August 28, 2023 DDF Liberty/Loss, Character, and I am back

 

Confession, I am out of character. When a non-believer tells me this is out of your character it touches the recesses of my mind, heart, and soul. God reminded me at church I am allowing myself to get swept up in behaviors that do not reflect Jesus. If my character reflects Jesus then I know I am in sync with Him. I had to ask for forgiveness and just be honest and up front with grumblings instead of on the sidelines which is outside of my character. Just know even as believers our humanness can take the front seat in our faith and behavior. I will be more forthright from today on. I know God has forgiven me and I just need to stop behavior that is out of my character. I don’t want to lead anyone astray when my behavior doesn’t match my beliefs.

“To answer before listening - that is a folly and sham” (Proverbs 18:13).

The sermon today was about how we are all broken vessels and when we feel the most broken we think God is far away, but that is when He is closest. We just choose not to feel Him walking with us through our circumstances. I can relate as I distance myself and avoid Him the first 2 weeks of August even when I know better.

August is not my favorite month. In my conversation in my car, I share that death is a loss that stays with you. I read from Greg Laurie’s book that he feels loss everyday with the loss of his son. Loss just doesn’t go away, but lingers with you daily. You choose not to allow loss to take over your life, but you live on. I share about the loss of my daughter who died of SIDS and my best friend's death by suicide. I also share a friend’s loss of a brother due to an overdose. Tragedy and loss are a part of life but we don’t have to like it.

A person on facebook posted this and I think it sums up the feeling of loss.

“I can’t wrap my head around the fact that it has been 10 years. 10 years since my world was shattered. 10 years since a part of me was lost. I hate what this date is a reminder of…….”

I participated in communion this Sunday and I learned something new. So, Jesus observed the Passover meal with his disciples for 3 years. 3 is a symbol of completion in the Bible which is very interesting as the last and final Passover meal. What I learned was that during the Passover tradition the family didn’t leave their homes in observance of when the Jews were told to put blood on their doors and death would bypass their homes during the time when God told Moses to free His people from Egypt. So, Jesus tells his disciples to go for a walk to the Mnt. of Olives. They broke tradition as they trusted Jesus to have their best interests at heart. They loved Jesus so much they left their home to follow him. Just a fascinating fact to learn.

Another point in church today was the mention that the event that changed Saul into the Apostle Paul we read about in the New Testament. Saul hated Christians and tried to kill them all, but in one moment Saul’s life changed forever. Saul watched the stoning death of Stephen. At the end of Stephen’s death he used Jesus’ words, “forgive them for they not what they do.” Stephen's death saved Saul's soul. He soon became the Apostle Paul.

The pastor asked today, “when death comes are you ready to greet it?”

Thinking about loss, being saved, and contemplating that question; so I sat with my son to ask him his thoughts about being left behind. We talked about what life would be like if Christians were taken from society. And what life would be like if you become a believer once the tribulation period happens. As evil as the world is today, I just can’t imagine how bad it will be during those times.

Prayers for the times you are out of character. Prayers for those dealing with loss. Prayers for healing in every aspect of our lives. Know you are not alone.

Blessings,

Dreamsdontfade.com

This song I send to my friend who knows who you are. I know this song will hit home for a lot of people.

I just need one more night

My heart's broken inside

Losing you feels like I lost me

So many nights I'd stay up and cry

Wishing you were by my side

You said you'd never leave

You lied

(You said you'd never leave

You lied)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3U5Xm-w9aA

Politics & Education: Get Informed and Get Involved

 

Recap: Lombardo major bills signed in the last 2023 legislation sessions

 AB404 (a deal between doctors and trial lawyers to raise the state’s cap on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits)

 AB524 (an electric utility planning bill aimed at promoting development of more in-state energy resources)

SB35 (a bill that would raise penalties for fentanyl trafficking) 

 SB450 (a measure to help relocate residents of the Windsor Park community in North Las 

Vegas).

Lombardo dollars for Opportunity Scholarships

Lombardo Veto Tracker

Lombardo Promise Tracker

Education: 2023-2024 school year has begun 

WCSD Crisis Alert System coming

WCSD Sex-Ed Curriculum for 4th-5th Graders

Fox News Sex-ED new language

CCSD Anti-Racism Policy 5139

K-12 Gender Diverse

WCSD Gender Diversity Policy 5161

Education Resources 

MFV LGBTQ Assessment

MFV Know Your Childs School

Against Porn is in our Classrooms Toolkit 

K-12 Free PragerU Lessons for families

P2P Report an Issue 

Dr. Ben Carson Free Little Patriots Lessons

Hillsdale College Free Classes

MFV Patriot Academy

Nevada Current Events:

Supermarket Supermerger

2 More Strip Properties Charge for Parking

Washoe Rolls Out Electric Busses

Nevada Union Workers:

Culinary Workers Union Demand more money

Nevada Teachers Union Demands for money

WCSD Union: Pay should jump 20%

teachers protesting disrupts CCSD School Board meeting

Lombardo hopeful CCSD and teacher's union will agree to a contract

Nevada Voting:

Nevada raises concern about voter confusion

Contact Your Elected Officials

Nevada State-Let’s get involved 

 

Legislation term will begin soon so here is the link to watch the bills:

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/

Nevada State: Sign up to voice your opinions on bills

(easy way to get involved in what is being passed or vetoed)

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023

Interested in being part of the state board committee?

