31. March 2010 by Starr.

This video is dedicated to all children of the King of Kings. 

But especially to the following:   Cole, Morgan, Jerrod, Ethan, Wynter, Austin, Reggie, Sarah, Felicia, Jessica, Christopher, Harold, Emily, Gabby, Laura, Dakota, Kaylie, Ethan, Richelle, Katy C., Sheridan, Lauren, Allison, Daniel-      

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znMzgnR4oZE

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31. March 2010 by Starr.

Ever had someone say something so hurtful to you that you just want to turn your back on them, walk out of the room and slam the door?  Have you ever had someone say or do something so hurtful to you that you are so tempted to just say hurtful things in return, throw away everything they ever gave you, etc.?  The list of temptations after being hurt is endless, isn’t it?  We all have done at least one of them, or probably all, at one time or another, but there is good news for us!

We can learn to resist the urges to walk out of rooms, slam doors, yell, throw cell phones, toss momentos into the trash cans, write hurtful emails or letters just to get the last word ,  or  ______________ (put your own action here that you personally have done)  by simply remembering that nothing, not even a cross look, should come to us unless it passed before God, our Master and is approved by Him.

 Keep in mind this, also, that sometimes, our hurt, is actually part of His plan.  Sometimes we are in a situation that He does not want us to be, and our pain is part of His process of teaching us that we are not where He wants us to be and we must learn to be aware of His guidance.  Only following closely to His will and in a relationship with Him can we learn this.   Our pain is sometimes part of His purpose for us.

We can learn to choose to focus on God and His purpose for us and not the pain, and as we do that, we learn to change our behavior and that is when we receive our help when it hurts and respond more positively to others.  We can learn to see how others fit into His plan for us, and are more open to growing, to healing and to seeing how things fit together for us in our lives. 

The secret here is to be content in every situation, in knowing that God has it all in control.  This, however, I know is not an easy task and sometimes it is with much prayer, tears, hurt, and hard lessons.  Sometimes like removing a thorn from our hand, it hurts…Jesus knows exactly how that feels, too.  But God is our soothing healing salve, that will help us there, too, and later we can look back and say, “Wow!  I feel so much stronger and better and I just love the new progress I have made!”  

Give thanks to God for what He will do as you practice contentment and trusting Him, by letting things pass before Him for approval before taking action in these hurtful situations.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12, 13).

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26. March 2010 by Starr.

I realized that I have been so busy, I hadn’t been keeping up with what’s going on with Non-Fiction.

I currently am so excited about an article I recently finished titled, “Spiritual Warfare- How to Triumph Over Distraction Tactics.”  I am considering doing a series on this subject.

I am working on several other articles, and several others are completed and are in market.  One of my favorites is titled, “From Tombstones to Gemstones, and Back Again.” 

I will keep you posted on what’s going on with those and where to find them in publication.  If you’d like to read a snippet, let me know and I will post some here for you.

 April 5: 2010

“Spiritual Warfare:  Triumphing Over Distraction Tactics” is officially out in market.  Please pray that it reaches it’s home and reaches the readers that God wants it to reach and that it’s message achieves it’s purpose. 

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26. March 2010 by Starr.

Friends, grab a cup of hot tea, a soda, water bottle, XS energy drink (preferrably) or whatever is your poison, and chat with me a moment.  Lets talk about addictions, lies, cover-ups.  Now, just as soon as you read that, the enemy will suggest to you something like this….”This doesn’t sound good.  Run!” 

You know something?  He’s wrong.  The enemy today wants to tell you that whatever addiction, lie, or cover-up you are facing today, cannot be combatted.  It’s just too big for you and you are just stuck.  Ever seen the Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree video?  Remember the one where Pooh gets stuck in the hole that is Rabbit’s front door?  He is a “wedged bear in a great tightness.”  We get ourselves (and many times with the enemy’s help!!) in these situations.

While stuck there, we waste time, effort, love, money, and the list goes on and on.  We begin to think there is no other option.  We begin to think it becomes unforgiveable.  We begin to think that we are thinking of nothing else, that’s when many things become addictions.

Folks, let me tell you something true.  When Christ saved me, He reached into the bottom of the slime and when I say that, I mean it….in the bottom of the pit, and I honestly think He was looking for the very most unlikely person, the most unservant-like person, the one most covered in goo, and said…”Huh, I’ll save that one.”  When He saved me, He really had ALOT to save me from. 

