Maximizing The Gifts Given!

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. I Corinthiains 12:1-12 NIV

We have all been given spiritual gifts as well as natural gifts as He determines, not how we covet. The gifts He gives–the innate ability to accomplish–is ours to maximize for the good of all, not just us as individuals for our own glory, but to His. Now is the time for everyone seeking to understand their gift to work to maximize what has been given and to use those gifts–naturally and spiritually–for the good of all–especially Americans.

Some of us–naturally have been gifted with curiosity, which we can maximize by our intensity to know–through research and critical thinking–asking the right questions and analyzing the answers we receive.

Some of us–naturally have been gifted with the ability to connect with others through either charismatic personality, gift of gab or intuitive reasoning.

Some of us–naturally have been gifted with compassion and empathy for others around and others see us as nurturers.

Some of us–naturally have been gifted with ability to communicate through the effective use of words and understand that words matter.

As for the spiritual gifts–God has given those gifts He chooses to those who will use them to His glory and through constant use, prayer, and humility–those gifts are maximized in our lifetimes. Whether we understand how God chooses to whom He gifts is totally irrelevant since we know that His gifts and calls are without repentance. In other words, either the gifts are used or they stagnate depending on what we do with them, not what we become or how we act.

When we actually realize what gifts reside in us and how we can maximize them–both naturally and spiritually–we begin to understand the roles we can play in society to make this world a better place. This then, is how I plan to utilize the gifts given to me to govern in the White House as President of the United States in 2021.

God has given me an abiding intensity to discover knowledge and an ability to analyze what I discover, effectively communicating in writing and in verbal communications conclusions that are verifiable. He has poured into me a deeply rooted faith in Him that leads me to believe I can move mountains–which is why I plan to run for president and win.

Now, I’m not foolish enough to believe an election win will be accomplished through osmosis, so I’m spending my time wisely, making sure my name and stance are well known in advance of the upcoming elections. I am not seeking financial contributions from anyone at this time, but their support and assistance in getting my names on ballots across the country. With enough support to get my name on the ballot and opportunity to express my stance, publicly for the nation to hear, I know wisdom will intervene in the hearts of those listening and they will watch what I do, coming to determination that I will do what is best for all Everyday Americans–abandoning none–but seeking solutions to all problems from those who are wiser than I.

To that end, I implore everyone reading to get to know me better. If you’ve reading my blogs for the past seven or eight years, you know my faith has not wavered. It has only been since April 15, 2017 that I was inspired to get more actively involved in politics because of the chaos and miasma that currently exists in the White House. Though I have not the political background of some other contenders for the White House, I have a more than average knowledge of how government works, what’s good for the economy, how to be civil to others, and how to take a strong stand–without flinching–against those who would be enemies of America. I have lived the challenges and struggles of the average Everyday American and can seek solutions that benefit all.

In addition to my blogs found here, additional information about me can be found on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Medium, Amazon, and of course in all of my books found here Author.to/marysbooks.

Any other questions, not addressed through these media can be left on my facebook.com/YesIAm2020 page.

My love of the Lord and desire to please Him in all things–especially in defending the rights of the poor, needy and vulnerable are stronger than ever and I don’t see a change in that regard. Your support is needed and appreciated if we are to have an opportunity to see how God works things out when maximizing the gifts given to me–and you!

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Soon and Very Soon!

A psalm. My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, for people who are wicked and deceitful have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship. Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him. May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership. May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. May his children be wandering beggars; may they be driven from their ruined homes. May a creditor seize all he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor. May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children. May his descendants be cut off, their names blotted out from the next generation. May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD; may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may blot out their name from the earth.  For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted. He loved to pronounce a curse— may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing— may it be far from him. He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him. May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me. Psalm 109:1-20 NIV

I am #TheResistance

Did God honor this prayer for David? Yes, He did and He will honor every prayer we pray, when the prayer aligns with His Word. Contrary to the thoughts of some about prayer and praying for others–we see in this passage–there is a time when we stop expecting God to change people. People will never change people; they only change when they see a need to change and that from within. So for those who are telling people to pray for 45--it is an exercise in futility since he sees no need to change.

