I began living with one person after another.  Years spent trying to grasp my footing not realizing the underlying cause, nor the damage that had been imbedded in my heart until now.    

When my guests left, I remembered a time right after I moved in here, saying, “Is this all my faith got me?” Tears began to fall.  I was ungrateful, because of someone else’s perception of success.   The years of feelings of inadequacy had now been revealed.    

I found something in this small place that I live in now and the journey to get me here.  I won’t be cliché and say I found myself in this place. Nope! I came to know who I was in Christ years ago.  But I will say I’ve found the power of God on this journey.  I’ve found the magnitude of His grace and mercy – but most of all His love for me.  How when I first stepped out on faith and trusted Him to leave, He became my sole covering, teacher, guide and Father.  He used the first home I lived in with others’ as a vehicle for revealing my purpose and calling. The second home as a vehicle for growth in His processes.  The third of how to handle His people and learning to allow Him to facilitate meekness in me.  The fourth of learning to be bold in my faith regardless of the others’ religious beliefs and lifestyles.  To stand in love towards them and sharpen my character. To remove impurities along the way- to deepen our relationship for another level of trust.  Yet to allow me to be used by Him and leave small deposits in those homes as only He could lead me. 

More so, since that moment of hurt, God has given me quick glimpses of how He viewed what has transpired over the years.  It was years of review He had; reviews of tests passed, attacks endured, heart-felt times of repentance and sacrificial seed sown.  He had seen a young woman who honored Him, not perfect but honoring.  Yes, a quick glimpse of when I daily made my 2” mattress that lay on the floor because I was thankful.  Asking, seeking, knocking - studying – obeying to the best of her ability.  Adjusting my attitude consistently and serving where needed.  Believing regardless of the manifestation of her prayers not happening in an instant.  Years of returning to purity regardless of temptations and her past. Every hour of laying hands to the plow - up for days at a time to make ends meet – yes He reminded of how He views our faithfulness to Him.  Not flawless, by no means sinless – but faithful.   

As I finish this blog, I have to remember, my guests can’t see what God has shown me.  Nor can they see what happens behind these doors of this small home.  Ha! They can’t see where He’s taking me.  They can only see His manifested power by how I live for Him in the present and then they will see what will happen because of that love between Him and me.   And because of that love, His presence, someone recently walked into my home and said, “It’s so peaceful in here, I love it.” Yes, I finally (regardless of the size of my home and circumstances around me) have peace. Thanks Daddy. I love you so much.  “As for me and my house – regardless of its size (now and in the future), we will serve the Lord.” In Jesus name, Amen.

Dee-Dee Lee

THE MIRROR EFFECT

     She could spew venom like a snake from her lips to poison your very existence. She could argue a pointless point for hours on end at the top of her lungs. She spoke with such a vile vocabulary that one would wonder did she know any other form of communication. She would become the topic of many, few would say good of her. The one who….she did….she called….she left….. She….

She was never on the happy end of the meter of happiness; it was so brief, blinking would make the happiness dissipate.

     Yes, many would dare to tell her of her downfalls and shortcomings, yet to no avail did she change. She pointed the blameful finger towards others and her environment. Many would come to her aid to fix her, yet the vocal blows of her shortcomings would cause her to react from the pain inside and distance them. 

Who was she? She was me.

     I was once told a statement from long ago in which I was reminded of earlier today. “Look in the mirror, everybody can’t be wrong… maybe it’s something wrong with you!”

     I took this statement and threw it in the trash, so to speak. The source in which it came from was an abusive man, so who really had the issues? Well, we both did.

     As I look back, I don’t wonder how I got here in the sea of deliverance. I’m here because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for me and God Himself used to deliver me. It’s that simple right? No.

     After salvation I was still “her”. It wasn’t like a magic wand was waived around and I magically became some super saint overnight. The process of shedding would just begin. A new me, but new to the refining processes of God.

     I faintly recall looking in the mirror one morning, full of tears, seeing myself for whom I had become. A…. a woman who….a mother who….. But when I wiped my tears and looked again, I could see something beyond me. I could see what my Father in Heaven seen in me before I entered this Earth. His magnificent work! Yet, I saw even more; the capability of my Father to change me into whom He wanted me to become. It was the mirror effect. The cause much greater than I could ever imagine.

     The mirror effect is one where we can look at ourselves in the mirror, not alone, but with the love of God to see all the negative, yet to also see all the power of God Himself to be able to change those negatives into positives. Yes, I admit, when we look at ourselves from God’s perspective we are not so cute, but because of His saving grace and mercy, we are now in right standing with Him regardless of our past. He has the ability to change the most foul sins and create a perfume of praise on our lips because of His glorious power!

     Over the years, I’ve learned to love correction from God because the Bible says that God loves those whom he corrects! So oh boy, he must love me! But in correction, we must accept correction, no longer make excuses and be accountable to that correction. It’s all good to say, “Girl, I need to learn to shut my mouth! Lawd knows I’m working on it”! But at some point and time deliverance must come! Can we honestly say that we have been struggling with foul language as a Christian for twenty-five years?

    We overcome, not succumb. Must we look to others around us, yet speak loudly to what they need to do, understand or get a revelation on and call it discernment, yet whisper to our own faults and shortcomings and have a scripture to back it up?

     Today, I was reminded of this statement as I had to look in the mirror once again. To remove myself from a situation that I hold close to my heart. For God to create in me a clean heart; to refine, refresh and renew a steadfast spirit within me. It wasn’t hard to make this decision, not at all, because I know my Father in Heaven will do as always and refine me to come out polished! Father I thank you that I am your magnificent work in progress! I pray today, as I submit to Your refining once again, as polished silver I will shine so bright before men that they may see my good works gloryifying my Father in Heaven! In Jesus mighty name!

It is my sincere prayer, that we as believers would learn to "love" the correction of our Father. No, our flesh won’t feel good about it; Satan will try and trick us out of it, but correction is always needed. Don’t come kicking and screaming- just come, the journey is more enjoyable.

Be Blessed,  

Dee-Dee (6/19 dlm)

ONCE BROKEN, NOW BENT

I look back over my life and think about the testimonies there in the depths. I compared my life to broken pottery, shattered into pieces as it hits the concrete floor. Some pieces of me disappeared into the crevices of the world never to be found again. I never knew how the pottery of my life would come back together and once upon a time I didn’t care. I didn’t view my life as broken. My life was just different than most, but the same as many.

