Things I've Learned Along the Way

I celebrated my 42nd birthday this month. Forty-two seemed so much older when I was sixteen haa! So glad I was wrong about that, because forty-two is surprisingly an awesome age. On this journey of 42 years I've learned a lot, about myself, my family, people, life and my God. A few years back I was prompted to jot down tidbits of information in my journal entitled: Things I've Learned Along the Way. Keep in mind these "tidbits" are only my opinions, observations and lessons learned over the years. These come from life experiences that God has allowed me personally to walk through. These lessons have helped me to view things in a different way --- God's way. I am a work in progress but I seek to learn the lesson in every situation my God purposes for me. I hope this will inspire you to start your own journal and begin to jot down the lessons God gives you during your life journey. You never know who you may help when you share these with others, or periodically review them for yourself. Blessings, Polly
Note: I have over 400 entries in my Journal: Things I've Learned Along the Way. Below are a few from that list. 
I’ve learned that:

• What God calls, He also establishes.
• To be excluded isn't always a bad thing.
• You will find some people magnify public sins like adultery, murder, and theft, while minimizing private sins like lying, gossiping, fornicating, rebellion etc. God says sin is sin --- there are no different levels of sin. 
• Children need to see you live it more than they need to hear it.
• Slander, it's what the jealous do. (Joyce Meyer)
• A husband who follows after the Lord, is very attractive.
• People who make a way of life convincing you they are "humble" are really the most arrogant of all.
• The Jesus in me will most always bring out the devil in others.
• Marilyn Monroe's dress size was a 14.
• When a person shows you who they are the first time, believe them.
• Love bugs are known by Floridians but probably not by anyone else.
• God doesn't always bring correction right away...but He brings it.
• Money buys friends.
• Continual mis-use of God's time, will cost you.
• Family dinner around the table is priceless.
• A manipulative leader who leads using intimidation and fear, really isn't a leader.
• Evil corrupts good. (That's what the bible says!)
• The enemy has no real reason to bother someone who isn't producing fruit.
• If you lead and you aren't serving, then you really are disappointing God.
• Not everyone can sit in your front row.

