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

BAIT

1 Peter 5:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

2 Corinthians 2:11
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

          I spent my summers as a young adult traveling to northern Michigan.   Our summer consisted of spending time with family and friends in woodsy log-like cabins which sat directly off of the beautiful glistening waters.  Our mornings began in the wee hours when even the birds had not awakened.  As the dawn began to break, birds now chirping and sea gulls in flight, we were already on our boats with our fishing poles in the still waters.  The cool crisp air brought chills, yet it was fun to breathe out and see it create a dissipating smoke.  We had already taken the time to purchase our bait at the local store.  Nothing high tech here though,  just plain old squirming worms sacrificed on a hook for the sheer purpose of catching our dinner.  On the water there would be very little talking, no harsh movements just sitting until our behinds became numb waiting for the fish to bite.   Fish were easily drawn by the worms that we had placed in the water on that sharp hook.  Once baited the fish were hooked and dragged to their demise.      

       I was reminded of my past fishing expeditions as I reacted to a post I read  some time ago on Facebook.  The bait was a topic I am passionate about in my life.  This small little question-posed paragraph would  be the dangling worm enticing me in.  Reading the comments would cause my heart to race, thoughts to run wild and leave me emotionally spent.  I was ready to fire a quick comment and let them know a thing or two!  A far cry of what I encourage others’ to do which is to respond in love. Yet, I had been baited and caught and no one knew this little worm had caused me all of this anguish as I sat in my car pondering upon what just happened.  It had dragged me to my demise of extreme anger lingering in my flesh.      

     We are not fish to be baited by the world or Satan as they sit and dangle worms in our faces waiting for us to bite.  The worms that cause anguish and despair which end in disruption of our day, more so our lives.   We run the risk of getting caught up in something which holds greater consequences than we may be able to handle.     

     There is nothing high-tech about the one who dangles money in our faces when we are in great need only to find ourselves in a vicious poverty cycle.  There is nothing high-tech about the one who dangles drugs in our faces when we are looking for ways to forget our problems.  There is nothing high-tech as one who dangles attention in our faces during times of loneliness, which ends in passing our moral compasses.  Nothing high-tech about the berating spouse‘s mouth which sends us out searching for niceties.  The bait of the pornographic video no one knows we watched which fuels ungodly desires.  The bait of our political or religious beliefs sent over the edge by differences of opinion.  The bait of  the television which consumes our time with reality that’s not real. No, none of these worms which are dangled in our face daily are high-tech at all.  Yet there are so many more disruptions to our lives which create distance in our relationship with God.  These worms keep us from all God has promised us in His Word.   

     On the other end of this spectrum -  what did Jesus say to his disciples? Go and be fishermen of men. So which bait do we want to take? The bait salvation which consists of hope, peace and love? The bait of abundant life? The bait of the Father? Yet, the bait of salvation is not bait at all - but a gift.  I believe sometimes we think we are being brain-washed or baited by something which is holding us captive.  Being captivated by God’s love is much different than being held captive (or in bondage) to sin.  God desires for us to live such a prosperous life and guides us in a manner to keep us from things that would harm us.  Yes, those worms eat our lives away.  It’s imperative we spend time alone in the presence of God to avoid being baited by the wrong things.  Beware of the next fishing expedition!   

John 8:12 
New International Version (NIV) 
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

2 Corinthians 11:14
Amplified Bible (AMP)
14 And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Joel 2:25
King James Version (KJV)
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Romans 7: 21-25

 Message (MSG) 

21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me?  Isn’t that the real question?

25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. 

Ephesians 5:11

The Message (MSG)

11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,

Climb out of your coffins;

Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

Live Blessed,
Dee-Dee
   
     

THE VIEW OF MY TATTOO (TATTOOED 2)

Leviticus 19:28

King James Version (KJV)

28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

      Sometime ago, one morning while at work, a young lady approached me to share her new tattoos. She was so excited she spent most of her morning showing them off to the entire staff. My initial reaction was one of disgust until I recalled the view of my own tattoo during the midst of our conversation. 

      I was in the mirror one morning cutting my hair when a glimpse of my tattoo was a blatant reminder of my past decisions. As I viewed my tattoo I felt a sense of regret. I had now come to know Christ and knew what the Word of God had to say on the matter. So I can be neither judge nor jury here, but want to again share a part of my testimony. 