     My life started from the formation of fornication. I was born into the sins my parents were in. I became the object of molestation from brothers’ whose lives resided in darkness. I grew as a child teased, abused and misunderstood. I tried to take my life, hopeless in my environment. I became a teen of anger, resentment and hurt turning these feelings outward to those around me. I grew into a woman who loved hard, yielding the strike of many hands to keep me in their perceived order. I became a woman who was broken. I went into marriage with luggage that was too heavy for us to carry together. He didn’t know how to unpack my past nor I his. The weight of the luggage brought the relationship to its close. The heat of life melted the glue that held us together.

     I’m not telling you this to bring tears to your eyes or for the sorrow that is given because underneath all of the dirt arose a new person. But how? Where did my brokenness stop and my wholeness begin that you now see? Not with self-help (tried, not true and failed; sorry big O and TR), not with some spiritual higher power that I connected with through astrology, palm-readers or the like. Not with “him” being my glue, not with just dealing with my issues or debts. Not through some great understanding of life. Barely through counseling, I was still broken.

     Did someone tell me I was broken? Maybe a time or two. The route I was on was a slippery slope; the bed I lied in had diseases. The depression was now obvious. Yet in my brokenness, I didn’t want to hear what others’ had to say regardless. My ears closed to their advice. I sat in my room shedding the tears of many years in darkness, still I remained broken.

     Yet, while in my brokenness, He helped me to remember Him. I knew of this One since my grandmother had spoken of Him. Was I ready to listen to whom He had now sent? A woman who knew I needed some help out of the darkness? I spent some time in His house, but who was He? Could He hurt me like those of my past? Yet He asked me to trust Him completely and I would be made whole. He said He knew where the lost pieces of my existence were, but He didn’t want to give those back to me. He wanted to give me a new hope, new dream and a new life which wasn’t new to Him. He had already had a plan for me, but somehow I got off course through misdirection. He made promises that I had never heard, but yet they brought comfort to me. He didn’t need to be my glue because I could be whole in Him.

     From the beginning, He didn’t promise that it would be easy. He promised He would be with me for an eternity. There was a life eternal waiting that would reap royal benefits beyond compare if I would hold on to the End. The road has a few weeds, thorns and rocks along the way, but because I would choose to follow Him, I would never be broken again, but now bent.

     I could withstand not doing what I used to do, or being who I used to be; I could be bent but not broken. No more shattered pieces, but I would bend under His mighty hand to shake loose those things that held me from a good life.

     Here I am before you once broken, now bent. You see it takes participation on our behalf when we decide to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Yes, we must work at living for Him through our jobs, children, marriages, ministries and so forth, but we will never be broken again with Him. We can be once broken but because of what Jesus has done on the cross and the power of God, we are now just bent. Bent because God requires some things of us; bent because we must participate without seeing the whole plan. Bent because forgiveness is a must and some hurt may still arise. Even when the being of Fire (Satan) would try and smother us, we can stand with God. Yet never to be broken again.

     The way to have a full life without brokenness is to be made whole by God. The way to find the seemingly perfect mate is to be put together by Him. The way to forgive the brothers’ and even the mothers’ is to bend under the mighty hand of the Most High God. Bending, but never broken.

     So here I stand, making the decision to share again. For me, it means to tell parts of my struggle, tear-drops and pain with all glory going to God. To tell you that I stopped doing ….is only half true. To tell you that I rose above….is only half the story. To tell you that I struggled with drugs and alcohol, yet in my car one morning asked GOD to take the taste out of my mouth is still a partial story. So yes, for you to really see the amazing power of God, I share. The existence that only rose from the depths of Hell, now riding on God’s glorious light because of what Jesus has done. To God be the glory! In Jesus’ mighty name!

     Father, I thank You that I will never forget that only You have caused the hurt to truly dissipate, not just shatter into the crevices of the world. I thank You for what the world calls rising above to some, I call deliverance from God. Unashamedly I’m grateful You don’t have to be glue because what others’ broke, You have made me whole. Father to say that I should not conform? I’m willing! To want to continue to live my own way and not be in the image and likeness of my Father shutters the very bones of my being. Never do I want to return there. I live for You through and through, once broken now bending underneath Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Be blessed, Bend but don’t remain broken….

With the Love of Christ,
Dee-Dee McDuffie
dlm/dlm

PRESS ANY KEY TO ABORT

2 Corinthians 12:9

New International Version (NIV)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

     I was turning off my Blackberry one day and noticed a message appear on the screen in bold lettering: Turning off handheld…Press any key to abort. On occasion I have been in the middle of a phone conversation and hit the wrong button only for my phone to begin turning itself off. I immediately did what was commanded so that I didn’t get disconnected from my caller.

     I recently experienced a situation at work in which I had previously fallen victim to in my past. But this simple phrase which had appeared on my phone so many times before would bring a unique revelation into my situation and teach me a lesson that I will not forget.

     At work I usually spend my day with my headphones on meditating upon the Word, but this particular day I didn’t have them with me and yet I’m glad I didn’t. I wouldn’t have experienced this lesson now learned.

     It began with the sound of a man’s voice giving me his flattering tongue. His seemingly caring attitude towards me, his interest in my temple would bring him to simply make derogatory sounds with his voice. A hum from my past, one in which I was all too familiar with. The simple interrogating questions that lust stood behind. The revealing knowledge of himself in specific areas was shared in his hopes for things to go in an accelerated manner. The looks of undress through his eyes from my head to my toes. Yet the slippery slope of lust had caused me to fall in my past. But now, I’m a mature Christian and was aware of this trap, or was I?

      I listened to the first question, “Dolores, do you wear heels?” I slipped slightly into the beginning of his process of conquering his desired territory. “Yes, I wear them all the time, matter of fact…” Before I could finish he interrupted with his intrusive thought. “Yea, I love to see a woman in heels, I just think it is the sexiest thing ever.” I slipped once again as the girlish giggle would come from my lips, not noticing this was the flattery I once loved, yet was not of God. Again, the giggle and now smile would appear upon my face as he began to hook me. I tried to make my own way of escape and said, “I wear them to church.” He didn’t heed and was oblivious to my minuscule attempt to fend him off. He prepared to reel me in as the next question would roll from his tongue, “Are you going to the Christmas party? Uhmm, no. Why not? Uhmm, I don’t do bars.” The conversation continued as he had a rebuttal for every answer I gave. It seemed as if the questions became an attack like that of a lion. Moving in for the kill, persuading me down a road that I had been before beginning with lust and ending in disaster. More so it ended on the dead end street of hurt and despair with the smell of defeat upon my skin.

