Was the Resurrection Real?

My answer to that question is unequivocably, "Yes!" However, I know many that ask the question. I decided to take the time to answer the question of, "Why do you believe the resurrection really occured?"

We all have different lenses through which we view the world. In order to answer a question as "deep thinking" as the one I've posed, you must first see the background of my life. My journey began in an abusive home. I see the eye rolling... It's true. My father was emotionally, physically and sexually abusive. Despite this, my sisters and I always attended church. Our father claimed to be a Christian and required it. At age seven, I asked JESUS to come into my heart. When I was fourteen, I along with my sisters, entered foster care. In the next four years, I survived fourteen foster homes. (The irony isn't lost on me.) It was a long road.

I entered into adulthood at age 17. Fresh out of high school, on my own, a new journey began. It was one of real self-discovery. I had been re-baptized during youth camp. Now that I was on my own, it was time to find out more about JESUS. Why did HE choose me? What was HIS plan for my life? I started reading the Word regularly. I sought HIS Truth by asking HIM to show me what I had been missing for years. GOD began opening up the reality of WHO HE is.

My life remained in a cycle of ups and downs: emotionally, spiritually and financially. At age nineteen, one evening, as I was riding my bicycle home from work during a monsoon downpour, I cried out to the LORD. It was like the "foxhole" prayers about which we frequently hear. "LORD! If YOU are real, show YOURSELF to me!" Years later, I had a mentor who said to me, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." GOD answered my prayer that day. Things did not get better, however I started seeing HIM working in my life.

I quickly learned what the REFINER'S fire was. The more I learned about it, the more I wanted to go through it. Wait! What was that? You wanted the fire? Yep, that's what I said. I realized something in my learning: in order to become the person whom GOD was making me, I had to go through all HE had planned for me.

Fast forward to now. Trust me, it's the best thing to skip the last 25 years for now. GOD led me through more ups and downs. I learned the biggest lesson of my life: GOD is faithful. In all HE has shown me over the last forty four years, there is no doubt in my mind that the resurrection was real. HE has spoken to me, guided me, protected me, provided for me, healed me, listened to me, counselled me, watched over me... I could go on, but you get the point.

Without the resurrection, none of life would have meaning. Whether you believe yet or not, GOD is real. There is only one GOD. HE is a loving GOD. HE is a mighty GOD. HE is a powerful GOD. HE loved you so much, that HE gave HIS only SON to die for your sin. But then, HE did what was never done before HIM, HE arose and is still alive. HE lives today and is waiting for you to join in HIS freedom. Because, if you know the SON you will be free indeed!

What are you waiting for now? Come on...walk with HIM!

My Take on Independence Day from a Patriot

When was the last time you really took the time to focus on the true meaning of Independence Day? I think about it more and more as the years go on...having a relationship with GOD my Father, the Creator of the Universe, I am reminded that my true freedom is always found in HIM. This is the same thing believed by our Founding Fathers.

King George III was taking away more and more liberties. Samuel Adams wrote, "For government is an ordinance of Heaven, design'd by the all-benevolent Creator, for the general happiness of his rational creature, man." Many people in the colonies were becoming discontented. Taxation without representation. I hear people say that today and they have no real concept of what it means.

So what happened? War. During which, after much struggle and debate:

"In Congress, 4 July 1776. A DECLARATION By the REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS assembled."

(better known as the Declaration of Independence)

was written, agreed to and signed.

"When in the Course of human Events...

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness...

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

When the document was signed on 2 August 1776, there were some who were not present. Knowing the ramifications, they still chose to sign. Fifty-six men.

In November of 1777, Congress agreed to the Articles of Confederation. It wasn't until 1781 that all states agreed to and signed them. Realizing the many defects of the Federal Government, George Washington pushed for a resolution. Finally, on the second Monday in May 1787, delegates came together in Philadelphia in order to revise the Articles. All were quick to realize that the Articles were so defective that they could not work. Therefore, they set out to create a new Constitution.

On 12 September 1787, the Constitution was sent to the several states for the states to review for ratification. Here's a thought: why isn't that done today? "You'll have to pass the bill to find out what's in it." Sound familiar? If not, you're not paying attention.

In 1814, during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key wrote a little poem. "Defence at Fort McHenry." This poem was later set to music and renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner." You may recognize it as the National Anthem. There is a phrase during a musical crescendo that says, "...and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." Now, if you know me well, you know that many things tear me up. Every time I sing our National Anthem, it brings tears to my eyes.

