Warning** Do Not Do the following or allow your children to do this!
Frazzled, shaken, unstable, wobbly and obviously fluffed! This is what my poodle Angel looked like after coming out of the dryer. Not the blow dryer either! When I was a young girl I had two brothers Doug and Keith. Keith decided one day that he was going to give Angel a little ride in the dryer. He did have mercy and put the dryer on fluff. It wasn’t long, but long enough that when she came out after her ride, that she stumbled around like a wobbly newborn deer. All she wanted was to get her balance back!
Have you ever felt like that? I know I have!
Maybe it was the trauma or she was just a little strange but she never seemed to ever get her nerve back. Every time she would see Keith or get near the dryer she would start to shake. Obviously Keith felt bad, and so I had to forgive him and show him mercy.
It’s been a while since I’ve thought about Angel. but, As I listened to the message in church this morning I realized like Keith, we all do things that sometimes we regret. Like Israel we get caught in situations where we either lose our way or we stumble and shake and lose our nerve. In this case Micah was called to share with the people how they had forgotten all the wonderful things He had done and they got caught up in their own delights, or as in Angel’s case, her own bad experience.
“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.
“Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.”
Micah 6:1-2
The religious priests were the worst! Instead of pointing them to the only one who could save, deliver and heal them, they were telling the people what they wanted to hear in order to increase the offerings in the temple. Does this sound familiar in our pluralistic, self-centered and abusive society?
Justice – Hebrew word Mishpat “The way prescribed, rightful action.”
Mercy – Hebrew word Chesed “Kindness, goodness, loyal deeds, compassion.”
God is so relentless in His pursuit of us. He sent Micah to tell the people the truth. They had taken the wrong road and were pursuing things other than things that were unrighteous and deceitful. They had become cold, uncaring for the less fortunate, mean and arrogant.
There are times when I find myself in situations where if I’m not careful I begin to do and say the wrong things. I don’t set a good example of justice and mercy. In my mind, I can put people in the dryer and intenionally turn the temperature to high heat.
God wants us to be humble and upright before Him. He wants us to exhibit His character and to help those in need, the widows, the orphans, the backslidden and distressed. He wants us to love our enemies and not expect anything in return. The amazing thing about God is that He knows we can’t do this on our own. So when we come to Him and ask Him for help, He is faithful to supply and empower us with His love. This is what Micah was trying to get through to the people.
“God opposes the proud but shows favor tothehumble.”
I’m sure some of us can say, can’t believe this happened to me! Our world gets rocked and shaken. We are trembling, fearful, and weary. We are out of balance and maybe we can’t even think straight. We need to help one another to get back on God’s track. We need each other.
God has got us! He is pursuing us relentlessly, no matter what. The enemy is defeated and there is no way he can overcome us if we abide in Jesus.
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. 20 You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.
CHOICES – People may often misunderstand your goals, your vision, your mission ~ but keep going, keep striving and continue to push, having faith in the specific calling you have been given! (While at the same time being open for Godly accountability and constructive criticism) FB Post by Maverick Hoenig June 3, 2017.
CHOICES
When I read this today the Holy Spirit quickened my spirit. In the area of crisis and trauma care, I see every day where hurting individuals are faced with choices that they weren’t expecting to make or having to live with choices that were made for them.
I recently talked to one of my spiritual sons who was in an accident where a semi-truck made too close a turn and drug him and his motorcycle down the road. It not only caused him to literally being run over and left critically injured and badly broken. He now has to walk with a cane and has severe health issues. He said to me,
“Mom” I can either choose to give up, gripe and B**** about my life. I’ve got to get up and live life to the fullest.”
Throughout his life, I’ve watched this young man battle through many obstacles, some self inflicted and we have had many conversations about his walk with God. He’s still sorting through his life’s purpose and I have no doubt that God is already using him in ways even he can’t see or understand. But, even through his difficult times he has been there for me when I felt like giving up. He has walked with me through crisis, trauma and hopelessness.
