HOLDING ON...Sometimes That's Hard to Do

Encore blog: May 31, 2011

I think that once you’ve lived in God’s Kingdom for awhile you come to understand why Paul was so adamant in telling us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV

When the temptation to throw my hands up comes around, some days it is harder than others to not give in. You ever feel that way? I’m sure you have at least once or twice. ~Smile~

The regional branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia in my area asked me to do a workshop on “Homeschooling”. Of course I was very excited because I have such a passion to help parents (especially single parents) find alternatives to educating and keeping their children safe. Homeschooling is a viable option to make that happen. But many parents in the city of Philadelphia do not know how to start the process or what the differences are between “private home education” versus “public (Cyber School) home education” and how to choose which is best for them. So, to have a platform of interested folks to talk to was very exciting.

There was a lot of prep work on my end, because I wanted to make sure my website was updated and more pages added. I had to get my business cards printed, help advertise the event in my neighborhood and ask other homeschool moms to speak at the workshop. Well, all the speakers showed up, I brought refreshments and handouts….we were ready! Only one person came to hear what we had to say. I can’t say I was surprised or really disappointed because I felt the person I was working with at the library had waited to late to firm up everything, which didn’t give us enough time to get the word out. Plus I later found out that the library only posted flyers (which were on the ugly side at that) around the library. The person I worked with really didn’t do much to get the word out. Well, instead of being discouraged about it I looked at all I had accomplished and how prepared I was. My website is updated and looking really good. I also had paid ads coming in from Google AdSense, which I had hoped would begin to pay my monthly website fee and generate a few dollars more for some upgrades. So, all-in-all, things were good. Well, so I thought…..

…..Google discontinued their ads with me because they said; I violated my agreement and had people just clicking the ads trying to generate income for me. I’d only had the ads for 5 days and had done no such thing. They have an appeal process that I filed and sent back, but I was very discouraged. I asked God, “Why? I try so hard, yet it seems that nothing seems to work for me?” Yeah, those are words to the beginning of a pity party for sure. But you know what sisters, sometimes it is hard not to give up. Sometimes it is hard to not become weary in trying to do good and follow what seems to be the path the Holy Spirit is taking you. Sometimes it is hard to keep hope alive about a dream when it seems that everything you do to move toward your dream seems to turn to dust. Sometimes it is really hard to keep your head up and not become disillusioned and discouraged. But you know what….in those hard times we must stand on the promises of God and not give into the temptation to “Give up!”

Truth is—I didn’t want to write a blog this morning. “For what,” I asked? “Hardly anyone reads them! Why do I keep wasting my time?” And yes, I often feel writing these blogs is an exercise in futility but I also feel that God has given me this job to do and therefore out of obedience and love for Him I will continue (even on those days I just don’t feel like it) until He says, “Ponnie, it’s a wrap!”

Sisters, we all experience times in our lives when it seems like what we are doing is a waste of effort and time, or we become discouraged because it seems that things just don’t turnout right for us. But you know what? We cannot I repeat, “Cannot!” give into our feelings of despair. We must hold on to God’s hand and His Word.

This is why it is so important to read our Bibles and meditate on God’s Word. It is in the hard times we need to remember without a doubt God’s love for us. It is in the hard times we must know what we truly believe about God. But if we don’t read His Word, then it is impossible to stand on what we don’t know.

I have convinced myself that God knows better than I do, and He was not surprised that Google Ads would do what they did to me. But more so, He is my witness that I did no wrong. Google might reinstate me and then again they may not. Am I going to give up trying to make money on my website through ads? Nope! I will just have to find another way. Google Ads are not the only game in town. And besides, my Father owns it all anyway! ~Smile~

If you have been experiencing discourging times in your life, remember the Promise Marker and His promises.

P.S. You gotta read your Bibles to know what the promises are. ~Smile~

Special note, April 29, 20016: Google denied my appeal and advised me I would never be able to do ads with them. At this point and time in my life...I just assumed God shut it down for whatever reasons He had. ~Smile~ And I'm getting ready to new a new thing in that area.



Love and Hugs
Ponnie

What We Need…Is Never a Surprise!

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

If we were to study this verse it could take months, and that’s no exaggeration. And I say that because we have many needs in the natural—and beyond the natural.