      We continued our conversation as she shared with me her inspiration for the tattoo. She believed in witchcraft and the ideas of being a witch. She believed in worshiping the moon and the stars amounted to worshiping Mother Earth. She believed she could center herself and be at peace by howling at the moon (not sure if that’s applicable to witchcraft- but okay). The tattoo was a portion of her beliefs on witchcraft. Well, I instantaneously believed this was an opportunity for me to witness to her, so I started:

- Well, that is very interesting.
- Yea, I’m so pumped! Do you have tattoos Dee?
- Yep, but I won’t get anymore.
- Why?

- Well, I am saved. I am a Christian. I choose to follow the principles and teachings of Christ. I believe that my body is the temple of Christ and I should treat it as such. The Holy Spirit is the occupant of my temple and I don’t want to grieve or dishonor my occupant in anyway. I believe the Word of God teaches us that our bodies are not our own. So, I am very mindful of what I put into my body. I choose not to decorate my temple like a house which will deteriorate over time and you can see the visible results of such. I don’t believe in worshiping the moon and the stars by the way; I believe in worshiping the Maker of those things. I find my center in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior and my peace comes from knowing God intimately. I've heard it put this way: Would you put a bumper sticker on a Bentley? In other words, it’s like saying, ‘God you did alright but here let me give you some decorating tips!’ Well, that may be a little over the top for some but it’s what I believe. Besides, tattooing is addictive and God has delivered me from many things and tattooing, for me, is one of them. While I understand the art of it and personal reasons for doing so which I can respect, I still have to remember for me - my body is not my own. 

- Well, I believe I occupy my house and it’s a canvas and I will put art all over it. 

She laughed and continued on her way.

      So many thoughts ran through my mind at that moment.  

What looks good to you may not be good for you –for instance, my mom’s butterfly tattoo from her teens looks like it returned to the caterpillar stage! 

Can I get the job I want with this tattoo?

What will I tell my children when they ask about why do I have a tattoo and God is supposedly telling them no? When others’ look at me and I’m trying to witness about Christ, will this make my witnessing opportunity more effective or less effective?

Was the feeling of condemnation worth it? When I’m convicted about never getting another one, will I obey or succumb to the temptation?

      I prayed as she walked away and hoped a portion of what I said stuck with her. She was eventually let go from the job so I never would have the opportunity to speak to her again on the subject. 

      More recently, I was reminded of my past decisions again when a friend asked me why I chose the gecko on my ankle. They continued by posing the question of all tattoos having meaning. Although I chose not to answer them at that time, it caused a lot of reflection to occur. I thought back to why I picked this particular one. It reminded me of a story my good friend told me about geckos growing up as a child in the Philippines. And so yes I am reminded of my friend whenever I look at it, yet I am also reminded I’ve put something permanent on my body because of temporary feelings. I found a permanent solution for a temporary problem. No honor of any kind—to anyone—because it dishonors God. I recalled my choice and recalled the day God would convict me to no longer defame my temple. 

      So here I am thinking about my tattoos again, realizing I’m back to reminiscing on the first blog I wrote. I hope those who read my testimony will not feel condemnation nor put any further markings on their bodies. I hope those who have none will choose to keep their temple sacred. I encourage you to know who you are in Christ, a magnificent, priceless being created by God. And yes, I still believe what I believe:

We don’t put bumper stickers on Bentleys'.
  

Live Blessed,

With the Love of Christ, my Lord and Savior
Dee-Dee

 Psalm 24:1New King James Version (NKJV)
The King of Glory and His Kingdom
A Psalm of David.24 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.

Romans 8

New International Version (NIV)
Life Through the Spirit
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Philippians 4:8
New International Version (NIV) 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

#BBD #RT (A QUICKSHARE)

“The buck stops here!” I’ve yelled many times. Why?

     I spent many years watching the lifestyles of the broke, busted and disgusted because it was my life. It wasn’t hard to realize that #bbd was me!

     The first time that I yelled that statement was when my daughter was born. As an unwed, single mother, it was a lifestyle of standing in lines, only to be berated by the social worker whom had just put her Bible down from reading it on her lunch hour. She’d stare at you over those 1920 glasses as to say, “Do you really expect me to believe that cockamamie story that you just told me to get some assistance?” As I rolled my eyes to ignore the social worker from Hell, my attention would shift to see the girl roll up out of an Escalade with Gucci boots on to get twice as much assistance as I did. It was times like these and baby daddy drama that would cause the D-disgusted to be worn like my favorite shirt. Always mad and angry, I justified my anger towards the system and a little boy that I hoped would act like a man. It was a vicious cycle of drama. Yea, it’s true, my girlfriends had my back in my presence, but I had to remember to pull the knife out before I went off to sleep. Their advice was to spend more time in lines to teach “him” a lesson. It always started with, “If I was you- and ended with girl, I’m glad I’m not you.” The looks, the stares and the whispers of the other side of the baby’s family and the world caused my mouth to run a muck with four letter words. More so, “So what!”…“I don’t care!” were my favorite statements to hide the hurt and pain I drowned in.