     The quiet still voice spoke, “Dolores this is not the kind of attention you want, that kind of persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.” “Oh, my God! What just happened to me? Really? Me? I’m a mature Christian! I know better! I know who I am!” Yet in still, the flattering tongue had lured me. But how?

“In the name of Jesus, Father, forgive me! I repent and ask for Your help right now!” I immediately shouted within the walls of my mind. I stood with a refreshed posture and new attitude ready to combat what was happening to me. “Daddy I vowed to You when You delivered me, I would live completely for You - help! In the name of Jesus!” Immediately a sense of peace took over me as I felt as if my armor of God began to come upon me once again like in the movie Transformers. The helmet, now protecting my mind; the breastplate now guarding my heart and my shield went up but the best part of my armor moved into place, MY SWORD! As I opened my mouth every scripture I had studied to guard myself against the wiles of the Enemy would cut and stop him dead in his tracks. “Well, the Word of God says avoid even having the appearance of evil (paraphrased)….”

The battle began! Every luring question was withstood with the Word of God! “I’m not backing down Satan! I know it’s you! This is a trap and in the name of Jesus I refuse to be a part!” I yelled within the walls of my mind once again.

     My co-worker stopped talking after this, yet he seemed bothered by his failed attempt but looking for a rematch.

     After some time, I thought about what I encountered. What happened and how did I slip? I knew the attention I had just slipped upon and once desired was not of God. This is no longer a part of who I am now. Where did it begin? I was reminded of the intrusive thoughts of the Enemy that had bombarded my mind days prior. ‘Aren’t you lonely? Don’t you want to go out? You don’t have a husband to help you…Don’t you miss the attention?’ And like a lion ready to devour, he followed up with a flattering tongue from a willing participant! So I stood in prayer with tears as I was reminded to “Press Any Key to Abort.” I should have stopped the intrusive thoughts days prior to this event with by pressing the key of the Word of God - ‘Cast down imaginations and …bringing into captivity every thought ’. Yet, I pondered upon these questions as if they had come from the Holy One. “Oh God, yes, it is my desire to be remarried and have a type of love that doesn’t come from a flattering tongue, but one in which the love of Christ is apparent, flowing from his lips.” I tried to act strong for myself but a sense of comfort came upon me as tears were now flowing like a river, struggling to get the simplest words out, “Thanks Dad for helping me.” Yet, no one knew that God had just won a battle for me and taught me a lesson at the same time.

     My lesson? No matter how far I have come in my walk with God, there will always be temptations the Enemy will try and throw in my face, even old ones! Just because I had been saved for years does not negate the fact the Enemy will try old stuff through a new door.

     God has given me (and every believer) the power to overcome the temptations that I have fallen victim to before, yet I didn’t press the keys available to me. I will always be grateful to God and His ability to rescue me every single time any temptation may arise by giving me a way of escape. And more so, I’m thankful His strength is made perfect in my weakness. I must never attempt to defeat temptation in my own way as a sign of maturity. I believe there are times when we have been walking with God for awhile; we assume we can go it alone. There are times with our spouse, family or friends that we may allow entrance behind the armor and into our hearts and that’s all good, but I’m sleeping in mines for now!

     I’m not one for repeating lessons learned, so I’m spending sometime alone with “My Dad”. I’ve also learned my testimony didn’t stop at salvation- it grows because of it. I’m spending some time going back to the basics of fasting, intensified study and focused prayer. I’ve realized these should always be an integrated part of my Christian life. I accept that I will never be able to win any battle without His help- it’s not mine to begin with. I look unto God daily, without apology, who is the One until He so chooses to bring His chosen for me, a man of valor into my life. I will be alert and guard against the wiles of the Enemy. In Jesus’ mighty name with the power that already resides in me, remembering I just need to press any of the keys of authority and power to abort temptations and sin. I will not get disconnected from my Caller.

With the Love of Christ,

Dee-Dee McDuffie
1/11/12
dlm/ 018
Scripture References

  Galatians 5; Eph 2: 3-5, 6: 10-18; 1 Th: 1-8; 1 Th 5:22; Matthew 16:19; 2 Corinthians 10:5;

2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Corinthians 12:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

HIS PURE GLOW

     The following poem was birthed from a memory in my past.  A guy that I was dating asked me to have his baby. I guess that was the "I love you so much that I want this" line for that time- I believe today it still is.   During that time, I immediately thought - What?! Is he crazy?! Neither one of us even have a decent job- I'm not married! But I've learned most times, people will say anything to get what they lust after - sex.  This is not the  true love that the Bible gives us as a foundation of what love is.  And nothing will ever compare to the love of God that is available to us all.

     Well although it didn't happen with him, I did eventually have a child out of wedlock.  Although my daughter is a gift from God, the way I went about having her caused much grief in my life that could have been prevented.  I believe, no - I know if I would have waited, things would have been much better for all of us. 

     God wants to protect, provide, love and instruct us  yet we must participate.  My daughter is never a regret, but the insight, wisdom and provision that I could have received from God and the structure of a godly marriage would have been a true blessing.  Moreso, knowing that I raised my child in a godly home would have brought much peace and insight into my parenting skills.  Now, it's not easy to speak to her about things that I did myself, but wanting her to wait for marriage I stand on the Word of God and recieve His forgiveness and grace,  regardless of the condemnation I felt at the beginning of my salvation.   I speak to her with authority and boldness, pray and believe knowing God will oversee her entire life.  I praise God there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ and God Himself gives us the power through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior to live for Him.  God is worth it and so are you!  Be blessed!

_____________________________________

To have his baby

Why should this be?
I think to myself-  who’s looking out for me?
So I say, I don’t think so…..
Yet you keep asking, so I say maybe so
Yet I think to myself
 I need love so why can't it be?
 I need love from somewhere just for me...

To have his baby
Why should this be?
Do you not know who’s now looking out for me?
I've come to know and I dare to share
My body belongs to the Most High
So your tempting offer I must deny
So again I say I don’t think so….
Yet you keep asking, do you not know?