Suppose a TV reporter approached you on the street and ask, “What do you have need of?” Of course the answer would vary depending on your particular circumstance at the time.

Some would say they needed a job, money, healing, vacation, new housing, car and more. But how many would answer, “Grace?” Or even, “Mercy, forgiveness, faith, preparedness, and confidence?” Probably not many, if any at all. Yet, these are things as Believers we all have need of...all the time.

Because of the way our health care system has been setup here in the States, a lot of people have walked around for years without any health insurance (including myself). I wasn’t poor enough to get state or public assistance insurance, and didn’t make enough to afford my own health insurance. But because of laws concerning children, my youngest daughter was able to have health insurance with a major company for free. I was never concerned because I knew God would take care of me. And during the time of not being covered I had no real issues except recently my teeth. 

As I shared last week, I now have (Thanks to Obama Care, as folks like to call the Affordable Care Act.), medical and dental insurance. Since I haven’t had a good physical in over 10 years, I set up an appointment for one.

I was blessed to be able to get back into a hospital and network I really like. And also pick a primary physician, I have known for years and she is a Believer to boot! And before I go any further, I need to give a little background info.

There has been an issue going on with a family member the past few months. I requested to try to intervene and bring peace to the matter, but was told it was none of my business, so I backed off.

They have continued to be hurtful and their actions have affected the lives of others I deeply love. And I have struggled to keep a heart of forgiveness and love toward them, because we have a history and this is not the first time they have acted up. But, I’ve learned that anything God commands us to do, He will supply what we need to do it! And I am happy to say, “I have been able to continuously pray good for this person.” Now back to the story at hand.

The night before my appointment I woke up around 2am to have the Holy Spirit minister to me. And I knew then, there would be a bad report coming my way. His last words before I got up to shower, “Whose report will you believe?”

Did this encounter frighten or make me nervous? No, on the contrary it made me strong.

As I sat at the bus stop on my way to see the doctor, He reminded me of the two times in my life when I had one back-to-back bad medical report after another.

The first was my pregnancy at the age of 40 with my second daughter. It was one wild ride and no point of reference on God’s faithfulness. You will be able to read all about it in my soon to be published book.

The second time was when my blood count was 5, and they wanted to give me a transfusion and the Holy Spirit said, “No, don’t let them.” That was another wild and crazy ride, with hematologists, one bad report after another, leukemia reports and finally major surgery. End result—completely healed!

It was a beautiful morning to be sitting outside and waiting for the bus. The sun was shining and the birds were singing a love song for sure. My response to Him was, “I will fear not!”

Long story short, my blood pressure was very high and so was my heart rate. I was put on meds to bring both down, and gave up 7 tubes of blood for blood work.

I think there might be more to come, because I was reminded of past victories through multiple reports that went against the Word of God.

So, I’m ready!

Ready for what?

The fight!

But here’s the thing…the enemy has tried his best to get me to be unforgiving and not walk in love. It didn’t work, and so I have the confidence I need to go in strong. Also, I know my bible. If there is going to be a storm, I don’t have to try to build an Ark in the midst of it, I’m ready.

See sisters, what I really had need of, was the grace to forgive and a relationship with the Holy Spirit to be forewarned.

Have I had any symptoms? No. And that is why hypertension is called the silent killer.  

All this happened on Monday, and since then I have researched to find all the hidden sodium I have been eating unaware. I’ve made some decisions to just let some foods go and change things around with others. My youngest daughter treated me to a fitness band to count my steps each day—exercise is key. I have Facebook sisters who have stood up to encourage and help me change what I need to change. And a RN (my oldest daughter) right at my fingertips to explain anything I may not understand and help with questions I have. 

God knew of this day before hand and He has setup and put into place what I need. I need favor, encouragement, love and care. And I am finding it every day. I need wisdom and He has promised to lavishly give me all I have need of.

Believe it or not, I feel invigorated by the fight. That might not make sense to some of you, but the fight makes God’s provisions for my needs, up front and personal. I see the little things, I often overlook by my daily hustle and bustle.

Has humans, we do have certain daily needs, but from where I stand—as Believers we have many more than the natural eye can see.