What should our prayer be then? My prayer is that The Lord will bring an end to this atrocious situation soon, by whatever means He sees fit to use. I know there are those who think–“give him a chance.”

He’s had a chance to show us who he is and he has. He is a bumbling buffoon who is out to benefit himself and no one else. His billionaire friends are using him and he’s too foolish to see it because he wants to be “accepted.” He doesn’t realize that people are laughing behind his back and the only people who think anything of him are his base–the ones who are undereducated and ill-informed. They look upon him as some kind of god and can’t see what’s right in front of them. We know this is true because they think he speaks truth and the actuality is–he and truth have no relationship whatsoever. They have never met and every time he opens his mouth–the discerning majority population–know it.

While I was praying for those who are going to lose the most–his fan base–I have stopped praying for them. They want to idolize a man who will soon be cause of their having toxins in their water, air and no oversight as to what is put into their foods. They’re going to lose access to the type of medical coverage they need because they were too foolish to know–the Affordable Care Act-was deemed Obamacare by bigoted Republicans. Now, they’re fit to be tied because they screamed about getting rid of Obamacare, not knowing it was the healthcare they needed. It is really sad to see such hatred for a person that  don’t realize the good that was done for them.

Now, if we’re watching closely to what’s happening aside from the distractions 45 creates, we’ll see North Korea and Russian attempt to make a move against the United States. This is what giving 45 a chance has done.

If I don’t live beyond today, I can safely say, my destination is secure and heaven is my home. Where 45 will end up is anyone’s guess, but I doubt there will be a mansion waiting for him.

Nevertheless, soon and very soon, Lord–remove the oppressive fascist from our midst and when he is found to guilty of treason, remove any lingering doubts from the minds of any who thought he cared about–the average working people. And let his fall from grace and public opinion be seen worldwide so the world will know–we–the majority of Americans–are not like him.

Gallup’s daily poll, which is based on a three-day rolling average, has Trump’s approval rate at 38 percent and his disapproval rate at 56 percent, with a 3-point margin of error.

And though the Republican party approves of his performance (entertainment I guess), by 87%–the overall public opinion of his job performance is lower than any other president’s before him. The reality of the situation is this–45 is not doing anything other than making noise and signing whatever is put in front of him. He has no idea how to govern and others are making all the important decisions for him because he doesn’t have a clue. Then there are those who “complained about Obama taking vacations more than once a year” and this idiot apparently thinks the job of a president is a 9-5 week day only situation and has spent more time doing nothing in 4 weeks than Obama did in 8 years. And the taxpayers–those of us paying taxes (he doesn’t) are footing the bill to the tune of over 10 million dollars for the past four weeks, when Obama (who paid taxes) only spent 96 million in 8 years. Get a calculator all you loyalists and see what your loyalty to a buffoon is going to cost America!

For those who put political party before country–May God deal with you in a manner that will make you remember–the welfare of the country should always come before a party’s agenda. But if you don’t know–you will–soon and very soon! As it has been said, “Patriotism is loyalty to country–not a president.”

When People Pay Attention!

O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! You reveal your majesty in the heavens above! From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy. When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them, and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty; you appoint them to rule over your creation; you have placed everything under their authority, including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! Psalm 8:1-9 NET

When people pay attention to us, they help to build and promote our reputation–whether it ends up being a positive one or a negative one. I think I remember an adage about, “in order to get people to recognize your worth, any publicity is good publicity.” I probably didn’t quote that exactly right, but the intent is there.

Where am I going with this? It would appear that my efforts (though minuscule) to gain recognition for my books, were nothing compared to the recognition I’m now getting for simply having an opinion and expressing it through news threads. Wow! I’ve already gathered over 200 pages of data–responses to comments I’ve made on social media. That to me is fascinating! I never knew having an opinion could ignite such a plethora of responses–some supporting, but most–absolute vitriol.