To have his baby
Why should this be?
I know for myself who’s looking out for me
I once was lost
But now I have found
A gift from the Lord is a baby making sounds
But even in this
I still must deny
Because my body belongs to the Most High
To have his baby
Why should this be?
Do you not know my God will supply for me?!

A Man of Valor whom I am to marry
I wait for him because I carry
All the glow that you see
It’s My God, My Savior and He’s looking out for me!
So no more asking, I’ve closed my ears to you
They are the doorway to my heart
And it’s reserved for another
No, not even based upon the words of my own mother!
I guard my heart with vengeance
Why can’t you see?
You refuse to know who’s looking out for me

Oh! My daughter, hear Me now
Since you have committed to My ways
I’m so proud now
I send him quickly as he is from Me
Yes, The Father is looking out for thee!

Yes, My daughter, I recognized when you called
You’ve guarded my gift to him, a true love above all
A man of valor shall be given unto you
A love beyond measure through and through

As you two now become one,
I command be fruitful and multiply
A desire that your heart cannot possibly deny
One, two, three your children shall come
Into your bosom as you and your husband are one
Yes, My daughter now everyone can see
It is Your Father looking out for thee!

Be Blessed with God's exponential love,
Dee-Dee McDuffie
01/2012/01
See Proverbs 31, Galatians 5:22,  1 Corthians 6: 12-20, Romans 8: 5-10 {NIV}
*a special thanks to R.F.L - a true man of valor! Blessed!

BEHIND THE DOOR (A QuickShare)

     As I was walking down the hall of my high school on my way to swim practice, a statement would come from behind the door that would be imprinted in my memory forever. “Dang! You got a big nose!” It was the voice of a young man hiding behind the door of the boys’ locker room. I could barely see him as he peeped through the crack of the door. He laughed and to my recollection, the statement of insult would roll off of his lips again, but with curse words attached. I didn’t respond but his words pierced my heart. I readjusted my eyes trying to see if it was someone I knew, but in a moment, he was gone, his laugh dissipating into the air. I would constantly be teased about my hair, my nose or even my weight. It was during these years that I realized that people weren’t as nice as they seemed and even more so, I was an easy target because of my low self-esteem. I felt sort of like the ugly duckling, never feeling a sense of beauty when I looked in the mirror due to various incidents in my childhood. It didn’t help that my own family would constantly remind me of my less than beauty queen features. I never responded to these insults because I believed them to be true. 

      I was recently reminded of this story as I picked my daughter up to drive her back to college. 

As she entered the car, she looked highly irritated. 

“What’s wrong?”

“Mommy…..” Almost immediately as she began to tell her story, tears began to stream down her face. It wasn’t easy to watch my daughter cry. Anger began to rise up in me at the person who had caused the tears. But, I knew this one thing to be true: This was an opportunity to talk with her about God. But the anger seemed to rise up within me quickly, so I prayed an emergency prayer in my head while she was talking. “Holy Spirit help me! God help me!” It was almost in an instance that my spirit was calmed and the words of my testimony seemed to flow from my lips. I immediately received revelation on how this particular story correlated with her current issue, someone speaking death into her life. 

      The Bible says that Satan, the deceiver and liar has come to steal, kill and destroy. So what could he steal, kill and destroy? How can he deceive us? What kind of lies could he tell? One thing he could do all these with is your self-esteem. But, we must recognize that it is him trying to destroy us. If the Enemy knows that he can steal your joy, kill your hopes or even destroy your future with negative words, then he will do so every chance he gets and unfortunately he will use anyone as a means of delivery!

      So here’s the key to closing that door: We must see who’s really behind the door! Remember in the above story, I couldn’t see the young man? I could only hear his voice, yet that statement has stuck with me my entire adulthood because I never recognized who was really behind the door! Satan himself with words that played to my insecurities.  You may see your mother, co-worker, aunt or uncle, but it’s really Satan’s words of lies, hurt and defeat hiding behind the door of that person! I encourage you today to recognize who’s behind the door, it’s really Satan.

      Now that we have recognized that it is the Enemy, what can we do? We can’t just yell at our mothers’ and say, “You’re Satan!”  They are not the Enemy.  But here are some practical applications:

Find out what the Word has to say about whom you are in Christ, receive it and confess it over yourself daily. For example, “I am redeemed.” “I am a child of the Most High God.” 
Let the other person(s) know that you will no longer receive any negative comments that they direct towards you. For example, “I don’t like that you call me fat, I don’t receive it because the Bible says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Now, yes I may need to lose some weight, but only to take care of the Temple that God has given me to live in for Him and His glory.”
Unfortunately we would love for those closest to us to act appropriately and not say hurtful things, but remember - the Word is like a sword, use it as your weapon against the Enemy. For example: “You’re hurting me by the things that come from your lips, but I choose to believe the Word of God over my life! Sometimes, if possible - you may need to disassociate yourself from that person. Be careful here, pray first and seek the Word of God as it pertains to your situation, according to your faith and God‘s will/purpose for you. We can’t all divorce our parents.   
Make sure your speaking life every chance you get towards others‘! You’ll reap what you sow.
Forgiveness is the key to receiving all that God has for you. Don’t allow your blessings to stop flowing from the Almighty because you can’t let go of an offense. God got this! Let it go! It doesn’t make them right, but you can sleep at night! 
With all that you have, allow God to do any changing whether in them or you. It’s imperative that we live life for Him, not them.
Stay focused; remember who’s behind the door! 

With God's Love (and mine too),

Dee-Dee McDuffie

10/13/2011

Scripture Meditations:

John 10:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 8:42-44

New King James Version (NKJV)
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Psalm 139:14
New King James Version (NKJV)14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
New International Version (NIV)19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Galatians 6:7
New International Version (NIV)7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Other: Mark 11, Ps 23, Ps 62

A FUGITIVE

Fugitive (www.biblegateway.com) [partial]: Ezek. 17:21, one who has broken away in flight (Heb. mibrah); Isa. 15:5; 43:14, a breaker away, a fugitive (Heb. beriah), one who flees away. All rights reserved. Eastons 1897 Bible Dictionary

As I was conversing with co-workers one morning, one of them asked, “Dolores do you go to church?” As I pondered his question for a few seconds I responded. “Well, yes I go all the time, but if you are asking me am I a Christian, then yes I am.” Quickly he responded, “Well, I was just asking do you have a specific religion?” “No. I am non-denominational, I am a Christian- I follow Christ. I was raised Baptist, but now I’m non-denominational.” I replied. “That’s not easy to do…” my other co-worker chimed in. As I thought about it for a second in my mind, I told myself - “not really, it’s eas….” I caught myself mid-sentence and realized that it’s not easy to follow Christ to an unbeliever because they don’t believe. Some just don’t feel it’s necessary while others’ feel they should be able to do whatever they want, and yet others don't believe there is even a God.  But, as believers [one who follows Christ and his teachings and believes the Word of God as truth] grow and mature, it’s not easy for us either at times, but it is a choice that we make daily - to flee from all unrighteousness and pursue what is good. 