If you are walking around with old hurts and memories of wrongful acts done to you or someone you love. You need to work on letting go, and allowing the Blood of Christ to heal you. Because if you don’t you give it the power to erect a barricade between you and God.

The Bible is truth, and God will supply all that we have need of, through Christ Jesus. But don’t always look for the big solution or easy fix to end the problem. Often we have to walk through, which is the only way to come out!

Look for the small things God is doing on a daily bases for you. It will encourage you more than you know. But most of all—read and study your Bible! Be prepared for the unexpected and unscripted, and strong enough to stand through the fight!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

Spring…A time of Change

I’ve been blessed to be born and raised in a region where I’ve gotten to experience the four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall), in ways that not everyone does.

One of the things my daughter in Honduras missed last year was the turning of the leaves and cool breezes, which autumn brings. But someone from her school came to the States for a visit and brought back fall leaves as a gift of home to her and others. How sweet.

We can easily equate one of the four seasons as a spiritual season of life, but they don’t necessarily coincide with the actual season of the time. It can be summer with high temps and high humidity in the natural, but spiritually we could be experiencing winter. This is why I’m so excited, because it’s spring all around me in the natural and supernatural too.

Today I want to share what is going on in my life and prayerfully not only will someone be encouraged, but you will also be excited for me and keep me in your prayers.

Right now is the first time I don’t have to put others before myself. Let me explain. Of course I must put the welfare and well-being of others before me if I am truly a Christ follower, but for once I am not responsible for anyone but myself. I’ve been a single mom nonstop for 42 years. My two girls are 18 years apart and just when I was on my way to being done—I found myself starting all over. My youngest turned 23, last week and lives and teaches in Honduras. I’m free!

During those 42 years, I had to give up dreams and put many hopes for tomorrow on hold. But now at 63, there is a new spring season in my life.

Currently I am taking a writing certification course to help me in launching a new venture, which I can do from anywhere around the world as long as I have internet service.

Come July, my first E-book should be published with Amazon, and also the launching of a second blog encouraging homeschool moms through laughter and self-care. But it doesn’t stop there.

There seems to be the possibility I might be able to spend some substantial time in Honduras with my youngest daughter. All things have not come together yet, but I will more than likely go back with her after her Christmas break.

I am also looking at traveling to Israel for a month. And if I do go to Honduras, we more than likely may come home via Puerto Rico, or my daughter just might go to Israel with me.

Believe it or not, I do not have a passport. I just recently received my birth certificate with both my parents name on it. (They no longer accept the ones with just our name on it.) In a couple of hours I will be heading out to the Post Office to get my picture taken and submit my application.

Everything seems so new and fresh—and exciting!

Only God knows for sure how all the loose ends and maybes are going to come together. But since the bible tells us that, “All good and perfect gifts come from God,” I’m looking forward to whatever He has in store for me.

Of course, everything is never all unicorns and rainbows. I’m preparing to have major work done on my mouth. In fact, I will be losing all my teeth due to gum disease. I must confess, I did cry about it some and I was fearful of the surgery I will be encountering, but it was only for a moment. I had to spend some time mourning the loss and facing my fears.

That’s the bad news. The good news is—I will have a mouth full of pearly whites and be healthier.

I am also working on losing 50 pounds. There is no time frame or limit. If it takes a year, 18 months or 2 years, that’s okay with me. This is my time!

It is time for me to focus on me. It is time for me to change the things I can and time to embrace those which I can’t.

Once I get to Israel and back, I have a sketched out plan to travel around the United States. There are so many things in this country I have yet to see and experience. But mostly I want to meet and spend time with some of you wonderful women I have met and befriended through this blog, virtual groups and Facebook. Some of you are as close as New York City, and others I must go through the mid-west, Texas and up and down the west coast. I also have a special invite to the United Kingdom.

My life has not been an easy one and at times I felt as though God had forgotten me. But as the years passed and I grew in Him, I came to realize—we are always on His mind.

It’s just now my time for change and new beginnings.

Sisters, I want to encourage you to not give up hope or dreams unless God says, “Let go.” And He will if it no longer suits His plan or timing. But it only means better is to come.

Please don’t think you are too old or even too young to do things you never thought you could or would be able to do. In Christ, we can do all things if it is God’s will for us.