• The enemy is so predictable he always works in cycles and repeats himself.
• Don't tell us you "love" in public when you "hate" in private. 
• Alzheimer's disease & Dementia are two different types of diseases that affect the brain---both are cruel. 
• Many hear the word of God but don't obey it ---there is a difference.
• Turning the other cheek is hard, but possible.
• Not everything in a garage is a car, no more than everyone in a church is a Christian.
• Every choice (yelp everyone) really matters.
• Fear of man is a snare but whoever trust in the Lord is always safe.
• Teenagers will always see through the hypocrisy no matter how much you try to cover it up....so just be real.
• Someone who continually criticizes the accomplishments of others is jealous.
• Would you invite Osama Bin Ladin to dinner? If you are a Christian living in America the answer is probably no. So why do we condemn others who are protecting their families by choosing not to interact with evil men and women. The scriptures are full of warnings about "avoiding such people".  
• There's really only one thing to do with a snake --- chop it's head off!
• It's never safe to promote your own agenda and call it God's will. 
• Weight is easy to put on but hard to take off.
• Two are greater than one.
• A real friend will tell you to your face, what others are saying behind your back.
• Boundaries are necessary!
• When you forgive, it doesn't mean you are admitting your offender is right and you were wrong, it simply means you are allowing God to be the judge.
• All these years I knew I had Cherokee Indian in my bloodline but I never knew there was Portuguese.
• We teach what we know and reproduce what we are.
• Consecrated time with the Lord is always productive.
• Sexual abuse changes many things. Those who have never experienced it often never understand.
• You don't always have to explain yourself. (That's what my husband tells me at least once every week. I am finally learning this lesson.)
• Never agree in prayer with someone who isn't already in agreement with you and God.
• A toothache needs immediate attention.
• Don't tell me you care, show me. Words are cheap!
• Two things you will never get back, your words and your time.
• Two things God will never share, His glory & His vengeance.
• You can tell a lot about a women by the way she dresses.
• Giving kids responsibilities in the home makes them more grateful.
• No one deserves my attention more than my spouse and kids.
• Raw cookie dough can cause death.
• Family devotions are priceless.
• Many under-estimate their potential.
• People may not always accept your apology but that's okay God sees it.
• Facebook can be a terrible distraction -- use restraint.
• A coward will never look you in the eyes and tries to avoid you. 
• Where you travel your kids will follow.
• There's no greater University than Lee University in Cleveland TN, I love being an alumni.
• Light and darkness will never mix. 
• Make the most of all that stays and the least of all that goes.
• The best type of communication is "face to face" other forms (text/email/vm) can easily be misinterpreted.
• There's always three sides to every story, his, hers and Gods.
• When my husband warns me about someone, I should listen the first time, he's usually right.
• Teenagers still like to snuggle on the couch with their mothers.
• Racial prejudice is still alive and what a shame!
• No weapon, demon or diabolic activity can cancel the will of God in my life, my ministry, my family unless God gives permission.
• Jealousy: the pretty act ugly, and the ugly act wicked.
• It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt.
• You can tell an individual who won't "grow up" they spend most of their time engaged in High School activity.
• Wisdom --- requires being sought after.
• Joseph was hated by his own family members. They were jealous of the favor of God on his life and plotted to get rid of him. Man's attempts to abort God's purpose for my life and my family, will never succeed.
• Early on kid's can distinguish between fair & unfair.
• Diet Coke was making me sick!
• If you choose to not spend time with your children (grand-children) when they are young, they'll choose not to spend time with you when they are old.
• Good kindhearted boys make wonderful husbands. 
• You can tell much about a person by how he/she treats someone who really can't do anything in return.
• Many questions may never be answered, but God isn't obligated to answer my Whys!
• Honor has been lost in America -- who will find it?
• Team work, it makes the load lighter.
• A team player always looks after their team-mates. 
• My kids are not always the greatest and deserving of the most praise, but I'm determined to give it to them anyway.
• Regardless of what the world says it IS POSSIBLE to have an incredible marriage and still be married to your best friend.
• Coloring my hair is tedious but necessary.
• To make a choice without God's approval is consequential.
• Teachers are like preachers: often unappreciated. The only difference is rebellion and disobedience in the classroom results in a poor grade but in the church, eternal damnation is at stake.
• A man's needs are very different than a woman's.
• The color pink makes me happy!
• Wishing and praying for a difficult person to go away, doesn't always happen.
• Regardless.........God is in control!
• Little girls need their Daddy's and little boys do too.
• Air conditioning in Florida is necessary.
• When the going gets hard, don't sit down people will run you over.
• People in ministry live in a fish bowl. The problem is too many people can only see what the fish are doing but never hear what they are saying.
• When you really know God, it's very easy to obey Him.
• What goes around always comes back around --- so be careful what you send out.
• Some people never were meant to be in your circle of influence. Don't be devastated when they go -- Jesus only had twelve. 
• Our children need home to be a safe place.
• When it comes to your influence over children, you better make sure you don't cause them to be offended. The bible says it would be better for you to tie a milestone around your neck and jump into the sea. 
• Dog poop is easier to scoop up after a day or two. Likewise it's easy to deal with a pragmatic person a day or two later. 
• Not everything good is beneficial to me.
• Keeping my eyes on heaven changes my perspective of earth.
• God doesn't encourage me to let everyone in my circle. There are many, many times in the bible he says to "avoid such people".
• Many may say you can't, only God has to say you can.

But God Says...