Let me tell you this, also, when He began using me, I STILL didn’t have it all together and guess what?  I still don’t.  I probably (no, I’m sure of it…let me rephrase).  I never will.  Friends, we will never have it all together, but we can still try.  My point is, when we are stuck in that great tightness, like Pooh in that hole, through prayer and forgiveness and salvation, and alot of heaving we can get unstuck.  We will still make mistakes. 

Right now, as I write this, I am thinking of a dear friend DL who I pray forgives me for some wrongness and misunderstandings that went on in our friendship.  That’s putting it lightly.  I’m a very flawed person. 

I’m saying this, this morning, friends, because I want you to know that we are all in this together. There are many who follow my blogs, and so many of you I do not know in person.  It saddens me when I see your names on the registration lists and I do not know who you are…but know you are not just names to me, you are friends to me, and I pray for you and I pray over the names on that list.  I want you to know a bit about me, also, as you follow my blogs.  The truth of the real me, not just an imaginary me.  For example, right now, I’m sitting here nibbling an egg mcmuffin, sipping a coca-cola in my pajamas.  I simply want you to know that I’m not one of those people who claim that they were so perfect before Christ that Christ had nothing to save them from in the first place. 

Friends, Christ did save me from so much.  He can from you, too.  

For those who have never given their life to Christ, please read below;

Prayer of Salvation - Our First Real Conversation With God
The “prayer of salvation” is the most important prayer we’ll ever pray. When we’re ready to become a Christian, we’re ready to have our first real conversation with God, and these are its components:

• We acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God; that He came to earth as a man in order to live the sinless life that we cannot live; that He died in our place, so that we would not have to pay the penalty we deserve.
• We confess our past life of sin — living for ourselves and not obeying God.
• We admit we are ready to trust Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
• We ask Jesus to come into our heart, take up residence there, and begin living through us.

Prayer of Salvation - It Begins With Faith in God
When we pray the prayer of salvation, we’re letting God know we believe His Word is true. By the faith He has given us, we choose to believe in Him. The Bible tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

So, when we pray, asking God for the gift of salvation, we’re exercising our free will to acknowledge that we believe in Him. That demonstration of faith pleases God, because we have freely chosen to know Him.

Prayer of Salvation - Confessing Our Sin
When we pray the prayer of salvation, we’re admitting that we’ve sinned. As the Bible says of everyone, save Christ alone: “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

To sin is simply to fall short of the mark, as an arrow that does not quite hit the bull’s-eye. The glory of God that we fall short of is found only in Jesus Christ: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

The prayer of salvation, then, recognizes that Jesus Christ is the only human who ever lived without sin. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Prayer of Salvation - Professing Faith in Christ as Savior and Lord
With Christ as our standard of perfection, we’re now acknowledging faith in Him as God, agreeing with the Apostle John that: “In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1-3)

Because God could only accept a perfect, sinless sacrifice, and because He knew that we could not possibly accomplish that, He sent His Son to die for us and pay the eternal price. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life..” (John 3:16)

Prayer of Salvation - Say It & Mean It Now!
Do you agree with everything you have read so far? If you do, don’t wait a moment longer to start your new life in Jesus Christ. Pray this with us:

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Prayer of Salvation - I’ve Prayed It; Now What?
If you’ve prayed this prayer of salvation with true conviction and heart, you are now a follower of Jesus. This is a fact, whether or not you feel any different. Religious systems may have led you to believe that you should feel something - a warm glow, a tingle, or some other mystical experience. The fact is, you may, or you may not. If you have prayed the prayer of salvation and meant it, you are now a follower of Jesus. The Bible tells us that your eternal salvation is secure! “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Please email me if you’ve prayed this prayer.  If you have questions, or if you need to find a church near you or just do not know what to do next.  Know this simple thing….the bible tells us that Christ IS love.  That he adopts us as His children.  That He chooses us.  You are so loved, you are adoped by the  King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.  He has a future and a hope for you.  He has a plan and a dream for your life!  The moment you say the sinner’s prayer, your name is written in the Book of Life in Heaven and will receive eternal life.  Isn’t that the most blessed thing?  Friend, you are loved.  Christ has you in His hand.

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22. March 2010 by Starr.

“Life is a dream, realize it.”    Mother Teresa

Ever fly in your dreams?  I fly in my dreams from time to time, and I can say that over my lifetime I have met very few people (less than five) people who have ever flown in their dreams.  One of these people, who has been on my mind alot lately, who I mentioned in a previous blog and quoted, Janet, flew in her dreams, as well, and I’d like to digress a bit and share with you some tid bits of information (if you don’t mind) to kind of help you see where I am going with this flying point.