It has taken a lot of years to get to where I am today. But the truth is—I wouldn’t change a thing. Because good and bad, God has worked it All together for my good and His purpose. So, to think about things being different, kinda of says, “God didn’t work it right.”

I ask that you keep me in your prayers, especially concerning my mouth surgery. I found the cutest mouth masks on Amazon. I don’t want to be stuck in the house for the next couple of months, but I don’t want to have to talk to people without teeth either. LOL! I love to walk and talk to my neighbors, so the masks are my way of being comfortable doing that.

Life is full of changes and we do learn how to deal with them—good or bad. But it's nice to be able to be in a spring season of life the same time, it's spring in the natural.

Be encouraged my dear sisters, in Christ the sky is the limit!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

Following Jesus

Following Jesus is not easy. For one, it involves faith and obedience, which is something we can really be short on at any given time.

Many proclaim, “I’m a Christian!” But anyone can make the claim and there be no truth to the statement—or maybe just a glimmer.

When we really make up our mind to be a “follower” of the Messiah, it takes guts and commitment. It doesn’t come in a neat little package. In fact this one decision can blow all your hopes and dreams to smithereens. “I got a new thing for you!” He might say. “It’s going to take faith and obedience. Are you still willing to follow Me?”

It’s easy to think we are following Christ, until something is required of us. Then, it takes on a whole new dimension. Jesus himself explains how this comes to be, “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” Matthew 13:20-21 (see the parable of the sower)

A modern day woman at the well, would accept Christ as her Savior and immediately find herself faced with a choice! To stay with the man who is not her husband or not to stay? This is a hard decision to make when you don’t have a point of reference as to God’s faithfulness. How, are you going to pay your bills? Where will you live if you are the one who has to leave? What happens to the woman who lives in a country that is impoverished and she will have no means to support herself or her children? What happens to the Muslim woman, whose family or husband will try their best to kill her?

Through my years of ministry, I have found it to be more commonplace that women in other countries and religions accept Christ with a pure and strong heart versus many who live in America and other places who are used to luxury. We might have to get up off our butts and go to work, or ride public transportation versus drive a car. We may not be able to get our nails done, or go to the gym and shop. I’m not saying “All women!” But, this can be the norm in many situations.

If you took a minute and read the parable of the sower, then you saw how the cares (wants and desires), of this world—choke and steals the Word from us too. Because the Word is what gives us the way to follow Christ and a clear picture of what God desires of us, we muddle along without it.

It has taken sometime for me to really understand this…but love always cost something.

Christ paid a price for us and we pay a price to follow Him.

“If you love Me, you will obey my commands.” That means we have to do it His way. It doesn’t always take a big leap of faith to do something He requires us, but it always takes love and obedience.

What happens when you are young and want to be married and God says, “I need you to be single so you can serve me in the way I have chosen for you.”

What then?

Well, some answer, “Yes Lord!” even though there might be a bit of disappointment at first. And there will be those who want what they want and say, “No, I got this.” And go about the business of working things out for themselves.

When I came to the decision that I would never have sex again outside of marriage it was one of the best decisions (apart from making the Messiah my Lord and Savior.), I ever made in my Christian walk. Why? Because it saved me!

It saved me from a heartache I was not meant to endure.

There was a time I really did desire to be married, and being 42 with a 20 year old daughter and a 2 year old toddler, the pickings looked slim. I mean, who would want that baggage? Well, I met a “Christian” man 3 years older than myself who did. He had no children of his own and had been divorced for years.

What a blessing from God. Not!

Because I chose to do things the proper way, and protected myself (day dates and outings and no real alone private time), I was able to pay attention to the things the Holy Spirit began to show me. You see sisters, I had no soul ties to him, which can cause us to make excuses—I could see the truth. We were in the process of marriage counseling with my pastor when it all fell apart and the engagement was called off. Was I disappointed and hurt? Very much so. But, I could also see how God had my very best interest at heart.

God was merciful in shutting things down for me, but I have seen others where He allows them to go their way and suffer the consequences. Does this mean He loves some of us more than others? Of course not. The key is obedience and being willing to do it His way. That was the difference for me.

Things are not always so clear cut in following the Messiah. Stepping out on “faith” can be huge, because we can’t be sure how or where we will end up. But then again—that is faith.