 (Here you can apply to state boards)

https://gov.nv.gov/Boards/Board-Vacancies/

Interested in being part board and/or committee in your county?

Example:

Google search: Pahrump committee

Search provides: https://www.pahrumpnv.gov/198/Advisory-Committees

There is a list of advisory committees that can be applied

Click on the application and give it a try to get on the committee you are interested in

(Any person can do this search in your city and be part of a committee to make a difference in your county)

*** list of counties in Nevada to keep you engaged in your county

https://www.washoecounty.gov/

https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/

https://www.humboldtcountynv.gov/

https://www.elkocountynv.net/

https://www.pershingcountynv.gov/

https://www.landercountynv.org/

https://www.co.eureka.nv.us/

https://www.churchillcountynv.gov/

https://www.whitepinecounty.net/

https://www.storeycounty.org/

https://www.carson.org/

https://www.lyon-county.org/

https://www.douglascountynv.gov/

http://mineralcountynv.us/

https://www.accessesmeralda.com/

https://www.nyecountynv.gov/

https://lincolncountynv.org/

Scriptures:

Salt and Light: Matthew 5: 13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Community: Hebrews 10: 24-25

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Teach others: 2 Timothy 2:2

2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

August 13, 2023 DDF Liberty/Revelation and life disrupts

So, I skipped some things I do each week and I sure can feel when my tank is empty. Got this bubble along my lower eyelid. Not really pain or itch but in the last couple weeks I think I have stressed myself out mentally and emotionally. I skipped my normal routines like I missed church last Sunday, my prayer time was out of sync, and avoided reading, studying, and even my conversation in my car post. I just can’t imagine having shingles hitting my eye again so I had to take a step back and remind myself to just stop wallowing in self-pity and even though I am disappointed it should not disrupt my joy. So, eye drops again and just watch the numbness, prickly feeling, and if my face gets red/hot. So far, I think I got it all handled.

I forget at times that I can’t always see or understand the whys of what God allows into our lives. I’m still in the middle of my story. My story is not done. Whatever chapter I am in right now I must remind myself to stay connected to the one I know who will never disappoint me.

“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” (Romans 8:28).

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[ no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

We deal with the invisible on a daily basis as we see what the unbelievers don’t/can’t see is what the pastor said today in church. Then he proceeded to-a few highlights to lighten the mood on the deep reading of Mark Chapter 13:

A man was sent to the hospital as he kept yelling that he is now invisible
They shifted him to ICU

Yesterday, I drank a bottle of invisible ink.
I was in the hospital all night waiting to be seen

The nurse tells the doctor: "There's an invisible man in the waiting room." The doctor replies: "Tell him I can't see him now."

Mark Ch. 13 is titled “The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times.” So, today in church we discussed the book of Revelation. Many churches avoid the last book because it is deep and there is a divide of pre-, mid, post tribulation. There are 7 years and the question is when will the rapture take place? I am in the pre-tribulation camp of pre-tribulation. I think the believers have to be taken and then the 7 years because there has to be a global event for the 7 years to make sense. If we are still here then who would believe us then when we have been warning people Jesus is coming like a thief in the night to snatch us up to be with him so be ready. It just makes more logical sense to me. Do your own research and make your own opinion. I do recommend the book “Revelation for Dummies.” Great book with a lot of explanations broken down by each chapter.

Couple points:
Jesus took the cup of wrath of God against our sin
Jesus will bring everything under His submission
Prayer is a partnership between Heaven and Earth

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven” is part of the Sermon on the Mount, in the Gospel of Luke and Matthew. It is really not the “Lord’s prayer” but should be more called the “disciples prayer” as the prayer points to us to be prepared and in our readiness for his return.

Hear this song, Where I’m Standing now by Phil Wickam and Brandon Lake. I do stand in the words sung by such great talents:


I stand on the chain-breaking
Miracle-making
Powerful name of Jesus
On the body-raising
Prodigal-saving
Powerful name of Jesus
Hallelujah, I'm free (Hallelujah)
Jesus my Savior rescued me

Prayers that your prayers align with His will and purpose for your lives. Amen

Blessings,
dreamsdontfade.com

Phil Wickham - Where I'm Standing Now (Official Music Video) ft. Brandon Lake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcAV7-b9wMQ