Janet is my friend Missy’s mother.  Missy passed away this past January, and back in the day, when I was a tween and teenager, Janet was someone I looked up to as a Mother #2, for me.  We spent alot of time together, for my first job was at a photography studio that Janet also worked at, and over the days, weeks, months and years that Janet and I worked together, and also as she was Missy’s mother, we just got to know each other.  Janet is an very encouraging lady.

So, Janet and I one day were talking about flying in our dreams.  She told me that she often times flies and that she just takes off, flies, lands and loves it!  How fabulous!!  I, however…confessed to her that my flying dreams were not so fabulous.  Mine are a bit more difficult.  I have to try many times to take off before I can make it into the air before I am soaring.  I told her that once I am flying, it’s easy, but then the landing is awful.  I never can seem to get it.  I always land in a bush, on a limb, roll down a hill or land in a pond or something.  I remember Janet encouraging me that I could land safely if I kept on trying.  

Now, I know this may sound like a silly thing…but see here’s the deal…I had spoken to a specific family member about this, and had been told…”That’s ridiculous…why even worry about a dream, anyway?”   I had also been told, “What difference does a dream make?”

My friends who are reading this blog right now….this woman who wasn’t even my mother, Janet….knew the difference a dream made to me, not even her daughter, who was having this conversation with her, and I probably was annoying her or taking up her lunch hour or something…who knows…but she took the time to encourage me….AND….guess what?  I STILL can’t land in my dreams.  Today, it’s worse…sometimes I land smack dab into buildings….but, when I decided to become a writer, and sent it manuscripts….oh, the no’s that came back, time and time again.  But, I kept on trying.  The dream, you see, became the reality….THAT’s the landing!

See?  When we take off and fly, that’s the dream going on, moving forward as we try, when it becomes reality, that’s the landing…and we know we did it. 

I think some people’s “flying” is different.  My son Jerrod’s way of flying is on four wheelers and dirt bikes.  My son Ethan’s is when studying the Roman Empire.  Everyone’s way is different.  But the key is that we keep flying.  We keep trying.  Our landing may not be that graceful, but the important thing is that we take our dreams into reality.

This flying dream blog is to neutralize the negative statements of that person who asked me “What difference did a dream make?”  and “Why worry about a dream, anyway?” by giving my two answers on those two statements.  So for those of you out there who hear statements like that,

1)  Dreams do make a difference.  God has dreams for us, too.

2)  Dreams aren’t to worry about….they’re to ACCOMPLISH.  They’re to commit to the Lord and achieve.

So….if you worry….take off and fly…and land.  From dream…to doing…to reality.

“Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved.”  Proverbs 16:3

Janet:  May you always dream….may you always fly..  Thank you.  I love you.  Starr~

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13. March 2010 by Starr.

If you haven’t ever watched the original episodes of ‘Get Smart,’ you’re in for a treat!  At least, I think so.  I’ve been a huge Maxwell Smart/Agent 99 fan since childhood.  I understand his sense of humour and can relate to him.  I honestly think that I’ve had alot of “Max Moments” in my own life.  For example…I’ve been known to close my hair in the car door….glue a false fingernail to my lip….think I was driving backward, and drive forward into the garage door (okay, through it)….trip up the stairs, trip over air, trip up curbs, down curbs, across curbs….and remember the scene in the movie where Max mooned the President on accident because his pants were ripped?  I didn’t go that far…but once, before going on stage at a church, I ripped my skirt  and had to staple it together and use giant paperclips to hold it together to keep from mooning the congregation!  And yes, I’ve always wanted a shoe phone.  But, I’m getting off track.  This, blog this lovely Saturday morning is about what we can learn from Maxwell Smart.  I’m just the kind of person that looks deeper into things (which sometimes annoys people) but that’s just me. 

Here are some quotes from him.  I’ll let him speak for himself.  Then add my two cents.

Chief: Max, you realize that you’ll be facing every kind of danger imaginable.
Maxwell Smart: And… loving it!

(Here’s how I see it.  Wouldn’t it be awesome if, when God says to us, “My child, down there on earth, do you realize, that by serving Me, you will be facing every kind of danger imaginable,”  we will answer our Chief by saying, “My Lord….yes I do….andddddd, loving it!”)

Agent 99: Oh, Max, how terrible.
Maxwell Smart: He desereved it, 99. He was a Kaos killer.
Agent 99: Sometimes I wonder if we’re any better, Max.
Maxwell Smart: What are you talking about, 99? We have to shoot and kill and destroy. We represent everything that’s wholesome and good in the world.