But here’s the thing–I recognized a few years ago that when people can hide behind anonymity of social media, they feel free to let their true natures rule their fingers. Now, I have no idea who these people are–on a personal level–but I’ve come to enjoy the exchanges. For those who agree with what I say, I feel I gain a friend, but for those who engage in name-calling and subtle threats–I’m continually amazed that little ole me can rile a person up the way I apparently do. So, instead of engaging in the hate–and I never do–I’ll either question what they say or simply thank them for giving me relevance. Those who resent my comments hate my direct responses to them and I gain more data for the book I’ve decided to write about the, Hate That Hides Behind The Anonymity of Social Media.

On all of my social media accounts–because I promote my books–my face is not hidden (except on one as an experiment), my profile states accurately what I believe and my purpose for writing, and I’m not afraid to express my opinions about a news article. That’s the thing–I express opinions about news articles, not individuals–not even the news outlet–and people go crazy. I never knew I had that much power! Well, now that I do, I think I’m going to do everything I can to exploit the situation and give God glory in the process!

I recognize that when we are obedient to God–though some may disagree–we never know what He has in store for us–the blessing from being obedient. Now it would appear that I don’t have to concern myself with marketing my books, I’ll just keep expressing my opinions and lead people to my books. What an awesome God we serve! Through the expression of my honest opinions, He is opening the door to a reputation (good/bad publicity), an avenue that I might not have explored or discovered on my own.

Lord, I thank You for speaking to my heart, guiding my thoughts and my fingers and for all You can and will accomplish through an act of obedience.

Band Camp!

This remarkably small band (20 members) consistently earns Division 1 rankings for their half-time field performances. One of the reasons they are so remarkable is because of the intense training and practice they get at band camp every summer.

Unfortunately, some of our band families are not able to financially support an eligible student’s participation and so we find ourselves in a predicament where we are seeking the help of the public. Would you consider a $10 donation to help keep our marching band marching?

Thank you for considering this tax deductible donation for our students. https://www.gofundme.com/hwpioneers

 

 

Twelve Days of Kindness-Day 8!

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 2 Corinthians 6:3-7 NKJV

On this 8th day of kindness, we are reminded by Paul that everything we do–EVERYTHING–should align with the Word so that we don’t offend anyone by what we do. This is especially true for those who are called by God to teach His Word and are walking–in life–according to His Word.

Sometimes, the truth offends people, but the truth must be told anyway. Now, do we sugarcoat truth or just tell it like it is? If a person is offended by truth, no matter how we try to water it or soften the blow–they’re going to be offended. As one actor poignantly stated, “You can’t handle the truth.”

Why is it that people cannot handle truth? Our perceptions of truth or what is true, are not always based upon truth as it really is. If we are blinded by our bias, our perceptions are cloudy and when people speak truth to us–we don’t accept it as truth because it is in opposition to how we want to conduct our lives.

For instance, there are some people who are natural leaders and some who simply want to be leaders, but they lack the intellect to know what true, effective leaders do. But because they have convinced themselves they know more than those who try to assist them, they become offended by truth because the truth reveals to them what they lack.

The truth reveals to all of us what we lack and what we must change within ourselves and how we do things. Since none of us knows everything there is to know, we must count on others to keep us honest by reminding us when we’re headed in the wrong direction. Considering our own ineptitude about so many things, someone has written a book about everything any of us could ever experience in life. Their opinion in what they write doesn’t necessarily constitute truth, but it is enough to make us think and either confirm or refute what we think we know.

But if our desire is to please God, then we should demonstrate our ability to be patient and kind, as it pertains to what we must accomplish in our ministry that honors Him.

Are we ready to demonstrate all that God desires for us to do? Today is a good day to honor Him by our extending kindness in showing patience, and acting in truth, according to God’s Word, and not our feelings.