Later that evening, after I returned home from the course of the day, I pondered upon our conversation once again. As I began to write about my day, the show in the background caught my attention. “She’s a fugitive!” ….was blurted out of the television. I looked up from my laptop and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m a fugitive! I immediately thought about how there are two types of fugitives in our world figuratively speaking. People who are on the run or fleeing from God and people who are fleeing from Satan. 

So here I am a fugitive! I made a choice [with the “pulling” or “wooing” of the Holy Spirit] to run from Satan’s residence [Hell - eternal damnation], and accept in my heart Jesus as my Lord and Savior [Heaven- eternal life]. Daily, I decide to follow Christ [and His teachings] and “run” [fight the good fight of faith] from Satan’s lies, bondage, deceit, trickery and debauchery. I choose to allow God, not Satan to run my life! I once too was in darkness with drinking, smoking and drugs; destroying God’s temple. I too, succumbed to Satan’s bondages of abusive relationships and low self-esteem. I succumbed to anger, resentment and hatred in my heart toward others’. I also felt the shame and guilt of my youth and had very little hope for my future. A suicide attempt proved that I had very little hope for my future! I too succumbed to foul language as my primary language and gossip as my secondary one. I also succumbed to a poverty mentality and the other negative traits of my bloodline - discontentment, lying and deceit. I succumbed to the brutal treatment of the Enemy. Now, I submit to God’s way by the leading of the Holy Spirit. I receive His Forgiveness, Grace and Mercy; I receive an intimate relationship with the Most High and most of all receive His deliverance, restoration and refinement! I receive peace, joy, wisdom, favor, rest and much more! Praise be to the Most High!

I encourage you today to be a fugitive on the run from Satan and into the arms of the Most High! He’s able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you could ask or think! There is peace with God - joy, love, healing, contentment, prosperity [financial peace] and much more! Decide today to do it God’s way! Live life abundantly through Jesus Christ - Lord and Savior. 

Praise Be to God and With God’s love,

Dee-Dee McDuffie

08/15/11

014

Scripture Meditations

Psalm 23, 68, 112, 118

James 4:7 New International Version (NIV)7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Amplified Bible (AMP)

11But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart. 12Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses. 13In the presence of God, Who preserves alive all living things, and of Christ Jesus, Who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I [solemnly] charge you 14To keep all His precepts unsullied and flawless, irreproachable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), 15Which [appearing] will be shown forth in His own proper time by the blessed, only Sovereign (Ruler), the King of kings and the Lord of lords, 16Who alone has immortality [in the sense of exemption from every kind of death] and lives in unapproachable light, Whom no man has ever seen or can see. Unto Him be honor and everlasting power and dominion. Amen (so be it).

ARMS AROUND A MOUNTAIN

When I was on my ‘homeless’ tour [displaced from Hurricane Katrina] I had the awesome opportunity to travel west across the United States. I relished at the beauty of the sun-kissed land and enormous green trees across the states. The beauty of rich brown horses and black cows grazing amongst the countryside brought joy to my spirit. I drove pass hundreds of miles of corn fields and amazingly beautiful barns, as farmers atop over-sized plows tended their fields. The most amazing state became apparent to me as the beautiful snow-capped mountains became visibly clear upon arrival. The crisp clean air with decreasing temperatures and babbling flowing rivers revealed to me that I had arrived in Colorado. I will never forget those amazingly beautiful mountains. They seemed to expand as far as the eye could see in every direction. The tips of the mountains seemed to touch the skies and peek through the clouds. It was boundless serenity. I loved it! I was in awe of     God’s magnificent beauty of work.  

Those beautiful mountains were brought back to memory when I was gently reminded [through another believer] that God was moving a mountain out of my life, which had been there for many years. It was blocking the things He specifically had in store for me - His good blessings. He was clearing the clutter; the debris. I could literally visualize a huge mountain just being moved completely out of the way as if it were on wheels. I was able to walk straight forward, not having to go around or even through it because it wasn’t there anymore! I had the faith in God that He would move this mountain for me. A couple of days later, I re-evaluated what was spoken to me. As I began to ponder upon it, I was troubled by the fact that I was unsure of which mountain! I immediately searched scripture in my mind. Jesus teaches us that all we need is to have faith the size of a mustard seed to move the “mountains” [obstacles] in our lives and nothing will be impossible for us. I became even more troubled because my faith was there. I believed, without any doubt that God would do what He promised, so why wasn’t this particular mountain moved already? I didn’t seem to think I had many mountains in my life, so which one was it? Did I even recognize that it was a mountain? Was I in denial of it being a mountain? Could it be just a test of my faith? So I asked, “Lord, I believe so what is the problem; which mountain?”

The Holy Spirit spoke without hesitation, “You have your arms around this mountain, holding on - I can’t move it, unless you let go [or you‘ll just move with it].” Can you imagine this? - Our arms can’t even fit around a small pebble on a mountain, yet we have our arms wrapped around ungodly relationships, self-indulging sins, self-destructive behaviors; selfish dreams, poverty mentalities and all things that prevent us from receiving God’s best for us - mountains! I immediately asked God to help pry my arms off of my mountain and immediately move it for me! Deliverance came like the dawn! I felt an immediate sense of peace come over me as I let go of something that I had been holding on to for years! I believe now, God’s purpose for me has become more evident and His blessings are flowing like the rivers of Colorado!  I thought about how such a wonderful Father would always overtake [overwhelm] me with His good blessings and move the mountains in my life!

