IT'S FREE AND ALWAYS WILL BE!

Within the last week, there have been many posts and talks about Facebook beginning to charge for users to use their site.  It's amazing to me, how many people will believe something and spread the news without even investigating it.  If you go to the Facebook sign in page, it says clearly, FREE AND ALWAYS WILL BE! 

I have over 800 friends, and I've seen the rumors run rampantly across my page (it makes me wonder do any of my friends read, especially being that this disclaimer is on everybody's login page- LOL).  It's a shame we don't spread the good news like this.  The good news about salvation.  Many people feel that they have to give up so much and that it costs so much, but the truth is, IT'S FREE AND ALWAYS WILL BE!  JESUS paid the price! 

Many issues and problems has risen due to Facebook, but the creator didn't design it to create such chaos. The users are the ones who uses it for more than what it was orignially created for.  I'm sure the owner did not seek out to destroy the marriages that has been destroyed, nor the sex maniacs that preys on our kids, etc.  Facebook in itself has allowed many people to be connected to old friends and family memebers.  It's great for networking and meeting new people. 

It's the same thing with salvation, it's GREAT!  There's deliverace in salvation.  There's healing in salvation; and there's FREEDOM in salvation! God created all things, and EVERYTHING He created was good, but again, the users/people perverted some things and have just made a mess out of it.  People think they have to give up their whole life and they can't do anything fun based on the rumors they've heard.  BUT don't believe everything you hear.  People will lead you wrong sometimes.

So today, let me say this on behalf of Facebook and Salvation, IT'S FREE AND ALWAYS WILL BE! 

Disclaimer:  I don't know what FB will do in the future, but I can pretty much guarantee you that the price for Salvation will never change! 

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU

Destiny appoints one, but affects many.- Beth Moore from the Esther series.  I read this statement while in bible study class last night.  Immediately I grasped what she was saying.  So many times we go through things and while we are going through it, it doesn't feel good at all.  But the truth is, it really wasn't about you.  Yes, you are the one that went through it.  You are the one who felt the pain from it.  You are the one that lost things out of it, and so on, but even out of your pain, people can and will be blessed, as long as we do what God has appointed us to do. Our ministries and testimonies are not for us, they are for others! 

I'm reminded of the story of Joseph.  He was betrayed, sold into slavery, accused of wrong doing and everything, but in the end, those steps were neccessary in order for him to fulfill what he was designed or destined to do.  Those ordered steps were neccessary in order for him to be a savior for the people during the famine. 
 
The bible says that our steps are ordered by the Lord.  Psalm 37:23  I believe that everything we go through, even things we can look back on and know without a shatter of doubt that we caused or that it was our own doing, God can use that for his Glory.  All things (EVEN THE BAD), YES!  All things and everything work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28.  

Be encouraged that you have purpose.  Know that people can be blessed through your trials.  Although you are the one that has been appointed for such a task; many will affected and benefit from it.  Just think about it- Destiny apponts one, but affects many. 

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa

QUIT PLAYING WITH MY MIND

During the holiday weekend,  went to spend some time with some friends.  While riding down the highway, we decided to listen to the radio, and the station was playing some real nice songs.  Well, Boyz To Men's, Please Don't Go came on and I was telling my husband how their CD was one of my favorites.  I told him how I use to play it every morning while getting ready for school.  Yes, I remember the Motown-Philly with an east coast swing jam. 

Anyhoo, the next song that came on was Shirley Murdock's, As We Lay.  My husband asked, "Were you in school when that song came out?"  I replied, "yes" and continued to tell him that I remember being a young girl when this song came out.  Certain songs have a way of taking you back to a specific time in life and I can remember being real young, but somehow I was always "older" than other girls.  A young girl with an older or grown person's mentality and even at 12 years old, my mature level was way above the average 12 year old.

I wasn't prepared for the conversation to take this turn but my husband responded with, "it shows."  What does he mean by, it shows! I wanted to know, so I asked, "what does that suppose to mean?"  He said, as if he was clarifying himself, "I can tell, it shows."  I wasn't satisfied with his response because he was definitely saying something without saying it, and I wanted to know what it was he was saying, darn it.  So he said, "nothing, you just act like you're old."

Yes, I took offense because I'm not old and as far as I'm concerned, I don't act old either.  Then I had to remember, my husband and I came from two different paths and backgrounds.  So what he remembers as fun, I cannot even relate to.  His stories makes mine seem, I guess boring! 

After we got to our destination, my mind was stuck on his statement and if you don't know it, the mind is a really tricky thing.  I was thinking things like, well if I'm so boring, why is he with me?, and I've heard the saying, "opposites attract", but I don't want nobody with me who thinks I act old and that I'm boring.  Boy, I tell ya, if we don't get the mind in check, it can definitely take us on a journey we didn't even intend to go on.  Thank God my friend came and interrupted my thoughts because we might of been divorced by now.

My spiritual father used to always say, an idle mind is the devil's workshop.  I'm assuming that means, this is where the enemy plants bad and negative thoughts, and such things.  I don't know where they come from, but I have them from time to time. 

***Slapping myself upside the head*** Dag it!  When I was getting dressed, I forgot to put on my armour.  I forgot to put on the helmet of salvation- to guard my thoughts from the enemy.  Now he is all up in my head making me think things that I should not be thinking.  I wasn't expecting him today, and he came in a way I least expected him to.  

I am reminded of the scripture that says, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ..." 2 Corinthians 10:5
In other words, whenever we are approached with these kind of thoughts, we must quickly counter it with the Word of God.  If it does not align with the Word or knowledge of God, we can simply throw it out.  Just like an unwanted guest that has disrespected our house, THROW IT OUT.  Tell it, you got to go!     

My mother told me years ago that although a million thoughts can run through the mind at one time, if you start singing, the mind stops thinking.  I guess the mind is no longer idle when you start talking or singing.  I know it might sound crazy, but I promise you that it works.  Just try it! 

In the meantime, don't forget to put on the full armour of God daily.  The enemy is lying in wait and ready to attack.  Be watchful as well as pray. 

Stay Hopeful

Clarissa