 

Consider!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.  James 1:2-8 NIV.

It is indeed a pleasure to take joy in The Word of God when we see it fulfilled before us. And before we take any consideration or thought to what others say, we must focus on what God says for we know, that people in all their fickle-mindness will never consider what God says in their own arrogance.

When God says we can–we can-do all things through Him who loves us.

When God says He will fight our battles–He will–for the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s.

When God says he hates backbiters and gossipers–He does--and we have to remember that no weapon formed against us–not poverty, not lying or deceitful words, not sickness, not anything–shall prosper.

When we focus on what God says–we can arise above the negativity that exists and resist its pull and soar like eagles–seeking to do God’s will, not concerned with what people think.

Oh, how great is our God, when though the flesh is tempted to respond to acts of injustice that Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and comforts us, reminding us that we are loved and nothing the enemy does will come to any good.

Consider God’s love and kindness above all else and when He stops speaking–words of comfort and mercy, know that He has worked it all out–beyond our greatest imaginations.

Wholesome Christian Literature

Today, my 21st eBook was released on Amazon. When you get a chance, please check it out at myBook.to/ElevatedHijinks

This book is the end result of my NaNoWriMo novel and I am genuinely pleased with the results and I know you will be too if you like unexpected adventures.

When an FBI Agent’s sons are kidnapped, the other agents–particularly Tiffany and Tyson, along with Battle (who finds love in the valley), set out to find out who the kidnappers are. AJ and Raphi have their own plans to escape and it all works out until they have to outrun a blazing mountain fire. Lots of twists and turns, but you’ll have to keep turning the pages–just to see the hijinks revealed.

Anyone with a heart for adventure and love the mountains will enjoy this book.

Praying For Others!

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV

And all the people of God will stand firm on His Word, mindful of the results of the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous, praying  at all times for those who are walking in the Spirit and for those who are not that they, too will come into the knowledge of Christ, submit their hearts to Him, and live to please Him, until all is fulfilled according to The Word and Jesus returns!

And this is how we pray for others that we may all live in peace, praising Him and glorifying Him with every word and deed.If we are walking in faith, ready to receive all of His many benefits, I declare by the power working in me and the authority given me that all who are willing to receive healing in their body, mind, and spirit–are healed. I further declare that poverty is stricken from the minds and lives of all who are willing to live by faith and work to accomplish all that God has put into their hearts to do and all will live in the fullness of His great riches  to His glory. I stand on God’s Word that His Love–will flow out of all those who know Him onto those who don’t and that love, will become greater as it is demonstrated as He is.

And all who agreed with this prayer–so that the unity of the spirit will work mightily in all to accomplish the word–the power of two or three in agreement–said Amen and it is done.

Wisdom Continues To Speak!

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. Ecclesiastes 7:11,12 NIV

If any lacks wisdom, let them ask of God who gives it liberally and will not find fault with those who ask. (James 1:5 paraphrased). If God will give us wisdom when we ask for it, why don’t we ask Him, instead of trying to impress others with wisdom, we don’t have.

Wisdom thinks before acting.

Wisdom is calm and rational.

Wisdom seeks increase in understanding.

Wisdom pays no attention to rumors and will not encourage negative responses to anything.

Wisdom contemplates every matter before making a decision.

Wisdom rises above the fray of adversity in the hands of the foolish.

Wisdom obeys authority and as a result is an authority of all who seek her.

Wisdom speaks truth at all times, even when truth hurts.

Wisdom admires wisdom in others who know God, stays far from the foolish who think they know more than God.

Wisdom resolves problems and does not cause them.

If wisdom is an inheritance, then we must resolve to gain more wisdom and the only true wisdom comes from God. For if we leave an inheritance of wisdom in our children, they will the capability of making wise decisions, after gathering all the information they need in order to make the decision. If we leave wisdom as an inheritance for our children, they will be empowered to keep wisdom flowing from generation to generation.