     I found myself at a crossroads in my life, decision after decision plummeting me further into despair. Everyone telling me my life was going in the wrong direction, yet their lives too broke to point me in the right direction. I spent many, many years in this way but I was determined not to allow #bbd to be me.

     I found myself though, having the same paradigms, actions and reactions towards my life and my daughter that I watched my family for years go through. How did I end up like them? I was determined not to be another statistic - (‘cause my foul mouth spent many times talking ‘bout “those girls”) - but now I’m one! What happened? Where did I go wrong, how the heck can things get better down in this deep ditch called life?!

     After years of battling life, I was exhausted. I finally wanted to have more, have better and wanted better for my child. My childhood was not so cute; I was determined not to have those same traits, habits and paradigms of life poured into me transferred to my daughter. It would be years later, but the Love of God would touch my heart and give me revelation like never before into my situation. And He even gave me more revelation to get me out! After salvation, God would send pastors, teachers and a Bishop into my life and path who would teach me about generational curses. Curses of paradigms, actions and traits that my family, generation after generation, had struggled with and even more so used by Satan to keep us in bondage. But with the saving Grace and Mercy of God, “the buck stopped here!” How?

Practical Applications:

Accept

Accept the fact that there are bad habits, traits and paradigms in every family. No family is perfect. Take a look in that Bible, whew! Baby daddy drama, brothers’ killing each other; manipulative women- it’s nothing new! Now, on the other hand, there are families with good traits, good habits- so acceptance goes both ways. Accept salvation, Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, so that the Love of God can be poured into you and drain the sewage out! Accept and take full responsibility for yourself and what you deposit into yourself and the lives of others. Your life can’t get better until you get better with God. Accept #TheCleaner can do His job through your faith!

Identify

Identify what traits are those of a Believer. You also need to identify what traits, etc. you need to change. The to do’s and what not to do’s of life can be found in the Bible. I encourage you to read Proverbs for daily guidance. One of my traits sad to say was overspending. I appeared well off, but my bank account screamed, “Broke!” Drove a nice car, but only to park the car down the street to hide from the repo man. I identified that I needed to become a good steward over all that God gives unto me. It’s a process, so prayer and fasting and practice are good ways to break bad habits. #wakeupandsmellthecoffee and #seekGod

Become Unglued

Remember, change must take place. When we decide to walk with God, we have made the choice to allow Him to unglue us from the ways of the world. We can’t think, act or respond in the same manner as we use to. What we used to do in the club does not belong in the Kingdom! This is a process, so it takes time. It also doesn’t mean we are still “struggling” thirty years later with a foul mouth. As Believers, it’s easy to say, “I’m sorry Lord”, only in our hearts, not to really mean it. Or point the finger when we need to take a look in the mirror. Become unglued to the ways that you are used to and become all that God is calling you to be! #nokickingandscreaming just #obey

I Declare War!

Realize life is not a game and you only get one. Therefore, declare war on the Enemy - Satan and protect your family. Declare this day that “The buck stops here!” No more will you allow excessive fear, poverty, sexual immorality, slave mentality, etc to destroy your family generation after generation. Find scripture in the Word and speak it with boldness and confess it over your family every chance you get. Speak destiny into your children(s) lives, “Wealth and riches will be in your house!” “God has made you a peculiar person- you are different and set apart to be used by God!” “You are a child of the Most High God!” “I’m godly proud of you- good job!” #MouthwithPower Associate with like Believers, join women’s/men’s groups to help elevate you but alleviate problematic areas; and get an accountability partner- someone that can help keep you on the track to your destiny! Receive correction and get all that God has just for you!

#DP

(durable prosperity) - from teachings of Bishop B.A. Gibert, DWO Christian Center Church, Redford MI)

Scripture References NIV(1997): John 3:16: Isaiah 58; Proverbs ch: 2-6;12:1; 17:27-28 ; Ephesians 2,5,6; Romans 12; 1 Cor 6:9; Philippians 4; James 1(all); James 3:3-6; Psalm 112; Psalm 118

Be blessed,

With God’s Love,

Dee-Dee McDuffie

7/3/2012 dlm/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

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

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

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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].