This world places power above all else, even fortune. Just look at the politicians who claim to be "public servants". They may start off with good intentions but ultimately they succumb to the lure of power and acclaim. They speak of world peace but fight against anyone with a differing opinion without even trying to understand the other side. They speak of climate change that will kill us all while people right now are being slaughtered all over the world including the innocent babies in their mother's wombs. They claim to be advocates for the down trodden, all the while they scrape them off the bottom of their shoes as they climb that worldly ladder.
DO YOU WANT POWER? It just takes you becoming aware of the power within you. You have all the power in the universe living in you. He is called the Holy Spirit! The Infinite, Creator power is yours to access! How could things change for you, for the world, if we were all able to utilize it to the full? It all begins with us.
Do you believe in God? Do you believe you were created by Him? Why were you created? He didn't create you just for fun. He created you for a specific purpose. He created you to be in relationship with Him. He loved you so much that He sent His only begotten Son to take your place on the cross that all sins of all people might be redeemed by His death and resurrection. Before Jesus left, He gave us all the Holy Spirit, the Advocate to be with us always. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one and another indication of the importance of relationship to God. Jesus said that we would do far greater things than He. When He ascended, He commissioned us to go forth and make disciples of the world. Purpose!
How will we do far greater things? By the Power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. If we get in touch with Him, He will give you the discernment to know how God is calling you to the mission He created for which He created you. By the Power of the Holy Spirit, you have been equipped by Him with all of the gifts you need to succeed. What do you love to do? What gives you joy? What energizes and excites you? Where do you most feel at home? That is a good place to start to know what you need to pursue.
How can the world be different? If we understood that God is about life and love, would we behave differently? If we treated everyone as the God-created being that they are, would we all get along better? Just imagine if all faith based communities throughout the world got together for peace, do you think it could be accomplished? I think so! If we respected life from conception to death, would we have more respect for ourselves and others? I think so!
We often think, I'm just one person, what difference can I make? I say, consider the "Butterfly Effect". It has been shown that when a butterfly flaps its wings, the air it moves will eventually make it around the world. I read a book and heard the author speak that explains this better. The book is "The Butterfly Effect" by Andy Andrews. He also recalls different events in history where the one decision, action, or inventive thought effected millions around the world. You can too!
If we all accept that we all have the Creator living within and treat each other accordingly, we can touch people's lives and they can do the same and so on. Go forth and make disciples of all the nations! We all must think bigger and step out of our comfort zone! Say "yes" to His call and go out into the world with His love!
Thank you Lord for loving us and providing us with the Holy Spirit!
Monday, May 29, 2017
Friday, May 26, 2017
MEET & TURN
This is something that I wrote recently that speaks to our journey to Jesus:
MEET & TURN
When you meet Jesus,
You turn your face in shame,
Shame for all of the wrongs you've done,
Shame for all of the times you’ve let Him down,
Shame for being the hammer to His nails.
He calls to you with mercy.
When you meet Jesus,
You turn your back to Him,
You do not deserve His open arms,
You are not worthy enough,
Not lovable enough,
Not good enough.
He calls to you with love.
When you meet Jesus,
You turn away from Him,
You are afraid to follow Him,
You are afraid to be different,
You don’t feel you need Him,
You can do this on you own.
He calls to you to trust.
When you meet Jesus,
You see yourself in Him,
You see His love for you,
You accept the salvation He offers,
You surrender all of you to all of Him.
When you gaze into Jesus eyes,
all you see is love, mercy, and forgiveness.
When you meet Jesus,
you are forever transformed.
You cannot encounter Jesus and remain the same.
When you meet Jesus, you have found your home.
Rest in His arms, Trust, and Live!
Connie A LeBlanc
Inspired by The Holy Spirit
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Coping & Hoping
Hello Brothers and Sisters,
Something came up this morning that led me to thinking about what it means to cope with chronic pain and fatigue. You see, I have fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. I was diagnosed with the fiber in 1994 and the RA a few years later. I continued to work until 2010. Then the fatigue got so bad that I had to resign. The head of rheumatology at Oschner's in New Orleans told me that my body could not handle the intense stress related to my job and that it would kill me. I returned home and resigned.
