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

#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

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.

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].

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

Tattooed

When I was in my teenage years, I didn’t have ownership of anything. I didn’t own anything that belonged specifically to me. The house that I lived in belonged to my father, the car we drove belonged to my father and the money that I had belonged to my father. My father provided all that I needed and because of this, I was very content regardless of the fact that these things didn’t specifically belong to me.   My father never made it a big deal to remind me these "things" belonged to him unless I mistreated them.  He taught me to respect the things that he had freely given to me because of his love for me. 

As I grew into my adulthood, I still didn’t have ownership of anything. As I watched others’ buy homes and cars, these were not things I obtained for myself because of bad choices. Between abusive relationships that consistently reminded me that I was not in control, and bad choices that proved I had nothing of substance (in others’ opinion), I looked for ways to have something of my own.

One day as I was conversing with peers about tattoos, I asked each of them why they decided to get tattooed. I was given several reasons from “I just needed something for me” to “its tribute to God”. As I thought about why I would like to have a tattoo myself, I thought this could be the one thing that I owned - so to speak. The powerful women’s declaration came to my mind - “My body belongs to me!” In my mind, no one could take it away from me because it was permanent. I immediately went out and had a Gecko tattooed on my ankle. I was so excited about it; I told everyone how the pain was worth it! Years later I would get another tattoo and to be honest, for the same reason. As I contemplated the possibility of a third tattoo, I resisted because I watched how others’ had become addicted and I realized this could become a problem for me. 

After I received salvation through Jesus Christ, I came across some young ladies who asked me about tattoos and if it was a sin. As I pointed them to scripture (1), one young lady reminded me that I have two tattoos, so what was the big deal because - “God had forgiven you, right?” At that point, I realized that my actions could affect the decisions of others. As I remembered back of why I thought ownership was so important, I recalled the experiences that led to this action. I was never the same after this conversation. I constantly wanted to cover the shame of my youth, (2) my tattoos. Although I watched what type of clothes I wore so that my tattoos wouldn’t be seen, I lived in constant condemnation. One evening, while in prayer and repentance about my tattoos, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that through Jesus Christ, I didn’t have to live in condemnation, but our bodies are not our own (3). Our bodies belong to God. God didn’t want me to have to constantly cover the shame, guilt and error that Jesus had taken care of, but it could make my witnessing for Christ more difficult. I was saddened deeply by the fact that my decision to get tattooed, could affect someone else in a negative manner where they might disobey God (4).

Like my father, our Heavenly Father will provide us with all that we need to be content. He loves and cares for us and promises that He will supply all that we need! He also gives us the blessings of obedience and the results of disobedience in His Word to keep us focused (5) on right living.   When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He was saying, “The pain was worth it!” for us all. He sacrificed His body, so that we could live and glorify God in ours. Why should we go through all the trouble of covering the shame of our youth or live in condemnation, when we could make the decision now to honor God through obedience to His Word? Although forgiveness is available, we should never test God’s grace and mercy.

It is my sincere prayer, as you read this, you will not mark what God created in His image.  I know for myself it has not been worthwhile looking for clothes to specifically cover my tattoos especially when it is a cute blouse! The Bible says in Leviticus (1) that we are not to tattoo our bodies or pierce them. When we mark the body (temple) that God allows us to move in freely, we dishonor Him, even if the tattoo was meant for Him! (6). It’s like saying, “God you’re work was just ok, but I have a better look for me so let me add a little something to it!” If like me, you unfortunately have made a mistake, I pray that you will come to realize there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ because He was “tattooed” enough for us all (7) !  Receive God’s forgiveness today in the name of Jesus!

You are beautiful the way God created you! Make the decision today to live in the body God gave you freely through Jesus Christ, tattoo free! Take care of the temple that God gave you and you will glorify the Most High!

Praise be to God and with God’s Love,

Dee-Dee McDuffie

5/12/2011

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Scripture References:

1. Leviticus 19:28 (New King James Version)

2. Jeremiah 3:23-25 (New King James Version)

3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New King James Version)

4. Romans 14:21 (New King James Version)

5. Deuteronomy 28 (NIV)

6. Genesis 1:27 (New King James Version)

7. John 3:16 (NIV)