(Sometimes we do wonder and ask ourselves if we are any better than those out there who are doing harm to others.  The enemy suggests to us that standing up for right isn’t right at all, and that we need to back down.  I’m not suggesting here that killing is the answer.  I’m saying that Max has a point here.  We are definitely involved in spiritual warfare friends, no matter if we like it or not, or want to admit it or not.  The enemy’s forces are out there, and we have to put up our spiritual armour of battle and work to defeat it.  God needs his army of Christians, in prayer, and as witnesses.  We are to represent what is good and wholesome in this world.  We cannot back down or second guess ourselves.)

Cmdr. Drury: Smart, you appear to be in pretty good shape, do you work out?
Maxwell Smart: I jog one hundred miles every day! Would you believe it? One hundred miles!
Cmdr. Drury: I find that hard to believe.
Maxwell Smart: Would you believe fifty?
Cmdr. Drury: No!
Maxwell Smart: How about two push ups and a deep breath?

 (Sometimes we are not as spiritually fit as we would like to be, or like to tell others or we ourselves would like to believe.  Ever decided to try to begin jogging or even walking each day?  When you first begin that first little bit feels huge, you’re heart is pounding and you feel like you’ve just jogged one hundred miles, even though you’ve walked around your block?  It’s like that, also, when you try to become stronger with your spiritual life, also.  When you first try to read your bible or do Bible study, it is hard at first.  The enemy will whisper to you…”Whew!!  Do you have time for this every day?!!  After all, you have laundry and a job and a car that needs washed!”  It feels like a hundred miles.  But just keep at it, it gets easier as you go along and you will get stronger and better and you will see the results in your life!  Keep going!)

Mr. Pfister: Won’t you please sign my petition?
Maxwell Smart: I’m sorry, Mr. Pfister, but I can’t sign that petition. Quiet is un-American.

(Speaks for itself.  :)  )

Agent 99: Max, that knife missed you by inches.
Maxwell Smart: You think it’s some kind of warning?

(Agent 99 is a character I always admired.  She called things like they were, she was outspoken with her doubts, her thoughts, and was unfailing and unconditional with her support and her “I got your back” attitude toward Max.  How wonderful to have a partner in life like that.  How many times in life, does someone tell us, “That knife missed you by inches.”  And we ask, “You think it’s some kind of warning?”    Um…duh.  We need to listen to those warnings, see them for what they are…be proactive.  We need to be more aware.  We need to listen.  Sometimes we do not trust someone that God put in our paths to be “Sheild=mate.”  Some of us don’t have sheild=mates.  99 was just that for Max.  She was a help=mate and a sheild-mate both.  God is both of those as well.  Trust when He shows you the warning signs of people or places.  When you feel the promptings of God that danger is near with someone or something, take action.  Do not wait around for that knife to be thrown again.  The next time it might just hit its target.   —–I’m proof of that, friends…trust me on this one.)

Agent 99: Max, what did you do?
Maxwell Smart: Just eliminated a Kaos agent.
Agent 99: Well, how could you be sure?
Maxwell Smart: Because, 99, my eagle eye picked out a few things that the ordinary person might not see. First of all, his sponge was absolutely filthy. Second, he was using horizontal strokes instead of vertical strokes. And finally, he was holding his squeegee with an overlapping lacrosse grip.
Agent 99: Besides, it’s raining, and window washers don’t work in the rain.
Maxwell Smart: I wasn’t finished, 99.
Agent 99: Sorry, Max.
Maxwell Smart: Besides, it’s raining, and window washers don’t work in the rain.
Agent 99: Good thinking, Max.

 (  Some people see things deeper.  Some people see the obvious.  Both types work together as a team.)

Agent 99: You met the President! What’s he like?
Maxwell Smart: Everything you’d expect!
Agent 99: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that

(   Just had to throw this in there.  )

Maxwell Smart: Could you speak a little louder, sir? They’re throwing dirt in my grave.

(The last quote to me, speaks volumes.  To me it says…”Dear Father God….could you speak a little louder, Sir….our days are short, we are only here a little while on this planet…the dirt on our graves is near….we want to be sure to hear You.”

A thank you to those of you who recently have registered to my blogs.  I am always amazed at the number of people who register to my blogs each week.  I pray that you enjoy them and be blessed.  Please pray for my newsletter that God has asked me to begin.  If you know any female or male who is going through a rough patch, who needs uplifting, please email me their name and address and they will be added to the newsletter list.  The newsletter will be free of charge.  Have a great weekend, friends.  God be with each of you. 

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9. March 2010 by Starr.