Today happened to be one of those days where I was questioning why things happen and if I should have made different choices.
Our conversation helped steer me and get my mind back to where it should be… on choosing to living and loving myself & others “God’s Way” – not my own.
I’ve got so much to be thankful for. Looking back I see the hard choices I had to make at times, especially when I wondered at the time if they were the right ones. God has always redeemed even my poor choices into life giving miracles….
CHOICE – **Note – FB Post from 12/19/2015 – Maverick Hoenig, Father
Wow! Jonah David Hoenig has arrived!!! 7.12 lbs! God is great and the miracle of life astounds me today!
“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” John 16:12
Amy did such an amazing job in labor and I am so proud of her!!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Blessings on your day, Choose Wisely…
Marlene
from ashes to beauty…
P. S. If you or someone you know is battling with their choices, or is suffering from crisis and trauma in their life. I am available 24/7. Please check out my website for ways to contact me. Website LinkContinue reading “Choices… we all have to make them”
The past few weeks have been very exciting as the snow in the Matanatsu Valley has melted and you see campers, four wheelers and the landscape change from white to green!
Or not quite yet…
This week a fresh blanket of snow has draped the mountains like a polar bear coat. It hasn’t stopped the hikers, bikers and campers flooding into the state.
Crisis & Trauma Care
I’ve been blessed the past few months to meet with many groups and individuals who share my passion for crisis and trauma care. There are so many warriors God is using to shine His marvelous light through to overcome the darkness that cause Alaskans so much trauma.
Heroin Overdoses
During the month of May, there has been a dramatic increase in heroin overdoses in Anchorage. Emergency personnel are arriving on the deadly scenes but have also saved many lives using a drug called Narcan. Please pray for hope, restoration and recovery for those who have overdosed and those who have lost family members and friends to overdoses.
I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. Jeremiah 33: 6b (NIV)
The second phase of healing a wound (there are four) is inflammation. Inflammation means to ignite or set on fire. The process is part of our body’s defense system and actually helps to heal a wound or injury. After a wound has occurred (blood is clotting) the small blood vessels change and allow blood (plasma, blood proteins, and white cells) to enter the area around the injury – it swells. This increase in fluids (blood) accompanies or causes pain, loss of function, redness and a “hot to the touch” sensation. Discharging pus is a part of this process. We tend to try and control/stop inflammation but it is needed after a wound for healing; if inflammation does not get rid of the problem or continues that is chronic inflammation and can lead to other health issues.
The parallels of physical inflammation to spiritual inflammation are noteworthy. After the initial shock of a wound we will feel pain, possibly stop doing things, and be touchy; these are natural but it is because “life” (blood) is trying to flood back in. We may/should let loose bad stuff (pus) as part of our healing. In this stage if we don’t get rid of “stuff” it will stay around and cause other more serious problems or at least delay our healing.
∞ Lord Jesus, we know wounds will come but thank you for healing. Holy Spirit thank you for taking ALL things and using them to bring us closer to Jesus and the Father. Amen.
If you need prayer for healing… please don’t hesitate to give me a call at area code 850-661-6104 or email your prayer requests to cinderellareleased@gmail.com
“For my groaning comes at the sight of my food, And my cries pour out like water.”
Job 3:24
Which comes first, indigestion or groaning? The truth is that your health can be ruined because of the way stress, crisis and trauma is handled in your life. It is important that you recognize the early signs and warnings that indigestion can bring.
Learning to develop an “attitude of gratitude” even when things aren’t going particularly the best, will serve you well in the long run. Also, being thankful for what God has blessed you with is very important. Forgiveness, self-control, thankfulness and plain old perseverance can help you through the times of hardship, testing and trials. This will keep your digestive system healthy and intact.
No better lesson can we learn from Paul, as he was facing hardships all the day long.
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:22-24
Need help with indigestion, immobility and other issues? Complimentary 30 minute session – Contact: cinderellareleased@gmail.com to set up an appointment!