I thought that I would be lost for things to do, but that didn't last long. I got involved with my church, have 4 grandchildren living near me, and did crafty things around home to keep busy. Four years ago, I began the hobby of cake decorating. I make cakes and cookies for special occasions with my family, friends, and for my church. What is good about this hobby is that I can do things in stages and pace myself so I don't overdo and pay the price. Which leads me to the subject of this post.
As I said because of the fatigue, I must pace myself. When I no I have an event or trip coming up, I try to get extra rest and allow for extra rest after. I take frequent breaks from any task and try to take a nap every afternoon. This allows me cope for the most part with my fatigue. My hope is knowing that Jesus was often tired and He rested and spent time with The Father. He would go off to a quite place by Himself and pray. It's okay to take some alone time for yourself. My hope is knowing that when I need to push through The Lord gives me the courage and perseverance to get it done.
When it comes to the pain, it is much the same. I need to find a balance of continuing to do the things I need to do and knowing when to back off. This helps to keep the pain from getting worse. I take medication to take the edge off and keep going forward. There are times when I have to just shut things down. That's okay too. It's all part of coping with chronic pain. My hope is in remembering that Jesus suffered much more. He suffered betrayal and ridicule. He suffered scourging at the hands of the brutal Romans. If you don't know what that scourging was, He was tied to a post, the clothes ripped off Him, and was whipped extra numbers of times with a "cat-o-nine-tails" with broken metal and glass tied to the ends. His flesh was literally ripped from His body.
He then had to carry a heavy wooden cross up a hill, falling 3 times. They then ripped the cloak they had thrown on him reopening all of His wounds. And then they pierced His hands and feet as they nailed Him to the cross. The lifted it into place causing all of His weight to pulled down on nails. He struggled to breathe and was pierced in His side to ensure that He was dead. And He forgave us!
If He could endure all of this in all of His humanity, I guess I can endure my pain. I don't always do it with grace but I do try to join my suffering to His and to remember all those that are suffering more that me. My hope is knowing that He knows how I feel. My hope is knowing that I can alway count on His loving embrace. My hope is knowing that someday I will have a glorified body with no more pain or fatigue in which I will be able to glorify His name for eternity.
Trust in Him, Hope in Him in whatever fatigues you, in whatever caused you pain. He will set comfort you, guide you, love you and will set you free!
Have courage and persevere!
Connie
Something came up this morning that led me to thinking about what it means to cope with chronic pain and fatigue. You see, I have fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. I was diagnosed with the fiber in 1994 and the RA a few years later. I continued to work until 2010. Then the fatigue got so bad that I had to resign. The head of rheumatology at Oschner's in New Orleans told me that my body could not handle the intense stress related to my job and that it would kill me. I returned home and resigned.
I thought that I would be lost for things to do, but that didn't last long. I got involved with my church, have 4 grandchildren living near me, and did crafty things around home to keep busy. Four years ago, I began the hobby of cake decorating. I make cakes and cookies for special occasions with my family, friends, and for my church. What is good about this hobby is that I can do things in stages and pace myself so I don't overdo and pay the price. Which leads me to the subject of this post.
As I said because of the fatigue, I must pace myself. When I no I have an event or trip coming up, I try to get extra rest and allow for extra rest after. I take frequent breaks from any task and try to take a nap every afternoon. This allows me cope for the most part with my fatigue. My hope is knowing that Jesus was often tired and He rested and spent time with The Father. He would go off to a quite place by Himself and pray. It's okay to take some alone time for yourself. My hope is knowing that when I need to push through The Lord gives me the courage and perseverance to get it done.
When it comes to the pain, it is much the same. I need to find a balance of continuing to do the things I need to do and knowing when to back off. This helps to keep the pain from getting worse. I take medication to take the edge off and keep going forward. There are times when I have to just shut things down. That's okay too. It's all part of coping with chronic pain. My hope is in remembering that Jesus suffered much more. He suffered betrayal and ridicule. He suffered scourging at the hands of the brutal Romans. If you don't know what that scourging was, He was tied to a post, the clothes ripped off Him, and was whipped extra numbers of times with a "cat-o-nine-tails" with broken metal and glass tied to the ends. His flesh was literally ripped from His body.
He then had to carry a heavy wooden cross up a hill, falling 3 times. They then ripped the cloak they had thrown on him reopening all of His wounds. And then they pierced His hands and feet as they nailed Him to the cross. The lifted it into place causing all of His weight to pulled down on nails. He struggled to breathe and was pierced in His side to ensure that He was dead. And He forgave us!
If He could endure all of this in all of His humanity, I guess I can endure my pain. I don't always do it with grace but I do try to join my suffering to His and to remember all those that are suffering more that me. My hope is knowing that He knows how I feel. My hope is knowing that I can alway count on His loving embrace. My hope is knowing that someday I will have a glorified body with no more pain or fatigue in which I will be able to glorify His name for eternity.
Trust in Him, Hope in Him in whatever fatigues you, in whatever caused you pain. He will set comfort you, guide you, love you and will set you free!
Have courage and persevere!
Connie
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Not Good Start, But.....
I am a little slow today because I only got 2 1/2 hours of sleep. I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis which both cause pain & fatigue. Last night the pain kept me awake.
However, I was able to get a casserole ready for baking for my granddaughter's 8th grade graduation tonight, her request. I finished her cake last night.
I had an appointment this morning & prayer group at 1:00. I hope to get a nap in somehow.
I tell you all this to say, I'm good anyway. There is a song that I sing the refrain every day. It is 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. The part that keeps me going says to sing like never before and to be singing when evening comes no matter what comes my way during my day. This helps me to keep focused on my blessings not my trials.
When you give yourself to God, you become aware of His Presence in all things. You see His hand in whatever you encounter throughout the day. He has a plan for your life that you might have life in abundance.
Abundance doesn't necessarily mean a quantity of time. It means that with Him in your life, He can use all things for your good. It means that even in the hardest of times you can have peace and hope because you know He is with you. My favorite scripture is Romans 8:28 - 30
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Keep your head up and be strong! HE IS WITH YOU!!!
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Keep your head up and be strong! HE IS WITH YOU!!!
Monday, May 22, 2017
Creativity in this Christian
When I look back, I realize that I have always been creative. I think ever since I could speak, I sang. Singing to me as always been like breathing. When I was a young girl, seminarians would come over to our house with there guitars and we would have jam sessions with me singing right along with them, loud and clear. I would sing along to the records of my older siblings with the likes of the Beatles, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and many more.
When I was in 6th grade, my best friend and I decided we were going to write a novel. Of course, it was a knock off of several other books we had read. Plagiarism? I still don't know how to spell it! Thank you Google. Being able to tie in the different stories was pretty good for 12 year olds. I think that was the beginning of my desire to write.
Being 12, our attention span was short, so we moved on to other things. She and I were also in the school choir all through elementary school. I can remember being so excited to go to choir especially when we had a chance to perform for family and friends. I also played saxophone in the school band.
I didn't have a lot of toys, so I often got creative and used the natural elements around me to create my playthings. A flower base became a teacup, clover flowers a necklace, and cane stalks swords to spar with my cousin. I used to take laundry detergent and make a "clay" with it and fashion different shapes with it. It would harden once it dried.
As I grew, music and writing continued to be something that felt natural to me. I was shy though because we moved to a new town when I was in the 7th grade, so I left the sax behind. I wasn't brave enough to take vocal until my senior year. I became a lead vocalist there.
When I graduated from high school, I wanted to study voice and dance at a university in another city. My mother did not want me to move away, so I was not allowed to go. I continued to sing for myself and my friends.
When I made my first retreat, I found another outlet for my singing with the Catholic Student Community. I became involved with them and with teaming on retreats and doing music. I also was asked to speak at one of these retreats. I received a lot of positive feedback on my talk.
I continued to sing for those around me and also enjoyed dancing with my friends. I was once told I danced like Ginger Rogers.
I got married, had 2 stepchildren, and worked full time at a very demanding job. I didn't have much time to myself and my creative self had to take a back seat. The kids grew up, my health became an issue and I had to quit work. What was I to do with myself?
I got back in touch with that creative part of me. I took a cake decorating class and began to express myself through those cakes. It is only a hobby, but it gives me great pleasure to create a cake that is specific to an individual or group making them feel special. I am also able to do some sculpting with this.
I got involved with my church choir and the ACTS retreats we host and have been able to use my love of song to worship The Lord. I have been able to write my story and share it with others hopefully inspiring them in some way. This allowed me to get back in touch with writing and allows me to minister to others.
I am discerning what my spiritual gifts are and what avenues I can take to utilize them. Whatever I do my creative gifts will be incorporated. I thank The Lord for gifting me with all I have and am. All Glory to Him!!!
When I was in 6th grade, my best friend and I decided we were going to write a novel. Of course, it was a knock off of several other books we had read. Plagiarism? I still don't know how to spell it! Thank you Google. Being able to tie in the different stories was pretty good for 12 year olds. I think that was the beginning of my desire to write.
Being 12, our attention span was short, so we moved on to other things. She and I were also in the school choir all through elementary school. I can remember being so excited to go to choir especially when we had a chance to perform for family and friends. I also played saxophone in the school band.
I didn't have a lot of toys, so I often got creative and used the natural elements around me to create my playthings. A flower base became a teacup, clover flowers a necklace, and cane stalks swords to spar with my cousin. I used to take laundry detergent and make a "clay" with it and fashion different shapes with it. It would harden once it dried.
As I grew, music and writing continued to be something that felt natural to me. I was shy though because we moved to a new town when I was in the 7th grade, so I left the sax behind. I wasn't brave enough to take vocal until my senior year. I became a lead vocalist there.
When I graduated from high school, I wanted to study voice and dance at a university in another city. My mother did not want me to move away, so I was not allowed to go. I continued to sing for myself and my friends.
When I made my first retreat, I found another outlet for my singing with the Catholic Student Community. I became involved with them and with teaming on retreats and doing music. I also was asked to speak at one of these retreats. I received a lot of positive feedback on my talk.
I continued to sing for those around me and also enjoyed dancing with my friends. I was once told I danced like Ginger Rogers.
I got married, had 2 stepchildren, and worked full time at a very demanding job. I didn't have much time to myself and my creative self had to take a back seat. The kids grew up, my health became an issue and I had to quit work. What was I to do with myself?
I got back in touch with that creative part of me. I took a cake decorating class and began to express myself through those cakes. It is only a hobby, but it gives me great pleasure to create a cake that is specific to an individual or group making them feel special. I am also able to do some sculpting with this.
I got involved with my church choir and the ACTS retreats we host and have been able to use my love of song to worship The Lord. I have been able to write my story and share it with others hopefully inspiring them in some way. This allowed me to get back in touch with writing and allows me to minister to others.
I am discerning what my spiritual gifts are and what avenues I can take to utilize them. Whatever I do my creative gifts will be incorporated. I thank The Lord for gifting me with all I have and am. All Glory to Him!!!
Sunday, May 21, 2017
SPIRITUAL REALM
In recent days I have seen and heard of several encounters with the spiritual realm. Yes, I do believe there is such a thing, both the good and the bad.
I have seen and heard of from trusted sources of people battling demons. We all have the demons of hurt and pain, but some actually have demons of the spiritual realm lying to them about their value and convincing them to do things they otherwise wouldn't do. Some may say they're just crazy, but those I have known were brilliant spiritual people.
Most of all, I have encountered and heard of the good spirits. Those that have passed, guardian angels, and the saints, Mary, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I will only speak to those that I have experienced though just yesterday afternoon I spent hours talking with others about theirs.
Throughout my life I have experienced evidence of the spiritual. The farthest back I can remember was when I was about 9 years and was asked to what saint did I pray. I said I prayed straight to Jesus. I was astonished at the clarity I had and didn't know from where that confidence that resounded in my answer came.
I have been sent messages in various ways from loved ones passed, mostly from my Godson who died at 28 years old. He has sent signs to let me know that he is okay and is with me. I recently experience the very strong presence of my mother. I've had signals from a friend that her spirit is free.
Many times as I grew up, I had visions of a young girl of about 12 years old. She had long dark hair, dark complexion, and dressed in a white gown. I had always said that if I knew how to draw, I would be able to draw her face, it was that clear to me. I even asked my mom who was dark complected if someone in the family had passed at a young age. She not recall any.
A couple of years ago, a friend visited the relic of Saint Maria Goretti. She brought me a prayer card with Maria's picture on it. I froze and said, "It's her!" My friend said, "What do you mean?". I told her the story and that the young girl on the card was indeed the girl I had been seeing all my life dressed exactly how I saw her. Maria is the patron saint of sexually abused children. I was abused at the age of 6. She's been with me ever since and I continue to have visions of her.
I have had many encounters with the Holy Spirit. In fact, I encounter Him every day. He takes over when I am freaked out when I have to speak in front of others, He has spoken very clearly to my mind giving me direction, He has moved in me to spur me on to action to serve God and others. He is the breath in me and responsible for any of the gifts I have and any of the good in me. He and His angels are with me protecting me and guiding me on my journey helping me to be victorious in the battle of the good versus the bad.
You are not alone. God is with you, calling you to Him. Come Holy Spirit and fill all with the awareness of Your presence and Your love. Jesus, Savior of the World, provide all that they need to understand Your great love! Amen! Alleluia! HE IS WITH US!
In recent days I have seen and heard of several encounters with the spiritual realm. Yes, I do believe there is such a thing, both the good and the bad.
I have seen and heard of from trusted sources of people battling demons. We all have the demons of hurt and pain, but some actually have demons of the spiritual realm lying to them about their value and convincing them to do things they otherwise wouldn't do. Some may say they're just crazy, but those I have known were brilliant spiritual people.
Most of all, I have encountered and heard of the good spirits. Those that have passed, guardian angels, and the saints, Mary, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I will only speak to those that I have experienced though just yesterday afternoon I spent hours talking with others about theirs.
Throughout my life I have experienced evidence of the spiritual. The farthest back I can remember was when I was about 9 years and was asked to what saint did I pray. I said I prayed straight to Jesus. I was astonished at the clarity I had and didn't know from where that confidence that resounded in my answer came.
I have been sent messages in various ways from loved ones passed, mostly from my Godson who died at 28 years old. He has sent signs to let me know that he is okay and is with me. I recently experience the very strong presence of my mother. I've had signals from a friend that her spirit is free.
Many times as I grew up, I had visions of a young girl of about 12 years old. She had long dark hair, dark complexion, and dressed in a white gown. I had always said that if I knew how to draw, I would be able to draw her face, it was that clear to me. I even asked my mom who was dark complected if someone in the family had passed at a young age. She not recall any.
A couple of years ago, a friend visited the relic of Saint Maria Goretti. She brought me a prayer card with Maria's picture on it. I froze and said, "It's her!" My friend said, "What do you mean?". I told her the story and that the young girl on the card was indeed the girl I had been seeing all my life dressed exactly how I saw her. Maria is the patron saint of sexually abused children. I was abused at the age of 6. She's been with me ever since and I continue to have visions of her.
I have had many encounters with the Holy Spirit. In fact, I encounter Him every day. He takes over when I am freaked out when I have to speak in front of others, He has spoken very clearly to my mind giving me direction, He has moved in me to spur me on to action to serve God and others. He is the breath in me and responsible for any of the gifts I have and any of the good in me. He and His angels are with me protecting me and guiding me on my journey helping me to be victorious in the battle of the good versus the bad.
You are not alone. God is with you, calling you to Him. Come Holy Spirit and fill all with the awareness of Your presence and Your love. Jesus, Savior of the World, provide all that they need to understand Your great love! Amen! Alleluia! HE IS WITH US!
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Let me introduce myself. I am a wife, a stepmom to a son & daughter, and grandmother to 6 beautiful grandchildren. I am involved with my church and the ACTS retreat movement. I sing in the choir, my favorite form of prayer. I also have the hobby of cake decorating and cookie decorating. I also do a lot of other creative things. Thus Creative Christian.
Jesus is the center of my life and all that I am is His. The Creator created this creative person!
I recently attended a workshop in which I was able to identify my talents (charisms or spiritual gifts). On top of the list were Music, Writing, Faith, and Encouragement. I hope to incorporate all of these here and also share some of my creative projects with you.
God recently closed a door, for now, making me rethink my direction. Since writing was high on my list, I decided to give this a try.
That's me in a nutshell. I look forward to our journey together.
Jesus is the center of my life and all that I am is His. The Creator created this creative person!
I recently attended a workshop in which I was able to identify my talents (charisms or spiritual gifts). On top of the list were Music, Writing, Faith, and Encouragement. I hope to incorporate all of these here and also share some of my creative projects with you.
God recently closed a door, for now, making me rethink my direction. Since writing was high on my list, I decided to give this a try.
That's me in a nutshell. I look forward to our journey together.
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