Think of the ramifications of that phrase...Francis Scott Key was watching WAR. He may have thought, "I'm watching my friends be killed during this battle! Nobody can survive this bloody battle!" He was listening to the bombs of war. He was seeing the flashes of light from the rockets shooting into the Fort. He was hearing the gun fire and canons booming.

I have never been in war. However, I never watch the fireworks on Independence Day without tears streaming down my face while thanking GOD for the men and women who have fought in wars to obtain and preserve the freedom I enjoy in the United States of America. Still the greatest country in the world.

Join me this Sunday ~ wherever you are ~ in remembering our freedom. Thanking GOD for where HE has placed us.

I personally thank you all who have served or are serving my country defending it's borders and preserving my liberties from tyranny. Thank you to your families for letting you go. What you do, your sacrifice, is immeasurable. Thank you.

On this date, 1Jul10,
Lisa G. Fiedler

He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. Isaiah 40:11 NLT

I love Isaiah 40. Hearing about Jesus. His love and comfort for His people. Knowing that I am chosen. I am accepted in the beloved. I am His lamb. He is my shepherd. With the joy that is found every day in knowing Him, I have just never understood why so many people choose to deny Him. God is so good to me. He has always been faithful. He has never forsaken me. People turn away. Some even turn mean. Many just disappear. But Jesus has left His Spirit to comfort me. To protect me. To guide me in the way everlasting.

I constantly thank Him for all He has done for me. My thanks extends to what He has yet to show me. He has already layed my path. Now I simply follow Him along the narrow way. I trust that He knows what is best for me. I know that He has planned good things. His Word is full of great blessings and promises. I look forward with joy to the future He has planned.

Looking For Customers

I've been on the quest to locate a loyal customer base. I've been spreading the word through distribution of twist tube samples. I started making calls to people today where I know what they need. So far, most were just messages I've been able to leave. One wants to sit down this weekend some time. I'll make a handful of calls a day in order to set up appointments or get orders. I still have my one faithful customer who orders a case of XS every few months. He will order products I introduce him to once, but doesn't keep up with his health. I still try. He's a good friend and I'd like him around a long time.

In the mean time, I'll continue to meet new people at the market, the park, at Bible Bee meetings and at church to offer them the business. I need to work hard at not leaving volume on the table. I have a new downline so I need the retail in order to qualify for the upline bonus. I like the structuring of the biz. It certainly it built to hold me accountable to grow. I'm looking forward to the next few months.

Growing

My second cousin just signed up in my biz. He's 79 years young! Just goes to show that age does not matter when you have a dream. I'm looking forward to helping him achieve those dreams. God has truly blessed me in my life and I look forward to sharing His blessings with others.

Still Writing

I didn't hit my October goal for finishing my book. Life happened. However, I have been writing every day lately and plan to be done by the end of this month. I am looking forward to it. It's a really good book (if I do say so myself).

Once it's done and published I will be able to have some more options in my life. I like options, such as, going out to dinner when I don't feel like cooking, taking the comforters to the cleaners, going on trips to visit friends and family when I want... So much more than when you're unemployed and on such a tough budget.

I will post the details of the book once I know the final title and publisher. Stay tuned.

Completion

"It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have." 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (NKJV)

Anyone know why a version of the Word sometimes italicizes words?

I came across this scripture in my daily reading last week. It has really encouraged me in what I should be doing while still searching for a job. I am a writer. I have been writing poetry, songs, books and short stories as long as I've been able to write. Having been in foster care as a child many of my writings were kept (more likely destroyed) by my biological parents when I went into foster care. I still have everything after that. For as long as I could remember I've wanted to be a published author.

When I came across these two verses the other day, they stood out in my mind and heart. I opened up my computer and got serious with the book I've been writing. I have written something every day (except Sabbath) since then. I will meet my goal of completing the novel by the end of October. I will send out synopsis' of the book to publishers while I work on editing it. The publishers have editors, but I'm a little OCD so I just want to make sure it's as clean as I can get it first.

I've spent my walk with Christ growing in my faith. He has truly been my provider financially. I read these verses in the context of that promise of provision for me. I don't write just for the satisfaction of it. I believe my works will go forth and touch many lives. This is one promise that I am claiming: that through the completion of my current work, God will provide financial provision. I trust Him completely.

What area of your life do you need to fully give over to Him today and TRUST that He will take care of it for you?