What are some of the mountains in your life right now? I encourage you today to unwrap your arms from around the mountains of ungodly relationships, sins and behaviors that are blocking the flow of your river from God (peace, joy, etc.). Allow Him to remove the clutter (lack of self-control, denial, other people, etc) - the debris and watch Him do the supernatural in your life! What God has done for me, He will do for you! Believe in Him today through His son Jesus Christ and don’t go back the same way! The faith you need can barely be seen with the naked eye! Get excited because all of His promises are for you too! Place your trust and put your hope in the Most High! Mountains be moved! In the mighty name of Jesus!

Praise Be to God and With God’s Love,
Dee-Dee McDuffie
012/ 8/1/2011
P.S. I encourage you to read my coming QuickShare blog: Mountain Madness, it will supply some practical applications for you to get started on the road to having God move your mountains!

Scripture Meditations:
Matthew 17:20 (AMP)
He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [ that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

Matthew 18:11-13 (AMP)
11For the Son of man came to save [from the penalty of eternal death] that which was lost. 12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray and gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost? 13And if it should be that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost.

Luke 3:5 (KJV)Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

More: Zechariah 4:7; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23; Hebrews 12:18

DAUGHTERS' OF THE MOST HIGH

Oh, my daughters', why do you allow him to speak to you in that manner?
Do you not know to whom you belong? The Most High?
With those words that tear down, not build up
Remember that your ears are part of the body that belongs to the Most High
What you accept into your ears is the pathway to your heart. Guard your heart!  Don't allow him to speak to you in that manner with words that cut deeper than a knife.....

Oh, my daughters', why must you accept him cursing you?

Is this love… when you're worth more than rubies?
To address you with the language of those that go down into the pit?
Rise up! Are you not called by the Most High?
Show yourself strong in the Lord!
Your tears....oh...your tears! Will they not move God into action for you?

Oh, my daughters’, with the hurt and pain attached to each syllable, run!

With the tears that flow from your eyes with each vowel, run!
With words that do not minister His Grace, run!
You belong to the Most High! The Holy One!

Accept who you are in Christ my loves’

No need to heed to those words any longer
Through Him you have been redeemed
Strength and honor are your clothing

They disgust Me with the vile language of fools
To the left and to the right they come like blows to your Spirit
Do they not know? By words My Earth was created!
By their words they will be acquitted or condemned!
Do they think that I will just stand by and allow this?!

Oh My, daughters’, Rise up!

Show yourself strong in the Lord!
Your tears….oh….your tears, they move Me into action for you!

He comes like a thief in the night, to steal, kill and destroy
Do not listen! Do not heed!
My voice shall you follow only
To become all I have called you to be!

Oh, My daughters’, do you hear Me now?
Your Savior Your Father
The One who calls you. Rise up!
Show yourself strong in the Lord!

Oh the time has come,
My daughters’ of Virtue have heeded with gladness
You guard your hearts with vengeance
You have closed your ears to his destruction….
Your tears….Yes, I’ve bottled every one
They moved Me into action for you ….
Now your tears have become tears of joy!

Praise be to God and with God's Love,
Dee-Dee McDuffie
011
8/1/2011

RESIDUAL EFFECTS

I’m feeling the residual effects of you
Just when I thought I could start anew
You’ve yanked the cord of me back to you again
The pain returns once more to bend
My heart in places I don’t want to go anymore
Its as if I hadn’t closed that door

Crying is something I know to well
He’s bottled my tears so that I could tell
others’ of the hurt and pain to avoid
He’s the One who can fill the void
But you’ve yanked the cord of me back to you again
The pain returns once more to bend
My heart in places I don’t want to go anymore
Its as if I hadn’t closed that door

So here I am wondering what to do
Have I not severed the cord of you?
“No, not completely” I hear the Holy Spirit say
“Allow me to sever, you won’t go back in anyway”
So I call upon the name of the Most High
The one I recall that you choose to deny
So here I am ready to start anew
Yet I feel the residual effects of you

“Father, help me to completely depend on You!
I'm sitting here wanting to close that door
don't allow him to hurt me anymore... "
I cry in sheer joy at the sound of Your voice
I remember that I've made the choice
to allow You to help when I call upon the Most High
“Thank you Father,” as You draw nigh
“Now I have severed the cord of you
and I will wipe away the residue ….”

Praise Be to God and With God's Love
Dee-Dee McDuffie
010
07/22/11

A HIGH TOLERANCE OF PAIN

She was driving at least 50 miles per hour in a 25 mile zone. I was in the passenger seat of her burgundy ‘92 Toyota Corolla, breathing heavily and beginning to hyperventilate as she ran the second red light. The song “You Can Make It” was playing on the radio as she tapped along on the steering wheel and said, “See! God knows that you can make it!” As we laughed, my girlfriend flew over a wooden bridge that shook as we passed over it and the small creek below, breaking the sound barrier! “We’ll be there in a few minutes!” she continued. I felt like we would be at the hospital for the delivery of my daughter in a few seconds! I was not only afraid of the possibility of death in the way my girlfriend was driving, but I was also afraid of the pain of delivery! During the delivery, I realized the pain wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be due to previous painful experiences in my lifetime. In my early teens, I was diagnosed with extreme endometriosis. The pain associated with it was extremely discomforting to say the least! I had school, sports and the like, so therefore I was told by others that I had to learn to become tolerant of the pain. Each time, I would tell myself that it wasn’t that bad, breathe deeply and put my focus elsewhere. I developed a strategy just to ignore the pain and push through to the point - miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy, pneumonia; burns, cuts and bruises over the years were really not an issue for me. I developed a high tolerance of pain, even though in some cases, I almost died! I recently was reminded of my high tolerance of pain as I burned myself at work on a 350 degree oven! I quickly took a deep breath…said “oh well” and pushed through and focused on my work. Basically, I ignored the pain!

As I was in meditation and study, I thought about my high tolerance of pain and how it correlated with my past relationships. The first time that I was slapped so hard that I thought my eye was going to pop out of the socket by someone I loved, I told myself that it wasn’t that bad. The next time my head hit the mirror and the pain permeated throughout my body, I told myself to ignore the pain and push through. Looking back, I realized that I built up a high tolerance of pain in my relationships. Every time I ignored the signal of pain, ignored the red flags of warning, it cost me much more than one can even imagine. I tolerated the pain of severe abuse, cheating, addictions, jail, tickets, financial problems, manipulation, lying and on and on. WHY? Love? Sex? Loneliness? Baby-Daddy? Financial Help? Companionship? Low Self-Esteem? Maybe the answer could be all of the above!