I didn't know what time it was when I abruptly awakened and I sprang to my feet. It was still dark outside, it felt like I had only been asleep an hour. I glanced down at the clock, 3:22 am? Seems like more often these days, God is waking me a lot earlier. Sometimes I go back to sleep; other times I retreat to the couch. Still not sure what to do, I headed to the kitchen to refill my glass of water and then He spoke: (not in an audible voice but in my spirit):
God:  "You can do it Polly!" 
Me:  I can?!  
Still, not fully awake yet to understand the point of this conversation, I made my way to the couch in the dark, just me God and my glass of water. I have noticed this has been happening more on a regular basis, so sometimes I read, sometimes I pray, and sometimes I just listen. 
Me: Couldn't you just tell me this in the morning? -------(pause) I'm super tired.
I chuckled out loud at God, because He gets me! He understands that my flesh wants to go back to my comfy bed to rest, but my spirit longs to stay because my time with Him is so real, so incredible, so intoxicating! He knows I'd wait all night on that couch for Him to speak to me!
God: "Go grab your journal and pen first!"

Me: Okay Lord I'll be right back.


and this is what He said...
God: My sheep know my voice and they follow. Too many voices are competing for your attention, I need you to come sit in my presence so you can hear me. 
The smile on your face was a cover up for the pain you are carrying inside. I hurt when you hurt and I am moved when you are in need. Don't worry about  the environment around you my child, for I will finish what I have started. You keep your eyes on me, look to hear my voice above the rest. You can do it! 


Me: I'm not sure God, I doubt my abilities.
God: Why? Who told you that you couldn't?
Me: I just don't see any progress. 
God: Don't be convinced by what you see, faith is in the unseen. It is the enemy you have taken notice of. He has told you, it's too late, but I control time and seasons. He declares you are defeated, but with me you are more than a conqueror!  Satan says, look at your past, but my child, I control your future. He mocks, where's your God now? I respond, right here beside her! He plots and plans behind the scenes, but I will expose him. He says, your finished, but I say, you have just begun. He yells, you can't and I whisper, oh yes you can! He says you loose, but I say you win! 


You must keep your eyes on me, focused and attentive to my voice. Choose today to ignore the voice of the enemy, his words fall on unstable ground, but my words remain forever. I love you My child, You can do it Polly!
I love you,
God


My friends, I know God specifically spoke these words to me, but He also intended for you to hear them too! Otherwise I could have gone back to sleep at 3:22 am, but He desired I write them down on paper and share it with you. He loves you, He is for you and He is in control! Don't be thrown off course by what it looks like in the "natural" for God takes the super and adds it to the natural; and works in the "supernatural"! (LOL) ---His ways are higher than our ways, His plans are better than we could ever imagine. He sees the beginning, the end and every single step in between. Drown out the voices that seek to pervert His plan for your life and listen to the one who gave you life!


In His Love ---
Polly

With Ten Fingers I Let Him Go!

"In adversity keep motivated, for often the best comes from difficulty." (Norman Vincent Peale)

I once heard the story of a young boy who discovered a caterpillar. He placed it in a safe place and waited for the caterpillar to transform into a butterfly. Within a few days the worm eventually inside the cocoon took on it's form. The butterfly began to break its way through the cocoon. (If you’ve ever watched this process you know that it is always a struggle for the determined insect.) The boy looked on with compassion as the butterfly struggled to free itself. Eager to try and help, the youngster clipped away part of the cocoon with his pocket knife, hoping this would make it easier for it to break loose. The butterfly emerged, but to the boy’s disappointment it couldn’t fly. You see butterflies strengthen their wings by flapping them: penetrating their tiny bodies through the cocoon wall. The butterfly needed to face the struggle, flapping, pushing relentlessly, in order to develop it's wings to fly.

As parents, sometimes we find ourselves doing the same thing to our children. Trying to shield them from struggle and pain we limit their potential to fly high. 

Let’s face it, life is full of adversity and disappointment and if you have kid's over the age of 5 you realize that they are certainly not exempt. The bible says in James “"Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I am not suggesting we invite pain into their lives, but when it does come instead of intervening hastily, we should consider how to handle it, God's way. There will be times when we must and should step in, to protect them from evil intentions and schemes of the enemy, but shielding our children from everything that does not bring them joy will only stunt the growth and development of their wings and God's purpose for their lives.

