It's A Two Way Street

Ephesians 6:4

4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

 

We know that one of the commandments is to honor thy mother and father so that your days may be long. Most people stop there. But the apostle Paul stated twice with this command that children are not to be provoked to anger lest the become discouraged and that parents are to bring them up in the Lord. It's a two way street. Why is this so important?

As an abused child myself, I can tell you that anger, rage and self-destructive behavior ensued after being mistreated. Children are a gift from God which He entrusts to you and can be taken back at any time. In my new book, "Shh Don't Tell", I talk about how this second command is often broken by parents, caregivers or anyone who children are entrusted to. Children cannot survive on their own so when people who are to teach them and care for them violate them, a disconnect takes place.

As the host of Good Life Radio, Teria Powell, said, "Shh Don't Tell" tells you not just about the stories of Ingrid, Randy and Kendall but also what signs to look for if a child has been abused and what not to do should you find a child in this situation." What I appreciated about my interview last Saturday morning with Teria Powell was that not only does she have a discerning spirit, but she is a foster mother so she sees many of these children after the trust has been broken. And she is tasked with building back the trust. Teria sees the anger, rage and self-destructive behavior that can lead to death after these acts have been committed. The stats on abused children are staggering but still skewed because many acts of abuse go unreported. Children are shamed into keeping quiet not only by those who abuse them but often by other loved ones.

Children start out obeying those who are meant to care for them but when they are harmed, what do you think happens? The apostle Paul knew and that is why he spoke about it. Jesus spoke about children in Matthew 18:3 being received in His name. 

Abuse is not just physical but also verbal and emotional and manipulation is a form of abuse as well. Be a help to our future generations not a hindrance.

Go to www.getyourjoyinthemorning.com to order Shh Don't Tell.

Resistance is Futile

Acts 26:14

14We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads."

The apostle was sharing his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus with King Agrippa. Many of you may remember Star Trek Next Generation. There was an enemy referred to as "The Borg" they were a group of people turned into a single consciousness. There common phrase was, 'resistance is futile'. Per the NIV Study Bible, Jesus' statement to Paul about the goads is translated into the same phrase in Greek. The point is that resisting the Lord really only brings harm to the person resisting. The circle of pain continues until one stops fighting Him. If you read both the Old and New  Testament, it is filled with examples of those who attempted to fight God but no one can fight the creator of Heaven, Earth and everything in it and expect to win. Even the enemy of our souls fights a losing battle. So why resist? Stubborn pride is usually at the root but the Lord says in His word that He disdains pride and He will break a prideful spirit. How far He has to break you depends solely on how long you resist the Lord. Many don't understand but He is such that He presents an offer, you can't refuse.  Resistance of the one who created you really is futile as it's only a matter of time before you have to call on Him.

P.S. Stay tuned over the next 2 weeks for your chance to win a free autographed copy of my new book, Shh Don't Tell!

Let's Bring Healing to the World!!!

Good Morning Everyone,

May God's blessings be continually upon you!! It is with joy and pleasure that I inform you of GREAT NEWS! My next book, Shh Don't Tell, will be released nationwide July 2013! I am excited as it is VERY different from the Get Your JOY In The Morning! book and daily message. Yet, insightful. This book is near and dear to my heart because as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, it takes a great amount of courage to even talk about the subject. I applaud the survivors who shared with me for this book. I pray that if you know anyone who is a survivor and you yourself interact with a survivor, are a parent, etc, that you will take an honest look at this heartfelt work. Tell everyone you know to be on the look out because it could mean healing for someone living with an unspeakable pain and greater understanding for those who love the one living with the pain. I have attached a copy of the cover. Pass it on and let's bring healing to the world!!!

GLORY TO GOD!!!