Pain is described in the dictionary as an unpleasant physical sensation, feeling of discomfort, emotional distress and/or someone or something troublesome. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong and should be addressed. For example, I would have never known that I had endometriosis if I wasn’t in some type of pain. Now, we could go on and on about degrees of pain, but I think you get the hint! Pain is to get your attention, not to ignore the attention needed.  

Have you allowed each painful incident in your current relationship to develop into a high tolerance of pain? Have you ignored the signals of pain? Have you taken deep breathes and focused only on the so-called good when you need to address the painful areas? Do you need to re-evaluate the areas (or the person ) causing the pain your experiencing? Sometimes, you need to walk away from things to get clarity, especially if the pain is ever-increasing.  

Jesus Christ died so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. It is not God’s desire for you to suffer excessive unnecessary painful experiences. We all will have trials and tribulations in this life, but it is not God’s desire for us to wallow in them.  You don’t have to stay in an area of unhappiness and defeat - that is a trick (bondage) of the enemy- Satan! You can experience true joy, which supersedes happiness! When you come to know who you are in Christ, your tolerance becomes a shield of protection to God’s temple.  Don’t allow anyone to treat God’s temple (you) with disrespect - even you. Find out what God says about you in His Word beginning with His magnificent gift of salvation! God is all you need since all good things come from Him! Allow Him to give you true insight and godly wisdom into your future godly relationship of courting that will bring you to marry your Man of Valor! A man [or woman for my male readers!] after God’s own heart! Come out of the darkness of the enemy (Satan) - the bondage he has you in and be delivered.  In Jesus’ mighty name!God did it for me, He will do it for you!

Praise Be to God and With God’s Love

Delivered and Restored,

Dee-Dee McDuffie

07/4/2011

006
Scripture Meditations: John 3:16 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave is one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 31:1-2 (NIV)

In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge, let me never be put to shame deliver me in your righteousness (2)Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

Psalm 121:1 (NIV)

I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?(2) My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 118:6 (NIV)

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Proverbs 11:14 (MSG)

Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (AMP)19Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, [made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8(AMP)
4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecythe gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

FINDING HOPE

Years ago, I encountered a spirited young woman named Hope who was bright, funny and intelligent. She was the accounts payable clerk in the hotel in which we both worked. We quickly became friends through our daily encounters whether in the café or the office. I found that we had a lot in common especially in regards to our relationships with our mates. We’d spend time laughing about what quirky, yet irritating event happened and would compare notes, so to speak. 

Overtime, I noticed some changes in Hope. She would stop by my desk and tell me the latest drama with her boyfriend. It seemed as if he would take her on a rollercoaster ride of the ups of intense happiness the downs of extreme sorrow. The stress overtime intensified and Hope had a hard time focusing on her work; just getting through the day seemed a task for her. There were days when Hope was so overwhelmed with problems that she resided in a constant state of confusion. Her conversation was broken because she was easily distracted by thoughts which ran through her troubled mind.  

One day, Hope and I had a brief conversation about going to church. She stated how she hadn’t been in quite awhile, but yet wanted to return. I had just become saved myself, therefore talking to her about God entailed sending her to a more mature believer in the office. She began by telling me things were getting pretty rocky for her because she was about to lose her home. She continued by stating how her boyfriend hadn’t been working, was not contributing to the household and her income wasn’t enough to take care of the bills. He also owed back child support in which she was paying in order to keep him out of jail. A few weeks later, she came with good news of marriage and she wanted things to turn around for her - and her now husband. After all she had been through with him; she felt that once they were married their problems would dissolve. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, they didn’t.   

With some nudging from her boss to prevent the loss of her job, Hope went to a counselor. I finally noticed something was wrong with Hope after she had been missing for a few weeks on vacation. Unfortunately, she eventually had a nervous breakdown. Circumstances in her life had taken over her thoughts and actions until she could no longer work and had to be medicated in order to think partially clear. Months later, I saw Hope as she returned to work. She didn’t seem like herself because she was so heavily medicated. Hope was like a person in the distance. She eventually lost her job and home. It saddened me to see her hurting, and the gossip that accompanied her breakdown, hurt her even more. I left that hotel never really knowing what happened to Hope or how she was doing. I prayed that she had found herself again and the Hope I knew returned to her former spirited self. 

Recently as I was in meditation and study, I found myself pondering about the hope (to desire something with confident expectation of its fulfillment) and trust (confidence in and reliance on) we need to put in God and not man. It brought me to recall my friendship with Hope and how she put her hope and trust in man (specifically her husband) and not completely in God. She unfortunately didn’t have anything to grasp onto once the circumstances in her life took a turn for the worse, even more so when her expectations and trust were crushed. I believe it was then that Hope lost her grasp on life and lost herself. 

When things go array in your life, where do you turn? Do you turn inside yourself, to others’, external drugs/alcohol or to God? Where do you place your hope? In whom do you place your trust? I watched Hope deteriorate from not finding Hope (and trust) in God. I encourage you today to find yourself (who you are in Christ) in Him! Put your hope and trust completely in the Almighty. He is the one who holds your peace, joy, comfort and all of your needs! God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ask or think! Turn all your cares over to God today and watch Him do the supernatural for you! If you feel as if you have lost hope - rejoice! God can restore your hope! He’s the restorer of all things, including HOPE!

Praise Be to God and With God’s Love,

Dee-Dee McDuffie

07/11/11

008

Scripture Meditations:

Psalm 118:8 (NIV)

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man

Psalm 25:3 (AMP)

Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.

Psalm 42:5 (AMP

) Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God. 

Psalm 62:5 (AMP)

My soul, wait only upon god and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…..”

ONE-WAY OR ROUND TRIP? (A Quick Share)

To my readers: Although I speak with divine revelation and direction, it is still very important that as you read this blog, you pray and seek God on how it applies to your own situation. There are various aspects of God’s Word and His will for your life. Please, I encourage you to seek even more Christian counsel (e.g. www.dwo.org) as it pertains to your specific situation. No matter what, know that God’s restoration and deliverance is available to all, even you! 