 Jesus, You know what I need.  Thank You for the grace to let You choose.

“…those who hope in me will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23).

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1. March 2010 by Starr.

Recently, my dear friend and sister in Christ, Missy, passed from this world into Heaven.  Something that her precious mother, Janet, said to me was, “I’d like to believe that William was 100% at fault for the failing of Missy and William’s marriage, but in fact, I know, that it takes two and they both had their fault in it.”

Dearest friend and reader.  Oh, please won’t you take a moment to reflect on those words that she said.  Let it soak into your heart.  Because, I am certain that many of you are like me, and how those words are like a sweet potion to wounds that needed the healing of that Christ-like heart that lady showed.  I’m not sure how strong Janet realized she was in that moment that she said that to me.  For, I know, as a mother myself, it takes such strength, to admit that your child isn’t perfect.  It takes strength to admit that the other person isn’t 100% at fault in the failing of a marriage.  AND to admit, out loud…”I’d like to admit that the husband is 100% at fault.”   Oh how many times have we wanted to say that out loud in so many situations.  How many times have we said it for real?  But, then how many times have we said it, and followed it up, with the love of Christ, by saying….”but, I know….that my own child, had as much fault in it?” 

This has been on my mind alot, since Janet said this, and I wanted to blog about it.  It speaks to parents everywhere.  We want to blame the “other” person so many times and honestly “believe” that our child had absolutely no fault in things sometimes. 

I just wonder, how many times do we do damage to what God is trying to accomplish in the life of that other person and in the life of our own child, and in ourselves, by simply not opening our heart to what might really be the “truth of the matter.”  Sometimes we, as parents, honestly turn a blind eye to things.  Some people live their whole lives, with the theory of “Blood is thicker than water.”  They treat people outside of that family as if they are unworthy of their forgiveness, their ear, their understanding and their love.  It is as if they don’t deserve it simply because they are not blood related.

Which comes back around to my point.  When someone marries into that family, suddenly they are deserving of all of this good treatment, but if they divorce out of it, they suddenly aren’t in the “club” anymore.  That’s not a Christ-like love or attitude at all.  That is not what Christ does to us, is it?  Not at all.

I wonder, have they ever considered that generations of that behavior and belief system is perpetuating a behavior in their offspring that they, perhaps, may not even be aware of, that shows up only in the privacy of a marriage?  For example…if they are raising their child up in a home where “Blood is thicker than water”…then will that person EVER treat his /her spouse as if they are EVER worthy of complete equal treatment?  Will they ever completely treat them as if they are deserving of their forgiveness, love, understanding, and love them as Christ loved the church?  After all, they ARE NOT blood related, after all…even though married.  Get my point?

So, no wonder that the spouse feels alienated, even in that marriage.  Often times, that is the foundation for many problems in marriages and is the foundation right there, for many failed marriages in Christian homes.  And as soon as the problems start, and the two begin talking to their parents about the problems, the one who was brought up in the “Blood Club” instantly the divisions begin there.  Blame begins.  Whispers begin.  He said vs. She said.  Things that were said gets twisted around.  Then someone tells someone else not to talk to the other and on it goes.  Then if children are involved in that marriage, they get caught in the middle….and why?  All because the parents can’t see….that both are involved…both should be loved …listened to, are at fault and are deserving of forgiveness, are deserving of understanding, and both are children of the King.

In the end…we can’t all be great parents, or perfect parents…but we CAN all be PRAYING parents.  I suggest we all commit to pray as parents.  If we are single, pray for our ex spouses, and our ex inlaws…pray for our children and what they are experiencing.

Janet, dearest woman that I love so much….thank you for saying what you did to me.  You proved to me that there really are good people out there who really do think fairly, and who can see that it’s not always the ex-spouses’ fault.  I love Missy so dearly.  She and William were so lucky to have you.  So am I.

To you, who are reading this blog right now, wherever you are, wherever you find yourself, whatever you are going through, God is with you.  As far as difficulties with the exes or non-blood relations, my advice to you is to just love them.  Give them your prayers. 

—–March 3:

After prayer, since I wrote the blog above, I felt led to add the following passage of scripture.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You, hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Luke 6 vs. 41-42).

Basically through insight into what I’ve experienced with the above situation, I’ve learned that if we don’t let Jesus clear our own attitudes, we can’t trust God to work in the situation or hear what He wants to say.

Father God, thank You  for teaching me that when there’s peace and harmony between my spirit and Your Spirit, I can hope to bring harmony into my other relationships.  Help us to hear each other, to be sensitive to each other, and to clear our own attitudes.     Amen~

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