Immobility – Fear will immobilize you as was in the case of Pastor Bobette Stubblefield,
Soon after our marriage began, my husband began to isolate me by forbidding me to spend time at church and with my family and friends. Isolation then begins to break down a person’s worth; and little by little steals their identity. My husband would shove me down and overpower me physically. …He would then urinate on me. Fear became my captor (Stubblefield. March 20, 2004).
She also described how she would shake uncontrollably whenever she would think about going home or would drive toward her house. She stayed in the marriage for 12 years and faced fear daily. Finally, one day, when she had to defend herself in a court battle over her children, she was forced to face fear head on. Fearful, but determined to overcome it, she took courageous steps toward the courtroom door. Just before entering the courtroom, she realized she was not alone and that God had stationed angels around her. Bobette recalls that day:
But, before I walked in front of the judge, God opened my eyes like He opened the prophet Elijah servant’s eyes. Elijah’s servant saw thousands of angels standing ready for battle on he and his country’s behalf. When God allowed me to see into the spiritual realm, He showed me six angels dressed like Secret Service men. They were with me walking arm in arm into the courtroom. I realized I was not alone anymore. The Bible says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and a sound mind.”
For More information about how you can overcome fear….
Contact Marlene Hoenig
Cinderella Released….from ashes to beauty. CinderellaReleased@gmail.com
I’m looking back a couple of years, when I took this picture. I had spent a year in Ohio working at a large ministry and the experience and friendships that I made while I was there are not measurable. There was probably not anything in Ohio that I didn’t love! I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life there and build a retreat where all of my friends could come. I already had my eye on a beautiful old farmhouse!
I had made many forever friends and were building more each day. I loved Ohio’s central location, the ability to travel practically anywhere in the U.S. quickly and had set up a very cute and cozy apartment in New Albany. Getting ready for my first fall and then winter set in as quickly as the next change did.
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
Change is always difficult and who can know when you are in a changing season how to plan. For a while after I left Ohio my heart was not open for planning. It seemed like every time I got my hopes up again for a home, a place to put roots down the season would change and I would be picked up like an autumn leaf and carried away on another adventure. Thus is the feeling in my spirit. Who can fight God? Acts 5:39 says,
But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”
You see I didn’t know at the time that my youngest would be soon be getting married. But, I knew he was going to need me there. The excitement of living near all of my sons again was exhilarating! Yes, I can do this! I’m not too old. A position and plan opened up and yes, there it was God WAS once more directing my steps. There was also someone very special in Pensacola, that I would learn much from and whom needed and wanted me! So many things have happened since that drive after that cross appeared in the sky signaling the change that was coming.
[the mockers to Jesus at the Crucifixion:] “…Save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.”Mat 27:40, 42 (NIV)
This must have been what the disciples thought when they saw Jesus up on that cross. I would have thought it. How many times had the disciples seen Jesus do miracles in their lives, and yet, even Peter had just denied him. Even after he had promised he would never do it.
John stood by with Jesus’ mother Mary and the other women. The grief the sadness, the sorrow, the change. This was what was in my soul that drive from Ohio until I looked up and saw the cross. It was like a signal in the Sky that everything was going to be ok. It didn’t matter how old I was, or what the future held, good or bad. I had hope that only the cross and the blood of Jesus can bring.
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:19
Hope, I would be working for Globe Hope. Change for me is really never easy, but it is exciting. Once I get over the hump. Like a leaf, picked up by the wind in the fall…
Anchor – Hillsong Live
I have this hope
As an anchor for my soul
Through every storm
I will hold to YouWith endless love
All my fear is swept away
In everything
I will trust in You
CHORUS
There is hope in the promise of the cross
You gave everything to save the world You love
And this hope is an anchor for my soul
Our God will stand
Unshakeable
VERSE
Unchanging One
You who was and is to come
Your promise sure
You will not let go
BRIDGE
Your Name is higher
Your Name is greater
All my hope is in You
Your word unfailing
Your promise unshaken
All my hope is in You