In my lifetime, I have traveled extensively whether by train, automobile or plane. I traveled for various reasons including business, family emergencies and vacations. Some trips were fun while others were physically and mentally exhausting. The question most asked it seemed when I traveled was “Is this one-way or a round trip?” Another question was “How much baggage do you have?” In my meditation time, I was reminded of how my past relationships were much like my travels. Most times, they were a round trip being physically and mentally exhausting, when they needed to be a one-way ticket out! The even more unfortunate thing was that I held onto baggage in which I should have left unclaimed (bitterness, resentment, hatred)!

I have spent what seems like a lifetime in bad relationships. I would return to a bad relationship only to be hurt and abused once again. My reasoning’s ranged from thinking “he” was the one to needing financial assistance or even just plain loneliness. God has a better plan for our lives and this (abundance of unhappiness) is not His desire for us! Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly! If his type of love is disrespectful, manipulating, physically abusive or verbally degrading, it’s time to find true love in God! God’s love is restoration, deliverance, peace and joy and it is available to you right now! God knows the heart of man (who “he” really is) and He knows whose best for you! Allow Him to choose the right man of valor (whom you are to marry) for you! In Jesus’ mighty name, Is this one-way or round trip?

Practical Applications/Meditations: (Prov. 31, 26:11; Ps 16, 21, 27, 28, 31, 68, 91; 1Cor 13:4-8)

Start at the Salvation Station:

If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so now! Receive all that God has for you right now! Life won’t be perfect, but it’s more rewarding with Jesus!
Get on the Train of Understanding:  

(of who you are in Christ Jesus!): Find every scripture on what God says about you in His Word and meditate (think about and internalize) on them! When you internalize who you are in Christ, you won’t allow anyone to treat God’s temple with disrespect!

Listen to the Conductor’s Instructions:

Get in a Bible-based practicing church and be covered by whom God has called to oversee and teach you! Most of all learn to develop a personal relationship with the “Conductor” Himself and heed to His instructions!

Where are You going?

Map and plan out what you’ve hoped and dreamed for and begin working towards those goals! Pray and Ask God for Help and people will begin to surround you with solutions to your problems!

Who’s Talking on your PA System?

It is very imperative that you seek Godly counsel because not everyone will give you good advice! The church? A Christian co-worker? Someone who you can sincerely trust to help you achieve your new found goals and grow in your faith!

Don’t Give Up!

The Enemy (Satan) is very real! He does not want you to succeed and is very subtle in his scheme to block your destiny that God has available for you! We all have had our hearts played and broken by “him”, but God will never leave you nor forsake you! He will supply your every need from comfort to financial help! Trust and believe!

Not a round trip?

Don’t go back to the island of hopelessness when you could be in Hawaii! Unless God has done the changing in “him”, most likely it’s not a lasting one! Continue moving forward on the train of success with God and Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

Praise be to God and With God’s Love, Dee-Dee McDuffie 6/19/2011

A LOG TURNED INTO A CABIN

I used to love watching Home and Garden Television on cable. One show in particular, Log Cabins, portrayed how a beautiful lavish log cabin started out as one simple beam of wood. The show revealed the process of building the cabin which was relatively slow because of the interference of weather, materials, etc. Although each episode was only an hour, you could travel through the four seasons as you watched them fully complete one house, which began as a log. I was reminded of this show during a brief encounter with a woman.

As I was speaking with her, I realized how her speech was very negative. She looked for and found something negative in everything, especially people. When she did acknowledge that she had some issues, the blame went to someone else or had excuses attached. Later that evening, as I was thinking about how she irritated me, I thought of the scripture: Matthew 7:3-5 that says, “3Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye. (Amp)

A beam of timber…a log.

Still irritated, the Holy Spirit reminded me of how I was delivered from this same issue. He gently reminded me of how I used to blame everyone else too, had a tendency to find the negative in others’, but never accepted that I was a negative person. My mouth was negative, my thoughts were negative, my actions (or reactions) were negative. I spent most of my time, like her, being negative. I thought about (because of my own experience) how this type of behavior blocks the flow of God in our lives.

I recalled what brought my deliverance about and what God had done for me. One evening, as I was in deep meditation, the Holy Spirit spoke, saying that in order for me to grow and become all God has called me to be, there were some things that needed to be admitted and addressed. So, I began, “I am judgmental, a manipulator, a slanderer…” and it went on. I cried so hard that I thought my heart was going to pop out my chest! He revealed to me this type of behavior was displeasing in God’s sight no matter how I tried to previously justify it

(1). I heard the small still quiet voice say, “I’m here.” I cried uncontrollably as He continued, “I love you”. I knew then God loved me enough to help me and I needed His help! “Don’t leave me like this!” I yelled in tears. I had a desire to have permanent change because my actions didn’t line up with Truth. I was then reminded of His promises of deliverance (2). I immediately began regimens taught by my spiritual father including biblical fasting, prayer and just shutting up! Again, I admitted that I needed to change, so that my Father in Heaven could help me change. Next, I sought practical ways to implement those necessary changes including changing my thought pattern, speech, friends and surroundings.

When I finished pondering upon my own deliverance, I had an understanding of her current situation. It is difficult for her to be delivered because her log had turned into a cabin. She has been saved for many years but because she built her log cabin of slander, discord and judgment, one log at a time, it was now (not luxurious) a cabin full of negativity. Along the way, just like me, the weather of life aided in building her cabin, so much that she can no longer see what is within her, but only the “specks of sawdust” in others’.

My immediate prayer was, “Lord, how can we help her?”

The response: "Be transparent."

(3) So here today, I’m “write” [right] before you because I too had that same problem. I encourage you today to not allow each log of negativity through your speech or thought, turn into a cabin that blocks the flow of God in your life. Wake up! Arise! Become all God has called you to be! He can deliver you, just like He did for me! It may take time to crush the house that you’ve built around yourself, but God is a wrecking ball ready and willing to destroy that old cabin and give you a new luxurious one! Change is necessary to receive a consistent flow of God’s blessings in your life! I look forward to hearing your testimonies as I was just transparent with mine!

Praise be to God and With God’s Love,

Dee-Dee McDuffie
003
6/6/2011

Scripture Meditations:

(1)

Proverbs 10:18 (AMP)

18He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool.1 Corinthians 6:10 (AMP)
Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.
Colossians 3:8 (AMP)
But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
(2) Psalm 32:7 (AMP)
You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm 35:9 (AMP)
Then I shall be joyful in the Lord; I shall rejoice in His deliverance.
 (3)
Revelation 12:11 (KJV) 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death