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.
What makes, clay pottery,
cow’s milk buttery,
butterflies fluttery?
It’s something in the process.
What makes, bologna lunchmeat,
a cane of sugar so sweet
a loaf of bread from whole wheat?
It’s something in the process.
What makes, dark clouds roll away,
the rooster crow at dawn each day,
us doubt and turn to God to pray?
It’s something in the process.
What makes, us lift our eyes toward the sky,
an eagle soar so high,
laugh aloud – when we want to cry?
It’s something in the process.
What makes us want to cleave to earth,
wonder how God planned our birth,
see the world in such a dearth?
It’s something in the process.
Why then, do we question the Potter’s plan,
the turn of His wheel,
the choice of His sand,
His pressure applied,
the crush of His hand?
It’s something in the process.
So then,
How can we look at all God’s done,
understand the truth,
yet feel so alone,
after all,
Isn’t the battle won?
It’s in the process.
My son(s) and daughter(s), if sinners entice thee,
consent thou not.
If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
Our sinfulness causes us sometimes to follow the wrong crowd. Sometimes that crowd looks good, sounds good and gives the impression that their cause is good. In fact you can see “good fruit” or profitable results and success come from some of the works that are being done. We must be careful not to be deceived.
Proverbs cautions us from the very beginning of this book that knowledge without wisdom is deadly. I’ve learned too many times it is very easy to be deceived, by what looks and sounds good. By seeking the LORD and His wisdom we can rest assured that He will protect, provide and care for us and help us navigate in this world filled with knowlege and deception. His plan is always for our good and not for evil.
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Today we are flooded knowledge and technology through every means possible. Hours and hours of gigabytes and terabytes of information is coming to us in a way that can’t possibly be processed logically, much less with wisdom or allowing us to get wise counsel. I often find myself in this “net” and powerless to escape, except for the mercy and grace of the LORD. These traps are laid before us all. We are helpless without the help of G-d.
Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
When we get caught up in lies and deceit, we find ourselves naked walking around like the Emperor in The Emperor’s New Clothes. His greedyness, pride and arrogance eventually destroyed his life and in the eyes of all who saw him he became a fool.
We can all get caught up in these traps if we don’t seek wisdom. It is critical to keep our hearts focused on the only one who can save, deliver and keep us from the many traps that are set before us.
from ashes to beauty ~ Cinderella Released
Lessons in Life from the World’s Wealthiest Single Mom!
“The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22
God has a purpose when it comes to the resources He provides in my life. Wealth is viewed very differently in every culture. I’ve had the blessing to visit other countries and places in the United States and to really realize how blessed I am and surrounded by such wealth. This post is about God’s provision for me. For many years, I felt being a single mom was one of the most difficult professions on the planet. But, today I am so thankful for all that God has provided for me and my family.
PaPa Baggs, Colt, Christopher, Maverick & Gary Jr. (My Boys)
Life’s Lesson # 1 – Provision
“But My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Colt & Maverick 1986
In 1991 after a financial crisis, my husband and I separated and my two youngest boys and I went to Tallahassee, Florida to live with my older brother, his wife and my nieces Dena and Adrienne. After a few weeks, the Lord provided me with a good job and a one bedroom apartment. My sister-in-law helped me figure out a weekly budget and so I would cash my check and put money aside each week in an envelope, one for each of my bills. 10% of my gross income went directly into the offering plate and $35 per week was our food budget. It seemed I always had more envelopes than money at the end of the end of the week but I knew God would provide.
“Touched by Two Angels”
Then our first month’s electric bill arrived and I went to get my envelope for the electric.
To my dismay, I had only put away $6. I thought to myself, “How did that happen?”
Holding my breath, I opened the bill and a big cry of relief came when I saw the charge of only $6. But, I did call the electric company immediately. They said the bill was correct and it was probably because it was just the first month’s bill.
I promised myself to put away more the next month. When the next month came, and I opened the electric bill it was only $12 this time. As you can imagine, I didn’t waste any time calling the electric company.
Their response was,
“Mrs. Hoenig, yes there is a problem. We never got your payment from last month!This is why it’s $12.”
I said, no, you don’t understand, “This has been the coldest winter in Tallahassee and I run my heat all the time.” The operator said, “I will check the meter and get back with you.”
Well, the fact is I never got a bill that went over $6 a month for the first nine months (the entire time we were in this little apartment). Our God supplied for our needs abundantly and above anything I could dream or imagine at the time.
God also supplied us with friends and family who provided food, fellowship and lots of fun! We opened up our home each week for dinner on Saturday nights where the boys and I provided the main course. Usually I got the BOGO which always provided a great meal and our friends brought side dishes, desserts and drinks. We always had plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week. Another way we saved money and had fun was going to a local restaurant which had a “Kids Eat Free” night on Wednesday nights. It was a hot food buffet and salad bar. My boys loaded their bellies with plenty of good food and we also had fellowship with many of the families we knew would eat there also.
Colt and Maverick
Amy, Maverick & Colt
Amy, Maverick & Jonah
This Life Lesson on Provision helped me become the World’s Wealthiest Single Mom!
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.
The Coming Tsunami… Where will you be and what will you be doing?
I dreamed I was in a military vehicle being deployed when all of a sudden all I could see were vehicles going under what appeared to be an infinity pool.
One minute everything was normal and the next, all I could see was water and vehicles going under.
As I watched in horror I felt a tremendous need to yell and tell the driver not to turn onto the upcoming bridge because the water was coming that direction. The sound of the trucks and the approaching wave drowned out my voice. It was obvious we would turn onto the bridge and be directly in its’ path.
My next recollection was being out of the truck and walking not on the water but on vehicles, boxes, containers and debris that were submerged in the water. I felt young and able to lightly jump from one floating debris onto another as if I was walking on chunks of floating ice.
As I got to the end of all of the floating debris and the wave had passed, I looked out into the massive ocean of water beyond and thought to myself,
“Lord, is this my end? What have I done. Will the next thing I see be your face? Will the next thing I hear be ‘Well done, good and faithful servant?'”
The next thing I remember thinking is “I’ve waited too long to step out.” I don’t think I’m ready for this moment. There is something else I need to do, but I’m not quite certain what my assignment is?
Then, I remember The Parable of the Three Talents and the servant who buried their talent because of fear. (Matthew 25:14-30) I cried out in my sleep, “Lord, don’t let me be afraid, help me to risk it all.”
I felt the Lord saying,
Marlene, your talents aren’t any good if they are buried, or you are not using them for My purpose and plan. In order to be fully satisfied you must risk them all for MY SAKE.
So, with this said, I made the decision to risk it all, give it all, trust it all to Him. The author and finisher of my faith.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Searching for God’s Treasure,
Marlene
from ashes to beauty
Cinderella Released
New Giving Info Below!
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