If you are not reading and studying the Bible, then you can’t possibly be sure what it is God wants for you. Our soulish desires often control us and we easily accept it as God giving the green light, when He is not.

We have problems in our lives and we buy and read books on the promises of God, thinking this will change things. When in truth, we are not really following Christ in our everyday lives. It’s like becoming a doctor—you can’t go from high school to performing surgery without all the in-between work. We can’t stand on God’s promises, if we are not living in obedience and doing all the in-between work.

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes, but sometimes we read too many books about the Bible versus the Bible itself. 

I have a 30 Day challenge for you girls. Read only your bible for the next 30 days. And make it a study on following Christ.

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” (John 14:15-16)   This is a good place to start just in case you aren’t sure. What are His commands? What is the job of the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to be a new creature in Christ? What does it mean to pick up His Cross daily? The answers to these questions can change your life forever if you will take them to heart—and obey.

Some of you are afraid to take a step in the right direction—don’t be! Don’t be afraid of making a mistake. As long as we put God first in anything we do, He is going to protect us. Yeah, you might get off track, but He will let you know before you fall off a cliff. Trust me—I am a living witness!

Following Christ is an action. It takes love, heart, commitment, faith and obedience. But as you study and learn more about the job and position of the Holy Spirit, you will see He is all that and more!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

A Prayer for Us

Truthfully girls, I really wasn’t in the mood to write a blog this week. I've been pulling and hauling for the past 6 weeks and it sort of caught up with me.

Nonetheless, I still tried to sit down and write one yesterday, but before I knew it, I needed to get ready for 2 hour webinar. And 1 ½ of those 2 hours bored me stiff! My creative juices seemed to be zapped after that, and I decided to replay a blog from the past. (Believe it or not, I have over 500 to choose from.)

But when I awake this morning asking the Holy Spirit to take me to the right blog—He said, “No.”

His desire was for me to write a prayer for us—His will be done.

Father, I stand before you on behalf of myself and my sisters in many lands and many different circumstances, yet we are one in the Messiah. I also stand for those who have yet to come into your Kingdom, but are on their way.

I ask that the Spirit of encouragement become strong amongst me and my sisters. I pray jealousy and envy will no longer have a place of prominence in our lives, as we grow in the knowledge and understanding of who we are to You.

May You give us a heart that yearns to spend time with you. May we develop a love, which runs so deep that there is nothing we would deny you. May our daily lives be of service and gratitude for You.

Help us to forgive those who have wronged and hurt us. Help us to love as Jesus loved. Help us to want to be healed of the heartaches and shame we continually carry throughout each day.

Give us the strength to be bold in sharing the gospel. Give us the courage to stand when everyone around is not. Give us a heart to love the lost, versus judge them.

I stand for those who have turned their backs on You—I pray they come to themselves and turn back. I stand for my sisters who are angry with You—I pray they get over it and come to realize you are the great “I Am” and what that means. I stand for my sisters who have allowed their sin to make them run from you—I ask you to put those in their lives who will help bring them back.

Dear Lord may the ones who are on the fence, makeup their minds and follow Christ. May those who are afraid to come, no longer fear and move forward.

I ask for special protection for the women who are born into the Muslim religion, but desire to be free. I pray for all the people you have helping them to hear the truth, and bring them to safety.

May my sisters who live in America focus more on changing the lives of others, versus wanting more for themselves. May we not just be about our church congregations, but be the Church to the hurting world in which we live.

May the spirit of laziness and procrastination be abolished among your daughters! May we read and study the Word more and always find time to spend with You. May we come to the realization that everything we need or will ever need is in You through Christ Jesus!

Holy Spirit, help us to pray, not just for ourselves and family, but for those you appoint in our spiritual care. May we not forget to pray for our pastors and their families. May we continually pray for the lost and our country and leaders? But most of all let us not forget to pray for peace in Jerusalem.

Father, I pray for unity among us girls. No more strife or discord. I pray we can learn to be happy for one another and stand and support each other. I pray we learn to love more, so the world will see and know that we belong to the Messiah. But I also ask that you help us to learn to love and value ourselves as You do.

These things I ask, in the blessed and mighty name of Yeshua! (Jesus the Christ) Amen!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie