What Was Meant to Heal

"The people spoke against God and Moses: "Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!" Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and they bit them so that many Israelites died. 

The people then came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede with the Lord so that He will take the snakes away from us." And Moses interceded for the people. 

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Make a snake (image) and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover." So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered."

Numbers 21:4-9

I read the above verses this morning and several things occurred to me as I read. First is how we, like the Israelites, complain about how God provides for us. They were not hungry or starving. They simply did not LIKE the provision available. For us, it could be we have a car, but complain about how we don't like it or would like something else. Perhaps it is our home and we would like something bigger or in a different neighborhood. Or maybe it's our spouse. I'll just leave that one alone! 

I know from personal experience there are many times God has provided me with what I need, yet I complain to Him because it is not exactly what I want. I wonder how many times my complaining has opened the door for "snakes" to enter my life. How many times has my discontent led to a poison entering my life? 

Another part of this story that stood out to me is how the Israelites requested the snakes be taken away, but they weren't! God did not remove the snakes from their lives. However, He did provide a way for them to be healed when they were bitten. Life works this way sometimes. There are consequences for our choices and our actions and while God cannot change those consequences, He can bring healing in the middle of them. Many of the choices I made in my past led to painful conditions. While I did plead for God to remove them, I knew that was not possible. What I did find was that in the midst of the pain, God showed me a way of healing. I simply had to maintain my focus on Him, rather than the cause of the pain. 

I can't help but wonder if any of the Israelites later looked to the bronze snake as the source of their healing rather than recognize it was the Maker who gave them the healing. There is no record of this happening that I could find, but when I think of how we are so easily led astray, I imagine it must have happened. Instead of realizing how our creator has given us all we need for healing, we instead turn to medications and all kinds of therapies for healing. Rather than trust in the tools God has given us, we trust in the wisdom, or "bronze snakes" of man.  Consider this symbol commonly used to represent the medical profession: 

I find it interesting all these years later, many still turn to the bronze snake for physical healing. While there is a time and place for seeking medical attention, we must be careful to never forget the one who provides the wisdom and the one who has already given us all we need to survive in the nature He created. While the bronze snake was created to heal, it was the live snakes causing the damage and pain in the first place. What is your first response when you are in need of healing? Do you turn to your Creator or to something created by man? Never forget to seek Him first! 

Saying Goodbye

A couple weeks ago I received a message from my cousin saying I probably would want to call my Grandma because she wasn't feeling too well. Honestly, I didn't want to think about this reality. I knew a phone call wouldn't be enough for me so as soon as my schedule would allow, I made the 3 1/2 hour drive to say my goodbye. Not everyone believed this was "it" for her, but I didn't want to take the chance and not see her one more time. 

It's a very surreal experience to make a trip to see someone knowing it will be the last time you see them this side of eternity. I was able to stay with Grandma most of the day. I wish I could say there were some ground breaking conversation and final words of wisdom imparted to me, but Grandma really didn't have much to say. I laughed as she offered everyone the spam she had in her kitchen cabinet. I don't think I ever remember seeing her when she wasn't offering someone something to eat. Not that she would necessarily prepare the food, but she would always tell you where the food was located. As a mother of nine children, I guess it was hard to get over someone always wanting food. 

Grandma was the strongest, most stubborn and opinionated woman I've ever known. She never hesitated to tell you exactly what she thought about something and she never did it with very much tact or sugar coating. If she thought you were overweight, she would tell you. She would also tell you if you were too skinny. If your hair was too long, she would tell you to cut it and then when you did, she would tell you how much better it looked long. When you walked into her store after not visiting for months, she would smile big and was happy to see you. This was most true if you happened to have a baby in tow. She lit up holding a baby. I've had conversations with family wondering how many babies she's held at the same spot at the end of the table in the eating area by the kitchen of her little country store. 

Speaking of her store, there's not a memory I have that her store didn't exist. She moved into it's current location in the early 70's (by my guess). My whole life I knew Grandma as a self-employed business owner. My aunt told me Grandma worked at a Levi's factory and in her free time sold Avon. It was the income she made from Avon she saved to purchase the inventory for her first store.  She did things her own way. She made her own decisions and God help whoever tried to disagree or argue with her. She loved to fish more than anyone I've ever known so it made sense she sold live minnows and raised worms in beds outside the store. My daughters referred to her as Grandma with the fish. 

It was in this store that I had my first job at the age of 14. It was not a very fun time of my life and Grandma and Mom decided it would be good for me to get out of the house and help Grandma every day after school. During those hours I learned how to run the cash register, but mostly how to clean. I dusted more shelves and washed more dishes than I can even begin to remember.  My gosh! The dust and dishes never ended! To this day, the smell of her dish soap makes me remember all the hours at her sink. While working the cash register she insisted all the bills be turned the same direction, to never put the money away until you had counted out the person's change (so they couldn't try to tell you they'd given you a larger bill than they really did), and to always place someone's change in their hand, never on the counter. During the summer I worked there and helped with the bushels and bushels of vegetables she grew in her own garden. I still quiver thinking of the huge silk worms we would find in the corn. And oh the mess that was made during the canning process of green beans, tomatoes, corn, and more. But it didn't matter because Grandma made sure I cleaned it up. I learned how to "properly" wring out a mop and how a string mop was the only appropriate way to mop a floor. I was taught how to stock the drink box by putting the new drinks towards the back and don't ever leave the door open longer than necessary because you were letting out all the cold air and she had to pay for that air. She never hesitated to tell customers this too.

Thinking back over what I know of her life, Grandma had seen many tragedies and experienced a great deal of heartbreak. But through it all, she was resilient and strong. Perhaps it is because of the Cherokee blood in her veins. She comes from a line of warriors. I understand why she didn't put up with any nonsense. She didn't have time or patience for it. She taught me that it's okay to just be yourself. She taught me to be a strong woman. Not only was she self-employed my whole life, but my mom was also. I like to think I'm the third generation of self-employed women. They taught me to work for myself, but to understand working for yourself is hard work. You are the one to get up early because you are the one responsible. It's your name on the "building." She taught me the love of family, even when they make decisions and do things with which you may not agree.

Last Friday the call came I didn't want to hear. Grandma had passed. Her 94 years (just a few weeks short of 95) had come to an end. As hard as it is to say goodbye to the leader and matriarch of your family, it's also a time of rejoicing. Her descendants at the time of her death number at 104. My current number at almost 40 is 2. There's some perspective. 104 lives on this planet can be attributed to her existence. Because she was here, I am here. Because she was who she was, I am in part who I am. I can't use a string mop without thinking of her. 

Today she will be laid to rest next to my mom. I'm told during her final weeks, Grandma was overheard talking to my mom in her sleep. She was telling her how she would be seeing her soon. This brings such peace. As much as it hurt to lose my mom, I can't imagine what it was like for Grandma to lose her daughter. The last time I saw Grandma, I told her I hoped she felt better soon. Her response was, "It's okay, this won't last forever." I told her, "Mom said the same thing." She replied, "Yes, she did. And God gave me many more years than she had." With last Sunday being Mother's Day, it brought so much comfort to know Grandma was now with the daughter she hadn't seen in almost 17 years. I pray they are in heaven sitting at Jesus' feet. 

I also have a feeling she is hanging with some of the disciples...teaching them the right way to fish.

To Pimp A Culture

When I type "Pimp" into my Google search engine, the photo above is my result. The first definition is the one I'm most familiar with because of the work I do with women who have been sex trafficked. To them, and to me, "Pimp" is one of the worst four-letter words in the English language. And yet, it's a word our culture not only uses freely, but also celebrates. 

Last night, I watched as an artist was awarded for an album with the title "To Pimp a Butterfly." I will add here that I have not heard this album. I did look up some of the song lyrics and can say they are not lyrics I would want myself, or anyone I care about to hear. This post is not a personal attack on this artist, but more on our society that has embraced things that are evil and called them good. Not just good, but awarded them as being the best at the moment. 

The conflict is that not everyone even recognizes the meaning of the word "Pimp." Many simply think of it in terms of the second definition listed as a verb in the image above. It's why when it's time to return to school, stores advertise ways to "pimp" your backpack. We have television shows highlighting how to "pimp" different things in your life. And yet, for many women, this definition is far from their truth of the word. 

Let's compare this to another word, "Fag". 

This is a word commonly used not too long ago. Once the word became associated with being a derogatory term, most people stopped using the term. I can't imagine an award being given to an album containing this term. I can't fathom walking into a store and seeing this word displayed on advertising. Yet, for the word "Pimp" it's okay. A word associated with abuse and slavery, is celebrated. How does this happen? 

I blame this on our ignorance of things we do not want to acknowledge or admit about our culture and world. We don't want to know about the millions of women around the world being manipulated and controlled by others. Wait, not just "others." These women are owned by PIMPS. If you have ever sat with a women as she's detailed her experience with a pimp, you can never hear the word without cringing. When you see her bruises and scars given by her pimp, you can't think of the word as being a good thing. When you hear media glorifying pimps and little boys talking about how they want to grow up to be a pimp, you can't help but want to cry. And yell. And write blog posts. 

Here are just a few facts about sex trafficking: 

• The average age of a woman entering prostitution is 12-14 years old. Most are runaways and research shows most are approached by a PIMP within 24-48 hours of running away.
• Trafficking primarily involves exploitation which comes in many forms, including: forcing victims into prostitution, subjecting victims to slavery or involuntary servitude and compelling victims to commit sex acts for the purpose of creating pornography.
• There are approximately 20 to 30 MILLION (read that again...MILLION) slaves in the world today. Translation: Pimps are slave owners. 
• California harbors 3 of the FBI’s 13 highest child sex trafficking areas on the nation: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. Oh, the irony! The Grammy's were held last night in Los Angeles! 

These are only four quick facts about trafficking. And this isn't happening just in some other country that is highly impoverished. This is happening in YOUR neighborhood. This is happening to YOUR children. This is happening to YOUR loved ones. One of the most commonly heard phrases I've heard from women coming out of being trafficked is, "I never thought this would happen to me." No little girl thinks, "When I grow up, I want to be a sex slave." But then that little girl meets a pimp. He promises love, money, fame, family, security, or whatever else is missing in the girls life. So she believes him. And then finds out it's a lie. Because that is what evil does. It lies. 

 A pimp is NOT a thing to be honored. A pimp is NOT something to be celebrated. A pimp is NOT a career goal. People, don't believe the lie.

If you'd like to learn more about sex trafficking or how to help FIGHT this evil, please visit www.JusticeMinistries.org. You can also donate to help us in this war at the same website. 

**Statistics from www.DoSomething.org**

People Pleasing

Our society has a major problem. It is a worldly problem that has infiltrated the church. It's the problem of people pleasing. We place so much value and importance on the opinion of others rather than seeking to please God. I am reading in Galatians this morning and am reminded this is not a new problem.  Paul writes,

"For do I now persuade men or God, or do I seek to please men?

For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached

of me is not after man.

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, 

But by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Galatians 1:10-12

I am guilty of disappointing God in my effort to not offend people. Perhaps disappointing isn't the correct word. I am guilty of offending God. I have put more stock and concern into the opinions of others rather than the opinion of my creator. I've attempted to justify thoughts and behaviors that are sinful in my quest to be accepted by another. I've watered down God's word or refrained from sharing parts of scripture in order to simply avoid an argument or confrontation. Reading Paul's words has convicted me of my people pleasing behavior. 

What is the gospel you share? Is it one of your own creation or one consistent with the word of God? Have you changed it to suit your own lusts and desires? Have you offended God in your effort to not offend man? Is your life based on the revelation of others and their enlightenment, or is it based on revelation given through Christ? There are many opinions and views of man that sound great, and yet contradict the word of God. If the "revelation" we receive contradicts God's word, then that revelation is not given through the Holy Spirit. 

Pleasing God will cause us to be persecuted. Many places in scripture tell us this. However, seeking to please people rather than God can lead to eternal consequences. I don't know about you, but I want all God has for me in this life and I know my obedience to Him opens the door for all He has for me. I would rather please Him and receive His blessing than please man and have the blessing of their opinion. Which matters more to you? 

Why Are We So Slow To Learn?

Do you ever have moments when you really feel stupid? Or maybe not stupid, but just really slow to learn. I had a moment last night that made me feel that way. My husband played basketball last week for the first time in years. He didn't just play, he played for hours. The result was his knees became very swollen and painful. He's been in pain for four days. Last night while laying in bed he said, "Jesus, please!" I laid my hand on him and calmly said, "Jesus, heal my husband. Thank You." I kept my hand on him and was physically unable to move it. Within about 30 seconds my husband jumped out of bed! He kept saying, "Oh my gosh! They don't hurt!" When we agreed together for his healing, Jesus showed up.

Then it it hit me, why did we not do this four days ago? He's had his legs wrapped, taken Tylenol and done just about everything else we could think of doing. Yet, the very thing that could heal wasn't considered until last night. I have to wonder, how many other issues, or pains, have I attempted to resolve in every way other than the One way that brings healing. Have I brought more pain to myself by not turning to Jesus? Has He been waiting for me to simply ask Him to heal?

What about you? Are there pains or areas of struggle in your life that you can't seem to find any relief? Are you trying everything you can think of to solve the problem instead of giving the problem to the One who can heal? Is Jesus waiting for you to acknowledge your issue and your need of Him? Like a good Father, He is waiting for you to cry out for help. I know when my children are stubborn and insist on doing something themselves, I often let them. After much frustration, they usually ask for my help. I wonder why they wait so long to acknowledge there are some things they can't do on their own. And yet, I'm the very same way!

"Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet and He healed them."

Matthew 15:30

When will you lay down your issues at His feet? He is a healer and is simply waiting for you to come. 

Death on Hold by Burton Folsom and Anita Folsom

Death on Hold is the true story of Mitch Rutledge and his journey from childhood to a life in prison. Everyone has a story and nobody reaches the place they are in life overnight. Death on Hold shows how someone can make choices based on their environment and surroundings that lead to bad choices after bad choices. If you've wanted to know more about how someone ends up committing crimes that carry a life or death penalty sentence, Mitch's story will answer those questions.

There are few books that can cause me to change my views on certain matters. Mitch's story causes the reader to reexamine if they truly believe Christ can redeem and change everyone. Even reading the poems included that were written years apart, the reader can see the change as it happens. The poems themselves start off grammatically raw (Mitch entered prison illiterate) and end very well written during more recent years. Death on Hold held my attention as I was unable to put the book down out of my need to know how Mitch's story ends.

Death on Hold is absolutely worth reading! It's also worth sharing with church groups and friends to inspire more Christians to take physical action in living for Christ and not just giving lip service. I had not heard much about this book prior to seeing it online. I hope this becomes a #1 bestseller so Mitch's story can be shared and hopefully can lead to change within our prison system.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Moral Decline

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait

for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me."

Micah 7:7

If you've watched even two minutes of any news broadcast lately, you know the moral state of the world we live in is not encouraging. Random murders are occurring in concerning numbers. The lines between Biblical beliefs and worldly beliefs are clearly drawn. There is the need now to weigh obedience to the law of man against the law of God. It's becoming more and more difficult to be obedient to both. It's easy for us to look back over our own lifetimes and think this is something new for God's people to face. However, this has been happening for thousands of years. 

I opened my Bible to the book of Micah today and the the chapter heading given in my Bible caught my attention. The title of Chapter 7 is, "Israel's Moral Decline." Due to everything happening in our current society, I decided to stop and read what Micah had to say regarding moral decline. What do we do when "a person's enemies are the people in his own home?" (vs. 6) What do we do when Godly people have vanished from the land? (vs. 2) What do we do when the official and the judge demand a bribe? (vs. 3) Many of these statements could be used to describe our situation today! 

The answer given by the prophet Micah, is to look to the Lord. Our focus can be so caught up on what is happening around us we forget to remember our hope is in Christ, not man. We can become stressed and anxious, or rest in Him and know He is our defender and our peace. Who He was at the time of Micah's writing is who He is today. God still hears the cries of His people. When the world is in chaos, He is still in control. Things will happen that will cause His people to be set apart. The days of lukewarm Christianity is soon coming to an end, which is a good thing because lukewarm faith should never even be an option for believers. 

So, what will you do? Will you choose to dwell on the doomsday reports in the news and live your life anxiously looking around every corner and waiting for an attack, or will you live trusting God. The two can't coincide together. Don't lock yourself down in your little corner of the world and hide. Go be the light in an ever darkening world.