For this is what the bible refers to as “the testing of their faith” and it is a necessary part of God’s purpose for development.  When we cut into the cocoon to rescue our child, we are denying them the chance to fly!  Instead of interfering, learn to direct them to the ONE who will always be there to walk through those struggles with them, even when we cannot be there ourselves. 

How else will they develop the skills they need to handle life’s challenges? How will they learn to trust in God to comfort and direct them? 

Romans 9:17

"I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Reflection: Oh my friends I have been so guilty in this area of parenting. Who likes to watch their child being wrongfully overlooked, intentionally excluded, or purposefully targeted? Not one single mother I know!!!!! But isn’t it a fact of life that age, race, or gender will never exclude us from persecution, adversity and pain? Now is the time to teach our children how to wage war against the enemy in the spiritual realm before it’s too late and they are handicapped by our good intentions, missing the real purpose of God. When trails, disappointment, and adversity come (and they will!) join with your child and bombard heaven in agreement prayer. Be ready to see God move on your behalf and expect your child’s wings to strengthen! Oh He is an amazing God!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

 Polly

Never Apologize For Righteousness!

Matthew 7:15-16 (NKJV) reads, “Beware of those who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”

I John 5:19 says “The world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.” NIV--- that explains why in the last days perilous times will come as men and women increasingly turn away from God.

There is a battle going on for your life and the lives of those you love. The enemy and his co-horts are commissioned to deceive you into believing you can live any old way you want and still call yourself a Christian. First of all there are hundreds of scripture verses that prove this way of thinking is wrong, all you have to do is open the book and read it, but that’s half the problem! These people are what the bible refers to as “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.

In the book of Jude (preceding Revelation) chapter 1:4 says, “For certain people have crept in unnoticed…ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny the truth.”  Notice the word says they pervert the grace of God. People who continue to live in sin and use God’s grace to justify their life style. 

I have a problem with their philosophy. First of all the word of God is so liberating that when we read it we are set FREE to do right. Any real follower of Christ has experienced this awakening. It’s not that we have to do right, it’s that we enjoy pursuing righteousness. When we are truly in love with Christ and we are aware of what He did for us we could NEVER justify ourselves, or debate the word of God. In fact I find the love we have for Him repels us from sin. We want to stand against it, not for it.

Jude goes on to say in verse 5, 6, 7 what God did to people who perverted His grace. 

• Verse 6 – Saved the Israelites out of Egypt but then destroyed them later because they did not believe
• Verse 7a – The angels who sought a higher position of authority by leaving their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains.
• Verse 7b – Sodom and Gomorrah who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire we know God destroyed their city with fire.
• Verse 12 Jude labels them as "blemishes who feast with you without any fear of God or His commands".  Falsehood always appeals to the flesh not the spirit. As was true in Jude's day, those who have crept in unnoticed, "defile the flesh, reject authority and speak evil of dignitaries" (Jude 8-10).  
• Verse 18 says they are scoffers who follow their own ungodly passions, cause divisions, and are devoid of the spirit. They arrogantly prance around with their own opinions adulterating His word, and distorting His grace!

I Sam 15:23 -- For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you."

Listen, God will NEVER change His word; (not for me or for you) it will stand forever! No opinion of man, or scheme of the devil will cause God to allow sin to enter heaven. It’s time to take the side of righteousness, make no excuses and no apologies for the word of God.  Either we live by it or we don't!

Revelation speaks of the things to come and for the believer Heaven is our reward and future. It warns us repeatedly that only those who OVERCOME will be caught up with Him to receive the crown of life. It might surprise you what the dictionary definition is for the word overcome. 

Dictionary Definition (Overcome) --- to conquer a problem, make somebody helpless, defeat somebody, win despite obstacles. 

To overcome --- we must be actively in pursuit against it! 

Clothe yourself in righteousness, be determined to overcome and stand firm in your faith! Righteousness always win......

Polly