But if we have not wisdom to exercise in all things, what are leaving as an inheritance for those we leave behind? Money, by itself is not the answer for we know fools and their money are soon parted–they spend it as fast as they get it. Money can be taken or lost and the Word tells us that “the love” of money–the desire to obtain it by any means–is the root of all evil.

But wisdom–once obtained–belongs to the one who has obtained it and it can never be taken or lost. For true wisdom is the ability to seek knowledge and understanding of what the knowledge is.

I am a consummate researcher. Anything I desire to know, I research and then I research more to gain a better understanding of what it is I have researched. This is a constant cycle for we–none of us–will ever know all there is to know. We just keep learning (as wisdom dictates) and I look forward to learning something new–every day.

If we scorn wisdom and getting understanding of knowledge, we defeat ourselves and the enemy wins. “Wisdom is the principle thing and with all of our getting, we must get understanding.”

If we are willing to hear and obey, wisdom will continue to speak to our hearts.

 

Do People Know We Have Integrity??

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said,”Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Mark 12:13,14 b NIV

Isn’t it amazing that even when people do underhanded things, trying to undermine or sabotage a person’s reputation, by their words they actually confirm truth about the person they are attacking, and reveal truth about themselves?

In a recent event, I was attacked when by an individual who provoked a commentary about their work ethic in a volunteer organization. They had deluded themselves into believing they were actually, “doing the best they could,” and when I refuted that statement, they wanted to know–specifically–what I thought they should be doing. My response was–show up at meetings and do their job–reading the information already provided so they would know their job. Their response–“This is a volunteer group–nobody is paying me.” And later, “That’s your standard and since everyone has their own standard, no one has to work to yours.” That’s very true.

Though they did not realize it when they said it, that was truly a high compliment. I do have high standards–being paid or not–a standard of excellence and “doing my best” means I know what I’m supposed to be doing because I actually read the instructions and attend scheduled meetings. After being associated with non-profit ventures for over 20 years, not being paid for 15 years, I have a clue about how things should be done. And the first thing that anyone should understand about a non-profit is its purpose and intent and the organizational structure. For without order, there is chaos and constant misunderstandings and instead of moving forward, people are left in a rut.

Those who came to see Jesus didn’t really want an answer to their question, but they recognized His integrity–not being swayed by others who did not know truth. They were simply trying to trick him into committing treason against Caesar.

In so many other situations in life, we may discover that people have been sent to us, to commit treason against truth. But how wonderful it is when truth–is stated in the mouths of those who seek to defame and destroy–for all to hear.

Now, I can imagine that if they had known the truth and what Jesus was going to say, they never would have approached Him, in a public forum. Sometimes, if we’re not sure of the end results, we might want to say certain things to people, privately. For when the truth is known about a person and it is understood–in a public forum–the person doing the attacking–also reveals truth about themselves. In the case of the meeting I referenced earlier, the person attacking me revealed, they don’t plan to do any of the work because they are not getting paid and a volunteer position is not worth their time and commitment.

I wanted to ask why they were there since they felt that way, but Holy Spirit told me to be quiet. Now, I wonder why anyone would accept a position as an officer of a non-profit–knowing in advance there was no monetary payment (just personal gratification in knowing we make a difference) and simply become a space filler (just holding a position, not honoring it).

So, when I read this passage of scripture this morning, I was reminded of that conversation and hence the question arose, “Do people know we have integrity?” According to the scriptures, they will know when they see us not being swayed by others who do not operate in truth or integrity themselves.

We, who believe God, know Truth–and we understand that all things must be done, decently and in order. When we think we can undermine those who operate in truth, the truth about ourselves is revealed and now–everyone knows the truth–about all.

Lord, help us to be people of integrity, honoring You and positions we hold–living up to the expectation and requirements to get the job done, without being persuaded by others to do anything else, but to do all things that please You.